Istanbul

Turkey launches airstrikes in Syria, Iraq a week after Istanbul bombing

Turkey launched airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Sunday, targeting Kurdish groups that Ankara holds responsible for last week's bomb attack in Istanbul. Warplanes attacked bases of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and the Syrian People's Protection Units, or YPG, the ministry said in a statement, which was accompanied by images of F-16 jets taking off and footage of a strike from an aerial drone. There was no immediate comment from either group. The ministry cited Turkey's right to self defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter in launching an operation it called Claw-Sword late on Saturday night. It said it was targeting areas used as a base by terrorists in their attacks on our country. Turkey said it was seeking to prevent attacks, secure its southern border and destroy terrorism at its source. The airstrikes came after a bomb rocked a bustling avenue in the heart of Istanbul on November 13, kil

Istanbul attack: Bombing accused has been arrested, officials say

In the Istanbul attack, at least 81 people were injured when an explosion rocked the busy pedestrian street. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay called it a "terrorist attack."

Bomb explodes in Turkey's Istanbul avenue, six killed: Prez Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said an explosion on a major pedestrian thoroughfare in in Istanbul was caused by a bomb attack." Six people have died. Speaking before his departure to the G-20 summit in Indonesia on Sunday, Erdogan said the explosion was a treacherous attack and its perpetrators would be punished. Four people died at the scene and two in the hospital, Erdogan said. Another 53 were wounded, according to information he received from the Istanbul governor.

India condoles tragic loss of lives in blast in Turkey's Istanbul

India on Sunday conveyed its "deepest condolences" to the government and people of Turkey over the "tragic loss of lives" in a blast in Istanbul. According to reports, the bomb exploded at a crowded street in the Turkish capital, killing six people and wounding dozens. "India conveys its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Trkiye on the tragic loss of lives in the blast that took place in Istanbul today," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "Our sympathies are also with those who sustained injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery," he said.

Istanbul among 5 venues shortlisted to host this year's IPL mini auction

Istanbul is among the five venues shortlisted to host the IPL auction which is likely to be held on December 16, according to a BCCI official. Besides the Turkish capital and Bengaluru, the usual venue for the auction, New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad are also in contention. But a final call will be taken when the IPL Governing Council, under new chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, meets for the first time soon. "No final decision has been taken yet but we are looking at Istanbul. We haven't met the teams and their officials in a relaxed environment since COVID, and this way we will be able to do that," the BCCI official told PTI. "A final decision will be taken after talking to all stakeholders." Unlike last year, this year's will be a mini auction. The 10 IPL franchises have already been asked to submit their list of retained players by November 15. Also, the salary cap is likely to be increased from Rs 90 to Rs 95 crore for the next season.

Thousands march in Turkey to demand ban on LGBTQ associations, activities

An anti-LGBTQ group marched Sunday in Istanbul, demanding that LGBTQ associations be shuttered and their activities banned, in the largest demonstration of its kind in Turkey. Several thousand people joined the demonstration dubbed The Big Family Gathering. Kursat Mican, a speaker for the organisers, said they had gathered more than 150,000 signatures to demand a new law from Turkey's parliament that would ban what they called LGBTQ propaganda, which they say pervades Netflix, social media, arts and sports. Hatice Muge, who works as a nanny, came to the gathering from Bursa province. People are here despite the rain for their children, for future generations, she said, urging the Turkish government to take action. They should save the family, they should save the children from this filth." The group held banners that read: Protecting the family is a national security issue. LGBTQ parades have not been allowed in Turkey since 2015. Ahead of Sunday's demonstration, the organisers .

Ukraine grain export deal to be signed in Istanbul: Turkey officials

Turkish officials say a deal on a UN plan to unblock the exports of Ukrainian grain amid the war and to allow Russia to export grain and fertilisers will be signed Friday in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said that he, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and officials from Russia and Ukraine will oversee the signing ceremony. It did not provide further details. The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul tomorrow under the auspices of President Erdogan and U.N. Secretary General Mr. Guterres together with Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Erdogan spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a tweet. Guterres has been working on a plan that would enable Ukraine to export millions of tons of grain stockpiles that have been stuck in Ukraine's Black Sea ports due to the war a move that could ease a global food crisis that has sent wheat and other grain prices soaring. At least 22 million tons of grain are stuc

Talks show Russia may be ready to 'make steps forward': Ukraine envoy to UN

Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya said the new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are showing that Moscow may be ready to move forward.

New round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks to begin in Turkey today

Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have arrived in the Turkish city of Istanbul to begin a new round of peace talks from Tuesday aimed at ending the ongoing war

Russian delegation arrives in Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine

According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the talks are expected to begin on Tuesday morning, Xinhua news agency reported.

Monumental folly

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul must be one of the few places on earth where depictions of the three great Abrahamic religions, now so deeply antagonistic, can be seen in one place

Museum or mosque? Turkey's iconic Hagia Sophia is at the centre of a debate

The building is now at the centre of a heated debate between nationalist, religious groups who are pressing for it to be reconverted into a mosque and those who believe it should remain a museum

Does Istanbul election hold key to defeating populist politics elsewhere?

Imamoglu's win represents a major reversal for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, admired by populists worldwide for his domination of Turkish politics

Death toll from Istanbul twin bombings climb to 38

Turkish officials said the blasts, believed to be a car bomb and a suicide bomb, had targeted police officers

Turkey mourns after Istanbul bombings blamed on PKK kill 38

Interior Minister Suleman Soylu said 30 police, seven civilians and an unidentified person died in the blasts and 155 were injured

US orders families of consulate workers in Istanbul to leave

The order applies only to the US Consulate General in Istanbul, not to other US diplomatic posts in Turkey