Turkey

India and Turkey are set to lose their preferential trade treatment with the US, according to statements from the White House on Monday. "I am taking this step because ... I have determined that India has not assured the United States that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to the markets of India," Donald Trump said in a letter to leaders of the US Congress. Washington intends to terminate Turkey's preferential status because the country is "sufficiently economically developed" and no longer qualifies, according to the US Trade Representative's office. Since receiving preferential status in 1975, Turkey has shown a growth in income per capita, reduced poverty and diversified exports, officials said.   India vs. US giants The trade officials also accused New Delhi of deploying "a wide array of trade barriers that create serious negative effects on United States commerce," echoing Trump's letter to US lawmakers. In February, India started enforcing … [Read more...] about US to scrap India and Turkey’s preferential trade status

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed a 10-year space program on Tuesday. It includes ambitious plans such as sending Turkish astronauts to the moon. "The first rough landing will be made on the moon with our national and authentic hybrid rocket that shall be launched into orbit in the end of 2023 through international cooperation," said Erdogan. "God willing, we are going to the moon," he added.  The plan coincides with the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Turkish republic. Erdogan also outlined plans to build a spaceport and create a "global brand" in satellite technology. "I hope that this roadmap, which will carry Turkey to the top league in the global space race, will come to life successfully," he said. In the space business since 2018 Turkey started its space agency in 2018, despite criticism over spending large amounts of money on the project amid an economic crisis. However, supporters of the project see it as an opportunity to retain … [Read more...] about Turkey unveils space program with a mission to the moon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed a 10-year space program on Tuesday. It includes ambitious plans such as sending Turkish astronauts to the moon. "The first rough landing will be made on the moon with our national and authentic hybrid rocket that shall be launched into orbit in the end of 2023 through international cooperation," said Erdogan. "God willing, we are going to the moon," he added. The plan coincides with the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Turkish republic. Erdogan also outlined plans to build a spaceport and create a "global brand" in satellite technology. "I hope that this roadmap, which will carry Turkey to the top league in the global space race, will come to life successfully," he said. In the space business since 2018 Turkey started its space agency in 2018, despite criticism over spending large amounts of money on the project amid an economic crisis . However, supporters of the project see it as an opportunity to retain … [Read more...] about Turkey unveils space program with mission to moon

Turkey hit back at the United States on Thursday, after Washington called for Ankara to release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala. Kavala has been imprisoned for more than three years without conviction. He was released from jail a year ago after being acquitted on charges related to 2013 anti-government protests, but was immediately rearrested and charged with attempting to overthrow the government and espionage. The acquittal was eventually overturned, and a Turkish court ruled last week to combine the two charges for a hearing to start in May. "The specious charges against Kavala, his ongoing detention, and the continuing delays in the conclusion of his trial, including through the merger of cases against him, undermine respect for the rule of law and democracy," the US State Department said in a statement on Wednesday. Turkey rejects call In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry told the US to respect the independence of its courts. "Turkey is a state of law. No … [Read more...] about US demands Turkey release philanthropist Osman Kavala

Corruption cases have always interested the Iranian journalist Mohammad Mosaed , who has made them a focus of his reporting. But that has been his undoing in Iran. Because of his reporting, he was sentenced to several years in prison. Mosaed hoped to escape the prison sentence by fleeing to neighboring Turkey, but he now faces deportation back to his home country. Mosaed has loved writing since he was a teenager, publishing his first story when he was 17 years old. This passion later became his profession. For a long time, he was a business correspondent for the Iranian newspapers Hamshahri and Shargh. He spent years investigating corruption in state institutions, banks and oil companies. His sources were partly industry insiders and partly ordinary citizens. After a while, his reputation was such that whistle-blowers approached him of their own accord, to share their experiences of corruption. Mosaed says that in Iran, it is not easy to protect these whistle-blowers. In November … [Read more...] about Journalist Mosaed trapped in Turkey after fleeing Iran