What you need to know today (July 17, 2025)

• In the fourth hearing of the trial concerning the stabbing death of 15-year-old Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi in Kadıköy, seven witnesses were forced to appear after failing to appear. The court ordered the two defendants to remain in custody and adjourned the case until October 2.

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs assigned a Civil Inspector and a Police Inspector for the murder of Ayşe Tokyaz.
  • Numerous women's organizations marched in Kadıköy for 22-year-old Ayşe Tokyaz, whose body was found in a suitcase in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul. Marching from Ayvalıtaş Park to the Süreyya Opera House, the women questioned the state's obligation to protect.
  • The prosecutor's statement of former police chief Cemil Koç, who was arrested as part of an investigation into the death of 22-year-old university student Ayşe Tokyaz, has been released. Koç claimed in his statement that Tokyaz died after falling down the stairs and hitting her head.

• National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin announced the launch of an investigation into 29 people over allegations that LGS exam booklets were shared prematurely. Tekin emphasized that the shared PDFs were not exam material.
  • Minister of National Education (MEB) Yusuf Tekin announced the launch of an investigation into 29 people over allegations that LGS exam booklets were shared prematurely. This led to a high-level dismissal within the MEB. Özgür Türk, who had served as the Ministry's General Director of Information Technology for nearly five years, was removed from office, and Prof. Dr. Ersin Karaman was appointed in his place.

• The forest fire, which broke out around noon on July 15 in Tekirdağ's Şarköy district, has been partially brought under control. The fire was brought under control with the help of 15 firefighting planes, 19 helicopters, and 1,181 personnel, after the winds subsided.

• Ankara-based lawyer Sedat Vural filed a criminal complaint against those responsible for the escape of the lion named "Zeus" from its location in Antalya and those who "killed it while it was possible to capture it by lulling it to sleep."

• While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that an agreement had been reached to end the fighting in Suweida, Israel struck Syrian forces and the Ministry of Defense in Damascus for a third time. The death toll in clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes has exceeded 350.

• At least 55 people were killed in a fire that broke out at the Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, Iraq, which opened five days ago. Regional Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi announced that legal action has been taken against the mall owner.

• The Donald Trump administration has ended federal funding for California's high-speed rail project. The project, which cost $15 billion over 16 years, has yet to see any track built. The U.S. Department of Transportation has withdrawn nearly $4 billion in funding. California Governor Newsom has called the decision illegal.

• The United States (US) Department of Justice has dismissed federal prosecutor Mauren Comey, who worked on cases against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and hip hop artist Sean “Diddy” Combs.

• Singer and actress Connie Francis, known for her song "Pretty Little Baby," has died at the age of 87.

• Mahfi Eğilmez shared a memory from 1978 in a post on his blog. As a young inspector, Eğilmez investigated allegations of corruption at the Undersecretariat of Land and Agricultural Reform under the direction of Prime Minister Ecevit. He concluded with an objective report that "an investigation is not necessary." Ecevit summoned the inspector to his office and congratulated him on his impartiality. You can read the rest here .

July 17, 2025: Recommended viewings on our YouTube channel : Ruşen Çakır stated that Ekrem İmamoğlu is acting as the judge, not the one being judged. Çakır argued that broadcasting İmamoğlu's trial live on TRT would not be to Erdoğan's advantage. You can watch it here.

The Israeli army struck the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus and government forces in southern Syria for the third time on Wednesday (July 16). Sectarian clashes continue in the predominantly Druze-populated province of Suwayda. What do the Druze in Syria want? Ruşen Çakır's guest, İslam Özkan, described the situation in Syria in a video .