A 6.4 earthquake hit the Turkey-Syria border region yesterday and over 5.000 aftershocks were registered since 6 February; Mehmet Kokum, assistant professor of geology based in Elazig, said aftershocks will last from months to years

President Erdogan visited Iraq to sign security and development agreements and for more cooperation in the fight against Kurdish PKK militants in northern Iraq; Erdogan's last visit to Iraq was in 2011, when he was prime minister

The Turkish government announced that it will restrict exports of 54 categories of products - including jet fuel, construction equipment, cement, chemicals, pesticides, and bricks - to Israel until the Netanyahu government proclaims a cease-fire

Turkey has joined the countries with the most afforestation, ranking first in Europe and fourth in the world, according to recent FAO figures