ÖZEL SHAKES KILIÇDAROĞLU'S HAND — AND FACES BACKLASH
Yeni Party Chair Özgür Özel defended his decision to shake hands with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the CHP chair reinstated by court order, twice in a week, after facing criticism from his voters.
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In-Depth Analysis
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ECONOMY GROWS 2.3% IN Q2, SLOWEST EXPANSION SINCE PANDEMIC
The economy grew by 2.3% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, extending its continuous growth streak to 24 quarters but missing market expectations of 2.8%.
ANYMA'S ISTANBUL SHOW IN LIMBO
Although there has been no official statement from the Istanbul Governorship confirming the cancellation of a concert by producer Anyma in Istanbul, pro-government outlets reported that the show had been canceled after it was dubbed a 'satanist ritual.'
WHEN RULES BECOME GUIDELINES
In Pirates of the Caribbean, cornered by the Black Pearl, Elizabeth Swann invokes “parley” under the Pirata Codex. Barbossa, with the convenience of a man who commands the only ship in sight, decides the Code is not quite law. Closer, he explains, to guidance.
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS 10% TAX ON CORPORATE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
The Finance Ministry has finalized preliminary work to redirect short-term capital inflows toward long-term, productive investments, according to a report by Bloomberg HT.
ANKARA HEADED TO A LOBBYING FIRM CLOSE TO TRUMP
The Defense Ministry has signed a contract with a lobbying firm headed by Brian Ballard, one of Trump’s leading fundraisers in Florida.
FRAMEWORK LAW PASSES, ATTENTION SHIFTS TO NEW CONSTITUTION
Following the framework law's acceptance by a high vote of 467 in parliament — legislation expected to end a half-century-long conflict in relation to the Kurdish issue— now eyes are on the next steps the government will take.
OVERSEAS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DROP SHARPLY
The contracts of construction firms abroad fell by more than half in the first six months of 2026.
NEW BILL TO CLEAR PATH FOR BOOKING.COM RETURN AFTER 9-YEAR BAN
A new legislative proposal submitted by ruling party AKP lawmakers aims to allow foreign online travel agencies, including Booking.com, to return to the Turkish market under a structured legal framework after nearly nine years of suspension.
GOVERNMENT CUTS DIESEL TAXES TO LOWER FUEL PRICES AND COMBAT INFLATION
The Turkish government has temporarily eliminated the special consumption tax on diesel fuel for the remainder of August in an effort to curb inflation. Pump prices fell by more than 13 percent a day after the government’s decision on Aug. 12.
FIDAN MEETS TRIPOLI AND BENGHAZI LEADERS ALIKE
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan traveled to Libya on Aug. 11 and 12, visiting both Tripoli and Benghazi, in what appears to be the first time a Turkish foreign minister has made a simultaneous visit to meet competing sides in the Libyan conflict.
OPERATION TARGETS SÜLEYMANCI GROUP
A financial crimes operation targeting the Süleymancı religious sect, led by Alihan Kuriş, whose given name is Ali Erhan Kuriş, 46, was carried out across 17 provinces. Detention orders were issued for 49 people, including Kuriş.