Latest News from Turkey

Turkish President Erdoğan slams EU over remarks on media raid

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed the European Union for its “impetuous” criticism of an ongoing police operation that has resulted in the high-profile detention of members of the media and police officers.

Russian PM uses Turkey joke to downplay Ukraine’s EU chances

Both Ukraine and Turkey have little to no chance of joining the European Union, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said, in a joke that laid bare the tough road both countries would need to follow to join the 28-member bloc.

Controversial campaign "pitches Serbia as 3rd world country"

Controversial campaign "pitches Serbia as 3rd world country"

BELGRADE -- "Invest in Serbia - a country with qualified, yet cheap labor" is the essence of an ad broadcast on CNN, paid for by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS).

The daily Blic writes that the campaign that has drawn the ire of trade unions is jointly financed by "Invest in Serbia."

Turkish teams draw continental heavyweights in Europa League draw

Turkey's last remaining participants in European competition, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, will face difficult respective tests against Liverpool and Napoli in the Europa League Round of 32 following a draw on Dec. 15 in Nyon, Switzerland.

Turkish lira hits 11-month low as media raid jars nerves

The Turkish Lira, one of the worst performers earlier this year due to concern that the FED would end its tapering program that had boosted emerging markets, has seen another tumble after a weekend raid by police on media outlets.

The currency has weakened 0.8 percent to 2.317 to the dollar, which is its weakest since January when it hit an all-time low of 2.39.

Use of state performers in Erdoğan’s palace show for Putin stirs debate

A debate has been stirred in Turkey after Russian President Vladimir Putin was treated to a closed door performance by costumed state actors during his visit to the new presidential palace in Ankara on Dec. 1, fueling the already heated discussions over the future of state-run theaters.

CoE urges Turkish government to halt crackdown on press freedom

Nils Muiznieks, the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, has urged the Turkish government to halt its crackdown on press freedom and act in compliance with the rule of law and human rights, following a massive operation against journalists on Dec. 14.

September unemployment hits 10.5 pct, highest since February 2011

Turkey's unemployment rate has increased to 10.5 percent in the three month period between August and October, compared with the 10.1 percent between July and September, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) said Dec. 15.

This is the highest figure since February 2011.

The non-agricultural unemployment rate was 12.7 percent in the September period.

US, EU condemn detention of journalists in Turkey

The United States expressed concern Dec. 14 over the detentions in Turkey of more than two dozen media figures.
      
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was "closely following" reports of the raids and arrests.
      

Bees on a terrace

If you hear a mysterious buzz around Gezi Park, do not wonder. It must be the bees of Ritz-Carlton wandering around in search of flowers. The hotel's new restaurant Atelier Real Food, seating only 50, might be small, but their ambition to serve real food is big.

‘UN does not want Turkey’s democratic gains to backslide'

Turkey has made a lot of progress over the last 10 years in terms of democratization, according to the UN’s envoy to the country. ‘The last year-and-a-half has been more challenging, but we hope the overall gains will be consolidated. We don’t want to see any backsliding,’ says Kamal Malhotra Turkey-U.N.

New life and politics in Turkey: Living in limbo

Turkey has been in political limbo ever since Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected president. This was the first time a president has been elected by popular vote, but Turkey is still a parliamentary system where executive power is in the hands of the prime minister and the Cabinet.

Press for freedom

Turkey is passing through some rather unpleasant days. The president of the country is publicly targeting newsmen. The premier, talking at a local convention of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), says everyone was taking an examination nowadays. What examination?

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