"Pirouette & Release": Construction Worker by Day, Teaches Ballet at Night, in Ayvacık

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Haberler.com website, 7 March 2026)

                      Heavy lifting and light dancing.

Berkay Dal, who lives in Ayvacık district of Çanakkale, works as a 

construction machine operator during the day and teaches ballet in the 

evenings. He maintains his connection to art by pursuing both 

professions simultaneously, thanks to his conservatory education. 

Dal, who graduated from the Turkish Folk Dance Department of 

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University State Conservatory in 2023 

and who also holds a ballet instructor certificate, moved to Ayvacık 

district of Çanakkale from Balıkesir about 3 years ago.

He entered the construction sector through his friend Ali Çakır, who 

works in excavation, and gradually learned to operate construction 

machinery. While actively working as a construction machine operator 

on construction sites, Dal started giving ballet lessons at a private art 

center in the district in the evenings to stay connected to art. Giving

ballet lessons to 15 students two days a week, Dal has also remained 

true to his artistic field.

"I'm trying to improve myself in the fields of ballet, performing arts, 

lighting, and makeup."  Dal stated that his juggling two different 

professions is met with surprise by those around hım, but the positive

feedback he receives motivates him.

"Fleece & Release": Elderly Man Avoids Phone Scam Only Because His Cell Died and ATM Malfunctioned, in Burdur

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 6 March 2026)

                  Next time, say "I don't speak Turkish"... 

Ahmet S. (78), a retired teacher in Burdur, was saved from being 

scammed when his mobile phone ran out of battery and the ATM 

malfunctioned. Ahmet S. said, “I was about to send my salary to 

them through the ATM when my phone ran out of battery. Our good 

money did not go to bad hands”

Ahmet S., received a phone call around 4 PM yesterday from someone 

who claimed he could earn two to three times the amount he sent to a 

specific account. Initially disbelieving the caller, who said he was

calling from Istanbul, Ahmet S. eventually became convinced and went 

to a bank branch to complete the transaction.

Suspicious of Ahmet S.'s behavior, the bank security guard and employee 

warned him he was being scammed and advised him not to proceed. 

Ahmet S. left, but returned to the branch a short time later, attempting 

to send money to the account provided by the caller. He was again warned 

and sent away by bank staff. When he returned for the third time, the 

staff alerted the police.

...and get this app for your phone.

While a police team was dispatched to the bank branch, Ahmet S. 

attempted to use an ATM. However, the ATM malfunctioned, and his 

cell phone battery died. Unable to complete the transaction, Ahmet S. 

was helped by the police and his close friends. After being convinced he

was being scammed, Ahmet S. left the bank. It was learned that Ahmet S. 

did not file a complaint.

Ahmet S. said, “We had been talking on the phone for a while. He said 

I would earn more money if I sent 11,000 lira. The man gave me 

confidence. I genuinely wanted to deposit the money. I receive my 

retirement pension from another bank. I was about to withdraw my 

pension and send it via ATM when my phone battery died, the ATM 

malfunctioned, and the security guard, police officers, and our close 

friends dissuaded me. Our honest money didn't go to waste.”

"Drive & Release": Teenagers Built Diesel-engine Car Out of Recycled Waste, in Samsun

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 5 March 2026)

       High school kids nicknamed it "chick magnet". 

Miraç Diril, a 10th-grade student at Samsun Technopark High School, 

along with two schoolmates, built a 7.5-horsepower car using recycled 

waste materials. Expressing pride in their project, Diril said, “We 

gradually developed and completed the vehicle over approximately 

three months. Our car has a 7.5-horsepower diesel tiller engine, and 

we are continuing to improve it.”

Students learned what NOT to do from this classic.

"Flood & Release": Rain Drenches Antalya-Konya Highway, Creating a Surfing Sensation

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(T24 website, 27 February 2026)

                            Ferry leaves in 10 minutes...

Following heavy rainfall, a large section of the Konya-Antalya 

highway was flooded. Aerial footage showed that the road was 

completely submerged at one point, transforming into a lake-like scene. 

Following these images, a citizen was seen engaging in water sports 

on the flooded highway.

Following heavy rainfall in the Eynif Plain area, a large section of the 

road was submerged. Aerial footage showed that the road disappeared 

at one point, replaced by a vast pool of water.

Surf's up!

In footage shared on social media, a citizen named İhsan Bayık is seen 

jetsurfing on a road covered in water. Bayık stated, "I am currently on 

the Konya-Antalya highway, heading from Konya towards Antalya. 

This is the Eynif Plain. After 38 years, nature has reclaimed what 

belongs to it. It's unbelievable, but I'm jetsurfing on the highway." 

The footage quickly spread on social media, sparking both surprise 

and debate about the flooded road.

"Heist & Release": Robbers Clean Out Jewelry Store in Two Minutes, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 3 March 2026)

   Candidates for "Most Efficient Thieves" of the month.

Five people broke into a jewelry store in the early hours of the morning, 

cut the lock, and stole gold worth 18 million lira in just two minutes (!)

before escaping.

The break-in occurred in Istanbul's Göktürk neighborhood of Eyüpsultan

district on the night of  February 26th. Five individuals approached a 

jewelry store, first lifting the shutters and then breaking the lock on the 

door. Entering the store, the suspects stole approximately 3 kilograms 

of 14-karat gold, approximately 200 grams of 18-karat gold, and 

approximately 150 grams of diamond jewelry, with a market value of 

18 million TL (about $410.000), within two minutes (!). 

One suspect, who had taken another bag full of gold from inside, was 

caught by a security guard while trying to escape. The security guard 

tried to stop the suspect as he attempted to flee. At that moment, the 

other suspects, seeing the security guard, also ran out of the jewelry 

store and escaped from the scene. The private security guard, realizing 

that a robbery was taking place, hurried to report it.

After the incident, upon receiving a notification from the alarm company, 

the business owner, Ertan Y. (34), connected to the cameras of his 

workplace via his mobile phone. When Ertan Y. watched the footage 

live, he saw the robbers stealing the gold from the jewelry store and 

escaping. Ertan Y. determined that approximately 18 million lira worth

of gold and diamonds had been stolen and went to the police to file a 

complaint. 

It was learned that in his statement to the police, Ertan Y. 

complained not only about the suspects but also about the alarm 

company, which he claimed sent the notification late. The police have 

launched an investigation to apprehend the attackers.

"Twirl & Release": Caught in Whirling Dervish Whirlpool and Mind-control, His Bank Account Vanished, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 1 March 2026)

             How do they keep their balance anyway?!

Mehmet Emin Türker, who claims his mind was taken over by Enis 

Tığlı, who introduced himself as the head of a religious order within 

a foundation he joined to become a dervish, filed a criminal complaint. 

Türker stated, "I have been afflicted by this condition for 7 years. My 

family has ostracized me. I am involuntarily harming myself."

Türker (53), a retired mechanical draftsman working for a firm in 

Eyüpsultan, Istanbul, learned in 2019 through a friend that there was 

a Dervişhan Scientific Research and Mutual Aid Foundation and that 

Sufi training was given in this foundation. Allegedly influenced by 

his friend's conversations, Türker decided to become a dervish. 

Türker then received training on many religious topics. Having 

become familiar with religion through the foundation, Türker 

ascended to the Seyr-i Süluk stage (journey to God and loss in God). 

Allegedly, after reaching this stage, Mehmet Emin Türker's intellect 

was virtually taken over. Experiencing various pains and aches in 

his body, Türker began to feel as if he were constantly talking to 

other people.

One of them is going in the wrong direction...

Türker, who claims that his will was impaired and his mind taken 

over through psychological pressure and indoctrination after 

receiving Sufi training from Enis Tığlı, who introduced himself as 

a "sheikh" at the foundation, filed a criminal complaint with the 

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for "fraud." In the 

complaint, it is alleged that Enis Tığlı first exploited the spiritual 

feelings of the victim, Mehmet Emin Türker, then somehow bound 

him to himself, taking control of his mind and causing him harm.

Speaking to Hürriyet, ,Türker said: “After receiving training from 

Enis Tığlı, I constantly yell at myself at home. I harm myself, I cut 

my arms. Because he confused my mind, a gang based abroad took 

over my account. I lost $17,000 (745,907 TL). I think this sheikh is 

connected to them. After this training, my marriage and family were

endangered. My family ostracized me and kicked me out of the house. 

They are trying to tolerate me for now because I have nowhere to go.”

Unable to hold back his tears, Türker said, “I have been in this 

affliction for exactly 7 years. The foundation closed due to the 

pandemic. I found Sheikh Enis Tığlı through illegal means and 

went to where he lives. They beat me up and threw me out. I am 

asking for help from Turkish justice so that Enis Tığlı does not inflict 

the same suffering on other people.”

He also sells used cars.

"Forget & Release": Extortion Gang, Having Dropped Car Key at Crime Scene, Returned and Were Nabbed by Police, in Adana

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 1 March 2026)

 

            Master extortionist  (!) Necmi Bey at wit's end!

In Adana's Seyhan district, Necmi A. had extorted money from  

M.A.B.'s foreign exchange bureau for a while with threats and

blackmail.  After a certain point, though, M.A.B. told Necmi bey

that he couldn't give him money any longer. 

As a result, Necmi bey and three of his friends raked the exchange

bureau with gunfire.  When the police arrived at the scene, they

found a car's ignition key (!) and staked out the cars parked on the

street. 

Sure enough (!), the suspects arrived with a locksmith to try to

open the car, but were nabbed by the police.  Necmi bey and 

7 others were all arrested for the extortion attack.