Rick Scott

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott accused Turkey of “thuggish behavior” toward Greece and Cyprus and questioned Ankara’s commitment to NATO amid longstanding disputes over Aegean airspace, maritime boundaries and the divided island of Cyprus

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott on Saturday accused Turkey of "thuggish behavior" toward Greece and Cyprus, delivering unusually blunt criticism of a NATO ally during visits to both countries.

The Florida senator told The Associated Press that Turkey was “not acting like a NATO ally,” citing its airspace and maritime disputes with Greece and its continued military presence in northern Cyprus. The island has been divided since 1974.

Scott’s comments come amid renewed tensions over a planned undersea electricity link between Greece and Cyprus, with a possible extension to Israel. Turkey says it should be consulted before seabed surveys proceed.

Scott, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, held talks with Greek officials on defense and energy following a visit to Athens last week by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“You’re not acting like a NATO ally when you take F-16s and fly over somebody else’s country. You’re not much of an ally when you occupy a portion of another country’s land. And that’s what they’re doing,” Scott said of Turkey.

“So, I’m hopeful that it will change, but if you look at it, it’s thuggish behavior,” he added.

Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have been embroiled for decades in disputes over maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, as well as the divided island of Cyprus.

The electricity project has become the latest source of friction between Ankara and Athens.

“I think what Greece, Cyprus and Israel are doing is going to be good. It’s good for them, good for us,” Scott said. “We’re going to do everything we can to be helpful. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Turkey does not cause problems with it.”

Scott also said the U.S.-Greek relationship would not be affected by the recent departure of Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece. The White House publicly called for her resignation over allegations of improper and possibly illegal conduct, which she denies.

President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to waive sanctions on Russia only a month after he signed them is drawing outrage and concern from members of Congress.

The NAACP said the Halloween display "carries a painful historical significance rooted in lynching and racial terror."

After a student walkout, the William Penn district said Friday that it's "finalizing an agreement with an investigator" to review an alleged incident that led to the suspension of all sports programs.

German American Marketing, the Christmas Village organizer, said booths will be "inaccessible" to customers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Your opponent? A 225-pound, 5-foot long hind quarter beef cut.

The convergence of COVID-19 isolation, tech apps like eBird and Merlin, and social media has led to a boom in urban birding.

The Museum of the American Revolution offers a two-day living history festival focused on Philadelphia days when independence was new and far from guaranteed.

Philly is named America's worst big city for drivers, Villanova enjoys having the pope on speed dial, and Don Mattingly gets another shot with the Phillies.

Scene Through the Lens with photographer Tom Gralish.

The Department of Transportation, led by Sean Duffy, is aiming to water down long-standing passenger protections while taking a more hands-off approach to policing airlines.

Companies perceived to have profited from ties to Trump would be targets if Democrats win. They also risk alienating customers and shareholders if they defy Congress.

Birding is booming, so The Inquirer asked area birders and ornithologists for their favorite spots within a two-hour drive of Philadelphia.

She attended the groundbreaking for the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth.

Prosecutors say Jabriil Morgan-Cook, Naseem Worrell, and Kaleem Roland killed a member of a rival gang in 2025 because he mocked a friend of theirs who had been recently killed.

The DA suggested that the behavior of an officer and a homicide detective assigned to the case had been “arguably criminal.”

He shepherded movies like "Top Gun," "Ghost," and "Fatal Attraction."

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told South Jersey business leaders to expect the end of the Trump era during a Friday speech in Mount Laurel.

A Coast Guard official said that although the waters are a known smuggling route, the boat was not found and they do not know why it was there.

The Wawa will straddle the Voorhees-Berlin town line on Route 73 northbound.

Fall, at 7-foot-6, gives the Sixers needed traditional size after reserve center Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles in the team's preseason opener.

“I played there for 10 years, so it’ll never be ‘out of the way,’" Brown said following the Sixers' preseason loss to the Celtics Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Tucker, a Wyomissing native and former NFL offensive lineman, also happens to be the Eagles' preseason announcer. So he's seen a lot of Tanner McKee.

The helicopter factory in Ridley Township is the region's largest industrial employer, with 3,000 workers.

A recent report from staffing services and business consulting firm Robert Half indicates that employers are competing for new hires with AI skills.

As measles rises again, parents are concerned about their babies, who have been considered too young for their first dose of vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. Is there help available?