Author: Anadolu Agency

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday expressed optimism hours before of a crucial defense and security meeting in London, highlighting three pivotal priorities that will guide the discussions. The meeting, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will focus on recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and broader European security concerns. In a statement shared on X, Rutte emphasized the urgent need for continued and increased support for Ukraine in its ongoing defense against Russian aggression. “Support Ukraine today,” Rutte said, noting that the entirety of Europe would need to contribute more to ensure Ukraine’s resilience. The NATO chief…

US Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham urged European nations to take greater responsibility Saturday for defending Ukraine and the continent. “To the hand-wringing Europeans who felt offended by President (Donald) Trump rejecting being lectured by (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky: Be my guest to defend Ukraine from (Russian President) Putin,” Graham wrote on X. “It is long past time for the Europeans to show they are capable of defending their own continent,” he added. Graham criticized European nations for allowing their militaries to weaken, stating: “They’ve allowed their militaries to be hollowed out, and when Europe speaks, no bad guy listens.” He…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday reiterated his country’s support for Ukraine ahead of his bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London. The Ukrainian president arrived in London earlier Saturday for talks with Starmer and to attend a summit on Ukraine to be hosted by the British premier on Sunday. The summit will be attended by many European leaders. “You have the full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take,” Starmer told Zelenskyy, referring to cheering crowds gathered outside Downing Street. He said that the…

A jury in the US state of Illinois found a man guilty of murder and hate crime charges in the 2023 killing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy, media reports said Friday. Joseph Czuba, 73, was charged in the fatal stabbing of Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian American, and wounding his mother, Hanan Shaheen, on Oct. 14, 2023 in Plainfield, 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. The crime happened in Czuba’s home where the victims had been renting two rooms. Prosecutors said Czuba targeted the family because of their Islamic faith and in response to the Israeli-Palestinian war that began one…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should apologize to President Donald Trump after a heated exchange in the Oval Office. Asked during an interview with CNN whether he believes Zelenskyy owes Trump an apology after the clash, Rubio responded, “I do.” “You guys only saw the end,” Rubio, who was present in the meeting, said. “You don’t see all the things that led up to this.” He urged Zelenskyy to “apologize for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became,” accusing him of being “antagonistic”. Asked during an interview with…

South Korea filed a request with the US government to not include Seoul in Washington’s new tariff plans, said the Industry Ministry Saturday. US President Donald Trump had announced a string of tariff measures as part of his “America First” agenda. Last month, he signed proclamations to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, due to take effect on March 12. South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun during a meeting with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick conveyed the East Asian nation’s companies’ worries over the new tariff system and called on US for an exempt from the new…

Türkiye on Saturday expressed sorrow over the continued escalation of the conflict in Sudan and called for a ceasefire in the country. “We are deeply saddened by the ongoing escalation of the conflict in Sudan and the worsening humanitarian situation. We once again call on the parties for a ceasefire and peace to prevent further bloodshed,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on X. “We once again call on the parties for a ceasefire and peace to prevent further bloodshed,” Keceli added. He also emphasized the importance of refraining from actions that could harm Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty,…

Russia on Saturday claimed that Ukraine attempted to attack a station supplying natural gas to the TurkStream pipeline through drones during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the US. Three drones attempted to attack the compressor station in the Krasnodar region on Friday night while Zelenskyy was in the US, a Russian Defense Ministry statement said. It added that the attack aimed to halt natural gas shipments to Europe. Underlining that all drones were shot down by air defense systems, the ministry said no damage was reported at the station. It added that natural gas shipments to TurkStream from the…

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has outlined a plan to address an ongoing egg shortage, driven by a severe avian influenza outbreak and supply chain disruptions. The plan includes repurposing the Agriculture Department’s funds for biosecurity measures to protect poultry farms from wild birds carrying the virus, Rollins told Fox News. Rollins also highlighted efforts to streamline regulations to speed up the repopulation of egg-laying hens, which she said were slowed by rules imposed during the previous administrations. The US state Nevada has already taken a similar action, temporarily suspending cage-free mandates. Additionally, the US is exploring short-term egg imports,…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called on Israel and Hamas to exercise “maximum restraint” as the first phase of a ceasefire agreement concludes. Guterres, in a statement delivered by his spokesman, emphasized the need to prevent a return to hostilities, which would have “catastrophic” consequences. “The past six weeks have provided a fragile but vital reprieve, offering a measure of relief to both Palestinians and Israelis,” he said. Guterres urged all parties to “find a way forward on the next phase” of the agreement, stressing that a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing…