Capital of tourism on Turkey’s southwest coast
Leaders gather at COP31 in Antalya as scientists warn 2026 will be among the warmest years on record. Negotiators face funding gaps and a push for electrification, with El Niño intensifying weather risks into next year. The talks aim to translate pledges into action, despite limited breakthroughs on fossil fuels and climate finance.
Barrack’s comments about Israel’s status over the Golan Heights have sparked renewed international criticism and intensified debate over U.S. policy dating back to 2019. The ambassador says the remarks describe historical status, not UN positions, and emphasizes that ongoing negotiations shape the region’s future.
Dozens of Northern Ireland holidaymakers have been stranded in Tunisia after an EasyJet flight back to Belfast was cancelled. Passengers report little communication and mounting costs as the airline organises a direct Belfast flight and promises reimbursements. Some travellers have faced hotel stays and medication shortages while others race to find alternative routes home.
New prime minister Andy Burnham has set out a plan for deeper devolution, tackling the centralisation of power and sketching reforms to water, energy and housing. He stresses growth through regional autonomy while warning against a two-tier England and outlining a path to devolution deals with Cornwall and beyond.
Ministers have received final consultations on the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields and are preparing a decision that will balance jobs and energy security against climate concerns. Labour figures, industry groups and environmental campaigners are pressing ministers from different angles as the regulator and Energy Secretary complete their reviews.
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.
The 81st UN General Assembly High-Level Week is under way as world leaders gather to assess climate action, pandemic preparedness, sea-level rise and progress on the SDGs. The week also marks milestones on development charters and anti-discrimination work, with diplomacy conducted largely behind closed doors.
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.
Pacific nations and allies press for urgent action on climate finance, ocean health, and keeping 1.5°C within reach ahead of COP31 in Turkey. Pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu highlight vulnerability to sea-level rise and demand concrete, community-level finance and adaptation.
Underwater excavations near Kekova Island have recovered ceramic amphorae dating to 4,400–4,700 years ago. The vessels indicate Mediterranean trade networks linking the Levant, Egypt, Crete and beyond. One amphora bears markings suggesting it was used to churn dairy products. The site provides a rare window into Early Bronze Age seafaring.
Istanbul has faced record rainfall with authorities confirming multiple flood-related deaths. Officials say thousands are being evacuated and more rain is expected over the weekend, prompting continued emergency response and school closures.
The floods in Istanbul have worsened, with multiple deaths and thousands evacuated. Rainfall has reached record levels since 1942, causing widespread damage and flight disruptions. Authorities warn of ongoing danger as the weekend forecast remains unsettled.
Scotland’s Acorn carbon capture project is embroiled in a funding dispute as UK ministers reframe support from a grant to loans/equity. The government has already drawn down a portion of the promised grant, and critics warn the plan remains fragile while SNP aims hinge on NETs for emissions cuts.
Turkey unveils a $500 billion energy plan ahead of COP31, aiming to electrify its economy by 2040 and cut coal reliance, while keeping security of supply. The plan foresees a quadrupling of wind/solar and a shift toward nuclear, with steep investment and questions about a timely coal exit.
Leaders gather as COP31 opens under pressure to translate past climate pledges into action. Delegates face financing for poorer nations, energy transition plans, and a shift toward renewables, while geopolitical tensions and energy shocks test commitments.