Erdoğan: Geopolitical shifts demand Türkiye-EU progress

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Belgium’s Queen Mathilde in Istanbul that recent regional developments underscore the need for closer Türkiye-EU ties. He called for updating the Customs Union as “a key area necessitating swift progress” toward full membership.

Erdoğan meets Belgian Queen Mathilde in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Belgian Queen Mathilde at Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul. Turkish first lady Emine Erdoğan was also present at the closed-door meeting. No further details were shared.

Turkish foreign minister to visit Qatar for High Strategic Committee preparations

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Qatar on Tuesday to review preparations for the 12th meeting of the High Strategic Committee. He is expected to reaffirm Türkiye's solidarity with Qatar following recent attacks and stress the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Türkiye urges transport ties, investment with Belgium

Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu called for stronger transport connectivity and alternative trade routes during talks with Belgium’s Queen Mathilde. He highlighted the Middle Corridor and a new $8 billion railway in Istanbul as key projects amid geopolitical and supply chain risks.

Türkiye, Belgium target deeper trade and investment ties

Officials attending the Türkiye-Belgium Business Forum in Istanbul highlighted expanding economic relations and growing opportunities for trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on technology, logistics, defense and green transformation.

Israeli ministers demand Al-Aqsa storming on Jerusalem day

Nine Israeli ministers and 13 lawmakers have demanded police allow settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday, marking the anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem. The request includes senior Likud figures, despite previous police reluctance.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine discussed possible talks with Putin at leadership level

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv discussed possible formats for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin "at the leadership level aimed at ending Russia's war." The discussions followed meetings between Ukraine's negotiator and US presidential representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Iran, Saudi FMs discuss US-Iran diplomatic process in phone call

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia discussed the latest developments of the ongoing Pakistan-mediated diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington. The call marked the second phone conversation between the two sides in the past 24 hours.

Italy rules out Hormuz mission despite reported naval moves

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Monday that no mission in the Strait of Hormuz is currently underway despite reports of naval movements, noting that any deployment would require parliamentary authorization and a new legal framework before Italian vessels could participate in operations near the strategic chokepoint.

Hezbollah claims 24 attacks on Israeli targets in southern Lebanon in 24 hours

Hezbollah said it carried out 24 attacks targeting Israeli army positions, troops and military vehicles in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, using explosive drones, rocket barrages, artillery shelling and guided missiles. The attacks came despite a ceasefire in place since April 17.

Israeli master sergeant killed in combat near Lebanon border despite ceasefire

The Israeli military announced the death of a master sergeant during combat operations near the border with Lebanon, despite a ceasefire in place since April 17. Israel's attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed 2,846 people and displaced over 1 million.

Report reveals Israeli secret base in Iraq’s western desert

A Wall Street Journal report claims Israel built a covert military base in western Iraq to support air operations against Iran, just before the war began. The base was discovered by a shepherd, leading to an Israeli airstrike on approaching Iraqi forces.

Syria warns of armed militias operating in Lebanon

Syria’s foreign minister has voiced concern over “armed militias operating outside the state’s sovereignty in Lebanon,” calling for stability and economic cooperation between the two neighbours. His remarks came as the EU fully restored its cooperation agreement with the new Syrian administration.

Trump's Religious Liberty Commission to propose expanding religious expression, exemptions

President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission is preparing recommendations focusing on expanding religious expression and exemptions, including allowing faith-based organizations to receive public funding and broader religious exemptions in labor law, education, and healthcare. Commission chair Dan Patrick said "there is no separation of church and state."

France: Hormuz operations are ‘defensive only’

France has insisted that its planned maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz are “exclusively defensive,” rejecting Iranian warnings of a “decisive response.” Paris aims to help reopen the strategic waterway in coordination with regional forces, but only when security conditions allow.

Gaza death toll surpasses 72,700 after new strikes

Israeli attacks have killed three more Palestinians and wounded 16 in Gaza over the past 24 hours, raising the overall death toll since October 2023 to 72,740. Since the ceasefire began, 854 people have been killed and 2,453 injured, according to the Health Ministry.

Top 10 firms gain $4.2T since Iran war began

The world’s ten most valuable companies have added 4.18trillioninmarketcapitalisation—a16.75 trillion mark, while Alphabet saw the largest dollar gain.

Three Israeli soldiers wounded by Hezbollah drone in southern Lebanon

Three Israeli soldiers were slightly wounded by an explosive drone in southern Lebanon, Israeli media reported, as daily strikes and fire exchanges continue despite a ceasefire. Lebanese media reported at least four killed and eight injured in Israeli attacks on Monday.

UK’s Starmer takes blame for ‘very tough’ election loss

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accepted responsibility for Labour’s “very tough” election defeat, acknowledging he has “doubters, including in my own party.” He vowed to rebuild ties with Europe and admitted that Brexit made Britain “poorer and weaker.”

Netanyahu's corruption trial testimony shortened over 'security schedule'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled testimony in his corruption trial was shortened at his request, citing a "security schedule," Israeli media reported. Monday's hearing marked Netanyahu's 85th appearance before the court.

EU restores full cooperation agreement with Syria after Assad's fall

The EU has restored the full application of its cooperation agreement with Syria, marking a further step in rebuilding ties after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The decision terminates the partial suspension imposed in 2011 over human rights violations.

Netanyahu: Iran war not over until uranium removed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the war with Iran is “not over” as long as Tehran possesses enriched uranium that must be removed. He declined to discuss military plans but said US President Trump wants to “go in there.”

France confirms first hantavirus case from MV Hondius cruise ship

France has recorded its first confirmed hantavirus case in a passenger repatriated from the MV Hondius cruise ship, Health Minister Stephanie Rist said. The woman's condition "unfortunately deteriorated overnight," while four other French nationals tested negative but remain in isolation.

Germany aims to expand high-tech weapons cooperation with Ukraine, Pistorius says

Germany aims to expand its cooperation with Ukraine in developing high-tech weapons, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said during an unannounced visit to Kyiv. The focus is on joint development of unmanned systems and "deep strike" capabilities to destroy key targets deep within enemy territory.

Iran calls its response to US war proposal ‘generous’

Iran has described its formal response to the latest US proposal for ending the war as “generous and responsible,” stressing that Pakistan remains the official mediator between Tehran and Washington. Iran demanded no concessions but called for an end to war and maritime piracy.