Latest News from Turkey
Turkey to re-open schools on September 21
Turkey plans to re-open schools on Sept. 21 with measures in place to counter the coronavirus after three months of online courses for the new education year, Education Minister Ziya Selçuk said on Aug. 11.
France to bolster Mediterranean military presence over Turkish prospecting
France will increase its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, calling on Turkey to halt oil and gas exploration in disputed waters that has heightened tensions with Greece.
Call center gives mental health support against coronavirus
A call center, which was set up just a week after the start of the outbreak in Turkey on March 11 to give psychological support to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic with only 60 volunteers, has now become a world-class online therapy center with 681 professionals, according to the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health officials heading it.
Secluded paradise draws attention of local tourists wanting to holiday in isolation
The Çamlıkoy Nature Park, which houses different shades of green, a clean sea, and camping and recreation areas, has become the preferred hotspot for local tourists during the pandemic with its proximity to Istanbul and its unique nature.
Gov’t working on increasing fishery consumption: Minister
The Turkish government has encouraged fish sales with incentives in a bid to increase consumption during the yearly four-and-a-half-month fishing ban that will be lifted by the end of this month, the agriculture minister has said.
Navigating under pressure
The latest crisis in relations between Athens and Ankara is different from previous ones. It is broader in scope, it has a hegemonic dimension, and it is permeated by an imperial rather than - as in the past - nationalist attitude.
Carefully planned response
Turkey is testing our patience and red lines. Every Greek is naturally deeply upset at the sight of a Turkish seismic survey vessel navigating a provocative course under the escort of several Turkish Navy units, all part of a well-staged show.
Effective deterrence
One of Greece's objectives must be that it makes sure not to give in to the provocations of its enemies. Any reaction from Athens must be proportionate to the magnitude of the threat.
Turkish ship starts energy search; Greece issues warnings
A Turkish research vessel has begun surveying for energy resources in contested areas of the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's energy minister said Wednesday, amid an escalation of tensions between NATO allies and regional rivals Greece and Turkey over oil and gas exploration rights.
PM warns of possible 'accident' in East Med amid Greek-Turkish tensions
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday warned about the possibility of an "accident" in the Eastern Mediterranean where Greek and Turkish naval forces have gathered after Ankara decided to sent a vessel to conduct seismic research south of Kastellorizo.
World Bank urges monetary discipline on top of sound anti-pandemic efforts
Turkey should combine its success in containing the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic in the short-term with "monetary discipline" to achieve a sustainable recovery, the World Bank has said in its latest Turkey Economic Monitor report.
Athens fires back over Ankara’s minority rights accusation
Greece and Turkey exchanged criticisms over minority rights on Wednesday with Athens saying that it is "paradoxical, if not funny" for Turkey to lecture Greece about the need to respect minority rights.
Nationalist party leader voices suspicion over Beirut blast
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli expressed suspicion over the timing of a blast that razed parts of Beirut to the ground last week.
Turkey's current account to show $3 bln deficit: Survey
Turkey's current account balance is expected to show a deficit of $3 billion on average in June, according to an Anadolu Agency survey on Aug. 12.
The country's balance of payments figures for June will be released by the Turkish Central Bank on Friday, Aug. 14.
Deputy governor of Hatay province kills mother, brother
A deputy governor of the southern province of Hatay has shot his mother and brother dead in what is believed to be a family feud.
Tolga Polat killed his mother İkbal Polat and brother Altuğ Polat on Aug. 11 when the family gathered to discuss an inheritance sharing issue at their home in the Seyhan district of Adana province.