Latest News from Turkey

Pushed by the wind!

The first and only time I met Hülya Koç Rousseau in person was swift. We were on our way to Oxford from London, passing from Newington Green.

Turkey's high risk, high return move on the Kurdish problem

The Turkish government appointed trustees to 28 municipalities on Sept. 11, replacing their elected mayors. The move was made by a decree law in the framework of the state of emergency declared in the wake of the bloody coup attempt of July 15.

World's Muslims celebrate Feast of Sacrifice

Muslims worldwide, including those in Turkey, are celebrating Islam's holy Feast of Sacrifice - known as Eid al-Adha in Arabic - with millions of Muslims across the world making a pilgrimage this week to Saudi Arabia.

The four-day celebration began on Sept. 12 in Turkey and most other countries with a predominantly Muslim population.  

Erdoğan: Finishing off ISIL binding duty

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated on Sept. 11 his government's commitment to eliminating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria and the threat the group poses to Turkey, saying the struggle against the jihadists was the government's "obligation to the Turkish people." 

EU to double emergency aid for refugees stuck in Greece

The European Union will more than double emergency aid to Greece in order to improve living conditions for refugees and migrants who have been stranded in the country for months. 

Some 115 million euros ($129 million) in emergency support is being provided by the EU, in addition to 83 million euros earlier this year, the European Commission said on Sept. 10. 

Thousands protest in Mexico against gay marriage legalization

Thousands of people marched throughout Mexico Sept. 10 to protest President Enrique Pena Nieto's initiative to legalize gay marriage.

The National Front for the Family -- a coalition of conservative religious groups -- called for the protests, and is also planning a mass march for Sept. 24 in Mexico City.

Turkey to invest $675 million in southeastern district

Turkey will invest 2 billion Turkish Liras ($675 million) to rebuild the Sur district in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, which has been left in ruins by conflicts between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish security forces. 

Turkish Airlines sees 4 pct rise in passenger numbers

Turkish Airlines announced it carried 42.7 million passengers in the first eight months of the year, a 3.8 percent increase compared to the same period of 2015, in a written statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on Sept. 9. 

Refugee crisis topping premier's list of concerns

Topping the list of concerns of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in recent days and weeks, according to sources close to the premier, is the refugee crisis as arrivals from neighboring Turkey have increased and countries such as Germany are calling for the return of migrants to Greece.

Police detain suspended academic, teacher bound for Greece after coup attempt

Police detained an academic and a teacher, who were suspended from their duties as part of the ongoing probe into the July 15 failed coup attempt, as they were trying to escape to Greece illegally in the Uzunkörpü district of the border province of Edirne on Sept. 11, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Court releases suspended academic, teacher bound for Greece after escape attempt

A local court in the northwestern border province of Edirne ordered the release of an academic and a teacher, who were suspended from their duties as part of the ongoing probe into the July 15 failed coup attempt, after they attempted to escape to Greece illegally from the province's Uzunkörpü district on Sept. 11, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Turkey's top soldier says army gets stronger as 'traitors' removed

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) continues to carry out a variety of duties to maintain security and stability across Turkey, the region and the world, while getting stronger with the removal of "traitors" from within its ranks, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar has said in his written statement for the Eid al-Adha holiday. 

Russia to sign Turkish Stream deal in October

Russia plans to sign an agreement with Turkey next month on the implementation of the Turkish Stream gas export pipeline project, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying on Sept. 10.

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