Turkey

ISTANBUL, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Eleven days after the bloody explosion that rocked the busiest pedestrian avenue in Istanbul, additional security measures have been taken with a heavy presence of police patrolling the area.

The Istiklal Avenue, lined with stores of famous brands, cafes, and bars, is flooded with people as usual.

"Many additional security measures have been taken since the bomb explosion," Haydar Ali Yildiz, mayor of Beyoglu district, told reporters on Tuesday.

24 Nov 2022; MEMO: Turkish authorities have seized assets belonging to the failed crypto currency exchange, FTX, which went bankrupt and whose founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, escaped with reportedly over a billion dollars in investors' money.

ANKARA, Nov 24 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez on Wednesday favored diversifying commercial, financial, and other spheres of relations with Türkiye, after meeting here with his counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.    

There is always the possibility of diversifying our commercial and financial relations of another type between our countries, he said at the end of the official talks at the Presidential Complex in this capital.

ANKARA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his country wants to enhance cooperation with Cuba, and the two countries signed six agreements in the fields of media and communication, culture, and diplomacy.

At a joint press conference in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said that the historic visit of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel would be a new milestone in the Türkiye-Cuba relations.

"I attach importance to enhancing our cooperation and solidarity, particularly with Cuba, one of our primary partners in the region," he added.

23 Nov 2022; MEMO: The 8th World Halal Summit and the 9th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Halal Expo will begin in Istanbul on Thursday, Anadolu News Agency reports.

The two major gatherings on the global market for products and services conforming to Islamic guidelines (known as halal) will see the participation of nearly 500 exhibitors from 40 countries.

ANKARA, November 23. /TASS/: Turkey plans to start a new cross-border operation at the most opportune time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

"Air strikes against terrorists in Syria and Iraq are just the beginning. We have never been so serious about securing our borders. We will launch the operation at the most appropriate time for us. Administrations in Syria and Iraq should not feel threatened. We intend to ensure the territorial integrity of these countries," he said during a speech in parliament.

ANKARA, November 23. /TASS/: Turkey plans to start a new cross-border operation at the most opportune time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

"Air strikes against terrorists in Syria and Iraq are just the beginning. We have never been so serious about securing our borders. We will launch the operation at the most appropriate time for us. Administrations in Syria and Iraq should not feel threatened. We intend to ensure the territorial integrity of these countries," he said during a speech in parliament.

ANKARA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 50 people were injured after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Türkiye's northwestern province of Duzce early Wednesday.

The injured were treated in hospitals in Duzce and nearby regions, some sustained injuries, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told the Turkish television channel NTV, adding that one person was seriously hurt after jumping from a balcony out of panic.

ANKARA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye will launch a ground operation into northern Syria "at the most convenient time" to build a security strip, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

"Our determination to secure all our southern borders - from (provinces of) Hatay to Hakkari - with a security strip is stronger today than ever before. We have already formed part of this strip with cross-border operations," Erdogan told lawmakers at the parliament.

23 Nov 2022; MEMO: Saudi Arabia is in discussions with Turkiye to deposit $5 billion in the Turkish Central Bank, Reuters reported a spokesman of the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh as saying on Tuesday.

"We are in final discussion to make a $5bn deposit with the Central Bank of Turkiye," the spokesman said in an emailed response to Reuters.

A Turkish official said that discussions are at the final stage with Saudi Arabia over a swap or deposit agreement. However, the Central Bank declined to comment on the issue.