Author: Anadolu Agency

Türkiye has denied Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s request to use its airspace for his flight to attend the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. Officials confirmed that Israeli authorities submitted the request for Herzog’s plane to traverse Turkish airspace en route to the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference. However, Turkish authorities declined his request. On Saturday, Herzog canceled his participation in the conference, citing “security concerns,” according to a statement from his office. Relations between Türkiye and Israel have been deteriorating since the start of Israel’s devastating offensive against Gaza following a cross-border attack by Hamas in October…

North Korea is involved in the war on Ukraine in exchange for access to Russian missile and nuclear weapons expertise and other military technology, Ukraine said on Saturday. The claim came in a joint press conference in the capital Kyiv between Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Japanese counterpart Ivaya Takeshi. Speaking to reporters, Sybiha argued that Russia was involving North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine in exchange for access to Russian military technology for use in its ongoing cold war with South Korea. Takeshi also strongly condemned the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, saying…

The Palestinian authorities in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis warned Saturday that a week-long fuel shortage has left more than 1.2 million residents and displaced individuals in the area without access to clean water, amid ongoing Israeli strikes. In a statement, the local officials said: “This persistent fuel stoppage has disrupted essential services, including the operation of water wells and desalination plants, leaving over 1.2 million citizens and displaced individuals in Khan Younis without potable and usable water.” The city also raised concerns about the suspension of sewage treatment facilities, warning that untreated wastewater could flood the streets,…

Russian forces have captured the villages of Makarivka and Leninskoye in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, the Kremlin claimed on Saturday. The Defense Ministry said the villages fell under Russia’s control as a result of an operation carried out by its Tsentr (Center) group of forces. Other Russian units improved their positions, destroying and taking Western-made weapons and military equipment as trophies, the ministry reported. There are several settlements in the region called Leninskoye, but the ministry did not specify which one was captured. Makarivka is located in the Volnovakha district, about 100 km (65 miles) south of the city of…

A senior economic adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said Britain should align itself with the United States on trade rather than pursue closer ties with the European Union. Speaking to BBC radio, Stephen Moore said the EU had a “socialist model” and suggested the U.S. would be less interested in a free trade deal with Britain if the government put its economic relations with the EU ahead of those with the U.S. “The UK is kind of caught in the middle of these two forms of economic model and I believe that Britain would be better off moving…

The 80th anniversary of the forced exile of Ahiska Turks was commemorated in the US capital with a conference that highlighted their struggles and resilience while calling for global recognition of their plight. The event, organized Friday by the Ahiska Turkish American Community Center in collaboration with the Jamestown Foundation think-tank, brought together academics, politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and community members to discuss challenges faced by Ahiska Turks in the last 80 years of exile. Islam Shakbandarov, president of the Ahiska Turkish American Community Center, told Anadolu that hosting the program in Washington, D.C. held deep significance and praised…

Saturday’s UEFA Nations League game between Türkiye and Wales ended in a goalless draw. Neither national team was able to score a goal at RHG Enerturk Enerji stadium in Kayseri, central Türkiye. In the 88th minute, Wales defender Neco Williams conceded a penalty for a foul on Yunus Akgun. After a minute, Kerem Akturkoglu missed the penalty kick. The game ended in a goalless draw on matchday five. In another Group B4 match, Iceland secured a 2-0 win over Montenegro. The goals came from Orri Oskarsson in the 74th minute and Isak Bergmann Johannesson in the 89th minute at the…

World Football Summit Content & Communications Director Jaime Dominguez Perez De Ayala praised Real Madrid’s approach to maximizing the potential of 19-year-old Turkish player Arda Guler. “Arda is a fantastic player. He has a lot of talent. It is not easy to get to Real Madrid with this age and actually being able to make a difference. I think you guys have to be patient with him. Because he is very young,” said Jamie, who resides in Spain and closely follows Real Madrid. The Turkish attacking midfielder faces tough competition at Real Madrid, and the 19-year-old struggles to secure a…

Portugal booked their place in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League quarterfinals after the hosts hammered Poland 5-1 in a Friday match in Porto. At Dragao Stadium, Portugal broke the deadlock in a quick counterattack in minute 59 as AC Milan star Rafael Leao scored a powerful header following left-back Nuno Mendes’ cross. In the 71st minute, Portugal were awarded a penalty after a handball by Polish defender Jakub Kiwior. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the white spot to double the lead. Bruno Fernandes, who plays for Manchester United on the club side, made it 3-0 via a screamer after 80…

Türkiye’s Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) hit targets Friday with pinpoint accuracy in firing tests conducted with the ELCIN 82 and LACIN 82 kits, according to a statement from the Turkish domestic aircraft manufacturer. ELCIN 82 is a laser guidance kit developed by the Turkish defense company Roketsan. LACIN 82 guidance kit is also manufactured by Roketsan. – 80,000 HOURS IN THE SKY Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV, which stands out with its success in strategic missions, completed 80,000 flight hours, leaving behind another important milestone in the history of Turkish aviation. In tests conducted Feb. 22, the National UCAV…