Putin, Merkel condemn Istanbul terror attack

Following a suspected suicide bomber targeting police vehicles in Istanbul's central Taksim Square over the weekend, wounding 10 police officers and 12 civilians, world leaders expressed solidarity with Turkey in the face of terrorism. In a statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced her strong condemnation of the attack and expressed condolences to her Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. She also extended get-well wishes to the victims of the attack, two of them in serious condition. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also sent Erdogan a telegram denouncing the attack, and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek issued a statement lamenting casualties from the bombing.