POWER OUTAGES IN HATAY
Power cuts during a winter cold snap have disrupted life in Hatay, a province still recovering from the twin earthquakes of February 2023.
Analysis
In-Depth Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
PARLIAMENT PLANS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UNDER 15
Those under 15 may be barred from opening social media accounts under legislation that may be discussed in parliamentary commission at the end of January.
NEW REGULATION ON GOLD SALES
All gold will be sold with a tax label under the Precious Metal Tracking System (KMTS) to be launched in April by the Mint, which is affiliated with the Treasury and Finance Ministry.
OVERSEAS SHOPPING GETS MORE EXPENSIVE AS CUSTOMS EXEMPTION REMOVED
Overseas shopping got more expensive after new regulations ended the customs exemption for individual purchases of less than €30.
TURKISH JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS NO NEW EXECUTION LAW, NO AMNESTY ON AGENDA
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said there are no plans for a new execution law and that amnesty rumors are unfounded, responding to remarks by MHP Deputy Chair Feti Yıldız on a possible overhaul of sentence enforcement.
WATER CUT ROW BETWEEN ANKARA MAYOR AND ERDOĞAN
The government and the Ankara Municipality are trading accusations over responsibility for water cuts in the capital after one of the driest years on record.
INTELLIGENCE CHIEF KALIN DEFINES VISION FOR TERROR-FREE TURKEY
İbrahim Kalın, head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), described the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey as a comprehensive, multi-layered and multi-phase transformation.
TUNÇ SOYER TO REMAIN IN PRISON DESPITE RELEASE ORDER IN IZBETON CASE
Former İzmir Mayor Tunç Soyer and former İZBETON General Manager Heval Savaş Kaya were ordered released at the fourth hearing of the case involving allegations of corruption by subcontractors at İZBETON AŞ, a subsidiary of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
DEMIRTAS SENTENCED AGAIN DESPITE FINAL ECHR RULING
Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of the HDP, has been sentenced to one year, five months and 15 days in prison over speeches he delivered in 2015–2016 despite a final and binding European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling calling for his release.
THREE MPS JOIN AKP, SHIFTING PARLIAMENTARY BALANCE
Three lawmakers, who had resigned from their parties, joined the ruling AKP on Jan. 7, raising the party’s seat count to 275 and further shifting parliamentary arithmetic.
ANKARA PLANS SALE OF UAVS TO JAPAN
Ankara wants to sell Japan the ANKA UCAVs produced by TAI and Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 and TB3 UCAVs.
TURKEY BEGINS TRAINING SOLDIERS FOR GAZA ISF DESPITE ISRAEL’S OBJECTIONS
Even though Israel objects to Turkish soldiers serving in the Gaza International Stabilization Force (ISF), Defense Minister Yaşar Güler announced that soldiers are being trained for the task.