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.

Fidan meets Qatari deputy PM for defence talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Doha with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, as part of his visit to the Qatari capital.

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.

Fidan offers condolences to Hamas official over son’s death

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Hamas Political Bureau member Khalil al-Hayya in Doha to offer condolences after al-Hayya’s son was killed in an Israeli attack. The meeting took place during Fidan’s visit to the Qatari capital.

Trump brings tech and finance chiefs for China summit

US President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing this week alongside 17 senior executives from major American corporations, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, as Washington seeks to reset economic dialogue with China amid ongoing trade and technology disputes.

Belgian queen: Women’s work empowerment strengthens economies

Queen Mathilde of Belgium told a panel in Istanbul that empowering women professionally boosts economic resilience and innovation. She called for deliberate structural choices, including pay transparency and childcare investment, while Türkiye’s family minister highlighted local policies supporting women entrepreneurs.

Spanish cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus

A Spanish passenger evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship has tested positive for hantavirus but remains asymptomatic. Thirteen other Spanish nationals tested negative. The evacuation of 125 people from 23 countries has been completed, with three deaths reported so far.

Trump: Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support’

President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire with Iran is on “massive life support,” calling Tehran’s latest response a “piece of garbage.” He criticised Iran for taking four days to deliver a “very simple” reply, while still holding out hope for a diplomatic solution.

EU, Syria hold first high-level dialogue to boost ties

The European Union and Syria held their first high-level political dialogue in Brussels on Monday, focusing on deepening cooperation and addressing regional challenges. The meeting followed the EU’s decision to lift the partial suspension of the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement imposed in 2011.

Trump administration seeks to maintain 10% global tariffs during appeal

The Trump administration has asked a federal trade court to pause a ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump's 10% global tariffs, warning that thousands of importers could challenge the levies if the decision takes effect more broadly.

US says 62 commercial vessels redirected under Iran naval blockade

US Central Command said on Monday that 62 commercial vessels have been redirected and four disabled under a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic, as regional tensions persist in the Strait of Hormuz following weeks of conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Israeli minister plans West Bank land seizure after EU sanctions

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has presented a plan to seize strategic land across the occupied West Bank, defying new EU sanctions on Israeli settlers. Smotrich called European criticism “hypocrisy” and insisted on “strengthening settlements” in what he called “Israel’s security belt.”

Trump to raise Taiwan arms sales with Xi in Beijing

US President Donald Trump said Monday he will discuss American arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to Beijing, as the two leaders prepare to meet amid ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the prolonged US-Israeli war with Iran.

Iran warns of ‘memorable lesson’ after Trump rejection

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has declared that Iran’s armed forces are ready to deliver a “memorable lesson” to any aggression, following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war. Qalibaf said opponents “will be surprised.”

UN records over 1,296 Israeli strikes in Lebanon in 3 days

UNIFIL has recorded more than 1,296 Israeli military trajectories in Lebanon over the past three days, alongside daily freedom-of-movement denials for peacekeepers. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with 87 killed over the weekend despite a ceasefire.

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.

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.

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.