Author: Daily Sabah With Agencies

Mark Rutte will visit Türkiye on Monday as a NATO Secretary-General on his first trip to the country. He is scheduled to talk with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other officials under the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Rutte and Erdoğan’s talks will focus on developments in the conflict, a Turkish official told Reuters on Sunday. Russia struck Ukraine with a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile on Thursday in response to Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British missiles against Russia, marking an escalation in the war that began in February 2022. NATO member Türkiye says it supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity…

Yearning for a peace mediator role, Türkiye long avoided taking sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, unlike the West’s firm support for Ukraine. But as the conflict heats up with U.S.-U.K. missiles used by Ukraine and the Kremlin implementing a nuclear doctrine, Ankara is concerned about where things may go amid the risk of the conflict’s expansion. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says there was certainly a “nuclear risk.” “It emerges the moment you start talking about ‘nuclear’ is being discussed,” he said. “Putin says he is ready to take things to the next level if Russia cannot adequately respond through conventional…

The arrival of snow and freezing temperatures across central and eastern Türkiye is marking a significant start to the winter season. From Kayseri in the Central Anatolia region to Niğde in the heart of Türkiye, several cities have been blanketed in snow, with freezing temperatures reaching as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). Snow has caused disruptions, but it also brought a sense of excitement as the season’s first snowfall set the stage for winter weather. In Kayseri, at the beginning of the evening, the snow quickly covered rooftops, cars, streets, and parks in the city. With…

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will arrive in Türkiye’s capital Ankara on Monday to hold meetings with Turkish officials, the military bloc said in a statement on Friday, amid rising tensions with Russia. During his visit, Rutte will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler. Rutte’s itinerary also includes engagements with the representatives of Türkiye’s defense industry and a visit to the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) facilities. He will also lay a wreath at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Türkiye. The visit will mark Rutte’s first official…

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa held a phone call to discuss efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza, Turkish diplomatic sources said Friday. During the call, Fidan and Mustafa spoke about the situation in the embattled Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media. The sources added that Fidan highlighted the importance of inter-Palestinian reconciliation and expressed Türkiye’s support for this. Israel launched a brutal offensive on Gaza following an attack by Hamas in October 2023 and continues it to…

Türkiye remains steadfast in its support of Palestine’s “honorable resistance”, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz told Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in a phone call on Friday. “Under the leadership of our President Mr. (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan, we will resolutely continue to fight Israel’s crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine on international platforms and to support the honorable resistance of the Palestinian people,” Yılmaz said. The discussion with Mustafa – who is currently in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul – focused on the escalating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, Yılmaz said on X. Yılmaz also highlighted Mustafa’s gratitude…

Kylian Mbappe’s struggles as a center-forward have reignited debates in France and at Real Madrid. Despite being one of the world’s top players, the French star is grappling with a dip in form, raising questions about whether playing as a No. 9 suits his style. French coach Didier Deschamps has subtly addressed this during interviews, expressing confidence in Mbappe’s ability to bounce back but acknowledging the challenges. “He’s been less effective in 2024, but I see no reason why he won’t return to his best. Playing as a center-forward might not be ideal for him, but he has the quality…

A surprising revelation emerged this week, sparking fresh rumors in European football. According to a Barcelona advisor, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) attempted to sign young sensation Lamine Yamal last summer, offering a staggering $264 million to replace Kylian Mbappe, who had left for Real Madrid. However, PSG’s overture was swiftly dismissed, with Barcelona reaffirming its commitment to the 17-year-old star. Barcelona president Joan Laporta briefly mentioned the offer but emphasized that it was never taken seriously. “The president has already said he received a 250 million euro offer for Lamine, which was never considered,” said club advisor Masip in a recent…

Severe winds affected Türkiye this morning, disrupting transportation and causing structural damage in multiple cities, including Istanbul and Bursa. In Istanbul, strong southwesterly winds caused disruptions in sea transportation. Several ferry services operated by İDO, BUDO, and City Lines were canceled. The Turkish State Meteorological Service issued warnings earlier, and the winds, which intensified overnight, led to the cancellation of routes such as Bostancı-Moda-Karaköy-Kabataş and Büyükada-Sedef Adası. According to City Lines, services on some routes were temporarily adjusted to alternative lines until further notice. Despite the strong winds, no injuries or major accidents were reported in Istanbul. However, high waves…

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday that condemned a missile attack on a Turkish-owned ship by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. “We condemn the missile attacks by the Houthis on the Panama-flagged dry cargo ship Anadolu S, owned by a Turkish company while sailing off the coast of Yemen,” the ministry said. Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Tuesday they had targeted a cargo ship in the Red Sea, while a multinational naval task force said two missiles had struck near the Panama-flagged vessel. Since last November, Houthis have been targeting shipping in and around the Red Sea in a campaign they…