Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkey marks one year on July 15 since a coup attempt aiming to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that failed within hours but etched far-reaching consequences into its society and politics. The country is in the throes of the biggest purge in its history against …
Read More »Erdogan hosts Russia defence chief amid Syria border tensions
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday held talks with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Istanbul as tension soared on the Syrian border between Turkish troops and a Kurdish militia. Turkey and Russia were long at loggerheads over the Syrian conflict, with Ankara seeking …
Read More »Erdogan urges US to ‘immediately’ reverse decision on arming Syrian Kurds
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on the United States to immediately reverse a decision on arming Syrian Kurdish fighters considered by Ankara to be a terror group. “I hope very much that this mistake will be reversed immediately,” Erdogan said after Washington …
Read More »Turkey bans TV dating shows, fires 4,000 officials under emergency
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkey on Saturday fired almost 4,000 public officials and imposed a ban on TV dating shows, in new decrees issued under the state of emergency imposed after last year’s failed coup. The moves were the latest tough action by the authorities following President Recep Tayyip …
Read More »Turkish President granted sweeping powers after referendum victory
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President consolidated his grip on the country after a narrow win in a referendum stripped powers from parliament and handed them to him in a move that left opponents pondering their next move in a fast shrinking space of civil and political liberties. The declaration …
Read More »Putin also congratulates Erdogan over referendum win
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for winning a referendum on enhancing his powers, the Kremlin and Turkish state media said. Putin telephoned Erdogan to congratulate him over the win of the ‘Yes’ vote in Sunday’s poll, the state-run …
Read More »Trump congratulates Erdogan on referendum win
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | Trump congratulates Erdogan on referendum win, the Turkish state media reported. Turkey’s top security body meanwhile backed the extension for another three months of the state of emergency imposed after last July’s failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, broadcaster NTV reported. The decision, taken at …
Read More »Turkey election chief confirms ‘Yes’ camp wins Erdogan powers referendum
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | The ‘Yes’ camp backing greater powers for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged victorious from a landmark referendum, the head of the election commission said Sunday. “According to the results, it is the ‘Yes’ that has emerged” victorious, said Supreme Election Board (YSK) chief Sadi …
Read More »Erdogan says would be ‘easier’ if EU rejects Turkey bid
Ankara, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday lashed out again in the diplomatic row with the European Union saying it would be “easier” if the EU just rejected Turkey’s bid to join the bloc. Turkey and Europe are locked in a bitter dispute after Germany …
Read More »Turkey’s Erdogan compares Dutch rally ban to Nazism as row spirals
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said a Dutch ban on his foreign minister’s visit was like Nazism, as tensions rocketed over rallies abroad to help Ankara gain backing for a key vote. His comments came after The Hague said it would refuse Foreign …
Read More »