Ukraine’s parliament has approved President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister. Fedorov received 277 votes in the 450-seat legislature and outlined plans to modernize the army through digitalization, drones, and artificial intelligence. He said outdated military structures must be replaced to reduce casualties and improve transparency. Fedorov previously served as deputy […]
A 74-year-old retired bus driver from Bursa, western Türkiye, traveled to Mecca for Umrah by converting his van into a campervan and driving through Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Osman Nuri Özgür completed the roughly 2,600-kilometer journey in 2.5 days after departing from İnegöl on January 4. Özgür said he decided to travel by […]
As protests and internal unrest continue in Iran, Iranian tourists entering Türkiye through the Kapıköy Border Crossing said the death toll may be higher than official figures. Visitors staying briefly in Van reported internet outages and limited access to television in Iran, but avoided detailed public comments due to security concerns. Many said they […]
Heavy snowfall has blanketed the historic Harput neighborhood in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, following meteorological warnings. Located about 1,200 meters above sea level, Harput’s historic landmarks were covered in snow, creating striking winter views. Key sites such as Harput Castle and the tilted minaret of the Ulu Mosque stood out under the snowfall. The area, […]
US-based Bloomberg reported that US President Donald Trump’s Special Representative Steve Witkoff and senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner may travel to Moscow this month to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report, citing unnamed sources, said the talks could focus on a draft peace proposal on Ukraine, including security guarantees and post-war reconstruction. The […]
France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, amid tensions over US President Donald Trump’s statements on annexing the island. Barrot said the move was planned last year and criticized pressure on Greenland. Denmark and Greenland have rejected Trump’s remarks, stressing that Greenland is not for sale […]
A crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, killing 22 people and injuring at least 55, authorities said. The accident occurred near Sikhio when a heavy crane used in high-speed rail construction fell onto a train carrying 190 passengers from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, causing a derailment and a brief […]
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung surprised audiences by playing drums together to K-pop songs after their summit in Nara. Footage released by the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office showed the leaders sharing the informal moment following talks. Takaichi said she prepared the surprise after learning Lee had dreamed of […]
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, called on protesters in Iran to sustain demonstrations, saying “help is on its way” and urging security forces to side with the public. In a video message, Pahlavi told Iranian soldiers to abandon the government and “join the people” before it is too late. His remarks […]
Turkish artist Mertcan Türkoğlu, who died in the United States on December 11, was commemorated at the memorial tomb of Hadji Ali (Hi Jolly) in Quartzsite. The ceremony marked the subject of Türkoğlu’s final book, Last Camp, and was organized by local authorities and volunteers. Speakers highlighted his dedication to history and documentation, while […]