Politics
🚨🏛️ Parliament Abuse Allegations: Objection Filed After Release of Four Men in Trainee Case
In a case concerning allegations of sexual abuse against underage trainees working at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, prosecutors have formally objected to the court’s decision to release four detained suspects pending trial. The court cited the length of time already spent in custody, the absence of flight risk and the current state of evidence in ordering their release, despite claims that vocational high-school students were subjected to sustained harassment by parliamentary staff over several years. The investigation began after one girl disclosed her experience to her family, leading to arrests in November 2025, and the trial of five defendants continues amid strong criticism from women’s rights advocates, who argue that the ruling risks normalising child abuse and undermining accountability.
🤐☢️ Fidan Sidesteps Nuclear Question on Live TV: “Right, I’ll Move On”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan offered a pointed silence when asked on CNN Türk whether Turkey should possess nuclear weapons, choosing not to answer verbally and responding only with a smile during a live interview with Ahmet Hakan. The presenter promptly dropped the question, later rephrasing it in broader terms, to which Fidan replied that such matters were “high-level strategic issues” requiring consideration within a wider geopolitical picture. In the same programme, Fidan warned against dramatic shifts in the regional balance of power, arguing that nuclear proliferation would damage cooperation and risk triggering a wider arms race, while reiterating Turkey’s hope for a positive outcome from US–Iran nuclear talks held in Oman and Ankara’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with all sides.
⚓💷 Warships Sold Off One by One: Was the Decision Really Sudden?
Several Turkish Navy warships that had only entered service in 2025 were sold abroad shortly after personnel had already been assigned to them, raising questions about how and why the decision was taken. The corvette TCG Akhisar was sold to Romania for €245 million, while TCG İçel and TCG İzmir were sold to Indonesia for a combined $1 billion. Reports indicate that the sales were not part of a long-term plan: despite being newly built, commissioned, and staffed for active duty, a sudden decision was made to sell the vessels, prompting debate over why fully crewed warships were removed from the fleet so abruptly.
✈️🌍 Why Turkey Sent F-16s to Somalia – And Is the Investment Paying Off?
Turkey’s deepening involvement in Somalia has come back into the spotlight after Turkish F-16s were seen over Mogadishu, prompting fresh questions about Ankara’s long-term aims and returns. Former Somali Ambassador Kani Torun says Turkey’s engagement, which began with humanitarian aid and evolved into military training, infrastructure management and energy exploration, has already put Ankara “in the black”, even if the benefits are not immediately visible in trade figures. Turkey operates Mogadishu’s port and airport, runs its largest overseas military base and embassy in the country, and has signed agreements for offshore energy exploration, while presenting itself as a stabilising force against terrorism. Torun argues that Turkey effectively helped pull Somalia “out of the well” after decades of civil war – and that, taken together, what Turkey has gained now outweighs what it has given.
⚖️🪖 Developments at Büyükçekmece Courthouse: Prosecutor on the Newborn Case Heads Off for Military Service
A series of unusual developments have unfolded at Büyükçekmece Courthouse, where Prosecutor Yavuz Engin – known to the public for investigating infant deaths in neonatal units – has been reassigned and is now set to leave his post temporarily to complete his compulsory military service under the paid scheme. Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Aydın removed Engin from the organised crime bureau last week and reassigned him to the general investigations unit, after which Engin took leave ahead of his military duty. The move comes amid ongoing fallout from a major theft at the courthouse’s evidence storage facility, separate administrative inspections by Justice Ministry inspectors, controversy over Engin’s social media posts, and an international manhunt for the prime suspect in the theft, who is now believed to have fled from the UK to Ireland.
🚧🏛️ Parking on Sacred Ground? Outcry Grows Over Construction Near Ancient Ephesus
Archaeologists and heritage experts have raised alarm over a 130,000-square-metre construction project near the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus, warning that it risks damaging temple and church remains identified in earlier surveys. Critics argue that large-scale excavation and plans for an extensive car park and visitor centre violate Turkey’s cultural heritage laws, Ephesus’ UNESCO site management plan, and basic conservation principles, prioritising tourism revenue over protection. Despite mounting public concern, parliamentary questions, and calls for the project to be halted and reviewed transparently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has yet to issue an official statement.
🚨🏨Assets Seized in Drug Probe; Bebek Otel Owner Under Court Order
Turkish prosecutors have seized all assets belonging to Muzaffer Yıldırım, the owner of Istanbul’s Bebek Otel, as part of a sweeping drugs and money-laundering investigation targeting high-profile figures. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that Yıldırım’s wealth was confiscated on the grounds of strong suspicion that it was obtained through criminal activity, a decision upheld by the 8th Criminal Court of Peace. Yıldırım, who was arrested in January, is accused of facilitating drug use at the hotel and laundering illicit proceeds, while the investigation continues to expand following multiple waves of operations involving celebrities, business figures and media personalities.
✈️💷 £Billions for a Runway That Never Opens: Bayburt–Gümüşhane Airport Still Grounded
Despite construction beginning in 2018 and repeated promises that it would open years ago, the Bayburt–Gümüşhane Airport remains non-operational, even as the Turkish state has spent a staggering 5.2 billion TL on the project. Public expenditure has increased dramatically year by year, while the contractor, Bayburt Group, has also failed to complete other long-running infrastructure projects such as the Kop and Vauk tunnels. Although officials most recently claimed the airport would open in 2026, the government’s own investment programme now points to 2029, intensifying concerns over chronic delays, mounting public costs and political connections.
🚧💥 Billion-Lira Motorways Are Collapsing
As the government continues to boast about road and motorway construction, a growing number of publicly funded projects costing billions of lira are quite literally falling apart. From the Kemer–Kumluca road in Antalya, partially closed after landslides and collapses, to sinkholes and road failures across cities including İzmir, Ankara and the Black Sea region, experts warn that poor planning, weak oversight and the sidelining of engineering science are to blame. Engineers and opposition figures argue that routes built without proper geological surveys, drainage and supervision are doomed to fail, wasting public money and putting lives at risk—while the cost of repeated repairs is once again borne by ordinary citizens.
Ruling Government (JDP and NMP Coalition)
🎉🗳️ MHP Marks 57 Years as Bahçeli Takes Aim at the İYİ Party
Speaking at the Nationalist Movement Party’s 57th anniversary celebrations in Ankara, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli delivered a combative address dominated by sharp attacks on the İYİ Party and former MHP figures who joined it. Framing his remarks around nationalism and loyalty, Bahçeli accused his rivals of ideological inconsistency and political opportunism, dismissing them as “political turncoats” incapable of representing a genuine centre ground. Emphasising that the true political centre lay with the MHP and the People’s Alliance, he reaffirmed his party’s commitment to Turkish nationalism, unity and a “terror-free Turkey”, while closing with tributes to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and MHP founder Alparslan Türkeş.
🚨🏛️ AK Party’s Osman Gökçek Says Complaint Also Targets Mansur Yavaş
AK Party MP Osman Gökçek has said that a criminal complaint triggering an Interior Ministry investigation into Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan also includes Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş. Speaking about the probe into projects carried out in the Hıdırlıktepe area during Özarslan’s tenure at PORTAŞ A.Ş., Gökçek stressed that the allegations of tender rigging and abuse of office primarily concern Yavaş, though Özarslan could not be excluded if irregularities are proven. Gökçek added that he had no knowledge of Özarslan potentially joining the AK Party, despite political speculation, as the investigation launched by prosecutors continues.
Opposition Parties (RPP and others)
🚨🏛️ Seven More Resign with Özarslan as CHP Loses Its Majority in Keçiören
Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who won the municipality as a CHP candidate in the 31 March 2024 local elections, has resigned from his party along with seven CHP municipal councillors, triggering a major political shift in the district. With these departures, the CHP’s representation on the 45-seat council has fallen from 27 to 20, while the People’s Alliance (AK Party–MHP) now holds 25 seats, meaning control of the council could pass to the alliance if the defectors formally join it. As senior CHP figures in the municipality step down from their executive roles in protest, party members have accused Özarslan of disregarding the will of voters, while vowing to continue their political struggle under CHP leadership despite losing their majority.
🗳️❌ Akşener Rejects Claims Linking Her to Özarslan’s Resignation
Former İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener has firmly denied allegations that she was in contact with Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan following his resignation from the CHP, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking to the press, Akşener said she had no communication with Özarslan and played no role in any decision regarding his resignation or a possible party switch, adding that invoking her name to deflect or obscure political crises had “become a habit”. She strongly condemned the claims, describing them as an attempt to cover up deeper problems rather than confront them openly.
Economy
💰🏦 VakıfBank Closes 2025 on a High with TL 70 Billion Net Profit
VakıfBank finished 2025 with a strong financial performance, lifting its net profit by 73.5 per cent to nearly TL 70 billion while expanding total assets by 34 per cent to TL 5.4 trillion. The state lender increased its support to the national economy through cash and non-cash loans to over TL 3.8 trillion, strengthened its deposit base, and boosted shareholders’ equity to more than TL 322 billion. Management said the results reflected a solid balance sheet and a sustainable growth strategy, underlining the bank’s continued focus on financing production, exports and employment, alongside active access to international funding markets.
🚗📦 Uber Makes Its Move in Turkey: Getir’s Delivery Operations to Be Acquired
Uber has announced a major expansion in Turkey, agreeing to acquire Getir’s delivery services from Abu Dhabi–based investment fund Mubadala, while leaving BiTaksi and Getir Finans outside the deal. Under the agreement, Uber will buy Getir’s entire food delivery business for $335 million in cash and invest a further $100 million for a 15 per cent stake in Getir’s market, retail and water delivery operations, with the possibility of a full acquisition in later years subject to performance targets. The transaction, which is pending regulatory approval, is expected to begin closing in the second half of 2026 and signals Uber’s long-term commitment to Turkey’s fast-growing digital delivery market.