Stories from Turkey

A fight broke out in the ring during a boxing championship held in Trabzon involving Turkish and Russian boxers. The tension escalated into a physical altercation where dozens of people reportedly attacked each other within the ring. The event featured Turkish boxer Emir Han Kalkan competing against Russian opponent Sergei Gorokov for a UBO world championship belt. Tensions that began in the ring escalated to the stands, leading to the match being abandoned.

MIA Teknoloji Lider Sistem Teknolojileri has applied to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to merge with Lider Sistem Teknolojileri A.Ş.

Basketball Federation President Hidayet Türkoğlu has been included in the FIBA Honor Roll. He is the first Turkish individual to receive this recognition. The announcement was discussed regarding the significance of the achievement within international basketball. The announcement was confirmed by TRT Radyo 1 in Ankara. The recognition follows developments in Turkish sports culture and increasing interest in disciplines outside of football. The recognition highlights his contributions to the sport within Turkey. Broadcasters noted that interest in sports disciplines outside of football is gradually increasing in the country.

MIA Teknoloji has applied to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to merge with Lider Sistem Teknolojileri A.Ş.

Søren Kragh Andersen has secured his third victory of the season at the Tour of Turkey, also achieving top 10 finishes in other races. While he is a strong sprinter, winning the overall classification is considered unlikely due to the race's climbing demands. He has received the leader's jersey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has proposed a 20-year tax exemption for new residents in Turkey. The proposal applies to both individuals and companies that have not been tax residents of Turkey for the last three years. Income earned within Turkey will continue to be taxed under a progressive scale. The measure aims to attract foreign residents and businesses to the country. The plan aims to leverage the diaspora, estimated at 30-40 million people globally, who actively invest in Turkey. Economic authorities believe this will capture billions of dollars in capital from regions like Russia and Iran. Turkey has become a key destination for Russian business relocation, with over 10,000 Russian companies opening in the country during 2023. Proposals are being discussed to reduce inheritance and gift taxes to 1% from the current 30%.

Protesters caused chaos during a visit by a high-level US delegation. Analysts suggest a failure in the security perimeter surrounding the former president. A 30-year-old gunman, heavily armed with a shotgun, pistol, and knives, attacked a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Sunday. He allegedly intended to target members of Donald Trump's team and high-ranking administration officials. He will appear before a judge on Monday to face charges including the use of a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting an officer. A 31-year-old man, Cole Allen, fired shots near President Trump at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Allen is a part-time tutor at C2 Education in Torrance. The suspect was apprehended and is in custody, with prosecution pending. The incident is not believed to be related to the war in Iran.

Turkey's first domestic high-speed train successfully completed dynamic brake testing. Testing is currently being conducted on the Mithat Paşa to Bilecik route. Officials are analyzing data to ensure the train complies with all operational conditions. The project is being developed using entirely domestic resources. Detailed analysis of the obtained data is currently underway. This development is expected to significantly increase Turkey's domestic production capacity for rail systems. The Ankara-Sivas high-speed train line has transported 2.3 million passengers since its launch on April 26, 2023. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Ural provided the figures regarding the 405-kilometer long line. The service connects Ankara and Sivas via high-speed rail infrastructure.

Haluk Laçin, a former Muğla provincial chairman for the AKP, was shot and wounded in the legs. The attack occurred while he was sitting in front of his workplace in Datça.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is conducting a high-level visit to Turkey and Montenegro. The specific agenda for the discussions has not been detailed. The visit includes meetings in both Karada and Istanbul. Discussions are expected to cover multiple topics of significance. The visit is described as a major diplomatic movement from the heart of Europe to Turkey. Queen Mathilde of Belgium will visit Turkey from May 14 to May 15 as part of an economic mission. The visit includes a high-level delegation featuring the Belgian Foreign Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. Discussions will focus on cooperation in the energy and defense sectors. The royal announcement confirmed the mission's primary objectives involve strengthening bilateral ties in these specific industries. The visit is scheduled for May 10-14 and will include stops in Istanbul and Ankara.