Author: Daily Sabah With IHA

Mehmet Dinç, head of the Green Crescent (Yeşilay), a Turkish anti-addiction nonprofit organization, has warned that the gambling industry is increasingly affecting individuals in Türkiye, especially with the rise of online gambling and betting addiction following the pandemic. He has emphasized that the growth in digital gambling has become a major concern for public health and society at large. Speaking to Ihlas News Agency (IHA) on Thursday, Dinç said, “Addiction has become easier to access, and controlling it has become nearly impossible,” referring to the accessibility of gambling through digital platforms. “People call it betting, luck games or chance games,…

The Houston Rockets, led by stellar performances from their rising stars, secured a thrilling 122-115 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The win marked the Rockets’ 14th triumph of the season in an intense NBA regular-season clash. Turkish sensation Alperen Şengün was a force on the court, clocking 35 minutes and delivering a near-triple-double performance. Şengün racked up 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block, showcasing his growing dominance in the league. He wasn’t alone in carrying the Rockets, as Jalen Green erupted for 41 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Amen…

The Houston Rockets, led by stellar performances from their rising stars, secured a thrilling 122-115 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The win marked the Rockets’ 14th triumph of the season in an intense NBA regular-season clash. Turkish sensation Alperen Şengün was a force on the court, clocking 35 minutes and delivering a near-triple-double performance. Şengün racked up 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block, showcasing his growing dominance in the league. He wasn’t alone in carrying the Rockets, as Jalen Green erupted for 41 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Amen…

Days of uninterrupted snowfall have transformed the Ayder Plateau in Çamlıhemşin, a major tourist destination in northern Türkiye’s Rize, into a winter wonderland, delighting both local and international visitors as well as boosting the spirits of local businesses. The snow, which has reached a depth of 1 meter (3.28 feet), has also put to rest concerns about a lack of snow for the annual “Snowman Festival,” held every January. In previous years, the absence of snow forced organizers to truck in snow from distant locations to keep the festival alive. This year, however, nature has provided an abundance, thrilling locals…

The prospect of a “Chinatown” in Türkiye’s Manisa’s Yunusemre district has sparked excitement among locals in the Akgedik neighborhood as Chinese automotive giant BYD gears up to build a factory in the area. The facility, slated to begin operations in 2026, will employ 5,000 workers, including 2,500 Chinese employees, and produce 150,000 electric vehicles annually. The investment, valued at $1 billion, is expected to create 20,000 jobs through auxiliary industries. Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek addressed speculation about a separate Chinatown for the incoming workforce, emphasizing integration over isolation. “I do not support the idea of a segregated settlement,” Zeyrek said.…

All 29 letters used in Türkiye’s alphabet are present in the alphabets of all Turkic-speaking countries, Turkish Language Association (TDK) President Osman Mert stated, emphasizing that, “In Türkiye, we will continue using 29 letters, and other Turkic republics will vary by one to three letters, and that’s all.” A conference titled “Turkish Language Association and Common Alphabet in the Turkic World” was organized by the Alanya District Governorship and Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ) at the Faculty of Education’s Başöğretmen Atatürk Conference Hall. During his speech, Mert explained that until the 20th century, alphabet changes around the world were driven…

Critically endangered Mediterranean monk seals are regularly monitored every year in Mersin, southern Türkiye, with more than 120 identified individuals across the country’s waters. Meltem Ok, a faculty member at the Middle East Technical University (METU) Institute of Marine Sciences, conducts research on Mediterranean monk seals. She explained that the seals are monitored using camera traps in their breeding areas, saying, “It is encouraging and very important that such rare Mediterranean monk seals are inhabiting our shores.” According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, the Mediterranean monk seals are critically endangered, with approximately 1,000 individuals worldwide…

Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydın, president of the Türkiye Smoking Prevention Association (TSSD), emphasized the importance of quitting smoking and encouraged individuals to take action for their health and future. He noted that smoking harms not only the smoker but also those around them, stressing that the fight against smoking requires both individual effort and societal support. “A smoke-free life is everyone’s right. Let’s break free from this harmful habit for your health and future. Quitting smoking may be difficult, but taking a step for your health today is invaluable. As a society, we can succeed in this fight by supporting…

The “Türkiye Festival” held in Tokyo, Japan, brought vibrant moments as Japanese attendees enjoyed Turkish music and dance performances. Participants, including local dancers, joined in the traditional Turkish dance, halay, creating a colorful and lively atmosphere. The festival took place at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo and was organized with the support of the Yunus Emre Institute. Visitors had the opportunity to taste authentic Turkish cuisine and shop for unique Turkish souvenirs. The event also featured performances of Turkish music and traditional folk dances by Japanese artists. One of the highlights was a performance by a Japanese mehter band (an Ottoman…

Hamide Akman’s life was forever changed in 1996 when she became the first person in Türkiye to undergo a successful heart transplant. The surgery took place at Akdeniz University Hospital in Antalya, southern Türkiye, where the medical team performed a pioneering procedure that not only saved her life but marked a historic moment in the country’s medical history. At the time, Akman was suffering from severe heart failure, a condition that left her unable to carry out even the simplest tasks. Her doctors had given her little hope, but after being placed on the heart transplant list, she received the…