Latest News from Turkey
Turkish deputy PM concerned over growing Syrian refugee population
Deputy Prime Minister BeÅir Atalay has sought to allay widening concerns over the growing number of Syrian refugees begging on streets as well as over the cheap labor force provided by the refugees, while calling on provincial administrations to deal with the issue, via assistance from civil society if necessary.
Central Anatolia’s ‘evil eye talisman’ Lake Meke dries out up to 99 percent
Lake Meke, a volcanic lake commonly known as the âevil eye talismanâ of Central Anatolia for the rarity of such lakes in Turkey and its one of a kind beauty, has dried out up to 99 percent, experts have said.
Salt deposits have developed on the lake, turning the remaining waters crimson-red, as experts warned that the lake was on the brink of extinction.
Crowd attacks homes of Syrian refugees in Şanlıurfa over alleged beating of children
An angry crowd attacked a building inhabited by Syrians late July 31 in the southeastern province of Åanlıurfa after rumors spread that two children had been allegedly beaten by the refugees as they were going to buy bread.
Human rights watchdog criticizes decision to file Farmakonisi case
Europe's top human rights official has criticized a decision by a Greek prosecutor earlier this week to shelve the investigation into the deaths of 11 immigrants who drowned during a controversial coast guard operation near the eastern Aegean islet of Farmakonisi in January.
Turkey and Qatar welcome 72-hour cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas
Turkey and Qatar have welcomed the U.N.-brokered 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel that began in the Gaza Strip on Aug. 1, and reaffirmed commitment on further efforts for a sustainable cease-fire.
Ex-army chief claims PM opted not to move against Gülenists
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan was supplied with intelligence regarding the police officers who were allegedly conducting operations on behalf of the Gülenist âparallel structure,â but he failed to act then, Turkeyâs former Chief of Staff Ä°lker BaÅbuÄ has claimed.
Turkish President Gül to vote for İhsanoğlu instead of Erdoğan, main opposition leader claims
President Abdullah Gül and his family will vote for Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄlu in presidential elections instead of taking sides with his long-time political comrade, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan, Republican Peopleâs Party (CHP) leader Kemal KılıçdaroÄlu has claimed.
Balance sheet
What happened during Bayram?
Iâd like to give you a balance sheet of what happened during Bayram in Turkey.
Untimely death:In the traffic wars in Turkey; there have been 150 deaths, with nearly 1,000 woundedâ¦
Bombs went off in Gaza. 1,200 deadâ¦
Opposition's presidential candidate İhsanoğlu visits Madımak Hotel
Presidential hopeful Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄlu left flowers in front of the Madımak Hotel in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas in memory of 35 people, mostly Alevi intellectuals, who were massacred in an arson attack 21 years ago.
Turkey takes record for removal requests from Twitter
Turkey was the country with the greatest number of removal requests from Twitter in the first half of 2014, according to the social media siteâs biannual transparency report released July 31.
Concerns for women’s social space in Turkey on rise, as key treaty enters into force
At a time when concerns are growing in Turkey due to an increasingly conservative and authoritarian political culture, which directly impacts the lives of women, the Istanbul Convention, a landmark treaty of the Council of Europe (CoE) dedicated to preventing and combating violence on women and domestic violence, is entering into force as of August 1.
New US ambassador to Ankara approved by Senate committee
John Bass, who has been nominated by the Obama administration as new U.S. ambassador to Ankara, was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The committee also discussed the approval of 10 other ambassadors, along with Bass, in the meeting. The General Assembly will discuss Bassâ nomination on an unspecified date.
Turkish singer Murat Göğebakan passes away
Murat GöÄebakan, renowned Turkish rock singer, died early July 31 of a heart attack due to leukemia in Istanbul.
GöÄebakan, who is known for several of his catchy songs that were released in the early 2000s, had been undergoing cancer treatment since 2009 and was in intensive care for the past 10 days.
Central Anatolian basin’s aquifers dry out
The Konya Basinâs aquifers have dried out, Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel EroÄlu said in a written statement July 30, as the country has experienced one of the most arid winters and springs in recent years.
Aid delivery to Syria from Iraq ‘reviewed’
The U.N. humanitarian chief has said there are 'significant challenges' in delivering humanitarian aid into Syria from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq, including a multitude of opposition and terrorist groups.