Published September 07,2025

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A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the Sindirgi district of the western Balikesir province at 12.35 pm (0935GMT) on Sunday, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

AFAD reported that the tremor’s epicenter was in Sindirgi and occurred at a depth of 7.7 kilometers (4.7 miles).

The quake was felt not only in Balikesir but also in the surrounding provinces, as well as Izmir.

There has been no report of any casualties or damage so far.

Published September 06,2025

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that “issues concerning Palestine cannot be discussed without the Palestinians,” after the cancellation of visas for Palestinian officials who were set to travel to the US for the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.

During his visit to the Turkish Press Federation in Ankara, Fidan responded to a question about the cancellation of the visas, including for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was scheduled to attend the meeting later this month.

Emphasizing that the issue is sensitive, Fidan said: “From the very first day, we have been working very intensively.”

He explained that every year in September, all states present their statements on current issues within the framework of the UN General Assembly. “This year, with the initiative of certain countries and with Türkiye’s support, it was decided to hold a conference on Palestine at the UN.”

“Some major Western countries, primarily France and Belgium, that have not yet recognized Palestine as a state have declared that they will take steps toward recognizing it,” he said.

Fidan underlined that the cancellation of visas, including Abbas, had two technical aspects: “It’s not that Palestine cannot participate as a state. As you know, Palestine has a permanent mission there. The permanent representative can participate in the General Assembly sessions on behalf of the State of Palestine.”

He added that the issue is unavoidable under the UN Charter, but since visas were denied, Abbas may not be able to attend.

When the announcement was first made, the seven-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation-Arab League Contact Group quickly released a statement calling the decision wrong and insisting it should be corrected, he said.

Fidan stressed that, upon the instructions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, two separate efforts were underway: “First, an intensive effort within our own ministry — what kinds of alternative measures could be applied? What options exist? We presented this extensive work to our president as well. We had several alternative proposals regarding this matter.”

Fidan stated that talks were held with Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan and Oman.

“We have consulted with all the relevant actors and observed the following: our Palestinian brothers, in particular, are committed to ensuring that this program in New York is not disrupted and that activities related to the recognition of the State of Palestine can take place,” he said. “However, what our Palestinian brothers consider most important at this point is the recognition of the State of Palestine, particularly by permanent members of the Security Council such as France and the UK.”

“They see this as a priority benefit for the Palestinian cause. We have made our internal assessments on this matter. We presented it to our president in detail. While neighboring Arab countries are also highly critical, they believe that the greater benefit lies in the recognition of the State of Palestine by other actors, and therefore support continuing with the program in New York,” he said.

Published September 06,2025

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Anadolu opened the second exhibition of its international news photography contest, the İstanbul Photo Awards 2025, with a reception Friday that was hosted by the Turkish news agency’s chairman and CEO Serdar Karagoz.

The exhibition, which follows a debut in Ankara, features 139 images by 29 award-winning photographers. The works are displayed at the Dolmabahce Art Gallery, part of the Türkiye’s National Palaces Collections Museum.

-WAR BEYOND STATISTICS

“Photography continues to be the purest and most powerful language of truth,” Karagoz said at the opening. “The frames you see here today are not just photographs but notes written into history, fragments of memory preserved for the future. Today, in Gaza, in Ukraine, and in other parts of the world, we are witnessing very precious testimonies through these photographs.”

Karagoz said the winning photo of the contest, taken by photographer Saeed Jaras in the Gaza Strip, shows parents embracing the bodies of their children killed in an Israeli airstrike.

“This frame was chosen as the best photo of 2025 by our jury,” he said. “Looking at it, we understand that war is not only about statistics. War cannot be told by numbers alone, because every frame, every moment is a human story.”

-ANADOLU’S GLOBAL COVERAGE

Karagoz highlighted Anadolu’s global network of photojournalists in 135 countries, who produce more than 6,000 items of content daily, including 4,000 photos, 1,500 news reports, 450 videos, 30 multimedia pieces and 22 live broadcasts.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, he said, Anadolu journalists in Gaza have provided the world media with more than 200,000 photographs and 15,000 videos.

He noted one image by photojournalist Mohammed Al-Yakoubi that appeared on the cover of The Guardian Weekly with the headline, “We are dying slowly, save us.”

“After that, hundreds and thousands of newspapers, websites and bulletins published Anadolu’s photographs documenting hunger in Gaza,” said Karagoz.

More than 2,000 photographers applied to this year’s contest, submitting nearly 22,000 images from 114 countries. An international jury selected the winners.

The exhibition includes images of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, floods in East Africa, a volcanic eruption in Iceland, athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Afghan women’s struggles, survivors of Syria’s Sednaya prison, Brazilian surfers confronting massive waves and migrants on dangerous journeys.

The exhibition runs through Sept. 7.

Published September 06,2025

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Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler attended a reception Friday at the Pakistani Embassy in Ankara to mark Pakistan Defence Day.

“Our main goal in our historically deep-rooted relations with friendly and brotherly Pakistan is to carry our friendship and cooperation, based on solid trust, even further into the future,” said Guler.

The event was attended by Pakistani Ambassador to Ankara, Yusuf Cuneyd, Pakistan Defense Attache Air Brig. Gen. Imran Noor, senior officials, foreign mission representatives and guests.

Guler described Pakistan as “an important actor that has a say in regional and global balances and plays active roles in ensuring peace, security, and stability.”

He praised Pakistan’s progress in recent years, noting its economic development and visionary approaches in defense and foreign policy.

“As Türkiye, we follow with great satisfaction Pakistan’s strong progress. For us, Pakistan is more than a friendly state, it is a partner of unshakable brotherhood, a shared understanding of destiny, and a spirit of solidarity,” he said.

– STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

Guler highlighted the tangible cooperation between the two countries.

“From military training and exercises with the friendly Pakistan Armed Forces to defense industry projects, we have elevated our cooperation and experience-sharing in defense and security to the highest levels. Likewise, our work in areas ranging from trade to technology clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of our close cooperation and our determination to move into the future together,” he said.

He emphasized that Türkiye and Pakistan have successfully carried out multiple defense industry projects.

“The ships built under the MILGEM Project have clearly demonstrated both our interoperability and what we can achieve when we work shoulder to shoulder. The ever-strengthening partnership between Türkiye and Pakistan is of critical importance not only for our countries, but also for regional peace and stability. The truth is that with increased cooperation, we are becoming one of the closest defense partners in the world,” he said.

Guler said he will visit Pakistan next week and plans to hold talks to further enhance cooperation.