Two years after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated southeastern Türkiye, killing over 55,000 people, rebuilding efforts remain incomplete, with hundreds of thousands still living in temporary housing.
On the anniversary of the disaster, residents of Antakya gathered early Wednesday to honor the victims, holding torches and chanting, "No forgetting, no forgiving, no reconciliation." The quake, which struck on February 6, 2023, destroyed entire towns across 11 Turkish provinces and parts of northern Syria.
Despite government pledges to construct 650,000 homes, opposition leaders and aid groups say progress has been slow. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently stated that 201,431 housing units had been delivered, falling short of the 319,000 he initially promised within a year.
Critics, including opposition leader Özgür Özel, argue that only 30% of the pledged reconstruction has been completed, with some areas, like Hatay, seeing just an 18% completion rate. Many survivors remain in container homes, facing poor sanitation, limited healthcare, and economic uncertainty.
Aid organizations, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, warn that reconstruction delays threaten long-term stability, with some areas at risk of depopulation.
The Turkish government insists that recovery efforts remain on track, with Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum announcing plans to deliver 423,000 more homes and workplaces by the end of 2025. Türkiye has allocated $19 billion for ongoing reconstruction.
For many survivors, however, the pain of loss and displacement continues. In Antakya, activist Özgür Tıraş vowed, "We will rebuild this city with our own hands."
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in a message to participants of the 28th Eurasian Economic Summit, praised the strong Azerbaijani–Turkish partnership and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
Representatives from Türkiye and Israel are meeting in Azerbaijan's capital today for informal negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions over activities in Syria and preventing potential conflict.
Türkiye and the United Kingdom have agreed to begin the first round of negotiations by the end of July to modernize and expand their Free Trade Agreement, aiming to boost economic ties and reflect evolving trade priorities.
Uber said it would buy a majority 85% stake in Turkish food and grocery delivery platform Trendyol Go for $700 million, as the ride-hailing giant looks to tap new growth markets amid signs of saturation in its mainstay North American business.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to Warsaw on Thursday to attend an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, focusing on regional security, hybrid threats, and Türkiye-EU cooperation.
Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost shared rare insights on faith, unity, and modern challenges in a few candid interviews.
A humanitarian ship carrying 20,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat docked in Samsun, Türkiye, on Thursday, marking a major World Food Program initiative to supply crisis-hit regions, including Syria.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un supervised a missile test on Thursday, emphasizing the nation's nuclear combat readiness, according to state media KCNA.
EU foreign ministers will visit Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9 to discuss defense support and endorse plans for a tribunal on war crimes and aggression.
The election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has drawn an emotional response from clergy and laity across the globe, celebrating his historic rise as the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
Armenia has officially approved joining the Ashgabat Agreement, aiming to enhance its regional transit role and secure broader access to international markets through a key transport and transit corridor spanning Central and South Asia.
Turkmenistan will host the next session of the High-Level Working Group on the Caspian Sea, following constructive discussions in Moscow among the five littoral states on maritime cooperation and legal frameworks.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in a message to participants of the 28th Eurasian Economic Summit, praised the strong Azerbaijani–Turkish partnership and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
Kazakhstan’s Senate has approved a key agreement with the UAE to develop a 1 GW wind power station in the Zhambyl region, with plans to enhance renewable energy production and storage capacity. The project will create thousands of jobs and attract significant investments.
The US Embassy in Georgia has cautioned American citizens about potential security threats at several major shopping malls in Tbilisi, though Georgian officials have refuted the claims as unfounded.
Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost shared rare insights on faith, unity, and modern challenges in a few candid interviews.
A humanitarian ship carrying 20,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat docked in Samsun, Türkiye, on Thursday, marking a major World Food Program initiative to supply crisis-hit regions, including Syria.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un supervised a missile test on Thursday, emphasizing the nation's nuclear combat readiness, according to state media KCNA.
EU foreign ministers will visit Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9 to discuss defense support and endorse plans for a tribunal on war crimes and aggression.
The election of U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has drawn an emotional response from clergy and laity across the globe, celebrating his historic rise as the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
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