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Türkiye, Israel Trade Heated Accusations as Tensions Mount

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Turkish Presidency)
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Türkiye, Israel Trade Heated Accusations as Tensions Mount

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Turkish Presidency)

Tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv continue to mount with Israel accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of “antisemitism.”

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said the “lies and slanders” targeting Erdogan reflected the “cowardly and corrupt mentality” of Israeli government officials, foremost among them Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Responding to an Israeli Foreign Ministry statement describing Erdogan as one of the “fiercest antisemites”, the ministry said Netanyahu and his “criminal gang” were beginning to lose their political and legal immunity after bringing “historic shame” upon the Israeli people by “committing genocide” in Gaza.

It also accused them of being chiefly responsible for regional and global instability by displaying “expansionism unprecedented in the modern history of the Middle East.”

Accusations

The Turkish Foreign Ministry statement, posted on X, said efforts by Israeli institutions “operating in a manner resembling the propaganda machine of Nazi Germany’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels” were no longer effective, stressing that the “international community no longer believed the Netanyahu government’s lies.”

It added that Türkiye, under Erdogan’s leadership, had taken a “sincere and resolute stand against crimes committed during Netanyahu’s tenure and would continue to defend and speak out for the truth”.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Erdogan of antisemitism, saying: “Every few days, Erdogan seeks to escalate his wild incitement against the Jewish state in order to divert attention from his actions against his own people and the region.”

“He has destroyed Turkish democracy, imprisoned his political opponents, hosted and supported Hamas, and invaded neighboring countries. Like the most virulent antisemites in history, he tries to spread baseless blood libels to divert attention from his disgraceful actions,” it said.

Support for Gaza

In response, Turkish Presidency Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran said Erdogan would continue to defend the Palestinian people’s just cause, describing the Israeli statement as “an example of a mentality that resorts to slander and propaganda instead of confronting the facts.”

“As they always do, they are trying to hide behind the concept of ‘antisemitism’ to cover up their aggression, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Duran said.

He added that Türkiye categorically opposed occupation, oppression, massacres and policies that disregard international law, and that Erdogan would continue to defend the Palestinian cause, be the voice of the oppressed in Gaza and work to support regional stability.

In a Sunday message marking the 104th anniversary of Victory Day on August 30, without naming Israel or its government, Erdogan said: “Despite the provocations of those who feed on instability, Türkiye, as a state and a nation, will continue to defend truth, justice, peace and stability.”

He added that Türkiye, which strives to prevent injustice regardless of its source and stand with the oppressed regardless of their identity, does not hesitate to pay the price when necessary.

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World

Nearly 20 Still Missing After North Cyprus Ferry Capsize Kills Eight

A helicopter rescues a passenger off a ferry that capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
A helicopter rescues a passenger off a ferry that capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
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Nearly 20 Still Missing After North Cyprus Ferry Capsize Kills Eight

A helicopter rescues a passenger off a ferry that capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
A helicopter rescues a passenger off a ferry that capsized off the coast of Northern Cyprus, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)

Nearly 20 ‌people were missing on Monday after a ferry capsized off northern Cyprus, killing at least eight, as divers joined search teams scouring deep waters for any survivors.

The double-hulled ferry with 267 aboard took in water and flipped over on Sunday just off the port city of Kyrenia, leaving survivors clinging to the overturned hull. They were rescued by passing vessels ‌and the coastguard ‌authorities.

"We've been waiting since the ‌morning, ⁠for 12 hours ⁠or maybe more," said Naif Ezer, one of those waiting anxiously outside the port for news of passengers through the early hours of Monday.

Of three friends traveling home to see families, one had been found but the ⁠other two were still missing, ‌he added.

Some of those ‌waiting sat and silently wept, while others scrolled ‌mobile phones for updates.

It was unclear if ‌people remained trapped on the vessel, now lying on the seabed at a depth of more than 500 m (1,640 ft).

Divers from Türkiye were assisting ‌the search, officials said. They gave differing estimates of the missing, with ⁠some saying ⁠19, and others 18.

The ferry ran into trouble shortly after leaving Kyrenia for the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province, one of several daily sea shuttle links with Türkiye.

Separate accounts said the wide-bodied vessel jolted violently before slamming onto the sea surface, with part of its bow bursting open on impact.

Authorities have detained the captain and crew of the vessel for questioning.

World

Grand Canyon Flash Flood Leaves One Dead, around 15 Missing

This handout image released by the Grand Canyon National Park Service via X on August 30, 2026 shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge on August 29. (AFP/ National Park Service)
This handout image released by the Grand Canyon National Park Service via X on August 30, 2026 shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge on August 29. (AFP/ National Park Service)
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Grand Canyon Flash Flood Leaves One Dead, around 15 Missing

This handout image released by the Grand Canyon National Park Service via X on August 30, 2026 shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge on August 29. (AFP/ National Park Service)
This handout image released by the Grand Canyon National Park Service via X on August 30, 2026 shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge on August 29. (AFP/ National Park Service)

At least one person was killed and around 15 others are missing after a flash flood at the Grand Canyon, one of the most popular tourist sites in the United States, the National Park Service said in a statement Sunday.

The floods hit the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area on Saturday, forcing dozens of people to evacuate and damaging the sole water pipeline serving the park.

The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered on Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River in northern Arizona, the park service said.

Video footage taken by hikers showed a torrent of muddy water rushing by trails and under footbridges as well as logs and other debris floating down swollen rivers, accompanied by a rumbling roar.

The park service said it was working with Arizona authorities to evacuate people and account for missing individuals.

As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated, with others scheduled for later, it said.

It said around 15 people were thought to be missing, revising an earlier figure of more than 20.

- Water pipeline damaged -

The flooding damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, a key water pipeline into Grand Canyon National Park, the park service said, announcing water restrictions in its most visited area and a ban on wood and charcoal fires.

The twelve-and-a-half mile (20 kilometers) pipeline runs from the Roaring Springs source on the North Rim to the South Rim, providing drinking water and fire suppression, according to the park's website.

The flooding also resulted in "significant impacts to infrastructure," destroying footbridges and blocking hikers from crossing Bright Angel Creek, the park service said.

Overnight accommodations were to be closed from Monday, it added.

"These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources," the park service said.

The flash flood, which began about 2:30 pm (2130 GMT) on Saturday, was caused by rain on the Kaibab Plateau, it said.

More thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were possible through Monday, possibly leading to "additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions," the park service warned.

Flash floods are common in Northern Arizona because the arid, sparsely vegetated environments found in the area have little capacity to absorb rain, the park's website said, urging visitors to be especially cautious from July to mid-September.

The Grand Canyon -- considered one of the greatest wonders of the natural world -- is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a chasm up to 18 miles wide and more than a mile deep.

Last year almost five million people visited the site.

World

North Korea Says Hostile US Policy Unchanged, Vows to Strengthen Nuclear Force

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea, August 29, 2026, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea, August 29, 2026, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters)
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North Korea Says Hostile US Policy Unchanged, Vows to Strengthen Nuclear Force

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea, August 29, 2026, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the 9th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea, August 29, 2026, in this photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). (KCNA via Reuters)

North Korea said on Monday the United States' hostile policy remained unchanged and vowed to continue strengthening its nuclear force, rejecting repeated US calls for its denuclearization.

In a statement carried by ‌state media KCNA, ‌a Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining ‌a confrontational ⁠stance through its ⁠commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, criticism of the country's human rights record and planned joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan.

"The Trump administration has thus fully reconfirmed its invariable hostile policy to wantonly violate the sovereignty, political system and security interests of the DPRK," the spokesperson said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, ⁠the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The spokesperson said ‌North Korea's nuclear weapons were "an absolute ‌guarantee for defending its sovereignty" and that its nuclear status would not be ‌weakened by repeated US denuclearization demands.

The spokesperson also said expecting ‌any easing of regional tensions was "pointless".

There is likewise "no change" in North Korea's policy toward the US, the official said.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump this month ordered a major scaling back of the annual Ulchi ‌Freedom Shield exercises between the United States and South Korea.

Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North ⁠Korean leader Kim ⁠Jong Un and said the drills were costly and sent an unnecessarily hostile signal to Pyongyang.

Trump has been seeking a new summit with the North Korean leader. The two met three times in 2018 and 2019.

Despite the drills reduction, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, said this month the exercises remained provocative and aggressive even if their scale and duration were reduced.

Separately, the US, South Korea and Japan are due to hold the Freedom Edge exercise, which is intended to improve coordination against nuclear and missile threats, from September 7 to 11, according to Seoul's military. North Korea has repeatedly denounced the trilateral drill as a threat to regional security.