EasyJet passengers stranded after flight to Turkey diverted 1,200 miles away Passengers reached Antalya more than 12 hours after their arrival time The Independent UK · Aug 29
Turkey’s cheap travel reputation is being undone by high costs Turkey's tourism sector is experiencing significant price increases for visitors. This makes the country less affordable compared to previous years. European tourists, including those from the UK, are showing a notable decline in arrivals. Domestic travel within Turkey has also seen a contraction in recent times. However, higher spending by… The Economic Times · Aug 29
Syria's al-Sharaa appoints SDF commander as adviser after Kurdish force dissolves The appointment came days after Abdi declared the Kurdish-led force dissolved and integrated into the Syrian army, ending a decade of independent existence in a move Washington called "genuine integration". Euronews · Aug 28
Iran scrambles to sustain trade as US threatens to sanction countries that refuse to break ties Iran's economy is poised for more instability as the Trump administration tries to coerce other countries into ending all financial dealings with the Islamic Republic The Independent UK · Aug 27
Rival leaders of divided Cyprus agree to meet weekly after UN chief's visit Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to an Athens-engineered Greek Cypriot coup seeking unification with Greece. Euronews · Aug 27
What Armenia's Thousand-Year History of Survival Teaches the Indian Comfort Traveller The Country That Refused the Comfortable LieYou land in Yerevan and the first thing you notice is that nothing is performing for you. There are no garlands, no cultural shows arranged for tourists, no smiling guides in traditional dress waiting at the gate. The city is grey and pink, built… Times Life · Aug 27
'Unlike anything seen before': Archaeologists unearth a unique, 11,000-year-old statue of a person riding a leopard from one of the world's earliest settlements Archaeologists in southern Turkey discovered a unique statue of a person on the back of a leopard. LiveScience · Aug 26
The Risks China and Major Trade Partners Of Iran Could Face From Trump's Economic Pressure Although enforcement details remain unclear, the strategy could have major consequences far beyond Tehran, particularly for China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iraq and India. International Business Times · Aug 26
Syria's main Kurdish force SDF ceases to exist after army merger Commander Mazloum Abdi announced the SDF's dissolution at the presidential palace in Damascus, ending the existence of the Kurdish-led force that served as Washington's main partner against the so-called Islamic State terrorist group. Euronews · Aug 26
Father and sons keep a traditional charcoal craft alive, in photos Mehmet Durak and his two sons work together at a family-run charcoal production site in the forests of Turkey’s Kocaeli province. There, they tend earthen kilns as hardwood slowly turns into charcoal. The Independent UK · Aug 26
Archaeologists found 9,000-year-old arrowheads covered in strange markings; their purpose remains a mystery Unearthed from the depths of Turkey, ancient arrowheads reveal enigmatic hand-carved symbols. These Neolithic treasures showcase intentional incisions rather than random scratches, prompting researchers to ponder their origins. Despite thorough investigations, the specific purpose behind these markings remains unknown. Observations indicate that this intriguing practice was limited to select communities,… The Times of India · Aug 25
European court says the Turkish judiciary has a 'systematic problem' in ruling on philanthropist The European Court of Human Rights has criticized Turkey's courts over the imprisonment of philanthropist Osman Kavala The Independent UK · Aug 25
Turkish military transport flights to Pakistan raise eyebrows in India In a 60-hour operation, Turkish military transport aircraft, including C-130 Hercules and A400M models, delivered cargo to Pakistan’s military bases. There is speculation that these flights transported Turkish military gear and drones. This event highlights the strengthening defense relationship between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, reigniting discussions about Ankara’s military… The Economic Times · Aug 25
I once saw Enes Kanter speak truth to power. Now he only punches down Nearly a decade after I watched him defy Erdoğan at great personal cost, Kanter is using his hard-won freedom to turn transgender people into a national punchline The Guardian - US · Aug 25
Bangkok Post · Aug 23 Syria says Israel talks addressed de-escalation, staying out of Israel-Turkey tensions DAMASCUS - Syria said it held talks with Israel in Jordan on Sunday on de-escalation after recent Israeli strikes, and on keeping the country out of tensions between Israel and Turkey, an ally of Damascus.
France 24 · Aug 23 Syria says US-mediated talks addressed de-escalation, staying out of Israel-Turkey tensions Syria and Israel held US-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday to defuse the crisis sparked by a strike that Israel said was aimed at preventing a Turkish military deployment. Damascus says it wants to stay out of the tensions between Israel and Turkey.
The Times of India · Aug 23 Iran invited to join Mecca pact by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan: Report Iran has been invited to join the Mecca Agreement for Mutual Defense, a new security alliance formed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, Al Mayadeen reported, citing a senior Iranian official.
The Independent UK · Aug 22 A US envoy says Israel did not give a warning to the US ahead of a recent Syria air strike The United States' special envoy to Syria says Israel did not warn Washington ahead of striking an air base in northern Syria despite fears of escalation with Turkey
The Economic Times · Aug 22 Israel conducts fresh strike in Syria after US criticism Israel conducted a strike in Syria, drawing criticism from US envoy Tom Barrack. Barrack slammed the attack as an unnecessary escalation, which Israel refuted. Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Turkey of seeking military presence at the air base. Syria reported an Israeli drone strike wounding a man near the Golan Heights.…
France 24 · Aug 21 Turkey seeks Interpol arrest warrant for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla detention Turkey said Friday it is seeking an international arrest warrant from Interpol for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of a domestic criminal case over Israel's interception and detention of dozens of activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip in May. In response, Netanyahu's office…
The Economic Times · Aug 21 The next war nobody wants: Can Israel and Turkey avoid a conflict? Israel's recent strike on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase signals a new dangerous front. The underlying contest involves shaping Syria's future military and political order. Israel views Turkish-backed Syrian military as a strategic threat to its security. Turkey sees Israeli actions as an attempt to limit its regional influence. The possibility…
The Independent UK · Aug 21 Settlers kill a Palestinian teen in a West Bank clash, and other Middle East developments Israeli settlers have killed a Palestinian teenager after a rock-throwing incident in the occupied West Bank
Euronews · Aug 21 Syrians who came home after al-Assad's fall find a complicated reality Nearly 3.6 million Syrians have returned since al-Assad's fall to destroyed homes, dysfunctional bureaucracy, power cuts and wages a fraction of what they earned abroad. Euronews spoke with those who returned: some are rebuilding, while others are already planning to leave again.
The Guardian - UK · Aug 21 Marc Dubin obituary Other lives: Travel writer specialising in Greece, Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean
The Guardian - US · Aug 20 US places sanctions on 10 people over alleged Hezbollah cash-smuggling ring Courier network carried millions of dollars in cash to Lebanon on commercial flights, treasury department says