Features

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Jan’s legacy: turning a tragedy into a beacon of hope and solidarity for families of murder victims

In Turkish, we say, “Ateş düştüğü yeri yakar”. This proverb, which translated means ‘an ember will burn where it falls’, is used to explain that only those who have endured a calamity can truly understand the deep and wretched misery that arises from it.  I thought of this phrase as I walked arou...

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Women speak out on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

It seems that I am repeating myself, but I can’t stop asking the question: “What has changed since my article from 25 November 2020? And once again, I am very saddened to say, “Nothing!”Unfortunately, nothing has changed except the numbers. Although violence against women and girls is PREVENTABLE, t...

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Why Greek Cypriots shouldn’t hide behind international law: they are breaking it with their misuse of the Doctrine of Necessity

Until 20 July 1974, the so-called ‘Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ of the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’ didn't care a bit for International Law. Otherwise, by the summer 1965, the 1960 Constitution that formed the power-sharing Republic of Cyprus between Greek and Turkish Cypriots could have be...

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How women and a racist campaign by communities hostile to Turkiye helped defeat Dr Mehmet Oz in Midterm Senate Election

The long-awaited U.S. Senate elections have come to an end, with only Georgia left to confirm its senator through a run-off in December after no candidate passed the 50% majority threshold. The elections proved a disappointment for the right-wing Republican Party, also known as GOP, who had expecte...

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North Cyprus bids a fond farewell to the Turkish Cypriot ‘queen of broadcast’, Sevilay Direkoğlu

Sevilay Direkoğlu, who was one of the pillars of North Cyprus state broadcaster Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation (BRTK) and central to the development of broadcasting for Turkish Cypriots, has died at the age of 85. She passed away suddenly on Wednesday, 30 October, with no prior known health...

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British Turks pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as world leaders gather in London for her funeral

When Turkish restauranteur Hüseyin Özer left a wreath at Green Park last week in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he described her as “the mother of the nation” and said the Queen’s passing had made him “as sad as losing my own mother”. His red and white wreath, in the shape of the Turkish...

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Turkiye, Cyprus and Islam: 5 fascinating facts about Britain’s new monarch, King Charles III

Last Saturday, Charles, the eldest son of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, was proclaimed King in a ceremony at St James’s Palace, which was televised to the world in an historic first. Buckingham Palace had confirmed the death of The Queen at her home in Balmoral on the afternoon of Thursday, 8...

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Juana Azurduy de Padilla; the female general who led her army to victory hours after giving birth

One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is to delve into a country’s history and learn about the incredible figures who played a pivotal role in shaping their nation’s future and identity. One such person is Juana Azurduy de Padilla, a South American female general who went into labour, gav...

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Argentina: how María Remedios del Valle became the "Mother of the Nation”

One of the best ways to learn a foreign language is to delve into a country’s history and learn about the incredible figures who played a pivotal role in shaping their nation’s future and identity. One such person is María Remedios del Valle, who is described by many Argentines as “Madre de la Patri...

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The Turks of Western Thrace in Greece and the importance of the Mufti of Xanthi, Ahmet Mete

The region of Western Thrace lies just across the border of Türkiye. It reaches the Karasu (Nestos) River to the east, with the district of İskeçe lying at the western end of the region. Today it forms part of the territory of Greece. Historically, Thrace was absorbed into the Ottoman State in 13...

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