Latest News from Turkey

The Lotus-Eaters

By Costas Iordanidis

Turkey, a country branded by some as undemocratic and maladjusted by European standards, recently elected a new president – Recep Tayyip Erdogan – in a vote that was transparent and with a clear result.

As it happened: Erdoğan takes over Turkey’s presidency after tense parliamentary ceremony

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stepped down as Turkey’s prime minister and was installed as the country's 12th president on Aug. 28, after a parliamentary ceremony boycotted by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). 

Outgoing President Abdullah Gül said a warm farewell to the Çankaya Mansion in the takeover ceremony.

Parliament speaker attends inauguration of Turkish president

Parliament speaker attends inauguration of Turkish president

BELGRADE -- Parliament Speaker Maja Gojković is Serbia's representative at the inauguration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ceremony is taking place in Ankara on Thursday.

The announcement was made by Gojković's cabinet.

Taxi fares in Istanbul up by 9 percent

Taxi fares in Istanbul will soon be hiked by around 9 percent for the first time in 18 months.

While the minimum fare will be raised from 2.95 Turkish Liras to 3.20 liras, the fare per kilometer will rise from 1.83 liras to 2 liras, according to a decision announced by Istanbul’s Chamber of Artisan Taxi Drivers on their website.

Pakistani PM calls off Ankara trip amid domestic crisis

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cancelled plans to attend Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presidential inauguration in Turkey on Aug. 28 due to a crisis at home.

A fiery Pakistani cleric, who has been leading a mass rally outside Parliament demanding Sharif’s resignation, says he has “shut the door” on further talks with the government.

Pakistani PM, Ukranian president call off Ankara trip

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cancelled plans to attend Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presidential inauguration in Turkey on Aug. 28 due to a crisis at home.

A fiery Pakistani cleric, who has been leading a mass rally outside Parliament demanding Sharif’s resignation, says he has “shut the door” on further talks with the government.

Turkey, Qatar negotiating with ISIL for Lebanese hostages

The governments of Turkey and Qatar have been involved in negotiations with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to free the Lebanese security personnel taken hostage by the militant group, Lebanon’s al-Akhbar reported Aug. 28.

US denies that low-profile Erdoğan delegation sends ulterior message

The United States denied Aug. 27 reports that it sending a low-profile delegation to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presidential inauguration intends to convey an ulterior message to Ankara.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said during the daily press briefing that U.S. officials “look forward to working with Prime Minister Erdoğan in his new role as president.”

Russian troops 'directly involved' in Ukraine conflict

Washington and Kyiv said Thursday that Russian troops were actively involved in the fighting tearing apart eastern Ukraine, raising fears of a direct military confrontation on Europe's eastern flank.
      

Bulgaria's President to Attend Erdogan's Inauguration in Ankara

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is to attend Turkish President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan's inauguration ceremony.

The official ceremony will be held at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

Erdogan was elected President on August 10.

He won 52% of the vote in the first round of Turkey's first direct presidential election.

Freedom House criticizes Ankara over Internet freedoms

Washington-based watchdog Freedom House has criticized the Turkish government over increasing restrictions on the Internet, describing Turkey as a “battleground state” in Internet freedom in its latest report.

Consumers to be targeted with audio ads at malls

A Turkish advertisement agency is preparing to introduce audio commercials at shopping malls, increasing the number of advertisements to which individuals are exposed in daily life.

The project was designed by Cahit Ceylan, a prominent Turkish advertisement sector representative, and will be actualized by the Swiss mobile marketing platform Adwin AG.

Turkey becoming key player in medical tourism

Turkey has emerged as one of the top destinations for medical tourism, ranking sixth in the world for medical tourism, according to fresh figures.

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