European Central Bank reduces rates as inflation aligns with target
The European Central Bank has reduced its three key interest rates by 25 basis points, aligning with expectations and reflecting progress toward its inflation target.
Vladimir Putin thanked the pope for supporting peace efforts but accused Ukraine of fueling war, calling Kyiv's actions “terrorism,” according to the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo for offering help in resolving the Ukraine conflict, while accusing Kyiv of deliberately escalating the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
According to a Kremlin statement, the two spoke by phone, although no date was provided. The Vatican’s involvement appears to focus on humanitarian concerns, but the Kremlin also linked it to potential peace negotiations — something Donald Trump recently said the pope had offered to host in the Vatican.
“Gratitude was expressed to the Pontiff for his readiness to help settle the crisis,” the Kremlin said, adding praise for the Vatican’s willingness to engage on humanitarian issues “on a depoliticised basis.”
Putin used the conversation to lash out at Ukraine’s conduct during the war, claiming Kyiv is focused on escalating the conflict and accused it of launching “sabotage” attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, which he labeled as “terrorism.”
The Kremlin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict — Kremlin shorthand for its long-standing demands:
That Ukraine adopt a neutral status, and that NATO halt any eastward expansion.
Russia has long worked to maintain cordial ties with the Vatican, especially under Pope Francis, focusing mostly on humanitarian efforts, like the reunification of families divided by war.
Despite this, top Russian officials — including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov — have repeatedly downplayed the idea of the Vatican as a serious venue for peace talks, citing the predominantly Orthodox Christian identity of both Russia and Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s statement also referenced recent talks with Ukrainian negotiators over prisoner exchanges and the return of servicemen’s remains — framing it as a modest diplomatic breakthrough.
It also called on the Vatican to “take a more active role” in defending freedom of religion in Ukraine, referencing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with historic ties to Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal investigations against some clergy suspected of pro-Russian sympathies since the full-scale invasion began. Meanwhile, a Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church — independent of Moscow — has rapidly gained ground inside Ukraine.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
Four people were killed and several others injured as Kyiv came under a wave of missile and drone strikes overnight, in what follows reports of Ukrainian drone attacks on military facilities deep inside Russia.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 6th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Uzbekistan and Jordan secured historic World Cup berths for the first time on Thursday, while South Korea confirmed their place and Australia edged closer in Asia's qualification campaign for the 2026 tournament in North America.
Japanese company ispace announced that its unmanned moon lander, called Resilience, likely crashed during its landing attempt on Friday. This is their second failed try, after their first mission also ended in a crash two years ago.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Germany’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had a surprisingly friendly and calm meeting at the White House. They talked about important issues like the war in Ukraine, trade, and NATO troops, but unlike some past meetings with world leaders, this one went smoothly.
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