Erdoğan says Assad declined request for talks on Syria

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his attempts to meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad were rebuffed, as fighting intensifies between opposition and government forces in the war-torn country.

“We made a call to Assad, saying, ‘Come and let’s determine the future of Syria t…[Read more]

Turkey, Russia and Iran meet in Doha seeking exit from Syria chaos

Moscow and Tehran have offered military support to help President Bashar al-Assad crush the opposition

Turkey’s Foreign Minister will meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Doha on Saturday to try to find a solution to the renewed fighting in Syria and avoid chaos on…[Read more]

Turkish diplomat takes the helm of OSCE

A senior Turkish diplomat, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, has been appointed as the secretary-general of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with the votes of all 57 member states, becoming the first Turkish national taking the helm of the prestigious organization.

Sinirlioğlu’s app…[Read more]

Türkiye warns Greek Cyprus’ increasing armament risk ‘arms race’ on island

Türkiye has raised objections to increasing militarization by the Greek Cypriot administration, warning that such actions threaten the fragile stability and peace in the region.

“This misguided policy could further undermine the stability and peace of our region and w…[Read more]

Japan’s Q3 capex accelerates, firms case for more rate hikes

Japanese corporate spending on plant and equipment accelerated in the third quarter, signalling solid domestic demand was underpinning the country’s fragile economic recovery and strengthening the case for further interest rate hikes.
Capital spending surged 8.1% year-on-year in the…[Read more]

Japan’s factory activity falls at fastest pace in 8 months, PMI shows

Japan’s factory activity shrank at the fastest pace in eight months in November as soft demand prompted firms to trim production, a private-sector survey showed on Monday.
The final au Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slipped to 49.0 in November,…[Read more]

Japan to offer ¥5 billion to four countries in latest OSA military aid tranche

Japan is more than doubling the budget for its military aid program, with the Foreign Ministry earmarking ¥5 billion ($33 million) for this fiscal year, compared with ¥2 billion a year earlier, as Tokyo seeks to strengthen the security and deterrence capabilities of li…[Read more]

Ishiba questioned on political reform, social issues and the economy

In parliamentary questioning Monday, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was grilled over issues ranging from the Liberal Democratic Party’s approach to political reform and his stance on social issues to the content of a supplementary budget.
Ishiba reiterated his skepticism about a…[Read more]

Barack Obama to present Merkel’s book ‘Freedom’ in the US

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former US President Barack Obama were allies in office. But not from day one.

Both left office years ago, but they have left their mark on global politics. Angela Merkel was once the most powerful woman in the world, while Barack Obama was the…[Read more]

Germany’s Scholz announces Ukraine military aid in visit to Kyiv

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unexpected visit to Kyiv on Monday, vowing his country would remain Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe and promising delivery this month of military aid worth 650 million euros ($683 million).
The visit, his second since Russia’s full-scale…[Read more]

Syria: US, Germany, France, UK call for de-escalation

The four NATO nations urged the “protection and civilians and infrastructure.” Meanwhile, the opposition-run White Helmets said Syrian and Russian airstrikes killed 25 people in Idlib on Sunday.

The United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom have all called for de-escalation in…[Read more]

Volkswagen workers in Germany to strike over plan to cut jobs and pay

Employees take action over plans to axe at least three plants in first domestic closures in company’s 87-year history

Workers at Volkswagen factories in Germany will strike from Monday over the carmaker’s plans to lay off thousands of people, cut pay and close plants for the…[Read more]

75,000 people barely surviving as Israel blocks N. Gaza aid: UN

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Thursday accused Israel of blocking all efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged northern Gaza.

In a statement, UNRWA said it attempted 91 times to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit…[Read more]

Turkish prosecutors brief UN committee on activist Eygi’s killing

U.N. Commission of Inquiry delegation has arrived in Ankara to review the investigation into the killing of Turkish-U.S. activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi and to collect evidence on alleged violations of humanitarian law and human rights in Palestine, Turkish authorities said Th…[Read more]

No global peace without Gaza cease-fire: Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said there would be no regional or global peace without ensuring peace in Gaza.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Erdoğan highlighted the importance of reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been carrying ou…[Read more]

Turkey shocks the U.S.: Drops F-16 fighters deal, goes local

Turkey has shocked its NATO partner, the United States, by refusing to purchase packages to modernize the Turkish Air Force’s existing F-16s. Instead, Ankara plans to carry out the modernization with its own resources, developed locally in recent years.

“We gave up on this 79. This is…[Read more]

Turkey prices are expected to decline 30 percent this year

The head of a state poultry group is encouraging consumers to stock up on turkey before the avian influenza outbreak impacts the supply chain.

Bill Mattos with the California Poultry Federation says retail turkey prices should be much higher because of reduced supplies this year, but…[Read more]

Kılıçdaroğlu faces first hearing in insult case

The first hearing in the case against former main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, accused of “insulting a public official,” was held on Nov. 22.

Kılıçdaroğlu, who faces up to 11 years and eight months in prison along with a potential political ban, was welcomed…[Read more]

Türkiye reaffirms support for ‘honorable’ Palestinian resistance

Türkiye remains steadfast in its support of Palestine’s “honorable resistance”, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz told Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in a phone call on Friday.

“Under the leadership of our President Mr. (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan, we will resolutely co…[Read more]