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Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, drawing Turkish condemnation

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, drawing Turkish condemnation

By Feras Dalatey and Tuvan Gumrukcu DAMASCUS/ANKARA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Israel bombed an airbase in Syria on Tuesday, Syrian state media said, carrying out what appeared to be its first strike on Syrian government assets since March and drawing condemnation from Turkey and criticism from a U.S.
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Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) Faces Calls for Structural Reform to Address Centralization and Outdated Administration

Turkish Higher Education Council (YÖK) Faces Calls for Structural Reform to Address Centralization and Outdated Administration

A report titled 'Higher Education in the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Space Technologies Ecosystem,' prepared by Professor Dr. Ömer Açıkgöz, a former member of the YÖK Executive Board, highlights significant issues within Turkey's higher education system. The report identifies eight key areas requiring structural reform. Among the primary concerns is the overly centralized management structure of YÖK and universities, which stems from the 1982 Constitution. This centralization limits the effectiveness of boards and commissions in decision-making processes. Furthermore, the current system for appointing rectors and deans lacks academic input, with rectors submitting three candidates to YÖK, which then makes the final selection without consulting faculty. This approach, according to the report, prevents the formation of a shared vision among academics and allows university administrations to operate disconnected from the majority of faculty. The administrative organization of universities, shaped by ...
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Ship attacked during Strait of Hormuz transit and other news from the Middle East

Ship attacked during Strait of Hormuz transit and other news from the Middle East

A ship was hit by a projectile while sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz
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Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, US envoy concerned over escalation

By Feras Dalatey DAMASCUS, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Eight Israeli airstrikes hit an airbase in northwestern Syria early on Tuesday, Syrian state media said, in what the U.S. envoy for the region called an "unnecessary escalation". 
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Erdogan urges Trump to pursue talks with Iran, offers support

Erdogan urges Trump to pursue talks with Iran, offers support

ANKARA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call to pursue talks with Iran to de-escalate tensions between the two countries, and offered Ankara's support for peace efforts, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday.
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President Trump's Clandestine Departure from Ankara Raises Concerns About U.S. Military Preparedness

President Trump's Clandestine Departure from Ankara Raises Concerns About U.S. Military Preparedness

President Trump's recent departure from Ankara, Turkey, involved a transfer from Air Force One to a smaller plane via a catering truck, following Israeli intelligence warnings of a potential shoulder-fired missile attack by Iranians. This incident, which has been widely mocked online, is being viewed by some as a serious indicator of the U.S. military's current state of readiness and its understanding of modern warfare. Despite Air Force One's defensive systems designed to counter such threats, the need for a clandestine transfer suggests a perceived vulnerability. Critics argue that this event highlights a disconnect between the President's perception of military strength and the evolving nature of asymmetrical warfare, where less powerful adversaries utilize unconventional means like drones and shoulder-fired missiles to challenge conventional military might. The incident occurred amidst ongoing discussions about the U.S. war with Iran and the effectiveness of current military strategies.
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US working on deconfliction mechanism among Turkey, Israel and Syria, US envoy says

US working on deconfliction mechanism among Turkey, Israel and Syria, US envoy says

By Timour Azhari GENEVA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - The United States is working to establish a deconfliction mechanism among Israel, Turkey and Syria, U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on Tuesday after Israel struck a Syrian airbase near the Turkish border.
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Turkish Justice Minister Affirms Focus on Criminal Acts, Not Religious Beliefs, in Organized Crime Probe

Turkish Justice Minister Affirms Focus on Criminal Acts, Not Religious Beliefs, in Organized Crime Probe

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that an ongoing investigation into the alleged Alihan Kuriş organized crime group is targeting criminal acts and associated structures, not religious beliefs or communities. This statement comes as Turkish authorities have uncovered tens of billions of liras in financial transactions linked to the case, involving multiple companies. Gürlek emphasized that Turkey will continue its fight against organized crime irrespective of the identities or guises of those involved, asserting that faith and religious values cannot be used as a shield for criminal activities. The investigation, which includes allegations of establishing a criminal organization, money laundering, fraud against public institutions, and tax law violations, has led to the remand of 32 suspects, including Alihan Kuriş, the de facto leader of a group known as 'Süleymancılar'. Authorities also discovered 200 kilograms of gold bars of unexplained origin during efforts to locate Kuriş’s fugitive broth...
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New Research Links Fructose to Cancer Spread, Emphasizes Limiting Added Sugars

New Research Links Fructose to Cancer Spread, Emphasizes Limiting Added Sugars

Recent preclinical research, published in Nature Aging, suggests that fructose may influence the spread of certain cancer cells. The study found that fructose produced by chemotherapy-damaged ovarian cancer cells appeared to help nearby cancer cells break away and metastasize. Additionally, in mouse models, high amounts of dietary fructose promoted cancer spread even without prior chemotherapy exposure. Katherine M. Aird, PhD, a study coauthor, explained that fructose can make cancer cells less adhesive by causing them to lose cholesterol from their surface, facilitating their movement. Ana Gomes, PhD, another coauthor, noted that dietary fructose can also be converted by the liver into fats that tumors can utilize for growth. While these findings are preclinical and not yet confirmed in humans, they build upon previous studies linking fructose to cancer growth, including a 2024 study in Nature and a 2021 study in Cancer Research.
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Walking Offers Significant Cardiovascular and Cognitive Benefits for Individuals Over 50

Walking Offers Significant Cardiovascular and Cognitive Benefits for Individuals Over 50

Walking Offers Significant Cardiovascular and Cognitive Benefits for Individuals Over 50
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Study Reveals People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities Die 24 Years Younger on Average, with High Rate of Avoidable Deaths

Study Reveals People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities Die 24 Years Younger on Average, with High Rate of Avoidable Deaths

A recent study conducted by researchers from King’s College London has found that individuals with severe intellectual disabilities die, on average, 24 years younger than the general population. The study analyzed data from 1,301 adults with severe or profound intellectual disabilities who died in England between 2021 and 2023, comparing them to individuals with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities and the general population. The average age of death for those with severe intellectual disabilities was 58, compared to 82 for the general population. A significant finding was that two in five (40%) of these deaths were deemed avoidable, meaning they occurred before the age of 75 due to preventable or treatable causes. The leading avoidable causes of death identified were pneumonia and epilepsy, followed by cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the study highlighted stark ethnic disparities, with individuals from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds with severe intellectual disabilities dy...
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Kurdish Forces Face Strategic Disappointment After ISIS War, Reassessing International Alliances

Kurdish Forces Face Strategic Disappointment After ISIS War, Reassessing International Alliances

Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria, who were key partners with the United States during the war against ISIS, are experiencing significant strategic disappointment. Many Kurds had anticipated that their alliance with the U.S. would lead to lasting political and security guarantees for Rojava, their self-administered region. Expectations also extended to Israel, with many Kurds believing Israel's influence in Washington and its strategic regional position could help secure Rojava's future. However, these expectations have not materialized. The U.S. has prioritized its strategic relationship with Turkey, and Rojava has not received the anticipated international guarantees, leading to severe political and military pressure on Kurdish forces in Syria. This situation has prompted a reassessment of international alliances and a search for a new political future for the Kurds, moving beyond the rhetoric of figures like Abdullah Ocalan, who has been in Turkish custody for decades.