"Weed & Release": Fire Exposed "Volcanic" Marijuana Production Setup, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 25 May 2026)

                             Did firefighters inhale?!

Responding to a fire that broke out on the top floor of a building in 

Şişli, Istanbul, fire crews discovered a drug cultivation facility inside (!). 

Searching the premises, Şişli Public Security Bureau teams seized 

900 grams of cannabis and 30 cannabis plants, with a market value 

of approximately 500,000 TL (about $11,000). Volkan ("Volcano!")K. 

(33), who was detained in the apartment, was arrested by the court. 

It is believed that the fire originated from the electrical system used 

in the drug cultivation setup.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 21st, around 5:50 PM in the 

Mahmut Şevket Paşa neighborhood. According to reports, residents 

noticed smoke rising from an apartment on the top floor of a building 

and notified the fire department. Fire crews arrived quickly and 

extinguished the flames. During their initial investigation, firefighters 

found equipment believed to be used for cultivating drugs in the 

apartment.

"Volcano" being led to safety (!) in the fiery eruption's aftermath...

It is suggested that the fire may have originated from the electrical 

system used in the drug cultivation setup. Following the fire department's 

report, Şişli Public Security Bureau and Şişli Motorcycle Police Teams 

arrived at the scene and apprehended Volkan K. at the apartment. 

A search of the suspect yielded 4,800 TL, a mobile phone, and two 

car keys.

A search was conducted in the apartment where the fire started and 

in the suspect's vehicles. A precision scale, pump system, syringes, 

fertilizers, liquid nutrients, and numerous other materials used in 

drug cultivation were seized from the apartment. Additionally, 900 

grams of cannabis and 30 cannabis plants, with a market value of 

approximately 500,000 TL, were found in a black garbage bag.

The seized materials were confiscated for examination.

It was learned that Volkan K., who was taken into custody, has 5 

previous criminal records. Following his processing at the police 

station, Volkan K. was referred to the courthouse and arrested by 

the court on charges of "manufacturing and trafficking of narcotic 

or stimulant substances." An investigation into the fire has been 

launched.

"Crash & Release": Again, Laws of Physics Ignored in Truck-Overpass Collision, in Ankara

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Sözcü Newspaper, 24 May 2026)

Looking at his phone, he missed the "Caution. Low Ceiling!" sign.

A dump truck proceeding with its back-end upright crashed into and

destroyed an overpass on Turgut Özal Boulevard in the Zübeyde

Hanım neighborhood of Ankara's Altındağ district (!).

Two other vehicles were damaged in the incident, but fortunately,

there was no one on the overpass at the time of its demise.

However (!), there was a bird's nest in the overpass that was

destroyed, but citizens came to the rescue of a baby bird that 

fell to the ground. 

"Snatch & Release": Doctor's Hair Torn Out by Another Doctor, Who Gets Off With a Fine, in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 23 May 2026) 

               She' s determined to make the best of it...

Two defendants, accused of assaulting, insulting, and threatening a 

doctor working at a state hospital in Gaziemir district of Izmir, were 

sentenced to a fine (!).  The verdict hearing, held at the Izmir 29th 

Criminal Court of First Instance, was attended by the lawyers of both 

parties and defendant Y.A. via the Sound and Video Information System 

(SEGBIS).

In his closing arguments, the prosecutor stated that on the day of the 

incident, Dr. İrem Sarıkaya, who was on duty in the Emergency 

Department of Gaziemir Nevvar Salih İşgören State Hospital, had an 

argument with one of the defendants, S.C., while attending to a patient.

The prosecutor noted that following the argument, defendant Y.A. 

threatened and insulted Dr. Sarıkaya, then grabbed her by the hair and 

threw her to the ground. The prosecutor requested that the defendants 

be punished for the crimes of "insulting a public official," "injuring a 

public official in the performance of their duty," and "threats."

...Dr. Sarıkaya, seizing the moment, takes her chance at stardom.

Defendant Y.A. stated that he was saddened and remorseful (!) about the 

events and left the decision to the court. The defendant's lawyer argued 

that his client was innocent and requested an acquittal.The judge, 

announcing the verdict, sentenced defendant Y.A. to a fine of 50,500 TL 

(about $1,100) for "simple assault" against the doctor, applying 

aggravating circumstances due to the offense being committed 

against a healthcare professional and performing a public duty, and to 

a fine of 53,000 TL for "insult."

The court also converted the 11-month and 7-day prison sentence for 

"threat" to a fine of 33,700 TL (about $735), taking into account the 

defendant's social and economic situation and the remorse shown. (!)

In total, Y.A. was sentenced to a total fine of 137,200 TL (about $3,000)

for the three offenses.

The court sentenced the other defendant, S.C., to a fine of 53,000 TL

for "insult" and to 11 months and 7 days in prison for "threat," but 

decided to suspend the announcement of the verdict and place him under 

probation for 5 years due to his lack of a criminal record.

Y.A., not to be outdone, takes up role as guest speaker.

"Sqeeze & Release": Another Truck Overturns After Failing to Heed Overpass Height, in Bakırköy

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Kanal6Haber website, 21 May 2026)

            It's all about the immutable laws of physics...

The overturning of a truck that crashed into the Marmaray train overpass 

in Bakırköy Ataköy,  Istanbul, has brought back to the forefront the 

long-standing debate about the "same spot" of accidents in the area. 

Following the underpass accident in 2019, a crane belonging to İSKİ 

(Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration) also overturned at the 

same overpass on November 7, 2024. With this latest accident, attention 

has once again turned to Strazburg Avenue.

The accident that occurred today took place on the coastal road of Ataköy, 

Strazburg Avenue. According to the information received, the driver of 

the truck with license plate 59 AEP 575 (registered in Tekirdağ province)

failed to notice the height  (!)of the Marmaray overpass and crashed 

into it.

The truck overturned as a result of the impact, and medical, police, and 

fire crews were dispatched to the scene. The driver, who sustained minor 

injuries, was taken to the hospital after receiving first aid.  Traffic 

congestion occurred in the area due to the accident, and work has begun 

to remove the overturned truck.

                                      "Hey! It didn't fit!"

Today's incident has brought to light similar accidents that have occurred 

at the same location in Ataköy.  On March 27, 2019, a truck and a tour 

bus got stuck in the train underpass on Strasbourg Avenue, halting traffic 

in the area for a long time. Images from that time caused a stir on social 

media.

Despite calls for safety measures in the area following the accidents, 

the continuation of similar incidents is noteworthy.  The Marmaray 

overpass on Strasbourg Avenue has been in the news not only because 

of today's accident, but also because of another incident that occurred 

recently.

On November 7, 2024, a crane belonging to İSKİ  crashed into and 

overturned at the same overpass. Traffic was disrupted in the area after 

the accident, and citizens expressed the need for stronger safety 

measures for heavy vehicles.

"Breed & Release": American Children Track Down Rich Turkish Father, in Izmir

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(NTV website, 20 May 2025)

                                        Reluctant dad.

Kasım Pırlant began his business career in Chicago, USA, in 1973 as a 

waiter in an entertainment venue, and later purchased a restaurant in 

the same state.  In 1978, he entered the real estate business, and by the 

time he returned to Türkiye in 1985, he owned nine shopping malls. 

Pırlant also frequently made headlines in the economic world with his 

multi-million dollar investments, which he started in Izmir in 2005.

HOWEVER (!)

While Pırlant's investment journey continued, siblings Henry Kevin 

Jackson and Candice Jackson, who were born and raised in Chicago, 

realized that their mother Carolyn Jackson's words, "Your father 

abandoned us. He has a shipping company in Greece and lives there," 

before her death in 1999, were true, and they set out to find their father.

Kevin and Candice Jackson,went to the Chicago club where their 

mother had worked years ago and spoke with the employees. They 

were told that their father was Kasım Pırlant, who also worked there, 

and that he and their mother, Carolyn, had worked together at the club 

years ago.

Following this, Kevin and Candice Jackson researched Kasım Pırlant 

online, believing him to be their father. They learned he was in Izmir 

and traveled to meet him.and they met with Kasım Pırlant twice in İzmir.

                                       Kids and mom.

The two siblings stated that Pırlant did not legally recognize them as his 

children. Following this, the Jackson siblings took legal action in 2018. 

Pırlant passed away in 2023. DNA samples taken during the legal process 

revealed a 99.9% DNA match between the Jackson siblings and Pırlant.

In a decision issued in 2023 by the 13th Family Court, the judge ruled that 

Candice Jackson and Kevin Henry Jackson should be officially registered 

in the population registry as having Kasım Pırlant as their father.

Following appeals against the Family Court's decision, the case was 

transferred to the 2nd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals. 

The Chamber, after reviewing the case, ruled that the local court's 

decision was in accordance with procedure and law.

The ruling emphasized that the mutual claims and defenses of the parties, 

the documents submitted to the file, the legal rules applicable to the 

dispute, the trial and evidence processes, and the court's reasoning were 

all considered together; it also underlined that the objections raised in 

the appeal petition were not of a nature to warrant overturning the 

decision.

Meanwhile, it was learned that the Jackson siblings' lawsuits regarding 

the annulment of the will and their objection to the sale of the shopping 

mall are ongoing.

And on to Izmir!

"Snap & Release": Maniac With a Gun - Recipe for Disaster, in Tarsus

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 19 May 2026)

          He was a quiet man, kept to himself mostly...

Metin Ö., who killed six people and injured eight others in Mersin, 

began his series of murders after killing his ex-wife. Following the 

consecutive murders, police were put on high alert and a search 

operation was launched with helicopter support. While there were 

fears that the killer would continue the killings, news arrived that 

the operation had ended. The suspect committed suicide when he 

realized he was about to be caught in a house where he was cornered.

The death toll has risen in Mersin following a series of armed attacks by

Metin Ö. (37), who shot and killed his ex-wife Arzu Özden (32) in the 

Darıpınarı neighborhood of Çamlıyayla district. After the incident, 

Metin Ö. fled and later arrived at Sabri Pan's restaurant in the Kadelli 

Dörtler Neighborhood of Tarsus district in a car with the registration 

number 01 B 9171, where he opened fire.

In the attack, business owner Sabri Pan died in the hospital where he 

was taken, while Ahmet Ercan Can, who worked at the business, died 

at the scene. The attacker, who continued to flee in his vehicle, shot 

and killed Yusuf Oktay, a young man grazing animals in Kaburgediği 

Neighborhood, and then Abdullah Koca, a truck driver, at a gas station 

in Yeniköy neighborhood.

"Road Rage & Release": 3 Dead After "Yield Right of Way" Dispute, in Antalya

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 18 May 2026)

Strangers in the night exchanged unyielding glances...

At around 01.30 last night in Serik district of Antalya, an argument 

broke  out between 4 people in a car and Ahmet Bayar (25), a forest 

ranger who was passing by, over the issue of "yield right of way". 

The argument  that erupted between Emre Savran (35), Bilgin Korkut

(34), Oğuz Avcı (49), Ali Tunç, and  forest ranger Ahmet Bayar (25), 

escalated into a fight. During this time, Ahmet Bayar pulled out a gun 

and fired several shots. Hearing the gunshots, people called the police 

and medical teams to the scene.

Medical teams determined that Bilgin Korkut and Oğuz Avcı had died. 

Emre Savran, who was injured, was taken to the hospital by his friend 

Ali Tunç. Despite medical intervention, Savran also died at the hospital. 

Ahmet Bayar later went to the Serik District Police Department with his 

gun and surrendered to the police.