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Turkey

Latest news and updates on the country which straddles both Europe and Asia.

Capital

Ankara

Head of State

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Head of Government

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

China has agreed to limit its hybrid car exports to the European Union to 350,000 a year. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

China-EU relations

Emboldened by hybrid car deal, Europe coalesces around tougher China stance

Brussels is revving the engines and ready to accelerate a crackdown on Chinese trade practices after Beijing responds to its threats.

15 Oct 2026 - 1:59PMvideocam

Environment

Opinion | Smart economics: tackle climate change and air pollution together

14 Oct 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Peru governor touts Chinese interest in port pitched as Chancay alternative

14 Oct 2026 - 4:48AMvideocam

China's military weapons

Could Pakistan’s Chinese-made weapons help protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks?

Islamabad, which reportedly sent JF-17 jets and an HQ-9 system to Saudi Arabia, has vowed cooperation with Riyadh ‘in every possible way’.

13 Oct 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport after an attack by the Yemen-based Houthis, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 8. Photo: Social media via Reuters

Ukraine war

Drones hit 2 ships off Bulgaria, sinking 1 and triggering Black Sea search for 11

Eleven sailors are missing after drone strikes sank a cargo ship off Bulgaria, as Sofia summons Russia’s envoy and seeks Nato help.

13 Oct 2026 - 7:30PM

Drivers detained after coach and truck crash in Turkey, killing 11

Authorities launch probe into potential wrong-way driving on western highway corridor.

12 Oct 2026 - 11:11AM

United States

My Take | The US and Israel have gone full rogue

As Israel denounces Nobel Peace laureate Navi Pillay, the US sanctions the entire International Criminal Court.

11 Oct 2026 - 8:30PM

The International Criminal Court building in The Hague. The US has added the ICC to its Specially Designated Nationals list, alongside violent criminals and drug cartels. Photo: TNS

China-EU relations

US, EU forge ‘multilateral coalition’ against China’s industrial surge

As US rallies most G20 members to pressure Beijing on overcapacity, experts warn China could retaliate.

8 Oct 2026 - 8:00PM

Saudi Arabia

Saudi offensive in Yemen raises risk of direct war with Iran

Backed by Western and regional allies, Riyadh’s renewed campaign against the Houthis threatens to blow Tehran’s proxy war wide open.

6 Oct 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks

Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.

6 Oct 2026 - 2:42PMvideocam

Chinese-made FK-2000 missile-and-gun systems on display during Turkmenistan’s Independence Day parade in Ashgabat on September 27. Photo: Handout

Pakistan

As Saudi Arabia steps up war against Houthis, Pakistan set to play support role

To rally support among Pakistanis for the move, Islamabad and Riyadh have highlighted the Houthis’ recent drone attack on Mecca.

3 Oct 2026 - 4:00PM

Houthi supporters rally in Sanaa, Yemen, last month to celebrate advances by Houthi forces along the Red Sea coastline. Photo: Reuters

Japan

Ukraine war: Japan’s new sanctions on Russia target oil exports

The 35 sanctioned vessels are believed to transport Russian crude oil to countries, providing a major source of revenue for Moscow.

2 Oct 2026 - 8:33PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | ‘Money is money’: US, UK firms still coming to Hong Kong, commerce chief says

2026 has been a challenging year because of the geopolitical situation, but Hong Kong’s stability continues to draw investors, Algernon Yau says.

2 Oct 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US set to grant sanctions waiver for Iran-Iraq pilgrim flights

Trump administration to allow Iraqi Airways flights to and from the Shiite holy city of Najaf for one month to ease pressure on Baghdad.

29 Sep 2026 - 1:54PMvideocam

Travellers arrive at Najaf International Airport in Iraq. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

Suicide bombing at police checkpoint in Pakistan kills at least 11

About 30 others were wounded in the attack, for which the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility.

26 Sep 2026 - 9:18PM

Volunteers transport an injured victim of a suicide attack on a roadside police checkpoint upon his arrival at a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, on Saturday. Photo: AP

China-Middle East relations

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

26 Sep 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Pakistan

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

26 Sep 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Turkey to hand over military base to Iraq

Ankara established the facility in Bashiqa in 2015 and deployed up to 600 soldiers there, sparking tensions with Baghdad.

24 Sep 2026 - 6:59AM

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (left) shakes hands with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office via Reuters

Ukraine war

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:06AM

Alibaba

Alibaba Cloud set to open new data centres in Europe as overseas push gains pace

The tech giant is set to add extra capacity to help international clients deploy real-world artificial intelligence.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:32PM

Crime

Turkey teenager arrested after 11 pupils injured in shotgun shooting

In the third such incident in six months, the youngster opened fire near his school, leaving three in intensive care.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:38PM

This handout photograph taken and released on Tuesday shows a CCTV image of a gunman running near a school in Turgutlu, an area west of the resort city of Izmir, before a shooting outside a school. Photo: via AFP/DHA

Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves while boarding a plane upon his departure from India on September 13. Photo: Kremlin/Sputnik/EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

US pivot leaves Saudi Arabia with ‘humiliating dilemma’ over Houthis

Riyadh is now working frantically to build a coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.

18 Sep 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

Middle East

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns

US says the sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter ‘current and future threats’.

18 Sep 2026 - 1:53PM

China travel

China airports surge in global-connectivity ranking, led by Shanghai, Guangzhou

Third terminal helps Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport jump 17 places in global standings, while airports in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong also improve.

17 Sep 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Passengers are seen at Beijing Daxing International Airport in China’s capital. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

17 Sep 2026 - 3:40PM

Houthi fighters pose atop what the group described as the wreckage of a downed Saudi F-15 fighter jet in Marib province, Yemen, in an image released on Wednesday. Photo: Ansar Allah Media Office via AP

Middle East

‘Doing a North Korea’? Why the Middle East could be entering a new nuclear age

A Saudi-US nuclear pact and further attacks on Iran could prompt Tehran to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty, analysts warn.

15 Sep 2026 - 7:25PMvideocam

Middle East

Surrounded by war, Turkey more than triples defence spending

Most of the 229 per cent budget increase will fund domestic arms production as Ankara seeks to cut reliance on the West.

11 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

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Turkey

Emboldened by hybrid car deal, Europe coalesces around tougher China stance

Brussels is revving the engines and ready to accelerate a crackdown on Chinese trade practices after Beijing responds to its threats.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Smart economics: tackle climate change and air pollution together

Peru governor touts Chinese interest in port pitched as Chancay alternative

Could Pakistan’s Chinese-made weapons help protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks?

Islamabad, which reportedly sent JF-17 jets and an HQ-9 system to Saudi Arabia, has vowed cooperation with Riyadh ‘in every possible way’.

Drones hit 2 ships off Bulgaria, sinking 1 and triggering Black Sea search for 11

Eleven sailors are missing after drone strikes sank a cargo ship off Bulgaria, as Sofia summons Russia’s envoy and seeks Nato help.

Drivers detained after coach and truck crash in Turkey, killing 11

Authorities launch probe into potential wrong-way driving on western highway corridor.

My Take | The US and Israel have gone full rogue

As Israel denounces Nobel Peace laureate Navi Pillay, the US sanctions the entire International Criminal Court.

US, EU forge ‘multilateral coalition’ against China’s industrial surge

As US rallies most G20 members to pressure Beijing on overcapacity, experts warn China could retaliate.

Saudi offensive in Yemen raises risk of direct war with Iran

Backed by Western and regional allies, Riyadh’s renewed campaign against the Houthis threatens to blow Tehran’s proxy war wide open.

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks

Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.

As Saudi Arabia steps up war against Houthis, Pakistan set to play support role

To rally support among Pakistanis for the move, Islamabad and Riyadh have highlighted the Houthis’ recent drone attack on Mecca.

Ukraine war: Japan’s new sanctions on Russia target oil exports

The 35 sanctioned vessels are believed to transport Russian crude oil to countries, providing a major source of revenue for Moscow.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | ‘Money is money’: US, UK firms still coming to Hong Kong, commerce chief says

2026 has been a challenging year because of the geopolitical situation, but Hong Kong’s stability continues to draw investors, Algernon Yau says.

US set to grant sanctions waiver for Iran-Iraq pilgrim flights

Trump administration to allow Iraqi Airways flights to and from the Shiite holy city of Najaf for one month to ease pressure on Baghdad.

Suicide bombing at police checkpoint in Pakistan kills at least 11

About 30 others were wounded in the attack, for which the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

Turkey to hand over military base to Iraq

Ankara established the facility in Bashiqa in 2015 and deployed up to 600 soldiers there, sparking tensions with Baghdad.

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

Alibaba Cloud set to open new data centres in Europe as overseas push gains pace

The tech giant is set to add extra capacity to help international clients deploy real-world artificial intelligence.

Turkey teenager arrested after 11 pupils injured in shotgun shooting

In the third such incident in six months, the youngster opened fire near his school, leaving three in intensive care.

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

US pivot leaves Saudi Arabia with ‘humiliating dilemma’ over Houthis

Riyadh is now working frantically to build a coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea and defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns

US says the sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter ‘current and future threats’.

China airports surge in global-connectivity ranking, led by Shanghai, Guangzhou

Third terminal helps Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport jump 17 places in global standings, while airports in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong also improve.

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

‘Doing a North Korea’? Why the Middle East could be entering a new nuclear age

A Saudi-US nuclear pact and further attacks on Iran could prompt Tehran to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty, analysts warn.

Surrounded by war, Turkey more than triples defence spending

Most of the 229 per cent budget increase will fund domestic arms production as Ankara seeks to cut reliance on the West.

Opinion | Smart economics: tackle climate change and air pollution together

Exclusive | ‘Money is money’: US, UK firms still coming to Hong Kong, commerce chief says