As prices soar in Turkey, poverty and discontent deepen

In Turkey, inflation reached a record annual rate of 36 percent at the end of 2021. The Turkish lira has plummeted and in supermarkets, workers are forced to change price tags on basic necessities several times a day. Turks are increasingly struggling to buy staple foods like flour and milk. While some have taken to satirising the crisis on social media, protests remain rare out of fear of repression. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Camille Nedelec.

Inflation in Turkey has soared to nearly 49 percent - the highest level in two decades. It's another sign that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unorthodox monetary policy may not be bearing fruit. Also in the show: as energy prices surge, British authorities unveil more financial aid for electricity bills, and Facebook shares plunge as it reports a drop in user numbers for the first time.

Turkish rights activist Osman Kavala has been jailed for over four years for alleged involvement in the 2016 coup plot, although he has not been convicted of any crime. European rights bodies have demanded his release.

A student who set up a not-for-profit project in lockdown has helped 3,000 refugees out of period poverty. Ella Lambert, 21, who studies at the University of Bristol, launched the Pachamama Project last year. The initiative which has 1,000 volunteers globally, makes and distributes reusable sanitary pads to refugees.

Turkey’s economy is in crisis. But President Erdogan had his head in the sand. So, how long can he cling on to power? And what will follow? Guests: Sinem Adar (SWP), Bülent Mumay (journalist), Christian Hanelt (Middle East expert)

A Turkish court has ordered that activist Osman Kavala must stay in jail, where he has been for four years without conviction. He is being held on an espionage charge widely seen as fabricated.

Turkey can limit the crossing of Russian warships from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea through its straits under the Montreux Convention. Could it have an impact on Moscow's military agression against Ukraine?

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said no progress on a cease-fire was made at talks with his Russian counterpart. The meeting in Turkey was the first at this level since Russia's attack on Ukraine began.

Turkey is one of the many countries calling for calm in Ukraine. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government will relentlessly try to find a long-lasting ceasefire and Turkey has already hosted the first high-level peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers. But Ankara is walking something of a tightrope because it's traditionally a friend of Ukraine and has been supplying drones to Kyiv. Yet it also depends on Russia for gas. Our Turkey correspondent Jasper Mortimer tells us more.

A jet full of cocaine in Brazil shows Turkey's increasing role in global drug trafficking. The UN drugs agency says the cocaine is sent via Turkey to EU countries, as well as Eastern European and Middle Eastern nations.

Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala has been found guilty of attempting to overthrow the government by an Istanbul court. The rights activist was sentenced to life without possibility of parole.

The Turkish leader will be in Saudi Arabia for a two-day visit where relations "will be reviewed." It will be Erdogan's first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.