Author: Daily Sabah With AA

A once-ubiquitous flower that used to adorn gardens across Diyarbakır is now being protected in greenhouses, as part of efforts to preserve and revive the endangered Muhammediye rose. The rare rose, known for its distinct fragrance and short blooming season of just 20 days each year, is being cultivated at the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) International Agricultural Research and Training Center. The initiative aims to safeguard the flower, expand its cultivation and increase its commercial value in the cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries. Fethullah Tekin, an agricultural engineer in the center’s medicinal and aromatic plants department, told the state-run Anadolu…

The Turkish Cup final is set for its 63rd edition on Wednesday, where Trabzonspor and Beşiktaş will face off in Gaziantep. Over the years, this prestigious competition has seen 31 single-leg and 31 two-legged finals, with the 2023-2024 edition continuing under Ziraat Bankası’s sponsorship. Throughout its history, the cup has been decided by various unique outcomes, including walkovers, penalties, extra-time thrills, and some truly surprising final matches. Walkover and draw-decided victories In the 1963-1964 season, a dramatic walkover occurred when the first leg between Galatasaray and Altay ended 0-0. Altay failed to show for the return match, and the Turkish…

The liver of a British tourist who was declared brain-dead in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was flown to Antalya via military aircraft and successfully transplanted into a Turkish patient in critical need of an organ. Ersin Şimşek, 47, a father of two living in Antalya, had been battling liver failure linked to hepatitis B for over a decade. He was first diagnosed with cirrhosis 10 years ago after suffering from severe abdominal pain. As his condition worsened, he endured frequent fluid buildup in his abdomen and dropped from 96 to 81 kilograms in recent weeks. After applying…

Mehmet Dinç, president of Yeşilay, Türkiye’s Green Crescent Society, has warned that spending excessive time on shopping websites can lead to uncontrolled spending and may evolve into a form of psychological addiction. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) during a visit to Kırklareli on Tuesday, Dinç said shopping addictions have become increasingly widespread in recent years and could pose serious problems in the future. “A harmful behavior pattern has started to form in society when it comes to shopping,” Dinç said. “With the rise of shopping websites, people are spending more time on these platforms and making more unregulated purchases.” He…

Türkiye is set to make a historic splash on the global motorsports scene as it prepares to host the World Motosurf Championship for the first time, a move hailed as a breakthrough for the country’s fast-growing water sports community. Turkish Motorcycling Federation (TMF) Vice President Mahmut Nedim Akülke confirmed the landmark event during the national jet ski, flyboard and motosurf championship in Bodrum, a scenic coastal hub buzzing with young talent. “This will be the first time in our Republic’s history that we bring a world championship in this category to our shores,” Akülke told reporters. “It’s more than just…

A Turkish American Twitch streamer said Monday he was halted at the airport by U.S. border agents and interrogated over his views on the Palestinian issue and Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Hasan Piker said he was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon returning from France and was asked about his political views. Piker, a vocal critic of Israel’s brutal war on Gaza and a prominent progressive commentator in the U.S., said during a livestream that he was taken to a private room at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Sunday and questioned for nearly two hours. Piker,…

Israel’s expansionism “has reached a point where it threatens Syria’s stability and security,” said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday, urging an end to Israel’s moves. “We discussed with both of our friends the current problems of Syria, the problems our region is facing and how we can find solutions. There are problems that Syria is facing. We may provide support for these. If we summarize the problems, there is Israeli expansionism. This threatens the stability, security and future of Syria. As regional countries, we think that this must end,” Fidan said at a joint news conference with his Syrian…

A recent study conducted by scientists from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University has revealed alarming levels of microplastic pollution in seven lakes across different regions of Türkiye, including those designated as protected freshwater ecosystems. The research sheds light on a growing environmental threat that remains largely invisible to the naked eye but carries significant consequences for aquatic life and water quality. Microplastics, defined as synthetic polymer particles smaller than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), are either the result of the breakdown of larger plastic items or are intentionally manufactured for use in products such as cleaning supplies, cosmetics and personal care items.…

Visually impaired individuals living in Istanbul are facing daily difficulties caused by inaccessible infrastructure and widespread social prejudice, particularly in densely populated districts such as Kadıköy, according to testimonies shared during the 10-16 May Disability Week. Adem Sevindik, a 45-year-old public hospital employee who lost his eyesight due to meningitis at 6 months old, highlighted numerous obstacles that make urban life difficult for visually impaired residents. He explained that physical barriers like sidewalk obstructions, randomly parked scooters and items placed by shopkeepers on walkways significantly hinder their mobility. “We constantly deal with hazards like bollards on the sidewalk and scooters…

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, has initiated a project to declare the Milleyha Bird Sanctuary, located in the Samandağ district of Hatay in southern Türkiye, as a protected natural site. The move comes as part of broader efforts to preserve the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the region, which serves as a vital habitat for migratory birds and endangered sea turtles. The decision follows the directive of Minister Kurum, who recently met with birdwatcher Emin Yoğurtcuoğlu to discuss the environmental significance of Milleyha. During the meeting, Minister Kurum emphasized the need for a long-term conservation…