Author: Anadolu Agency

Russia on Thursday accused neighboring Ukraine of “continuing” to breach a US-mediated 30-day pause on strikes against energy facilities in both countries. Following consultations held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, the US announced separate agreements Tuesday with Russia and Ukraine to “ensure safe navigation” in the Black Sea and a halt to strikes on each other’s energy facilities for 30 days. Moscow and Kyiv later confirmed the agreements, although the Kremlin said they would take effect as soon as certain restrictions and sanctions on Russia are lifted. “Despite the Kyiv regime’s statements about the alleged cessation of strikes on…

Russia and the US are discussing a new agreement as part of efforts to revive the Black Sea Initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday in Moscow. “The outlines of a new agreement are currently under discussion,” ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated during a briefing, referring to recent Russian-American talks in Riyadh. Following expert consultations between the two sides in the Saudi capital, the Kremlin announced that both countries had agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative. The deal aims to guarantee safe maritime navigation and prevent the use of commercial ships for military purposes. However, Moscow…

China on Thursday asked the US to reflect on its “bullying” of developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, noting the US engages in “coercion and plunder.” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, made the remark in a regular press conference after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently claimed that Chinese investment in Latin America and the Caribbean is “predatory behavior.” Rubio made the claim at a joint press with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday, saying that Chinese investment has brought “huge debts” that cannot be repaid, according to Global Times. Regarding this claim, the Foreign…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday rejected any easing of sanctions on Russia, saying recent developments have shown that Moscow is “currently not interested in real peace.” Speaking to reporters in Paris after the Ukraine summit of European leaders, Scholz affirmed that Germany and its allies would maintain their support for Ukraine while ceasefire negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow continue. “We have seen how the negotiations have gone so far, and Russia has added new demands after each round. This clearly demonstrates that Russia is currently not interested in real peace,” Scholz said, calling for heightened pressure on Moscow to…

Somalia’s ambassador to Türkiye has praised Turkish cuisine as one of the finest in the world, voicing his admiration for a variety of traditional dishes. Fathudin Ali Mohamed spoke to Anadolu Agency (AA) during an event hosted by Somali students in Ankara for iftar, the fast-breaking meal during the holy month of Ramadan, in which the faithful fast during daylight hours. He noted that the primary distinction between Ramadan in Türkiye and Somalia lies in the food. He explained that in Somalia, in the evening people break their fast with soup and appetizers, followed by prayers, before continuing their meal.…

Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek signaled stability in Türkiye’s economy, saying volatility in markets has significantly decreased and that he expects the effects of recent developments on the economy to be temporary and limited, according to a press release by his ministry Tuesday. Simsek and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan held a video conference Tuesday with international investors and answered their questions on current developments. Around 4,500 investors from North America, the UK, other European countries and the Middle East showed great interest in the one-hour meeting, according to the statement. During the meeting, Simsek said that all necessary steps…

An Israeli court upheld a detention order Tuesday against Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip. “The Israeli Beersheba court today upheld the detention of Abu Safiya as an unlawful combatant for a period of six months,” the Prisoners’ Information Office, affiliated with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said in a statement. No further details were provided. Israel arrested Abu Safiya, 52, in late December after storming the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. He was forcibly removed at gunpoint after the hospital was destroyed and rendered non-operational. Israel’s 2002 Unlawful Combatants Law…

Fatih Karahan, governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT), said Wednesday that they will maintain a tight monetary policy stance until a permanent fall in inflation and price stability is achieved. Speaking at the German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK) Economy meeting, Karahan stated that the economic and trade relations between Germany and Türkiye contribute to mutual prosperity and growth. Stating that the developments in the markets last week caused value losses in financial assets, Karahan said: “We took swift action to ensure that the volatility in the market is temporary and its reflections on…

The European commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management expressed concern Tuesday over “alarming reports” regarding Israeli attacks targeting health personnel, hospitals and aid workers in Gaza. “I am concerned by the alarming reports emerging from Gaza, where health personnel, ambulances and hospitals have come under Israeli attack-yet again,” Hadja Lahbib said in a statement. She said these acts undermine the essential and heroic efforts of aid workers striving to save lives in the midst of hostilities. “Humanitarian aid efforts must continue to help people in desperate need. International Humanitarian Law must be respected by all,” she added. Lahbib said…

An Israeli court upheld a detention order Tuesday against Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip. “The Israeli Beersheba court today upheld the detention of Abu Safiya as an unlawful combatant for a period of six months,” the Prisoners’ Information Office, affiliated with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, said in a statement. No further details were provided. Israel arrested Abu Safiya, 52, in late December after storming the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. He was forcibly removed at gunpoint after the hospital was destroyed and rendered non-operational. Israel’s 2002 Unlawful Combatants Law…