Turkey has ban imports of plastic waste, days after an investigation revealed UK household plastics had been dumped illegally by the roadside and in fields in the country.

Turkey bans most plastic imports as EU trash found dumped illegally by the roadside

While some Americans are currently confused and rejoicing about the relaxing of masks mandates for vaccinated adults others are still confused about the guidelines from the CDC. CDC has said that fully vaccinated people can avoid masks at most places.

CDC: Fully vaccinated people can avoid masks at most places

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russians would knock their teeth out of those who attack the country or eye its vast territory.

Russian Prez Putin warns to 'knock out teeth' of adversaries

Refusing to be treated as a garbage pit, Turkey is banning the import of most plastic waste in the country.

A recent investigation revealed that several items of garbage, being presumed to be British recycling, were left to be dumped on beaches and roadsides of Turkey.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-if-space-junk-and-climate-change-become-the-same-problem-386124" hreflang="en">What if space junk and climate change become the same problem?</a>

The investigation was conducted by Greenpeace, whose experts visited 10 sites in the southern city of Adana in March and found several British companies’ packaging in illegal waste mountains, beaches, roadsides and other locations.

Researchers found packaging from Tesco, Lidl, Marks &amp; Spencer, Asda, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Poundland, Spar, etc — all of which are British supermarkets — left in bags or simply dumped in the shape of small hills.

It has been revealed that the UK has been treating Turkey as a garbage pit and has been extensively exporting its waste to Turkey, even though the latter’s recycling rate is only 12 per cent. The export of plastic waste from the UK has increased towards Turkey since 2018 when China banned all imports.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/meet-climate-changes-latest-offering-to-earth-zombie-wildfires-386102" hreflang="en">Meet climate change's latest offering to Earth - 'Zombie wildfires'</a>

Turns out, the UK is not the only country mistreating Turkey as a dumping ground. Other European countries have also been exporting their plastic waste to Turkey, although the UK and EU have rules against exporting waste to countries that do not have a high recycling percentage.

Making sure nobody treats the country as a dumping ground anymore, the Turkish government has announced plans to ban the imports of plastic waste from all countries. The ban includes polythene plastic waste but excludes pet plastic bottles.

"People have been appalled to see images of UK household waste dumped and burned in Turkey. The UK government must put a stop to our plastic waste impacting other countries. We need a complete ban on all plastic waste exports and legislation to make UK companies reduce the amount of plastic they produce in the first place," Sam Chetan-Welsh, political campaigner at Greenpeace UK said.

Refusing to be treated as a garbage pit, Turkey is banning the import of most plastic waste in the country. A recent investigation revealed that several items of garbage, being presumed to be British recycling, were left to be dumped on beaches and roadsides of Turkey.

Refusing to be treated as a garbage pit, Turkey is banning the import of most plastic waste in the country. A recent investigation revealed that several items of garbage, being presumed to be British recycling, were left to be dumped on beaches and roadsides of Turkey. Also read | What if space junk and climate change become the same problem? The investigation was conducted by Greenpeace, whose experts visited 10 sites in the southern city of Adana in March and found several British companies’ packaging in illegal waste mountains, beaches, roadsides and other locations. Researchers found packaging from Tesco, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Asda, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Poundland, Spar, etc — all of which are British supermarkets — left in bags or simply dumped in the shape of small hills. It has been revealed that the UK has been treating Turkey as a garbage pit and has been extensively exporting its waste to Turkey, even though the latter’s recycling rate is only 12 per cent. The export of plastic waste from the UK has increased towards Turkey since 2018 when China banned all imports. Also read | Meet climate change's latest offering to Earth - 'Zombie wildfires' Turns out, the UK is not the only country mistreating Turkey as a dumping ground. Other European countries have also been exporting their plastic waste to Turkey, although the UK and EU have rules against exporting waste to countries that do not have a high recycling percentage. Making sure nobody treats the country as a dumping ground anymore, the Turkish government has announced plans to ban the imports of plastic waste from all countries. The ban includes polythene plastic waste but excludes pet plastic bottles. "People have been appalled to see images of UK household waste dumped and burned in Turkey. The UK government must put a stop to our plastic waste impacting other countries. We need a complete ban on all plastic waste exports and legislation to make UK companies reduce the amount of plastic they produce in the first place," Sam Chetan-Welsh, political campaigner at Greenpeace UK said.

Not a garbage pit: Turkey bans import of plastic waste after UK's increased export percentage

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.&nbsp;

"We urge President Erdogan and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary remarks, which could incite further violence," Price said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Anti-Semitic language has no place anywhere," he said. &nbsp;

Price did not specify which Erdogan remarks the United States considered anti-Semitic. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.&nbsp;

Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting air strikes on Gaza and called it a 'terror state' after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. "We urge President Erdogan and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary remarks, which could incite further violence," Price said in a statement. "Anti-Semitic language has no place anywhere," he said. Price did not specify which Erdogan remarks the United States considered anti-Semitic. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for clarification. Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting air strikes on Gaza and called it a 'terror state' after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

US condemns Erdogan comments on Jewish people as anti-Semitic 

Turkey's Erdogan wants the Islamic World to send a stern message to Israel. He sees the Israel-Gaza conflict as an opportunity to hijack the leadership of the Islamic world. But, why is Erdogan silent on China's Uighur genocide? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Erdogan vocal on Palestine, silent on Uighurs

Turkey is calling on Muslim nations to mobilize against Israel in the ongoing conflict with Palestine. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israel a 'terror state' after the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque on Monday.

Turkey calls for Muslim nations to unite against Israel

Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence.&nbsp;

Despite a full lockdown aimed at curbing coronavirus cases, the protesters in Istanbul, including Syrians and Palestinians, carried Palestinian flags while chanting, "(Turkish soldiers) to Gaza" and "Down with Israel, down with America."&nbsp;

Erdogan spoke by phone with King Abdullah of Jordan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discussed the issue with his counterparts in Iran, Algeria, Pakistan and Russia.&nbsp;

According to a statement from his office, Erdogan told King Abdullah that the 'inhumane' attacks against Palestinians were aimed at all Muslims, adding that Turkey and Jordan needed to work together to stop them.&nbsp;

Violent clashes over Jerusalem escalated dramatically on Monday with Gaza health officials saying at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli air strikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence.

Thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul to protest at Israeli actions against Palestinians on Monday while President Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Middle East leaders about the rising violence. Despite a full lockdown aimed at curbing coronavirus cases, the protesters in Istanbul, including Syrians and Palestinians, carried Palestinian flags while chanting, "(Turkish soldiers) to Gaza" and "Down with Israel, down with America." Erdogan spoke by phone with King Abdullah of Jordan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu discussed the issue with his counterparts in Iran, Algeria, Pakistan and Russia. According to a statement from his office, Erdogan told King Abdullah that the 'inhumane' attacks against Palestinians were aimed at all Muslims, adding that Turkey and Jordan needed to work together to stop them. Violent clashes over Jerusalem escalated dramatically on Monday with Gaza health officials saying at least 20 people, including nine children, were killed by Israeli air strikes launched after Palestinian militant groups fired rockets close to Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

In Turkey, protests against Israel over surge in violence 

Turkish President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;called&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;a "terror state" on Saturday after&nbsp;Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;youth at Jerusalem's&nbsp;Al-Aqsa&nbsp;mosque on Friday.

He added that Ankara had launched initiatives to mobilise international&nbsp;institutions.

The&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;at Islam's third-holiest site and around East Jerusalem, which injured at least 205&nbsp;Palestinians and 17 police officers, came amid mounting anger&nbsp;over&nbsp;the potential&nbsp;eviction of&nbsp;Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers.&nbsp;Israel's Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the case on Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Turkey accuses Israel of 'terror' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa">Turkey accuses Israel of 'terror' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa</a>

Speaking at an event in Istanbul,&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;called on&nbsp;all Muslim countries and the international&nbsp;community to take "effective" steps against&nbsp;Israel, adding that those who remain silent were "a party to the cruelty there."

"The cruel&nbsp;Israel,&nbsp;terror state&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;is mercilessly and unethically attacking Muslims in Jerusalem,"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Clashes erupt in Jerusalem ahead of key court ruling on Palestinians' eviction">Clashes erupt in Jerusalem ahead of key court ruling on Palestinians' eviction</a>

He added that Turkey had "immediately launched the necessary initiatives to get the United Nations, Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and&nbsp;all relevant institutions to take action."

Several&nbsp;Turkish officials criticised&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;late on Friday as&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;erupted, and most opposition parties echoed the condemnations, in a rare sign of unity.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, blaming Israel">Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, blaming Israel</a>

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from&nbsp;Israel's foreign ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that law and order would be maintained in Jerusalem as would the right to worship.

Hundreds of people crowded outside&nbsp;Israel's embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul late on Friday, despite a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, in protest of the violence in Jerusalem and&nbsp;Al-Aqsa.

Turkey has condemned what it said was&nbsp;Israel's "systematic attempt at evicting&nbsp;Palestinians", referring to the long-running legal&nbsp;case.&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;on Saturday called for evictions to be halted.

"Otherwise, we will do everything we can to ensure the cruel are sentenced to the fate they deserve," he warned, without elaborating.

Former&nbsp;allies Turkey and&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have had a bitter falling-out in recent years despite strong commercial&nbsp;ties, mutually expelling ambassadors in 2018.

Ankara has repeatedly condemned&nbsp;Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of&nbsp;Palestinians, while playing down prospects of a rapprochement amid sharp policy differences.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said any rapprochement between the two sides was unlikely as long as&nbsp;Israeli policies towards&nbsp;Palestinians continued, and&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;has said that while Ankara would like to improve ties with&nbsp;Israel, it cannot abandon its&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;policy.

On Friday, Cavusoglu held talks in Ankara with&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;Foreign Minister Riyad&nbsp;al-Maliki.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called Israel a "terror state" on Saturday after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on Friday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called Israel a "terror state" on Saturday after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque on Friday. He added that Ankara had launched initiatives to mobilise international institutions. The clashes at Islam's third-holiest site and around East Jerusalem, which injured at least 205 Palestinians and 17 police officers, came amid mounting anger over the potential eviction of Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers. Israel's Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the case on Monday. Also read | Turkey accuses Israel of 'terror' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa Speaking at an event in Istanbul, Erdogan called on all Muslim countries and the international community to take "effective" steps against Israel, adding that those who remain silent were "a party to the cruelty there." "The cruel Israel, terror state Israel is mercilessly and unethically attacking Muslims in Jerusalem," Erdogan said. Also read | Clashes erupt in Jerusalem ahead of key court ruling on Palestinians' eviction He added that Turkey had "immediately launched the necessary initiatives to get the United Nations, Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and all relevant institutions to take action." Several Turkish officials criticised Israel late on Friday as clashes erupted, and most opposition parties echoed the condemnations, in a rare sign of unity. Also read | Palestinian parliamentary elections delayed, says Abbas, blaming Israel There was no immediate response to a request for comment from Israel's foreign ministry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that law and order would be maintained in Jerusalem as would the right to worship. Hundreds of people crowded outside Israel's embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul late on Friday, despite a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, in protest of the violence in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa. Turkey has condemned what it said was Israel's "systematic attempt at evicting Palestinians", referring to the long-running legal case. Erdogan on Saturday called for evictions to be halted. "Otherwise, we will do everything we can to ensure the cruel are sentenced to the fate they deserve," he warned, without elaborating. Former allies Turkey and Israel have had a bitter falling-out in recent years despite strong commercial ties, mutually expelling ambassadors in 2018. Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians, while playing down prospects of a rapprochement amid sharp policy differences. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said any rapprochement between the two sides was unlikely as long as Israeli policies towards Palestinians continued, and Erdogan has said that while Ankara would like to improve ties with Israel, it cannot abandon its Palestinian policy. On Friday, Cavusoglu held talks in Ankara with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki.

Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa

Turkey criticised Israel and accused it of unleashing "terror" on Palestinians after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque late on Friday.

The clashes at Islam's third holiest site and around East Jerusalem, which injured 205 Palestinians and 17 police officers, came amid mounting anger over the potential eviction of Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers.

As the clashes flared, several Turkish officials criticised Israel and called for other countries to voice condemnation, while a Foreign Ministry statement urged Israel to "immediately end its provocative and hostile stance and act with reason".

"Shame on Israel and those who keep silent in the face of disgraceful attacks," Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter late on Friday.

"We call on everyone to stand up against the policies of occupation and aggression of this apartheid state," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jerusalem-nightly-violent-encounter-injures-178-palestinians-and-6-police-officers-383586">Jerusalem: Nightly violent encounter injures 178 Palestinians and 6 police officers</a>

Turkey's communications director Fahrettin Altun told state television Israel was violating human rights and would "pay the price", as opposition parties echoed the government condemnation in a rare sign of unity.

"Attacking innocent people praying is clearly terror," Altun said. "We see that these attacks on Palestinians are against the most fundamental human rights."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jerusalem-clashes-palestinians-clash-with-israeli-police-at-al-aqsa-mosque-383605/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Former allies Turkey and Israel have had a bitter falling-out in recent years despite strong commercial ties, mutually expelling ambassadors in 2018.

Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians, calling the issue a "red line".

Last month, Turkey also condemned what it said was Israel's "systematic attempt at evicting Palestinians", referring to the long-running legal case that Israel's Supreme Court will hold a hearing over on Monday.

Turkey criticised Israel and accused it of unleashing "terror" on Palestinians after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque late on Friday.

Turkey criticised Israel and accused it of unleashing "terror" on Palestinians after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinian youth at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque late on Friday. The clashes at Islam's third holiest site and around East Jerusalem, which injured 205 Palestinians and 17 police officers, came amid mounting anger over the potential eviction of Palestinians from homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers. As the clashes flared, several Turkish officials criticised Israel and called for other countries to voice condemnation, while a Foreign Ministry statement urged Israel to "immediately end its provocative and hostile stance and act with reason". "Shame on Israel and those who keep silent in the face of disgraceful attacks," Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter late on Friday. "We call on everyone to stand up against the policies of occupation and aggression of this apartheid state," he said. Also read | Jerusalem: Nightly violent encounter injures 178 Palestinians and 6 police officers Turkey's communications director Fahrettin Altun told state television Israel was violating human rights and would "pay the price", as opposition parties echoed the government condemnation in a rare sign of unity. "Attacking innocent people praying is clearly terror," Altun said. "We see that these attacks on Palestinians are against the most fundamental human rights." Former allies Turkey and Israel have had a bitter falling-out in recent years despite strong commercial ties, mutually expelling ambassadors in 2018. Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians, calling the issue a "red line". Last month, Turkey also condemned what it said was Israel's "systematic attempt at evicting Palestinians", referring to the long-running legal case that Israel's Supreme Court will hold a hearing over on Monday.

Turkey accuses Israel of 'terror' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa

The status of the Champions League final on May 29 between Manchester City and Chelsea in Istanbul was thrown into doubt on Friday after the UK government placed Turkey on the travel red list with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for the showdown to come to Britain.

British transport minister Grant Shapps said that travel to red list countries was not allowed except for "the most extreme circumstances" and anyone returning from a red list country has to enter and pay for compulsory hotel quarantine.

"It does mean that fans should not travel to Turkey," said Shapps, who raised the possibility of the match being moved to England.

"The FA (Football&nbsp;Association) are in discussions with UEFA. We are open to hosting but it is ultimately a decision for UEFA," he added.

"The Champions League is the pinnacle of European club&nbsp;football," Johnson was quoted as saying by The Sun newspaper on Friday.

"And with two English teams contesting the final, it would be a great shame if fans were unable to attend. It would be brilliant to host the game here if we can. I want to help supporters of both clubs see their team in action."

UEFA said they would take time to reflect on the UK government's decision. The FA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"UK officials seem to insist but we are moving ahead according to UEFA directions and statements. There were no updates on this from an official channel, we will be hosting the final in Istanbul," a Turkish&nbsp;Football&nbsp;Federation spokesman said.

The issue of whether players would be granted an exemption from the quarantine was not clear but a 14 day quarantine would impact players involved in UEFA's Euro 2020 which starts on June 11.

Turkey has in recent weeks ranked fourth globally in terms of daily COVID-19 cases, prompting a nationwide lockdown this month until May 17. The move has started to curb the outbreak, with daily cases falling to around 20,000 on Friday from a peak above 63,000 in mid-April.

Media reports have said that Turkish&nbsp;football&nbsp;authorities had been hoping to allow tickets for at least 4,000 fans of each team as part of a 25,000 capacity crowd at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

The status of the Champions League final on May 29 between Manchester City and Chelsea in Istanbul was thrown into doubt on Friday after the UK government placed Turkey on the travel red list with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for the showdown to come to Britain.

The status of the Champions League final on May 29 between Manchester City and Chelsea in Istanbul was thrown into doubt on Friday after the UK government placed Turkey on the travel red list with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for the showdown to come to Britain. British transport minister Grant Shapps said that travel to red list countries was not allowed except for "the most extreme circumstances" and anyone returning from a red list country has to enter and pay for compulsory hotel quarantine. "It does mean that fans should not travel to Turkey," said Shapps, who raised the possibility of the match being moved to England. "The FA (Football Association) are in discussions with UEFA. We are open to hosting but it is ultimately a decision for UEFA," he added. "The Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football," Johnson was quoted as saying by The Sun newspaper on Friday. "And with two English teams contesting the final, it would be a great shame if fans were unable to attend. It would be brilliant to host the game here if we can. I want to help supporters of both clubs see their team in action." UEFA said they would take time to reflect on the UK government's decision. The FA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "UK officials seem to insist but we are moving ahead according to UEFA directions and statements. There were no updates on this from an official channel, we will be hosting the final in Istanbul," a Turkish Football Federation spokesman said. The issue of whether players would be granted an exemption from the quarantine was not clear but a 14 day quarantine would impact players involved in UEFA's Euro 2020 which starts on June 11. Turkey has in recent weeks ranked fourth globally in terms of daily COVID-19 cases, prompting a nationwide lockdown this month until May 17. The move has started to curb the outbreak, with daily cases falling to around 20,000 on Friday from a peak above 63,000 in mid-April. Media reports have said that Turkish football authorities had been hoping to allow tickets for at least 4,000 fans of each team as part of a 25,000 capacity crowd at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Champions League final venue uncertain after Turkey on the travel red list

Turkish authorities forcibly removed followers of an Islamist figure from three mosques in southern Turkey, saying their prayer gatherings were a provocation against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. 
 
Footage showed police scuffling with a group of people in a mosque in the province of Gaziantep on Sunday and forcibly taking them out, while some yelled: "We are reading the Koran." One officer could be seen using pepper spray. 
 
Turkey has imposed a full lockdown until mid-May to try to cut rates of COVID-19 infection which have soared in recent weeks. 
 
Prayer in mosques is not prohibited under the measures, but authorities in Gaziantep said the groups were trying to confine themselves in the mosques for the final days of Ramadan without prior permission. 
 
The Gaziantep governor`s office said on Monday that the 76 people who entered the three mosques had previous terrorism investigations launched against them. 
 
It said police had detained them after they engaged in civil disobedience and started swearing, adding that judicial processes were launched for threatening and insulting behaviour and for violating the lockdown. 
 
"The people carrying out this provocation are followers of (religious leader) Alparslan Kuytul who have been investigated numerous times previously on terrorism charges and their aim is not worship but civil disobedience," the governor`s office said. 
 
Kuytul, who was arrested in 2018 and tried on terrorism-related charges but was acquitted last year, said on his Twitter account that the members of his group had purely sought to worship and were not engaging in provocation. 
 
The governor`s office said the officer who used pepper spray inside the mosque had been suspended. 
 
Turkey has imposed a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17, as daily coronavirus cases surged to new record highs.

Turkish authorities forcibly removed followers of an Islamist figure from three mosques in southern Turkey, saying their prayer gatherings were a provocation against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Turkish authorities forcibly removed followers of an Islamist figure from three mosques in southern Turkey, saying their prayer gatherings were a provocation against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Footage showed police scuffling with a group of people in a mosque in the province of Gaziantep on Sunday and forcibly taking them out, while some yelled: "We are reading the Koran." One officer could be seen using pepper spray. Turkey has imposed a full lockdown until mid-May to try to cut rates of COVID-19 infection which have soared in recent weeks. Prayer in mosques is not prohibited under the measures, but authorities in Gaziantep said the groups were trying to confine themselves in the mosques for the final days of Ramadan without prior permission. The Gaziantep governor`s office said on Monday that the 76 people who entered the three mosques had previous terrorism investigations launched against them. It said police had detained them after they engaged in civil disobedience and started swearing, adding that judicial processes were launched for threatening and insulting behaviour and for violating the lockdown. "The people carrying out this provocation are followers of (religious leader) Alparslan Kuytul who have been investigated numerous times previously on terrorism charges and their aim is not worship but civil disobedience," the governor`s office said. Kuytul, who was arrested in 2018 and tried on terrorism-related charges but was acquitted last year, said on his Twitter account that the members of his group had purely sought to worship and were not engaging in provocation. The governor`s office said the officer who used pepper spray inside the mosque had been suspended. Turkey has imposed a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17, as daily coronavirus cases surged to new record highs.

Turkish police remove followers of Islamist figure from mosques

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over his "disrespectful" behaviour during a visit to a shrine, officials said on Tuesday.

Imamoglu, who is a potential election challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from the main opposition CHP party, was pictured with his hands folded behind his back during a visit to a tomb of an Ottoman sultan last year.

He was attending a ceremony marking the anniversary of Istanbul's conquest from the Byzantine Empire in 1453.&nbsp;

Interior ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli said the probe was opened by city prosecutors over allegations that the mayor was "disrespectful to the tomb of Fatih the Conqueror".

He did not explain how Imamoglu may have disrespected the shrine.

Prosecutors were also investigating separate claims that Imamoglu had visited the co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Catakli said.

Prosecutors are now trying to dissolve the party,&nbsp;the third-largest in parliament, over its alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Imamoglu's spokesman Murat Ongun tweeted that the mayor has been asked to give a statement for an investigation "which lacks any explanation".

Imamoglu, who embarrassed Erdogan's ruling AKP party by winning a controversy-filled Istanbul election in 2019 that had to be re-run because of allegations of fraud, is no stranger to government probes.

He is also being investigated for his opposition to Erdogan's flagship project creating an alternative to the Bosphorus strait, a major world shipping lane, which is expected to break ground in June.

Imamoglu is one of several potential candidates from the main opposition party in a presidential election slated for 2023.

(With inputs from agencies)

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over his "disrespectful" behaviour during a visit to a shrine, officials said on Tuesday.

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu over his "disrespectful" behaviour during a visit to a shrine, officials said on Tuesday. Imamoglu, who is a potential election challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from the main opposition CHP party, was pictured with his hands folded behind his back during a visit to a tomb of an Ottoman sultan last year. He was attending a ceremony marking the anniversary of Istanbul's conquest from the Byzantine Empire in 1453. Interior ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli said the probe was opened by city prosecutors over allegations that the mayor was "disrespectful to the tomb of Fatih the Conqueror". He did not explain how Imamoglu may have disrespected the shrine. Prosecutors were also investigating separate claims that Imamoglu had visited the co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Catakli said. Prosecutors are now trying to dissolve the party, the third-largest in parliament, over its alleged ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. Imamoglu's spokesman Murat Ongun tweeted that the mayor has been asked to give a statement for an investigation "which lacks any explanation". Imamoglu, who embarrassed Erdogan's ruling AKP party by winning a controversy-filled Istanbul election in 2019 that had to be re-run because of allegations of fraud, is no stranger to government probes. He is also being investigated for his opposition to Erdogan's flagship project creating an alternative to the Bosphorus strait, a major world shipping lane, which is expected to break ground in June. Imamoglu is one of several potential candidates from the main opposition party in a presidential election slated for 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey launches probe against opposition mayor for being 'disrespectful'

Row over US President Joe Biden's recognition of the Armenian genocide the focus has shifted to Turkish military bases being used by the US army. The US army mainly uses Incirlik Air Base and its radar station for its operations in West Asia.

Row over Turkish military bases being used by US army

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday.

The travel ban does not apply to passengers, who have transited through those countries, the presidential steering committee on Covid said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines ">Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines&nbsp;</a>

"These precautionary measures are a necessary step to minimise the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries," the statement said.

Nigerians and permanent residents who have been in those countries in the last 14 days will have to undergo mandatory quarantine for a week in a government-approved facility on arrival, it said.

All passengers arriving in Nigeria will now have to show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel rather then the previous 96 hours period.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has reported just over 165,000 cases of the coronavirus and 2,063 deaths since the virus first emerged in China at the end of 2019.

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday.

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday. The travel ban does not apply to passengers, who have transited through those countries, the presidential steering committee on Covid said in a statement. Also read: Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines "These precautionary measures are a necessary step to minimise the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries," the statement said. Nigerians and permanent residents who have been in those countries in the last 14 days will have to undergo mandatory quarantine for a week in a government-approved facility on arrival, it said. All passengers arriving in Nigeria will now have to show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel rather then the previous 96 hours period. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has reported just over 165,000 cases of the coronavirus and 2,063 deaths since the virus first emerged in China at the end of 2019.

Nigeria restricts passengers from India, Brazil, Turkey over virus

A presidential decree published on Saturday added cryptocurrency exchanges to a list of firms covered by Turkey’s terror financing and money laundering.&nbsp;

The move came after a ban on using cryptocurrencies for making payments, which was introduced in response to claims that such transactions are too risky, took effect in Turkey on Friday.&nbsp;

The presidential decree makes 'crypto asset service providers' responsible for seeing their assets are not used illegally. The decree immediately went into force with its publication in Turkey’s Official Gazette.&nbsp;

Turkish authorities last month launched fraud investigations into two cryptocurrency exchanges, Thodex and Vebitcoin. Six suspects linked to the Thodex probe were jailed on Friday pending trial.&nbsp;

The investigation into Thodex, which handled daily trades of hundreds of millions of dollars, initially led to the arrests of 83 people after customers complained of not being able to access their funds. Interpol issued a detention warrant for the firm’s CEO on Turkey’s behalf.&nbsp;

Turks have been increasingly attracted by cryptocurrencies as protection against the decline of the lira and double-digit inflation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A presidential decree published on Saturday added cryptocurrency exchanges to a list of firms covered by Turkey’s terror financing and money laundering. The move came after a ban on using cryptocurrencies for making payments, which was introduced in response to claims that such transactions are too risky, took effect in Turkey on Friday.

A presidential decree published on Saturday added cryptocurrency exchanges to a list of firms covered by Turkey’s terror financing and money laundering. The move came after a ban on using cryptocurrencies for making payments, which was introduced in response to claims that such transactions are too risky, took effect in Turkey on Friday. The presidential decree makes 'crypto asset service providers' responsible for seeing their assets are not used illegally. The decree immediately went into force with its publication in Turkey’s Official Gazette. Turkish authorities last month launched fraud investigations into two cryptocurrency exchanges, Thodex and Vebitcoin. Six suspects linked to the Thodex probe were jailed on Friday pending trial. The investigation into Thodex, which handled daily trades of hundreds of millions of dollars, initially led to the arrests of 83 people after customers complained of not being able to access their funds. Interpol issued a detention warrant for the firm’s CEO on Turkey’s behalf. Turks have been increasingly attracted by cryptocurrencies as protection against the decline of the lira and double-digit inflation. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey adds cryptocurrency exchanges to terror funding rules 

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first &nbsp;US &nbsp;President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” . He did so through a Presidential statement on April 24, 2021. The &nbsp;day is commemorated by Armenians all over the world as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day”&nbsp;

Ten million Armenians including an estimated seven million Armenian diaspora spread all over the world have been demanding the recognition of Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Ottoman regime during and after the World War 1.&nbsp;

There is a broad consensus amongst international scholars that the Christian Armenian minority in Muslim-majority Turkey under Ottoman rule was subjected to blatant discrimination. During the First World War, the Turks suspected that the loyalty of the Christian Armenians of Turkey was with the Christian Russians. Many of them were residing in Eastern Anatolia, bordering with Imperialist Russia.&nbsp;

Enraged by a heavy defeat at the hands of the Russian forces in the Battle of Saikamish (December 1914 to January 1915), the Ottoman Turks began destroying Ottoman Armenian villages during their retreat. The Ottoman War Minister Anwar Pasha publically accused the Armenians of treachery and what followed was the arrest of a large number of Armenians from different walks of life in Constantinople (now Istanbul) on April 24, 1915, and subsequent deportations en masse to the Syrian desert and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians were massacred or died from starvation or disease. A large number of Armenian women are alleged to have been molested/raped. &nbsp;

The Armenians put the total figure of those who died in the process at 1.5 million. &nbsp;Turkey admits that there were indeed casualties but insists the numbers were no more than three hundred thousand and denies any systematic or premeditated plan for ethnic cleansing. Relations between Armenia and Turkey remain overshadowed by this burden of history as the two neighbouring countries do not have diplomatic relations and their borders remain closed for each other.

Continuous influx of Armenians into the United States since the 17th century has created a vibrant, active, and diverse Armenian American Diaspora, estimated to be 1.6 million and the second-largest worldwide. The high concentration of Armenian Americans in certain electoral districts, particularly in California, allows them to influence the electoral outcome of elections in those districts.

The primary objectives of the Armenian lobby in the USA, spearheaded by the domestic organisations such as Armenian National Committee of America and Armenian Assembly of America revolve around improving the US relations with Armenia, securing US aid and assistance for Armenia, blocking US aid to Turkey and Azerbaijan and above all the recognition of Armenian genocide.

The Armenian lobby had so far succeeded in enlisting the support of as many as 49 US states in describing the Armenians massacre as genocide. Further in 2019 the US House of Representatives and the Senate had adopted separate but identical Resolutions the thrust of which inter-alia was that “It is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance” and “to reject efforts to enlist, engage or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or other genocides”.

The US State Department however said that &nbsp;despite the resolutions the US Government’s official position did not change.

The successive US Presidents had so far refrained from any official reference to Armenian Genocide; they did so in deference to the sensitivities of Turkey- an important strategic NATO ally of the USA. In April 2020, the then US President Trump did pay tributes to the victims of “one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century” but stopped short of describing it as genocide. Even the Democratic President Barak Obama is accused of having reneged on the election campaign promises of recognising the Armenian genocide.&nbsp;

Joe Biden’s decision is bound to please the Armenians who were somewhat disappointed over the US’s failure under President Trump to make any effective and substantive intervention during the 44-days armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The conflict ended in a humiliating military defeat for Armenia and also resulted, besides the loss of lives and territories, in a widespread agitation in Armenia against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He ultimately resigned on 25th April 2021 to pave the way for mid-term elections in June 2021; as a matter of coincidence he resigned just a day after the release of Joe Biden’s Presidential Statement. Prima-facie there is no link between the US Presidential Statement and Armenian PM’s resignation.

What prompted Joe Biden to accord official recognition to Armenian genocide- an act from which his predecessors both Democrats as well as Republicans had refrained from? For sure, this could not just be to appease and please the Armenians, considering in particular that the next elections are four years away, &nbsp;whereas the announcement could have an immediate adverse impact on the US-Turkey relations which are already on the downslide for some time for a variety of reasons. Turkey’s response has been on the predicted lines. President Erdogan accused President Biden of yielding to political pressure from “radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups” and asked him &nbsp;to “reverse this wrong step immediately”&nbsp;

So, does the US President’s recognition of Armenian genocide reflect the diminishing importance of Turkey for the USA as an ally, particularly in the backdrop of the US drawing down its military commitments to hotspots in the Middle East?&nbsp;

By recognising the Armenian genocide, does the Biden Administration wish to convey its strong commitments to human rights? If so, the questions are being asked as to whether one can expect a similar approach for the &nbsp;Bengalis of Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who were butchered by the Pakistani Army in 1971 or for the Rohingya Muslims being currently persecuted by the Buddhist majority and the military junta in Myanmar? Perhaps not as neither Rohingyas nor Bengalis have any lobbying power in USA. Moreover, Pakistan still has some nuisance value for the USA in the context of Afghanistan.

Is the Biden Administration trying to convey a message that the USA will not differentiate between friends, allies, or foes on matters which it considers as matters of principles and can go to any extent to prove the point. Remember, only recently (7th April) the US Navy had not only trespassed India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in its territorial waters but also had the audacity of making a public statement that it had done so without informing India or obtaining India’s prior’s consent and that it had done so to assert the Freedom of Navigation and to challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims”.&nbsp;

Reverting to the issue of Armenian genocide, the Armenians have so far met with partial but reasonable success in securing global recognition. The recognition has come mainly from the Western States and organisations.&nbsp;

While India has not recognised the Armenian Genocide all these years, the high-level dignitaries on official visits to &nbsp;Armenia do visit the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of Armenian genocide.&nbsp;

On last such occasion, the then Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, had visited the Memorial on 25th April, 2017, laid a wreath and observed: “This is a tragedy, indescribable things done to humans by humans.” Earlier in 2005 the then &nbsp;Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had also visited the Memorial in Yerevan and planted a tree besides laying a wreath.

In nutshell, the US President’s recognition of the Armenian genocide is a shot in &nbsp;the &nbsp;arm for Armenians &nbsp;for their global campaign&nbsp;

The full impact of the recognition on US relations with Turkey remains to be seen. Other than verbal rhetoric there are no firm indications at this point of time of any retaliatory measure which Turkey may be contemplating to counter the “insult and injury”. &nbsp;

It is clear however that Turkey is now a dispensable ally for the USA. Turkey has been making unacceptable un-palatable statements from time to time on Kashmir in disregard to India’s sensitivities. India can and should therefore use the Armenian genocide issue as a diplomatic weapon to dissuade Turkey from its unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs, including those pertaining to Muslims in India in general and Kashmir in particular. If Turkey refuses to behave, India may reconsider its position on the issue of Armenian genocide, though that may require a well-articulated policy on the issue of genocide in general.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first US President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” .

President Joe Biden will be remembered by the global Armenian community as the first US President who formally described the large-scale massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during the First World War as “genocide” . He did so through a Presidential statement on April 24, 2021. The day is commemorated by Armenians all over the world as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” Ten million Armenians including an estimated seven million Armenian diaspora spread all over the world have been demanding the recognition of Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Ottoman regime during and after the World War 1. There is a broad consensus amongst international scholars that the Christian Armenian minority in Muslim-majority Turkey under Ottoman rule was subjected to blatant discrimination. During the First World War, the Turks suspected that the loyalty of the Christian Armenians of Turkey was with the Christian Russians. Many of them were residing in Eastern Anatolia, bordering with Imperialist Russia. Enraged by a heavy defeat at the hands of the Russian forces in the Battle of Saikamish (December 1914 to January 1915), the Ottoman Turks began destroying Ottoman Armenian villages during their retreat. The Ottoman War Minister Anwar Pasha publically accused the Armenians of treachery and what followed was the arrest of a large number of Armenians from different walks of life in Constantinople (now Istanbul) on April 24, 1915, and subsequent deportations en masse to the Syrian desert and elsewhere. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians were massacred or died from starvation or disease. A large number of Armenian women are alleged to have been molested/raped. The Armenians put the total figure of those who died in the process at 1.5 million. Turkey admits that there were indeed casualties but insists the numbers were no more than three hundred thousand and denies any systematic or premeditated plan for ethnic cleansing. Relations between Armenia and Turkey remain overshadowed by this burden of history as the two neighbouring countries do not have diplomatic relations and their borders remain closed for each other. Continuous influx of Armenians into the United States since the 17th century has created a vibrant, active, and diverse Armenian American Diaspora, estimated to be 1.6 million and the second-largest worldwide. The high concentration of Armenian Americans in certain electoral districts, particularly in California, allows them to influence the electoral outcome of elections in those districts. The primary objectives of the Armenian lobby in the USA, spearheaded by the domestic organisations such as Armenian National Committee of America and Armenian Assembly of America revolve around improving the US relations with Armenia, securing US aid and assistance for Armenia, blocking US aid to Turkey and Azerbaijan and above all the recognition of Armenian genocide. The Armenian lobby had so far succeeded in enlisting the support of as many as 49 US states in describing the Armenians massacre as genocide. Further in 2019 the US House of Representatives and the Senate had adopted separate but identical Resolutions the thrust of which inter-alia was that “It is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance” and “to reject efforts to enlist, engage or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or other genocides”. The US State Department however said that despite the resolutions the US Government’s official position did not change. The successive US Presidents had so far refrained from any official reference to Armenian Genocide; they did so in deference to the sensitivities of Turkey- an important strategic NATO ally of the USA. In April 2020, the then US President Trump did pay tributes to the victims of “one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century” but stopped short of describing it as genocide. Even the Democratic President Barak Obama is accused of having reneged on the election campaign promises of recognising the Armenian genocide. Joe Biden’s decision is bound to please the Armenians who were somewhat disappointed over the US’s failure under President Trump to make any effective and substantive intervention during the 44-days armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. The conflict ended in a humiliating military defeat for Armenia and also resulted, besides the loss of lives and territories, in a widespread agitation in Armenia against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He ultimately resigned on 25th April 2021 to pave the way for mid-term elections in June 2021; as a matter of coincidence he resigned just a day after the release of Joe Biden’s Presidential Statement. Prima-facie there is no link between the US Presidential Statement and Armenian PM’s resignation. What prompted Joe Biden to accord official recognition to Armenian genocide- an act from which his predecessors both Democrats as well as Republicans had refrained from? For sure, this could not just be to appease and please the Armenians, considering in particular that the next elections are four years away, whereas the announcement could have an immediate adverse impact on the US-Turkey relations which are already on the downslide for some time for a variety of reasons. Turkey’s response has been on the predicted lines. President Erdogan accused President Biden of yielding to political pressure from “radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups” and asked him to “reverse this wrong step immediately” So, does the US President’s recognition of Armenian genocide reflect the diminishing importance of Turkey for the USA as an ally, particularly in the backdrop of the US drawing down its military commitments to hotspots in the Middle East? By recognising the Armenian genocide, does the Biden Administration wish to convey its strong commitments to human rights? If so, the questions are being asked as to whether one can expect a similar approach for the Bengalis of Eastern Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who were butchered by the Pakistani Army in 1971 or for the Rohingya Muslims being currently persecuted by the Buddhist majority and the military junta in Myanmar? Perhaps not as neither Rohingyas nor Bengalis have any lobbying power in USA. Moreover, Pakistan still has some nuisance value for the USA in the context of Afghanistan. Is the Biden Administration trying to convey a message that the USA will not differentiate between friends, allies, or foes on matters which it considers as matters of principles and can go to any extent to prove the point. Remember, only recently (7th April) the US Navy had not only trespassed India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in its territorial waters but also had the audacity of making a public statement that it had done so without informing India or obtaining India’s prior’s consent and that it had done so to assert the Freedom of Navigation and to challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims”. Reverting to the issue of Armenian genocide, the Armenians have so far met with partial but reasonable success in securing global recognition. The recognition has come mainly from the Western States and organisations. While India has not recognised the Armenian Genocide all these years, the high-level dignitaries on official visits to Armenia do visit the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of Armenian genocide. On last such occasion, the then Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, had visited the Memorial on 25th April, 2017, laid a wreath and observed: “This is a tragedy, indescribable things done to humans by humans.” Earlier in 2005 the then Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had also visited the Memorial in Yerevan and planted a tree besides laying a wreath. In nutshell, the US President’s recognition of the Armenian genocide is a shot in the arm for Armenians for their global campaign The full impact of the recognition on US relations with Turkey remains to be seen. Other than verbal rhetoric there are no firm indications at this point of time of any retaliatory measure which Turkey may be contemplating to counter the “insult and injury”. It is clear however that Turkey is now a dispensable ally for the USA. Turkey has been making unacceptable un-palatable statements from time to time on Kashmir in disregard to India’s sensitivities. India can and should therefore use the Armenian genocide issue as a diplomatic weapon to dissuade Turkey from its unwarranted interference in India’s internal affairs, including those pertaining to Muslims in India in general and Kashmir in particular. If Turkey refuses to behave, India may reconsider its position on the issue of Armenian genocide, though that may require a well-articulated policy on the issue of genocide in general. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide reflects dispensability of Turkey

Turkey has been put under a nationwide full lockdown for three weeks in an attempt to curb a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. The lockdown starting Thursday (April 29) will last until the May 17.

Erdogan announces full lockdown from April 29 to curb COVID-19 surge in Turkey

Turkish citizens are asking their President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to show them the money.&nbsp;They want to know where the government spent $128 million from its forex reserves.

Opposition parties say this sum was sold at foreign exchange markets to keep the sinking Turkish currency stable.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-of-turkey-choose-human-rights-as-erdogan-prefers-silence-376556">People of Turkey choose Human Rights as Erdogan prefers silence</a>

However, Erdogan denies the charge. He says those levelling it should be charged with treason. It is not helping his case, though as hundreds of posters and billboards have emerged in Istanbul asking one question: Where are the $128 billion dollars?

This question has turned into a political slogan in Turkey. It is emblazoned on posters and billboards in Istanbul and is imprinted on the masks of many Turkish citizens.

The Republican People's Party in Turkey says the state banks used this sum from Turkish forex reserves and sold them to support the sinking Turkish lira in foreign exchange markets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-erdogan-cornered-on-missing-128-billion-379609">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-erdogan-cornered-on-missing-128-billion-379609/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

They claim this corrupt policy began around the 2019 municipal elections and was ramped up in 2020 when the pandemic laid bare the lira's vulnerability.

What's worse is that this alleged foul play coincided with the tenure of Berat Albayrak, the former finance minister of Turkey and the son-in-law of the Turkish president.

Albayrak resigned in November 2020 citing health reasons. However, opposition leaders say the resignation was a political stunt to save the first family's reputation.

The Turkish government has literally launched a counter-attack. It has ordered the Turkish police to take down all banners in questioning the government’s actions.

Erdogan has gone as far as to call the campaign as 'outright treason’. He even offered a clarification in the country's parliament.

"Since there is no real desire to understand what happened to the $128 billion, of all the talk, there is nothing accurate. Neither the sum in question, nor the explanation of the sum, nor the campaign around it. From beginning to end, it is all lies and mistakes," he said. "Let our people be reassured. The 128 billion dollars of this country have neither been given as a gift to anyone nor wasted."

However, Istanbul has also acknowledged that the questions need answers from the right people. So the finance minister of Turkey has allowed the country's central bank to publish all data regarding foreign exchange transactions.

This is a welcome step from a government that rarely owns up to its mistakes. It is also an indication that every leader, even Erdogan who has ruled Turkey for 18 years, can be vulnerable to political and public pressure.

Turkish citizens are asking their President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to show them the money. They want to know where the government spent $128 million from its forex reserves.

Turkish citizens are asking their President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to show them the money. They want to know where the government spent $128 million from its forex reserves. Opposition parties say this sum was sold at foreign exchange markets to keep the sinking Turkish currency stable. Also read | People of Turkey choose Human Rights as Erdogan prefers silence However, Erdogan denies the charge. He says those levelling it should be charged with treason. It is not helping his case, though as hundreds of posters and billboards have emerged in Istanbul asking one question: Where are the $128 billion dollars? This question has turned into a political slogan in Turkey. It is emblazoned on posters and billboards in Istanbul and is imprinted on the masks of many Turkish citizens. The Republican People's Party in Turkey says the state banks used this sum from Turkish forex reserves and sold them to support the sinking Turkish lira in foreign exchange markets. Watch | They claim this corrupt policy began around the 2019 municipal elections and was ramped up in 2020 when the pandemic laid bare the lira's vulnerability. What's worse is that this alleged foul play coincided with the tenure of Berat Albayrak, the former finance minister of Turkey and the son-in-law of the Turkish president. Albayrak resigned in November 2020 citing health reasons. However, opposition leaders say the resignation was a political stunt to save the first family's reputation. The Turkish government has literally launched a counter-attack. It has ordered the Turkish police to take down all banners in questioning the government’s actions. Erdogan has gone as far as to call the campaign as 'outright treason’. He even offered a clarification in the country's parliament. "Since there is no real desire to understand what happened to the $128 billion, of all the talk, there is nothing accurate. Neither the sum in question, nor the explanation of the sum, nor the campaign around it. From beginning to end, it is all lies and mistakes," he said. "Let our people be reassured. The 128 billion dollars of this country have neither been given as a gift to anyone nor wasted." However, Istanbul has also acknowledged that the questions need answers from the right people. So the finance minister of Turkey has allowed the country's central bank to publish all data regarding foreign exchange transactions. This is a welcome step from a government that rarely owns up to its mistakes. It is also an indication that every leader, even Erdogan who has ruled Turkey for 18 years, can be vulnerable to political and public pressure.

'Where are $128 billion?', Turkey questions Erdogan about forex money

The European Commission’s first female President Ursula von der Leyen recently shed light on the sexism she faced during a meeting in Turkey on April 6. 
 
Von der Leyen was reportedly “hurt” after she was left without a chair at the meeting in Ankara.

Turkey faced criticism for the same, and so did EU Council President Charles Michel, who took the only seat available next to Turkish President Erdogan.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ursula-von-der-leyen-1st-woman-chief-of-european-union-265483/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Due to this, Von der Leyen was forced to sit on a sofa, an incident that has been referred to as “sofagate” since then.

During a speech to the European Parliament on Monday, she said that sexism lied at the root of the blunder.

The 62-year-old said that she wondered why she was treated differently from Michel, who has since then apologised for his role in “sofagate”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/wont-stop-pushing-for-gender-quotas-on-boards-says-eus-ursula-von-der-leyen-on-gender-pay-gap-368147" hreflang="en">Won't stop pushing for gender quotas on boards, says EU's Ursula von der Leyen on gender pay gap</a>

"I am the first woman to be President of the European Commission. I am the President of the European Commission. And this is how I expected to be treated when visiting Turkey two weeks ago, like a Commission President, but I was not," BBC quoted Von der Leyen as saying.

She further said that there could be no “justification” for the treatment. Based on this, she concluded that “it happened because I am a woman”. The ferocious leader went on to ask, “Would this have happened if I had worn a suit and a tie?”

The meeting in question took place to repair the relationship between the European Union and Turkey and talks took place in Erdogan’s presidential palace.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/after-australia-us-european-commission-chief-ursula-von-der-leyen-calls-for-probe-into-coronavirus-296166" hreflang="en">After Australia &amp; US, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen calls for probe into coronavirus</a>

When the time arrived for the leaders to sit down, only two chairs appeared which were occupied by Michel and Erdogan.&nbsp; Leyen made her displeasure clear, as footage shows her letting out a very evident “ahem”.

Eventually, Von der Leyen sat down on a sofa away from Erdogan and facing the Turkish foreign foreign minister.

Soon after, comparisons sprouted between the “sofagate” meeting and a previous one which took place in Brussels in 2017 when both the heads of the European Commission and Council - both men sat in chairs beside the Turkish president.

The European Commission’s first female President Ursula von der Leyen recently shed light on the sexism she faced during a meeting in Turkey on April 6. Von der Leyen was reportedly “hurt” after she was left without a chair at the meeting in Ankara.

The European Commission’s first female President Ursula von der Leyen recently shed light on the sexism she faced during a meeting in Turkey on April 6. Von der Leyen was reportedly “hurt” after she was left without a chair at the meeting in Ankara. Turkey faced criticism for the same, and so did EU Council President Charles Michel, who took the only seat available next to Turkish President Erdogan. Due to this, Von der Leyen was forced to sit on a sofa, an incident that has been referred to as “sofagate” since then. During a speech to the European Parliament on Monday, she said that sexism lied at the root of the blunder. The 62-year-old said that she wondered why she was treated differently from Michel, who has since then apologised for his role in “sofagate”. Also read: Won't stop pushing for gender quotas on boards, says EU's Ursula von der Leyen on gender pay gap "I am the first woman to be President of the European Commission. I am the President of the European Commission. And this is how I expected to be treated when visiting Turkey two weeks ago, like a Commission President, but I was not," BBC quoted Von der Leyen as saying. She further said that there could be no “justification” for the treatment. Based on this, she concluded that “it happened because I am a woman”. The ferocious leader went on to ask, “Would this have happened if I had worn a suit and a tie?” The meeting in question took place to repair the relationship between the European Union and Turkey and talks took place in Erdogan’s presidential palace. Also read: After Australia & US, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen calls for probe into coronavirus When the time arrived for the leaders to sit down, only two chairs appeared which were occupied by Michel and Erdogan. Leyen made her displeasure clear, as footage shows her letting out a very evident “ahem”. Eventually, Von der Leyen sat down on a sofa away from Erdogan and facing the Turkish foreign foreign minister. Soon after, comparisons sprouted between the “sofagate” meeting and a previous one which took place in Brussels in 2017 when both the heads of the European Commission and Council - both men sat in chairs beside the Turkish president.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen blames sexism for 'sofagate' in Turkey

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar received a call from his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. Jaishankar said that Turkey is going through its own COVID-19 challenges.

Indian FM Jaishankar received call from Turkish counterpart

The military of the United States has formally begun its withdrawal from Afghanistan after almost 20 years in the country, Army General Austin Scott Miller confirmed on Sunday.&nbsp;

This development comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden announced that all US troops would be out of the country by September 11, 2021 — a significant achievement that eluded his predecessors.

But the move has received bipartisan backlash in US Senate. Republican leader Mitch McConnell said that it would be a grave mistake to withdraw before ensuring the Taliban had been defeated.

The Taliban have continued their activity in the region even as the US pushes for peace talks: The Afghan government reported that the Taliban conducted 62 bomb blasts and six suicide bombings in the last 11 days, killing 63 civilians and wounding 180 more.

Army General Miller, who has been commanding the US forces and the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in their fight against the Taliban and other Islamist militant groups since 2018, said foreign forces will continue to have "the military means and capability to fully protect themselves during the ongoing retrograde and will support the Afghan security forces."

"I`ve had the opportunity to talk to Taliban members with the Taliban Political Commission, and I`ve told them a return to violence, an effort to force a military decision, would be a tragedy for Afghanistan and the Afghan people," Miller told reporters in the capital Kabul.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, when they were ousted by US-led forces. Since then they have waged a long-running insurgency and now control wide swathes of territory.

Security experts in recent weeks said they doubt if the Taliban will allow US forces, whom they call invaders, to peacefully exit the country at a time when clashes between the Afghan forces and the Taliban have not ebbed.

Foreign force withdrawal is slated to begin on May 1, in line with an agreement with the Taliban in 2020.

"As we retrograde to zero US forces, we will turn over the (military) bases primarily to the (Afghan) Ministry of Defense and other Afghan forces," Miller said adding that the Taliban have committed to breaking their relationship with al Qaeda, the Islamist extremist group.

The Taliban government`s sheltering of al Qaeda was the key reason for the US invasion of Afghanistan after the September 2001 attacks.

A United Nations report in January said there were as many as 500 al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and that the Taliban maintained a close relationship with them. The Taliban denies al Qaeda presence in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

The military of the United States has formally begun its withdrawal from Afghanistan after almost 20 years in the country, Army General Austin Scott Miller confirmed on Sunday.

The military of the United States has formally begun its withdrawal from Afghanistan after almost 20 years in the country, Army General Austin Scott Miller confirmed on Sunday. This development comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden announced that all US troops would be out of the country by September 11, 2021 — a significant achievement that eluded his predecessors. But the move has received bipartisan backlash in US Senate. Republican leader Mitch McConnell said that it would be a grave mistake to withdraw before ensuring the Taliban had been defeated. The Taliban have continued their activity in the region even as the US pushes for peace talks: The Afghan government reported that the Taliban conducted 62 bomb blasts and six suicide bombings in the last 11 days, killing 63 civilians and wounding 180 more. Army General Miller, who has been commanding the US forces and the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in their fight against the Taliban and other Islamist militant groups since 2018, said foreign forces will continue to have "the military means and capability to fully protect themselves during the ongoing retrograde and will support the Afghan security forces." "I`ve had the opportunity to talk to Taliban members with the Taliban Political Commission, and I`ve told them a return to violence, an effort to force a military decision, would be a tragedy for Afghanistan and the Afghan people," Miller told reporters in the capital Kabul. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, when they were ousted by US-led forces. Since then they have waged a long-running insurgency and now control wide swathes of territory. Security experts in recent weeks said they doubt if the Taliban will allow US forces, whom they call invaders, to peacefully exit the country at a time when clashes between the Afghan forces and the Taliban have not ebbed. Foreign force withdrawal is slated to begin on May 1, in line with an agreement with the Taliban in 2020. "As we retrograde to zero US forces, we will turn over the (military) bases primarily to the (Afghan) Ministry of Defense and other Afghan forces," Miller said adding that the Taliban have committed to breaking their relationship with al Qaeda, the Islamist extremist group. The Taliban government`s sheltering of al Qaeda was the key reason for the US invasion of Afghanistan after the September 2001 attacks. A United Nations report in January said there were as many as 500 al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and that the Taliban maintained a close relationship with them. The Taliban denies al Qaeda presence in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

US troops begin final withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban ramps up deadly bombings

Turkey's foreign ministry has summoned the US Ambassador in Ankara to protest the US decision to mark the deportation and killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as 'genocide’. &nbsp;

Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with David Satterfield late on Saturday to express Ankara's strong condemnation. &nbsp;

"The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound that's hard to fix in our relations," the ministry said. &nbsp;

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden followed through on a campaign promise to recognise the events that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians as genocide. The statement was carefully crafted to say the deportations, massacres and death marches took place in the Ottoman Empire.&nbsp;

"We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated," it said. &nbsp;

The White House proclamation immediately prompted statements of condemnation from Turkish officials, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is yet to address the issue. &nbsp;

Turkey rejects the use of the word, saying both Turks and Armenians were killed in the World War I-era fighting, and has called for a joint history commission to investigate. For years, American presidents have avoided using 'genocide' to describe what Armenians call Meds Yeghern, or the Great Crime. &nbsp;

The announcement comes as Turkish-American relations suffer from a host of issues. &nbsp;

The US has sanctioned Turkish defence officials and kicked Turkey out of a fighter jet programme after the NATO member bought Russian-made S400 defence system. &nbsp;

Ankara is frustrated by Washington's support of Syrian Kurdish fighters linked to an insurgency that Turkey has fought for decades. Turkey has also demanded the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a bloody coup attempt against Erdogan's government in 2016. Gulen lives in the US and denies involvement. &nbsp;

Erdogan and Biden spoke on the phone on Friday for the first time since the US elections. &nbsp;

Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman to the president, tweeted Sunday, "President Erdogan opened Turkey's national archives and called for a joint historical committee to investigate the events of 1915, to which Armenia never responded. It is a pity @POTUS has ignored, among others, this simple fact and taken an irresponsible and unprincipled position."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Turkey's foreign ministry has summoned the US Ambassador in Ankara to protest the US decision to mark the deportation and killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as 'genocide’.

Turkey's foreign ministry has summoned the US Ambassador in Ankara to protest the US decision to mark the deportation and killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as 'genocide’. Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with David Satterfield late on Saturday to express Ankara's strong condemnation. "The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound that's hard to fix in our relations," the ministry said. On Saturday, US President Joe Biden followed through on a campaign promise to recognise the events that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians as genocide. The statement was carefully crafted to say the deportations, massacres and death marches took place in the Ottoman Empire. "We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated," it said. The White House proclamation immediately prompted statements of condemnation from Turkish officials, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is yet to address the issue. Turkey rejects the use of the word, saying both Turks and Armenians were killed in the World War I-era fighting, and has called for a joint history commission to investigate. For years, American presidents have avoided using 'genocide' to describe what Armenians call Meds Yeghern, or the Great Crime. The announcement comes as Turkish-American relations suffer from a host of issues. The US has sanctioned Turkish defence officials and kicked Turkey out of a fighter jet programme after the NATO member bought Russian-made S400 defence system. Ankara is frustrated by Washington's support of Syrian Kurdish fighters linked to an insurgency that Turkey has fought for decades. Turkey has also demanded the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a bloody coup attempt against Erdogan's government in 2016. Gulen lives in the US and denies involvement. Erdogan and Biden spoke on the phone on Friday for the first time since the US elections. Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman to the president, tweeted Sunday, "President Erdogan opened Turkey's national archives and called for a joint historical committee to investigate the events of 1915, to which Armenia never responded. It is a pity @POTUS has ignored, among others, this simple fact and taken an irresponsible and unprincipled position." (With inputs from agencies)

Turkey summons US Ambassador over genocide announcement 

Turks want their President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to show proof of where his govt spent $128 billion from its forex reserves. Erdogan calls this demand 'treason'. Is it because his son-in-law is involved in this foul play? WION’s Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Erdogan cornered on missing $128 Billion

The Turkish army on Saturday launched a new ground and air offensive against outlawed Kurdish militants' bases in northern Iraq, officials and local media reported.

Turkish media said commando forces landed in the Metina region from helicopters while warplanes dropped bombs on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets.

"Heroic commandos of the heroic Turkish Armed Forces are in northern Iraq," the defence ministry said in a tweet without specifying how many soldiers were involved.

Watch |

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Turkish television showed images of paratroopers jumping from helicopters and camouflaged soldiers firing guns.

The PKK, listed as a terror group by Turkey and much of the international community, has for decades used Iraq's northern mountains as a springboard for its decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.&nbsp;

The Turkish army regularly conducts cross-border operations and air raids against PKK bases in northern Iraq.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dubbed this one "Operation Claw-Lightning".

Speaking to the operation's command centre by video link, Erdogan said the offensive's objective was "to completely end the presence of the terror threat ... along our southern borders".

"There's no room for the separatist terror group in the future of Turkey, Iraq or Syria," he said in reference to the Kurdish militants.

"We will keep on fighting until we eradicate these gangs of murderers, who cause nothing but tears and destruction."

In February, Turkey launched an operation dubbed "Claw-Eagle 2" against PKK rebels holed up in the northern Iraqi region of Dohuk.

That raid created controversy because it was designed in part to rescue 12 Turkish soldiers and an Iraqi held captive by the PKK in a cave.

Turkey accused the PKK of executing the 13 men before they could be freed, and Erdogan came under attack for poorly planning the offensive from opposition parties in parliament.

The February raid also created problems in Turkey's relations with Iran, which now has a strong political and military presence in Iraq, and which treats Erdogan's regional campaigns with suspicion.

Iran's ambassador warned in February that Turkish forces should not pose a threat or violate Iraqi soil, prompting Ankara and Tehran to each summon the other's ambassador.&nbsp;

The Kurdish insurgency against the Turkish state is believed to have killed tens of thousands of people since being launched in 1984.

The Turkish army on Saturday launched a new ground and air offensive against outlawed Kurdish militants' bases in northern Iraq, officials and local media reported.

The Turkish army on Saturday launched a new ground and air offensive against outlawed Kurdish militants' bases in northern Iraq, officials and local media reported. Turkish media said commando forces landed in the Metina region from helicopters while warplanes dropped bombs on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets. "Heroic commandos of the heroic Turkish Armed Forces are in northern Iraq," the defence ministry said in a tweet without specifying how many soldiers were involved. Watch | Turkish television showed images of paratroopers jumping from helicopters and camouflaged soldiers firing guns. The PKK, listed as a terror group by Turkey and much of the international community, has for decades used Iraq's northern mountains as a springboard for its decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. The Turkish army regularly conducts cross-border operations and air raids against PKK bases in northern Iraq. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dubbed this one "Operation Claw-Lightning". Speaking to the operation's command centre by video link, Erdogan said the offensive's objective was "to completely end the presence of the terror threat ... along our southern borders". "There's no room for the separatist terror group in the future of Turkey, Iraq or Syria," he said in reference to the Kurdish militants. "We will keep on fighting until we eradicate these gangs of murderers, who cause nothing but tears and destruction." In February, Turkey launched an operation dubbed "Claw-Eagle 2" against PKK rebels holed up in the northern Iraqi region of Dohuk. That raid created controversy because it was designed in part to rescue 12 Turkish soldiers and an Iraqi held captive by the PKK in a cave. Turkey accused the PKK of executing the 13 men before they could be freed, and Erdogan came under attack for poorly planning the offensive from opposition parties in parliament. The February raid also created problems in Turkey's relations with Iran, which now has a strong political and military presence in Iraq, and which treats Erdogan's regional campaigns with suspicion. Iran's ambassador warned in February that Turkish forces should not pose a threat or violate Iraqi soil, prompting Ankara and Tehran to each summon the other's ambassador. The Kurdish insurgency against the Turkish state is believed to have killed tens of thousands of people since being launched in 1984.

Turkey launches new raid in northern Iraq

Thousands of Armenians on Saturday visited hilltop memorial in capital Yerevan to mark 106th anniversary of massacre of Armenians during WWI vy Ottoman Turks. US President Joe Biden is expected to designate this massacre a genocide. This move is likely to rile Turkey, the modern state having the legacy of the Ottoman Empire.

Armenians have long sought to have the killings of up to 1.5 million of their kin as the Ottoman Empire was collapsing internationally recognised as genocide.

The claim is rejected by Turkey but finds support from many countries across the world.

Yerevan has also demanded financial compensation from Ankara and the restoration of property rights for the descendants of those killed in the 1915-1918 massacres.

Turkey denies the killings' genocidal nature, arguing that 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians and at least as many&nbsp; 
Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian troops.

Anger against Turkey simmered among Armenians as crowds of people carrying candles and flowers joined Saturday the annual procession to remember the victims of the massacres, which Armenians call Meds Yeghern -- the Great Crime.

'Old wound bleeds'

Armenia is traumatised by last year's defeat in a war with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, in which Ankara backed its ally Baku.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the war -- that erupted in September and ended six weeks later with a Russian brokered ceasefire -- "the Azeri-Turkish aggression which sought to annihilate the Armenian trace" in Karabakh.

"Turkey's expansionist foreign policy, and the territorial aspirations towards Armenia are the evidence of the revival of their genocidal ideology," he said in a statement.

"Armenophobia is in the essence of Pan-Turkism, and today we can see its most disgusting manifestations in Azerbaijan as fostered by the authorities of that country."

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Thousands of Armenians on Saturday visited hilltop memorial in capital Yerevan to mark 106th anniversary of massacre of Armenians during WWI vy Ottoman Turks. US President Joe Biden is expected to designate this massacre a genocide.

Thousands of Armenians on Saturday visited hilltop memorial in capital Yerevan to mark 106th anniversary of massacre of Armenians during WWI vy Ottoman Turks. US President Joe Biden is expected to designate this massacre a genocide. This move is likely to rile Turkey, the modern state having the legacy of the Ottoman Empire. Armenians have long sought to have the killings of up to 1.5 million of their kin as the Ottoman Empire was collapsing internationally recognised as genocide. The claim is rejected by Turkey but finds support from many countries across the world. Yerevan has also demanded financial compensation from Ankara and the restoration of property rights for the descendants of those killed in the 1915-1918 massacres. Turkey denies the killings' genocidal nature, arguing that 300,000 to 500,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in civil strife when Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with invading Russian troops. Anger against Turkey simmered among Armenians as crowds of people carrying candles and flowers joined Saturday the annual procession to remember the victims of the massacres, which Armenians call Meds Yeghern -- the Great Crime. 'Old wound bleeds' Armenia is traumatised by last year's defeat in a war with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, in which Ankara backed its ally Baku. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the war -- that erupted in September and ended six weeks later with a Russian brokered ceasefire -- "the Azeri-Turkish aggression which sought to annihilate the Armenian trace" in Karabakh. "Turkey's expansionist foreign policy, and the territorial aspirations towards Armenia are the evidence of the revival of their genocidal ideology," he said in a statement. "Armenophobia is in the essence of Pan-Turkism, and today we can see its most disgusting manifestations in Azerbaijan as fostered by the authorities of that country." (With inputs from agencies)

Armenians commemorate WWI massacres by Ottoman Turks

Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan called on the Taliban to reaffirm their commitment to achieving a negotiated settlement for Afghan peace. The foreign ministers of these three countries have issued a joint statement after talks in Istanbul.

Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan urge Taliban to agree on ceasefire

US&nbsp;President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;on Friday told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he intends to recognise the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide in Saturday statement, a potential further blow to the already frayed ties between the two NATO allies.

The much-anticipated first phone call between the two leaders took place more than three months after&nbsp;Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration, a delay that is widely seen as a cold shoulder to Erdogan, who had enjoyed close ties with former president Donald Trump.

It also came a day before Armenian Remembrance Day when&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;is expected to break away from decades of carefully calibrated White House statements that had previously described the events as "Metz Yeghern" (great evil). Neither the White House statement on the phone call nor the readout from the Turkish presidency made any mention of the issue.

"President&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;spoke today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, conveying his interest in a constructive bilateral relationship with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements," the White House said in a statement.

It said the two leaders agreed to meet on the margins of the NATO summit in June to have a wider conversation about their two countries' relations.

Turkey accepts that many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War One, but contests the figures and denies the killings were systematically orchestrated and constitute a genocide.

Statement from the Turkish presidency said both leaders agreed on "the strategic character of the bilateral relationship and the importance of working together to build greater cooperation on issues of mutual interest."&nbsp;Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues, from Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defence systems - over which it was the target of U.S. sanctions - to policy differences in Syria, human rights and legal matters.

Erdogan had established a close bond with former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, but since&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;took over in Jan. 20, Washington has grown more vocal about Turkey's human rights track record. It has also stood firm on its demand that Ankara get rid of the Russian defence systems.

US President Joe Biden on Friday told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he intends to recognise the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide in Saturday statement, a potential further blow to the already frayed ties between the two NATO allies.

US President Joe Biden on Friday told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he intends to recognise the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide in Saturday statement, a potential further blow to the already frayed ties between the two NATO allies. The much-anticipated first phone call between the two leaders took place more than three months after Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration, a delay that is widely seen as a cold shoulder to Erdogan, who had enjoyed close ties with former president Donald Trump. It also came a day before Armenian Remembrance Day when Biden is expected to break away from decades of carefully calibrated White House statements that had previously described the events as "Metz Yeghern" (great evil). Neither the White House statement on the phone call nor the readout from the Turkish presidency made any mention of the issue. "President Biden spoke today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, conveying his interest in a constructive bilateral relationship with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements," the White House said in a statement. It said the two leaders agreed to meet on the margins of the NATO summit in June to have a wider conversation about their two countries' relations. Turkey accepts that many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War One, but contests the figures and denies the killings were systematically orchestrated and constitute a genocide. Statement from the Turkish presidency said both leaders agreed on "the strategic character of the bilateral relationship and the importance of working together to build greater cooperation on issues of mutual interest." Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues, from Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defence systems - over which it was the target of U.S. sanctions - to policy differences in Syria, human rights and legal matters. Erdogan had established a close bond with former US President Donald Trump, but since Biden took over in Jan. 20, Washington has grown more vocal about Turkey's human rights track record. It has also stood firm on its demand that Ankara get rid of the Russian defence systems.

Biden told Erdogan he plans to call 1915 massacres of Armenians genocide: Sources

US President Joe Biden called his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day before Biden becomes the first US leader to recognise the mass atrocities perpetrated against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

US President Biden holds phone call with Turkey’s Erdogan

The foreign&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;of&nbsp;Afghanistan,&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;and Turkey will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday, Turkey said, after a wider&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;peace&nbsp;conference was postponed because the Taliban said they would not participate.

The planned&nbsp;peace&nbsp;talks in Turkey were scheduled for April 24 to fast-track an agreement between the Taliban and&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;government in light of the announcement by Washington that foreign troops would leave&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;by September 11.

No new date has been set for those talks.

Turkey's foreign ministry said Friday's three-way meeting would cover "recent developments regarding the&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;peace&nbsp;process, cooperation in the fields of security, energy, connectivity and irregular migration".

On Monday,&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;peace&nbsp;process after the armed group said it would now shun summits about&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;until all foreign forces leave.

The decision was taken after the United States said last week it would withdraw all troops by Sept. 11 this year, later than a May 1 deadline set out by the previous administration.

The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday, Turkey said, after a wider Afghan peace conference was postponed because the Taliban said they would not participate.

The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday, Turkey said, after a wider Afghan peace conference was postponed because the Taliban said they would not participate. The planned peace talks in Turkey were scheduled for April 24 to fast-track an agreement between the Taliban and Afghan government in light of the announcement by Washington that foreign troops would leave Afghanistan by September 11. No new date has been set for those talks. Turkey's foreign ministry said Friday's three-way meeting would cover "recent developments regarding the Afghan peace process, cooperation in the fields of security, energy, connectivity and irregular migration". On Monday, Pakistan urged the Taliban to remain engaged in the Afghan peace process after the armed group said it would now shun summits about Afghanistan until all foreign forces leave. The decision was taken after the United States said last week it would withdraw all troops by Sept. 11 this year, later than a May 1 deadline set out by the previous administration.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkish ministers to discuss Afghan peace prospects

US President Joe Biden is preparing to recognise the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire in World War I era as genocide, as per reports in US media. This move is sure to create tension between the US and its NATO ally Turkey.

Turkey vehemently rejects such a designation but it has already been adopted by dozens of other countries including France and Russia.

It is expected that Biden will announce the designation on Saturday, as per New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Saturday also marks 106th anniversary of the mass killings that began in 1915, when the Ottoman Empire was battling Tsarist Russia during World War I in the region that is now Armenia.

The move would make Biden the first US president to explicitly call the killings a genocide, and although the historic designation would carry no legal consequences it would infuriate Ankara, which insists there was no genocide and that both sides committed atrocities during the war.

The reports came after more than 100 members of Congress, led by Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee, wrote to the president urging him to make good on a campaign promise to recognize the genocide.

The US Congress formally recognized the killings as genocide in December 2019 in a symbolic vote. 
"For decades, while leaders around the world recognize the first genocide of the 20th century, the president of the United States has remained silent," the letter said.

"Mr President, as you said last year in your April 24 statement, 'Silence is complicity.' The shameful silence of the United States government on the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide has gone on for too long, and it must end," the letter said.

After the Dutch parliament passed a motion in February urging the government to recognize the genocide, Turkey said the move was "aimed at rewriting history based on political motives."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden is preparing to recognise the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire in World War I era as genocide, as per reports in US media.

US President Joe Biden is preparing to recognise the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire in World War I era as genocide, as per reports in US media. This move is sure to create tension between the US and its NATO ally Turkey. Turkey vehemently rejects such a designation but it has already been adopted by dozens of other countries including France and Russia. It is expected that Biden will announce the designation on Saturday, as per New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Saturday also marks 106th anniversary of the mass killings that began in 1915, when the Ottoman Empire was battling Tsarist Russia during World War I in the region that is now Armenia. The move would make Biden the first US president to explicitly call the killings a genocide, and although the historic designation would carry no legal consequences it would infuriate Ankara, which insists there was no genocide and that both sides committed atrocities during the war. The reports came after more than 100 members of Congress, led by Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee, wrote to the president urging him to make good on a campaign promise to recognize the genocide. The US Congress formally recognized the killings as genocide in December 2019 in a symbolic vote. "For decades, while leaders around the world recognize the first genocide of the 20th century, the president of the United States has remained silent," the letter said. "Mr President, as you said last year in your April 24 statement, 'Silence is complicity.' The shameful silence of the United States government on the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide has gone on for too long, and it must end," the letter said. After the Dutch parliament passed a motion in February urging the government to recognize the genocide, Turkey said the move was "aimed at rewriting history based on political motives." (With inputs from agencies)

Biden to recognise WW-I massacre of Armenians as genocide: Reports

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