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Thousands Back Turkish Governor Dismissed Over Cycling Attire

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Thousands of people have signed an online petition supporting former Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli after he was removed from office following controversy over videos showing him cycling in sports tights. Although no official reason was given for his dismissal, critics accused him of focusing more on social media content than his official duties.

Çiçekli defended himself, saying he simply wore appropriate sports clothing while promoting cycling and healthy living. He had organised cycling events, encouraged sports participation among young people, and shared videos of rowing and outdoor activities to showcase the region and promote sports tourism.

The petition, which has attracted more than 9,400 signatures, argues that Çiçekli made valuable contributions to youth development and cycling tourism in Ardahan and should be reinstated. Responding to the controversy, Çiçekli said he would continue cycling regardless of his dismissal, adding that sports are an important part of life at any age.

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France Signals Openness to SAMP/T Air Defence Sale to Turkey

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France is showing renewed openness to a potential sale of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey, marking a significant shift after years of political resistance. According to sources, the change follows recent discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, although negotiations remain at an early stage and no agreement has been reached.

Turkey is seeking the SAMP/T system as part of its planned “Steel Dome” integrated air and missile defence network. The project, launched jointly by Turkey, France and Italy several years ago, had stalled due to tensions over Syria, Libya and disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish officials now say there is renewed political willingness among all three countries to revive defence cooperation, including possible technology transfer and joint production.

Despite the positive signals, any potential deal is expected to face diplomatic and political hurdles. France is likely to consult with Greece and Cyprus before moving forward, given its defence partnerships with both countries. Officials stress that the latest discussions represent only the beginning of a lengthy process, with any future agreement likely to involve the upgraded version of the SAMP/T system.

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NATO Leaders Meet in Ankara Amid Trump Tensions

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NATO leaders will gather in Ankara next week for a high-stakes summit aimed at reinforcing alliance unity despite growing tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. European members are expected to highlight increased defence spending and stronger military capabilities as Washington scales back parts of its military commitment to Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the summit will focus on turning higher defence budgets into combat-ready forces and expanding the alliance’s defence industry.

The meeting is also expected to reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine, with leaders pledging continued military assistance in its war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend a dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Trump. European leaders hope the personal ties between Trump, Erdoğan and Rutte will help keep discussions constructive despite recent disagreements.

The summit comes after months of strain within the alliance, including disputes over the Iran conflict, Trump’s criticism of NATO spending, and U.S. troop reductions in Europe. European officials remain concerned that renewed tensions or developments in the Middle East could overshadow the gathering. Even so, NATO diplomats say leaders recognise the importance of presenting a united front and maintaining the alliance’s collective security commitments.

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Turkish Riot Police Storm Opposition Headquarters Following Court-Ordered Leadership Ouster

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Turkish riot police used tear gas to force their way into the Ankara headquarters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Sunday, executing a contentious court order that dismissed the party’s current leadership. Clashes erupted as party members blockaded entrances with makeshift barricades, throwing objects and spraying hoses at advancing security forces. The raid was initiated after representatives of 77-year-old party veteran Kemal Kilicdaroğlu requested police assistance to take over the premises, claiming they were barred entry by loyalists of the ousted leader, Özgür Özel.

The escalation follows an appellate court decision on Thursday that declared Özel’s previous election null and void, effectively dismantling the party’s entire executive committee. The court ordered that Özel be replaced by Kilicdaroğlu—who lost the 2023 presidential election to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—by overturning a 2025 lower court ruling that had dismissed allegations of vote-buying. In a video message recorded during the raid, Özel declared the party was “under attack” and later led hundreds of supporters on a march toward the Turkish parliament, vowing to take their movement to the streets.

Critics and international observers, including Human Rights Watch, have warned that Erdoğan’s government is utilizing “abusive tactics” to eliminate political rivals and tighten its grip on power. Özel accused the ruling AK party of orchestrating the judicial upheaval, especially as Erdoğan faces constitutional term limits unless early elections are called before 2028. Conversely, Justice Minister Akin Gürlek defended the appellate court’s ruling, asserting that it reinforces public trust in democracy, despite his own history of spearheading investigations against key opposition figures.

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Turkish Grand Prix to Return to Formula 1 Calendar in 2027

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Formula 1 will return to Turkey in 2027, marking the comeback of the Turkish Grand Prix after a six-year absence. The race will be held at the Istanbul Park circuit under a deal that runs until at least 2031, bringing back one of the sport’s most challenging and popular tracks.

Turkey previously hosted races from 2005 to 2011 and briefly returned during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 race was particularly memorable, with Lewis Hamilton securing his seventh world championship title in wet conditions. The event’s reintroduction will not expand the current 24-race calendar but will instead rotate with other venues.

Officials highlighted Turkey’s strong fan base and infrastructure as key factors in the decision. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the return, while F1 chief Stefano Domenicali praised Istanbul as a unique global city that blends history with modern sporting appeal, making it an exciting destination for fans worldwide.

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Turkey Detains 162 Over Online Posts Praising Deadly School Shootings

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Turkish authorities have detained 162 people accused of posting or sharing online content that allegedly praised recent school shootings and undermined public order. Officials said the arrests were part of a wider crackdown on social media activity following two separate attacks this week that left multiple students and a teacher dead, and several others injured.

The first shooting occurred at a vocational high school in southeastern Turkey, where 16 people were injured before the attacker killed himself. A second, more deadly attack followed a day later at a secondary school in Kahramanmaras, killing at least nine people including students and a teacher. The teenage attacker was also killed, and officials said he had planned the assault in advance and referenced a known US mass killer in online material.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for funerals of the young victims as grief spread across the country, with officials confirming increased security measures and widespread restrictions on social media accounts. Justice authorities said dozens were also detained for allegedly spreading misinformation or encouraging further attacks online, while more than a thousand accounts faced restrictions.

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Gunman Opens Fire at Turkish High School

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A 19-year-old former student launched a terrifying attack at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Siverek, Turkey, leaving 16 people injured. Armed with a pump-action shotgun, the teenager entered the school grounds around 09:30 local time and fired indiscriminately at students and staff. The casualties include ten students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker, and a responding police officer. The shooter ended the rampage by turning the weapon on himself and died at the scene.

Witnesses described a scene of pure chaos as the gunman stormed the building, entering at least two classrooms while students jumped from windows to escape the gunfire. Survivors noted that the attacker remained silent throughout the assault, focused solely on firing at anyone in his path. Following the incident, the school was evacuated, and the wounded were rushed to nearby hospitals, with five individuals requiring transfers to specialized facilities for more intensive care.

Local Governor Hasan Şildak confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine a motive, noting that the suspect had no prior criminal record. Despite the school previously being designated as a “safe” institution by local police, the community is now grappling with the aftermath of the violence. Authorities are currently working to secure the site and provide support to the traumatized students and faculty members involved in the tragedy.

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Zelenskiy Holds Security Talks with Erdogan in Istanbul

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Istanbul for high-level security discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aiming to deepen cooperation on regional stability and defense. Zelenskiy described the talks as “substantive,” emphasizing efforts to strengthen partnerships that protect lives and enhance security across Europe and the Middle East.

The visit comes as Ukraine expands diplomatic outreach to Middle Eastern countries following the escalation of conflict in the region. Kyiv has recently signed security cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, while negotiations with other regional states remain ongoing. Ukrainian officials say the country is sharing expertise gained from its ongoing war with Russia, particularly in countering drone threats.

Alongside political meetings, Zelenskiy is also scheduled to meet Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian world. The discussions in Turkey highlight Ukraine’s broader strategy to build international security partnerships and reinforce diplomatic ties amid continued military pressure from Russia and evolving regional tensions.

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Turkey Urges Russia and Ukraine to Keep Energy Facilities Out of Conflict

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Turkey has asked Russia, Ukraine, and other actors involved in the war to avoid targeting energy infrastructure, stressing the need for uninterrupted energy supply amid rising attacks near the Turkish coast. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara is alarmed by recent drone strikes on Russia-linked vessels in the Black Sea, urging all sides to protect critical infrastructure, including international routes like the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

The warning comes after Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack on two empty tankers heading to a Russian port, while denying involvement in another incident involving a Russian-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil. These attacks have pushed up insurance costs for Black Sea shipping and forced at least one Turkish company to suspend Russia-related operations for safety reasons. The CPC pipeline, which handles more than 1% of global oil supplies, temporarily shut down after damage caused by a Ukrainian drone, prompting Kazakhstan to divert shipments through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.

Bayraktar also revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy requested Turkey’s support in securing gas supplies during his recent visit to Ankara. Turkey’s state-run BOTAS and Ukraine’s Naftogaz are now exploring cooperation opportunities. Noting Ukraine’s large underground storage capacity, Bayraktar indicated that the country could stockpile cheaper energy in summer for use during winter.

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Turkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victory

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The primary opposition party in Turkey has claimed significant victories in key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara in recent elections, dealing a substantial blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aspirations. Erdogan, who had hoped to secure control of these cities less than a year after winning his third presidential term, faced defeat as the opposition secured victories.

Ekrem Imamoglu, representing the secular opposition CHP, secured his second victory in Istanbul, defeating the candidate backed by Erdogan’s AK Party by a considerable margin. Similarly, in Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas declared victory early on, with a significant lead over his opponent.

These results mark the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan’s party in over two decades. Despite Erdogan acknowledging the outcome, labeling it a turning point, it’s a significant setback for his party’s dominance, especially considering the sweeping powers amassed by the presidency under his leadership.

The opposition’s success is considered the biggest electoral defeat of Erdogan’s career, prompting speculation about the future of Turkish politics. Supporters of the opposition celebrated the outcome as a historic moment, signaling a desire for change in the country’s political landscape.

Imamoglu and Yavas, both seen as potential presidential candidates in the future, emerged as key figures in the opposition’s triumph. The victories in major cities like Istanbul, which holds substantial economic and cultural influence, underscore the opposition’s strength and its ability to challenge Erdogan’s rule.

Despite Erdogan’s party retaining control in certain regions, particularly in central Turkey, the election results reflect a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics. With a high voter turnout and the inclusion of a sizable number of young voters, the elections have reshaped Turkey’s political landscape and set the stage for potential changes in the upcoming presidential election in 2028.

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