President Erdoğan commemorates 2023 earthquake victims, pledges memory kept

On the third anniversary of the devastating February 2023 earthquakes, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan honored the victims and declared that the government has fulfilled its promise to rebuild the affected regions. He emphasized the state's commitment to preserving the memory of those lost and restoring the cities within a three-year timeframe.

Turkish FM Fidan holds Ankara meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has met with European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in the capital Ankara. The talks are part of the Commissioner's visit to Türkiye, aimed at discussing bilateral relations and the EU accession process.

Turkish, Qatari FMs hold talks on regional developments

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussed pressing regional issues in a phone call on Friday. The two nations, alongside Egypt, were instrumental in brokering last October's Gaza ceasefire and remain engaged in related diplomatic efforts.

President Erdoğan votes in Anadolu's "Images of the Year" photo contest, highlights Gaza

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated in voting for Anadolu’s annual photo competition on his return from Egypt, selecting images across categories including a powerful shot of Gaza aid distribution he had previously presented at the UN.

Gaza death toll could exceed 200,000, new population data suggests

A leading human rights expert warns that the death toll in Gaza may surpass 200,000, based on population decline data. Stuart Casey-Maslen of the Geneva Academy cited a more than 10% drop in Gaza's population since 2023, indicating a far higher casualty figure than the confirmed 70,000. He described an ongoing humanitarian crisis requiring urgent aid and years of reconstruction.

Lebanon and Syria agree on prisoner transfer, affecting hundreds of detainees

In a diplomatic move, Lebanon and Syria have finalized an agreement to transfer more than 300 Syrian prisoners from Lebanese jails to Damascus. Officials stated the process will commence this Saturday. The deal, focused on inmates who have been sentenced, is presented as a step to reset bilateral relations and address a long-standing issue that impacts Lebanon's overcrowded prison system.

Turkish intelligence captures two alleged Mossad operatives in Istanbul

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has detained two individuals in Istanbul accused of spying for Israel's Mossad. The suspects allegedly used a marble business as cover, shared intelligence, and were in the planning stages of establishing a front company to infiltrate global supply chains on behalf of Israeli intelligence.

Oman mediates second round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Muscat

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has conducted a second round of separate discussions with Iranian and US delegations in Muscat as indirect negotiations continue. The talks involve exchanging proposals through Omani mediators, with both sides pausing for consultations with their capitals.

Syrian army advances under integration deal, faces mines in key town

Following a Damascus-SDG integration agreement, Syrian government forces have swiftly established security in Hasakah and Qamishli. The advance into the strategic town of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), however, has been slowed by extensive booby-trapped minefields, causing military casualties.

Zelensky eyes US talks after Abu Dhabi round, stresses peace terms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicates that a new round of negotiations with Russia and the U.S. may soon take place on American soil. The announcement follows two days of sensitive discussions in the UAE, with Zelenskyy awaiting a full briefing from his team in Kyiv.

France opens first EU consulate in Greenland amid Arctic strategic shifts

In a move underscoring the Arctic region's growing geopolitical significance, France has inaugurated its first consulate general in Greenland. The diplomatic post, announced by President Macron last year, makes France the pioneer EU nation with such a representation in Nuuk, as global powers recalibrate their focus on the strategically vital territory.

Spain’s Andalusia region evacuates 7,500 as flooding worsens, new storm approaches

About 7,500 people have been evacuated across Spain’s Andalusia region due to severe flooding caused by relentless rainfall, with authorities warning of further danger as another storm system approaches this weekend.

Analyst: Iran and US preparing for war but seeking to avoid it as negotiations resume

Middle East expert Vali Nasr says both Iran and the US are posturing for potential conflict while pursuing diplomatic off‑ramps, with Tehran's expectations for talks now reduced to avoiding war rather than achieving broad reintegration.

Trump faces backlash for sharing AI video depicting Obamas as monkeys, repeats 2020 fraud claims

President Donald Trump is being widely condemned for sharing an AI‑generated video on Truth Social that portrays Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys and recycles debunked allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.

Norway warns weakening postwar order threatens security, points to Russia as top threat

Norway's annual threat assessment warns that the erosion of the post‑WWII international order is undermining the country’s security, with Russia identified as the greatest threat. The report also highlights risks of espionage, sabotage, and growing US‑Europe tensions.

Newly released documents question official timeline of Epstein’s final hours before death

Recently disclosed Justice Department records indicate possible movement near Jeffrey Epstein’s jail tier the night before his death, contradicting earlier official statements that no one entered the area. Surveillance logs show a blurry orange figure approaching his tier around 10:39 p.m.

Suicide blast at Shia religious site in Islamabad kills at least 24, injures 101

An explosion at a Shia religious site in Islamabad's Shehzad Town on Friday killed at least 24 people and wounded 101 others, officials said. The attack has been described as a suicide bombing.

Israel’s Netanyahu again dodges responsibility for Oct. 7 failures, blames army, past governments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined to accept personal responsibility for the Oct. 7 security failures, instead attributing them to the defense establishment and previous governments in a document submitted to the state comptroller, Israeli media reported Friday.

Iran’s nuclear status shrouded in ambiguity seven months after US strikes, talks to resume

Seven months after US airstrikes targeted Iran’s key nuclear facilities, the status of its nuclear program remains unclear as both sides prepare to resume negotiations in Oman. Uncertainty persists over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the extent of damage from the bombings.

Trump administration rule reclassifies 50,000 federal staff as at-will, easing firings

The Trump administration issued a rule reclassifying roughly 50,000 senior federal employees into a new “at-will” category, making them easier to fire. Critics warn the move threatens civil service independence and favors political loyalty over expertise.

US and Iran begin crucial nuclear negotiations in Oman's capital

Delegations from the United States and Iran have commenced indirect talks mediated by Oman, focusing primarily on Tehran's nuclear program. The high-level meeting in Muscat, occurring amidst significant regional military buildup and threats, is seen as a pivotal diplomatic engagement.

US and Iran begin high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Oman's capital

Direct negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program have commenced in Muscat, Oman. The talks proceed amidst stark US demands for the "zeroing out" of Iran's nuclear capabilities, urgent security advisories for Americans in Iran, and a backdrop of significant military threats and regional tensions.

Netanyahu uncertain of Trump's ultimate decision on Iran, report says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly told lawmakers he does not know what final decision President Donald Trump will make regarding Iran. In a closed-door committee meeting, he acknowledged high-level US coordination but warned of a potentially "much larger" Israeli military response if provoked.

Iran says it enters nuclear talks with US ‘in good faith,’ demands reciprocity

Ahead of crucial negotiations in Oman, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran is engaging diplomatically "in good faith" but stressed that mutual respect and the honoring of commitments are essential for any durable agreement. The talks proceed amid heightened regional tensions and significant US military deployments.

AI system maps iceberg family trees to fill climate research gap

British scientists have developed a pioneering artificial intelligence system that automatically tracks and catalogues icebergs from birth through fragmentation. The tool, which creates detailed lineage charts of iceberg "parents" and "children," aims to address a significant blind spot in understanding their impact on ocean currents and climate models.