Stories from Ankara · Turkey

Search and rescue teams have recovered the body of a 24-year-old man following a maritime incident. One person survived the incident while another was swept away by a current. The recovery occurred in Turkish waters, according to the report.

AK Party Tokat Deputy Yusuf Beyazıt was elected chairman of a 22-member commission investigating school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. The commission is scheduled to hold its second meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at 14:00.

Defense Industry President Haluk Yorgün met with Japanese Ambassador Tamura Masami in Ankara for strategic discussions. The meeting focused on defense industry projects and high technology cooperation. The discussions took place amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and volatility in energy, chip, and fertilizer prices. A separate traffic accident in Bornova, Izmir, involved a truck crossing into the opposite lane and striking nine vehicles, resulting in one police officer being injured. The discussion took place in Ankara, Turkey.

Turkey has introduced a new regulation requiring bank or financial institution intermediation for real estate transactions. Under the new rules, part or all of the payment for property purchases must be processed through a designated payment system.

Turkish Airlines announced it will resume flights to Damascus, Beirut, and Amman starting May 1. These routes have been suspended since February 28 following the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

A World Folk Dance Olympics will be held from July 19 to July 25. The event is expected to include participants from 50 different countries. Approximately 1,500 people and 200 officials are scheduled to attend the event.

Turkey has appointed four new provincial governors as part of a leadership reshuffle. Osman Varol, formerly the governor of Adıyaman, has been appointed as the governor of Nevşehir. Abdullah Küçük has been appointed as the district governor of Istanbul's Güngören district. Turkey's Director General of Security, Mahmut Demirtaş, has been removed from his position. Ali Fidan, the Governor of Nevşehir, has been appointed as his successor. The leadership change follows the appointment of Mustafa Çiftçi as the Minister of Interior. Allah Küçük was appointed Governor of Adıyaman, while Hürseyin Köks became the Governor of Nebşehir. Mehmet Gökan Zengin was appointed Deputy General Manager of the Ministry of Interior Personnel General Directorate. Additionally, the security directors for Ankara, Mersin, and Siirt were recalled to the central administration.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the process toward a terrorism-free Turkey is progressing positively. He noted that the region is undergoing a critical period and said the importance of the Turkish-Kurdish-Arab alliance. Erdoğan expressed determination to continue the process as planned to protect the nation's history and future. President Erdoğan stated during an AK Party group meeting that the counter-terrorism process in the region is continuing positively. He asserted that no one can separate the people or act as an enemy to them. Erdoğan characterized attempts to interfere with this process as a betrayal of both history and the future. He maintained that the necessary steps are clear and will be carried out with determination. President Erdoğan responded to claims of a deadlock in the process to eliminate terrorism in Turkey.

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel announced openness to all political alliances. The message comes as the party prepares to launch election campaign activities on May 4. Özel stated that the current era requires solidarity rather than political competition. Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel called for a Turkey-wide alliance that transcends individual political parties. Özel indicated the party is open to all alliances and collaborations to address national issues. Special cadres will be present in all 81 provinces starting on that date.

To obtain secondary vehicle sales authorization, the previous high school graduation requirement has been changed to primary school graduation. The Turkish Parliament is also continuing discussions on a bill to limit the authority of site management boards to prevent arbitrary increases in monthly maintenance fees.