Latest News from Turkey

Court orders opposition MHP to hold extraordinary party congress

An Ankara court has accepted the demands of dissident Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) members to force an extraordinary party congress, appointing a three-member panel, consisting of Mehmet Bilgiç, Ayhan Erel and Ali Sa??r, to organize the congress. 

ISIL suspect detained in Turkey's east over Ankara bombing

A suspect with alleged links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was detained on April 8 in the eastern province of Bitlis over his alleged involvement in the deadly Ankara bombing on Oct. 10, 2015.

Turkish lawmakers warn MEPs over further reference to Armenian 'genocide' resolution

Two members of the Turkish parliament have penned joint letters addressed to Kati Piri, rapporteur for Turkey at the European Parliament, and Manolis Kefalogiannis, the co-chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, expressing "sadness" over what they called "falling into the trap of politicizing a painful period in history," in regards to the mass killing of Anatolian Armenians durin

UN Committee on Migrant Workers to review Turkey

Turkey's record on protecting the rights of migrant workers is due to be reviewed for the first time by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers (CMW) next week in Geneva.

Freedom House criticizes Erdo?an remarks on revoking citizenship

Democracy watchdog organization Freedom House issued a press release on April 6 criticizing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's recent statements on stripping "terrorist sympathizers" of their citizenship. 

Building collapses in central Istanbul

An empty five-story building collapsed in the ?ehit Muhtar neighborhood of Istanbul's Beyo?lu district on April 8. Several other buildings were damaged as a result of the collapse.

People heard sounds coming from the previously emptied and plated building and warned passers-by to stay away from the area. The situation was reported to the local police and fire departments.

Turkey's first 'super town' to be built in Eski?ehir

An energy-efficient "super town" being constructed in the Central Anatolian province of Eski?ehir will be an "example" for Turkey of progressive and innovative urban planning, according to the city's mayor.

Second batch of deported migrants land in Turkey

A group of 45 Pakistani migrants arrived in the Turkish coastal town of Dikili on April 8 after being expelled from Greece under a Turkey-EU deal to halt mass migration to Europe, a local official said.

"The migrants are busy getting off the boat for identity and health checks," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Greece sends more migrants to Turkey

Greece deported a second batch of migrants to Turkey on April 8 under an EU-Turkey deal to stem mass migration to the bloc, as Germany announced a sharp drop in asylum claims.

Greek officials said two boats carrying 124 migrants - most of them Pakistani men - had been sent back across the Aegean Sea where hundreds have lost their lives in a quest to reach Europe.  

Freedom of expression, press issues in Turkey affecting economic growth: Economist

The political system and the rule of law have a significant effect on a country's growth in the long term aside from macroeconomics, said a leading economist and daily Hürriyet columnist, highlighting the issues of freedom of expression and the press in Turkey in terms of economics.

Freedom of expression, press issues in Turkey affecting economic growth: Expert

The political system and the rule of law have a significant effect on a country's growth in the long term aside from macroeconomics, said a leading economist and daily Hürriyet columnist, highlighting the issues of freedom of expression and the press in Turkey in terms of economics.

Istanbul village heads file complaint over 'insulting' cartoon cover

The Istanbul Village Heads Solidarity Association has filed a criminal complaint against Turkish cartoon magazine Leman's management and one of its caricaturists over an "insulting" cover, which depicted a village head - allegedly drawn akin to jailed outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan - taking a selfie with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.

Lebanon ex-minister jailed for 13 years on 'terror' charges

A Lebanese military court sentenced former information minister Michel Samaha to 13 years in prison with hard labour on April 8 for attempting to carry out "terrorist acts", a judicial source told AFP.
 

Turkey's first Roma deputy calls for solid action against discrimination on Roma Day

Turkey's first Roma deputy, Özcan Purcu, has drawn attention to discrimination against Roma citizens, citing problems in education, healthcare and equal access to the job market. The deputy asked for "proof of love [for Roma people]" on International Roma Day, marked on April 8 each year, by taking efficient political action, instead of uttering "vain words."

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