Turkey

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has categorically denied reports by pro-government media which suggested the United States has been purposefully disrupting the performance of U.S.-trained moderate Syrian fighters and covertly supporting the People?s Protection Units (YPG), the military arm of the Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD), in northern Syria.

The Hagia Sophia Museum and the Topkap? Palace in Istanbul?s historic peninsula were visited by 3.5 million people each in 2014, according to data released by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. The number of visitors is expected to increase this year. 

Leading ministers from the economy administration have voiced differing comments amid the rising political uncertainties and security concerns just ahead of an expected rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), which has already hit many emerging economies, including Turkey.

The Education Ministry is set to broadcast a new public service announcement against language reinforcing gender inequality in education, as part of its Project to Promote Gender Equality in Education (ETCEP), daily Habertürk has reported.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tu?rul Türke? has objected to his expulsion from his own Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) after he accepted an offer to join the country?s interim cabinet.

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has condemned police forces for attacks wounding its lawmakers, while suggesting the police forces acted as police of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkish security forces rescued eight workers from Turkey's east after they were attacked by a group of ultranationalist locals in the northern Bolu province's Mudurnu district, allegedly on the grounds that they disrespected the Turkish flag.

The Turkish Lira plumbed to new record lows on Sept. 14, while the cost of insuring exposure to Turkish debt hit a three-year high, as security fears and deepening political uncertainty continued to weigh on investor sentiment, while other emerging market assets edged up before a Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting that may raise U.S. interest rates this week.

The launch date of the first line of the Turkish Stream project has been postponed due to the political crisis in Turkey, Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said on Sept. 14, as quoted by Russia's TASS News Agency. 

High-level Turkish officials said Turkey and Russia have been unable to make progress in the planned Turkish Stream project and have frozen talks for now.

Changes made in the Central Executive Board (MYK) of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have amounted to a substantial overhaul, as 11 newcomers were added to the board, empowered to assist the party leader, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, who was reelected as the party leader at a weekend congress.