6 h. ago In Turkey, we are showing the world how to challenge a callous, authoritarian leader | Ece Temelkuran

The youthful energy of street protest is breathing life back into failing progressive parties – and it’s a model that could be applied everywhereEce Temelkuran is a Turkish journalist and political commentatorAfter 22 years of power grabs, the seizure of all state institutions and severe oppression aimed at reshaping Turkish citizens into Islamofascist minions, Turkey is striking back against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s authoritarianism. In cities across the country, including the regime’s strongholds, protests have been ongoing for the past week.Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s detention on bogus corruption charges this week galvanised the people; within days, the protests evolved into something bigger – a national riot demanding democracy, dignity and freedom. The protests reminded many of the Gezi uprising of 2013, yet this time the young people who we thought had lost all hope for the future under Erdoğan and during the severe economic crisis took to the streets, risking lim...

Culture

9 h. ago Why are thousands of people protesting in Turkey after Istanbul mayor’s arrest?

More than 1,100 people have been arrested as tens of thousands have taken to the streets to protest against the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges decried as politically motivated

Events

24 h. ago Turkish police arrest dozens for ‘insulting’ Erdoğan and his family

Crackdown comes after jailing of Istanbul mayor sparked biggest street protests in more than a decade

Events

27 h. ago Urgent safety warning to Brit tourists to 'leave the area' as huge protests erupt in Turkey over arrest of President Erdogan's main political rival

On Monday, the Foreign Office warned travellers about the ongoing demonstrations in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, which have seen riot police clashing with protestors in the street.

Events

44 h. ago UK Foreign Office issues urgent Turkey travel warning after huge protests

Tourists have been told that protests could turn violent

Events

44 h. ago Turkey protests and violence escalates with fears of major bloodbath after Istanbul mayor jailed

Turkey unrest could get worse and become a major bloodbath, as escalating violence over the controversial jailing of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu sparks one of President Erdogan's worst crisis in years

Events

44 h. ago Ekrem İmamoğlu: jailed rival to Turkish president who could emerge stronger

Istanbul mayor has become the only politician capable of challenging Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the ballot boxWhen crowds of police arrived at the residence of the Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, to arrest him in a dawn raid last week, his response was calm and deliberate. The mayor of Turkey’s largest city – a longtime rival of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – issued a video message to his supporters, filming himself as he put on a crisp white shirt and tie to be dressed for his detention.“A small group is trying to usurp the will of the people,” he said. “I will stand strong.” Continue reading...

Politics

48 h. ago Turkey protests: Istanbul's wild riots explained as Erdogan hatred reaches boiling point

Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival - has been arrested alongside more than 100 others, sparking street riots

Events

48 h. ago Over 1,100 detained in Turkey after protests erupt following arrest of President Erdogan's main rival

The decision to arrest Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges has triggered Turkey’s biggest protests in a decade

Events

50 h. ago Protesters blasted with rubber bullets and tear gas as Istanbul mayor’s jailing sparks unrest

Police and protesters clashed in Istanbul as tensions escalated following the detention of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rival in the 2028 election.

Events

53 h. ago Nine journalists detained after covering protests against Turkish mayor’s arrest

The arrest has ignited the largest protests the country has seen in 10 years

Events

53 h. ago Fierce protests erupt in Turkey after arrest of President Erdogan's main rival

The decision to arrest Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges has triggered Turkey’s biggest protests in a decade

Events

56 h. ago Huge protests as Istanbul mayor jailed on day of likely presidential nomination

Ekrem İmamoğlu, rival of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, placed in pre-trial detention along with dozens of staff and officialsAn Istanbul court has formally arrested the city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on corruption charges, sending him to pre-trial detention on the day he received his party’s nomination to run for president, while tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the city.The mayor of Turkey’s largest city and a rival of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was jailed on charges of leading a criminal organisation, bribery, misconduct and corruption, along with dozens of his staff and municipal officials. Continue reading...

Events

60 h. ago Turkish President's main rival is jailed on corruption charges on day he was set to be nominated to stand against the leader

The arrest of  Ekrem Imamoglu (pictured) and more than 100 other people sparked some of the largest protests in Turkey for decades.

Politics

3 d. ago Istanbul mayor jailed on day of likely presidential nomination

Ekrem İmamoğlu, rival of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, placed in pre-trial detention along with dozens of staff and officialsAn Istanbul court has formally arrested the city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on corruption charges, sending him to pre-trial detention on the day he is expected to receive his party’s nomination to run for president.The mayor of Turkey’s largest city and a rival of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was jailed on charges of leading a criminal organisation, bribery, misconduct and corruption, along with dozens of his staff and municipal officials. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Turkish court orders Istanbul mayor jailed pending trial on corruption charges

A court formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan early on Sunday and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges

Events

3 d. ago Porridge? No, prisoners can now choose from 22 breakfast cereals!

A look at the options available to modern-day prisoners in Scotland's jails shows that rather than being limited to porridge, they can now buy any one of 22 different cereal options from prison shops.

Events

5 d. ago Israeli government approves firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar despite huge protests

Bar had strained relations with PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption and whose close aides are being investigated by the intelligence agencyThe head of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, has been dismissed, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office, a week after Benjamin Netanyahu said he had lost confidence in him, and despite three days of protests against the move.“The government unanimously approved prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to end ISA [Israeli Security Agency] director Ronen Bar’s term of office,” a statement said. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Greenpeace verdict is ‘weaponization of legal system’, advocacy groups say

Campaigners condemn North Dakota jury’s ruling as Greenpeace must pay Energy Transfer at least $660mNever miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in real time.The verdict against the environmental group Greenpeace finding it liable for huge damages to a pipeline company over protests has been described by advocacy groups as a “weaponization of the legal system” and an “assault” on free speech and protest rights.A North Dakota jury decided on Wednesday that Greenpeace will have to pay at least $660m to the pipeline company Energy Transfer and is liable for defamation and other claims over protests in the state in 2016-2017. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago ‘This is about injustice’: crowds defy ban to protest over Istanbul mayor’s detention

People gather at city hall and students march in anger after arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a likely opposition candidate for presidencyOutside Istanbul’s city hall on Wednesday night a mass of protesters gathered in the freezing air to defy a city-wide ban on gatherings. A banner bearing a portrait of the Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, giving a speech alongside the words “sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation” covered part of the facade of his now vacant office.In dawn raids that morning police had detained İmamoğlu, the only contender seen as capable of defeating Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in presidential elections. For many residents of Turkey’s largest city, the arrest symbolised how far the state was willing to go to remove a perceived threat to the incumbent president. Continue reading...

Events