"RIP & (No) Release": Atatürk's Death Anniversary - British Colonel's First Impression in 1919

 

Today, 10 November, marks the anniversary of Atatürk's 

death in 1938.

 

In Erzurum in July 1919, British Col. Alfred Rawlinson met 

Mustafa Kemal Paşa for the first time and recorded this 

impression, published in his book “Adventures in the Near 

East 1918-1922”, London 1923: 

//Mustafa Kemal Paşa, in light-colored suit, revisiting 

Erzurum in October 1924, as Turkey's president.//

"There now arrived at Erzurum the Inspector-General of the 

Turkish Eastern Armies, who has since become the famous 

Mustafa Kemal Paşa, the great Turk, the remarkable nature of 

whose striking personality never fails to impress itself on all 

who are brought into contact with him.

European rather than Asiatic in type, with fair hair and blue eyes, 

Kemal is more Teutonic than Turkish in appearance.  He has 

read much and travelled widely, and is thoroughly competent 

to give a considered opinion on all subjects of general interest 

either at the present day or in the history of the past.  

A man of great strength of character and very definite and 

practical views as to the rightful position of his race in the comity 

of nations, he is no seeker after personal fame or advancement, 

but is imbued with a deep sense of duty, which causes him to 

place his country’s interest before all others and to labour 

unceasingly towards those ends which he considers to be most 

to her advantage."

 

"Whoops! & Release": Joke Turns Deadly When "Unloaded" Gun Kills Friend, in Erzurum

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 9 November 2026)

         "Don't worry!"...followed by a big "OUCH!"

The incident took place yesterday around noon at a bridal shop on 

Kevelciler Street. Hakkıhan Gez, the owner of the bridal shop, and 

Emirhan Kabanlı—who owns a neighboring business and had 

entered the shop—were conversing while laughing. As Kabanlı 

moved toward the door to leave, Gez pointed a pump-action shotgun 

at him—claiming the weapon was "unloaded"—and pulled the trigger. 

The gun fired, striking Kabanlı in the abdomen. Gez and other local 

shopkeepers rushed to assist Kabanlı, who collapsed in front of the 

doorway. He was transported to Erzurum City Hospital by private 

vehicle but could not be saved, despite all medical interventions.

                                            The Joker 

The incident was captured by the bridal shop’s security camera. 

The footage shows Hakkıhan Gez pointing the pump-action shotgun 

at Emirhan Kabanlı—who was waiting near the door—and pulling the 

trigger, causing Kabanlı to collapse to the ground.

Police teams apprehended the suspect, Hakkıhan Gez, along with the 

pump-action shotgun he used in the incident, and took him into custody. 

After undergoing a medical examination at Atatürk University Research 

Hospital, Hakkıhan G. was taken to the Public Security Branch of the 

Erzurum Police Department for questioning. 

Following police processing, he was brought to the courthouse this 

morning; he did not respond to questions from members of the press 

regarding the incident. After providing his statement to the prosecutor's 

office, Hakkıhan Gez was brought before the duty magistrate and 

arrested on charges of "intentional homicide."

Meanwhile, a funeral prayer was held at the Narmanlı Mosque in the 

Yakutiye district for Emirhan Kabanlı, who passed away in the hospital 

after being admitted with severe injuries. Following the funeral prayer—

attended by his family, relatives, and friends—Emirhan Kabanlı was laid 

to rest at the Abdurrahman Gazi Cemetery.

"Meow & Release": Machine-gun Toting Dog - Cats' Worst Nightmare, in Nevşehir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sabah Newspaper, 8 November 2026)

                                  "Here kitty, kitty..."

In Nevşehir, a "robot dog" has been developed that can detect 

15 types of gases and perceive its surroundings 360 degrees 

using lidar and radar sensors. Designed by engineers at a 

defense industry firm based in the Avanos district, the robot 

dog features software that is 100% domestically developed, 

with 35% of its hardware also produced domestically. 

Named "Avanos Assuva," the robot dog utilizes gas sensors 

to identify potential risks—such as those encountered by 

security forces during operations in residential areas, caves, 

shelters, or tunnels—and is capable of carrying out tasks that 

may require the use of weaponry.

                                          "Whoa!"

Equipped with remote-sensing technology that employs laser 

beams to measure the distance, position, and shape of 

surrounding objects, the robot dog can generate three-dimensional 

maps. 

It is intended to provide multi-purpose support to security forces, 

with the capacity to be fitted with long-barreled firearms and 

thermal cameras. Can Arslan, a software engineer on the project 

team, stated that the robot dog has successfully completed tests 

across various environments.

         Really a sweetheart, when it comes to humans.

 

       Cat-stantinople on edge. Too close for comfort.

"Hack & Release": Greek Health Minister Gets Expensive Birthday Surprise, in Athens

ingilizce links to original English-language article

(ekathimerin.com website, 7 November 2026)

Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said Friday that hackers had 

compromised his email account and used his name to place orders for 

hundreds of luxury cars and firearms on his birthday. (!)

In a social media post, Georgiadis said the orders included 150 Porsche 

Cayennes, 50 Mercedes-Maybach vehicles, 24 Benelli shotguns and one 

Springfield Armory Echelon handgun.

He said he had contacted Greece’s Cyber Crime Division and intended 

to take legal action.

“On my birthday, they had a surprise in store for me. They hacked my email 

and, using my name, placed the following orders,” Georgiadis wrote.

                                          Birthday boy.

He sarcastically thanked the perpetrators for their “original way” of wishing 

him a happy birthday, adding: “Fortunately, I don’t have any such unfulfilled 

desires.”

"Meow & Release": Author-Teacher Created "Cat Village" With Own Funds, in Trabzon

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hurriyet Newspaper, 2 November 2022)

Tenants get rent-free accommodations, thanks to Necmi bey.

In the Ortahisar district of Trabzon, a teacher named Necmi Aksu has 

rented a 700-square-meter plot of land—funded by the proceeds from 

a book he authored—to create a sanctuary he calls "Cat Village," 

where he cares for 200 cats. (!)

Noting that he has even taken out bank loans at times to provide for 

the animals, Aksu said, "Feeding the cats is a significant financial strain. 

I’ve published a novel, so I sell copies and attend book fairs; I also 

spend my own salary on them."

And thanks go to Yasemin hanım, too.

Necmi Aksu, a physical education teacher at Aydınlıkevler İmam Hatip 

High School, used the proceeds from the sale of his book, titled 'Yasemin,' 

to rent a 700-square-meter plot of land. There, he created a dedicated 

sanctuary he calls 'Cat Village,' where he provides care for 200 cats—

including those that are ill, disabled, or kittens—feeding them with 

food collected from various neighborhoods. 

The area, enclosed by wire fencing, also features small shelters for 

the cats. Necmi bey explained:

"Cats from outside this area also come here in search of food. 

Furthermore, I carry out feeding efforts for stray animals living on the 

streets across six different neighborhoods. Due to urbanization, 

everything has been covered in concrete; yet, cats require soil—

an earthen ground—to survive. There are no longer any spaces left 

where they can hunt or live. 

In the past, they could at least scavenge through trash to find something 

to eat, but even that is no longer possible, as waste containers are now 

placed underground. I have seen many starving mother cats, and I have 

even witnessed mothers lose their kittens to hunger. These, too, are 

living beings—God’s voiceless creatures. God provides for their 

sustenance through us. 

In the past, I spent vast sums of money on veterinary care for these cats—

enough that I could have bought a villa or a luxury car—though now, 

I receive some support.  There is a clinic established by our Ortahisar 

Municipality. People bring stray cats there. They receive treatment. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor of Ortahisar, 

Ahmet Metin Genç."

A cat's-eye view of the Black Sea...

"Convey & Release": Woman Gestures to Police About Bipolar Hubby, But Avoids Criminal Complaint, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper,  5 November 2026)

Sultan hanım conveys situation to police with sign 

language from behind.

Following a report of domestic violence, a police team arrived 

at an apartment unit in Maltepe, Istanbul. Sultan P., who was 

allegedly subjected to violence, did not file a formal complaint; 

instead, she explained that her husband suffers from a bipolar 

disorder and requested that he be admitted to a hospital. Husband

Yahya P., who displayed aggressive behavior, was taken into 

custody.

In Istanbul’s Maltepe district, police responded to a report 

expressing concern for the safety of Sultan P., who was 

allegedly being subjected to violence by her husband. Upon 

opening the door to the apartment, Yahya P. questioned the 

officers’ presence and acted aggressively. During this 

interaction, it was observed that his wife, Sultan P.—who 

was standing behind him—was making various hand gestures. 

Footage of the incident has since circulated on social media.

Yahya P. in a reflective moment...

Realizing that Sultan P. might be attempting to draw their 

attention through these gestures, the officers spoke with her 

separately. When asked if she wished to file a complaint or 

required assistance, Sultan P. stated that she did not wish to 

press charges, but requested that her husband be admitted to 

a hospital. 

It was further reported that Sultan P. explained that her husband 

has a bipolar disorder and clarified that her hand gestures were 

not intended as a plea for help, but rather were involuntary 

movements made in the heat of the moment.

Nevertheless, Yahya P., who continued to exhibit aggressive 

behavior, was taken into custody. Investigations revealed that 

the couple had frequently argued in the past, and that Sultan P. 

had previously filed reports against him, though she had later 

withdrawn her complaints. Following the completion of police 

procedures, Yahya P. was referred to the courthouse.

"Shotgun & Release": Beyşehir Ladies Fully Armed; Nevşehir Ladies Next for "Slapper" Defense

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Vatan Newspaper, 4 November 2026)

                                        "To the front!"

In the neighborhood of Huğlu—located in the Beyşehir district 

of Konya, a hub for shotgun manufacturing—local women 

with a passion for the sport of shooting gather at a dedicated 

range to practice their marksmanship.

Arriving in their traditional local attire, these women engage 

in trap shooting, finding an opportunity to showcase their skills 

in the sport.  In Huğlu, a community with a nearly century-old 

tradition of manufacturing shotguns, the keen interest shown by 

womenin shooting sports is particularly noteworthy.

Ready for slappers!

At the Huğlu Firearms Shooting Range—where trap and skeet 

shooting, as well as traditional marksmanship competitions, 

take place—local women, often dressed in traditional *şalvar* 

(baggy trousers), gather to practice trap shooting and organize 

friendly competitions among themselves. 

The neighborhood is home to more than 20 factories that 

produce shotguns and ammunition, and some of the women 

who participate in trap shooting are also employed within 

this industry.

54-year-old Halime Sandal told an Anadolu Agency (AA) 

reporter that her interest in shooting dates back to her 

childhood. Recounting that she fired her first shot at the age 

of 13, Halime hanım noted that her passion for the sport has 

remained strong throughout the years.

******************************************************

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(NTV Haber website, 4 November 2026)

 "Slapper" Tolga Bey wouldn't dare do this in Beyşehir.

In Nevşehir, 38-year-old Tolga Çelik has been arrested for 

slapping a woman who was waiting in front of a market. The 

assault, which resulted in hearing loss for the woman, was 

captured on a security camera.

The woman was identified as S.E., who was waiting in front of 

a market in Nevşehir. The incident was recorded by a security 

camera at a nearby business.

Deeply shaken, the woman went to the police to file a complaint 

following the incident. In his statement, Tolga Çelik—who was 

taken into custody—claimed that he did not hit the woman 

intentionally, asserting that his arm had struck her by accident.(!)

A medical examination at the hospital revealed that S.E. had 

suffered hearing loss.