Turkey
Russo-Ukraine Istanbul ceasefire talks break up without result
The first direct meeting between the Kremlin and Bankova for negotiations since the start of the war in Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16 ended in failure with little progress being made.
Borsa Istanbul leads world markets in dollar-basis losses
Turkey’s exchange-traded fund down 9.5% in year-to-date. Thai performance second worst at 6.5%.
Syria’s Foreign Minister al-Shaibani meets US Secretary Rubio in Antalya amid sanctions lift announcement
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 15 that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, to discuss the details of lifting sanctions on Syria.
Putin slaps Zelenskiy in the face, skipping the Istanbul meeting, sending a low-level delegation in his place
Russian president Vladimir Putin was a no-show at direct talks he proposed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and sent a low-level delegation instead that didn't include a single minister, in what has been called a “slap in the face”.
Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.
Turkey’s tourism boom at risk from growing image as “expensive country”, say industry reps
Once seen as more budget-friendly than Egypt or Tunisia, country now often described as on par with Spain, Italy and Greece for overall cost.
China's SWM to launch auto plant in Turkey
BYD's sales of zero-tariff Chinese EVs on Turkish market are, meanwhile, booming.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
US President Donald Trump concludes historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa
US President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on May 14, marking the first encounter between leaders of the two nations in 25 years
In Kurdish peace moves, expect ailing founder Ocalan to get Turkish Riviera house arrest and “Real PKK” splinter to emerge, says analyst
Ankara thinks it can “mop up” those who continue fighting, adds Soner Cagaptay.
Afghanistan: Grappling with fall-out of dwindling foreign aid
Almost all US assistance terminated.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Who's to say PKK guns won't be used under a different name?
And anyway, despite what you are reading, the militants' so-called name has not been in use since 2002.
Turkish inflation still ballsing up OECD charts
Despite some progress in reining in prices, Turkey's headline figure is a bar graph section too far.
Zelenskiy to travel to Istanbul after Trump backs Putin’s offer of talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to hold face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.
Wildfires in Syria's Jabal Turkman expand as strong winds hamper control efforts
Wildfires in Syria's Jabal Turkman have expanded due to strong winds as firefighting teams battle the blaze for a fifth consecutive day.
Turkey and China could mediate Ukraine peace talks if US withdraws, Polish foreign minister says
Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.
Young generations face unprecedented climate extremes
More than half of children born in 2020 will experience unprecedented lifetime exposure to extreme heatwaves even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
X blocks jailed Imamoglu’s account in Turkey
Opposition leader says move is "digital pillar" of coup mounted by regime to stop Turks electing president they want.
BioNTech boss ranked second on Forbes’ richest Turks list
Ugur Sahin and wife and business partner Ozlem Tureci became weathly thanks to a COVID vaccine.