Author: Handan Gulya

Some sites, such as the island of Delos near Mykonos, are already seeing structural damage due to increased flooding. Over half of historical sites located along the coastline of Türkiye and Greece are at a ‘very high’ or ‘high’ risk of going underwater by the end of the century as sea levels rise, new research has found. Global sea levels are rising as global warming causes more ice sheets and glaciers to melt. Some sites, such as the island of Delos near Mykonos, are already seeing structural damage due to increased flooding. The UNESCO world heritage site was one of…

Palestine will under no circumstances agree to Russia’s exclusion from the Middle East settlement process, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director-General Mikhail Gusman following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As Abbas emphasized, Russia “has always sought and is seeking ways for a peace solution” and is striving for “a just solution to the Middle East issue in accordance with of international law.” “And let’s not forget its role in the ‘Middle East Quartet’. The United States has always wanted to exclude Russia from this process. Under no circumstances shall we agree…

Budapest (5/7 – 11.11) Former European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker defended U.S. President Joe Biden after his disastrous debate performance last week and warned of his rival Donald Trump’s “incomplete mind and flawed reasoning,” in an interview with Brussels Playbook. Juncker, who was Commission president from 2014 to 2019 during much of Trump’s presidency, said he had yet to watch last week’s debate, which triggered calls for Biden to step aside and make room for someone else to run as the Democratic presidential candidate. Still, Juncker insisted that “one can be of a certain age … and do a good job.” But Juncker…

Turkish exporters with firm orders are looking at ways to send their goods to Israel via third countries after Turkey halted bilateral trade, four export company owners told Reuters, saying the decision had caught them by surprise. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said on May 3 that Turkey will not resume trade with Israel, worth around $7 billion a year, until a permanent ceasefire is secured in the war in Gaza with unhindered humanitarian aid flowing to Palestinians there. Attending Bolat’s press conference, the owner of a household goods exporter said the trade halt had wrongfooted them, with goods held up…

The International Monetary Fund revived its $2.9 billion bailout for Sri Lanka on Tuesday after the South Asian nation clinched a debt restructuring deal with China, its biggest official lender. The IMF said its board had completed the first review of Sri Lanka’s rescue package known as the Extended Fund facility (EFF) and released the second tranche of $337 million to support economic policies and reforms. Sri Lanka had expected the progress review to be completed by September, but it was held up pending financial assurances from China, which holds 52 percent of the island’s bilateral debt. IMF’s mission chief…

The recurring problem of Indian fishermen doing illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters needs a top-level diplomatic solution between the two nations, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told Parliament here on Tuesday. Sri Lankan Navy said that in 2023, some 195 Indian fishermen and their 31 trawlers were arrested and legal action was taken for poaching in the Sri Lankan waters. “The matter of Indian fishermen participating in fishing activities within Sri Lankan waters necessitates a diplomatic resolution between the two nations. As per the Constitution of India, fisheries issues fall under the jurisdiction of the state government,” he said His stance…

The “One Child, One Wish” project initiated by the governorship of Istanbul fulfilled the dreams of 11 orphaned children who determined their wishes within the scope of the project. “As the governorship of Istanbul, on the 100th anniversary of our republic, our foremost desire is to fulfill the wishes of our orphaned children, thereby contributing to their happiness. We eagerly anticipate the invaluable support of philanthropists in making these wishes come true. While parents can never be replaced, we acknowledge that each of us carries a burden of sorrow, and we must not forget that sharing happiness can alleviate this…

With the fishing season entering its second month, the Istanbul Strait is currently experiencing an abundance of a highly consumed fish, the bluefish, widely referred as the “prince of Bosphorus,” for the past 10 days. Fishermen noted that they catch bluefish on the Black Sea side of Bosphorus, citing the abundance seems to be accompanied by an increase in the size of the fish. The smallest bluefish weigh around 300 grams, with some reaching up to 600 grams. They told daily Milliyet that prices for bluefish start at 200 Turkish Liras. “Bluefish is abundant, but for the price to drop…

A group of 21 Italian neo-fascists were apprehended at Athens International Airport late on Tuesday, as reported by the police. The group, members of the far-right group CasaPound, intented to attend a rally on Wednesday afternoon, commemorating the 2013 killing of two members of the now-defunct neo-Nazi Golden Dawn outside the party’s offices in Neo Iraklio, northern Athens. Sources indicate that law enforcement had been alerted to their journey to the Greek capital. Local far-right organizations had been mobilizing through social media platforms such as Telegram, urging European counterparts to join the rally since the summer. Police have banned Wednesday’s…

The First Instance Prosecutor’s Office will investigate the circumstances behind the serious injury of the 16-year-old girl that occurred during an anti-fascist event that ended in clashes with police in Neo Heraklion suburb of western Athens on Saturday night. The head of the First Instance Prosecutor’s Office requested an urgent preliminary examination to investigate the events that led to the minor being found unconscious on the road, with a serious head injury. The Prosecutor investigates possible “attempted murder”, a crime charged with felony. The 16-year-old girl remains hospitalized in ICU of a hospital in Athens, and her life is no…