Author: Anadolu Agency

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said he is “gravely concerned” over the rising violence in the occupied West Bank and the human rights violations in Gaza. Guterres, addressing the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, said: “I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation.” “In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, violations of human rights have skyrocketed since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7 and the intolerable levels of death and destruction in Gaza,” he said. Describing the ceasefire between…

The US has no clear strategy to end the war in Ukraine, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Monday. “I personally dare to say that the United States does not have a solid strategy to end this war. That is why we in Europe must take the initiative,” said Stubb, speaking to the Iltalehti daily. “However, I do not believe that the transatlantic relationship is collapsing. It is currently being challenged, and recognizing that fact is today’s foreign policy,” he added. Asked how to reach a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Stubb said: “It is resolved by the fact that…

Czech President Petr Pavel has insisted on Kyiv’s presence in peace negotiations to end Russia’s now over three-year-long in Ukraine, Czech Radio reported. “Any peace agreement must be negotiated with Ukraine and accepted by that country, and negotiations must begin by acknowledging who is the aggressor and who is the victim,” Pavel said during a virtual address at a summit in Kyiv on Monday. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the new US administration changed its position of being the “main guarantor of peace and the existing world order,” referring this change as the biggest since the fall of communism.…

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Russia perceives a genuine American interest in ending the Ukrainian crisis. Speaking at a news briefing in Moscow, Peskov commented on a shift in the US stance on the Ukrainian conflict, describing it as “a much more balanced” now. “We see that the US is adopting a much more balanced position, genuinely contributing to efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. We certainly welcome this. Such a balanced stance reflects a real desire to support a settlement,” he emphasized. US President Donald Trump has advanced negotiations with Russia to end the three-year-long…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that the “doomsday clock moved one second closer to midnight” as some countries are investing in new nuclear weapons, calling for an urgent action on disarmament. Guterres’ remarks came at the Conference on Disarmament, which was held on the sidelines of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. “The urgency to produce results remains critical. Last month, the so-called doomsday clock moved one second closer to midnight. Some countries are investing in new nuclear weapons and their means of delivery,” he said. “Others are expanding their inventories of nuclear weapons…

Russia on Tuesday conducted a large-scale strike on Ukrainian military airfields using precision-guided, air-launched weapons. In a statement, the Defense Ministry also reported strikes on 144 sites involved in drone production, as well as temporary positions of Ukrainian armed formations. “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation targeted the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields with precision air-launched weapons and drones. The objectives of the strike have been achieved,” the statement read. Air defense systems intercepted five US-made Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guided aerial bombs, 23 Czech-made Vampire multiple launch rockets, and 97 aircraft-type drones, the ministry added. Ukraine has…

Ireland’s premier Micheal Martin has said he would “absolutely” invite Donald Trump to Ireland. The Taoiseach said that the US president, who owns a golf course and hotel in County Clare, was “welcome” in Ireland. Trump last visited Ireland in 2023 for a brief trip to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg. Although there was heavy security for the visit and fans gathered in the village, no government representative was at Shannon Airport to greet him as it was deemed a “private” trip. Asked while on the way to Cabinet if he would invite Trump to Ireland, Martin…

The Vatican’s top diplomat expressed concern Tuesday about the growing persecution of religious groups worldwide, urging the UN Human Rights Council to take action against religious discrimination. Speaking at the high-level segment of the council in Geneva, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s foreign minister, called for stronger efforts to safeguard religious freedoms, emphasizing the council has a crucial role in ensuring the rights of all religious communities. “Attempts to restrict religious freedom are an obstacle to lasting peace and integral development,” Gallagher said. He urged global leaders to combat the discrimination, reinforcing the Holy See’s commitment to upholding religious…

Following talks with British and Ukrainian leaders after returning from the US, France’s president said they are determined to work for an enduring peace in Ukraine. “Back from Washington, I spoke with (UK) Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer and then with (Ukrainian) President @ZelenskyyUa,” Emmanuel Macron wrote on X. During his visit to Washington, Macron had talks with US President Donald Trump amid growing concerns over Ukraine’s security and its future in the face of the ongoing war with Russia, which marked its third anniversary this week. “We are determined to work for a solid and lasting peace in Ukraine,” said the…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled ambitious plans to boost UK defense spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027, a move that comes as efforts to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine intensify. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Starmer outlined the government’s strategy to allocate more funds to defense, while scaling back the UK’s aid budget. Under the new plans, the UK’s defense budget will rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an additional £13.4 billion ($16.9 billion) allocated annually for military spending. The current defense spending is at 2.3% of GDP. As part…