Latest News from Turkey
Bulgarian IntMin Hopes Fence at Border with Turkey to be Completed in March
Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova expressed hope that the main facilities of the fence at the border with Turkey will be completed by the end of March.
Bachvarova said this during a parliamentary question and answer session on Friday, daily Dnevnik informs.
Police officer killed in Turkey's southeast
A police officer was killed on Jan. 15 in the southeastern province of Siirt during a counter-terrorism operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
According to security sources, police squads extended their operation to an address in Ulus.
Turkey's granting work permits to Syrian refugees published officially
Turkey is to grant work permits to Syrian refugees, an official statement said Jan. 15, in a key move which could allow Syrians to build more prosperous and stable lives in the country.
An announcement in Turkey's official gazette said that work permits would be granted to refugees who have fled to the country to escape the conflicts in their homeland.
Qatar to hike petrol prices by 30 percent
Energy-rich Qatar has decided to raise the cost of petrol by a third or more from Jan. 15, according to the state fuel company, amid a slump in global oil prices.
The surprise hike comes into force from midnight and has immediately led to queues at some petrol stations in Qatar, according to social media.
Russia draws up draft of sanction exemption rules for Turkish companies
Russia's Economic Development Ministry has drawn up a draft of sanction exemption rules for Turkish companies, following requests from large Russian companies.
Turkey's largest convention center nears completion in Antalya
Turkey's biggest convention center is almost finished and is scheduled to open its doors in April for EXPO 2016 Antalya.
Located in the southern province and seaside city of Antalya, the new center is being built on 41,000-square meters of land and will have a seating capacity of 5,003 people, according to the project builders.
'EU refugee deal should not overshadow right violations in Turkey,' jailed Turkish journalist says
Jailed Turkish journalist Can Dündar has sent the Italian prime minister an open letter arguing the rapprochement between Turkey and the European Union over refugees should not overshadow violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey during the country's EU accession process.
US reacts against detention of academics, says criticizing gov't 'does not equal treason'
A wave of detentions of academics who signed a petition calling upon the government to end military operations in East and Southeast Anatolia has prompted the top U.S. diplomat in Turkey underlining freedom of expression, adding that criticism of a government cannot be considered "treason."
Turkish professor receives official science and art honor from Austria
Turkish professor Hüseyin Ba?c?, an academic from the International Relations Department of Ankara's Middle Eastern Technical University (ODTÜ), was awarded with Badge of the Austrian Decoration of Honor for Science and Art on Jan. 13.
Chomsky slams Erdogan as Turkey detains anti-war academics
Prominent U.S. philosopher and linguist Noam Chomsky has strongly criticized Turkish President Recep Erdogan for the military operation against Kurds.
Erdogan said Chomsky, who along with 1,128 Turkish and foreign academics from 89 universities signed an open letter protesting against Turkey's attacks on Kurdish areas, as being "in the dark" and displaying "colonialist mentality."
Turkish artillery fires in Syria 'very effective:' US
Turkish artillery strikes in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in northern Syria have had a "very good effect," said U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition spokesperson on Jan. 14.
Turkish fire targets ISIL bomber's town
A spokesperson for the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has confirmed that Turkish artillery strikes are firing on an area in Syria known as the hometown of the suicide bomber who killed 10 people in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet Square on Jan. 12.
Turkey's religious body fires officials responsible for controversial fatwa
The Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has admitted a mistake in the controversial fatwa issued on its website last week addressing a father's potential lust for his daughter, saying it was caused by a "misinterpretation" of the Arabic and the officials responsible have been fired.
Turkey's Pegasus resumes Russia flights after visa problems resolved
Low-cost carrier Pegasus has announced that it has restarted flights to Russia after a visa problem for its flight crews was resolved.
The company halted flights on Jan. 4 until Jan. 13 after it failed to get a positive response from Russia to visa applications for its crew members.
US condemns Diyarbak?r attack, vows solidarity
The United States has "strongly" condemned a Jan. 14 bomb attack allegedly conducted by outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the southeastern province of Diyarbak?r which killed six and wounded dozens.