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 »Erdogan likens Germany’s blocking rallies to Nazis
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Germany on Sunday for blocking rallies in support of him ahead of a vote on boosting his powers, likening the ban to “Nazi practices”. The attack came a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Turkish Prime …
Read More »Rwanda court blocked as UN judge caught in Turkey coup probe
Istanbul, Turkey | AFP | Aydin Sefa Akay is one of over 41,000 people arrested and awaiting trial in Turkey in the wake of the unsuccessful July 15 coup plot to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But Akay is no ordinary prisoner. A former Turkish ambassador, he is a top …
Read More »Istanbul attack overshadows New Year festivities
New York, United States | AFP | An attack that killed 39 revelers in an Istanbul nightclub overshadowed New Year celebrations around the world to ring in 2017. The massacre stoked fears that large crowds of people cramming into major cities could present a target for violent extremists. Festivities in …
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