Author: Aslan Cem

China’s defence minister warned Sunday against establishing NATO-like military alliances in the Asia-Pacific, saying they would plunge the region into a “whirlpool” of conflict. Li Shangfu’s comments came a day after US and Chinese military vessels sailed close to each other in the flashpoint Taiwan Strait, an incident that provoked anger from both sides. “Attempts to push for NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific is a way of kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations,” Li told a security conference in Singapore also attended by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Li warned that these alliances would “plunge the Asia-Pacific into a whirlpool of disputes…

Turkish authorities have announced the capture of Hakan Ayık, a notorious criminal on the most wanted list in Australia, and 36 individuals affiliated with his criminal organization, Comanchero. The gang led by Ayık was involved in a wide range of crimes — including drug trafficking, murder, armed robbery, arson, kidnapping and global money laundering, Interior Minister Yerlikaya revealed in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. The international crime syndicate had been on the radar of authorities in Australia, the United States and New Zealand, the minister said. Ayık, commonly known as the “Facebook Gangster” in Australia, has been a fugitive for over a…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a second and final day of critical meetings with senior Chinese officials Monday, as the two sides expressed willingness to talk but showed little inclination to bend on hardened positions that have sent tensions soaring. Blinken met with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi for about three hours, according to a U.S. official, but it is still not confirmed if Blinken will meet President Xi Jinping before he departs in the late evening. Neither Blinken nor Wang made any comment to reporters as they greeted each other and sat for their discussion. In the first round of talks on…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he was breaking off contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to Israel’s actions in Gaza. “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off,” he said. Erdoğan’s remarks came a week after Israel said it was “re-evaluating” its relations with Ankara. Israel had earlier withdrawn all diplomats from Türkiye and other regional countries as a security precaution. Israeli forces have encircled Gaza’s largest city, trying to crush Hamas in retaliation for Oct. 7’s raids into Israel that officials say killed around 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 240 people hostage. The…

The Green Left Party (YSP) has rebranded itself as the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) with Tülay Hatimoğulları Oruç and Tuncer Bakırhan taking the helm as co-chairs. “The Green Left Party undertook a historical mission… and fulfilled this responsibility as an HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) component,” co-spokesperson İbrahim Akın said during the party’s fourth regular congress at Ankara Atatürk Sport Hall on Oct. 15. The transformation comes amid turbulent times for the pro-Kurdish HDP, which faces the looming threat of a ban by the Constitution Court due to alleged links to the PKK. During the May elections, it strategically nominated its…

Dilek Demir, who was forcibly married at the age of 13 and endured years of abuse in her family, has dedicated herself to the fight against child marriage and abuse of girls after assuming an essential role as the head of a local office in a neighborhood in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. After enduring a marriage filled with violence for 16 years, Demir ended her marriage with the support of her children and embarked on a new life. Due to her popularity and the support of the residents of the Muradiye Neighborhood, she was elected as the headman. Upon…

Greek flag carrier Aegean Airlines completed its neo-era branding on Monday, October 23, by launching new uniforms for its captains, cabin crew, and ground staff. The airline has partnered with distinguished internationally-recognized Greek brands to create its new brand image and show off its fresh style. Inspired by the Greek natureAegean’s new look was presented in collaboration with Greece’s renowned fashion company Zeus+Δione. The uniforms were designed by the Creative Director Marios Schwab to match the airline’s neo-era vision and image by including fundamental elements, codes, and symbols. With Greece’s admirable natural beauty, the creative director did not have to…

A goddess statue believed to be around 5,000 years old has been discovered at the Yeşilova Mound in İzmir, western Turkey. The figurine, crafted from baked clay materials, measures approximately 10 centimeters in height and is similar to others found on the island of Lesbos. The discovery was made during the excavations at the mound under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Zafer Derin from the Department of Archaeology at Ege University. Derin describes the goddess as depicted in a naked form with hair neatly gathered at the back. “Similar pieces can be found in the Thermi region on Lesbos…

Escape Cave Suites, nestled in the heart of Cappadocia, offers an enchanting escape amidst the region’s captivating landscapes. Carved into the ancient cliffs of Goreme, this unique accommodation is a fusion of history and modern comfort, providing guests with an unparalleled experience in the heart of this mesmerizing Turkish destination. Cappadocia, a land of stunning beauty, is renowned for its captivating hot air balloon shows, a major draw for visitors. Witnessing these floating marvels is a popular activity in the region, and finding the right spot to enjoy this spectacle is essential for an unforgettable experience. Escape Cave Suites Hotel:…

Greece’s ruling New Democracy party suffered a setback in Sunday’s runoff elections for regional governors and mayors, losing the country’s two largest cities and five of the six regional contests. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had explicitly said that his goal was to win all 13 regions plus the cities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus, “13 plus 3,” as he said. The results of the first round, last Sunday, appeared to consolidate New Democracy’s political dominance, already expressed in the double national election, last May and June. Its endorsed candidates won all seven regions whose result was decided in the first…