Erdogan’s Nazi Comparison Draws Fire From Merkel Chief of Staff

A senior aide to Chancellor Angela Merkel hit back at Turkey’s government, saying Germany doesn’t need lessons in democracy after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likened the cancellation of rallies by two of his cabinet ministers to Nazi practices. Peter Altmaier, Merkel’s chief of staff, called the comment “absolutely unacceptable” as tension escalates in a relationship already strained over Turkey’s human rights record after a failed coup to topple Erdogan in July.

[Agenda] Malta presidency in full swing this Week

While Malta has officially taken over the EU’s rotating presidency on 1 January, the real show will begin when European commissioners pay their traditional visit to the incoming presidency of the EU Council on Wednesday . Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and his 26 colleagues – Bulgaria has still not appointed a successor to Kristalina Georgieva who left for the World Bank at the end of the year – will discuss the presidency’s agenda with the government of Joseph Muscat.

EnWave Receives Purchase Order from Eregli Agrosan for 100kW REV(TM)…

E4U ) today reports that it has received a purchase order from Eregli Agrosan for a 100kW Radiant Energy Vacuum machine to expand their processing capacity of their AgroREV fruit, vegetable and cheese products. EnWave and Eregli have also signed a non-exclusive Marketing Cooperation Agreement to help facilitate sales growth of AgroREV products in North America.

IS claims New Yeara s attack on Istanbul nightclub

The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for the New Year’s attack at a popular Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people and wounded scores of others. Turkish police meanwhile detained eight people in connection with the attack but were still hunting for the gunman who disappeared amid the chaos of the attack.

At least 35 killed in New Year’s attack on Istanbul nightclub

An assailant believed to have been dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a nightclub in Istanbul during New Year’s celebrations, killing at least 35 people and wounding some 40 others, according to the governor of Istanbul and Turkish media reports. Private NTV television said that more than one assailant may have been involved in the attack, which targeted the popular Reina nightclub in Istanbul’s Ortakoy district.