Latest News from Turkey
Turkish Lira top-performing emerging currency after Fed rate hike
After the long-awaited rate hike decision was realized by the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) on Dec. 16, the Turkish Lira has become the best performer among all emerging currencies against the dollar.
NATO agrees Turkey air defence package, seeks 'predictability'
NATO allies agreed on Dec. 18 to send aircraft and ships to Turkey to strengthen Ankara's air defences on its border with Syria, the alliance's chief said.
Diplomats said the package is partly designed to avoid more shoot-downs of Russian planes.
Turkey says peace in Syria only possible without Assad
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has urged peace and stability can only be fully provided in Syria after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and "blood-guilty" elements of his regime leave the scene, as part of a plan that envisages a road map for a political transition in the war-torn country, which was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council on late Dec. 18.
Erdo?an meets Hamas leader Meshaal in Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an met with Khaled Mashaal, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Dec. 19 in Istanbul, Turkish presidential sources said, a day after Israel and Turkey said they were close to patching up a five-year political rift.
Turkey to continue to move troops from Iraq after Obama appeal: Ministry
Turkey on Dec. 19 said it would "continue" to pull its troops out of northern Iraq after US President Barack Obama urged President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to do so in order to de-escalate tensions with Baghdad over the deployment.
Turkey to move troops from Mosul after Obama's appeal
Turkey has announced its decision to continue to remove its troops from the Bashiqa camp near Mosul after nearly 10 days of tension with the Iraqi government and upon insistent appeals from Washington, which included a phone call from U.S. President Barack Obama to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.
Bulgaria Will Have to Wait More for Schengen Accession - Austrian Ambassador
With the Schengen borderless area going through "a challenge", it is not the right moment for Bulgaria to insist on joining, Austria's Ambassador to the country, Roland Hauser, has said.
Huge drug bust disbands largest racket in the Attica region (pics)
Police put an end to one of the largest drug rackets in the Attica region operating in a number of areas around Athens (Zefyri, Ano Liosia, Salamina, Pangrati, Kolonos, Neos Kosmos, Voula) as well as Chania, Crete.
Turkey to set up comprehensive border protection unit
The Turkish government is going to set up new comprehensive border security unit encompassing territorial security, coast guard and customs security, the Turkish interior minister has said.
Efkan Ala announced the creation of a new comprehensive border security unit called "professional armed border security unit," which will be run by civil authorities instead of the army.
Eighteen Refugees Drown as Boat Sinks off Turkey
Eighteen people drowned as the boat carrying them sank in the Aegean Sea off the Turkey's southwestern coast late on Friday.
The wooden vessel, which was packed with refugees, including citizens of Syria and Iraq, was attempting to reach the Greek island of Kos when it sank in Bodrum bay.
Number of Forced Displaced People Expected to Exceed 60 Million in 2015
According to estimates of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the number of people subject to forced displacement will exceed 60 million for the first time in 2015.
This means that one in every 122 people in the world has been forced to flee their home.
68 PKK militants killed in operations in ??rnak: Official
At least 68 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed in ongoing operations in the southeastern province of ??rnak over the last four days, a security official said on Dec. 19.
The country's top soldier, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, meanwhile, paid a surprise visit to the province amid the operations.
Refugee boat sinks off Turkey's Aegean coast, 18 killed
Eighteen people have drowned off the southwestern coast of Turkey when a vessel carrying refugees sank late on Dec. 18, according to the Turkish Coast Guard.
The wooden boat - packed with refugees, including Syrians and Iraqis - was seeking to reach the Greek island of Kos when it sank in Bodrum Bay.
At UN, Turkey accuses Iraq of undermining ISIL fight
Turkey accused Iraq on Dec. 18 of undermining the global fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by taking its complaint about the deployment of Turkish troops in northern Iraq to the United Nations Security Council.
US urges Turkey to withdraw troops from Iraq
U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to pull troops out of Iraq, amid a row that has split key members of the coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).