A new funding initiative has been announced by the European Union to help Turkish Cypriots wanting to pursue higher and vocational education in an EU member state. Earlier this week, the European Commission announced details of its latest scholarship programme for “the Turkish Cypriot community” for the next academic year. The 2022/23 EU Scholarship scheme […]
On Sunday, 23 January 2022, Turkish Cypriots will be selecting their next government, but few are expecting any major changes to the current make-up of the 50-seat Parliament in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC). The right-wing National Unity Party (UBP), the main party in the TRNC’s current minority coalition Government, is predicted to […]
A British Turk is set to become head of one of the UK’s most prestigious cultural centres. Bengi Ünsal has been appointed as director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA). Currently based at the Southbank Centre, Ünsal will take over the running of the ICA in March 2022. The news was announced last Friday, […]
Staff at the BBC Istanbul bureau are holding a one day strike today, after talks between BBC management and the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) broke down. The parties had been in negotiations over a new collective labour deal that would give parity to local journalists and their international peers, but the BBC and TGS […]
If you are a fan of Barış Manço, get ready for the third edition of the Psychedelic World of Barış Manço that pays homage to this iconic Turkish rock star. The brainchild of eclectic singer-songwriter Djanan Turan, this special night commemorates the anniversary of Barış Manço’s passing on 1 February 1999. Each year, Djanan and […]
Hüseyin Erdinç has music running in his DNA. Inspired by his father, Kelebekler violinist and saz player Erdinç Hüseyin, he first picked up a guitar aged five and has gone on to master multiple instruments. Now aged 31, Hüseyin’s instrument of choice is the saz, a long-necked lute that is also known as the bağlama in […]
People inoculated against the coronavirus in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) will no longer have to self-isolate for ten days when they visit Britain following rule changes that come in to force on Monday, 10 January. Up until now, those jabbed against Covid-19 in the TRNC and arriving in Britain were treated by […]
The body of an Ethiopian student, who died in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) while working on an outdoor billboard in unsafe conditions, has been repatriated to his home country following a successful funeral fundraising campaign by his fellow students. Meles Halieu, a 28-year-old Master’s student at Near East University, was electrocuted while […]
The mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, has been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list for her work in counter-terrorism. Figen Ayşe Murray has been appointed OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for her campaign to introduce Martyn’s Law, which would force venues […]
