Another Russian exodus: Many who fled to Turkey move on again reuters.com/world/another-…

A Turkish Akinci drone is said to have helped find the wreckage of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi and other officials, Turkish media report. More than 200,000 people followed the drone's movements last night via the FlightRadar24 app.

Turkish President Erdogan conveys his condolences over the deaths of Iran's President Raisi and other officials in a helicopter crash, saying he remembers Raisi 'with respect and gratitude'. He also praises Raisi's 'efforts for the peace of the Iranian people and our region'

A Turkish court sentenced Selahattin Demirtas, the former leader of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party to more than 40 years in prison for allegedly inciting deadly riots in 2014. dw.com/en/turkey-pro-…

Turkish President Erdoğan hosted Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis this week in Ankara, where the two reaffirmed their commitments to resolve disputes through dialogue. Can old foes perhaps become friends?
With Ioannis N. Grigoriadis 🙏

Demirtaş, a former election rival of President Erdoğan and still one of Turkey's most influential political figures, has already been in jail for more than seven years - despite a 2020 European Court of Human Rights ruling to release him.

Turkey's parliament expected to discuss judicial reform package which includes a legislative amendment that would introduce criminal penalties for what it calls “foreign influence agents.” My recent piece for Global Voices #foreignagent globalvoices.org/2024/05/16/tur…

In its annual 'Rainbow Map' ILGA-Europe ranks 49 countries, regarding legal developments for the LGBTI community in areas like protection against hate crime, recognition of gender identity.
Malta tops the list, followed by Iceland, Belgium.
Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey are last.

A Turkish official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Reuters that Erdogan had 'misspoken' and meant that Gazans in general were being treated in Turkey.
'President Erdogan misspoke, he meant 1,000 Gazans are under treatment, not Hamas members' ⬇️
reuters.com/world/middle-e…

Aliens have landed in Antalya 👽
...for the annual 'Sand Sculpture Festival'

200 works made from 10,000 tons of river sand will be exhibited, under the motto 'Space Adventure'

Here is a brief look at the current state of Turkish-Israeli relations after 🇹🇷 officially stopped all imports and exports to 🇮🇱, with comments from Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן

'Döner-flation' diyebiliriz😭

Congrats to AFP News Agency's Adem Altan who was a finalist for The Pulitzer Prizes breaking news photography award this year. The image brings me to tears whenever I see it, it has shaped collective memory of the 2023 earthquake catastrophe in Turkey and Syria.

Turkish President Erdogan:
“We welcomed the statement by Hamas that they accepted the ceasefire following our suggestions. Now, Israel must take the same step.”

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh appears to be continuing his stay in Turkey after being received by President Erdoğan in Istanbul on April 20. In the last two weeks, Haniyeh met with Gaza activists and the leaders of the Gelecek, HÜDA-PAR and Saadet political parties.