Samed Ağırbaş, President of the Zero Waste Foundation, who was declared the ‘COP31 High Level Climate Champion’ in January, made special statements to SABAH. Explaining the preparation process of COP31, which is the UN’s global climate summit and will be held in Türkiye for the first time this year, Ağırbaş said, “As we move towards COP31, our focus is to show that the implementation has already started, to scale it and to present examples of actions that can create a rapid and concrete impact to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

(Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Ağırbaş)

The following sentences came to the fore in Ağırbaş’s statements:

‘DIGITAL CENTER WILL BE ACTIVE’

We anticipate a participation of over 100 thousand people for COP31. In addition to the established team and volunteer structure, our COP31 Digital Coordination Center will also be active to ensure instant data flow, participant communication and operational coordination of the entire process. Registration, information, guidance and crisis management processes will be carried out in an integrated manner through digital infrastructure. Therefore, a strong and synchronized support mechanism has been established both on the field and digitally.

‘WE ARE DEVELOPING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM’

In this process that we carry out in close coordination with our Minister Murat Kurum; We are developing a volunteering program involving individuals and networks that will contribute to climate solutions in different sectors and regions. We are currently discussing with various stakeholders, including the UN Volunteers Programme, how this program can be structured to be inclusive, effective and aligned with the broader Climate Action Agenda.

Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison in Mersin, on the grounds that he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his term as prime minister in 2013.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu did not attend the hearing at Mersin 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance, but his lawyer attended from Ankara via Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

In his opinion on the merits, the public prosecutor offered an opinion that Kılıçdaroğlu should be punished for “insulting a public official”.

At the hearing, Kılıçdaroğlu’s written defense, submitted to the court through his lawyer, was read.

The judge, who listened to the statements, ruled that Kılıçdaroğlu should be imprisoned for 11 months and 20 days on the charge of “insulting a public official” for his remarks against Erdoğan in 2013. The judge decided to postpone the announcement of the verdict in question.

A lawsuit was filed against former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for “insulting a public official” on the grounds that he insulted Erdoğan in his speeches at various rallies in Mersin, and it was decided to combine the file containing accusations against Kılıçdaroğlu’s similar statements at the Ankara rally in 2013 with the case in Mersin.

A new development took place after 6 years in the case of Gülistan Doku, a university student who disappeared in Tunceli in 2020. While the file was being reopened, a detention decision was taken for 13 suspects, including Mustafa Türkay Sonel, the son of the then Governor of Tunceli, Tuncay Sonel.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement on his social media account regarding the investigation into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku. Minister Gürlek used the following statements in his statement:

Within the scope of the investigation carried out regarding the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, an important step was taken by our Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; As a result of multifaceted efforts, detention procedures were carried out. This investigation, which left a deep mark on the public conscience, is being reconsidered in all its aspects; It is being investigated with determination, no matter where it leads, without ignoring any suspicion or claim.

Within the scope of the investigation carried out regarding the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, an important step was taken by our Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; As a result of multifaceted efforts, detention procedures were carried out.

This investigation, which left a deep mark on the public conscience, in all its aspects…

— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) April 14, 2026

93-year-old former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Hüsamettin Cindoruk, who died in the hospital where he was treated in Istanbul, was buried after the funeral ceremony. A funeral ceremony was held for Cindoruk at Teşvikiye Mosque after the noon prayer. The ceremony was attended by Cindoruk’s family and relatives, as well as the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Democratic Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal, Key Party Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu, former ministers Cavit Çağlar, former Chief of General Staff İlker Başbuğ, Gürsel Tekin, Bedrettin Dalan, as well as names from the political world and citizens also attended.

While Cindoruk’s wife, Dilek Cindoruk, prayed, her children hugged the coffin and shed tears. After the funeral prayer was performed, forgiveness was received from Cindoruk’s relatives and prayers were said. The coffin, supported by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, and the Chairman of the CHP, Özgür Özel, was put on the hearse accompanied by a ceremonial squad. Cindoruk’s body was buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. On the other hand, it was noted that Cindoruk’s family will accept condolences at Taksim Divan Hotel after the funeral.

The National Education Academy opened its doors to teacher candidates as of yesterday. The preparatory training, which started with the first lesson given by the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, was implemented simultaneously in 12 application centers in 7 provinces. Minister Tekin, who met with teacher candidates at the Sultanahmet Training and Application Center in Istanbul, also addressed other centers via live connection. Minister Tekin defined teaching as “a covenant established in conscience” and emphasized that the profession is not only limited to transferring knowledge, but also plays a decisive role in the construction of a generation. Stating that teacher candidates are on the verge of a great responsibility, Tekin stated that this process should not be seen as an ordinary educational phase. One of the most striking aspects of the National Education Academy will be its structure that aims to close the gap between theoretical knowledge and classroom practice. Explaining that the program is planned to include approximately 600 hours of practice and 480 hours of direct teaching experience, Tekin said that teacher candidates will be better equipped for the field. The academy program is not limited to field knowledge only. A wide range of content is offered, from democracy culture to guidance, from family communication to critical thinking, from artificial intelligence to data-based evaluation. Thus, it is aimed to train teacher candidates with a versatile perspective.

FROM ROOTS TO THE FUTURE
Tekin also touched upon the Türkiye Century Education Model in his speech and stated that the new approach is based on a structure that integrates knowledge with skill and skill with value. Emphasizing that education is not only limited to academic success, Tekin stated that it is also considered as a process that strengthens cultural continuity and social memory.

NEW THRESHOLD FOR TRANSITION TO THE PROFESSION
Emphasizing that the National Education Academy is not a structure that replaces universities, Tekin stated that the aim is to ensure that teachers who are new to the profession go through a stronger preparation process. The academy aims to establish a strong interaction basis between experienced teachers and new graduates. With the new model, the transition to teaching process is no longer just an appointment phase, but is transformed into a planned, practice-oriented and holistic preparation period.

Ibn Haldun University, which provides quality education in 18 different languages ​​from Arabic to Chinese with its languages ​​school as well as many faculties such as Law, Communication and Islamic faculties in Türkiye, added Yalova to Türkiye’s first Language Village project chain. The opening was attended by Ibn Haldun University Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, University Rector Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan, IHU Language Schools Director Dr. In addition to Furkan Alpat and the academic staff, students and many citizens attended. There are 88 bungalows and 230 rooms in the Language Village, along with 21 classrooms and conference halls.

ALTERNATIVE TO ABROAD
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Necmettin Bilal Erdoğan, stated that Language Village is one of the projects they have dreamed of since the establishment of the university. Pointing out that the most important element in language learning is need and the right environment, Erdoğan said, “Even if there are the best teachers and materials, success cannot be achieved if the person does not feel the need to learn that language. We have created an environment that meets this need here.” Stating that they aim to offer the opportunity to learn a language without going abroad with the Language Village, Erdoğan stated that the project will provide services in different languages ​​and with a wider capacity in the future.

‘THIS IS A BEGINNING’
Speaking at the program, Rector Atilla Arkan stated that the university attaches great importance to language education and said that the Language Village is an important part of this vision. Arkan stated that this model will be further expanded with language education centers established in different geographies.

LANGUAGE TRAINING BASED ON 24 HOURS
IHU Language Schools Director Dr. stated that the Language Village, where foreign languages ​​will be learned by experiencing them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, will be open to everyone from 7 to 70, as well as primary, secondary, high school and university students. Furkan Alpat said, “The Language Village has a comprehensive structure that appeals to different age groups. Everyone can benefit from this experience. The aim here is for our students to learn the target language by experiencing it in a safe and protected environment, in accordance with our own cultural and moral values, without going to England or America.”