Category: News – Turkey

HP News
Clocks go back an hour in Cyprus and Britain, but not Turkey

On Sunday, 29 October, clocks will be going back in various parts of the world as part of Daylight Saving Time (DST). This includes Britain, North and South Cyprus. The decision by the Turkish Cypriot authorities to return DST means there will now be an hour’s difference with Turkey, which decided to end the practice […]

HP News
Turkey’s big business group calls for end to state of emergency

  A decision by the Turkish government to again extend the state of emergency in Turkey last week has been met with dismay by the country’s leading business organisation. Erol Bilecik, head of the Turkish Business and Industry Association (TÜSİAD), urged the government to take urgent steps towards normalisation. On 17 October, the Turkish Parliament […]

HP News
North Cyprus gears up to hosting 4th World Budo Martial Arts Championships

  This week, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus plays host to two major international Taekwondo championships.  On Thursday 26 October, the TRNC Taekwondo Federation holds its 29th National Championships. The following day, it will host the GTF 16th Eurasia Championships and over the weekend, the 4th World Budo Martial Arts Championships. Under the expert […]

HP News
We don’t need the EU, says President Erdoğan
 

  Turkey doesn’t need the European Union, said the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday, echoing his comments about the US from the day before. “If you’re honest, make your statement and we will finish the job. We don’t need you,” said Erdoğan while addressing regional delegates representing his Justice and Development Party (AKP) […]

HP News
Turkish amputees are crowned champions of European football

A last-minute goal by Turkish captain Osman Çakmak turned a dramatic game on its head and gave the hosts a 2.1 victory against England in the final of the European Amputee Football Championships. The performance of Turkey’s triumphant amputee footballers was described as “incredible” by UEFA, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tweeted “Turkey is […]

HP News
Turkey, USA suspend new travel visas as political tit-for-tat escalates

  The Turkish government has responded to the US’s announcement of the suspension of travel visa services in Turkey by imposing its own travel restrictions on American citizens. The diplomatic spat is another sign of the deterioration in relations between the two NATO allies. On Sunday, the US Embassy in Ankara announced it was suspending […]

HP News
Yapı Merkezi signs $1.9bn contract to build East Africa’s first high-speed rail

  One of Turkey’s biggest construction firms is set to design and build East Africa’s fastest railway. On Monday 2 Oct, Yapı Merkezi finalised its second major deal in eight months with Tanzanian authorities to produce 208 miles (336km) of rail transportation linking Makutupora in central Tanzania with Morogoro – the country’s eastern commercial hub. The […]

HP News
Boxing: Chris Eubank Jr v Avni Yıldırım, see the big fight live on ITV Box Office

  This Saturday, Turkey’s undefeated young boxer Avni Yıldırım faces Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr for the IBO Super-Middleweight title. The fight, at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, is part of the World Boxing Super Series, a new tournament now at the quarter-finals stage. The competition winner will come away with $10m in prize money, […]

HP News
All change as long-serving Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş steps down suddenly

  Kadir Topbaş caused waves when he suddenly announced his resignation last Friday, 22 Sep. At a hastily arranged press conference, the Mayor, who had held the post since first being elected back in March 2004, told journalists: “A man can forgive everything but being betrayed.” The mild-mannered veteran politician did not openly criticise the Justice […]

Features
How Halla Barakat inspired me as a Turkish Cypriot
 

  Halla Barakat was many things to many people. Many of you might recognise her as a pretty face that has been appearing in your social media news feeds in recent days, but maybe you haven’t stopped to read what all the fuss is about. For those of you who have, you would know that […]