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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings Tuesday with US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso in Ankara. The discussions covered bilateral relations and regional developments.Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has engaged in three days of intensive diplomatic consultations with 15 foreign ministers and the EU foreign policy chief following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions. The diplomatic blitz focused on halting attacks, reducing tensions and coordinating regional responses.Explosions were heard across Qatar's capital Doha on Monday evening as the widening military confrontation between Iran and US-led forces reached the Gulf state. Al Jazeera television reported that air defenses intercepted projectiles over the city, marking the latest expansion of a conflict that has now drawn in multiple Gulf nations.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep sorrow Monday over civilian suffering in Iran, announcing Türkiye will ramp up diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. Warning of serious regional and global consequences unless the conflict is halted, Erdoğan stressed Ankara's commitment to peace as civilian casualties mount.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Kuwait’s Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to express solidarity following strikes affecting Gulf countries. The Turkish leader reiterated that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving regional conflicts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings Tuesday with US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso in Ankara. The discussions covered bilateral relations and regional developments.Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has engaged in three days of intensive diplomatic consultations with 15 foreign ministers and the EU foreign policy chief following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions. The diplomatic blitz focused on halting attacks, reducing tensions and coordinating regional responses.Explosions were heard across Qatar's capital Doha on Monday evening as the widening military confrontation between Iran and US-led forces reached the Gulf state. Al Jazeera television reported that air defenses intercepted projectiles over the city, marking the latest expansion of a conflict that has now drawn in multiple Gulf nations.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep sorrow Monday over civilian suffering in Iran, announcing Türkiye will ramp up diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. Warning of serious regional and global consequences unless the conflict is halted, Erdoğan stressed Ankara's commitment to peace as civilian casualties mount.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Kuwait’s Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to express solidarity following strikes affecting Gulf countries. The Turkish leader reiterated that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving regional conflicts.

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White House says Trump was 'joking' about cancelling US midterms

Yenişafak English AA

22:29, 15/01/2026, Thursday

AA

White House says Trump was 'joking' about cancelling US midterms

US President Donald Trump

The White House has clarified that President Donald Trump was speaking "facetiously" when he suggested the United States should not hold midterm elections in November. A spokesperson said his remarks were a joke about the administration's perceived success.

White House says Trump was 'joking' about cancelling US midterms

White House officials have moved to clarify controversial remarks from President Donald Trump regarding the upcoming US midterm elections, characterizing his suggestion to cancel the vote as a humorous comment. The statement aims to quell concerns over what appeared to be a dismissal of a core democratic process.

Spokesperson's explanation of 'facetious' remarks

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters on Thursday, stating that Trump "was simply joking." She explained his comments by saying, "He was saying, 'We're doing such a great job. We're doing everything. The American people thought maybe we should just keep rolling.'" Leavitt emphasized the president "was speaking facetiously" in his exclusive remarks to Reuters.

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Context of Trump's frustration and political warning

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with the historical pattern where the party controlling the White House typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections, even after what he considers a successful year. In his recent statements, he also urged House Republicans to maintain unity ahead of the November 2026 elections, warning that Democrats would move to impeach him if they regained control of Congress.

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The stakes of the upcoming midterms

The 2026 midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, will determine the composition of the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. For international observers and democracies like Türkiye, which closely follow US political stability, the need for a White House clarification on such a fundamental issue highlights the unusual nature of the political discourse and its potential to undermine public confidence in electoral institutions.

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Titles :Donald Trump Karoline Leavitt midterm White House

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