In the wetlands of the Aegean coastal city of Izmir, a significant increase in the number of winter birds has been observed compared to last year; members of NGOs and volunteer birdwatchers, led by experts, are engaged in censusing 14 areas

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