Sezgin Tanr

Turkey's main opposition party has appealed for a parliamentary inquiry into security measures taken on the country's border with war-torn Syria, as the southeastern province of Kilis has come under frequent attack from rockets fired across the border from Syria in the last few weeks, prompting the army to respond to each strike with howitzer fire.

The number of girls who were wed before the age of 18 since 2010 is higher than 200,000, Turkey's Family and Social Planning Ministry has said in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). 

Cracks have emerged within the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) over a decision to lend support to a government proposal on a provisional change in the constitution that would allow parliament to lift the immunities of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers and others for one time only.

Authorities plan to remove puddles, garbage and trees from the vicinity of Istanbul's controversial third airport so as to reduce the presence of birds that could threaten flights, Turkey's transport minister has said following criticism that the airport is located along a key migratory route.

Almost 800 journalists were fired in Turkey last year, while 156 were detained and nearly 500 legal actions were taken against journalists by judicial authorities, according to a senior member of the country's main opposition party.

Hundreds of lawmakers and journalists staged a '30-step march' in Istanbul on Dec. 26 to protest the arrest of daily Cumhuriyet journalists over a story on state-owned trucks purportedly carrying arms to militants in Syria on the 30th day of their arrest.

Deputies from both opposition and ruling parties have urged a resumption of the peace process through dialogue amid renewed clashes in the southeast, with one Republican People's Party (CHP) MP saying "low-intensity warfare is continuing" in the region.

CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanr?kulu called on parties on Dec. 21 to "open a new way in parliament" for dialogue instead of clashes.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has called on Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu to support a recent bill proposed by his party to ensure trials without arrest for journalists facing press-related charges. 

The 26th legislative term of Turkey's parliament opened on Nov. 17 with newly elected MPs taking their oaths and with President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an in attendance. Eyes have now turned to the names set to be included in the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government's new cabinet.

The appointment of a trustee panel for Koza ?pek, a corporation linked to the government's ally-turned-nemesis Fethullah Gülen, ahead of the general elections on Nov. 1 has created an uproar across Turkey.