Latest News from Turkey

Trio cancels concert at Ankara Music Festival due to US Embassy statement

Yet another concert at the 33rd International Ankara Music Festival, which opened on April 4, has been canceled. 

According to a written statement made by the festival committee, the U.S. trio Sierra Ensemble canceled their appearance in the festival due a travel restriction posted by the U.S. Embassy on April 1 over security concerns in several cities.

PKK supporters could be stripped of citizenship, Erdo?an suggests

Turkey must be resolute in using all measures against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), including stripping its supporters of citizenship, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said April 5, while Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has also vowed not to negotiate with the group.

Operation launched for over 100 FETÖ/PDY members

Detention warrants were issued for 120 people, 68 of whom were detained, as part of seven different "parallel structure" probes, as police conducted simultaneous operations in 22 provinces on April 5.

Nearly 80 Syrian refugees sent to new homes in EU

Turkey has sent around 80 Syrian refugees to various countries of the European Union as part of a migrant agreement between the EU and Turkey that was signed to curb the refugee flow to the bloc.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu said 78 Syrian refugees had been sent to Europe to their new homes. 

Theater award nominees announced

The nominees for the 20th Yap? Kredi Afife Theater Awards, which are organized in honor of Turkey's first actress, Afife Jale, were announced for the 2015-2016 season on April 4 in Istanbul.

HDP's Demirta? assures Bahçeli: There is already a massacre in Nusaybin

Turkey's nationalist opposition leader's public call on Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu to "level" a southeastern district "to the ground" as part of ongoing security operations against militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party has infuriated a co-leader of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) who responded to the opposition leader by saying, "There is already a m

Halfeti's Ulu Mosque to 'resurface'

The historic Ulu Mosque, some parts of which were flooded because of the Birecik Dam, will come to the surface again with a restoration process to be carried out with special technics. 

After the restoration, the mosque in the southeastern province of ?anl?urfa's Halfeti district will be open to worshippers and tourists. 

ECHR fines Turkey 10,600 euros

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Turkey 10,600 euros, as it ruled on April 5 the "right to liberty and security" and the "right to be brought promptly before a judge" had been violated in the case of a Turkish national.

Turkish hoteliers see significant loss in number of European tourists

The Hoteliers Association of Turkey (TÜROB) has said the association expected a significant loss in the number of European tourists, mainly from Germany this year, adding that many reservations and organizations have already canceled due to security concerns. 

French students renew protests as labour reform heads to parliament

High school and university students opposed to labour reforms were planning fresh protests across France on April 5 as the lower house National Assembly was to begin examining the contested bill.

Previous protests, spearheaded by France's powerful labour unions and students, have brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets over the past month.

Turkey's nationalist leader urges PM to 'level Nusaybin to the ground'

Turkey's nationalist opposition leader has strongly urged Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu "to not drag his feet" and complete ongoing security operations against outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in order to reach a lasting solution, as he openly called on the prime minister to "level" a southeastern district "to the ground."

Rights groups condemn junta police powers for Thai soldiers

An order by Thailand's junta giving sweeping police powers to soldiers is part of the "steady erosion of human rights protections," campaigners said April 5, calling for the law to be rescinded.

US Navy seizes Iranian weapons bound for Yemen rebels

U.S. naval forces in the Arabian Sea seized a shipment of weapons that the United States believes was sent from Iran and was bound for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Navy said April 4.

The patrol ship USS Sirocco intercepted and seized the shipment hidden aboard a small dhow on March 28.

Suspect denies killing Russian pilot

Alparslan Çelik, the alleged killer of Oleg Peshkov, the pilot of the Russian jet downed by Turkey on Nov. 24, 2015, according to Moscow, has reportedly claimed that he didn't shoot Peshkov in his testimony. 

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