Turkey

19 May 2019; DW: The Turkish president has described plans to help Russia build its next generation missile defense system. The move is likely to further strain Turkey's relations with the United States.

Russia and Turkey will jointly produce the next generation S-500 aerial missile defense system, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

WASHINGTON; 17 May 2019; AA: President Donald Trump reduced tariffs on Turkish steel imports Thursday from 50% to 25%, citing what he said were necessary import reductions.

That will put tariffs at the level they were at before the president decided to double them last August amid tensions over a since-freed American pastor who was detained in Turkey.

ANKARA, May 16 (Xinhua): Turkey and Iraq have deepened their relations and fostered trade, economic and political cooperation during Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's visit to Ankara amid regional instabilities, said experts.

The visiting prime minister met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, discussing issues such as Turkey's concerns on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activities in northern Iraq and the new border crossing to be established between the two countries.

15 May 2019; AA: Turkey's benchmark stock index ended Tuesday up 2.02% to close at 88,022.94 points.

After starting the day at 86,615.43 points, Borsa Istanbul's BIST 100 index rose 1,740.4 points from 86,282.54 points at Monday's close.

One ounce of gold was sold for $1,298.60 at the daily close in Borsa Istanbul's Precious Metals and Diamond Markets, versus $1,283.90 at Monday's close.

VAN; 15 May 2019; AA: Turkish police have seized more than 163 kilograms (around 360 pounds) of heroin in the eastern Van province, local police announced on Wednesday.

The heroin was discovered in mineral oil cans by anti-narcotic police teams in a search of a cargo warehouse in the Tusba district, said a police statement.

The heroin was found packed in 602 containers pending transfer to the country's western provinces, it added.

ANKARA, May 12 (Xinhua): Turkey tries to convince the United States to accept its proposal on forming a committee for examination on technical concerns about its procurement of an advanced Russian missile defense system.

"The experts should say the last word. We said that a joint working group should be set up and NATO should chair it. We know what we do about it," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier.

Tensions between Ankara and Washington have reached a fever pitch over the former's plans for procurement of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

VAN, 12 May 2019; AA: Gendarmerie forces impounded 91 kilograms heroin in Turkey's eastern Van province, according to a statement Sunday.

The statement said the heroin was seized in Ipekyolu district from the back of a truck which was carrying cattle.

Three people were arrested in connection with the illegal drug.

ANKARA; 11 May 2019; AA: Turkey will launch two miniature satellites to space next year, according to a Turkish defense technology company.

STM Defense Technology and Engineering Company aims to develop small satellites, Elif Dirgin, the director of the satellite systems, said at an International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF).

Ergin said the company have already initiated two satellites projects to build a microsatellite named Lagari and a nanosatellite.

ANKARA; 11 May 2019; AA: A total of 489,429 vehicles rolled off Turkish automotive industry production lines in the first four months of this year, the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD) said on Saturday.

The country's auto production -- including automobiles, commercial vehicles, and tractors -- fell 13% year-on-year in January-April period.

The association said automobile production in Turkey also fell 14% to reach at 322,281 during the same period.

ANKARA; 9 May 2019; AA: The coalition government in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) collapsed after the People's Party (HP) announced its withdrawal on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay, who is HP leader as well, announced his party's decision to withdraw from the coalition on Wednesday, according to Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK).