Headline

Japa: Turkey Relaxes Regulations To Attract Journalists, Athletes, Tech Experts

Published

10 months ago

October 22, 2024

Turkey has unveiled a fresh set of regulations to address its growing labour shortages, with a focus on attracting skilled foreign workers.

The new rules, published in the Official Gazette, provide temporary work permit exemptions for up to three years, offering advantages to foreign workers contributing to Turkey’s economy.

The Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security announced that these regulations have officially come into effect.

Key Beneficiaries of the Exemptions
Several categories of foreign workers are set to benefit from these new exemptions. Refugees and individuals under temporary protection can now work in Turkey without the need for a permit, within specified timeframes.

Skilled foreign workers who contribute to the nation‘s economy, culture, or technology will also benefit, receiving work permit exemptions for up to three years, a significant extension from the previous six-month limit.

The Interior Ministry will oversee the duration of exemptions for individuals registered under the Foreign Application, Evaluation, and Monitoring System, determining the appropriate timeframes on a case-by-case basis.

Impact on Journalists and Athletes
Foreign journalists with permanent press cards who have received approval from Turkey’s Presidential Directorate of Communications will also be exempt from applying for work permits during their stay in the country. Additionally, professional athletes, coaches, and other sports personnel with valid contracts from Turkish sports clubs will no longer need to seek work permits, easing the process for sports professionals.

Simplified Application Process to migrate to Turkey
The new regulations also make it easier for foreign nationals to navigate the work permit system. Previously, foreign workers had a 30-day window to apply for permit exemptions after arriving in Turkey. Under the updated rules, workers can now apply for exemptions at any point during their legal stay in the country.

This increased flexibility is designed to ensure that skilled foreign workers can continue contributing to Turkey’s economy without the hassle of frequently renewing permits. “We have made it easier for those already here to continue working without interruptions, benefiting both the workers and the sectors in need of their skills,” said a government official.

Tech Visa and Turkey’s Tech Ambitions
Alongside these changes, Turkey has launched a Tech Visa Programme aimed at attracting entrepreneurs and technology professionals. The programme offers a three-year work permit under an expedited procedure, supporting Turkey’s growing ambitions in the tech sector.

“We want to see 100,000 tech-driven start-ups by 2030, with at least 100 of them valued at over $1 billion,” announced Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır. The country is also developing Terminal Istanbul, set to become the world’s largest technopark, solidifying Turkey’s standing as a major player in the global tech industry.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, emphasised that these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to attract and retain foreign talent. “This is a win-win for us. We bring in expertise and simultaneously grow our workforce by learning from the best in the field,” Işıkhan stated.

The cost for work and long-term residence permits in Turkey is currently set at 7,345 Turkish Lira (Rs 18,058) annually. While details on the Tech Visa’s fee structure are still being finalised, it is expected to follow a similar pricing model.

These changes mark a significant step in Turkey’s efforts to address labour shortages while positioning itself as a destination for global talent, particularly in the tech sector.

Headline

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

Headline

US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

1 day ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”