Mehmet Erdoğan

Turkey has broken its own record in tea consumption with an increase from 3.5 to 4 kilograms per person annually amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the International Tea Committee.

Consumption at cafes or tea houses declined due to lockdowns and curfews, but the pandemic did not stop tea consumption from exceeding previous levels.

Local authorities have applied to the Guinness World Records to get a seven-floor building in the shape of a tea glass in the Black Sea province of Rize, known as "the capital of Turkish tea," to be registered as the "the biggest tea glass."

The opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has criticized a draft report prepared by a parliamentary commission formed to investigate the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, saying that the political and financial leg of the coup attempt was not revealed by "obstacles put by AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] members of the commission."

Thirteen soldiers were killed when a helicopter crashed in the Şenoba district of the southeastern province of Şırnak late on May 31.

The General Staff said in a statement that the AS 532 Cougar-type helicopter got tangled in a high-voltage power line shortly after taking off from the Şenoba Brigade Commandship at around 8:55 p.m., according to preliminary information.

Political parties at the Turkish Parliament have criticized former Chief of General Staff Necdet Özel's decision to not give a verbal testimony at the parliamentary commission investigating the failed July 15 coup attempt.