Turkey

Dozens of Opposition Arrested in Turkey: Media Reports

Turkish police arrested 40 people Friday in the opposition stronghold of Istanbul, including the mayor of the central district of Beyoglu and several of his close advisers, Turkish media reported. The latest wave of arrests over "corruption" allegations is part of a months-long crackdown targeting the main opposition Republican People's Party ...

With Waters at 32C, Mediterranean Tropicalisation Shifts Into High Gear

When Murat Draman went scuba diving off the coast of the southern Turkish province of Antalya and saw the temperature in the depths was pushing 30C, it didn't surprise him. "We were at a depth of 30 meters (100 feet) this morning and the water was 29C," said Draman, a diving instructor in an area which is experiencing firsthand the rapid ...

Turkey Reports Mass Return by Syrians

More than 410,00 Syrians who fled to Turkey during the rule of Bashar al-Assad have returned home since he was overthrown in December, the government announced Thursday. Turkey's interior ministry said 411,649 Syrians had so far returned, the rate picking up in recent weeks, with the immigration service recording 140,000 returns since ...

6.1-Magnitude Quake Hits Western Turkey

A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday, the Turkish disaster management agency (AFAD) reported. The quake was felt across several cities in the west of the country, including Istanbul and the tourist hotspot of Izmir. No deaths were reported. About 10 buildings collapsed in Sindirgi, the epicentre of the earthquake, ...

Turkey, Italy and Libya Hold Talks in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday hosted a mini-summit in Istanbul with the prime ministers of Italy and Libya's UN-recognized government for talks on several issues, including migration, officials said. Images from what the Turkish presidency called "Turkey-Italy-Libya cooperation summit" at Erdogan's Istanbul office showed ...

Turkey to Begin Supplying Azeri Gas to Syria from Saturday

Turkey will start exporting natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria from Saturday, the energy minister said on Wednesday. Syria's authorities, who toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, are seeking to rebuild the country's infrastructure and economy after almost 14 years of civil war. The conflict badly damaged Syria's power infrastructure, leading ...

Exploring and Excavating Underwater Heritage

Before any underwater excavation begins, one fundamental question must be answered: Should the findings be brought to the surface? “In some cases – particularly when dealing with a submerged city – preserving the site’s integrity means leaving everything untouched,” explains marine biology expert Marcos Hado. “But when valuable ...

Replacing Iran with Turkey Is a Recipe for Disaster in Syria

The Syrian revolution was not an uprising for liberty, freedom, or democracy. It was a manifestation of Sunni Islamists, backed by Turkey and Qatar, venting their rage against the rule of Assad, supported by Shia Islamist Iran. Syria’s Sunni Islamists did not care that Assad was a brutal dictator; they sought to replace him with their own ...

Turkey Battles Wildfires as Heatwave Grips Med

Firefighters battled blazes across Turkey on Monday as the country sweltered in a summer heatwave across much of the Mediterranean, with wildfires leading to at least 14 deaths in the country in the past week. Around 20 villages have been evacuated, officials said, and more than 3,500 people have been forced to leave their homes. "We are ...

Turkey Battles Wildfires Amid Strong Winds, Heatwave

Firefighters were battling several blazes across Turkey on Monday when the country sweltered in a summer heatwave, officials said. Wildfires across Turkey over the past week have led to at least 14 deaths. Nineteen villages and more than 3,500 people have been evacuated from their homes. Turkey is experiencing a heatwave that peaked with ...

Lebanon Sees Modest Summer Travel Rebound

Lebanon's travel industry is experiencing a cautious recovery this summer, with Beirut International Airport (BIA) showing signs of revived activity since early July, according to Jean Abboud, president of the Lebanese Travel Agencies Association. Speaking on Friday, Abboud noted a noticeable uptick in both flight numbers and passenger traffic. ...