Latest News from Turkey
Thoughts on the Istanbul LGBTI Pride Parade
Last weekend, Istanbul hosted its 12th LGBTI Pride Parade. Thousands, not just members of the LGBTI community but also "straights" defending their rights, marched in the city's busiest street, Istiklal Avenue in Beyo?lu. Unfortunately, the colorful parade was cut short when the police began dispersing people with water cannons and batons.
HDP urges protection of peace process as 'state policy'
The Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) "?mral? Delegation" has said the stalled resolution process should be protected by rendering it "state policy," regardless of what form the new Turkish government takes.
Turkish voters want peace bid to continue: Deputy PM
Voters of the June 7 general election openly delivered the message that parties should compromise and form a coalition government and continue the Kurdish peace process, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmu? said.
'Illegal' construction of Reza Zarrab to be demolished
A regional conservation board has discovered a discrepancy between the licensed project plan and the realized construction work in two Bosphorus-side residences owned by controversial businessman Reza Zarrab. The board has requested the undoing of the illegal construction work.
Bulgaria's Varna Hosts International Naval Exercise Breeze 2015
The naval base in Varna will host the national naval exercise with international participation Breeze 2015, which will be held between July 3 and 12 in the territorial waters of Bulgaria.
More than 30 ships and 1700 troops from the navies of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey and the USA will participate in the exercise, Bulgaria's Defence Ministry informs.
VIDEO: Baby adrift at sea saved by coast guard in Turkey's west
A 10-month-old baby drifted a kilometer from the coastline of Turkey's northwestern Çanakkale province until a coast guard boat arrived to save her on July 3.
Melda Ilg?n was placed in an inflatable ring by her mother in the Ayvac?k district of Çanakkale, on the southern coast of the Dardanelles, before she was swept away.
Germany donates 2 mln euros for Syrian children's education in Turkey
Germany has donated 2 million euros to UNICEF to be used for the education of around 600,000 Syrian refugee children living in Turkey.
CHP to nominate Pavey for deputy parliament speaker's office
The Republican People?s Party (CHP) has decided to nominate its Istanbul deputy ?afak Pavey, the first disabled female member elected to Turkish Parliament, as their candidate for the office of deputy parliament speaker.
The CHP made its decision at a parliamentary group meeting held on July 3 with its newly elected deputies of the Turkey?s 25th term of parliament.
Snap elections would coincide with Turkish G-20 meeting, TOBB says
Any possible early elections would coincide with the G-20 annual meeting in Turkey, to which the representatives of the 85 percent of the world economy will attend, according to the head of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Rifat Hisarc?kl?o?lu.
Turkey's Erdo?an dedicates palace mosque to the people
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has inaugurated a mosque on the grounds of his gigantic palace complex and opened it to the public in an apparent effort to stave off more criticism over his state spending.
?I am praying to God that the prayers recited in this mosque will be accepted by Him,? Erdo?an said while opening Be?tepe People?s Mosque in Ankara on July 3.
Erdo?an opens palace mosque, highlights Quranic verse on 'patience'
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has inaugurated a mosque on the grounds of the gargantuan new presidential palace in Ankara and opened it to the public, while highlighting a Quranic verse praising ?patience.?
?I am praying to God that the prayers recited in this mosque will be accepted by Him,? Erdo?an said while opening Be?tepe People?s Mosque on July 3.
Turkey takes charge of NATO's mine countermeasures force
Turkey has taken over the command of a NATO mine countermeasures reaction force from Italy for one year in a ceremony held in Turkey?s northwestern province of Bal?kesir.
Turkish Naval Forces? Staff Colonel Ramazan Kesgin took over NATO?s permanent Mine Countermeasures Group-2 (SNMCMG-2) during an official ceremony at the Erdek naval base command in Bal?kesir on July 2.
Bulgaria to Complete Fence at Border with Turkey by End of Year
Bulgaria's Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov announced on Friday that the fence at the border with Turkey should be completed by the end of the year.
Kostov added that legislative amendments have been proposed, which would allow for the army to guard the border, Darik radio reports.
Turkey's consumer price index drops in June
Inflation in Turkey dropped sharply in June with decreasing food prices, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜ?K) stated on July 3, but analysts doubt that a further decline is in store.
The Consumer Price Index dropped 0.51 percent in June from May, bringing the annual inflation rate to 7.20 percent in June from 8.09 percent in May.
TANAP to create 15,000 jobs: SOCAR Turkey CEO
The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) will create more than 15,000 new jobs and make a great economic contribution to the participating countries, according to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (Socar), which is conducting the project.