Published December 25,2025

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Some 115 alleged members of the Islamic State group suspected of planning attacks during the end of year holidays have been arrested in Türkiye , Istanbul’s prosecutor general said Thursday.
“Following intelligence indicating that the IS terrorist organisation was planning attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations,” the prosecutor’s office ordered the detention of 137 people, 115 of whom have been arrested, the Istanbul prosecutor general’s office said in a statement.

Türkiye shares a 900-kilometre (559-mile) border with Syria, where jihadist groups are still active and where the IS was accused of an attack in mid-December that killed two US soldiers and one civilian.

Published December 25,2025

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Cold weather will affect Istanbul in the coming days. Temperatures are expected to drop to 0°C, and mixed rain and snow are forecast for the Anatolian side on Saturday. Next week, falling temperatures across the city may bring further snowfall.

According to the Istanbul Regional Forecast and Early Warning Center of the 1st Regional Directorate of Meteorology, from Friday, Dec. 26, the Marmara region will be under cold and rainy conditions.

In the eastern part of the region—Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Yalova—rain is expected on Friday, Dec. 26, followed by mixed rain and snow and localized snowfall starting Saturday, Dec. 27.

In Istanbul, precipitation will mostly be rain but will turn to mixed rain and snow in the higher areas of the Anatolian side on Saturday. Across the province, mixed rain and snow, and snow at higher elevations, is expected on Monday, Dec. 29.

Precipitation is also expected during the first days of the new year, with rain or mixed rain in low areas and snow in higher areas.

Temperatures, which have been around seasonal averages, are expected to drop by 5–8°C across the region, with cold weather continuing throughout next week.

Between Dec. 26, 2025, and Jan. 2, 2026, the lowest temperatures are forecast as follows: Istanbul 0°C, Edirne -3°C, Kırklareli -3°C, Tekirdağ -1°C, Kocaeli -1°C, Sakarya -2°C, and Yalova 1°C. Frost and ice warnings have been issued, especially for nighttime and early morning hours.

Cold and frost conditions may increase the risk of agricultural damage in farming areas.

Published December 25,2025

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Eight baby lovebirds put into protection in Türkiye after being offered for sale illegally are showing progress in their recovery in the city of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera.

The month-old chicks, kept under optimal light and temperature conditions at Antalya Natural Life Park, are being hand-fed special formula every five hours via syringe. Their feathers have begun to sprout.

The lovebirds had health checks at the park’s veterinary clinic and have been placed in quarantine. Once the quarantine is over and the birds have reached maturity, they will all be released into a specially prepared area within the park.

Veterinarians at Antalya Natural Life Park are closely monitoring the chicks’ immune systems, behavior, and development to ensure healthy growth. They are currently in good health.

The birds were rescued after Antalya police learned that various lovebird species were being sold illegally and under unsuitable conditions. A total of 24 lovebirds, including the eight chicks, were handed over to the park.

The Antalya Municipality Natural Life Park is home to more than 1,500 animals from nearly 130 different species. In 2025 alone, nearly 200 animals-including snakes, monkeys, and various bird species-were put under protection at the park.

Lovebirds are small, colorful parrots native to Africa. They live in flocks in savannas, woodlands, and near water sources.

Most are not migratory, moving only locally if water dries up. Popular as pets due to their affectionate nature and strong pair bonds, some species face threats from illegal trapping and smuggling to other countries, as well as habitat loss.

Published December 26,2025

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Turkish security forces detained a suspected ISIS (Daesh) terrorist who was allegedly preparing an attack for New Year’s, according to security forces.

Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), working with police, detained the suspect identified as Ibrahim Burtakucin in the eastern province of Malatya.

Intelligence findings indicated that Burtakucin had been operating in Türkiye on behalf of the terrorist group ISIS and had sought to travel to conflict zones to join the group when possible.

He was also believed to have been in contact with multiple ISIS sympathizers in Türkiye and abroad.

Digital materials and banned publications linked to the suspect and the militant group were seized during the operation.