RECOMMENDEDAs the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hits hard around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Europe of a third virus wave in early 2021. A WHO special COVID-19 envoy predicted a third wave of the pandemic in Europe in early 2021 if governments repeat what he said was a failure to do what was needed to prevent the second wave of infections. "They missed building up the necessary infrastructure during the summer months after they brought the first wave under the control," the WHO's David Nabarro said in an interview with Swiss newspapers, as quoted by...…RECOMMENDEDAs the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hits hard around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Europe of a third virus wave in early 2021. A WHO special COVID-19 envoy predicted a third wave of the pandemic in Europe in early 2021 if governments repeat what he said was a failure to do what was needed to prevent the second wave of infections. "They missed building up the necessary infrastructure during the summer months after they brought the first wave under the control," the WHO's David Nabarro said in an interview with Swiss newspapers, as quoted by...WW…

RECOMMENDEDTurkey's Foreign Ministry on Monday protested the illegal interception of a Libya-bound Turkish vessel during the European Union-led Operation Irini in the Eastern Mediterranean. "Operation Irini is a sided operation. It is an operation that aims to punish the legitimate Libyan government and does not inspect arms supplies to the putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar, and is involved in arbitrary practices," ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said Monday. A German frigate participating in the EU-led Operation Irini unlawfully stopped and searched a commercial Turkish cargo vessel, carrying...…RECOMMENDEDTurkey's Foreign Ministry on Monday protested the illegal interception of a Libya-bound Turkish vessel during the European Union-led Operation Irini in the Eastern Mediterranean. "Operation Irini is a sided operation. It is an operation that aims to punish the legitimate Libyan government and does not inspect arms supplies to the putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar, and is involved in arbitrary practices," ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said Monday. A German frigate participating in the EU-led Operation Irini unlawfully stopped and searched a commercial Turkish cargo vessel, carrying...WW…

Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) confirmed Thursday that a homosexual character in Turkey’s “Aşk 101” (Love 101) series on Netflix was removed after a request from the council. BBC reported that the decision came after “bilateral talks” between RTÜK and Netflix. “With bilateral talks, the problem about that character has been removed,” a RTÜK official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. It was reported that a character named Osman in the series was initially fictionalized as homosexual, but later the plot was changed. The platform received a huge reaction on social...…Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) confirmed Thursday that a homosexual character in Turkey’s “Aşk 101” (Love 101) series on Netflix was removed after a request from the council. BBC reported that the decision came after “bilateral talks” between RTÜK and Netflix. “With bilateral talks, the problem about that character has been removed,” a RTÜK official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. It was reported that a character named Osman in the series was initially fictionalized as homosexual, but later the plot was changed. The platform received a huge reaction on social...WW…

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Friday criticized women-only swimming hours practices in some cities of the country, accusing mayors of complying with political Islam, an ideology that “is at the root of terrorism.” Speaking to Europe 1 radio, Le Maire said political Islam undermines the core values of France, adding that segregated hours at municipal pools is a “cowardice and renunciation” that fuels the “terrorist ideology.” The finance minister also called on businesspeople to join the French government’s wide-ranging suppression of Muslims in the country. Mistreatment against...…French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Friday criticized women-only swimming hours practices in some cities of the country, accusing mayors of complying with political Islam, an ideology that “is at the root of terrorism.” Speaking to Europe 1 radio, Le Maire said political Islam undermines the core values of France, adding that segregated hours at municipal pools is a “cowardice and renunciation” that fuels the “terrorist ideology.” The finance minister also called on businesspeople to join the French government’s wide-ranging suppression of Muslims in the country. Mistreatment against...WW…

RECOMMENDEDHashtags on boycotting French products went viral, as social media users condemned the anti-Islam campaign in the European country as the French government has embraced increasingly hostile rhetoric against Muslims recently. Photos and video footage circulating on social media also show Kuwaiti supermarkets emptied shelves from made in France goods. The recent developments followed France’s ordering the temporary closure of a mosque outside of Paris, as part of a crackdown on Muslims following the killing of a teacher who showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad....…RECOMMENDEDHashtags on boycotting French products went viral, as social media users condemned the anti-Islam campaign in the European country as the French government has embraced increasingly hostile rhetoric against Muslims recently. Photos and video footage circulating on social media also show Kuwaiti supermarkets emptied shelves from made in France goods. The recent developments followed France’s ordering the temporary closure of a mosque outside of Paris, as part of a crackdown on Muslims following the killing of a teacher who showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad....WW…

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, MIT Chief Ibrahim Kalın, Chief of Staff Gen. Metin Gürak attend a meeting at Defense Ministry headquarters in Ankara, Oct. 4, 2023. (IHA Photo)The top security officials in Türkiye, including Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, held a critical meeting in the capital Ankara on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the Defense Ministry headquarters.Chief of Staff Gen. Metin Gürak and the chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Ibrahim Kalın, also attended...…Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, MIT Chief Ibrahim Kalın, Chief of Staff Gen. Metin Gürak attend a meeting at Defense Ministry headquarters in Ankara, Oct. 4, 2023. (IHA Photo)The top security officials in Türkiye, including Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, held a critical meeting in the capital Ankara on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the Defense Ministry headquarters.Chief of Staff Gen. Metin Gürak and the chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Ibrahim Kalın, also attended...WW…

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at an event in Muğla, southwestern Türkiye, Sept. 29, 2023. (AA Photo)Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday that Turkish security forces were authorized to target everything owned or controlled by the PKK terrorist group in Syria and Iraq. "Everything belonging to the PKK/YPG, from infrastructure to energy facilities, in Syria and Iraq are now legitimate targets of our security forces," he said during a news conference in the capital Ankara. Fidan's remarks came after Sunday's terrorist attack by the PKK that targeted the headquarters of Turkish...…Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at an event in Muğla, southwestern Türkiye, Sept. 29, 2023. (AA Photo)Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday that Turkish security forces were authorized to target everything owned or controlled by the PKK terrorist group in Syria and Iraq. "Everything belonging to the PKK/YPG, from infrastructure to energy facilities, in Syria and Iraq are now legitimate targets of our security forces," he said during a news conference in the capital Ankara. Fidan's remarks came after Sunday's terrorist attack by the PKK that targeted the headquarters of Turkish...WW…

AK Party spokesman Ömer Çelik speaks to reporters at a news conference in Ankara, Oct. 4, 2023. (AA Photo)Türkiye appreciates Azerbaijan's decision to skip peace talks with Armenia in Spain after the former requested that Turkish officials also attend it, Ömer Çelik, deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and party spokesman, said at a news conference on Wednesday. "(Azerbaijani President) Mr. Aliyev canceled his visit to Spain because Türkiye's participation was not accepted as a condition for the meeting. We want to express our appreciation for this," he...…AK Party spokesman Ömer Çelik speaks to reporters at a news conference in Ankara, Oct. 4, 2023. (AA Photo)Türkiye appreciates Azerbaijan's decision to skip peace talks with Armenia in Spain after the former requested that Turkish officials also attend it, Ömer Çelik, deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and party spokesman, said at a news conference on Wednesday. "(Azerbaijani President) Mr. Aliyev canceled his visit to Spain because Türkiye's participation was not accepted as a condition for the meeting. We want to express our appreciation for this," he...WW…

FIFA World Cup words are seen displayed on a smartphone and FIFA logo on the background, March 17, 2023. (Getty Images File Photo)RECOMMENDEDCELEBRITY-NEWSThe 2030 World Cup will be played on three continents and in six countries, including Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Morocco, Spain and Portugal. FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said.The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. A key...…FIFA World Cup words are seen displayed on a smartphone and FIFA logo on the background, March 17, 2023. (Getty Images File Photo)RECOMMENDEDCELEBRITY-NEWSThe 2030 World Cup will be played on three continents and in six countries, including Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Morocco, Spain and Portugal. FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said.The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. A key...WW…

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler speaks at the Gebze Technical University in Kocaeli, Türkiye, Oct. 3, 2023. (AA Photo)Defense Minister Yaşar Güler will meet with Iraqi counterpart Thabet al-Abbasi on Thursday, as Türkiye ramps up counterterrorism operations against the PKK terrorists following an attack in Ankara on Sunday. Türkiye carried out air strikes in northern Iraq on targets belonging to the PKK terrorists after the terrorist attack.On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan implied that the countries aiding the PKK terrorist group in Iraq or Syria may face consequences as it would...…Defense Minister Yaşar Güler speaks at the Gebze Technical University in Kocaeli, Türkiye, Oct. 3, 2023. (AA Photo)Defense Minister Yaşar Güler will meet with Iraqi counterpart Thabet al-Abbasi on Thursday, as Türkiye ramps up counterterrorism operations against the PKK terrorists following an attack in Ankara on Sunday. Türkiye carried out air strikes in northern Iraq on targets belonging to the PKK terrorists after the terrorist attack.On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan implied that the countries aiding the PKK terrorist group in Iraq or Syria may face consequences as it would...WW…