Author: Daily Sabah With AA

An investigation has been initiated after several individuals reported being defrauded of millions of Turkish lira through a fraudulent scheme that promised high returns on stock investments via social media platforms. The suspects, using sophisticated tactics to gain the trust of their victims, allegedly reached out through WhatsApp groups and fake investment applications, all while pretending to offer genuine financial advice. The scam started when the suspects contacted victims via social media, offering advice on high-profit stocks and promising substantial financial gains. The fraudsters, posing as trustworthy investment advisors, suggested that individuals could easily profit by following their recommendations. These…

Riyad Avlar, a former Turkish detainee at Syria’s notorious Sednaya Prison on the outskirts of Damascus, says the deposed Assad regime can be held accountable for its crimes if critical records of the prison can be preserved. The call comes as vital Assad regime documents have vanished following the regime leader’s escape to Russia, effectively ending his family’s 51-year brutal rule. These documents are critical for obtaining details of atrocities and holding perpetrators responsible. In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Avlar, who is also a co-founder of the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons at Sednaya Prison, highlighted the…

A report by the EU’s law enforcement agency Europol exposes how the PKK terrorist group profits from drug trafficking and human smuggling in Europe. Europol’s 2024 EU Terrorism Situation and Trends Report released on Thursday highlighted that ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorist groups, including the PKK, remain active in the European Union. The report mentioned that PKK members and cells in EU countries continue their fundraising, recruitment, training and propaganda activities throughout the year. “Most of the funds raised for the PKK are believed to originate from apparently legitimate activities (donations, events, membership fees, sales of goods and media products etc.),…

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, set to take place across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will be held on Friday. Türkiye, placed in Pot 2, will learn their group during the draw at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. A total of 54 countries will participate in the draw, which will determine 12 groups – six with five teams and six with four teams. Türkiye will be placed in a four-team group due to their play-off match with Hungary in March for promotion to League A of the UEFA Nations League. The first matches in the…

Kenan Şebin, president of the Turkish Curling Federation, hailed the current season as the best in the country’s history. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), he reflected on the impressive achievements of the ongoing season and outlined ambitious goals for 2025. Şebin praised Türkiye’s remarkable progress in curling, highlighting the team’s success at the European Championships across all categories. Despite being a federation for just 11 years and having only one Olympic facility, Türkiye’s women’s team ranks among the top 10 globally, and the mixed doubles team is in the top 17. Şebin emphasized the achievement, considering the centuries-old curling traditions…

The Houston Rockets edged past the Golden State Warriors 91-90, propelled by a stellar performance from Alperen Şengün. The Turkish international recorded a “double-double” with 26 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals, making him the game’s top scorer. His contributions were vital in securing the win, which sent the Rockets into the Western Conference semifinals. In a dramatic finale, Jalen Green sank two crucial free throws with just 3.5 seconds left, clinching the victory for Houston. The Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga led his team with 20 points, while Stephen Curry added 19, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the…

Şeyhmus Erginoğlu, affectionately known as “Uncle Şeyhmus,” has spent nearly three decades planting trees and advocating for a greener environment. His tireless dedication earned him the prestigious “Special Award” from the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), a recognition he calls a milestone in his lifelong mission. The 70-year-old environmentalist from the southeastern province of Mardin received the award during the “4th Red Vest International Volunteer Awards” ceremony held on Dec. 8 at the Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul. Kızılay also organized a local ceremony in Mardin to celebrate Erginoğlu’s achievement. Speaking at the event, Erginoğlu expressed his gratitude and reflected on…

For two years, 8-year-old Zilan Patır attended school alone in the remote Doruklu hamlet of Van’s Gevaş district in eastern Türkiye. This year, her solitude ended as a new classmate, Barış Arvas, joined her, marking a joyful new chapter in her education. Living 80 kilometers (49.71 miles) from Gevaş in the Daldere neighborhood, Zilan previously had no peers to share her classroom experience. With only a single teacher, Cihat Yakut, guiding her education, Zilan advanced to second grade on her own. This year, Barış started school, becoming her first classmate, and bringing a newfound sense of companionship. “I no longer…

In commemoration of the 751st anniversary of the death of Sufi philosopher Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a memorial event consisting of a calligraphy exhibition and a Sema performance was held at the Consulate General of Türkiye in New York by the Yunus Emre Institute’s U.S. branch. The event, organized at the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York, was attended by Türkiye’s consul general in New York, Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, International Mevlana Foundation Board Member Gevher Çelebi, President and CEO of the Japan Society Joshua W. Walker, Director of Yunus Emre Institute U.S. Gökhan Coşkun, Turkish Airlines (THY) New York Manager…

Between 2019 and 2023, Türkiye spent over half a trillion liras on environmental protection, with waste and wastewater management taking the largest share of these expenses, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). A total of TL 514.28 billion ($14.76 billion) was allocated for efforts to prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution during this five-year period. Of this amount, 62.12% (TL 319.49 billion) was dedicated to waste management, marking the largest portion of environmental spending. Wastewater management accounted for 18.73%, amounting to TL 96.31 billion. Efforts to protect biodiversity and landscapes also saw significant funding, with TL 34.07 billion…