Turkey’s economic and cultural heart, a city at the crossroads of history and modern life
Paris Saint-Germain has moved its Ligue 1 opener against Rennes to Roazhon Park after the Parc des Princes pitch has deteriorated and been declared unsafe. The club has said it will replace the turf before its next home game on Sept. 4 and has thanked Rennes for hosting. The rearranged fixture follows a scorching summer that damaged the grass.
Lebanon has begun rehabilitation on a second airport in Akkar with aims to be operational in weeks and full service by November 2026. Officials say the project will create jobs in a poor province; the airport could host flights to Mersin, Istanbul and Dubai, with plans for further destinations.
A Palestinian man has been detained in Crete on suspicion of links to Hamas and planning terrorist acts. He is being questioned after authorities found online orders for explosive materials and devices, with ties to suspects in Cyprus and potential training abroad. Cyprus also detains two others in a related investigation.
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has met Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul after arriving from India. Both sides aim to raise bilateral trade from $448 million in 2025 to $3 billion, focusing on energy, mining, and other cooperation. The talks come amid Venezuela’s broader oil-reform push and Turkey’s long-standing ties with Caracas.
Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States and removed from FIFA’s World Cup referees after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found him inadmissible during vetting. Artan returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday and received a hero's welcome; Somali officials and football figures have protested the decision.
The Moscow Times reports Vyacheslav Markhayev, a Communist Party Duma member, has publicly criticized Russia’s ruling elite ahead of September elections, calling for a public plan to end the special military operation. He warns of social explosion and holds authorities responsible as wealth gaps widen. The Guardian offers broader international context, noting a strongman leadership facing an intractable conflict with costly casualties and a faltering war effort.
A string of aviation incidents has triggered renewed safety questions. A British Airways flight experienced a cell phone fire on board but landed safely; other incidents include a Turkish Airlines wing collision and an American Airlines lightning strike. Aviation bodies emphasize carrying devices in carry-on luggage and evacuations rules.
Omar Artan, Somalia’s top referee, has been denied entry to the United States on vetting grounds during the World Cup. FIFA will pay him for the tournament, and UEFA has appointed him to officiate future matches. The incident has sparked criticism of host-country immigration policies and sparked broader debate about the World Cup’s inclusivity.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey are advancing a cross-border railway corridor linking Mecca to Istanbul, with potential extensions to Jordan, Syria and beyond. The plan aims to diversify economies and provide a land route to Europe, but experts say it will not replace sea transport for oil and bulk cargo. Feasibility tests on the Syria–Jordan–Iraq route have shown viability, with studies due by year’s end.
G7 leaders have pledged tougher sanctions and stepped-up industrial support for Ukraine after meetings in Evian, but U.S.-led mediation has stalled while President Trump has shifted focus to the Middle East. Russia has accused the U.S. of abandoning neutral mediation, and Russian strikes and Ukrainian long-range drone attacks have recently hit Russian infrastructure and Kyiv's historic Lavra monastery.
Ashoura ceremonies proceed across Lebanon and Iran amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with mourners reflecting on Karbala’s tragedy while areas hit by fighting and ceasefire talks shape observances.
A set of contemporary business stories shows founders transitioning from tech to hospitality and entrepreneurs navigating the capital’s evolving consumer scene, as new ventures search for profitability amid shifting demand. Reports detail restaurants drawing Turkish patrons during a World Cup event, a tech veteran launching halal barbecue in Dallas, and a reflective look at dining culture in major U.S. cities.
The Kremlin has made a show of defiance while Ukrainian strikes disrupt Russian fuel networks. Putin has admitted the strikes are painful, but demands a peace framework anchored in the Istanbul accords and expanded territorial goals. Moscow is doubling down even as fuel shortages bite. Follow developments as Western allies recalibrate support.
Pakistan has conducted intelligence-based ground operations and calibrated strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, targeting Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khwarij. Officials report 29 militants killed, with additional engagements across Paktia, Paktika and Kunar. Pakistan vows to protect citizens as cross-border violence intensifies.
Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have swept primaries in New York City and beyond, signaling a growing movement that now confronts rural areas and state legislatures.
Independent reports that Ukraine’s drone campaign has disrupted Russia’s fuel infrastructure, intensifying shortages and triggering public discontent. Putin insists on continuing the conflict and expanding energy defenses as Moscow confronts a mounting fuel crisis.
The NATO summit in Ankara is shaping up as a test for alliance unity as President Trump’s threats to curb U.S. involvement collide with Turkey’s bid to leverage its ties with Trump. Turkey’s foreign minister says the Erdogan-Trump rapport could ease tensions, while other members weigh new security arrangements amid funding and defence-spending debates.
NATO leaders have received personalised vintage revolvers with live rounds from Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the Ankara summit. Many countries have left the guns in Turkey, will decommission them or have handed them to police or museums because importing functional firearms is illegal or impractical. Erdogan has not publicly commented.
Canada’s Mark Carney has arrived in Saudi Arabia to deepen economic ties, with a focus on mining, energy cooperation, and investment in AI and skills development. The visit follows a 2023 diplomatic reset and precedes a signing ceremony for commercial agreements worth over CAD 1 billion.
Arsenal has agreed a permanent transfer of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, paving the way for the Belgium winger to depart after three-and-a-half years. He has played 174 times for Arsenal, scoring 36 goals, including a late winner at West Ham that helped keep the title bid alive. His final appearance for Arsenal was the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, where he assisted Havertz before the shootout.
Hamas has elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed in 2024. The vote follows a wartime leadership transition and reflects tensions between Gaza-based leadership and diaspora factions, with al-Hayya seen as aligned with Tehran and a continuing hardline stance.
Manchester United fans have voiced anger after thousands of season-ticket accounts were restricted in a bid to curb ticket touting. Clubs say activity patterns indicate misuse, but supporters argue the action hits loyal fans. An appeals process is in place ahead of the season start.
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.
Kazakhstan’s leader has urged a freeze on the Ukraine conflict and a return to Istanbul-style talks, while Ukraine and Russia signal potential diplomacy. The move comes as oil disruptions hit Kazakhstan’s CPC export routes and Moscow-Kazakhstan ties loom large.
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 has beaten Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened, Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue scored the winner after a VAR review awarded the goal. Somali referee Omar Artan, controversially denied a US World Cup visa, officiated the match.
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.
France has signed a €6 billion agreement with Qiddiya, a Saudi-owned investment company, to build three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise northwest of Paris, including one inspired by Dragon Ball Z. The project has been announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s state visit and is expected to create about 22,000 jobs and open in stages over several years.
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.
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.
The Independent reports how tonight's Carabao Cup third-round draw will proceed, with a pre-draw to decide home/away status for eight Europe-based clubs, followed by the main draw after the Preston v Everton tie. The 32-team field includes Arsenal, City, United, Liverpool and others, with matches scheduled midweek across two weeks.
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.
Bournemouth will play in Europe for the first time, hosting Milan and facing a slate of European heavyweights. Sunderland travels to San Siro as both clubs begin their continental campaigns, with full schedules announced for Group-stage fixtures across Europe.