TOPIC

/ location

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’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, uses electromagnetic catapults. Photo: Xinhua

China’s aircraft carriers

Why do China and other powers still want aircraft carriers?

Submarines and drones are ‘the story of naval warfare in the 21st century’ but carriers continue to be an important symbol of military might.

2 Jun 2026 - 12:00PM

Music

US rapper Travis Scott panned in Turkey for 20-minute performance

2 Jun 2026 - 10:50AM

Malaysia

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

1 Jun 2026 - 5:56PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

How ‘strategic ambiguity’ made Turkey a winner in the Iran war

However, experts caution that the country’s economic instability and enduring regional rivalries have capped its gains.

1 Jun 2026 - 6:08PMvideocam

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country’s support for peace talks. Turkey can be a “natural release valve” for companies trying to deal with the instability caused by the Iran war, an expert has said. Photo: AFP

Italy

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

Authorities scrap festival performance following pressure from local Jewish groups over rapper’s controversial history.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:58AM

Islamic State

Man jailed for 15 years over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack plot in Austria

Austrian court convicts 21-year-old over planned 2024 bombing that forced the cancellation of concerts.

29 May 2026 - 3:13PM

Fashion

Who is Jonathan Andic, son of fashion brand Mango’s founder Isak Andic?

After joining the Spanish fashion brand in 2005, Jonathan rose to be its executive vice-president a decade later – and a few weeks after his father’s death.

27 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Jonathan Andic, the son of late Mango founder Isak Andic, was named a suspect and arrested over his father’s death. Photo: Getty Images

Drones

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

27 May 2026 - 6:19PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US hits Iran with fresh strikes amid negotiations to end war

Marco Rubio insists a deal with Iran remains within reach after the US military claimed its attacks were in ‘self-defence’.

26 May 2026 - 9:34PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

26 May 2026 - 8:42AM

US President Donald Trump speaks on the phone inside his limousine on Monday. Photo: EPA

Tourism

Checklist tourism trends as travellers go for selfies over ‘real stories’

From Paris to Turkey, tourists blitzing through sites for social media snaps are causing crowding and concerns that they’re missing the point.

26 May 2026 - 7:37AM

Tourists in Paris pose for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background. From France to Aruba, more tourists are treating historical sites as merely boxes to tick off a list and reducing them to social media backdrops. Photo: AP

Middle East

Turkish riot police storm opposition party HQ to evict ousted leadership

Security forces unleash tear gas and rubber bullets inside CHP offices following a highly controversial court ruling.

25 May 2026 - 11:44AM

Indonesia

‘So rough’: father of Indonesian on Gaza flotilla claims Israeli mistreatment

Nine Indonesians were among those detained when Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday.

22 May 2026 - 6:02PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

Detainees land in Turkey as their treatment in Israeli custody draws an international outcry.

22 May 2026 - 5:18PMvideocam

Activists disembark from a plane upon arrival at Istanbul Airport. Photo: Reuters

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Court rules to oust leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

The abrupt judicial annulment of Ozgur Ozel’s 2023 election deals a serious blow to the nation’s oldest political faction.

22 May 2026 - 11:24AM

Ozgur Ozel addresses supporters outside the CHP headquarters in Ankara on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

‘Welcome to Israel’: videos of bound Gaza flotilla activists trigger furore

Netanyahu scolds Israel’s security minister for releasing footage taunting hundreds of detained civilians as international backlash grows.

21 May 2026 - 12:45PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, denies using live ammunition

Israeli forces halt vessels in Mediterranean operation, detaining hundreds of international activists.

20 May 2026 - 10:49AM

United States

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

19 May 2026 - 11:37PM

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent poses for a family photograph of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors ahead of a meeting on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Yuan

China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panic

Seven of the top 10 foreign holders cut their exposure to US government debt, led by Japan, which offloaded US$47.7 billion.

19 May 2026 - 9:19AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Is China’s new mediation body gaining steam as Western brokers’ influence wanes?

Summit encourages countries to join Beijing-led initiative as stalled US-Iran peace talks reveal limits of traditional solution mechanisms.

16 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

15 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

A neighbour hugs a crying woman at the site of a fatal Russian missile attack on a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: the summer travel edition offers holiday tips for all tastes

Discover dreamy summer getaways – from Hainan’s luxury escapes to Thailand’s creative Songkhla – plus sustainable stays, genre-blending concerts and Chinese state banquet secrets.

24 May 2026 - 5:24AM

Sumela Monastery, in Trabzon province, Turkey. Photo: Getty Images

Trip Inspiration

Rediscovering Turkey’s northeast: a journey from Trabzon to Erzurum

After 50 years, a writer returns to Turkey’s far-flung northeast and discovers what has changed – and what hasn’t.

11 May 2026 - 4:46PM

War and conflict

Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution

Readers discuss the imperative of dialogue to end the Iran war, the growth and diversity of Chinese products and Hong Kong’s efforts to deter smoking.

7 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Disease

Passengers on virus-hit cruise ship sway between fear and boredom

As the MV Hondius sails towards Spain, passengers describe a bizarre daily existence of high-end luxury and strict isolation.

7 May 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

A passenger watches as health personnel assist patients off the cruise ship and onto a boat off the port of Praia, Cabo Verde, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

3 May 2026 - 10:30AM

The port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on April 17. Photo: EPA/The UAE Presidential Court

Israel-Gaza war

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Greece, detaining dozens

Organisers accuse Israel of ‘abduction’ after boats are seized nearly 1,000km from the Palestinian enclave.

1 May 2026 - 9:35AM

United States

Austrian citizen admits plot to kill at Taylor Swift concert in Vienna

The 21-year-old and two other men also planned attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

28 Apr 2026 - 6:52PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Turkey

Why do China and other powers still want aircraft carriers?

Submarines and drones are ‘the story of naval warfare in the 21st century’ but carriers continue to be an important symbol of military might.

US rapper Travis Scott panned in Turkey for 20-minute performance

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

How ‘strategic ambiguity’ made Turkey a winner in the Iran war

However, experts caution that the country’s economic instability and enduring regional rivalries have capped its gains.

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

Authorities scrap festival performance following pressure from local Jewish groups over rapper’s controversial history.

Man jailed for 15 years over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack plot in Austria

Austrian court convicts 21-year-old over planned 2024 bombing that forced the cancellation of concerts.

Who is Jonathan Andic, son of fashion brand Mango’s founder Isak Andic?

After joining the Spanish fashion brand in 2005, Jonathan rose to be its executive vice-president a decade later – and a few weeks after his father’s death.

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

US hits Iran with fresh strikes amid negotiations to end war

Marco Rubio insists a deal with Iran remains within reach after the US military claimed its attacks were in ‘self-defence’.

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

Checklist tourism trends as travellers go for selfies over ‘real stories’

From Paris to Turkey, tourists blitzing through sites for social media snaps are causing crowding and concerns that they’re missing the point.

Turkish riot police storm opposition party HQ to evict ousted leadership

Security forces unleash tear gas and rubber bullets inside CHP offices following a highly controversial court ruling.

‘So rough’: father of Indonesian on Gaza flotilla claims Israeli mistreatment

Nine Indonesians were among those detained when Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday.

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

Detainees land in Turkey as their treatment in Israeli custody draws an international outcry.

Court rules to oust leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

The abrupt judicial annulment of Ozgur Ozel’s 2023 election deals a serious blow to the nation’s oldest political faction.

‘Welcome to Israel’: videos of bound Gaza flotilla activists trigger furore

Netanyahu scolds Israel’s security minister for releasing footage taunting hundreds of detained civilians as international backlash grows.

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, denies using live ammunition

Israeli forces halt vessels in Mediterranean operation, detaining hundreds of international activists.

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

China joins global sell-off of US Treasuries in March as Iran war prompts panic

Seven of the top 10 foreign holders cut their exposure to US government debt, led by Japan, which offloaded US$47.7 billion.

Is China’s new mediation body gaining steam as Western brokers’ influence wanes?

Summit encourages countries to join Beijing-led initiative as stalled US-Iran peace talks reveal limits of traditional solution mechanisms.

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

This week in PostMag: the summer travel edition offers holiday tips for all tastes

Discover dreamy summer getaways – from Hainan’s luxury escapes to Thailand’s creative Songkhla – plus sustainable stays, genre-blending concerts and Chinese state banquet secrets.

Rediscovering Turkey’s northeast: a journey from Trabzon to Erzurum

After 50 years, a writer returns to Turkey’s far-flung northeast and discovers what has changed – and what hasn’t.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution

Readers discuss the imperative of dialogue to end the Iran war, the growth and diversity of Chinese products and Hong Kong’s efforts to deter smoking.

Passengers on virus-hit cruise ship sway between fear and boredom

As the MV Hondius sails towards Spain, passengers describe a bizarre daily existence of high-end luxury and strict isolation.

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Greece, detaining dozens

Organisers accuse Israel of ‘abduction’ after boats are seized nearly 1,000km from the Palestinian enclave.

Austrian citizen admits plot to kill at Taylor Swift concert in Vienna

The 21-year-old and two other men also planned attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Letters | History shows the high cost and low yield of war as conflict resolution