France

More than 100,000 people protested in Australia, France, Italy and Greece on July 23, sparking clashes with police as they railed against COVID-19 measures and government sanctions against the unvaccinated aimed at prodding more people into getting jabs.     

Turkey's communications director on July 24 criticized France's parliament for passing a controversial bill, stressing that it would further marginalize Muslims and other religious minorities.

Turkey on July 24 marked the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, a landmark pact that recognized the modern Turkish state.

Turkey and Spain agreed to sustain the impetus in bilateral relations, Turkey's foreign minister said on July 23.

Congratulating Jose Manel Albares for his appointment as Spain's new foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Twitter that preparations for "The Seventh Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit" were also discussed in a telephone call between the two ministers.

Hungary, Israel and Algeria on July 22 probed allegations that Israeli-made spyware was used on journalists, rights activists and 14 heads of state, as French leader Emmanuel Macron ordered tighter security and changed his phone over espionage concerns.

Turkey's furniture exports jumped 35 percent in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year, marking a record level of $2 billion.

Huan Huan, a giant panda on loan to France by Beijing since 2012, is pregnant again and could soon grace the country with her second cub, the Beauval zoo in central France said July 21.

"An ultrasound a few hours ago confirmed the presence of a panda embryo," a spokesman told AFP, adding that birth could occur late this month or in early August.

The official handover ceremony took place in France

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal had a phone call with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland on July 21 and discussed bilateral ties and Turkish Cyprus, the Foreign Ministry said.

Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian qualified for the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Palermo (Italy), equipped with total prizes of 189,708 euros, after defeating Chinese Qinwen Zheng, in two sets, 6-1, 6-4, on Wednesday evening. Cristian (23 years old, WTA's 159) sealed her victory after an hour and 26 minutes of playing, against an opponent who had defeated seed no.