Erdoğan warns water will replace oil as source of future conflict

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday that the struggle for oil and carbon fuels in the past century will be replaced by water as competition for power intensifies. "The signs of this struggle are already visible in the armed conflicts taking place around the region," he warned.

Erdoğan extends Passover greetings to Türkiye's Jewish citizens

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his greetings to Türkiye's Jewish citizens for the Passover holiday, wishing that the holiday brings "peace, stability, prosperity, and well-being to our region and all humanity." The message reflects Türkiye's tradition of recognizing religious holidays of all communities.

Fidan attends UK-organized online meeting on Strait of Hormuz crisis

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday attended an online meeting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical Mideast waterway that has been largely blocked for weeks. The meeting was organized by the United Kingdom, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Türkiye condemns EOKA attack on Turkish Cypriots, blames Greek Cypriot administration

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz condemned an attack targeting citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by members of the EOKA terrorist organization, stating responsibility "lies with the Greek Cypriot Administration." The attack occurred in the buffer zone in Lefkosa using stones and explosive materials.

Türkiye will continue to uphold hopes for peace, Duran says

Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Thursday that Türkiye will continue to uphold hopes for peace, highlighting the country's active role in promoting stability across conflict-affected regions. "Under the leadership of our President, our country is putting not only its hand but its whole body on the line to ensure peace and stability," Duran said.

Israel's military faces ideological shift as religious groups fill personnel shortage

A growing personnel shortage in the Israeli military is strengthening the influence of Temple and radical Jewish groups, including Chabad-Lubavitch and the US-designated Hilltop Youth, leading to concerns about an ideological transformation of the occupation forces. Special units accommodating strict religious rules have been established.

Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi, names Blanche as acting successor

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, claiming she will transition to a "highly necessary and important" private sector role to be announced soon. Todd Blanche will serve as acting attorney general, with reports suggesting Bondi's stance on the Jeffrey Epstein files displeased Trump.

Trump threatens strikes on Iranian bridges, power plants: 'Haven't even started'

President Donald Trump signaled Thursday that further strikes on critical infrastructure in Iran could be imminent, writing on Truth Social that US forces "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" The threat comes as the US-Israeli offensive enters its fifth week.

Hezbollah claims 60 attacks in 24 hours, total operations reach 1,250 since March 2

Hezbollah said it carried out 60 attacks in the past 24 hours against Israeli settlements, troops, military vehicles and bases, bringing its total operations since March 2 to 1,250. The group claimed direct hits on two Merkava tanks, a bulldozer, and forced an Israeli helicopter to retreat.

Trump to sign order guaranteeing DHS pay amid partial shutdown

President Donald Trump said Thursday he will "soon" sign an order aimed at guaranteeing pay for all Department of Homeland Security employees amid an ongoing partial shutdown that has caused weeks of long airport lines. "Help is on the way for our Brave and Patriotic Public Servants," Trump said.

Drone strike hits Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, fire reported

A drone strike early Friday triggered a fire in parts of Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said. Emergency teams are working to contain the blaze with no injuries reported, as the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its 35th day.

Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain under overnight missile, drone attacks

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain were under missile and drone attacks throughout the night as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its 35th day. Kuwait announced it repelled attacks, Saudi destroyed a drone, and Bahrain activated warning sirens three times.

Pentagon fires Army Chief of Staff Gen. George, two other generals

The Pentagon announced Thursday that Gen. Randy A. George will retire "effective immediately" as 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, along with Maj. Gen. William Green Jr. and Maj. Gen. David Hodne. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly wants someone who would implement President Trump's vision for the Army.

Microsoft to invest $10 billion in Japan for AI, cloud infrastructure

Microsoft plans to invest 1.6 trillion yen ($10 billion) in Japan to expand its artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure, a senior executive announced Friday. The investment, running from early 2026 through 2029, will include partnerships with SoftBank Group and Sakura Internet.

Turkish VP hails Turkic bloc’s strategic role amid global turmoil

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is growing at nearly twice the global average, with member economies expanding around 6% last year. Speaking in Baku, he stressed the need to boost intra-regional trade and enhance connectivity amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

Iran claims Oracle data center hit in UAE; Dubai denies

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it targeted a data center of US company Oracle in the UAE in retaliation for a strike that injured a former foreign minister and killed his wife. Dubai authorities swiftly rejected the report as “fabricated and incorrect.”

NATO cracks widen as Europe resists Trump’s Iran war demands

President Trump’s push for European support in the US-Israeli war on Iran is crumbling. France, Spain, Italy and Poland have restricted military access or refused requests, while Trump threatens to withdraw from NATO, calling the alliance a “paper tiger.”

US denies Iran’s claim of downing fighter jet near Hormuz

US Central Command has rejected Iran’s assertion that its forces shot down an American fighter jet near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. “All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for,” the command said, adding that Tehran has made similar false claims at least six times before.

Trump warns ‘much more to follow’ after Iran’s highest bridge hit

President Trump has vowed further strikes after a US-Israeli attack destroyed Iran’s highest bridge near Karaj. “Much more to follow!” he wrote on Truth Social, urging Tehran to negotiate before it is “too late.” Trump also claimed Iran is “getting decimated” and that ceasefire talks would be “easy.”

US defense chief asks army chief of staff to step down: Report

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has requested that Army Chief of Staff General Randy George resign and retire immediately, according to CBS News. Hegseth reportedly wants a successor who will implement President Trump’s vision for the Army.

Iran claims it shot down advanced warplane near Qeshm Island

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Thursday that its air defense systems intercepted an advanced US or Israeli warplane south of Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. State TV broadcast footage of the strike. The aircraft reportedly crashed into the water.

Trump imposes 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals, 50% on strategic metals

President Donald Trump implemented new tariffs Thursday on imported pharmaceutical products and critical metals, including a 100% tariff on patented drugs and a 50% tariff on steel, aluminum and copper articles. The measures aim to strengthen national security and domestic supply chains.

Israeli airstrikes kill 10 across southern Lebanon as assault intensifies

Israeli warplanes mounted waves of airstrikes targeting multiple areas across southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing at least 10 people and injuring nine others. Lebanese authorities report nearly 1,345 killed and 4,040 wounded since Israel expanded its campaign on March 2.

Türkiye warns of wider war, urges diplomacy in Iran conflict

Türkiye has called for an immediate return to diplomacy as US-Israeli strikes on Iran threaten to ignite a broader regional war. Ankara condemned Israeli attacks across multiple fronts and urged the international community, especially the UN, to act against escalating aggression.

Turkish, German top diplomats discuss Mideast peace efforts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul to discuss diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war in the Middle East. The talks underline Ankara’s active role in seeking regional de-escalation.