Author: Anadolu Agency

UK businesses are expected to benefit from the latest trade talks between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. During discussions on Thursday, Trump hinted that the UK could avoid export tariffs, stating that there is “a very good chance” of a trade deal that would eliminate the need for tariffs between the two nations. William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), praised the talks as an “important first step” toward strengthening economic ties. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Bain, emphasized the significance of the relationship-building that occurred during…

As Washington and Moscow advance talks to improve bilateral relations, China on Thursday said any US “attempts” to sow discord between China and Russia will be futile, Chinese state media reported. In response to media inquiries over US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s concerns about China-Russia relations in an interview, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is not influenced by any third party. The development strategies and foreign policies of China and Russia are long-term, and no matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia relations will continue to progress, the spokesman said. The…

The IMF has approved a new arrangement of funds equivalent to $1.4 billion for El Salvador, which also includes restrictions regarding bitcoin, according to a statement on Thursday. The arrangement has a 40-month duration, with an immediate disbursement equivalent to around $113 million. “The IMF-supported program aims to ensure conditions are in place to boost El Salvador’s growth prospects and resilience by strengthening public finances, rebuilding external and financial buffers, and improving governance and transparency. Bitcoin risks are also being addressed,” it said. The arrangement is also expected to catalyze additional multilateral financial support, for a combined overall financing package…

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty over phone on Thursday. “During the conversation, there was a constructive exchange of views on pressing regional issues, with a focus on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to ensure the continued implementation of the three-phased ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, facilitate detainee exchanges, and expand humanitarian aid deliveries to residents of the enclave. Lavrov also shared Russia’s assessments of…

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane has taken off from Poland and is flying through Europe toward the US, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Thursday. “An hour ago, the presidential plane departed from Poland and is now en route to the US via Europe,” he wrote on Telegram. Meanwhile, British media reported that on his way to Washington, Zelensky will stop in Dublin to meet Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump, who wants a swift end to the over three-year-long Ukraine war, announced that Zelensky could visit the US on Friday. It is being said…

The Kremlin spokesman said on Thursday that Moscow does not expect any breakthroughs from the Russia-US talks taking place in Istanbul. Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Dmitry Peskov noted that the US and Russia have accumulated too many issues in their relations to mend them swiftly. “No one expects easy or quick solutions — the problem is too complex and has been neglected for too long. However, if both countries maintain their political will and willingness to listen to each other, I believe we will be able to navigate this working process,” he said. He added that at…

British Premier Keir Starmer is expected to focus on tech policy during his visit to the White House on Thursday, where he will meet US President Donald Trump to discuss collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies. Topics such as Ukraine, tariff policies and the Chagos Islands are likely to dominate much of the British media coverage, but Downing Street has made it clear that strengthening tech ties between the UK and the US will be a top priority. In a statement released ahead of the visit, Downing Street highlighted the shared ambition of both nations to remain at…

Türkiye expects the EU to take concrete steps to improve relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told European Council President Antonio Costa over the phone on Thursday. Congratulating Costa on his appointment as the president of the European Council, Erdoğan said revitalizing relations between Ankara and Brussels is in the mutual interest of both sides, according to a statement issued by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on X. Erdoğan and Costa also discussed regional and global issues, with the Turkish president stressing that it would be beneficial and in the best interests of all parties to plan steps toward European security with Türkiye’s…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday conveyed his “warmest wishes” to Muslims across the globe as they prepare to mark the holy month of Ramadan. “I send my warmest wishes as Muslims around the world begin observing the Holy Month of Ramadan,” Guterres said in a video message ahead of the month’s beginning, and noted that “Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity.” The UN chief said Ramadan is “an opportunity to reconnect with family and community” and “a chance to remember those less fortunate.” Pointing to “Gaza and the wider region, to Sudan, the Sahel, and beyond,”…

Two people were killed in a fresh Israeli airstrike in northwestern Lebanon on Thursday evening despite a ceasefire agreement, local media said. An Israeli warplane fired three missiles into a small truck in Ad-Doura neighborhood in Hermel city, witnesses said. The state news agency NNA said two people were killed in the attack, without providing details about their identities. A similar attack targeted a car in eastern Lebanon on Wednesday, killing one person, whom the Israeli army said was a Hezbollah member. The attack came in violation of a ceasefire agreement that has been in place in Lebanon since Nov.…