Sakarya

The police have apprehended 33 suspects of the ISIL terrorist organization over allegedly preparing attacks ahead of the country's local elections later this month, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has said.

The suspects were "preparing and searching for action before the upcoming local elections," Yerlikaya wrote on X on March 10. Nationwide elections are due to be held on March 31.

In the aftermath of a series of road accidents over the past months that claimed numerous lives and left several injured, experts have urged precautions, emphasizing the importance of regulating the deactivation of speed limiters and implementing frequent tachograph checks.

A devastating chain accident in the northwestern Turkish province of Sakarya resulted in a tragic toll this morning. According to reports from the Anatolian Agency, ten individuals lost their lives, while over 50 sustained injuries in the incident on the Northern Marmara highway toward Istanbul.

At least 10 people have died, and 59 others have been injured in a tragic chain collision on a highway near the northeastern province of Sakarya.

Türkiye's hazelnut production is expected to be around 717,931 tons this year, according to the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB).

Türkiye is the world's largest producer of hazelnut.

"The survey conducted in 16 provinces showed that the hazelnut production will be slightly lower in 2023 from last year," said Arslan Soydan from the TZOB.

With excitement and anticipation seen on people's faces, Türkiye headed to the most critical elections in its 100-year history, as millions of Turks flocked to the polling stations across the country on May 14 to elect their new president and members of the 600-seat parliament.

Devastating earthquakes in the country's south in early February has led those residing in earthquake-prone areas to relocate to caravans and tiny houses.

Türkiye is grappling with extreme weather emergencies as torrential rains once again cause floods in the southern quake-hit province of Hatay's Iskenderun district, while heavy snowfall forces schools to close in nine out of all 81 provinces in the country.

While more than 2,200 people were killed in armed violence across the country in 2022, the most violence occurred in Istanbul, as in previous years, according to a report prepared by the Umut Foundation.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said they would announce more "good news" in the local defense industry in 2023, saying that this year will be a turning point in the industry.