Ankara

The 1st Art Ankara Contemporary Art Fair kicks off today in the capital. The fair will host national and international artists and exhibitions until March 15. One of the most important figures of Iranian contemporary art, Bijan Sayfouri, will be a guest of the event.

Relations between Ankara and Washington have been consistently strained in recent years, according to a scholar.

The Chinese Lantern Festival, which fell on March 5 this year, marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities and is celebrated on the first full moon of the lunar year. Lanterns adorn the sky during the night, creating a magical atmosphere adding to the romance of the full moon.

There has been intense activity at the Air Force base in Diyarbakir, Turkey, as Ankara is considering whether to help Iraq in the fight against Islamic State, media sources say.

Aircraft are being regularly scrambled, and troops have been instructed to "react" in case of hostility from IS, according to reports.

The third hearing into the case of illegal wiretapping at the offices of former prime minister, now President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, has revealed that a senior adviser for Erdo?an at the time prevented his security staff from accompanying a search by intelligence officials.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an?s kitchen is under the strict control of his doctors, with a five-member emergency team permanently on call in the presidential palace.

All food and meals are analyzed before being served to Erdo?an in the palace, according to his personal doctor, Cevdet Erdöl.

Turkey?s Ambassador in Athens Kerim Uras on Thursday received a delegation from the Greek Defense Ministry for talks that are said to have focused on improving bilateral relations and boosting trust between the two countries even as Turkish fighter jets entered Greek air space without permission.

Opposition deputies? unprecedented creativity in their ways of objecting to a government-led controversial homeland security bill during ongoing General Assembly-level debates at parliament prevailed late Feb. 24.

A ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy who earlier admitted punching opposition deputies during a heated parliamentary session, has suggested that offering an apology to ?ideology amigos? would be an ?insult against the national will.?

Turkey informed the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul about a military operation to evacuate its military personnel protecting the Tomb of Süleyman ?ah in northern Syria, but Ankara did not await permission from Damascus, the Syrian government said Feb. 22.