Turkey's LGBTQ+ Crackdown – "Everything Can Go Darker and Darker" | DW News

Sep 17, 2026 | More than 200 people have been detained in Turkey in a widening crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community. At least 60 have now been jailed, according to a legal rights group. Police raided bars, LGBTQ+ organizations and activists' homes across 15 provinces – and protests against the crackdown have also been met with mass arrests. The government says it is protecting children and the family. LGBTQ+ activists say they are being targeted simply for who they are. So what is happening in Turkey and how far could it go?

LGBTQ 'a Threat to Erdogan's Ideal of a Strong, Masculine State', Expert Says • FRANCE 24 English

Sep 16, 2026 | Turkish courts have jailed more LGBTQ activists and supporters, raising to 62 the number remanded in custody following a weekend crackdown, a legal rights group said on Wednesday. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Koen Slootmaeckers, Reader in International Politics at City St George's, University of London, says that Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan wants to claim "the idea of a strong, masculine state and LGBTQ people are a threat to this ideal".

Turkey's LGBTQ+ Crackdown – "Everything Can Go Darker and Darker" | DW News

Turkish authorities have launched sweeping raids last weekend targeting LGBTQ+ organizations, venues and activists in Istanbul and other cities. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says it is protecting children and traditional family values, while rights groups say queer people are facing growing pressure simply for who they are.
Erdogan is living in the past. He is completely out of touch with young people in Turkey — their needs, desires, and aspirations. For as long as he treats poor, downtrodden gay people in this despicable manner, he can forget ever joining the European Union. The European Union is a fair-minded, liberal, supranational union which guarantees people’s human rights; and that INCLUDES people’s right to love whomsoever they please, same-sex or not. This is the atrocious treatment Erdogan meets out to the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. By the way, the declining birth rate is indeed a problem across the world; but gays are not to blame for that. How many babies does Erdogan realistically believe suppressed gays would ever sire? Taking away gays’ rights is not going to magically increase the birth rate in Turkey!

Trump Said to Have Secretly Used Military Jet to Leave Turkey Amid Threats

THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Trump hid in an airport catering container and was taken to a military jet for a secret flight out of country after the NATO summit last month.

This screenshot has been taken from this NYT article. | Two catering containers are shown alongside Air Force One on the tarmac in Turkey. | Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
Top administration officials engaged in an elaborate deception to spirit President Trump out of Turkey during the NATO summit there last month, transporting him in a catering container to a military jet because of a threat against him and Air Force One from Iran, two senior U.S. officials said on Monday.

Mr. Trump and other officials had said publicly that he would be leaving Turkey on July 8 aboard one of the older versions of Air Force One rather than a luxury 747-8 donated by Qatar that he had flown in on. Mr. Trump told reporters at the time that he was making the switch for “old time’s sake.”

Mr. Trump boarded the older plane from the left-side door in view of cameras, and news organizations, including The New York Times, reported that he had traveled on it to Britain, where he switched back to the newer plane. The Times reported at the time that the decision was driven in part by concern about the security of the new plane donated by Qatar, which had not been equipped with all of the defensive capabilities of older versions.

But instead of flying out aboard that older, powder blue, modified 747, Mr. Trump was whisked off that plane via a catering container that had been lifted to the opposite side of the plane from where the journalists traveling with him boarded, one of the U.S. officials said. The president was then taken to a third plane, which he flew in secret to Britain, the official with knowledge of the matter said. » | Maggie Haberman, Eric Schmitt and Zolan Kanno-Youngs | Published: Monday, August 10, 2026. Updated: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

À LIRE AUSSI :

« Mission clandestine », camion de restauration et « avion-leurre » : les coulisses de la mystérieuse exfiltration de Donald Trump pour quitter la Turquie : RÉCIT - Pour échapper aux menaces iraniennes, le président des États-Unis, qui se trouvait en juillet à Ankara pour un sommet de l’Otan, aurait quitté secrètement la Turquie à bord d’un avion militaire, après avoir été exfiltré d’« Air Force One » dans un conteneur de restauration aéroportuaire, révèle le Washington Post. »

Wildfire in Suffolk, UK, Not Yet Under Control, Fire Service Says | BBC News

July 30, 2026 | A UK wildfire the equivalent size of 140 football pitches is not yet under control, the fire service has said.

The blaze broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday, with a major incident declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Greece is also among many European countries facing devastating fires and drought.

Several fires have continued to burn in Spain and Portugal, although Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared an end to the national emergency for wildfires in the Ávila and Madrid regions.

In south-west France some residents have been able to return to their homes after a major wildfire in the Gironde region.

LGBTQ+ Cruise Ship Refused Entry to Egypt Days after Turkey Turned It Away

THE GUARDIAN: Scarlet Lady’s 2,000 passengers told of change as one of those onboard says they will ‘sparkle and spend elsewhere’

An LGBTQ+ cruise ship blocked from Turkish waters this week has been refused entry into Egypt.

The Scarlet Lady’s 2,000 passengers, including the Broadway performer Patti LuPone, woke on Thursday morning to find a note placed under their cabin doors informing them that the ship was urgently looking for alternative ports.

“Early this morning, we were informed that Scarlet Lady has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, and, as a result, will no longer be able to call in Alexandria today,” Rich Campbell, the chief executive of Atlantis Events, the tour group that chartered the Virgin Voyages ship, told passengers.

“I know how much this visit meant to so many of you. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision,” he wrote.

The note concluded: “Please know that both the Atlantis and Virgin Voyages teams worked tirelessly to make this call in Alexandria a possibility. This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we’re just as disappointed as you are.”

The visit to Egypt was already a change to the planned tour, hastily arranged after the ship was refused entry to Turkey. No official reason has yet been given for the decision of the Egyptian government. » | Amelia Hill | Thursday, July 9, 2026

ALSO READ:

Turkey blocks cruise ship carrying 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and a ‘furious’ Patti LuPone, citing ‘moral values’: Broadway star, who is performing on the vessel, expresses shock after authorities ban Scarlet Lady from docking in Kuşadası »

Should we be surprised? Neither Egypt nor Turkey are known for being enlightened countries. Incidentally, this is a demonstration of why Turkey should never be allowed into the European Union. A country with such retrograde values doesn’t belong in the progressive European Union. — © Mark Alexander

After Insulting Allies at NATO Summit, Trump Says They Love Him

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The meeting in Turkey featured President Trump at his most mercurial, veering from scorn to praise for European countries, including some whose patience with mollifying him has worn thin.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | President Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
President Trump’s head-spinning appearance at the NATO Summit in Ankara on Wednesday began with him insulting vast swaths of Europe during the morning sessions and finished just hours later with him declaring that the whole thing had been one big kumbaya session.

“I just want to say there was tremendous love in that room,” he said at a news conference not long after he had said repeatedly that “I’m not happy with NATO.”

Describing his meetings behind closed doors, he boasted: “They said, ‘Sir, we love you.’ These are grown people saying that. Isn’t that nice?”

“Maybe they’re trying to get to me, and in a way, they did,” he said. “Because there was tremendous unity in that room.” » | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh are White House correspondents. They reported from Ankara, Turkey. | Wednesday, July 8, 2026

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Donnie’s dementia must surely be progressing rapidly if he truly thinks he is loved here in Europe. From what I read and observe, it is hard to find anyone who likes him still less loves him! Clearly, POTUS is living in a world of his own! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

The Great Siege of Malta: The Battle That Stopped Suleiman I SLICE History | Full Documentary

July 5, 2026 | In 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent sent one of the most powerful armadas of the age against Malta, a small but strategic Christian stronghold at the center of the Mediterranean struggle between the Ottoman Empire and Habsburg Europe. Facing tens of thousands of Ottoman and Barbary troops, the island’s defenders, including the Knights Hospitaller and Maltese fighters, prepared for a siege that would test the limits of fortification, faith, and endurance.

From Fort Saint Elmo to the twin cities of Birgu and Senglea, this documentary follows the Great Siege of Malta as a clash of empires, religions, and military systems.

Documentary: Besieged Fortress EP:4 The Siege Of Malta Directed by: Marion Vaqué-Marti Production: ZED (2022)

Israel's 'Kill First' Strategy Is Now Aimed at Turkey | The David Hearst Podcast

Jul 2, 2026 | David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, says that Donald Trump has signed two contradictory agreements to end his war on Iran. One promises an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, while the other gives Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon indefinite leave to remain.

Hearst says the Lebanon framework weakens Lebanese sovereignty, creates a military coordination group run from Washington, and obliges the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah, which many in Lebanon see as the only credible deterrent against Israeli attack.

He says that Lebanon has also granted immunity to Israeli troops and generals for war crimes committed during the invasion. He says that the contradiction reflects a tug of war inside the US administration. The Iran deal reflects the thinking of Vice President JD Vance, who opposed regime change in Tehran, while the Lebanon deal bears the imprint of Marco Rubio, who remains committed to that project.

Hearst argues that Israel’s failure to dictate terms to Iran has pushed it to regain power in Lebanon and Syria. But he says Israel is already turning its attention to Turkey, now presenting it as the “new Iran” and warning of a new Sunni axis involving Turkey, Syria and Qatar.

He concludes that Israel means what it says when Netanyahu vows to change the Middle East forever. The main battle line is now shifting to Lebanon and Syria, and hard power will be needed to stop Israel’s strategy of “kill them first”.

Protests in Turkey after Court Targets Opposition Party | DW News

May 22, 2026 | A controversial court ruling in Turkey is shaking the country’s largest opposition party. Judges annulled the CHP’s leadership election, side-lining its current head and reinstating his predecessor. Critics see this as part of broader pressure on the opposition, following recent electoral gains against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party. With protests already underway and uncertainty growing, we ask: why is the judiciary intervening - and what does this mean for Turkey’s political future?

Ina Garten’s Top-rated Engagement Roast Chicken 💍 | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network

Feb 13, 2026 | Ina Garten’s iconic Engagement Roast Chicken is juicy and golden, stuffed with garlic and lemons, roasted with caramelized onions and finished with a simple pan sauce that makes it perfect for any occasion.

Pope Leo in Turkey: Pontiff Visits Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Mosque

The Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo, is visiting Istanbul's Sultanahmet Mosque shortly as part of his four-day trip to Turkiye.

The pontiff is following in the footsteps of his predecessors Pope Benedict who visited the place of worship in 2006 and Francis who did the same in 2014.

Unusually, Pope Leo is not expected to visit the nearby Hagia Sophia. It was built in the sixth century and it has great significance to both Christians and Muslims.

Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reports.

Pope Leo Visits Turkey on His First Trip Abroad: What Can We Expect? | DW News

Nov 26, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first trip abroad, which will take him to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2 – where he aims to promote Christian unity and urge peace efforts amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, had planned to visit both countries but was unable to go because of his worsening health. Turkey and Lebanon are majority Muslim countries – and Francis put a strong focus on Muslim-Catholic dialogue during his twelve-year pontificate. But foreign travels are also an opportunity for the Vatican to conduct international diplomacy. So, what can we expect from Leo's visit to Turkey?

Our Favourite Ina Garten Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Videos | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network

Nov 5, 2023 | From roast turkey with truffle butter to herb-roasted turkey breast, these are our favourite Ina Garten Thanksgiving turkey recipe videos!

Thousands in Greece and Turkey Evacuate as Winds and Heat Fan Wildfires

THE GUARDIAN: Czech firefighters and Italian aircraft join rescue effort in Greece, and firefighter among those killed in Turkey

Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate homes as firefighters in the countries battled to contain wildfires fanned by strong winds and searing heat.

As temperatures in south-eastern Europe exceeded 40C for a seventh straight day, the Greek prime minister praised rescue workers for waging “a titanic battle” to bring blazes under control.

“The state mechanism has been called to engage in a titanic battle, simultaneously responding to dozens of wildfires across the country,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement. “To those who saw their properties destroyed by the fury of fire, know that the state will stand by your side.”

Eleven regions of Greece face a “very high risk” of fire, and the government has appealed for help from EU partners to help it deal with fires burning on multiple fronts. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Sunday, July 27, 2025

Clashes and Arrests in Turkey over Magazine Cartoon Allegedly Depicting Prophet Muhammad

THE GUARDIAN: Turkey police face demonstrators after prosecutor orders arrests at LeMan magazine, whose editor-in-chief denies allegation and says image has been deliberately misinterpreted

Clashes erupted in Istanbul with police firing rubber bullets and teargas to disperse a mob on Monday after allegations that a satirical magazine had published a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.

The clashes occurred after Istanbul’s chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the editors at LeMan magazine on grounds it had published a cartoon that “publicly insulted religious values”.

The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Tuncay Akgun, said the image had been misinterpreted.

“This cartoon is not a caricature of prophet Muhammad in any way,” he told Agence France-Presse. “In this work, the name of a Muslim who was killed in the bombardments of Israel is fictionalised as Muhammad. More than 200 million people in the Islamic world are named Muhammad.

“[It] has nothing to do with prophet Muhammad. We would never take such a risk.”

As the news broke, several dozen angry protesters attacked a bar often frequented by LeMan staffers in downtown Istanbul, provoking angry scuffles with police, an AFP correspondent said.

The scuffles quickly became clashes involving between 250 to 300 people, the correspondent said. » | Agence France-Presse in Istanbul | Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Wildfires Burn in Turkey and as Early Heatwave Hits Europe | DW News

June 30, 2025 | Wildfires across Turkey, fanned by strong winds, have spread to residential areas in the western province of Izmir and elsewhere. Recent years have seen Turkey's coastal areas ravaged by wildfires, as summers become hotter and drier. Countries across southern Europe are sweltering under soaring temperatures. Authorities in Italy and France have issued health and wildfire warnings, while Spain and Portugal saw weekend temperatures hit 46° Celsius.

With Erdogan Rival Detained, Critics See Democracy Eroding in Turkey

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Opponents say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan manipulates the courts and the media to tighten his grip on power, and now is trying to prevent a top contender from running for president.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan entered this year facing a knot of political problems with little precedent in his two decades at the summit of power in Turkey.

Voters were angry about persistently high inflation. His political party’s popularity had sunk. And his opponents had coalesced around the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who made it clear that he was gunning for the presidency.

Then on Wednesday, just four days before the mayor was set to be designated as the political opposition’s presidential candidate, dozens of policemen arrested him at his home on accusations of corruption and terrorism.

Mr. Erdogan’s foes consider the arrest a ploy to abort Mr. Imamoglu’s presidential campaign before it even begins. At stake is not only who will be Turkey’s next president, analysts, opposition leaders and foreign officials say, but to what extent Turkey, one of the world’s 20 largest economies and a U.S. ally in NATO, can still be considered a democracy. » | Ben Hubbard and Safak Timur | Reporting from Istanbul | Saturday, March 22, 2025

Related material in English and French here.

Turkey Detains President Erdogan’s Main Rival Days before Becoming Candidate | BBC News

May 19, 2025 | Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate.

Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's strongest political rivals.

Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organisation leader suspect".

Imamoglu said online "the will of the people cannot be silenced".


Vidéo connexe ici.

Dozens Dead as People Jump from Windows to Escape Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel

THE GUARDIAN: Witnesses say people used bed sheets or jumped to try to get out of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel after fire broke out early in the morning

Seventy-six people have died and 51 others were injured after a fire engulfed a popular ski resort hotel in Turkey’s Bolu mountains, forcing guests to jump out of windows or attempt to use bed sheets to flee the building.

The fire broke out at about 3.30am on Tuesday in the restaurant of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, north-west Turkey.

“We are in deep pain,” Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, told reporters after inspecting the site.

Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people had been injured. » | Angela Giuffrida in Rome, and agencies | Tuesday, January 21, 2025