Anadolu Agency

U.S. special forces are accompanying Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters along the Turkish border near Jarabulus and al-Rai in Syria, the Pentagon told Anadolu Agency on Sept. 16.

The move came "at the request of the government of Turkey", according to agency spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis.

A ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmaker has suggested that the party is working on a constitutional amendment to hold local elections in 2018 instead of 2019 and to postpone general elections by one year until 2020, in order to avoid having three polls in 2019, when a presidential election will also be held. 

Turkish authorities have detained four people as part of an investigation into a potential threat against British and German diplomatic missions in the country but found no links to any terrorist groups, a Turkish official told Reuters on Sept. 16.  

Turkey's fleet rental market will maintain its attractiveness for investors, thanks to the country's young population and vibrant market, according to the head of car rental giant Hertz Turkey.      

Turkey's leading defense companies have risen on a list of the world's top 100 defense giants, compiled by the prestigious U.S. weekly Defense News, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. 

The Turkish Justice Ministry demanded Washington on Sept. 13 arrest U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen over the July 15 failed coup attempt, sending the first temporary arrest request to the country, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

Ankara accuses Gülen of giving the order for the failed coup attempt and commanding it, a charge he denies.

Turkey has become one of the world's leading drone producers and is now targeting the production of up to four tons of drones in weight, Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü has told state-run Anadolu Agency. 

"Our aim is to produce 3.5-4 tons of armed drones in weight and to equip them with high quality weapons and cameras," Özlü said.

A Turkish beekeeper has failed in his latest attempt to take the world record for the number of bees covering a person.      

Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is to be allowed a family visit during the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, a security official told state-run Anadolu Agency on Sept. 10.      

Öcalan will be visited by his brother Mehmet, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The first passenger plane in 13 months has landed at Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport in the Yüksekova district of the eastern province of Hakkari, following a long hiatus due to clashes between the Turkish state and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.