Latest News from Turkey

Russian crisis an opportunity to mend Turkey-Israel ties

The first face-to-face meeting which took place between senior Turkish and Russian officials in Belgrade on Dec. 3 has proven the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who suggested Moscow's reaction to Turkey's downing its warplane would not be a short-term act.

The Russian crisis vs. the official ideology

The downing of a Russian war plane by the Turkish air force on the Turkish-Syrian border on Nov. 24 opened a new chapter in Turkey's political discussions.

China increases Turkey's "3 i's" for a G-20 more relevant to the developing world

Turkey's G-20 presidency ended with the Antalya Summit last month, and the Chinese year has already begun with the release of the document "China G-20 2016: G-20 Summit 2016, China" that underlines its priorities for 2016. Looking back at the Turkish G-20 priorities document released approximately one year ago, one remembers the three "i's" - inclusiveness, implementation and investment.

Times of journalism for peace

The military build-up over the Syrian civil war has spread to a wider area covering the East Mediterranean and now the Black Sea, as the tension between Ankara and Moscow over the downing of the Russian jet on Nov. 24 grows into wider Russia-NATO tension.

Turkish troops in Mosul for training

At least several hundred Turkish soldiers have been deployed to provide training in northern Iraq's Mosul region to the Peshmerga and opposition forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a Turkish security source told Reuters on Dec. 4.

Greece Resorts to EU Crisis Management Tools to Cope with Migrant Influx

Greece has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to benefit from material support to help the country cope with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers at its borders, the European Commission said on Friday.

Greece has requested tents, generators, beds, sanitary equipment and emergency first aid kits.

Jurists criticize charges over 'insulting' president, say matter is 'political'

The growing number of court cases opened against individuals in Turkey on charges of "insulting" the president has prompted several professional chambers of jurists to hold a workshop on the issue, during which they asserted the issue was a "political" one which needed to be fought against through political methods.

China's pledges $60 bln for development in Africa

China's President Xi Jinping told African presidents on Dec. 4 at a summit that his country would provide $60 billion over three years to fund development on the continent.

Female politicians 'forced to give up family': CHP deputy

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Selin Sayek Böke has said female politicians are forced to give up on family life to have a sustainable political life, stressing the ongoing gender inequality in parliament and society.

People demand a stronger parliamentary system: CHP

A senior executive of the main opposition Republican People Party (CHP) has dismissed President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's recent statements demanding the removal of Turkey's "dual-headed system," claiming that the public wants the existing parliamentary system to be strengthened, not removed.

Retired general to be paid 1.2 million liras after over three years in jail in coup plot case

A local court in Ankara has ruled that a former coup plot convict must be paid 1.2 million Turkish Liras in compensation after he was acquitted following more than three years in jail.

Turkish agriculturalists seek measures as fresh produce prices plunge amid Russia crisis

Turkish agricultural producers have asked for measures to stabilize fresh fruit and vegetable prices, which have plunged almost by half after Russia announced that it would halt the imports of many agricultural products by the beginning of 2016 amid a diplomatic crisis with Turkey. Sector representatives have defined the situation as "unexpected panic," which has triggered speculative price slu

Wolkman was later referred to the courthouse in Istanbul's Bak?rköy for trial.