Capital city of Turkey, with 5.3+ million urban residents
Global benchmark Brent has risen toward $86 a barrel after an 11% surge over two sessions as markets react to President Trumps threats of further strikes on Iran, including attacks on power plants and bridges, and to his warnings to "shower Iran with 1000 missiles" following reported assassination plot claims. Talks between the US and Iran continue to be signalled.
Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Donald Trump in a closed-door Oval Office meeting during a Washington visit for Senator Lindsey Graham's memorial. The leaders have discussed Iran, coordination on regional security and the Abraham Accords; White House officials have declined to release a readout while both sides have stressed continued cooperation despite recent tensions.
UN Secretary-General has put Cyprus back at the center of diplomacy, launching a renewed push to break the island’s long-standing deadlock. He has met Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders and is preparing for a wider 5-plus-1 meeting to relaunch formal peace talks, with energy interests and regional stability at stake.
Iraq and Turkiye have renewed efforts to cooperate on energy and transport after the expiry of the 1975 oil-export agreement. Turkiye seeks new routes and expanded export capacity, with talks focusing on an energy framework, water management, security, and regional development.
Ukraine seeks Patriot missile licenses to build interceptors domestically; Trump has suggested but not guaranteed licenses. Washington says discussions are ongoing as Kyiv faces ballistic-missile threats amid a broader war. Leadership on both sides is uncertain as the winter approaches.
Migrant flows into Ceuta have triggered a European response as Spain and Italy clash over border controls. Authorities say tens of thousands crossed from Morocco, with most quickly returning; Italy has suspended Schengen with Spain and calls for stronger external borders.
Kyiv is hit by a new wave of Russian strikes, killing civilians and damaging residential and commercial buildings. Ukraine reports ongoing air defence efforts, while officials urge patience as Western Patriot systems are pushed for to counter the attacks.
Iraq and Turkey have extended and refreshed arrangements for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz. A one-year extension is set to keep flows through Ceyhan at about 750,000 barrels per day while broader energy cooperation is pursued. Talks include oil, electricity and water resources, with Ankara signaling a longer-term framework.
Civil defence teams in Gaza City have recovered the remains of 112 people, including about 40 children, from a residential block hit on 22 November 2023. Hundreds attended mass funerals after days of hand-digging; officials say 157 people remain under the same rubble and thousands more are still reported missing across Gaza.
Parliament has approved a bill guiding the PKK’s disarmament and the rehabilitation of its members as Turkey moves toward ending a four-decade conflict. The law suspends prosecutions for five to 10 years, with cases dropped if no terror offenses occur; Ocalan’s status is not addressed. The measure is backed by the government and DEM party and signals a historic but cautious step.
Zelenskyy has warned that air-defence shortages could worsen as Russia launches a wave of ballistic missiles and drones. Ukraine is relying on allies for Patriot interceptors, with talks about domestic production and European partnerships intensifying. At least 17 people have been killed across Kyiv and surrounding areas, while drones have been largely shot down.
Across Sudan, fighting remains fierce as clashes persist and civilians confront the breakdown of essential services. Reports highlight displaced families, sexual violence in conflict zones, and the surge in birth registrations becoming nearly impossible in some areas, underscoring the humanitarian catastrophe.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, establishing a mutual defence framework. The pact treats an armed attack on any member as an attack on all, while stopping short of detailing automatic troop deployment. It builds on prior defense ties and signals a move toward a more regionally driven security order amid heightened Gulf tensions and Iran-Israel dynamics.
European defence budgets are rising as leaders consider a Europe-led NATO amid growing concerns over Russia. The shift could see the US provide less conventional support, prompting plans for a more autonomous European security framework while core allies vow unity in the face of potential Russian aggression.
Moroccan forces have detained scores of people near Fnideq after social media calls encouraged a repeat mass crossing toward the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Security services have used tear gas and set up checkpoints; Spain has kept extra police, soldiers and a maritime barrier in place while several news agencies were ordered to leave the Moroccan border town.
Spain has imposed reciprocal border checks on travellers from Italy after Rome has kept controls that it introduced following a deadly mass crossing into Ceuta on 30–31 July. Italy has said it will not lift checks until it is satisfied there is no new migration wave or security risk. The dispute has fractured EU unity and left thousands still in Ceuta.
The Washington Post has reported that President Trump has secretly swapped planes when leaving a NATO summit in Ankara due to a credible Iranian threat. He boarded Air Force One in view of cameras and was later transported to a military aircraft via a catering truck, with journalists unaware. The president asserts he follows security guidance, while the administration defends the newer aircraft’s security.
A protocol establishing a Sudanese-Turkish University strengthens higher education ties, expands scholarships, and lays groundwork for joint academic work between Sudan and Turkey. The agreement aims to develop capacity, support research, and foster mutual expertise, signalling a new phase in bilateral academic collaboration.
The Washington Post reports a covert move during July’s NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump reportedly boarded the older Air Force One, then was secretly moved to a smaller jet via a catering truck. Reportedly, journalists believed they were traveling with him on Air Force One, while he flew to RAF Mildenhall in the UK on a different plane.
Multiple outlets report that during a July 8 NATO-related trip, Donald Trump was transported from Air Force One to a smaller C-32A aircraft via a catering truck. Journalists and White House staff were kept unaware of the switch. He later returned to the US aboard a Qatar-donated jet, with officials defending the move as a security measure.
UNESCO has warned that Afghanistan remains the only country that formally bars girls and women from secondary and higher education. The agency has said the five-year exclusion has reversed two decades of progress, pushed 2.4 million girls out of school, narrowed women’s work options and deepened economic and social harms. UNESCO says it will keep running community literacy and skills programs while pressing for full restoration of educational rights.
The Washington Post reports that during a July 8 Ankara stop, Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller plane to avoid an Iranian threat. Journalists and some aides remained on the decoy aircraft, while security officials say the move was to protect the president. Details of passenger lists and the full sequence remain undisclosed.
Residents in Masafer Yatta and West Bank villages have reported repeated settler attacks, property damage and soldiers escorting or standing by during incidents. Witnesses have described settlers grazing livestock in homes' gardens, arson, and assaults near mosques. Humanitarian groups have recorded high demolition and displacement rates since October 2023.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defence and deterrence. Signed August 7, it marks a shift toward regional security coordination as US involvement in the Middle East becomes more constrained, with analysts noting the pact may empower regional partners without fully replacing Washington’s role.
Presidential movements have been covertly switched ahead of NATO talks, with decoys and a catering truck used to move the president. Officials cite credible threats, prompting last-minute plane changes and fighter escort to protect the president.
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and under its control, while other parties push back with assertions of American influence and international concern. The dispute follows a series of public statements and threats as talks to reopen the waterway stagnate.
The Guardian, Independent and BBC report Trump has overseen a security maneuver after reports of a heightened Iranian threat. The White House has not confirmed details, but officials describe increased protective measures and a temporary relocation using decoy assets to prevent targeted attacks.
Missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and surrounding regions, leaving multiple fatalities and injuries. Authorities report damage to residential areas, a medical facility, and a school; NATO and neighboring states warn of heightened tensions as Russia's campaign and Ukraine's response continue.
The latest wave of Russian strikes targets Kyiv and other Ukrainian infrastructure, intensifying an already brutal conflict. Officials report civilian casualties, power outages, and disrupted daily life as both sides escalate long-range attacks and Ukraine warns of winter-scale challenges ahead.
The Lutuf was seized off Somalia’s Puntland coast, with eight armed men boarding the vessel carrying weapons headed for Mogadishu. The crew includes diverse nationals. A separate hijack near Gulf of Aden follows, highlighting rising piracy linked to regional instability and economic incentives in drought-stricken Somalia.
The United States has removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list, and has also delisted the al-Nusrah Front. Damascus says the move unlocks investment and accelerates reconstruction as it seeks to reintegrate with the global economy. Washington frames the step as a path to stability, while analysts caution continued regional risks.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Osman Kavala’s continued detention after his 2022 life sentence violates his rights, citing structural flaws in Turkey’s judiciary. The court calls for Kavala’s immediate release and notes a pattern of political influence on justice in Turkey.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have dissolved as an independent unit and merged into the Syrian army following a January deal with Damascus. The move ends a decade of de facto autonomy in the northeast and positions the country for a new chapter of peace and reconstruction.
Israel has secured a nearly €3 billion defense export deal with Greece, delivering a multi-layered air‑defense array including David’s Sling, SPYDER and BARAK MX, plus radars and a national command system. A supplementary €26 million deal covers Rafael’s Drone Dome. The package elevates relations amid regional tensions and Europe’s security recalibration.
Turkey has deepened its ties with Russia, highlighting bilateral energy cooperation and nuclear plans as Erdogan positions Turkey within the SCO while stressing Western ties remain intact.
The Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i, serving as Air Force One, has faced scrutiny over its defensive capabilities after reports of covert aircraft swaps and security upgrades. Officials say upgrades are planned to ensure a safe, secure, and reliable capability for the President, while critics question the ethics of the gift.
Wildfires in Turkey’s Antalya region have prompted mass evacuations, with several districts affected. Officials say the fires remain active and efforts to control the blazes continue as rescuers face challenging winds. A resident died after smoke exposure, and dozens have been hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighting aircraft and ground crews are deployed, and hundreds of residents have evacuated.
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs of staff have met in Riyadh to begin turning the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement into operational cooperation after a recent surge in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory and shipping. Officials have agreed to deepen military and intelligence ties and to integrate defensive capabilities under the pact.
Kabul reports civilian casualties as airstrikes near the border feed cross-border tensions. Islamabad says militants were targeted inside Afghanistan, while Afghan authorities warn of retaliation. Several incidents have intensified a long-running border dispute amid regional mediation efforts.
Turkish police have carried out coordinated raids in at least 12–15 provinces, targeting LGBTQ organisations, bars and activists in cities including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has said prosecutors have opened cases against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses under a "My Family is Safe" operation tied to President Erdogan's "Decade of the Family." Rights groups say about 50 people have been detained and several websites and social accounts have been blocked.
Nato's secretary general has pressed the UK to show a credible path to reach 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, saying yearly increments are essential. In London, ministers acknowledge the need for gradual steps, with the spending review next year likely to shape the route. The debate follows Labour and Burnham's commitment to the 3.5% goal and ongoing pressure from allies.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said she will open the door for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member", proposing deeper ties on critical minerals, defence, AI, energy and Arctic cooperation. The proposal has drawn a standing ovation in Strasbourg but contains no treaty detail and will require member-state approval.
Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a red line as Houthi strikes test a defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan amid a broader Iran-linked escalation. Attacks threaten Red Sea oil routes; Iran remains accused of backing Houthis. US involvement remains limited as allied efforts to bolster air defences unfold.
Turkish authorities have carried out coordinated raids across at least five provinces in a campaign called "My Family is Safe," detaining more than 100 people, searching LGBTQ+ and HIV‑advocacy offices, raiding bars and homes, and blocking social media accounts; ministers say the operation protects children and family values.
Zelensky has told the UN that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He says North Korea is using soldiers as currency to support Russia, while Kyiv seeks humanitarian and legal pathways amid international scrutiny.
Iraq and Turkey have agreed to establish full state authority in Sinjar and end the presence of outlawed armed elements. Turkish forces will hand over a Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Baghdad under an agreed mechanism, with a timetable not specified. The pact follows talks between Erdogan and al-Zaidi at the UN General Assembly, and aligns with earlier Kurdish armed groups’ disarmament efforts.
Turkish prosecutors have frozen the assets of Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya and her husband as part of an investigation into insider trading linked to an investment fund crisis. Kaya has resigned from her post as deputy chair of Erdogan’s AKP, stating she is taking political responsibility to allow an independent inquiry.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly said Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul says the transfer was meant to be confidential and accuses Ukraine of breaching an agreement; Kyiv denies any nondisclosure pact and calls the matter a diplomatic misunderstanding.
Deniz Goktas has been convicted on charges of insulting Erdogan and religious values, receiving a 19-month sentence while pending appeal. He has spent nearly three months in pre-trial detention. The case is part of a wider crackdown on critics of Turkey’s Islamo-conservative government.