Turkey

Turkey's main opposition party, which controls most of the country's big cities, says its municipalities will not "stain their hands with blood" by implementing a bill to euthanise stray dogs, even if it passes in parliament

June recorded the lowest rainfall in 23 years, 80% less than last June and 65% less than the long-term average

Turkish wedding dress exports will reach $3,7m in 2023, an increase of 35,7% year-on-year according to TurkStat data

Digital maps of water bodies will be created in an attempt to better manage the country's water resources, after a project was initiated to map a total of 270 elements, including dams and artificial ponds currently under construction

Parliament outlined savings measures to be implemented over the next three years as part of the austerity programme recently presented by the government, which includes restrictions on various expenses, from the use of vehicles to visits abroad

In the park named after the Mexican rescue dog Proteo, who died while carrying out search and rescue work in Adıyaman, south-east Turkey, after the earthquake of 6 February 2023 in Kahramanmaraş, 45 dogs are being trained free of charge

An Earthquake Humanitarian Fund for Turkey is a platform provided by the government to enable the public to donate financial aid and allow various parties to organise charitable activities for the Turkish population affected by the earthquake in 2023

Kasımpaşa Mevlevihane, Istanbul's third Mevlevi shelter, reopened Saturday after 99 years and will be used for activities in the fields of Sufism, education and art

Annual traffic congestion in Istanbul causes a loss of 288 hours per person, adding that 'the annual economic loss due to traffic congestion in Istanbul amounts to an incredible $10 billion'

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