Turkey bans May Day rallies on Taksim Square

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he would not allow May Day gatherings on Istanbul's Taksim Square, the scene of protests that have dogged the government for months. A similar decision in May last year to ban the use of the square -- a traditional and symbolic rallying point -- led to violent clashes between police and protesters which were followed by a wave of nationwide anti-government demonstrations in June. "Those who insist on celebrating it here (in Taksim Square) are just saying: 'I am ready for clashes," Erdogan said at a meeting of his parliamentary party, according to AFP.