As Turkey approaches elections on May 14, the economy dominates debates, but immigration is also central, with rising anti-immigration sentiment. The opposition

The article discusses the impact of the migrant crisis on the upcoming Turkish elections and its relations with the European Union. Turkey, hosting over 3.4 million Syrian refugees, is facing internal pressures with rising anti-migrant sentiment. The opposition 'National Alliance' is campaigning on promises to send Syrians back, while President Erdogan has made conflicting statements about voluntary returns and hosting refugees. The EU-Turkey Refugee Deal of 2016, which aimed to manage the flow of migrants, is also examined. Experts from the Brookings Institution and Kadir Has University provide insights on the feasibility of using refugees in Turkey's reconstruction post-earthquake and the unlikelihood of prioritizing migration policies by the new government. The article also touches on the EU's externalization of migration control and Turkey's use of migration as a bargaining tool, highlighting the complex dynamics at play as Turkey approaches elections and continues to navigate its relationship with the EU and the refugee situation.

The article discusses the plight of individuals born to mixed Turkish and Cypriot parentage in Cyprus who are facing difficulties in obtaining citizenship from the Republic of Cyprus (RoC). Despite being born on the island and having at least one parent with RoC citizenship, their applications for citizenship are often delayed or ignored, leaving them stateless. This issue stems from the political division of Cyprus in 1974 and the subsequent declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is only recognized by Turkey. The RoC is hesitant to grant citizenship to those with Turkish roots, fearing it could alter the island's demographics and pose security risks. Activists are now gathering signatures to appeal to the European Parliament, arguing that the RoC's practices violate human rights and European values. The article includes personal stories of affected individuals and comments from legal experts and activists. It also touches on the broader political tensions between Turkey and Greece and the impact on the Cypriot population.

The article by Tüba Altunkaya discusses Turkey's delicate position in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where it has maintained relations with both countries. Turkey has attempted to mediate between the two nations, with limited success. Economically, Turkey has strengthened ties with Russia, particularly in energy, despite Western sanctions against Moscow. Politically, Turkey has supported Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid and military drones through the Turkish defense firm Baykar Tech. Turkey also controls access to the Black Sea via the Montreux Convention, which it has used to limit warship movements. While Turkey has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, it has complicated NATO's expansion by blocking bids from Sweden and Finland. The article highlights the views of Dr. Ali Bilgic, who notes Turkey's unique position and the potential risks and benefits of its balancing act. The article suggests that Turkey's strategy has economic, political, and military implications, and questions how long it can maintain this balance.

Following the confidence vote in Israel's Knesset, a coalition government formed by eight parties has ended Binyamin Netanyahu's 12-year tenure as prime minister. Experts interviewed by euronews expressed skepticism about the longevity of the multi-party government and emphasized that the direction of the Ankara-Tel Aviv relationship largely depends on President Erdoğan's stance. They noted that the inclusion of the Ra'am Party, representing Palestinian Israeli citizens, in the coalition does not necessarily indicate a significant shift in relations with Turkey. The experts agreed that Turkey needs to take concrete steps, including addressing Israel's security concerns regarding Hamas, for any substantial improvement in relations. The new coalition is expected to prioritize domestic issues and relations with the United States, UAE, Jordan, and Egypt over Turkey. The key to improving bilateral relations lies with Turkey, and the current political change in Israel presents an opportunity, but it is contingent on Ankara's actions.

KızCode is a social responsibility project initiated by Müjde Esin to introduce coding to girls who lack sufficient educational support, using technology to bridge the gap for those distanced from science due to social reasons. Starting with immigrant children in the UK, the project has expanded to various regions in Turkey and aims to reach Asia and the Middle East. It provides coding and technology education, combats gender discrimination and domestic violence, and encourages integration of girls into education and the economy. The project has faced challenges, especially technical ones during the pandemic, but has seen success stories such as girls receiving funding for their projects and continuing their education.

In the face of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with no vaccine yet available, quarantine measures have been revisited, and curfews reinstated. Experts agree that without a vaccine, the pandemic can only be slowed, not stopped. Over ten vaccine candidates have reached phase 3 trials, and clinical trials are also being conducted on the BCG tuberculosis vaccine. Dr. Veli Vural Uslu from the Alpanta Research Institute and Heidelberg University discusses the observational basis for the BCG vaccine's potential effectiveness against Covid-19, noting higher infection and death rates in countries where the vaccine was not widely used. Initial results suggested a correlation, but further studies have shown the effect to be less significant than first thought. The BCG vaccine has historically been used against various diseases, and its potential to boost the immune system is being explored. Dr. Uslu also addresses the vaccine's duration of effectiveness and its varied efficacy in different populations.

The 'funeral operations' clause in the upcoming Coronavirus Act in the UK has sparked concern among Muslim and Jewish communities due to provisions that could override their burial customs in the absence of alternatives. The clause allows authorities to decide between burial or cremation when storage space is unavailable, potentially suspending current laws that prohibit cremation against a person's wishes. Labour MP Naz Shah plans to challenge the legislation, citing human rights violations against religious minorities, and has initiated a signature campaign among MPs. Community leaders from Islamic and Jewish groups are also calling for amendments to the law that respect human rights. The UK government, criticized for initially considering herd immunity and for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's remarks on losing loved ones, has started to tighten measures gradually. Concerns are growing that the NHS, already under strain, may have to make difficult choices similar to those faced in Italy during the pandemic.

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, China's Central Bank has announced the quarantine of used banknotes to prevent further spread of the disease. The banknotes will be disinfected with x-ray or high heat and then stored for 7 to 14 days. The deputy governor of the bank, Fan Yifei, stated that the quarantine duration would vary by region, depending on the severity of the outbreak. After the observation period, the banknotes will re-enter circulation. Cash flow between regions in China has also been suspended. The fear of contracting the Covid-19 virus, which has claimed over 1,500 lives, has led Chinese citizens to avoid using circulating items like banknotes and coins. Prior to the Chinese New Year holiday, the central bank had issued 4 billion yuan (Renminbi) for emergency situations in Hubei province, the epicenter of the virus.

While Wikipedia's ban in Turkey is being debated, Turkish-speaking volunteers in London received content creation training. The workshop, organized by John Lubbock and Stuart Prior from Wikimedia UK, aimed to educate participants on how to contribute to Wikipedia and emphasized the importance of accessing information in native languages. The ban, imposed by Ankara's 1st Criminal Court of Peace on April 29, 2017, was due to content that allegedly associated Turkey with terrorist groups. Wikimedia UK highlighted the benefits of open information portals to the economy, tourism, education, and cultural promotion, arguing that lifting the ban would be mutually beneficial. The Turkish government's collaboration could lead to the ban's removal, allowing Turkish speakers to enrich the content and have a say in how their culture is represented.

The US International Religious Freedom Commission's 2019 report criticized Turkey for serious violations connected to the state or overlooked by the government in 2018. Turkish authorities claimed the report misrepresented the situation of religious minorities in Turkey. The report highlighted concerns about human rights and civil liberties since the July 2016 coup attempt, compulsory religious education in state schools, interference in religious communities' internal affairs, discrimination against minorities, and the situation of Alevi Muslims. It also detailed the case of Pastor Andrew Brunson, property rights of minorities, and the impact of geopolitical and security issues on US-Turkey relations.

Human Rights Watch urged Turkey to take diplomatic action against the oppression of Uighur Turks in China, building on a recent condemnation by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Turkey could lead a coalition at the United Nations Human Rights Council and present solutions at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Abu Dhabi. The Turkish spokesperson Hami Aksoy previously criticized China's systematic assimilation policy, and HRW representative Philippe Bolopion suggested Turkey must also address domestic human rights issues to be an effective advocate for Turkish Muslims. The article also touches on the political context within Turkey and the organization of the Uighur diaspora on social media.

The story of Çatalhöyük, one of the oldest human settlements dating back to the 9th millennium BCE, is now being showcased in London at an exhibition titled 'A Dig Story: Çatalhöyük'. Hosted by SOAS, University of London, the exhibition highlights 25 years of archaeological excavations. The Çatalhöyük Research Project, led by British archaeologist Ian Hodder since 1993, has concluded, with a new team set to continue the work. Only 7% of the site has been excavated, revealing insights into the lives, architecture, and social structures of its Neolithic inhabitants. The site is also open to visitors, and significant finds are displayed at the Konya Archaeology Museum and Ankara Anadolu Civilizations Museum.

The UK Home Office has suspended applications for indefinite leave to remain under the Ankara Agreement, affecting Turkish citizens who have established businesses in the UK. The 1963 Ankara Agreement allows Turkish citizens to obtain visas to provide services in EU member countries. There has been a record increase in applications from Turkey in the past year, with a 6000% rise over the last nine years. Turkish citizens are now campaigning for the decision to be reversed. The article includes an interview with a Turkish family who recently settled in the UK, discussing their reasons for leaving Turkey and the challenges they face in the UK.