"Flood & Release": Flamingos Flock to New Feeding Ground Created by Heavy Rains, in Söke

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 9 March 2026)

    "Word-of-beak" prompted the birds to head to Söke.

In Söke district of Aydın, fields that turned into lakes due to the 

overflowing of the Büyük Menderes River following heavy rainfall 

have become a popular spot for flamingos. The flamingos in the flooded 

fields were filmed with a drone.

Due to the excessive rainfall that has affected the city in recent days, 

frequent floods are occurring in the Büyük Menderes River, submerging

many wheat fields in the Nalbantlar neighborhood. The flooding turned 

the fields into lakes, creating interesting scenes. Numerous flamingos 

flocked to the flooded wheat fields.

The flamingos in the area were filmed by a person using a drone. The 

footage shows the flamingos feeding in the water-covered fields, 

highlighting the unique beauty the floods added to nature. The colorful 

images quickly gained attention on social media.

The Menderes River's path, with Söke at left.

"Beat & Release": Traffic Hooligans Pay Dearly, Thanks to New Harsher Law, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspapar, 8 March 2026) 

If you have to ask how much the fine is, you can't afford it.

Two drivers and one passenger involved in a traffic altercation in 

Maltepe, Istanbul, were fined a total of 540,000 TL (about $12,250). (!)

The two suspects, who were taken into custody, are expected to be 

referred to the courthouse.

The incident occurred yesterday on Bağdat Avenue. A dispute between 

two drivers in traffic quickly escalated into a fight. A passenger in one 

of the vehicles also became involved in the brawl. After footage of the 

incident was shared on social media, Istanbul Police Department teams 

launched an investigation.

Investigations revealed that those involved in the fight were the driver 

V.A. (40), the passenger in the vehicle Ö.Ç. (32), and the driver of the 

other vehicle, M.E.S. (27). Ö.Ç. and M.E.S., who were found to have 

assaulted each other, were quickly apprehended and taken into custody 

by police teams. A total administrative fine of 540,000 TL was imposed 

on the suspects under the relevant articles of the new Highway Traffic 

Law that just went into effect on 27 February. 

It was learned that Ö.Ç. and M.E.S., who are in custody, will be referred 

to the courthouse after their procedures at the police station on charges of 

'intentional injury', 'threat', and 'endangering traffic safety'.

"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.