"Beat & Release": Bystander Hit by Gunfire as Drivers Fail to "Yield" to Each Other, in Nevşehir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(DHA News Agency, 4 June 2026)

U.T. and E.K. trying, but failing, to translate it into Turkish...

The incident occurred yesterday around 2:30 PM on Belediye Street in 

the Camicedit neighborhood of Nevşehir. Following a funeral prayer at 

the Kurşunlu Mosque, a dispute arose between U.T., who was driving to 

the cemetery for burial, and driver E.K. over right-of-way.  The argument 

quickly escalated into a gunfight. (!)

During the altercation, a stray bullet from U.T.'s gun struck Harun İ., a 

shopkeeper who was standing on the sidewalk, in the leg (!). Following 

reports from bystanders, medical and police teams were dispatched to 

the scene. Harun İ. was taken to Nevşehir State Hospital for treatment 

after initial medical intervention. U.T. and E.K. were taken into custody. 

E.K. was released after questioning at the police station, while U.T., who 

was referred to the courthouse, was arrested. Meanwhile, the moments 

when U.T. fired his gun were captured on a cell phone camera from 

inside a vehicle.

...so, coats off and guns drawn!

"Fleece & Release": American Tourist Charged $160 for 5-minute Taxi Ride, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 3 June 2026)

  "Hmmm, 5-minute ride, $160 bucks...sounds expensive..."

American social media streamer Andrew Greald Rencourt, who attended 

a concert by world-renowned musician Travis Scott in Istanbul the 

previous day, took a taxi from Karaköy to his hotel around 1:00 AM 

after the concert. Allegedly, Rencourt paid the taxi driver, Hayrettin Arğuç, 

7,300 TL (about $160)  for a five-minute ride (!).

Rencourt, who was live streaming during the journey, uploaded the entire 

video to his social media. Following the backlash to the video shared on 

social media, an investigation was launched. The taxi driver, Hayrettin 

Arğuç, was taken into custody and subsequently brought to the Istanbul 

Courthouse. 

                  Hayrettin  Arğuç: "You talkin' to me?!"

In his statement, Arğuç said, "Rencourt asked me for cash. He wanted me 

to pay via POS machine. Because I gave the passenger $100, I charged 

7,300 Turkish Lira via POS machine. I didn't defraud anyone." In the 

prosecutor's request for arrest, it was stated that Hayrettin Arğuç's defense 

was aimed at escaping punishment, that the distance traveled was 

5 kilometers, and the fee to be paid was at most 300 lira. Arğuç, who 

was referred to the Magistrates' Court, was arrested for 'fraud' and 

sent to prison.

"Paint & Release": Smurfs Cured Her Epilepsy; Now They Adorn Garbage Containers, in Bodrum

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 2 June 2026)

Living in Bodrum, Muğla, Meryem Sebile Gündüz (19), a graduate of the 

Fine Arts High School, overcame her childhood epilepsy and various 

health problems through painting. Bringing her art to the streets, Gündüz 

initiated a visual transformation in the district by painting garbage 

containers (!).

Meryem Sebile Gündüz continued her struggle with epilepsy, which she 

contracted in childhood, and various subsequent health problems through 

painting. Over time, she overcame her illnesses. Bringing her art to the 

streets, Gündüz began painting the municipality's containers with 

cartoon characters and animal figures. 

Gündüz's work attracted attention in the district and on social media. 

With the permission of the municipality, she has painted 8 containers to 

date. Gündüz, who stated that she enjoys drawing, said, "I came across 

the 'taking a trash container' trend on social media, where some people 

shared their work with the note 'I'm taking it because it has sentimental 

value.' After this trend, I got this idea. I took my paints and went out into 

the street. I also uploaded a video of my first drawing. This video became 

a trend. After me, I saw that many people were doing and sharing similar 

works."

Gündüz, who said that she had a meeting with Bodrum Mayor Tamer 

Mandalinci after he saw her videos on social media and contacted her, 

and that he offered his support, stated, "We met and discussed the details. 

He said he wanted to support me. I started my work with the permission 

of the municipality. I usually paint cartoon characters from my childhood." 

Gündüz said that some people approached her with prejudice because she 

was painting garbage containers, but added, "However, over time I also 

met people who supported me. There were even people who sat next to 

me and painted with me. I am doing it with great pleasure now. I aim to 

color not only containers but also walls and streets in the future."

Gündüz said, "Until four years ago, I had epilepsy, and I overcame it. 

Painting has always been a source of morale and motivation for me. 

I realized that I could achieve things. There were times when I was 

excluded because of my illnesses. However, because I loved my talent 

and was eager to create in this field, I never gave up, I persevered. 

Perhaps this is the reason why I am healthy today. In addition, I have 

overcome other illnesses that can be overcome with morale. At the root 

of all of them was my talent and effort. Now I think that I can achieve

things and reap the rewards of my labor. I will not give up, I will 

continue, and you should too. Chase your dream."

"Revolve & Release": Film Set With "Kaaba" Look-alike Draws Moslem Pilgims, in Kocaeli

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 1 June 2026)

                               Transplanted sanctity.

In Çayırova district of Kocaeli province, a set for the film "İslamiyet'in

Doğuşu" (The Birth of Islam) has been erected and includes a black cube 

that resembles the Kabe (Kaaba) in Mecca, to the extent that citizens

are encircling the cube to perform "tavaf", the ceremony of going around

the Kaaba at Mecca (!). 

Workers on the set playing music are being scolded by citizens for 

disturbing the "sanctity of the Kaaba".  One worker lamented that 

"We were listening to music while working. A man came and told us to 

turn off the music, saying this place was sacred. Then he called the police. 

We built this place, and now they're performing the pilgrimage."

The resemblance is uncanny...

E

Another worker related that "Sometimes we take off our undershirts 

because of the heat. We get reactions like, 'How can you do that in a 

place like this!' This isn't real, it's a model. There are some very strange 

people here."

A lot less expensive than going all the way to Mecca.