Author: Anadolu Agency

The U.S. announced sanctions Thursday against 118 individuals and entities tied to Russia’s financial sector, including Gazprombank, the country’s largest remaining bank yet to be blocked by Washington. The sanctions announced by the Treasury Department also target dozens of additional Russian banks and banking officials. “Today’s action reaffirms the U.S. commitment to curtail Russia’s ability to use the international financial system to conduct its war against Ukraine and disrupts Russia’s attempts to make cross-border payments for dual-use goods and military materiel,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. The announcement came amid reports that the Biden administration authorized…

Italian experts have called for urgent measures to address challenges faced by Turkish students who have been admitted to universities in Italy but are unable to secure visas. A protest last week outside the Consulate General of Italy in Istanbul highlighted the issue with students who had been accepted to Italian universities but were unable to travel due to visa delays. The situation has caused financial and academic setbacks for many students. Vera Costantini, president of the Italy-Türkiye Friendship Association and a faculty member at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, emphasized the importance of internationalization in Italian higher education. She…

In the third reshuffle since taking office last year in August, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet Wednesday appointed Prak Sokhonn as new foreign minister. All 112 lawmakers unanimously voted to appoint Sokhonn, 70, the premier posted on X. Prak Sokhonn, who also held the ministerial position between 2016 and 2023, succeeds Sok Chenda Sophea, who retains his position as deputy prime minister. “This reshuffle is to promote more efficient implementation of Cambodia’s foreign policy,” Hun told the parliament before the vote. “It is essential to maintain and enhance traditional relations, solidarity, and multi-sectoral cooperation with countries and key partners for…

Israel’s genocide in Gaza, now in its second year, coupled with the United Nations’ failure to take decisive action or implement effective measures has underscored once again the urgent need for comprehensive reform within the global body, according to a former UN official. Speaking to Anadolu, Hans von Sponeck, a former UN assistant secretary-general and UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, highlighted the need to revise the veto system in the UN Security Council and to expand global representation. “Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and the brutal above-evil situation that has evolved in Palestine could have been avoided if the permanent members had…

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has canceled his planned visit to the University of Fribourg due to a call for protests by several collectives for Palestine. Casis was supposed to take part in a panel discussion titled “A polarized world: challenges and opportunities for the rule of law and democracy” with his Slovakian counterpart Juraj Blanar on Tuesday at 3 p.m. (1400GMT). According to Swiss public radio RTS, the cancellation was made by the federal authorities due to the “security of the speakers” following the call for a demonstration issued by several groups, said Marius Widmer, the head of communications…

In a Wednesday phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Faustin-Archange Touadera, his Central African Republic counterpart, discussed security concerns in the republic. According to a Kremlin statement, the leaders exchanged views on combating terrorism and maintaining stability in the country. “The leaders exchanged views on regional issues, focusing on countering terrorist threats and ensuring stability throughout the Central African Republic,” it said. Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting the republic’s economy, sovereignty, and security, while his counterpart expressed gratitude for Russia’s assistance. The two leaders also reviewed prospects for strengthening bilateral relations in areas such as politics, trade, and…

The UN expressed regret Wednesday for a U.S. veto of a draft resolution that demanded a cease-fire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. “It’s another example of the regrettable lack of consensus that we’ve seen in the Security Council between member states, and the lack of, frankly, the lack of implementation of previous resolutions on Gaza,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. He said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains committed to supporting efforts to end the conflict, achieve the unconditional release of all hostages and advance the implementation of a two-state solution. Dujarric’s comments came after the U.S. again…

Several members of UN Security Council on Wednesday denounced a fourth U.S. veto on a proposed cease-fire resolution in the Gaza Strip. China’s envoy Fu Cong, expressed disappointment with the outcome of the vote and accused the U.S. for hindering hopes of Palestinians “for survival, pushing them further into darkness and desperation” via the use of the veto. Saying that member states’ actions would not “escape the harsh judgment of history,” Fu asked: “Does Palestinian lives mean nothing?” “How many more people have to die before they (U.S.) wake up from their pretend slumber?” he asked rhetorically. Fu argued that…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that his country does not have the strength to push back Russia to borders of 1991. “We understand that we do not yet have the strength to push (Russian President Vladimir) Putin back to the line of 1991 with weapons in hand,” Zelenskyy said told Fox News. Asked if he was willing to cede land to Russia as part of a potential peace deal, Zelenskyy said Kyiv cannot legally acknowledge Ukrainian territories under Moscow’s control. Regarding his willingness to give up Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, in pursuit of a peace deal,…

The U.S. will resume operations Thursday at its embassy in Kyiv following a temporary closure because of a security threat, the State Department said Wednesday. The embassy was closed Tuesday due to a security alert, spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed during a news conference. “The embassy put that alert out based on (a) possible threat of significant attack on Kyiv, something that we take very seriously, and (it) led to the temporary change in posture at the embassy,” said Miller. While declining to provide specifics about the nature of the threat, Miller emphasized that ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel remains…