Author: Turkiye Scoop

The ancient game of kho kho is enjoying a resurgence in India, with organizers of the first international tournament hoping their efforts will secure the sport’s place in the Olympics. Kho kho, a catch-me-if-you-can tag sport, has been played for more than 2,000 years across southern Asia but only saw its rules formalized in the early 20th century. It was played as a demonstration sport at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin but did not gather enough support to be included in the Summer Games and since then has been largely eclipsed by India’s ferocious love of cricket. Nearly a century…

Marco Odermatt, fresh from a stunning victory in Wengen, will lead the men in World Cup Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbuehel, Austria, this weekend. There is a super-G and a downhill scheduled for the famed Streif course on Friday and Saturday. The slalom takes place on the neighboring Ganslern piste on Sunday. Agence France-Presse (AFP) Sport looks at five takeaways ahead of the races. The start of the downhill race on the Streif course, regarded as the toughest on the circuit, is daunting, to say the least. It propels racers out of the start hut up to speeds of 100 kph…

The Turkish naval forces have recently entered an important modernization process with the increasing capabilities of the Turkish defense industry. With these activities, which are also referred to as “Blue Homeland Modernization” by those involved, the “Power Transfer Capability” of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will be subject to a significant increase. Currently, 31 different platforms, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, fast patrol boats, offshore patrol vessels, submarines, mine search vessels and landing ships, are being built in Türkiye. Most recently, it was announced that the National Aircraft Carrier (MUGEM) construction has officially started. When MUGEM is completed, Türkiye will have…

Pakistan on Thursday condemned the Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank that killed at least 10 Palestinians. Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan urged the international community to take notice of the latest Israeli raid. “Such actions potentially undermine the precarious ceasefire in Gaza, and the international community should take note of it,” Khan said. He urged the international community to develop a concrete plan for the reconstruction of Gaza in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. Khan also called for accountability of Israeli crimes committed in…

The Turkish consumer confidence index fell in January, in a reversal from December’s rise, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) on Thursday. The consumer confidence index fell 0.4% from the previous month to 81, data showed. The sub-index for household financial situation expectations over the next 12 months dropped 1.7%, while the index measuring spending on durable goods for the same period was down 3.1% compared to the previous month. In contrast, the index for households’ current financial situation climbed 1.7% in January and general economic situation expectations over the next 12 months rose 3%. The…

The new US administration and South Korea have agreed to maintain close cooperation on North Korea’s nuclear issue, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The agreement was reached during South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul’s first phone call with new Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported. It comes days after US President Donald Trump expressed his desire to revive long-stalled peace talks with South Korea’s longtime rival North Korea. The two top diplomats discussed bilateral relations, North Korean nuclear issues as well as trilateral cooperation involving Japan, the ministry said. The two plan to coordinate details to…

Murhaf Abu Qasra, the defense minister of Syria’s new administration, said on Wednesday that the administration expects “excellent” relations with Türkiye. Stating they will hold talks with Eastern and Western countries on equipping the national army, Abu Qasra told reporters in the capital Damascus that they continue to discuss the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria with Turkish officials. Regarding the terror group PKK/YPG, he said that it must dissolve itself before the National Dialogue Conference. When asked about the PKK/YPG terrorist group’s position on the issue of armed groups dissolving themselves and gathering under the roof of…

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and first-time hopeful Iga Swiatek delivered dominant performances on Wednesday, advancing to the Australian Open semifinals with commanding victories. Italian world No. 1 Sinner swept aside an out-classed home hope Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 to silence Rod Laver Arena and set up a meeting with 21st seed Ben Shelton. The other semifinal is between 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, with both taking place Friday. Sinner had dizzy spells in the scorching heat of the afternoon during his four-set win against Holger Rune on Monday. But in much…

A devastating fire broke out early on Jan. 21 at the 11-story Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu province in northwestern Türkiye. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 76 people and left 51 others injured. The treatment of those who survived the fire continues, with several individuals still hospitalized in critical condition. According to the Ministry of Health, 51 people were injured in the fire. As of now, 22 individuals remain under medical care, while 29 others have been discharged after receiving initial treatment. The injured have been transferred to hospitals across the region,…

Borussia Dortmund dismissed coach Nuri Şahin on Wednesday following a shocking 2-1 Champions League loss to Bologna, marking their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. “Borussia Dortmund have released head coach Nuri Şahin with immediate effect following an internal analysis of recent sporting developments,” said the club in a statement. The Ruhr Valley club, last year’s Champions League finalists, conceded two goals in two minutes in the second half against the Italians after taking a 15th-minute lead. They have also lost all three league matches in 2025, dropping down to 10th place in the Bundesliga and putting their participation next…