The Turkish military has expressed concern about a disputed presidential election, and indicated that it is willing to become more openly involved in the process.

Hundreds of Turks spent the first day of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha holiday in emergency wards today after stabbing themselves or suffering other injuries while sacrificing startled and agitated animals.

The UN’s health agency has said that it expects the number of new bird flu infections among humans in Turkey to decline, as three young boys with the deadly virus were healthy enough to be released from the hospital.

A four-year-old boy – one of 21 people infected with the deadly strain of bird flu – has recovered and was discharged from hospital while another boy listed as critical was showing improvement, Turkish doctors and officials said today.

Two more Turks tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in preliminary tests, the government said today, bringing the total number of human infections to 18.

Paramilitary police in Turkey have seized 15.7 kilograms of uranium and arrested two Turks who they said planned to sell the weapons-grade substance, the Anatolia news agency reported today.