Ramadan starts in Mideast amid high costs, hopes for peace
March 23, 2023 GMTKHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Hundreds of millions of Muslims began the first daily fast of Ramadan on Thursday, as parts of the Middle East approached crucial junctures in high-stakes peace negotiations during the holy month, traditionally a time of reconciliation.
President seals Finland’s NATO bid by signing required laws
March 23, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — The Finnish president on Thursday formally sealed the Nordic country’s historic bid to join NATO by signing into law the required national legal amendments needed for membership in the Western military alliance.
Swedish lawmakers vote to endorse country joining NATO
March 22, 2023 GMTCOPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish lawmakers overwhelmingly voted Wednesday in favor of Sweden joining NATO, signing off on the country's membership along with the required legislation.
In boost to opposition, Kurdish party won’t field candidate
March 22, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s pro-Kurdish political party and its allies said Wednesday that they won't field a candidate to run in the country's May 14 presidential election, a move that could boost an opposition bloc's chances of unseating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Killing of Kurds in northern Syria sparks protests, tensions
March 21, 2023 GMTJINDERIS, Syria (AP) — Thousands of Kurds took to the streets of the earthquake-ravaged Syrian town of Jinderis on Tuesday to protest the killing of four men as they lit a fire to celebrate the Kurdish new year the night before.
3 Kurds reportedly shot dead celebrating new year in Syria
March 20, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Turkey-backed opposition fighters in Syria fatally shot at least three ethnic Kurds who were celebrating a holiday late Monday by lighting fires, Syrian opposition activists and pro-government media said.
Donors pledge $7.5 billion for Turkey, Syria after quake
March 20, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and international donors on Monday pledged seven billion euros ($7.5 billion) to help Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated parts of the neighboring countries last month.
Niinistö: Sweden security OK if Finland joins NATO first
March 19, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Sweden won't be in a vulnerable security situation even if Finland joins NATO first, the Finnish president said Sunday, as both Nordic membership candidates negotiate bilateral military pacts with the United States.
Russia, Ukraine extend grain deal to aid world’s poor
March 18, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — An unprecedented wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices are pushing more people into poverty was extended just before its expiration date, officials said Saturday.
Turkey’s top diplomat visits Cairo in effort to mend ties
March 18, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Turkey’s chief diplomat was in Cairo on Saturday for talks with Egyptian officials as the regional powers seek to mend their frayed ties after years of tension.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, arrived in the Egyptian capital early Saturday.
Turkey’s president says he will back Finland’s NATO bid
March 17, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that his government would move forward with ratifying Finland’s NATO application, paving the way for the country to join the military bloc ahead of Sweden.
Syrian Kurdish force says it lost 9 fighters in Iraq crash
March 17, 2023 GMTQAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — The main U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led force in northeastern Syria said Friday it lost nine fighters, including a commander, when two helicopters crashed this week in neighboring Iraq.
Turkish FM to visit Egypt as countries end decade-long split
March 17, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Egypt, both countries announced Friday, the first such high-level trip in more than a decade as their leaders repair relations damaged in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring.
At least 5 killed in mysterious north Iraq helicopter crash
March 17, 2023 GMTDOHUK, Iraq (AP) — A mysterious helicopter crash in northern Iraq has killed at least five people, allegedly including militants belonging to an outlawed Kurdish insurgency group, according to statements Thursday from the Iraqi Kurdish-run counterterrorism agency and the regional government.
Putin, Assad discuss rebuilding Syria, regional issues
March 15, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian leader Bashar Assad in the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks that focused on rebuilding Syria after a devastating civil war and efforts to stabilize the region.
Erdogan hints Turkey may ratify Finland’s NATO membership
March 15, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Wednesday that his country may soon ratify Finland’s application to join NATO, allowing for the possibility of the country joining the military alliance separately from Sweden.
Migrant boats sink off Turkish coast; at least 4 dead
March 14, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Two boats carrying dozens of migrants sank off Turkey’s Aegean coast on Tuesday, drowning at least four people, Turkish media reports said.
The Turkish coast guard rescued 38 people and recovered the four bodies, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Key dates in Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 20-year rule of Turkey
March 14, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking a third consecutive term in office in elections in May, marks 20 years in power on Tuesday.
Calm after quake: Greek PM says tension with Turkey easing
March 13, 2023 GMTGreece’s prime minister Monday said a massive earthquake in Turkey and deadly rail disaster in northern Greece have helped de-escalate tension between the two neighbors, driven by a popular feeling of solidarity.
Erdogan sets May 14 election date as he seeks to extend rule
March 10, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday formally set the country’s parliamentary and presidential elections for May 14 — a month earlier than scheduled despite the devastating Feb.
NATO chief in new drive to bring Finland, Sweden in
March 9, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday launched a new attempt to get Finland and Sweden accepted as members of the world’s biggest military organization by the time U.S.
Alliance picks main opposition leader to run against Erdogan
March 6, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A six-party alliance on Monday nominated main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as its common candidate to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in elections in May, ending months of uncertainty and bickering that had frustrated their supporters.
Saudi Arabia says it deposited $5B in Turkish central bank
March 6, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said Monday it deposited $5 billion into the Turkish central bank, likely helping Ankara firm up its long-weakening currency, the lira, after last month's massive earthquake that struck southeast Turkey and northern Syria.
Betting on social media as a news destination for the young
March 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — If young people are spending so much time on social media, it stands to reason that's a good place to reach them with news.
Operators of the News Movement are betting their business on that hunch.
Turkish opposition bloc faces split over joint candidate
March 3, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — One of Turkey’s leading opposition politicians indicated Friday that her party is breaking with a major alliance formed to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in elections scheduled for May.
Rights lawyers seek ICC probe into Turkey allegations
March 1, 2023 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Human rights lawyers have called on the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into alleged crimes they say were committed by Turkish authorities against thousands of opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey intends to hold elections on May 14 despite quake
March 1, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated on Wednesday that his government still intends to hold elections a month earlier than scheduled despite an earthquake last month that devastated parts of southern Turkey.
Italy migrant tragedy death toll over 60; dozens missing
February 28, 2023 GMTSTECCATO DI CUTRO, Italy (AP) — The death toll rose to at least 63 in the migrant tragedy off Italy's southern coast after rescue crews recovered several more bodies Monday, driving home once again the desperate and dangerous boat crossings of people seeking to reach Europe.
Amid thaw, Egypt’s FM in quake-hit Turkey to show solidarity
February 27, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Egypt’s foreign minister arrived in Turkey on Monday to show solidarity with the quake-hit country, in the first high-level visit from Egypt since relations between Ankara and Cairo started to improve after years of friction.
Today in History: FEB 26, World Trade Center bombed in 1993
February 26, 2023 GMTToday in History
Today is Sunday, Feb. 26, the 57th day of 2023. There are 308 days left in the year.
Live updates | Russia Ukraine War Anniversary
February 24, 2023 GMTMOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the phone, the Kremlin reported.
A terse readout published Friday on the Kremlin’s website said the two discussed “the situation around Ukraine,” including a deal mediated by Turkey and the U.N.
Turkey starts work to build homes in 2 earthquake-hit towns
February 24, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities on Friday said preliminary work has started to build housing for people left homeless by the massive earthquake that hit parts of the country and neighboring Syria, killing tens of thousands.
Report: Istanbul bomb suspect killed in operation in Syria
February 24, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish forces have killed the alleged mastermind behind a deadly Istanbul street bombing in an operation in northern Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported on Friday.
Key developments in the aftermath of the Turkey, Syria quake
February 22, 2023 GMTSAMANDAG, Turkey (AP) — Demolition teams are clearing mounds of rubble from the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria, as emergency responders scramble to shelter survivors — who were traumatized anew by Monday's magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Turkey's already badly battered province of Hatay.
New quake brings fresh losses to residents of Turkey, Syria
February 21, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Survivors of the earthquake that jolted Turkey and Syria 15 days ago, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving hundreds of thousands of others homeless, dealt with more trauma and loss Tuesday after another deadly quake and aftershocks rocked the region.
Blinken welcomes ‘time out’ on Greece-Turkey tension
February 21, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged NATO allies Greece and Turkey to calm rhetoric as both countries head to national elections, in an effort to bolster unity in the trans-Atlantic alliance as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its anniversary.
New quake hits battered Turkey, Syria; 3 dead, hundreds hurt
February 21, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A new 6.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday killed three people and injured more than 200 others in parts of Turkey laid waste two weeks ago by a massive quake that killed tens of thousands, authorities said.
Key developments in the aftermath of the Turkey, Syria quake
February 20, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — There are reports of more collapsed buildings Turkey in Syria after another 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey’s Hatay province which was devastated by a massive tremor two week ago.
Turkey rejects links between NATO expansion, F-16 deal
February 20, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called for Sweden and Finland to be accepted into NATO “as quickly as possible,” although his Turkish counterpart dismissed the possibility of any link between their accession and Turkey’s request for F-16 fighter jets.
Bulgaria: 43 migrants found in van days after 18 found dead
February 20, 2023 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian police discovered 43 migrants, including ten children, hidden in a van in the west of the country, officials said Monday, just days after authorities found the bodies of 18 migrants concealed in a lumber truck.
Key developments in the aftermath of the Turkey, Syria quake
February 19, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — As the search and rescue effort for buried survivors of the Feb. 6 earthquake started to wind down in Turkey, demolition teams have moved in to clear the mounds of rubble left by the worst disaster in modern Turkish history.
Blinken tours Turkey’s earthquake zone, pledges $100M in aid
February 19, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken took a helicopter tour Sunday of one of the provinces worst-affected by the Feb.
Turkey: Couple saved 296 hours after quake, but children die
February 18, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — A couple and their son were pulled alive from under a collapsed apartment building more than 12 days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake ravaged parts of Turkey and Syria, although the child later died at a hospital, Turkish state media reported Saturday.
Bulgaria detains 7 over deaths of 18 migrants found in truck
February 18, 2023 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Authorities in Bulgaria have detained seven people in connection with an abandoned truck in which 18 people believed to be migrants were found dead, police said Saturday.
The bodies were discovered Friday in a secret compartment below a load of lumber in the truck, which was left on a highway not far from Bulgaria's capital, Sofia.
Defense minister: Finland could join NATO ahead of Sweden
February 18, 2023 GMTMUNICH (AP) — Finland’s defense minister said Saturday that his country will join NATO without waiting for Sweden if its Nordic neighbor’s accession is held up by the Turkish government.
Key developments in the aftermath of the Turkey, Syria quake
February 17, 2023 GMTKAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey (AP) — Rescuers have pulled more survivors from the debris of the Feb.
NATO chief urges Turkey to let Nordic pair join quickly
February 16, 2023 GMTANKARA (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday urged Turkey to ratify the applications of Finland and Sweden to join the military organization, repeating his claim that the Nordic neighbors have done enough to satisfy Ankara’s demands that they crack down on extremism.
Blinken off to Europe amid soaring tensions with China
February 15, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Soaring U.S. tensions with China, fears of a new Russian offensive against Ukraine and a stalemate with Turkey over NATO expansion will top Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s agenda as he heads to Europe this week.
NATO chief heads to Ankara as Turkey holds up Nordics
February 15, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg conceded Wednesday that Turkey has blocked efforts to let Finland and Sweden join the world’s biggest security alliance at the same time, and said he is heading to Ankara to discuss the issue with the Turkish president and foreign minister.
Rising toll makes quake deadliest in Turkey’s modern history
February 14, 2023 GMTANTAKYA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Tuesday that more than 35,000 people have died in Turkey as a result of last week’s earthquake, making it the deadliest such disaster since the country’s founding 100 years ago.
NATO chief unfazed if Finland, Sweden join separately
February 14, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg played down on Tuesday the importance of Finland and Sweden joining the world’s biggest security organization at the same time as Turkey refuses to ratify their membership, mostly due to a dispute with Sweden.
UN says Syria agrees to open 2 new crossings for quake aid
February 14, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Syria’s president agreed to open two new crossing points from Turkey to the country’s rebel-held northwest to deliver desperately needed aid and equipment to help millions of earthquake victims, the United Nations announced Monday.
Search for earthquake survivors enters final hours in Turkey
February 14, 2023 GMTADIYAMAN, Turkey (AP) — The desperate search for earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria entered its final hours Monday as rescuers using sniffer dogs and thermal cameras surveyed pulverized apartment blocks for any sign of life a week after the disaster.
Grief gives way to anger over Turkey’s earthquake response
February 13, 2023 GMTANTAKYA, Turkey (AP) — When Zafer Mahmut Boncuk's apartment building collapsed in Turkey's devastating earthquake, he discovered his 75-year-old mother was still alive — but pinned under the wreckage.
Turkey probes contractors as earthquake deaths pass 33,000
February 12, 2023 GMTANTAKYA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities are targeting contractors allegedly linked with buildings that collapsed in the powerful Feb. 6 earthquakes as rescuers found more survivors in the rubble Sunday, including a pregnant woman and two children, in the disaster that killed over 33,000 people.
Cambodian leader shuts down independent media outlet
February 12, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday ordered one of the handful of independent media broadcasters to shut down for publishing an article he said intentionally slandered his son in connection with the country's relief assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey.
Germany to ease visa conditions for some earthquake victims
February 12, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The German government wants to temporarily ease visa restrictions for survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria who have close family ties to Germany if they are facing homelessness or were injured.
Survivors still being found as quake death toll tops 28,000
February 11, 2023 GMTLATAKIA, Syria (AP) — Ibrahim Zakaria lost track of time drifting into and out of consciousness while trapped for nearly five days in the rubble of his home following the massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria this week.
Finnish president wants Finland, Sweden in NATO by summer
February 11, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — The Finnish president said in an interview published Saturday that he trusts that Finland and Sweden will be admitted into NATO by July, and hinted that he wants the United States to put pressure on Turkey to approve their membership bids.
Earthquake compounds Turkish leader’s woes as election nears
February 11, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to power 20 years ago riding a wave of public outrage toward the previous government's handling of a deadly earthquake.
Now, three months away from an election, Erdogan’s political future could hinge on how the public perceives his government's response to a similarly devastating natural disaster.
Live Updates I Focus turns to quake aid, as rescues continue
February 11, 2023 GMTEmergency crews made a series of dramatic rescues in Turkey on Friday, pulling several people from the rubble four days after a catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed more than 23,000 in Turkey and Syria.
Rescuers rejoice as more quake survivors emerge from rubble
February 11, 2023 GMTISKENDERUN, Turkey (AP) — Six relatives huddled in a small air pocket, day after day. A desperate teenager grew so thirsty that he drank his own urine. Two frightened sisters were comforted by a pop song as they waited for rescuers to free them.
Turkey’s lax policing of building codes known before quake
February 10, 2023 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey has for years tempted fate by not enforcing modern construction codes while allowing — and in some cases, encouraging — a real estate boom in earthquake-prone areas, experts say.
Rescuers push to find survivors of ‘disaster of the century’
February 10, 2023 GMTKAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey (AP) — Rescue workers made a final push Thursday to find survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria that rendered many communities unrecognizable to their inhabitants and led the Turkish president to declare it “the disaster of the century." The death toll topped 20,000.
Quake brings chance for Syria’s Assad to ease isolation
February 10, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — On his first public visit touring the destruction wreaked by this week’s deadly earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, Syrian President Bashar Assad on Friday pointedly shamed the West for shunning his country.
Live Updates I Aid, rescues in quake-hit Turkey, Syria
February 10, 2023 GMTRescuers pulled more survivors from beneath collapsed buildings Thursday, but hopes were fading of finding many more people alive after the catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. More than 20,700 deaths have been recorded so far in the world's deadliest earthquake since 2010.
Earthquake stuns Syria’s Aleppo even after war’s horrors
February 9, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — For years, the people of Aleppo bore the brunt of bombardment and fighting when their city, once Syria’s largest and most cosmopolitan, was among the civil war’s fiercest battle zones.
Turkish leader acknowledges ‘shortcomings’ in quake response
February 9, 2023 GMTGAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — The president of Turkey on Wednesday acknowledged “shortcomings” in his country's response to the world’s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade as hope dwindled that more survivors would emerge from the rubble of thousands of toppled buildings.
Live Updates | Turkey, Syria quake is deadliest since 2015
February 8, 2023 GMTThe catastrophic earthquake that razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria became one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade Wednesday and the death toll kept rising, approaching 12,000.
Earthquake takeaways: Hope fading in frigid Turkey, Syria
February 8, 2023 GMTGAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — The search for survivors of the earthquake that toppled thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria reached a critical stretch on Wednesday, with rescue teams from two dozen countries helping locals sift through the rubble and experts warning that the realistic window to find any in the frigid temperatures was quickly closing.
Sweden: Anti-Turkish protests have increased attack threat
February 8, 2023 GMTSTOCKHOLM (AP) — The Swedish domestic security agency warned Wednesday that the threat of attacks in the Scandinavian country has increased in the weeks since a far-right activist burned a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.
Global quake rescue effort hits ground in Turkey, Syria
February 8, 2023 GMTMedical personnel, soldiers, and handlers with trained search dogs sent from around the world are arriving in Turkey and Syria to help rescue survivors of Monday’s earthquake.
State of the Union live updates: Latest on Biden’s speech
February 8, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Follow along for real-time updates on President Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union address from The Associated Press.
Engineers, search dogs sent to Turkey, Syria after quake
February 8, 2023 GMTStructural engineers, soldiers, paramedics and handlers with trained search dogs are heading to Turkey and Syria to help locate and rescue survivors of Monday’s earthquake.
Fears grow for untold numbers buried by Turkey earthquake
February 8, 2023 GMTNURDAGI, Turkey (AP) — Rescuers raced against time early Wednesday to pull survivors from the rubble before they succumbed to cold weather two days after an earthquake tore through southern Turkey and war-ravaged northern Syria.
Live Updates | Turkey, Syria earthquake search intensifies
February 8, 2023 GMTADANA, Turkey (AP) — Rescuers are racing to pull survivors from earthquake rubble before they succumb to cold weather in southern Turkey and war-ravaged northern Syria.
Greece: 3 dead after boat with migrants hits rocks
February 7, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Three migrants died and 16 others were rescued off the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday after a dinghy transporting them from the nearby coast of Turkey hit rocks in high winds, authorities said.
Live Updates | Turkey, Syria earthquake kills thousands
February 7, 2023 GMTThe catastrophic earthquake that razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria became one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade Wednesday and the death toll kept rising, approaching 12,000.
Rescuers scramble in Turkey, Syria after quake kills 4,000
February 7, 2023 GMTADANA, Turkey (AP) — Rescuers in Turkey and war-ravaged Syria searched through the frigid night into Tuesday, hoping to pull more survivors from the rubble after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 4,000 people and toppled thousands of buildings across a wide region.