Turkey
Turkey launches monetary easing cycle with 250bp rate cut
Regulator also narrows interest rate corridor.
Turkey hikes minimum wage by 30% in line with financial market demands
Increase compares to official inflation of towards 50%, unofficial inflation of towards 90%. Turks in usual fury.
Turkey advances Syria engagement with energy plans and refugee return
Turkey has announced multiple initiatives to engage with Syria's new government, including planned energy cooperation and a framework for refugee returns.
Turkey, Syria tandem could mean piped Qatari gas for Europe and a supercharged Middle East clean energy transition
Prize could be huge for Ankara and Damascus if the Syrian fighting is really over.
Syrian-Kurdish SDF’s fighters from outside Syria will leave if Turkey agrees ceasefire, says commander
Turkish president Erdogan, meanwhile, describes his country’s activities in other countries as part of a “sacred journey”.
Istanbul cruise port debt “re-restructured”, banks take 49% stake
Dogus Galataport has three-year buyback option. With accrued interest, €1.5bn owed. Lenders may gain option to move to 51%-ownership if repayment plan fails.
Turkey launches Persian news media aimed at Iran
Turkey's state television channel TRT launched its Persian-language service on December 18, the broadcaster announced.
Trump keeping Erdogan “on his toes” over unfolding Syria events, says analyst
Turkish leader now “not sure exactly where he sits” after US president-elect’s remarks on how the situation in Damascus is “controlled by Turkey”.
Senators threaten to hit Erdogan with sanctions if Syria ceasefire not declared with US-backed Kurdish fighters
As fears grow Turkey will attempt post-Assad attack on self-declared “Kurdistan” territories, lawmakers say “United States cannot stand idly by”.
EU Council says enlargement is a "geo-strategic investment in peace"
The enlargement process has been revitalised since the start of the war in Ukraine, but EU ministers say candidate countries must step up reform efforts.
COMMENT: Russia’s losses in Syria are Turkey’s gains
Russia’s hand in the Middle East has been dramatically weakened by the departure of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey’s has been strengthened.
Turkey will “hold key” to what happens in Syria, says Trump
By supporting anti-Assad forces, Ankara "did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost", adds US president-elect.
Kosovo to set up its first ammunition factory with Turkish firm MKE
Kosovo is setting up a domestic arms industry amid heightened tensions with Serbia, which has been ramping up its defence procurement efforts.
Advanced economies have lower out-of-pocket healthcare spending
According to the Global Health Expenditure Database by the World Health Organization (WHO), the global average out-of-pocket expenses related to health across 192 countries made up 30% of all health expenditures per capita in 2022.
US, Turkey tread carefully over tensions on future of Kurdish forces in Syria
Washington says it’s “imperative” that fight to ensure Islamic State “doesn’t rear its head again” goes on. But Ankara wants Kurd-led YPG militia at head of that effort dissolved.
Turkish carmaker Tofas axes 13% of workforce, Stellantis restructuring failures hit JV
Problems competing with imported Chinese vehicles also taking toll.
Geothermal energy poised for major global expansion, says IEA chief Fatih Birol
"Geothermal energy could see transformative global growth thanks to advancements in technology and expertise from the oil and gas sector," the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report groundbreaking report released on December 13.
Novi Robot tops Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Turkey 2024 ranking
Developer of robotic automation systems for manufacturing plants is country's fastest growing tech startup.
Turkish embassy reopens in Damascus after 12-year hiatus
Turkey’s embassy in Damascus resumed operations on December 14.
Orban continues freelance peace mission with visit to Ankara
Orban's solo diplomacy at the start of his rotating EU presidency almost led to Hungary being stripped of its presidency.