Picture of Russian ambassador’s assassin wins World Press Photo award

The 60th World Press Photo award has been won by a Turkish photographer for an image of the direct aftermath of the assassination of the country’s Russian ambassador. Burhan Ozbilici, who works for Associated Press in Istanbul, beat 5,034 other photographers from 125 countries to the top prize in one of the world’s most prestigious professional photography contests.

Turkish parliament nears approval of presidential system

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan addresses district governors at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, January 10, 2017. Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Palace/Handout via Turkey edged closer to adopting a constitutional bill extending President Tayyip Erdogan’s powers overnight, with parliament approving four more articles of a reform which opponents see as a step towards an authoritarian state.

Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations

Osama Abu Zeid of the the main moderate Syrian opposition group Free Syrian Army, shows what he said is a copy of the five-point cease-fire agreement for Syria, during a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Abu Zeid said that his group, one of the 13 armed opposition factions, had agreed to abide by the nationwide cease-fire agreement that will go into effect at midnight Thursday.

Fate of Syria Cease-fire Unclear

Osama Abu Zaid, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army rebel alliance, shows the text of the agreement about a cease-fire between Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government during a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 29, 2016. Much remains unclear about the nationwide Syrian cease-fire Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday – a truce that Moscow says can pave the way for Russian-brokered talks on a settlement of the five-year-long war.

Turkey says Saudis, Qatar should attend Syria peace talks

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Saudi Arabia and Qatar should join its meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss Syrian peace efforts. Russia, Turkey and Iran, which helped broker the withdrawal of civilians and militants from the Syrian city of Aleppo, have agreed to hold talks on Syria in Kazakhstan next month.

Shooter in Russian Ambassador Killing Was Member of Turkish Riot…

The man accused of assassinating Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was a member of the riot police in Ankara, Turkey, who used his police ID card to enter the building before the shooting, according to Interior Ministry sources. The suspect, identified as Mevlut Mert Altintas, was killed by the Turkish anti-terror police, the Interior Ministry said, after he allegedly shot the ambassador in an attack caught on camera.