The economic, cultural and historical heart of Turkey
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of the vast majority of 115 Premier League financial-rule charges covering 2009–18, multiple outlets have reported. Sanctions have not been decided. City has said the process remains ongoing, has vowed to appeal and has told supporters the club will defend its position. (08 Oct 2026)
Gatwick Airport has launched Stanley Robotics’ robotic parking system at its South Terminal, allowing drivers to drop off cars in a private cabin where robots lift and park them. The service, which supports most standard cars, aims to cut drop-off times and free up terminal space, with first passengers using it this August.
Littler has defended his Betfred World Matchplay title with an 18-9 victory over Gerwyn Price in Blackpool. He has set a final average of 111.53 and a tournament average of 111.04, breaking Phil Taylor’s previous marks. The 19-year-old remains on track for a calendar-year haul of major titles, while Netflix has announced a reality darts show launching later this year.
The Booker Prize has announced its longlist of 13 novels for 2026, featuring veterans and debut authors from seven countries. Mary Beard chairs a panel that has prioritised risk-taking, with titles spanning Jamaica, Scotland, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. The list aims to diversify the canon and spark debate ahead of the November winner reveal.
The crash near Miramar Air Base has prompted an ongoing investigation. The pilot has ejected and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An aerial plume of smoke and ground debris are visible as responders contain a vegetation fire at the site. Officials say the F-35B costs about $109 million and the broader program carries a multi-trillion price tag.
Mohamed Salah has signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool. The 34-year-old has agreed to earn €17m a season plus a 20% share of merchandise revenue; the club has scheduled a public signing ceremony at Papara Park as supporters greeted him on arrival in Turkey.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Mohamed Salah has joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool; the Egypt forward is set to sign and join his new club, where he is welcomed by thousands of fans. Salah has scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool and is regarded as one of the club’s greatest. His move ends a season in which he scored 12 goals.
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.
Unai Emery leads Aston Villa into the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, chasing a first European trophy since 1982. PSG enter as holders; Villa face a deficit in squad stability amid talks of signings and injuries ahead of the clash.
The Charity Commission has escalated a statutory inquiry into the Al-Khair Foundation, with eight initial charities under review and a Turkish national connected to the group in custody on US charges. The regulator says it will extend its review as more evidence emerges about links to Hamas and the flow of funds to Gaza.
Heathrow reports July traffic near 7.86 million, down 1.5% from last year, while Istanbul remains Europe’s busiest hub. The airport argues expansion is essential to restore UK leadership and support growth after a summer peak, with new routes from ITA Airways, Alaska Airlines and Riyadh Air highlighting demand.
Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Super Cup after Déziré Doué's 61st-minute strike, awarded following a VAR review, beat Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before 17-year-old Brian Madjo levelled for Villa on his competitive debut, becoming the youngest scorer in the fixture's history.
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.
Incheon International Airport has become the world's busiest international hub in the first half of 2026, overtaking London Heathrow as disruptions from the US-Iran conflict redirect passengers to Asia. Heathrow remains under pressure to expand as Istanbul overtakes it in Europe, while Dubai declines.
Paris Saint‑Germain has moved its Ligue 1 opener against Rennes to Roazhon Park after declaring the Parc des Princes pitch unsafe following a scorching summer. The club has also completed major summer sales — including Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye in high‑value deals — and has generated roughly €400m from departures while recruiting selectively.
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.
Independent and Guardian outlets report a flurry of openings, chef moves, and pub-to-restaurant conversions across London this September. Kerridge’s Bar & Grill evolves into two spaces; Dishoom expands; Borough Market welcomes Kismet; and new pubs and cafés join the city’s lively food landscape.
Multiple Champions League playoff ties have produced tense finishes, with Sabah overturning a late deficit against Hapoel Beersheva to reach the group stage; other ties see Glimt and Celtic maintaining leads as Monaco prepares the draw.
English clubs Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace are set for European action this season after the Europa League draw placed them in pots with Juventus, Milan and Olympiacos among others. The field features Celtic, Real Sociedad and Marseille as the tournament grows more competitive. The draw determines fixtures for the group phase, with teams facing two from each of four pots and hosting half the matches.
The Champions League league phase draw has placed PSG, Bayern, Real Madrid and others into eight-match groups for the 2026–27 campaign, with fixtures kicking off in September 2026 and Madrid hosting the final on 5 June 2027. Arsenal and Liverpool face stern tests as they bid to advance to the knockout rounds.
Arctic LNG 2 remains central as TotalEnergies transfers its stake to a Novatek subsidiary, retaining loan reimbursement rights amid sanctions. Reports show a volatile Black Sea and Arctic shipping landscape with international Russo-European energy links under scrutiny.
Eight teams face an extensive Europa and Conference League schedule as the new season begins, with Bournemouth and Sunderland among the highlights, including ties against Milan and Real Sociedad and a return to European competition for Palace and Celtic.
Lebanon and Israel are engaged in direct talks mediated by the US, after Hezbollah-triggered conflict escalations. A framework signed in June calls for Hezbollah disarmament and a staged Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, with Greece and Athens’ arms deal cited as regional context. Lebanon seeks renewed UNIFIL support as violence persists.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement among Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is being translated into an operational framework. Ministers and chiefs of staff are meeting in Istanbul to discuss interoperability, defence cooperation and potential expansion, including a possible role for Egypt. Observers say the pact aims to deter aggression and coordinate military planning in a volatile region.
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.
Germany has attributed an attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport on Aug. 4 to Russian operatives. EU foreign ministers have convened and are preparing fresh sanctions targeting about 1,600 individuals and entities tied to Russia's military sector, while some member states are tightening diplomatic ties and visa restrictions.
A cargo ship collision near Silivri, Turkey, has left the Tugberk Imamoglu crew missing. The Alsu tanker appears undamaged. Coast guard units are at the scene as authorities investigate the incident.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement among Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has established a secretariat in Saudi Arabia headed initially by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years. The signatories say the alliance will strengthen regional security, deter threats, and develop defense industries; they confirm plans to institutionalise cooperation and pursue expansion in stages. Fidan notes a roadmap for joining and stresses the alliance is open to others that share its core principles.
The Black Sea has become the world's most dangerous route for commercial shipping as July saw more crew deaths and attacks on 35 vessels, intensifying a broader conflict involving Ukraine, Russia, and allied states. Attacks stretch from Ukrainian ports to global grain markets, prompting warnings from maritime authorities.
The US Treasury has placed Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries on its sanctions list, accusing the Istanbul-based lender of moving tens of millions of dollars for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and enabling Tehran to shift oil revenue through Turkey. The bank has denied the allegations and said it will pursue legal action; Washington says the move severs the institution from the US financial system.
Liverpool has secured a five-year shirt sponsorship with Turkish Airlines from June 2027, replacing Standard Chartered. The deal, worth in excess of £60 million per season, makes Turkish Airlines the main club partner on the front of shirts for men’s, women’s and academy teams, with Standard Chartered moving to global partner status. The deal is set to be one of the most lucrative in Premier League history.
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.
Nepal and neighbouring regions face a devastating flood crisis after a glacier collapse triggered floods on August 26. Governments and agencies have mobilised relief, with calls for climate justice and funding to repair infrastructure and protect vulnerable communities.
Salah has opened the scoring in the fourth minute and has completed a hat-trick, with teammates contributing goals as Galatasaray slide in the league table. The match features discipline issues with Buruk sent to the stands and a red card for Ugochukwu, while Reis takes charge at Trabzonspor following Tekke’s exit.
Disaster-hit Nepal faces mounting rebuilding costs after a glacier collapse triggered devastating floods. Scientists link warming to destabilisation of glaciers, while international finance bodies struggle to mobilise funds. Nepal urges faster climate finance to support relief, reconstruction and loss-and-damage claims.
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.
The 2027 Formula 1 schedule has expanded sprint races from six to ten, with Monaco hosting a short-form event for the first time. Other sprints are planned in Bahrain, Australia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Canada, Britain, Italy, Brazil and Qatar as organisers seek greater fan engagement amid regional tensions and security concerns.
President Donald Trump has spoken by phone with President Vladimir Putin for about an hour after US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Kyiv. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov has said the call was "constructive and quite candid," that Trump wants a quick end to the war, and that Putin outlined Russia's battlefield view.
The Mirror and New York Post report that Don Jr.'s Bahamas wedding, funded in part by Umar Kremlev, a Russian oligarch close to Putin, has intensified exchanges between the Trump siblings. The drama extends to Hunter Biden and domestic incidents involving unrelated parties, creating a swirl of family controversy that feeds into broader political theatre.
Researchers have described a previously unrecognised small wildcat from Bolivia's Yungas cloud forests and given it the scientific name Leopardus tilcayo. Genetic analysis has shown the tilcayo split from related tiger cats about 1.4 million years ago. Scientists have confirmed the species from sanctuary animals, museum specimens and camera-trap records but they still do not know its full range or population size.
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.
Reporting has shown Umar Kremlev, head of the International Boxing Association with ties to Vladimir Putin, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for two nights of Donald Trump Jr.'s May wedding festivities on a private island. President Trump has said the payments were "totally allowed" and that Trump Jr. has repaid Kremlev; ethics experts and lawmakers have raised conflict-of-interest concerns.
Iranian civil aviation has suspended flights to several regional destinations amid U.S. sanctions pressure. Iraqi authorities are diverting potential flights to Najaf as Baghdad considers rerouting Tehran-bound services. Iran insists remaining international routes—including Istanbul—will operate as scheduled.
Ukraine’s conflict and related energy attacks dominate UN discussions as Zelenskyy meets Trump in New York. Kyiv seeks de-escalation and energy ceasefires, while Moscow campaigns against oil targets. Western leaders push for renewed diplomacy ahead of winter.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has sustained a knee hyperextension and will return to Madrid for treatment, casting doubt over his participation in upcoming Nations League matches and the Clasico.
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.
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.
Turkish authorities have remanded Ferhat Gundogdu, head of the Central Referees Committee, and several officials on charges including forgery, breach of trust and illegal data handling. The investigations follow last year’s betting scandal that sparked a broad crackdown on refereeing in Turkish football.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed a handful of countries are engaging in continuous dialogue to bid for future Olympic Games. A deadline of October 31 is set for formal interest, with shortlisting and feasibility assessments to follow between 2027 and 2029. Ahmedabad, Munich and Cape Town are among the cities named in emerging bids for 2036 and beyond.