Istanbul

The conquest of Istanbul was made the theme of a political rally a couple of days ago. Our 11th president, Abdullah Gül, who is an example of a mature statesman, said he would not participate on grounds that "he had decided not to be involved in active politics." 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has publicly and personally threatened the editor-in-chief of a daily which published video footage that it said showed security forces discovering weapons being sent to Syria on trucks belonging to the state intelligence agency.

A group of devout Muslims from across Turkey prayed before the city's historic Hagia Sophia on the 562nd anniversary of the Turkish conquest of Istanbul, demanding that the site be turned back into a mosque.

Taksim Square and Gezi Park, in addition to numerous other roads and streets, have been closed to the public on the second anniversary of the anti-government Gezi protests which spread across Turkey in protest at decisions taken under then-PM Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's leadership. 

A Turkish artist on May 30 unveiled a two-storey-high mural featuring those killed in protests two years ago over an Istanbul park that spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the leadership of Tayyip Erdo?an.
   

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has slammed the New York Times for the third time in a week.

A giant poster showing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu side by side has entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

There has been intense speculation for days about whether President Tayyip Erdo?an plans to announce the reopening of the Hagia Sophia to Islamic worship, ahead of Turkey?s critical parliamentary election on June 7.

Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirta? celebrated opening a soda can during his meeting with Turkish humorists and cartoonists in Istanbul, teasing President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an?s successive inauguration meetings on the run up to the June 7 elections. 

The Turkish Armed Forces have formed a new ceremonial brigade, dressed as Ottoman soldiers, to attend events marking the 562nd anniversary of the Turks? conquest of Istanbul, upon the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.