Latest News from Turkey
Turkey drops four places in global competitiveness index
Turkey has dropped four places to 55th from among 138 countries in the World Bank's latest Global Competitiveness Index.
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria Agree on Gas Deliveries from 2020
Azerbaijan with supply Bulgaria with gas that will be destined for the "Balkan Gas Hub", according to the Bulgarian Energy Ministry.
The decision was taken at the 4th intergovernmental committee in Baku, where 2020 was confirmed as a beginning.
A protocol that will pave the way for a study into gas deliveries options to third countries was also signed at the meeting.
It's time to tell Turkey 'your place is in Asia': Sarkozy
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to campaign to halt European Union membership talks with Turkey if he is again elected as French head of state in next year's presidential elections.
"It was time that someone told Turkey its place is in Asia," Sarkozy said.
Energy minister heralds 10 percent discount in national gas prices as of October
Energy Minister Berat Albayrak has announced that there will be a 10 percent discount on natural gas prices as of Oct. 1.
Turkey ready to cooperate with Russia on Syrian cease-fire, aid: Turkish FM
Turkey was "more than ready" to cooperate with Russia on a new Syrian cease-fire and the delivery of humanitarian assistance if Moscow was willing to do so, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Sept. 29.
Moroccan plane floods at Istanbul Atatürk Airport
A Royal Air Maroc plane was flooded on Sept. 28 when its plumbing system broke down at Istanbul Atatürk Airport shortly before take-off, Doğan News Agency has reported.
The cargo hold of the Boeing 767 model carrier bound for the Moroccan capital Casablanca was flooded after a problem occurred with its plumbing system shortly after boarding at 5:05 p.m.
Foreign arrivals to Turkey plunge 38 pct in August
The number of foreigners visiting Turkey fell 37.96 percent year-on-year to 3.1 million in August from 5.1 million a year earlier, with dramatic declines in arrivals from Western countries, Asian nations and Russia, temporary data from the Tourism Ministry showed on Sept. 29.
Erdoğan, Merkel discuss developments in Syria over phone
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sept. 29, in which the leaders mainly discussed the deteriorating situation around Syria's biggest city, Aleppo.
Miss Turkey 2016 crowned
Four pageant contestants were crowned during a ceremony at the Miss Turkey 2016 Contest, organized on Sept. 28.
Twenty girls participated in the contest, organized by the Miss Turkey Organization at a five-star hotel in the southern province of Antalya's Serik district.
Filmekimi tickets on sale
This year's Filmekimi film festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) for the 15th time, is set to begin soon. The event will bring cinephiles together in several cities across Turkey with outstanding films. The festival's Istanbul leg will be held between Oct. 7 and 16, while also visiting other cities throughout the month of October.
Three tombs found in Çanakkale
Three tombs have been unearthed during excavations to repair a water pipe in the northwestern province of Çanakkale's Biga district. Two of the tombs were opened and gold jewelry was found in one of them, while nothing of financial value was found in the other.
UN advisor says peace deal on Cyprus 'closer than ever before'
"It's closer than ever before, but there's still a way to go," said Eide in an interview with the U.N. News Centre published on their website on Sept. 28.
General Electric makes new investment in Turkey to meet country's rising renewable energy demand
General Electric (GE) has made a fresh $20 million investment in its transformer facility in the northwestern district of Gebze in a bid to meet the country's equipment needs for renewable power plants, which have recently been on the rise.
Places serving alcoholic beverages closed in central Turkish province
Several businesses that serve alcoholic beverages have been shut down in the Central Anatolian province of Yozgat as a part of a state of emergency decree issued in the Official Gazette after the July 15 failed coup attempt, believed to have been masterminded by the followers of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen.
Bulgaria Ranks 46th in Bloomberg's Healthcare System Index
Bulgaria is among the countries with the least efficient healthcare systems in the world, data published by Bloomberg shows.
Out of 55 countries studied by the Bloomberg index, Bulgaria has dropped by three spots compared to its results in 2009 (the index ranks countries as of 2014).
Two years ago it had the 46th most efficient healthcare system, while in 2009 it ranked 43rd.