Turkish prosecutors are investigating people who have alleged on social media that a July 15 coup attempt was a hoax carried out by the government, the country’s justice minister said, reflecting what some critics say are increasing restrictions on expression in the wake of the failed rebellion by some military forces.

Turkey sought to assure its citizens and the outside world that there would be no return to the deep repression of the past, even as President Tayyip Erdogan imposed the first nationwide state of emergency since the 1980s.

Around 1,800 special forces police officers have arrived in Istanbul as Turkey reels from the failed coup attempt that plunged the city and the capital Ankara into a night of violence.

Update 12.29am: A senior Turkish official said tonight nearly 50 people had been killed in the attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and initial indications were that the so-called 'Islamic State' group was behind the atrocity.

Turkey’s governing party was debating who should be the country’s next prime minister after incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the country’s first popularly elected president in a historic vote.

France’s foreign minister says the international community may have to use force if it is proven that Syria used chemical weapons in an attack the opposition says killed more than 100 people.

Turkish authorities are investigating people who allegedly insulted state officials or incited riots on social media, the deputy prime minister has said.

Turkish authorities are investigating people who allegedly insulted state officials or incited riots on social media, the deputy prime minister has said in a sign the government is intent on meting out punishment over the massive protests that have swept the country.

TURKEY’S top court has annulled a law allowing women to wear Islamic headscarves in universities on grounds it violates secularism, in a huge blow for the prime minister and his Islamist-rooted party.