Turkish police have arrested a man accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he said he &quot;would not serve that man a cup of tea&quot;.

The head of the&nbsp;canteen of the Turkish Opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, Senol Buran, was remanded in custody by the Istanbul criminal court following his detention on December 24.

The Turkish daily has been repeatedly targeted by the authorities for its anti-Erdogan line. Police arrested ten of the newspaper&#39;s writers and executives last month.

Buran was on his way to work when he found roads blocked as Erdogan was due to give a&nbsp;speech in the area.

An officer claims he overheard Buran say, &quot;I would not serve that man a cup of tea&quot;.&nbsp;The newspaper said he denies insulting the president, merely saying that he would not serve the tea, news agency AFP reported. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/26/cafeteria-manager-jailed-insulting-turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan?CMP=share_btn_tw">The Guardian</a> reports that Buran claims he&nbsp;had a dispute with the same police officer two years ago.

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This man, Senol Buran, is a tea-maker at a Turkish opposition newspaper. He is spending this night in a prison in Istanbul. His crime? <a href="https://t.co/4ALQSlbjNp">pic.twitter.com/4ALQSlbjNp</a>
&mdash; Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) <a href="https://twitter.com/MahirZeynalov/status/813182675829854209">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Erdogan has been accused of&nbsp;curbing freedom of speech, especially after the failed July 15 military coup.

Thousands of cases probing alleged insults against the president were opened before the coup, then dropped after its defeat as a gesture of national solidarity, AFP reported.

Turkey is probing 10,000 people over suspected terror activities online or posting insulting comments on the social media, the interior ministry said on Saturday.

(With inputs from AFP)

Senol Buran is accused of angrily telling police officers, 'I would not serve that man a cup of tea'

Turkish police have arrested a man accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he said he "would not serve that man a cup of tea". The head of the canteen of the Turkish Opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, Senol Buran, was remanded in custody by the Istanbul criminal court following his detention on December 24. The Turkish daily has been repeatedly targeted by the authorities for its anti-Erdogan line. Police arrested ten of the newspaper's writers and executives last month. Buran was on his way to work when he found roads blocked as Erdogan was due to give a speech in the area. An officer claims he overheard Buran say, "I would not serve that man a cup of tea". The newspaper said he denies insulting the president, merely saying that he would not serve the tea, news agency AFP reported. The Guardian reports that Buran claims he had a dispute with the same police officer two years ago. This man, Senol Buran, is a tea-maker at a Turkish opposition newspaper. He is spending this night in a prison in Istanbul. His crime? pic.twitter.com/4ALQSlbjNp — Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) December 26, 2016 × Erdogan has been accused of curbing freedom of speech, especially after the failed July 15 military coup. Thousands of cases probing alleged insults against the president were opened before the coup, then dropped after its defeat as a gesture of national solidarity, AFP reported. Turkey is probing 10,000 people over suspected terror activities online or posting insulting comments on the social media, the interior ministry said on Saturday. (With inputs from AFP)

Turkish man arrested for 'insulting' Erdogan

Turkey&#39;s migration agreement with the European Union may collapse if the EU does not keep its side of the deal on visa waivers, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told France&#39;s Le Monde newspaper. 
 
Erdogan&#39;s comments reflect a shift in stance at a time when he is rebuking Western leaders for their response to the July 15 coup bid. Erdogan vowed to keep Turkey&#39;s promises on the migrant deal as recently as July 26. 
 
&quot;The European Union is not behaving in a sincere manner with Turkey,&quot; Erdogan said in comments published by Le Monde on Monday, noting that the visa waiver for Turkish citizens was supposed to kick in on June 1. 
 
&quot;If our demands are not satisfied then the readmissions will no longer be possible,&quot; Erdogan said. 
 
Ankara agreed in March to stop migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid being revived, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU and accelerated membership talks. 
 
However, the reciprocal visa-free access has been delayed due to a dispute over Turkish anti-terrorism legislation and concern in the West about the scale of Ankara&#39;s crackdown following a failed coup. 
 
Criticising the response of Washington and European leaders to the attempted putsch, Erdogan said the Turkish people had been abandoned by the West. 
 
&quot;The whole world reacted to the attack against Charlie Hebdo. Our prime minister joined a rally in the streets of Paris,&quot; Erdogan said, referring to the deadly militant attack on the office of the French satirical magazine in January 2015. 
 
&quot;I would have hoped that the leaders of the Western world would have reacted (to the coup attempt) in the same way and not have contented themselves with a few cliches.&quot; 
 
In Berlin on Monday, a spokeswoman for the German foreign ministry repeated that reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would end its bid to join the EU. 
 
Erdogan, speaking to German television station ARD last month after the coup attempt, said the Turkish people wanted the death penalty bringing back and those governing the country should listen to them. 
 
(Reuters)

Ankara had agreed to stop migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid being revived, and visa-free travel to the EU

Turkey's migration agreement with the European Union may collapse if the EU does not keep its side of the deal on visa waivers, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told France's Le Monde newspaper. Erdogan's comments reflect a shift in stance at a time when he is rebuking Western leaders for their response to the July 15 coup bid. Erdogan vowed to keep Turkey's promises on the migrant deal as recently as July 26. "The European Union is not behaving in a sincere manner with Turkey," Erdogan said in comments published by Le Monde on Monday, noting that the visa waiver for Turkish citizens was supposed to kick in on June 1. "If our demands are not satisfied then the readmissions will no longer be possible," Erdogan said. Ankara agreed in March to stop migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid being revived, the promise of visa-free travel to much of the EU and accelerated membership talks. However, the reciprocal visa-free access has been delayed due to a dispute over Turkish anti-terrorism legislation and concern in the West about the scale of Ankara's crackdown following a failed coup. Criticising the response of Washington and European leaders to the attempted putsch, Erdogan said the Turkish people had been abandoned by the West. "The whole world reacted to the attack against Charlie Hebdo. Our prime minister joined a rally in the streets of Paris," Erdogan said, referring to the deadly militant attack on the office of the French satirical magazine in January 2015. "I would have hoped that the leaders of the Western world would have reacted (to the coup attempt) in the same way and not have contented themselves with a few cliches." In Berlin on Monday, a spokeswoman for the German foreign ministry repeated that reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would end its bid to join the EU. Erdogan, speaking to German television station ARD last month after the coup attempt, said the Turkish people wanted the death penalty bringing back and those governing the country should listen to them. (Reuters)

Turkey President: Migration agreement with EU may collapse if demands not met

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin spoke on the telephone today and both expressed a determination to revive mutual relations and fight against terrorism, Erdogan&#39;s office said in a statement. 
 
The call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin on Monday over Turkey&#39;s downing of a Russian warplane last year. 
 
The two also agreed during their call to meet in person, Erdogan&#39;s office said, adding that &quot;necessary steps&quot; should be taken to revive relations. 
 
(Reuters)

A phone call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin over downing a Russian warplane last year

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin spoke on the telephone today and both expressed a determination to revive mutual relations and fight against terrorism, Erdogan's office said in a statement. The call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin on Monday over Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year. The two also agreed during their call to meet in person, Erdogan's office said, adding that "necessary steps" should be taken to revive relations. (Reuters)

Turkey and Russia agree to revive mutual relations

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has written to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to apologise over the shooting down of a Russian air force jet by Turkey&#39;s military, the Kremlin said today. 
 
After the Russian jet was shot down in November last year near the Syrian-Turkish border, Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara. Putin had said they would not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised over the incident. 
 
There was no immediate comment from Ankara. 
 
In a statement, the Kremlin said Putin had received a letter from Erdogan &quot;in which the Turkish leader expressed his desire to resolve the situation connected to the downing of a Russian military aircraft.&quot; 
 
&quot;The letter states, in particular, that Russia is a friend to Turkey and a strategic partner, with which the Turkish authorities would not wish to spoil relations,&quot; the Kremlin statement said. 
 
It cited Erdogan as saying in the letter: &quot;I want to once again express my sympathy and deep condolences to the family of the Russian pilot who died and I say: &#39;I&#39;m sorry.&#39;&quot; 
 
The Turkish Lira firmed to 2.9330 against the US Dollar from 2.9430 beforehand after the Kremlin said Erdogan had expressed his regret. 
 
(Reuters)

Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara after the incident and had said they will not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has written to Russian leader Vladimir Putin to apologise over the shooting down of a Russian air force jet by Turkey's military, the Kremlin said today. After the Russian jet was shot down in November last year near the Syrian-Turkish border, Russia imposed trade restrictions on Ankara. Putin had said they would not be lifted unless Erdogan apologised over the incident. There was no immediate comment from Ankara. In a statement, the Kremlin said Putin had received a letter from Erdogan "in which the Turkish leader expressed his desire to resolve the situation connected to the downing of a Russian military aircraft." "The letter states, in particular, that Russia is a friend to Turkey and a strategic partner, with which the Turkish authorities would not wish to spoil relations," the Kremlin statement said. It cited Erdogan as saying in the letter: "I want to once again express my sympathy and deep condolences to the family of the Russian pilot who died and I say: 'I'm sorry.'" The Turkish Lira firmed to 2.9330 against the US Dollar from 2.9430 beforehand after the Kremlin said Erdogan had expressed his regret. (Reuters)

Kremlin says Turkey apologised to Putin over plane incident

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali&#39;s funeral on Friday June 10, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend&#39;s death. 
 
Former US President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s. 
 
One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century, Ali, died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday June 6. 
 
Smith played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times. 
 
They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali&#39;s home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. 
 
More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city. 
 
About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside Ali&#39;s childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. 
 
Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali&#39;s message. 
 
&quot;People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won&#39;t be a pushover,&quot; Richardson said. 
 
Ali who suffered from Parkinson&#39;s disease for many years and his family had planned his funeral for a decade. 
 
Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali&#39;s last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. 
 
On Friday, Ali&#39;s family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali&#39;s name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery. 
 
The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies. 
 
In addition, Fischer announced an &quot;I Am Ali&quot; Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Will Smith had played Ali in the 2001 biopic based on the legendary boxer's life. Lennox Lewis is among the three boxers who have held the heavyweight title three times

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali's funeral on Friday June 10, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend's death. Former US President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century, Ali, died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday June 6. Smith played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times. They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali's home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city. About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside Ali's childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali's message. "People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won't be a pushover," Richardson said. Ali who suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years and his family had planned his funeral for a decade. Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali's last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. On Friday, Ali's family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali's name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery. The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies. In addition, Fischer announced an "I Am Ali" Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Will Smith, Lennox Lewis to be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali's funeral