BRIT tourists in Turkey have been warned to brace themselves for terror attacks and mob violence. The situation in the country has calmed since the attempted coup in July 2016, but Turkey is still at risk of other attacks. Read on to find out more... The popular tourist destination of Turkey has seen a slump in visitor numbers following a number of terror attacks Is it safe to travel to Turkey? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warns terrorist attacks from the likes of ISIS are likely. Turkish civilians, demonstrations and the state are at risk, so the FCO urged Brits to "remain vigilant". The FCO advises against all travel to within 10km of Turkey's border with Syria, and to the large Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, which has been rocked by violence. It also warns against all but essential travel to anywhere in the southern areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis and Hatay, Siirt and Haakari – and the … [Read more...] about Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest travel and holiday advice ahead of the presidential election
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New Turkey travel advice issued by the Foreign Office – is it safe to travel there?
TURKEY is a favourite holiday destination for Brits this year – and bookings are up 84 per cent year on year as we seek cheap holidays there with guaranteed sunshine. However the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued warnings over travelling to Turkey after it was announced that elections will take place in the country on June 24. A notice on its website reads: “Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place on 24 June 2018; this may result in rallies and demonstrations around the country; you should avoid large gatherings and follow the advice of the local authorities.” The office advises against all but essential travel to anywhere within 6.2 miles of the border with Syria, including the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Kilis and Hatay provinces. This also applies to Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari provinces as well as the city of Diyabakir. Further information reads: “British nationals made over 1.7 million … [Read more...] about New Turkey travel advice issued by the Foreign Office – is it safe to travel there?
Turkey, Iran help wealthy Qatar thrive, 1 year into blockade
By Aya Batrawy Published 4:30 pm, Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Photo: Kamran Jebreili / Associated Press Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 A taxi passes by a building with the image of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, Qatar. A taxi passes by a building with the image of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / Associated Press Turkey, Iran help wealthy Qatar thrive, 1 year into blockade 1 / 1 Back to Gallery DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — It’s been a year since three of Qatar’s neighbors plus Egypt severed ties with the Gulf state, cut off exports, expelled their citizens and banned Qatari flights from using their airports and airspace. The tiny country has weathered the storm by drawing from its substantial cash … [Read more...] about Turkey, Iran help wealthy Qatar thrive, 1 year into blockade
Erdogan seeks to sway Turkey voters in Kurdish heartland
DIYARBAKIR — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday sought to persuade voters in the heartland of Turkey’s Kurdish minority to vote for him in June 24 polls, arguing his party had done the most to rebuild the area and find peace after years of violence. Erdogan told a mass rally attended by thousands in the Kurdish-majority southeastern city of Diyarbakir that the area was enjoying "peace like never in the last 40 years" and that the "state had never been so close to the people". The authorities are still battling the insurgency that dates back to 1984 of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which initially took up arms for a separate state but now demands more autonomy. Erdogan backed peace talks in the early years of the decade but a ceasefire collapsed in 2015 and there have been deadly clashes ever since. Turkey’s Kurds, estimated to make up at least one fifth of the population, will be crucial in determining the outcome of the parliamentary and … [Read more...] about Erdogan seeks to sway Turkey voters in Kurdish heartland
Felixstowe man broke neighbour’s fence after mistaking turkey foot as ‘threat’
Magistrates Court, Ipswich. Picture: ARCHANT A man has admitted damaging his neighbour’s fence after mistaking a turkey’s foot found in his garden for a tarot card-style bad omen. Richard Studd, 43, of Ferry Road, Felixstowe, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court today to causing criminal damage on January 1 this year. The court heard that a dispute had erupted between Studd and his neighbour Steven Sayers after two anonymous letters were sent to Studd in relation to his dog barking. Prosecuting, Lesla Small said the defendant had become angry upon seeing the letter. “Mr Sayers heard some banging coming from the end of the garden,” she said. “A piece was broken off his fence. He believed his fence was being struck by a hammer. “Mr Studd was very angry and was shouting and swearing.” The police were called and Studd was arrested. Ms Small told the court Studd told police that his dog was ‘part of the family’ so had … [Read more...] about Felixstowe man broke neighbour’s fence after mistaking turkey foot as ‘threat’