Troubles come in bunches: Turkey had a week from hell
In one week, Turkey faces deadly floods in Istanbul, a government takeover of an opposition channel, a diplomatic crisis with Azerbaijan over a headscarf ban, and an economic crisis surrounding the dissolution of investment funds worth $20 billion.
In just one week, Turkey is grappling with an extraordinary series of events threatening the country's stability. Deadly floods in Istanbul have killed at least 2 people, caused 1,277 flooding incidents and 15 mudslides. 47 people were trapped and rescued, all schools in the city were closed, and motorcycle traffic was banned. Meanwhile, authorities took over the opposition channel Halk TV, halted its broadcasts, and appointed a trustee manager. The owner, Mehmetoglu, who is abroad, reported the arrest of seven family members and condemned the takeover. The Turkish Journalists' Union denounced the move as "tyranny." On the international front, a diplomatic crisis with Azerbaijan over a ban on wearing headscarves in schools led to protests in Istanbul outside the Azerbaijani consulate. Additionally, the economic crisis surrounding the dissolution of over a hundred hedge funds worth $20 billion continues.