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The median house price in Nantucket, Massachusetts, is nearly $4 million. It was just $500,000 in 1995. This sounds like a stunning increase in one of the hottest and least accessible real estate markets in
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Living high up in the Hollywood Hills, Peter and Nanci Ellis think of their landline as a lifeline. Most days, cellphone service in their Los Feliz Oaks home near Griffith Park is so spotty that
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It was 94 degrees outside, the heat index was over 100, and smoke from the Canadian wildfires triggered air quality alerts here in the Detroit suburbs... and yet a hodgepodge of about 20 curious voters
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Truth Social, Donald Trump’s own media company, is looking at selling, probably for a lot of money, early and faster access to some of the posts appearing on that Truth Social site.This could allow those
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Throughout history, nations have experienced periods of turbulence and resilience, marked by both misfortune and triumphs. A decade ago, the attempted coup orchestrated by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO), on the night of July 15, 2016 stands as a stark example of such a moment in Türkiye’s recent history. FETO aimed at toppling the democratically elected government and subverting the constitutional order. This insidious attempt was decisively thwarted by the foresight, unity, and unwavering resolve of the Turkish nation. Turkish people, irrespective of political, religious, or ethnic differences, poured into the squares and streets, resisting tanks and confronting armed forces with nothing but their national flags and unyielding determination so as to prevent the heinous attempt. On that dark night, as a result of the acts of terrorism committed by FETO, 253 of our citizens were martyred and more than 2,000 citizens injured. Thus, July 15 has since become a symbol of national resilience and unity, declared as Democracy and National Unity Day. It serves as a stark reminder of the threats that countries may face and the extraordinary strength they can muster in response. This critical juncture assisted to reinforce Türkiye’s institutional foundations and reaffirm the collective commitment of its people to freedom, democracy and national sovereignty. In response, the Turkish government launched a comprehensive and multi-faceted campaign domestically and internationally to dismantle FETO’s network and bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the principles of the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. Most of the FETO presence have been dispersed globally by means of international co-operation by friendly and allied countries. Besides being a terrorist organisation, FETO also has an organised crime structure with a cult-like character that has rarely been seen in history. It consists of multi-layered international and secret cells that sometimes present themselves as non-governmental organisations, as educational institutions, sometimes as commercial entities and/or under the guise of a religious community to advance their hidden goals. This shadowy and shady organisational structure, which abuses all universal values for its own secret agenda, poses a major national security threat to all countries and societies in which it operates. Hence, the fight against FETO is one of the most important components of Türkiye’s national security at home and abroad. The death of the organisation’s ringleader Fethullah Gülen in the United States on October 20, 2024, will not make us complacent. We are fully cognizant of the fact that the struggle against these types of devious organisations is not a 100-metre run but a marathon. Hence, we will continue our relentless fight with determination until this dark organisation is entirely eradicated. Since the July 15 coup attempt, Türkiye continued to achieve remarkable success and has made noteworthy strides across multiple sectors by reinforcing its democratic governance, enhancing its economy, advancing its industries, particularly defense area, expanding global humanitarian outreach, and becoming a key player in regional diplomacy, despite the challenges such as Covid-19 and February 6 earthquakes. Turkish economy has demonstrated resilience and sustained growth, maintaining its position as 16th, with the total GDP of $1.64tn in 2025, among the world’s top 20 economies. Our exports have reached to $273.4bn in 2025 and is expected to be over $400bn in the coming years. Türkiye has not only completed its mega infrastructure projects (Eurasia Tunnel), also has added new ones (1915 Çanakkale Strait, Istanbul Airport etc.). Besides, impressive advancements in technology, especially in military field (advanced UAV’s), and automative sector (first domestically produced electric car TOGG) has persisted since the failed coup attempt. As the defence industry is an inevitable necessity for major countries, Türkiye has emerged as a global frontrunner, supported by a robust R&D budget approaching $3bn, over 80% domestic production capacity, and a project portfolio valued at more than $100bn. While maintaining its engagement with traditional allies such as Nato and the European Union, Türkiye reinforced its proactive and multidimensional approach in regional and global diplomacy. As one of the prominent members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Developing Eight (D-8), the Organisation of Turkic States, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and MIKTA, Türkiye has brought additional efficiency and dynamism to all institutions during its Term Presidencies. Türkiye’s foreign policy, indeed, remains firmly rooted in a commitment to regional stability, multilateral engagement, and proactive peacebuilding. We uphold dialogue over division, prioritise partnerships rather than polarization, and advocate for diplomacy as the principal means of resolving disputes. Through deepening and widening its comprehensive policies, Türkiye has spawned the 3rd largest diplomatic network globally with 264 missions. Türkiye has a leading role in conflict prevention, peaceful resolution of conflicts and mediation. Under President Erdogan’s leadership, Türkiye has solidified its role as a mediator in global diplomacy, facilitating key peace talks and leading efforts to resolve regional and global crises. Türkiye has also adopted a value-based foreign policy that places human dignity at its core as it ranks first among the countries that provide the most aid in terms of its GDP. Türkiye has remained committed to its ethical principles on just causes, foremost among them the Palestinian issue, and has consistently voiced its rejection of double standards in addressing the rights of peoples. While commemorating tenth year of July 15, Qatar’s principled stance and solidarity with Türkiye should be remembered. In the immediate aftermath of the coup attempt, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani extended the first message of solidarity. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was among the first foreign officials to visit Türkiye in the aftermath of this night. Qatar’s firm stance, its unequivocal support for Türkiye’s elected government, and its deep empathy with the Turkish people have not been forgotten. And this brotherly gesture not only affirmed our mutual trust and solidarity but also further reinforced our already resolute ties and made the foundation even stronger that our strategic co-operation is based on. Indeed, President Erdoğan personally stated that any violations against brotherly country Qatar, in the wake of Iran – US/Israeli war, are inadmissible. He stressed that Türkiye always stands by Qatar in its difficult times. The bonds between two countries are deeply rooted in a shared vision for a more stable, prosperous, and peaceful region. We collaborate with Qatar to promote peace, conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance from Gaza to the Horn of Africa and elsewhere possible. Besides having a shared vision for a better future, Türkiye and Qatar hold a shared destiny which was melded by the blood of our martyrs in the tragic accident of a helicopter crash that happened in March 2026. On this solemn occasion, we cannot fail to remember His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, a steadfast supporter and sincere friend of Türkiye, who played a pivotal role in elevating Turkish-Qatari relations to the unprecedented level they enjoy today. Through his visionary leadership, the enduring bonds of fraternity between our two nations were further strengthened, paving the way for a strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust, genuine respect, and a shared commitment to justice and common values. May Allah have mercy upon him. As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of July 15 and celebrate Democracy and National Unity Day, we pay tribute to the martyrs and veterans who sacrificed their lives and well-being to defend our nation. We also express our heartfelt appreciation for those who stood by us.
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Qatar’s emergency medicine story is not just about hospitals, beds, or brand-new equipment. It is about a state choosing to build an integrated system that treats emergency care as a strategic public good, not a patchwork of last-minute fixes. The new review in Qatar Medical Journal points to something more important than institutional pride: it shows how policy, training, and planning can reshape the quality of care. In a region where health systems are often tested by fast population growth, heavy reliance on expatriate professionals, and sudden crises, Qatar has moved with unusual coherence. Its achievement lies not only in what has been built, but in how it has been built — through central coordination, competency-based education, and a deliberate effort to connect clinical practice with national priorities. That matters because emergency medicine is the true stress test of any health system. It reveals whether hospitals can respond quickly, whether staffing is sufficient, whether training is credible, and whether different parts of the system can work together under pressure. Qatar appears to have answered those questions with a model that is increasingly specialty-led, operationally disciplined, and resilient. The transformation from a fragmented, generalist-driven approach to a cohesive emergency network is therefore more than an administrative upgrade; it is a statement of maturity. The study’s emphasis on workforce development deserves particular attention. A healthcare system may invest in buildings and technology, but without a strong pipeline of trained physicians and multidisciplinary teams, such investments remain incomplete. Qatar’s residency programme, interprofessional education, and subspecialty development have helped create capacity from within the system rather than simply importing it. That is the more durable path. It produces continuity, strengthens institutional memory, and gives the country greater control over standards. Yet the report also highlights a familiar dilemma: retention. Graduating emergency physicians from more than 20 countries speaks to the attractiveness and credibility of the programme, but the migration of some graduates abroad shows that talent mobility remains a reality. This is not a weakness unique to Qatar; it is a global challenge. Still, it raises a practical question for policymakers everywhere: how do you train world-class professionals and keep enough of them to serve the public system that invested in them? The answer may lie in making the system itself a destination. Professionals are more likely to stay where they see career progression, research opportunity, service stability, and a clear sense of mission. Qatar has already signaled many of those conditions. The next task is to deepen them. The system’s performance during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2022 FIFA World Cup reinforces the broader lesson. Emergency medicine is often judged in ordinary times, but its real value emerges under extraordinary strain. Qatar’s ability to expand ICU capacity, deploy telehealth, reconfigure facilities, and maintain response standards during global events suggests a system that can absorb shocks without losing direction. That is the definition of resilience. For other countries, the lesson is clear. Emergency medicine cannot be developed by improvisation. It requires national planning, linked education pathways, clinical governance, and a willingness to invest for the long term. Qatar has shown that a small state can build a large-scale model of competence when its institutions move in the same direction. The result is not just better emergency care, but a stronger health system overall.
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Persistent uncertainty amid the West Asia war and its inevitable supply chain disruptions impacted India’s housing sales in the top seven cities in Q2 2026. Residential sales dropped 6%, with approximately 90,715 units sold in
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Massive wildfires are raging around the world during unprecedented heatwaves, blanketing millions of people under pungent haze caused by smoke carrying noxious gases and particulate matter that pose serious health risks.More toxic than normal air pollution, wildfire smoke can linger in the air for weeks and travel thousands of miles.Wildfires can burn not only vegetation but also vehicles and buildings as well as their contents.Along with particles of soil and biological materials, wildfire smoke often contains traces of chemicals, metals, plastics and other synthetic materials.In laboratory experiments, wildfire smoke causes more inflammation and tissue damage than air pollution, said Kent Pinkerton, co-director of the Centre for Health and the Environment at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis).Studies have linked wildfire smoke with higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests, increases in emergency room visits for asthma, weakened immune defences and poorer survival rates after surgery.A 2023 study in Maryland identified a spike in heart and lung illnesses that was associated with wildfire smoke originating up to 2,100 miles (3,380km) away.Wildfires also have been linked with eye and skin problems.Wildfire exposure in pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm delivery.A California study found a link between wildfire exposure and cellular damage in first- and second-trimester placentas.A separate study found wildfire smoke exposure during the third trimester may raise the risk of an autism diagnosis.The effects of exposure can persist for years.After Australia's 2014 Hazelwood Coal Mine fire, heart disease rates remained elevated for two-and-a-half years and respiratory illnesses for five years.A 2026 US study linked wildfire smoke exposure with elevated risks for lung, colorectal, breast, bladder and blood cancer, with the risks increasing along with the level of pollution from the fires.Exposure to the 2018 Camp Fire in California was linked to changes in cognition and brain activity six to 12 months later, California researchers found.Several studies have now linked longer-term wildfire smoke exposure to higher risks for dementia.Data from California also show an increase in fungal infections in the months following wildfire smoke exposure, likely due to spores in the smoke."The bad news is, there's no safe level" of inhaled particles from wildfire smoke, said Doug Brugge, who chairs the Department of Public Health Sciences at University of Connecticut School of Medicine. "The higher the exposure, the worse the risks, but even at levels below the national safety standards, these particles can make people sick."Any amount of inhaled particles will trigger inflammatory responses in the body.Children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses are most vulnerable.Even in healthy adults, some effects of exposure – such as sore throats, excessive phlegm, coughing, headaches and brain fog – can appear immediately and persist long after the smoke plume is gone, said Keith Bein of the Air Quality Research Centre at the University of California, Davis.To mitigate the risks, experts advise wearing N95 masks when wildfire smoke is present and limiting outdoor activities, especially strenuous sports.The longer you are outside and the harder you breathe, the more pollution you inhale, said Dr Jasvinder Singh, a lung medicine specialist at Medstar Franklin Square Medical Centre in Baltimore.Experts also recommend the use of indoor air purifiers that can trap particles smaller than 2.5 microns."Air purifiers reduce exposure and in our studies reduced blood pressure and cognitive impacts of air pollution," Brugge said.For those who cannot afford an air purifier, UC Davis offers simple instructions for building one.Online instructions for reducing exposure to wildfire smoke are available from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Particulates from wildfire smoke enter most buildings in high concentrations, experts say.On average, the concentration of wildfire pollutants indoors is about half of what it is outdoors, Singh said.If a building is poorly sealed, the concentration may be up to 70% of what it is outside, he said.Old buildings may expose people to greater amounts of pollution through drafty windows and doors.The EPA advises that during wildfire smoke events, people avoid indoor activities that put more fine particles into the air, such as smoking cigarettes, frying or broiling food, burning candles or incense, and vacuuming without a HEPA filter.Bein compared indoor wildfire smoke exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke exposure."The particles... end up everywhere – on your clothes, on your walls, on surfaces, and they're still outgassing" – being released into the air – "after the smoke plume is gone", he said.More frequent wildfires likely linked to climate change mean people will be exposed more often.The health effects over multiple seasons are not yet clear."It is hard to make predictions because it is hard to say how many fires people will be exposed to, how long the fires will burn, or what the smoke will contain," Bein said.Researchers are looking into the long-term effects of smoke particles in water supplies, on crops or ingested by livestock; of urban wildfire smoke; of wildfire exposure in utero; and whether wildfire smoke amplifies the adverse effects of extremely hot weather.Nutrients carried in wildfire smoke may contribute to downwind algal blooms, which has implications for drinking water reservoirs and lake ecology, researchers warn.
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Attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis this week have frustrated Pakistan and threaten to draw Islamabad into the conflict, complicating any future role it may have as a mediator between the United States and Iran. Nuclear-armed Pakistan, which helped broker an interim deal last month in the war between Washington and Tehran, signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last year and thousands of Pakistani soldiers have been deployed to the kingdom, alongside a squadron of fighter jets. Pakistan had already voiced anger about Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia earlier this year, but regional analysts and officials said the attacks this week had pushed Islamabad’s frustration with Iran to a new level as they raised the prospect of a new Saudi-Houthi conflict. The Houthis fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday. The cross-border fire pierced a four-year truce but has so far been contained to a single incident. “Our top civil and military leaders have conveyed to Iran at the highest level that the attacks on Saudi Arabia are attacks on Pakistan,” a Pakistani official told Reuters. “It is our red line.” The source and other Pakistani officials interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly. “Pakistan wasn’t anticipating that the tensions will rise so suddenly,” said Muhammad Amir Rana, a Pakistani security analyst. Pakistan’s frustration appears rooted in growing concerns that Houthi involvement may be more likely to draw Pakistan into the conflict than the Iranian missile strikes were earlier this year. Pakistani soldiers are deployed near the Saudi border with Yemen, two Pakistani officials said, increasing their direct exposure. There are also concerns in Islamabad that a Houthi-led escalation could disrupt shipping in the Red Sea, an important trade route that Pakistan and many other countries depend on. A widening conflict there could be more difficult to contain and could target Saudi interests in a way that forces Pakistan to intervene militarily under the terms of its mutual defence pact. Ghulam Mustafa, a retired Pakistani general, said that for now “Pakistan’s top leaders are still engaged in appeasing all stakeholders”. However, he cautioned that this could change “if the Houthis expand the radius of their attacks in Saudi Arabia”. This week’s tensions between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia have fueled broader concerns in Islamabad about Iran. Two Pakistani government officials said growing divisions within the Iranian leadership have been watched with concern in Islamabad. The views and objectives of Iran’s political leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, increasingly differ from those of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Pakistani officials said. “The military seems to be dominating the decision making in Iran,” said Muhammad Ali, a Pakistani defence analyst, adding that this is increasingly “being recognised in Islamabad”. As Pakistan seeks a more prominent regional role, analysts say it will also increasingly face the challenges that come with such exposure. When Pakistan’s defence deal with Saudi Arabia was announced last September, it was widely seen as a sign that Gulf Arab states were growing increasingly wary about the reliability of the United States as a security guarantor and looking to Pakistan and other countries as a possible alternative. However, Pakistan is deeply reliant on Middle Eastern countries for oil and gas. The tensions around the Strait of Hormuz disrupted Pakistan’s supply routes, and the government imposed emergency measures including early business closures to prevent a fuel shortage. Mediating between the US and Iran has been at least as much about reopening these supply routes as it has been about diplomatic influence, according to analysts and Pakistani officials. “Yes, there is frustration, but that doesn’t mean that we are abandoning this project,” one official said, referring to the mediation. “We have invested a lot in it, and we have an interest in keeping it afloat.”
