Syria calls for probe as Black Sea cargo ship sinks after reported attack
Syria has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the sinking of the Togolese-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. The appeal comes as 10 crew members remain unaccounted for, including nine Syrians and one Egyptian. Syrian authorities also questioned why search and rescue operations were halted before the sailors were found.Mazen Aloush, from Syria's port authority, asked the International Maritime Organization and Bulgarian authorities to establish why the search was called off. He said the fate of the missing crew was still unknown and urged officials to use all available technical means to locate and... [Continue Reading]
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Noontime News Recap: Ukraine strike kills civilians as UK and Israel row deepens over Jerusalem
Local authorities in eastern Ukraine say a Russian strike on passenger buses in Kramatorsk has killed civilians and wounded others near the frontline, underlining the continuing danger for people living close to the war zone. 🔗In Russia, a major Yandex data centre was forced to suspend operations completely after a suspected Ukrainian drone attack, adding to the disruption caused by cross border strikes on critical infrastructure. 🔗In the Middle East, Israel said the British consulate in East Jerusalem was ceasing operations and that most diplomats would end their assignments and leave the country, but Britain rejected the move and said... [Continue Reading]
Protests in Izmir after mayor joins Erdogan's AK Party
More than 1,000 people gathered in Izmir on Wednesday to protest Mayor Cemil Tugay's decision to join President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party. The demonstration took place in Turkey's third-largest city and centred on the political shift that handed the ruling party control of the mayor's office. Protesters carried a coffin bearing Tugay's photograph and called for his resignation.Police blocked access to Republic Square and monitored the crowd during the protest. Tugay joined the AK Party on Wednesday after previously serving as an independent following his resignation from the opposition CHP in June. The move marks a notable change... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan and Turkiye move to support Saudi deterrence against Houthis as pact takes effect
The defence arrangement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye has now been activated, with the three countries agreeing to move agreed forces and capabilities into Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday, according to a joint statement shared by Pakistan's Foreign Office. The statement said the committee had decided to begin practical implementation of collective-defence commitments and to ensure rapid deployment in line with approved arrangements and national legislation.The latest reporting adds that the pact, signed in August and sometimes referred to as the Mecca pact, is now in force for the first... [Continue Reading]
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Pacific leaders press to keep fossil-fuel transition pledge intact ahead of Cop31 in Tuvalu
Pacific island leaders have urged that a global pledge to transition away from fossil fuels should not be reopened for renegotiation as they gathered in Tuvalu ahead of Cop31. The meeting brought together about 50 dignitaries, including 14 national heads, climate ministers and leaders of international agencies. It was held in the low-lying atoll nation as part of efforts to build momentum before the climate summit next month in Turkey.The gathering included Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who was among the visiting leaders on the three-hour trip to Funafuti. The visit had been promised by the Australian government last year... [Continue Reading]
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan hold first joint Power of Unity-2026 exercise in Karabakh
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan have carried out their first joint military exercise in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, with more than 3,500 troops taking part. The drill, called Power of Unity-2026, was held in the Hojavend district over the past few days and focused on a wide range of modern security threats. It included simulations of drone attacks, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and attempts to seize a vessel.The exercise brought together land, naval and air elements, with troops training in the Qızılqaya military training area. According to the details provided, the forces used more than 130 unmanned vehicles, alongside over 70 armoured vehicles,... [Continue Reading]


