Stories from Turkey

Historically, women instrumentalists faced challenges as instruments were often associated with masculinity, making it difficult for female performers to gain recognition.

A five-year-old boy, Abdullah Tokdemir, died following an accident in Eskişehir. A four-year-old boy, Emre Can Demir, was also injured on Wednesday when a window pane from an apartment building fell while he was walking with an umbrella. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Local reports indicate the incident occurred in Eskişehir. Authorities are monitoring the situation regarding the cause of the glass breakage. No specific medical status for the child was provided.

A major organization in Turkey is projected to generate over $100 million in economic activity by 2027. Tourists attending the event are expected to spend an average of more than $3,000 per person. Hotel occupancy rates are forecasted to increase by 20% during the period. The food and beverage sector is anticipated to see a 60% increase in turnover. For comparison, a similar event held in Turkey in 2021 contributed $100 million to the economy.

TUSAŞ has delivered the jet-powered 'Super Lightning' Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to the Turkish Armed Forces last month. The system is designed to operate with high maneuverability to evade detection. The aircraft utilizes variable radar speeds to maneuver like a chameleon in flight. The platform is designed for training air force personnel, producing decoy targets, and executing various mission scenarios. It features a multi-role structure suitable for modern aerial warfare. The platform can be deployed from ground-based rocket-assisted systems or launched from unmanned aerial vehicles such as Anka, Anka-3, and Aksungur. The system supports swarm flight concepts, allowing multiple units to perform coordinated missions simultaneously. The delivery follows preparations for upcoming mass events and union celebrations.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel addressed economic issues during a visit to Sakarya. He proposed raising the minimum wage to 39,000 lira if his party takes power. He also pledged to increase the lowest retirement pension to 39,000 lira. The leader's itinerary included stops in Manisa and Sakarya.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel repeated a call for by-elections during a speech in Sakarya. Özel stated that the process for these elections would begin soon. He noted that the outcome of upcoming matches or events could influence future political destinies. The leader said the importance of the current political landscape in Turkey. Özel stated that the opposition no longer seeks anything from President Erdoğan or the AK Party. He said the demand for the establishment of ballot boxes, noting that the constitution allows for by-elections in eight locations across seven electoral districts. The call includes regions such as Afyon and Kırıkkale. He stated that if his party takes power, they will implement this wage alongside increases for the lowest pension amounts. The announcement focused on economic reforms and addressing the cost of living.

Russian boxer Sergey Gorokhov left Turkey following a mass brawl that erupted after a match. The fight began when spectators entered the ring in response to Gorokhov's emotional celebration of his victory. TASS reported that Gorokhov is currently en route to Russia. No specific number of injuries or participants in the brawl were provided. The incident occurred after Gorokhov celebrated his victory, which reportedly upset local spectators. Some audience members entered the ring to confront the boxer, triggering the fight. TASS confirmed the athlete's departure from the Turkish team.

Mustafa Varank, Chairman of the Industry Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, criticized recent changes to unlicensed electricity production regulations. The new application implemented by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority in April replaced monthly offsetting with hourly calculations for production and consumption balances. Varank stated that these changes could undermine the feasibility of projects for businesses that have already secured credits and completed feasibility studies. He called for a review of the system to prevent economic disruption for energy producers. The energy market regulatory body in Ankara implemented a new application that shifts unlicensed electricity production offsetting to hourly calculations. There are concerns that existing feasibility studies and loans for these projects may be invalidated by the change.

Two healthcare institutions in Istanbul successfully performed a remote surgery on a test animal using 5G technology. New 5G-enabled medical technology allows experienced surgeons to perform remote robotic surgeries from Istanbul. The procedure involves robotic assistance to ensure precision during remote operations. The procedure involved establishing a simultaneous connection between two different health institutions located in two separate districts of the city. This operation marks a new era for telemedicine capabilities through high-speed connectivity. The surgical mission was reported as a successful completion. Surgeons are utilizing 5G technology to perform remote medical procedures on animals at training centers. The procedure involved coordination between medical centers in the Atasehir and Sariyer districts.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced plans to implement proton therapy treatments in Turkey. The first center is scheduled to begin treating patients at Etlik City Hospital starting in December 2026. The initiative follows discussions regarding free cancer screenings for bowel, breast, and uterine cancers at existing health centers. The minister stated that work on the project is currently underway and planned for rapid implementation. Turkey has completed the formulation and filling stages of the Hepatitis A vaccine locally for the first time. The vaccine is now being made available for use in all provinces across the country. This development follows the localization of Hepatitis A and chickenpox vaccines through technology transfers over the last year. Efforts continue to localize all vaccines in the national program, including the rabies vaccine.