Turkish security sources have confirmed that a large-scale international prisoner exchange took place in Ankara on August 1. The swap, orchestrated by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), involved 26 individuals from seven countries, including Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich. According to sources, the exchange involved prisoners from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway,
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish government officials issued strong condemnations following the assasination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s Political Bureu, in Tehran, Iran. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his “outrage” and “denounced the treacherous assassination” on the social media platform X on July 31, calling it “a delibarate attempt to undermine the
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) targeted 154 prominent figures, alleging that they have “systematically maligned the party” through their reporting on the contentious Sinan Ateş murder case. Barış Terkoğlu, a columnist for Cumhuriyet, reported that MHP has filed a controversial request to join the Sinan Ateş murder case as an “injured party.” In their request,
The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) commission commenced discussions over a controversial bill aiming to amend the Animal Protection Law in a marathon session filled with heated debates, protests, and high tension. The bill, known for its potential to introduce “euthanasia” for stray animals, sparked strong reactions from various political factions and civil society groups.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on July 12 that “Until a comprehensive, sustainable peace is established in Palestine, attempts at cooperation with Israel within NATO will not be approved by Türkiye.” In a press conference following the NATO 75th-year Summit in Washington DC Erdoğan said: “It is not possible for the Israeli administration, which
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hinted at a significant diplomatic shift by suggesting a potential invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This invitation, Erdoğan indicated, could coincide with a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Türkiye, marking a new phase in regional diplomacy. “We might have an invitation for Bashar al-Assad along with President
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has launched a cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the March 31 elections, prompted by the resignations of Environment and Climate Change Minister Mehmet Özhaseki and Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, currently serving as Istanbul Provincial Health Director, was appointed as the new Health Minister. Murat Kurum,
A severe wildfire has erupted in the rural area between Diyarbakır’s Çınar district and Mardin’s Mazıdağı district, in Türkiye, claiming 11 lives and left many injured. The fire, which started as a stubble burning incident, rapidly grew due to strong winds, engulfing surrounding villages and causing significant casualties and damage, officials announced on June 21.
The Turkish Women’s National Volleyball Team’s travel to the United States for the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League matches on a commercial flight in economy class sparked a controversy in the country, highlighting gender discrimination in Turkish sports. Prominent team players including Ebrar Karakurt, Zehra Güneş and captain Eda Erdem voiced their dissatisfaction with
An Ankara court has sentenced former Democratic People’s Party (HDP) co-leaders Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ to decades in prison in total in the Kobani Case, where 108 people are being tried for terror charges, including “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state.” Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court sentenced Selahattin Demirtaş to 20