Latest News from Turkey
Turkish president blames European countries for refugee plight
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has blamed European countries for abandoning Syrian refugees to their fate by shutting their doors to them.
One soldier killed in clashes with PKK in Turkey's east
One soldier has been killed in clashes with militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the eastern province of Van.
Security forces raided a house in Van's Erci? district on Nov. 13, based on intelligence that PKK militants were inside.
Militants opened fire with long-barreled weapons as soldiers raided the house in the Gergili neighborhood.
Lebanon in mourning after bomb blasts kill 43
Lebanon observed a national day of mourning on Nov. 13 after two suicide bombs the day before killed 43 people in southern Beirut, in an act the United Nations condemned overnight as "despicable."
Refugees travel to Greece from Turkey in a luxury yacht
Most refugees come in rubber dinghies and risk their lives while making the border crossing from Turkey to Greece. Officials were surprised to find a luxury yacht carrying 345 migrants that paid $2,500 each for the voyage . The vessel equipped to carry 65 people was intercepted by coast guards.
New cabinet expected to be announced next week
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has put the final touches on its timeline to form a new government, as the country's top election body released the final results of the Nov. 1 snap elections, confirming the AKP had regained its parliamentary majority.
EU denies 'indecent proposal' over Turkey's Progress Report
A diplomatic source from the European Commission has categorically denied that the EU proposed to "soften" the content of the Progress Report if Turkey cooperated more closely over the refugee issue, as recently alleged by Turkish EU Minister Beril Dedeo?lu.
"This is untrue," said the source, adding there was "no link" between the report and talks on the refugee issue.
UK assures Turkey of NATO support
One of Turkey's most prominent allies, the United Kingdom, has underlined NATO should play a key role in providing further measures of assurance to Turkey in the face of regional challenges, especially in regard to the deepening Syrian crisis.
Turkey hosts G-20 at a crisis-hit juncture
Turkey will host the G-20 Summit in the Mediterranean city of Antalya on Nov. 15-16 at a time when the entire neighborhood is hit by political and economic crises.
Bosphorus Film Festival set to begin
The 3rd International Bosphorus Film Festival will be held in Istanbul between Nov. 20 and 27. The event will screen short films and documentaries as well as feature films The 3rd International Bosphorus Film Festival, organized by the Bo?aziçi Cinema Association, is set to begin on Nov. 20.
Street Fighter 2015
Now that the elections have passed, Turkey is again facing its decades-long challenge of dealing with the Kurdish issue again. Despite the blackout in mainstream and pro-government media, what is happening in Silvan has a bigger impact than anyone can imagine.
Turkey, EU agree on refugee plan amid expectations of leaders' consent
Turkey and the EU Commission have agreed on a refugee action plan that will include short- and medium-term measures following necessary approval by political leaders, a high-level EU official has said.
Alcohol is not your friend - but neither is milk!
On May 31, 2013, your columnist promised to [then] Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an that "We'll drink to your health!" Alcohol is a simple substance in "normal" parts of the world. But it is often a useful litmus test with a broader socio-political meaning: It is a simple substance that shows why Islamists cannot have a pluralistic mind.
No women deputies in 45 provinces
During a chat with the head of the Federation of Women Associations, Canan Güllü, she mentioned a glass ceiling in politics. The other day businessperson Demet Sabanc? mentioned a "glass ceiling" in business life. It is the glass ceiling that blocks women from rising above a certain point.
Tusk’s speech following the Valletta summit on migration
By European Council President Donald Tusk
The purpose of our informal meeting, which took place right after the summit with our African partners, was to speed up the implementation of the decisions taken so far by the European Council.
AFP: EU Leaders Consider Meeting with Turkey's President on Refugees
Leaders of EU member states on Thursday discussed a possible meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later this month to seek his help in alleviating the worst migrant crisis in Europe since World War II, AFP reported.