Latest News from Turkey
Turkey to form second board to tackle social impacts of COVID-19
Turkey has formed a second science board to tackle the social impacts of the measures taken in the fight against the coronavirus, the health minister has announced, informing that the new board will include experts in the field of psychology of religion, sociology of religion, statistics, sociology and psychology.
People fined for violating Turkey’s virus rules
A large number of people across Turkey have been fined for violating the rules the government has introduced to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The country's health minister has said the coronavirus is in every province in Turkey, with Istanbul, İzmir and Ankara, the three largest cities, has reported the highest number of cases.
Turkish musician hosts foreign artists online
With his strong voice, wide repertoire and successful stage performances, Turkish musician Barbaros is hosting world-famous names on live broadcasts from his Instagram account.
Barbaros, a graduate of Istanbul University State Conservatory Opera Department, has hosted a few international artists so far.
Opposition İYİ Party leader’s domestic worker tests positive for COVID-19
A domestic worker working at the house of opposition İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Akşener's helper at home, with whom she has been working for the past 20 years, tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking to daily Hürriyet, Akşener said that when she heard the news, she thought about her family first.
5 civilians killed in PKK attack in SE Turkey
At least five villagers were killed in southeastern Turkey on April 8 by the terrorist organization PKK, said the local governorship.
Roadside explosives planted by the terror group hit a vehicle carrying forest workers in the rural town of Güleç in the Kulp district, said the Diyarbakır Governor's Office in a statement.
Turkey sends medical aid to five Balkan countries
A Turkish military aircraft carrying medical aid for the fight against the novel coronavirus departed from the capital Ankara for five Balkan countries on April 8.
COVID-19 survivor can be hope to other patients: Red Crescent head
Head of Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) on April 7 announced that patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus can help heal others 14 days after their recovery.
Kerem Kınık stated that donors can help six COVID-19 immune patients by donating plasma three times in a week, he noted that one unit was 400 milliliters.
Treasury sees $6.1 bln cash deficit in March
Turkey's Treasury and Finance Ministry announced on April 7 that the Treasury's cash balance last month saw a deficit of 40.4 billion Turkish liras ($6.1 billion).
In March, the Treasury's cash revenues amounted to nearly 53.9 billion Turkish liras ($8.15 billion), showing a 21% decline on a yearly basis.
Turkish airports serve 33.6 mln air passengers in Q1
Some 33.6 million passengers traveled through airports in Turkey in January-March, the country's airport authority announced on April 7.
The first-quarter figure was down 18.8% from the same period a year earlier on both domestic and international flights, the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI) said in a statement.
We will support workers taking unpaid leave: Finance minister
Turkey announced on April 7 financial support for employees forced to take unpaid leave amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Our citizens who are on unpaid leave, do not worry. We'll provide salary support for them, too," Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said in a video posted on Twitter.
President Erdoğan marks Muslim holy night
Turkey's president on April 7 evening marked a holy night for Muslims worldwide.
"I wish this blessed night, which is covered by Allah's mercy, grace and compassion brings goodness for the Turkish nation, the Islamic world and all humanity," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Twitter.
511 Turkish citizens from Iraq isolated over coronavirus
A total of 511 Turkish nationals who arrived from Iraq were quarantined on April 7 for 14 days to prevent the spread of
the novel coronavirus, according to local sources.
The passengers, who arrived at noon at Esenboğa Airport in the capital Ankara, were transported to Afyonkarahisar province on 23 buses accompanied by police and gendarmerie.
Turkish FM, counterparts discuss virus via video link
Turkey's foreign minister discussed on April 7 the fight against coronavirus pandemic with 11 of his counterparts.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Twitter that he held the fourth teleconference meeting with his counterparts from Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Morocco, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, and the U.K.
Turkey’s contemporary art scene worried but hopeful
While Turkey's struggle against the COVID-19 virus brings more rigid actions for social life, the arts and culture scene is trying to survive with what they have in hand. On the other hand, Turkey's contemporary art scene stays positive and active amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Japan Donates Bulgaria a Drug for COVID-19
Japan plans to give free of charge to 20 countries, including Bulgaria, the Avigan flu drug also known as Favipiravir to be used to treat patients infected with the new coronavirus, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said today. by the national news agency Kyodo.