Süleyman Soylu

Ankara's anger against U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass over his expression of concern regarding the appointment of trustees to 28 local municipalities due to alleged terror links continues to simmer, with Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu describing Bass' remarks as "provocative." 

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu have criticized an "unacceptable" statement by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara regarding the controversial appointment of trustees to a number of municipalities in Turkey's east on terrorism charges and the clashes that erupted in the aftermath.

The Turkish government appointed trustees to 28 municipalities on Sept. 11, replacing their elected mayors. The move was made by a decree law in the framework of the state of emergency declared in the wake of the bloody coup attempt of July 15.

The Turkish government has announced a set of legal measures aimed at fighting drug addiction and aiding treatment of drug addicts.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmu? said on April 28 that the government would amend laws in order to enable drug addicts to seek treatment without revealing their identities. 

Authorities have allocated 6 million Turkish Liras to clean up Lake Uzungöl, a major tourist attraction in the eastern Black Sea region in Trabzon, the Forestry and Water Affairs Ministry announced April 14. 

Efforts to remove mud and sediment from the lake so as to increase tourism have started.

Turkish Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal and Labor and Social Security Minister Süleyman Soylu have revealed an employment support package to back the hard-hit tourism sector, according to Reuters. 

A payment dispute between the Turkish government and the country's pharmacies has been resolved after several weeks of talks and long-simmering tension. 

Ankara and Athens are developing plans to create joint tour packages for distant destinations, such as China and India, Turkish Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal has said following meetings with his Greek counterpart, Elena Kontoura.

Rising unemployment and obstacles to unionization show that workers' rights are deteriorating in Turkey, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu said on Feb. 12, speaking at the 15th general assembly of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (D?SK).

The Turkish government will cover some 40 percent of the cost of a hike in the minimum wage for 8.5 million employees  due to come into effect on the first day of the new year but only for 2016, Labor and Social Security Minister Süleyman Soylu said in a meeting early Dec. 30.