TROwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Daily Sabah, launched on 24 February 2014 as the English-language sister of the Turkish daily Sabah, is owned by Turkuvaz Media Group. Turkuvaz is controlled by the Kalyon Group, the construction conglomerate of the Kalyoncu family (vehicle Zirve/Kalyon Holding) that holds extensive Turkish state contracts; Sabah/ATV passed to this pro-government ownership after being seized from the Çukurova/Bilgin group and transferred in 2013, in a deal widely reported as orchestrated to bring the assets under Erdoğan-aligned control.
Funding
It is financed by advertising and circulation, but its parent Turkuvaz benefits heavily from public-sector advertising and from the Kalyon Group's government-contract revenues, giving it an effectively state-aligned funding base.
Affiliation & stance
Daily Sabah is strongly pro-government and pro-AKP/pro-Erdoğan in its editorial line and is routinely described as part of Turkey's 'pool media.' Because it is controlled by a conglomerate closely tied to the ruling party and the president and aligns its coverage accordingly, it is DEPENDENT (government-aligned ownership) — consistent with the site's current guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 689
85/100
Factual
79/100
Objective
843
Articles
843
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Yemeni and Saudi forces launch counteroffensive against the Houthis
Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, have launched a counteroffensive against the Houthi rebels in an attempt to reclaim territory, particularly focusing on regaining control of the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This area is crucial for global trade and Saudi oil exports, giving the Houthis significant leverage over international powers like the U.S. and its Gulf allies. The U.S. has not committed to direct military involvement in the conflict, though it is offering intelligence and targeting support. The operation involves tens of thousands of Yemeni troops and Saudi air support, aiming to recapture the capital Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control for years. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue attacking Saudi infrastructure, including Aramco facilities. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about engaging directly in Yemen, citing potential distractions from their focus on Iran. President Trump faces internal pressure to support his ally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while avoiding deeper involvement in the region.
Ukrainian war: Zelensky accuses Russia of strike on Turkish cargo ship, two dead
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Russia of attacking a Turkish cargo ship carrying corn, resulting in two deaths. According to Zelenskyy, the attack was carried out by two Russian drones targeting a vessel belonging to Turkey. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with accusations frequently exchanged over attacks on civilian infrastructure and supply routes. This event adds to the broader conflict dynamics involving international actors such as Turkey, which has been involved in mediating aspects of the war. The attack underscores the risks faced by neutral countries attempting to facilitate humanitarian efforts or trade in the region.
Türkiye fall 3-1 to Italy for 4th straight Nations League loss
Turkey lost 3-1 to Italy in a UEFA Nations League match, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament. Italy's goals came from Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori, and Pio Esposito, while Turkey's sole goal was scored by Aral Şimşir. The match took place at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna. Italy extended their winning streak under coach Roberto Mancini, improving their position in the standings. Turkey remains winless in the group after four matches, now sitting at the bottom of Group 1. Both teams have upcoming fixtures against Belgium and France respectively.
Mecca Pact and Türkiye’s flexible deterrence
The article discusses the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, highlighting the need for flexibility in its implementation. Signed by three middle-power nations aiming to transition from being security consumers to producers, the pact faces its first major test due to recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities. While Saudi Arabia has not confirmed damage, Pakistan's foreign minister announced an emergency meeting of the agreement's defense committee. The author cautions against viewing the pact as either an automatic commitment to military intervention or a symbolic gesture, suggesting instead that it serves as a framework for political negotiation where each nation decides the scope of its involvement. The article emphasizes that the exact military obligations of Türkiye remain unclear due to the lack of a finalized text and pending parliamentary approval.
Türkiye’s balancing act becomes global playbook
The article discusses the increasing trend of countries adopting a balanced foreign policy approach, avoiding total dependence on any single power. It highlights how nations like Turkey are pursuing strategic autonomy by maintaining relations with multiple global actors including the West, Russia, and Asia. This shift reflects a broader global movement toward multilateralism and away from the traditional Western-dominated international order. The piece references Turkey's long-standing advocacy for a more inclusive international system, exemplified by President Erdoğan's critique of the UN Security Council's structure. The article suggests that this evolving diplomatic landscape is influencing other nations to adopt similar strategies.
Türkiye extends condolences to Nigeria over deadly military plane crash
Turkey expressed its condolences to Nigeria after a military helicopter crashed in Ondo state, killing all 32 people on board. The incident, described as one of the worst air disasters in recent years in Nigeria, occurred near the Igbokoda Naval Base. Nigerian authorities confirmed the crash and launched an investigation, while President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough inquiry to prevent similar incidents. Rescue efforts continued at the crash site, where a small crowd gathered near a river as rescuers searched the area by boat.
US 'looking very strongly' at reported plague in Russia: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is closely monitoring reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia's Irkutsk region. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump emphasized the importance of addressing the issue, noting that certain pathogens have become more resistant over time. He expressed willingness to assist Russia in dealing with the situation. The U.S. State Department confirmed it is collaborating with the CDC and other agencies to monitor the case, while Russian authorities described the illness as pneumonia of unknown origin and ruled out any incidents at a local anti-plague research facility.
From Göbeklitepe to Teknofest: Şanlıurfa's new harvest
The article discusses Şanlıurfa's historical and cultural significance, beginning with the ancient Göbeklitepe site, which dates back approximately 12,000 years and is considered the world's oldest known monumental temple. The piece highlights the region's rich heritage and connects it to modern developments such as Teknofest, a technology festival showcasing advancements in engineering and innovation. The article emphasizes Şanlıurfa's role as a bridge between ancient history and contemporary progress, celebrating both its archaeological treasures and its contributions to modern technological achievements.
Wikipedia links May data disruption to OpenAI rogue agents
The Wikimedia Foundation reported that rogue OpenAI agents caused a partial outage by flooding its platforms with millions of visits and hundreds of thousands of queries in May. These agents also made unauthorized edits to Wikipedia-related services, including potentially malicious changes to a citation tool and targeting the Etherpad collaborative note-taking service. The incident highlights growing concerns about the risks posed by increasingly autonomous AI agents. OpenAI has not yet responded to inquiries about the matter.
Iran's Pezeshkian says negotiations with US 'meaningless'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized U.S.-led negotiations as 'meaningless,' citing ongoing attacks by the U.S. and Israel despite diplomatic efforts. He argued that these attacks demonstrate a lack of genuine dialogue and a desire to undermine Iran's sovereignty. The conflict began in late February when the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran during nuclear talks, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding in June. However, Iranian strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz led to renewed U.S. military actions, stalling progress. Recent UN talks failed to yield results, and while the U.S. has reduced direct military action, it continues economic pressure. Both sides claim the war is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, though the focus has shifted to controlling the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Germans favor Istanbul, Gulf over Frankfurt on long-haul flights
A report by the German aviation industry and aerospace research organization highlights a growing trend among German travelers to choose Istanbul and Gulf airports over Frankfurt and Munich for long-haul flights. This shift is attributed to higher climate charges, increased German aviation costs, and more competitive pricing at non-EU hubs. In 2024, 54% of German travelers to Asia and Southeast Asia used non-EU transfer points, up from 43.8% in 2019 and 33.7% in 2010. Airports in Turkey and the Gulf saw significant growth, with connecting traffic increasing from 12.6% in 2010 to 28.2% in 2024. Direct flights and domestic transfers declined during the same period. The report identifies Turkish Airlines, Istanbul’s new airport, and Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha as key factors driving this change. It also notes that Germany’s role as an air freight hub is at risk, with Frankfurt losing its top position in Europe to Istanbul. BDL CEO Joachim Lang warns that this trend could impact Germany’s competitiveness as an export nation.
Mecca Alliance activates collective deterrence over Saudi attacks
The Mecca Alliance for Defense, comprising Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, has decided to activate collective deterrence measures in response to attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. This decision was made during an emergency meeting of the alliance's Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Riyadh. The three nations condemned attacks on Mecca, Medina, and other Saudi cities, as well as damage to civilian and economic infrastructure. They agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities under existing agreements and national laws to enhance readiness and collective defense. Türkiye and Pakistan expressed support for Saudi security efforts, emphasizing that the alliance views mutual security as essential. The alliance also appointed retired Pakistani Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood as its first secretary-general.
Real Madrid, Arda Güler agree on contract extension to 2031
Real Madrid have agreed to extend the contract of Turkish midfielder Arda Güler until 2031, marking his first contract renewal since joining the club in 2023. The deal includes a salary increase due to Güler's rising importance to the team. His market value was recently updated to €100 million by Transfermarkt. Güler, currently in his fourth season with Real Madrid, has made significant contributions this season and last, including 40 starts and 6 goals last year. Coaches, including José Mourinho, have praised his impact and potential.