Erdoğan: Türkiye to fight ‘genocide networks’ in Gaza, Lebanon

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pledged that Türkiye will continue defending “common values of humanity” against what he called “genocide networks” killing civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. Speaking at the EFES-2026 military exercise, he stressed Ankara’s ambition to become a key actor for regional peace.

Gaza aid flotilla activists flown to Türkiye from Israel

More than 420 activists from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla are being flown to Türkiye on Thursday after being detained by Israeli forces in international waters, with the first Turkish Airlines aircraft departing Ramon Airport following coordination between Ankara and Israeli authorities.

Türkiye working to bring citizens back from Israeli detention

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Türkiye is coordinating with all relevant institutions to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens detained by Israel after the illegal interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Special flights are planned for Turkish and third-country participants.

Turkish officials attend NATO panel in Brussels on Türkiye's role in security landscape

Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly National Defense Commission Hulusi Akar, Türkiye's Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Basat Öztürk, and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska attended a panel titled "Embracing Change, Safeguarding Tomorrow: Türkiye & NATO in a Changing Security Landscape" in Brussels.

Turkish Cuisine Week celebrates Anatolia’s culinary heritage

Communications Director Burhanettin Duran has marked Turkish Cuisine Week as a celebration of Türkiye’s rich culinary and civilisational legacy. Under the theme “Heritage on One Table,” the event promotes Anatolian flavours and traditions of sharing, abundance, hospitality, and culture.

German chancellor proposes special EU status for Ukraine

Friedrich Merz has proposed a new “associated member” status for Ukraine within the EU, including participation in European Council meetings, Commission roles without voting rights, and a mutual defence guarantee. He acknowledged that full accession remains unrealistic in the short term.

UAE’s Hormuz-bypass pipeline nearly 50% complete

ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber announced that a second UAE pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz is nearly 50% complete and will double export capacity through Fujairah. He warned that the blockade has caused over 1 billion barrels of oil losses, with nearly 100 million barrels lost weekly.

US to send security delegation to China ahead of Hegseth visit

Elbridge Colby is expected to lead the delegation to Beijing within weeks to finalize arrangements for a potential visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though China has signaled the trip hinges on Washington's decision regarding a stalled $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan.

Trump says he has ‘very good relationship’ with Türkiye’s Erdoğan

US President Donald Trump praised his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a phone call between the two leaders. Trump described Erdoğan as “very good ally” and said they share a unique bond that others do not have.

All Gaza flotilla activists released from Israeli prison

Israeli rights group Adalah has confirmed that all detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla and Freedom Flotilla Coalition have been released from Ktziot prison and are being transferred to Ramon Airport for deportation. Adalah’s legal team is monitoring the process.

Xi Pyongyang trip may revive North Korea-US summit talks

South Korea said a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang could reopen discussions about a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump as geopolitical diplomacy intensifies across Northeast Asia.

Spain says Gaza flotilla activists to be deported via Türkiye

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spanish citizens from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla would be deported during the day via Türkiye. The Global Sumud flotilla's 50 vessels were seized by Israel, carrying 428 people from 44 countries.

Russia sends nuclear munitions to Belarus for joint drills

Russia’s Defence Ministry has announced that nuclear munitions have been delivered to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of a joint nuclear exercise that began on Tuesday. The drills include Iskander-M special munitions handling, loading, and covert deployment to launch positions.

Saudi oil export revenue hits 3-year high amid Gulf war

Saudi Arabia’s oil export revenues surged to their highest level in over three years in March, reaching approximately $24.7 billion. Higher energy prices and the kingdom’s cross-country pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, helped offset wartime shipping disruptions.

Zelenskyy hopes to resume trilateral peace talks with Russia in coming weeks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv hopes to resume "meaningful" trilateral peace talks with Russia in the coming weeks following "good contacts" between Ukrainian and US officials. He expects the Russian side "will not hide" from the negotiations.

Iran establishes controlled maritime zone in Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessel authorization

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced the establishment of a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz requiring vessels to coordinate with and obtain authorization before transiting. The zone extends from Iran to the UAE at both the eastern and western entrances of the strategic waterway.

Israel issues demolition orders for eight Palestinian homes, structures near East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities issued demolition orders for eight Palestinian homes and structures in the town of Hizma, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of construction without permits. The orders targeted homes, a car wash, a carpentry workshop, a grocery store, and a caravan.

Iran reviewing US 'viewpoints' as Pakistan facilitates message exchanges

Iran has received the US side's "viewpoints" and is currently reviewing them, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. Several rounds of message exchanges have taken place based on Tehran's initial 14-point proposal, with Pakistan facilitating the process.

Poland summons Israeli diplomat over Ben-Gvir's treatment of flotilla activists

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced that Israel's charge d'affaires in Warsaw would be summoned immediately to demand an apology over National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's treatment of Gaza flotilla activists. Sikorski condemned the "extremely inappropriate conduct" and demanded Polish nationals' immediate release.

Pakistan's army chief to visit Tehran for Iran-US mediation

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir is set to visit Tehran on Thursday amid ongoing mediation efforts between Iran and the US, according to Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency. The visit follows Pakistan's Interior Minister's second trip to Tehran in less than a week.

Hezbollah claims 24 military operations targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah said it carried out 24 military operations over the past 24 hours targeting Israeli troops, military vehicles, and positions across southern Lebanon, including drone strikes and rocket barrages. The group said the attacks came in response to continued Israeli ceasefire violations.

Palestine's UN envoy: Israel's Gaza actions show 'contempt' for international law

Palestine's deputy UN envoy told the Security Council that Israel's actions in Gaza demonstrate "contempt" for international law, accusing Israel of systematically attacking civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and medical personnel. He warned that "Palestine becomes the ground zero for the death of international law-based order."

US removes UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese from sanctions list

The US has removed UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinian Human Rights Francesca Albanese from its Specially Designated Nationals list, following a federal judge's ruling that the Trump administration's sanctions violated her First Amendment rights. Albanese was sanctioned after encouraging ICC prosecutions of Israeli officials.

Türkiye at UN urges civilian protection, warns of double standards

Türkiye's Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmet Yildiz stressed that protecting civilians in armed conflict requires consistent application of international law without double standards, warning that selective justice undermines the credibility of multilateral institutions during a Security Council session on Wednesday.

'Not convicted criminals': EU slams Israel's treatment of flotilla activists

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib condemned Israel's detention of Gaza aid flotilla activists on Wednesday, stating that peaceful protesters bringing humanitarian supplies are "not convicted criminals" after footage emerged showing them restrained at Ashdod Port.