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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A Seasonal Cook in Turkey: Turkish Beach Food

Turkish Beach Food
There you are at last, stretched out under a sun umbrella, the sea a dazzling blue in front of you, a cloudless sky above, and what is your heart’s desire? Seems to me it would surely be something like a choc ice or vanilla wafer with a Cadbury’s Flake stuck into it. Hot dog? Smoothie?
But surely never, never, mussels stuffed with rice!! Yet this is a staple of the Turkish beach crowd: midye dolma. Literally mussels back in their shells surrounded by a tasty rice filling sold singly or however many you want. They come with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and as in this picture, a paper napkin too!

More:A Seasonal Cook in Turkey: Turkish Beach Food

Greeks in Istanbul Cry Tears of Joy for the Return of their Properties | Greek Reporter Europe

Greeks in Istanbul Cry Tears of Joy for the Return of their Properties

Posted on 31 August 2011 by Apostolos Papapostolou

Greeks in Istanbul welcomed Erdogan’s decision to return confiscated property to minorities, with tears of joy in their eyes.
As the representative of minority institutions under the General Directorate for Foundations and member of the Greek minority of Istanbul, Lakis Vingas, stated to Newsit; “yesterday was a historic day. Mr. Erdogan’s determination is one of a leader, as the issue was solved by a government decision and did not go through general assembly. This is evidence to Mr. Erdogan’s consistency in the progress of issues, faced by minorities here for many decades. We neither received a gift, nor compensation; we simply took back what belonged to us. This is justice and what we have been waiting for. We are now in the third phase of the return of minority properties and are very satisfied.
More:Greeks in Istanbul Cry Tears of Joy for the Return of their Properties | Greek Reporter Europe

Funerals take place of Turkey murder victims

Funerals take place of Turkey murder victims

The funerals have taken place of the two Irish women murdered while on holiday in Turkey last week.

On Saturday Marion Graham was buried in Newry, while Cathy Dinsmore’s funeral took place in Warrenpoint. The County Down friends were stabbed near the west coast city of Izmir.

Recep Cetin, the Turkish boyfriend of Ms. Graham’s daughter, has reportedly confessed to killing both women.

More:Funerals take place of Turkey murder victims

Turkey's Kurds must push for a democratic answer | Kaya Genç | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's Kurds must push for a democratic answer

Parliament is the channel through which rights for Kurds can be secured and this era of political violence in Turkey can end

More:Turkey's Kurds must push for a democratic answer | Kaya Genç | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's need for Israel's UAVs may unite once close allies - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Turkey's need for Israel's UAVs may unite once close allies
Ankara censures Israel for its attacks on Gaza, but does not hesitate to bomb the Kurdish PKK movement in much the same manner.

More:Turkey's need for Israel's UAVs may unite once close allies - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Elders documentary to mark day of the disappeared - Cyprus Mail

Elders documentary to mark day of the disappeared
Published on August 31, 2011

THE ELDERS are marking the International Day of the Disappeared with the online launch of their documentary, Cyprus: Digging the Past in Search of the Future.


More:Elders documentary to mark day of the disappeared - Cyprus Mail

48 Injured Libyans to arrive in Turkey for treatment

48 Injured Libyans to arrive in Turkey for treatment
2011-08-31 18:23:10

ANKARA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of wounded Libyans will be brought to Turkey for medical treatment on Wednesday, an official statement said.

Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) said in a statement that 48 injured Libyans and their relatives would arrive in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul Wednesday afternoon by a military cargo plane provided by the Turkish general staff.

More:48 Injured Libyans to arrive in Turkey for treatment

New agreement on power from north Cyprus

New agreement on power from north Cyprus
ANTONIS GILDAKIS / KYPE
• Wed, Aug 31, 2011
A new agreement on power supply from the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus to the southern government controlled part of the country is expected to be concluded next Monday, providing for the mediation of a private individual who will buy the electricity and resell it then to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus.

More:New agreement on power from north Cyprus

Invensys Rail ERTMS on Turkish high speed rail line - Rail News from rail.co

Invensys Rail commissions ERTMS solution on Turkish high speed rail line
By A. Samuel · August 31, 2011 · High Speed, Rail News

On August 23, the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inaugurated the new high speed line between Ankara and Konya, which is equipped with Invensys Rail’s FUTUR 1300 ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) Level 1 and associated signalling systems.

More:Invensys Rail ERTMS on Turkish high speed rail line - Rail News from rail.co

Jason Goodwin's top 10 books about Turkey | Books | guardian.co.uk

Jason Goodwin's top 10 books about Turkey

Encompassing poetry, history, fiction and even cookery, the author picks his favourite reading about this 'elusive and contradictory' country

More:Jason Goodwin's top 10 books about Turkey | Books | guardian.co.uk

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Turkey moved out of Europe

Turkey moved out of Europe – by Post Office travel insurance

By Simon Calder, Travel Editor at Large

As Turkey moves closer to the EU, the Post Office in Britain has deemed that the nation lies entirely beyond Europe. Last month, at the start of the school summer holidays, the Post Office moved the boundaries used for its travel insurance policies to exclude Turkey from European cover. Even the European part of Turkey, including Istanbul, is deemed as lying outside the Continent for insurance purposes.

More:Turkey moved out of Europe – by Post Office travel insurance - News & Advice, Travel - The Independent

Neighbors / Turkey's Kurdish conundrum - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Neighbors / Turkey's Kurdish conundrum
Ankara censures Israel for its attacks on Gaza, but does not hesitate to bomb the Kurdish PKK movement in much the same manner. Perhaps some UAVs will help them warm up to Jerusalem

More:Neighbors / Turkey's Kurdish conundrum - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Turkish companies eager to get back into Libya for post-Qaddafi work - The National

Turkish companies eager to get back into Libya for post-Qaddafi work

Thomas Seibert
Aug 31, 2011

ISTANBUL // With rebel forces in Libya battling the remnants of the fallen regime of Col Muammar Qaddafi, Turkish businessmen are eager to get back to the North African country.

More:Turkish companies eager to get back into Libya for post-Qaddafi work - The National

Stamford’s WWE opens Istanbul office | Hartford Business

Stamford’s WWE opens Istanbul office

Stamford live-action and video entertainment promoter WWE has opened a sixth overseas office in Istanbul, Turkey.

Former Fox TV network executive Emre Mumcuoglu was named general manager of WWE Turkey to spearhead its expansion of live wrestling events and other marketing ventures throughout Turkey and Central Asia.
More:Stamford’s WWE opens Istanbul office | Hartford Business

Ankara calls on EU member states to unblock membership talks

Ankara calls on EU member states to unblock membership talks
By Joanna Sopinska | Tuesday 30 August 2011

Irritated by the prolonged impasse in its EU accession talks, Turkey has called on the member states to unlock the process. The appeal came following the entry into force of the decree amending Law No 5737 on foundations in Turkey. “It is time for the EU and member states to question the status quo in the accession process of Turkey,” said Egemen Bagis, the country's minister for European Union affairs and chief negotiator in a statement, on 29 August. “This recent measure taken by the Turkish government at a time when the accession negotiations with the European Union have ground to a halt indicates Turkey’s determination to improve democracy and extend rights and freedoms for all citizens of this country regardless of their faith and ethnicity,” he argued.

More:Europolitics

'Arab Spring and gas pushed Ankara to Tel-Aviv' — RT

'Arab Spring and gas pushed Ankara to Tel-Aviv'

Published: 30 August, 2011, 11:57

The riots in the Arab world and Israel possibly becoming a gas exporter in the future have warmed relations between Turkey and Israel – so says a former director general of Israel’s foreign ministry.

­Dr Alon Liel who also used to head Israel’s diplomatic mission to Ankara, Turkey, says “Turkey has invested a lot of money in becoming a gas hub and now that Israel might export gas – it is very important for Turkey that it will go through Turkey and not through Cyprus.”

More:'Arab Spring and gas pushed Ankara to Tel-Aviv' — RT

Talat: Turkish Cypriots are in a process of disappearing

Talat: Turkish Cypriots are in a process of disappearing
CEM BARBER / FG ONLINE
• Tue, Aug 30, 2011
The former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has delivered a broadside at the stance of Dervis Eroglu in the Cyprus talks, saying that the population census announced by the regime is a “misleading effort” to camouflage the inflow of mainland Turks to northern Cyprus.

More:Talat: Turkish Cypriots are in a process of disappearing

Turkey: The New Ottoman Empire?

Turkey: The New Ottoman Empire?
By Aron Lamm Epoch Times Staff Created: Aug 30, 2011 Last Updated: Aug 30, 2011

With a newfound economic and political self-confidence, Turkey’s regional importance has been growing steadily in recent years. The current government has been reconnecting with its Islamic heritage and neighbors, while still keeping its traditionally close ties to the West. But while Western governments seems largely confident that Turkey will remain a trustworthy ally, some commentators see the emergence of a potentially hostile, Islamic superpower.

More:Turkey: The New Ottoman Empire? | World | Epoch Times

Monday, August 29, 2011

Turkey Building Power Plant | Business | The Moscow Times

Turkey Building Power Plant
30 August 2011

Turkish company EMCT Pazarlama Insaat Taahhut Ticaret will build a hydropower station on the Gubazeuli River in the Guria region in western Georgia, the Georgian Energy Ministry said last week. A memorandum on the construction of the Gubazeuli-6 power plant with a capacity of 3.1 megawatts, which is in the list of planned small and midsized hydropower plants as part of the government's Renewable Energy program, was signed Aug. 26 by Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri and an EMCT representative Ekber Topal. The project will cost $4.5 million, and the plant will be launched in January 2014, according to the memorandum.

More:Turkey Building Power Plant | Business | The Moscow Times

Something rotten in Deniz Feneri case

Something rotten in Deniz Feneri case

Monday, August 29, 2011
Semih İdiz - s i d i z @ m i l l i y e t . c o m . t r
SEMİH İDİZ

The “Deniz Feneri” (Lighthouse) case is a test for the government’s claim that the Turkish legal system has attained an independence it did not have in the past to go after all forms of corruption and criminality without outside interference.

More:Something rotten in Deniz Feneri case - Hurriyet Daily News

PressTV - PKK declares 3-day truce with Ankara

PKK declares 3-day truce with Ankara
Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:49PM GMT

Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced a three-day ceasefire with Turkey days after heavy Turkish air strikes against their bases in northern Iraq.

A spokesman for the terrorist group said on Monday that PKK has decided to stop all military operations against Turkey during Eid al-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The group, however, has vowed response if attacked by the urkish military attack, PKK spokesman Dozdar Hammo told AFP.


More:PressTV - PKK declares 3-day truce with Ankara

Turkey and the European Neighborhood Policy

Turkey and the European Neighborhood Policy

Monday, August 29, 2011
STEFAN FUELE

The European Neighborhood Policy, or ENP, seeks to strengthen the partnership between the European Union and the countries and societies of the neighborhood and to promote stability, prosperity and security in this neighborhood.
More:Turkey and the European Neighborhood Policy - Hurriyet Daily News

Inclusive policy in Turkey has major potential - The National

Inclusive policy in Turkey has major potential

National Editorial
Aug 30, 2011

If Turkey aspires to "zero problems with neighbours", as the foreign ministry has promised, shouldn't it follow an analogous policy at home? After extraordinary changes in the last decade, there are signs that Turkey could realise this possibility.

More:Inclusive policy in Turkey has major potential - The National

111,200 Turkish estates bought by foreigners

111,200 Turkish estates bought by foreigners

Monday, August 29, 2011
ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Foreigners from 89 countries have purchased about 111,200 estates across Turkey, according to official data by the Land Registry Directorate’s Foreigner Affairs Unit. The total area of real estate sold to foreigners equals up to 81.6 million square meters, with citizens of the United Kingdom, Germany and Greece topping the list.

More:111,200 Turkish estates bought by foreigners - Hurriyet Daily News

When PM poses next to a man with bad record on women

When PM poses next to a man with bad record on women

Monday, August 29, 2011
Barçın Yinanç - barcin.yinanc@hurriyet.com.tr

Heading to Kaş on an intercity bus, I could not hide my amazement when I saw the newly constructed marina at the entrance of this Mediterranean town. As he heard me talking about the new marina, the bus driver said, “Tayyip did it. Just like he did this highway.” He did not say, “The state did it,” or “The government did it,” nor did he prefer to mention the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.

More:When PM poses next to a man with bad record on women - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey, Syria Approaching Diplomatic Rift | Middle East | English

Turkey, Syria Approaching Diplomatic Rift

Dorian Jones

Turkey's prime minister and its president have announced they have lost confidence in the Syrian leadership, while the foreign minister warned that Ankara will side with the Syrian protesters against Damascus if forced to choose. The statements are seen as a possible final diplomatic breaking point between the former close allies.

More:Turkey, Syria Approaching Diplomatic Rift | Middle East | English

Topkapı Palace presents restored weapons section

Topkapı Palace presents restored weapons section

Monday, August 29, 2011
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
The renovation project at the weapons section of Istanbul’s historic Topkapı Palace is now complete, and the refurbished facility was opened Sunday with a ceremony. The renovations will provide a chance for visitors to better imagine the past thanks to the use of the latest technological advancements


More:Topkapı Palace presents restored weapons section - Hurriyet Daily News

64 pct of Istanbul is in debt

64 pct of Istanbul is in debt

Monday, August 29, 2011
ISTANBUL

Among inhabitants of Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, 64 percent are in debt and 25 percent have cut their costs, according to a recent public survey.

The public survey, carried out by Istanbul University’s Faculty of Economy Graduates Foundation, was conducted via face-to-face interviews with 1,522 people in 30 districts of the metropolis. According to the survey titled “Economic, Social and Political Expectations of the Istanbul inhabitants,” 44 percent of Istanbul residents said they thought the most important problems that must be solved are “poverty and unemployment.”

More:64 pct of Istanbul is in debt - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey launched high-speed train between Ankara and Konya

Turkey launched high-speed train between Ankara and Konya
Published by Ozgur Tore
Monday, 29 August 2011 19:48

Turkey launched last week a new high-speed train rail that links the Turkish capital, Ankara, and the central city of Konya.

The new line was inaugurated in a ceremony in Konya hosting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and Development Minister Cevdet Yilmaz.

More:Turkey launched high-speed train between Ankara and Konya

Turkish Air Strikes Kill Up To 160 Kurdish Rebels: Ankara - International Business Times

Turkish Air Strikes Kill Up To 160 Kurdish Rebels: Ankara

August 29, 2011 10:57 AM EDT

Turkish military jets have reportedly killed up to 160 Kurdish rebels after bombing Kurd bases in northern Iraq is a series of air strikes last week.

More:Turkish Air Strikes Kill Up To 160 Kurdish Rebels: Ankara - International Business Times

Turkish delight

Turkish delight
Veenu Sandhu / New Delhi August 30, 2011, 0:00 IST

It’s 1839. The Ottoman Empire founded some 600 years ago is on the decline. Greece, Austria and Russia have plucked away major chunks of it. Egypt, too, is lost. One of the most powerful empires in the Mediterranean is in a state of flux. It’s at this dramatic time in Turkish history that Yashim, the detective, returns with another mystery to unravel.

Yashim is anything but a stereotypical detective. He’s probably the only such character who is a eunuch – one popular enough to merit a series. Writer-historian Jason Goodwin’s An Evil Eye is the fourth book centred on the Turkish eunuch detective. The first Yashim novel, The Janissary Tree, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2007, was followed by The Snake Stone and The Bellini Card.

More:Turkish delight

Turkish Airlines Stock Falls After Second-Quarter Loss Is Double Estimates - Bloomberg

Turkish Airlines Stock Falls After Second-Quarter Loss Is Double Estimates
Q
By Mark Bentley - Aug 29, 2011 5:52 AM ET

Turk Hava Yollari (THYAO) AO, the carrier known as Turkish Airlines, declined in Istanbul after losses in the second quarter, driven by higher leasing costs, were more than double estimates.

More:Turkish Airlines Stock Falls After Second-Quarter Loss Is Double Estimates - Bloomberg

Turkish economy is model for neighbors

Turkish economy is model for neighbors
Monday, August 29, 2011
By Emre Peker and Steve Bryant, Bloomberg News

ANKARA, Turkey -- At the height of his power in a country he has transformed, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is positioned for the first time as an anchor of stability and economic growth in Europe and the Middle East.

More:Turkish economy is model for neighbors

Turkey to Return Seized Religious Properties in Effort to Join EU « VOA Breaking News

Turkey to Return Seized Religious Properties in Effort to Join EU
Posted Monday, August 29th, 2011 at 6:45 am

In an effort to join the European Union, the Turkish government has announced it has agreed to return seized property to the country's religious minorities.

MoreŞTurkey to Return Seized Religious Properties in Effort to Join EU « VOA Breaking News

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Turkey returns confiscated property in gesture to minority groups

Turkey returns confiscated property in gesture to minority groups
August 29, 2011 01:41 AM
By Suzan Fraser
Associated Press

ANKARA: Turkey’s government is returning hundreds of properties confiscated from the country’s Christian and Jewish minorities over the past 75 years in a gesture to religious groups who complain of discrimination that is also likely to thwart possible court rulings against the country.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkey returns confiscated property in gesture to minority groups

New military, new Turkey

New military, new Turkey

Sunday, August 28, 2011
SONER ÇAĞAPTAY - ATA AKINER

The resignation of Turkey’s top military brass July 29 was a momentous shift, aligning the military with the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government that came to power in 2002.

More:New military, new Turkey - Hurriyet Daily News

Explosion sends panic through Turkish resort | euronews, world news

Explosion sends panic through Turkish resort

28/08 16:03 CET

At least 10 people have been injured in a bomb attack at a beach resort in Turkey.

Local media say the small bomb exploded at Kemer in Antalya, a resort popular with German, Dutch and Russian tourists.

More:Explosion sends panic through Turkish resort | euronews, world news

Three soldiers die in southeast Turkey convoy blast - AlertNet

Three soldiers die in southeast Turkey convoy blast

28 Aug 2011 14:50

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Three soldiers were killed and three wounded when a bomb exploded as their military convoy drove through Turkey's southeastern Hakkari province, Turkish security sources said on Sunday.

More:Three soldiers die in southeast Turkey convoy blast - AlertNet

Number of Syrians Taking Shelter in Turkey Announced as 6,802, 28 August 2011 Sunday 4:28

Number of Syrians Taking Shelter in Turkey Announced as 6,802

Sunday, 28 August 2011

ANKARA (A.A) - Number of Syrian people who fled violence and took shelter in Turkey was announced as 6,802 on Saturday.

More:Number of Syrians Taking Shelter in Turkey Announced as 6,802, 28 August 2011 Sunday 4:28

Turkish President says has lost confidence in Syria | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Turkish President says has lost confidence in Syria
Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:57am GMT

ISTANBUL Aug 28 (Reuters) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he has lost confidence in Syria, and that the situation has reached a point where changes would be too little too late, Turkish state-run news agency Anatolian reported on Sunday.

More:Turkish President says has lost confidence in Syria | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Turkey to return properties confiscated from Christian, Jewish minorities - The Washington Post

Turkey to return properties confiscated from Christian, Jewish minorities

By Associated Press,

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s government is returning hundreds of properties confiscated from the country’s Christian and Jewish minorities over the past 75 years in a gesture to religious groups who complain of discrimination that is also likely to thwart possible court rulings against the country.

More:Turkey to return properties confiscated from Christian, Jewish minorities - The Washington Post

Tourists hurt in small blast on Turkish beac... JPost - Headlines

Tourists hurt in small blast on Turkish beach
By REUTERS
08/28/2011 16:27

ISTANBUL - Several tourists were slightly injured in an explosion on a packed beach in the Turkish resort of Kemer on Sunday, Turkish media reported.

More:Tourists hurt in small blast on Turkish beac... JPost - Headlines

Best of Dutch design to dazzle İstanbul

Best of Dutch design to dazzle İstanbul
28 August 2011, Sunday

İstanbul enthusiasts will have the opportunity to browse the cream of the crop of Dutch design this autumn with the winning exhibits of the Dutch Design Awards (DDA) 2010 set to be displayed as part of this year’s İstanbul Design Week (IDW).

More:Best of Dutch design to dazzle İstanbul

Turkish doctors call the tune with traditional musical cures | World news | The Guardian

Turkish doctors call the tune with traditional musical cures

Istanbul hospital revives complementary therapy for a range of illnesses by playing ancient Arabesque scales and patterns

More:Turkish doctors call the tune with traditional musical cures | World news | The Guardian

Economy Alone Fails to Explain Turkey’s Success- By Ramzy Baroud

Economy Alone Fails to Explain Turkey’s Success- By Ramzy Baroud
21/06/2011 13:34:00
Many commentators today are basing the success of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the June 12 elections largely on its ability to guide the country through a decade of remarkable growth.

More:Economy Alone Fails to Explain Turkey’s Success- <i>By Ramzy Baroud</i>

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Understanding Atatürk

Understanding Atatürk
It remains one of the biggest mysteries for foreign visitors to Turkey: Why are the pictures and statues of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk still so omnipresent more than 70 years after his death?

More:Understanding Atatürk

APA - PKK attacks claims one life, 4 injured in Turkey

PKK attacks claims one life, 4 injured in Turkey

Baku-APA. PKK terrorists attacked village guards in Mardin, Turkey. APA reports quoting Turkish media. The incident took place in Midyat district of Mardin. Terrorists set trap for village protectors and shot dead one of them, 4 guards injured as well. one injured is in grave condition. Incident took place when village guards were changing shifts. After PKK attack, Turkish soldiers of gendarmerie gave response and launched operation to catch terrorists.
However another incident took place in Savur district of Mardin. PKK terrorists attacked gendarmerie with machine guns and missile launchers. Attack claimed no lives.

More:APA - PKK attacks claims one life, 4 injured in Turkey:

Turkey Financial Industry Profit Falls $1 Billion in First Half - Bloomberg

Turkey Financial Industry Profit Falls $1 Billion in First Half

By Benjamin Harvey - Aug 27, 2011 6:30 AM ET

Turkish financial industry profit fell 1.8 billion liras ($1.03 billion) in the first six months of the year from the same period in 2010, hurt by lower interest rates, according to a report from the banking regulator.

More:Turkey Financial Industry Profit Falls $1 Billion in First Half - Bloomberg

Fenerbahce relegation request rejected by Turkey's soccer federation - ESPN

Fenerbahce relegation request rejected

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's soccer federation has rejected league champion Fenerbahce's request to be relegated from the Turkish top division because of a match-fixing scandal.

The federation said Saturday the top league would "be played as previously scheduled."

More:Fenerbahce relegation request rejected by Turkey's soccer federation - ESPN

Rethinking Turkey’s Future

Rethinking Turkey’s Future
Posted on August 24, 2011 by Daniel Bart

Anyone who has ever slightly reviewed the wide rural geographic distribution of Crypto-Jewish Alevi villages throughout most of the Republic of Turkey and is at least superficially aware of their long secretive Crypto-Jewish nationality – understands well that ethnic Turks generally like ethnic Kurds generally, like ethnic Lurs generally and like ethnic Albanians generally do indeed constitute a distinct Crypto-Jewish ethnicity of their own. The historically rather successful, yet esoteric Alevi religious dissimulation permitted Alevi communities when so needed to pose as Christians under Byzantine rule and later as Muslims under Ottoman rule, while throughout both historical periods accepting converts in rather large numbers to Alevism which is of course the Crypto-Jewish continuation of ancient Hellenist Judaism. There were always significant demographic back and forth flows between Alevi Hellenist Judaism (including the Bektashi denomination) and the respective official denomination of the reigning religious imperialism of the time.

More:Rethinking Turkey’s Future | Jewish Ideas

Turkish coaches sacrifice goats, apparently - Ball Don't Lie - NBA Blog - Yahoo! Sports

Turkish coaches sacrifice goats, apparently

By Eric Freeman

As NBA players look into the possibility of playing overseas, they're starting to learn more about foreign cultures. Playing in Turkey or Greece may seem nice when they field salary offers, but the reality could be less pleasant. For instance, did you know that satyrs and centaurs no longer roam around Greece? You learn new things about foreign lands every day!

Sometimes, though, the weirdness of an unknown country goes well beyond new food and confusing exchange rates. Because apparently coaches in Turkey sacrifice goats. From Rick Reilly on ESPN.com (via PBT):

More:Turkish coaches sacrifice goats, apparently - Ball Don't Lie - NBA Blog - Yahoo! Sports

Syria: Turkey v. Iran

Syria: Turkey v. Iran
Will US stand up for freedom?

Last Updated: 5:11 AM, August 27, 2011

Posted: 9:43 PM, August 26, 2011

Now in its sixth month, the Syrian uprising is developing into a power struggle between regional rivals Turkey and Iran.

After hesitating, Turkey appears to have determined that the regime of President Bashar al-Assad can no longer stand. In recent weeks, it has hosted conferences creating an interim Syrian “parliament” to prepare for a democratic transition. The Turks have also expressed support for new European Union sanctions on Syria, including an embargo on oil and gas imports.

More:--Amir Taheri - NYPOST.com

Turkey ready to help with ­Kosovo-Serbia talks - timesofmalta.com

Turkey ready to help with ­Kosovo-Serbia talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday offered to help Kosovo and Serbia as they are set to resume their EU-mediated dialogue next week after a turbulent month in Kosovo’s north.

More:Turkey ready to help with ­Kosovo-Serbia talks - timesofmalta.com

Istanbul-New York flights cancelled due to hurricane Irene

Istanbul-New York flights cancelled due to hurricane Irene
THY cancelled its joint flights with American Airlines to New York, while Delta Airlines also cancelled its flights to New York due to Irene.

With winds of 170 kilometers per hour, Irene is expected to hit coasts of North Carolina. The hurricane is expected to remain near the threshold of Category One and Category Two strength.

THY cancelled its joint flights with American Airlines to New York, while Delta Airlines also cancelled its flights to New York due to Irene, the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic season, which caused as much as 1.1 billion USD losses.

More:Istanbul-New York flights cancelled due to hurricane Irene | Economy | World Bulletin

Friday, August 26, 2011

Fashion week to host Berlin designers

Fashion week to host Berlin designers

Friday, August 26, 2011
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Ten important fashion designers from Berlin will present their colorful spring/summer 2012 collections and establish new industry contacts as part of the Istanbul Fashion Week to be held from Sept. 6 to 18.

More:Fashion week to host Berlin designers - Hurriyet Daily News

Lira Jumps as Citigroup Bets World’s Worst Currency Will Steady - Businessweek

Lira Jumps as Citigroup Bets World’s Worst Currency Will Steady
August 25, 2011, 11:26 AM EDT

By Selcuk Gokoluk

Aug. 25 (Bloomberg) -- The lira surged in Istanbul as banks including Citigroup Inc. bet the central bank may succeed in halting the biggest decline among emerging market currencies this year.

More:Lira Jumps as Citigroup Bets World’s Worst Currency Will Steady - Businessweek

Ankara at a point of no return on Syria?

Ankara at a point of no return on Syria?

Friday, August 26, 2011
İLHAN TANIR

This week, among all the other developments going on around the world, Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser at the White House, gave an important interview in which he laid down two “core principals” for the United States in terms of the preferred model for any future military interventions. While talking to Foreign Policy Magazine, Rhodes said that in order for the U.S. to intervene militarily, the drive first had to come from an indigenous political movement as it is “far more legitimate and effective [in allowing] regime change to be pursued.”
More:Ankara at a point of no return on Syria? - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey raises $201 million for Somalia

Turkey raises $201 million for Somalia

Friday, August 26, 2011
ANKARA/ADDIS ABABA/ISTANBUL

Turkish people have collected a total of $201 million in donations for famine-stricken Somalia since the aid campaign started Aug. 1, the Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Directorate, or AFAD, said late Thursday.

More:Turkey raises $201 million for Somalia - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkish Lira Strengthens on Lower-Than-Expected Trade Deficit - Bloomberg

Turkish Lira Strengthens on Lower-Than-Expected Trade Deficit

By Benjamin Harvey - Aug 26, 2011 10:57 AM ET

The Turkish lira strengthened after trade data for July showed a lower-than-expected deficit, backing the central bank’s efforts to try and narrow the current-account gap without hampering growth.

More:Turkish Lira Strengthens on Lower-Than-Expected Trade Deficit - Bloomberg

Religious freedom for Turkey?

Religious freedom for Turkey?
By Elizabeth H. Prodromou and Nina Shea (USCIRF) - 08/26/11 10:12 AM ET

The recent resignation of Turkey’s military high command, along with reports that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will subordinate the military to civilian rule, could mark a new era for that nation. Sweeping constitutional changes, however, are still needed to ensure fundamental rights and avoid exchanging one form of repression for another. The United States should challenge Turkey’s civilian leadership to make such long-overdue changes, especially regarding religious freedom, including for religious minorities.
More:Religious freedom for Turkey? - The Hill's Congress Blog

Iraq summons Turkey to protest airstrikes - CNN.com

Iraq summons Turkey to protest airstrikes
From Ivan Watson, CNN
August 26, 2011 -- Updated 1248 GMT (2048 HKT)

Istanbul (CNN) -- Iraq's foreign ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad on Thursday to deliver a diplomatic letter protesting Turkey's aerial and artillery bombardment of northern Iraq.

More:Iraq summons Turkey to protest airstrikes - CNN.com

Israel turns tables on Turkey

Israel turns tables on Turkey
By M K Bhadrakumar

Israel has all but concluded that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is disinterested in reviving strategic ties between the two countries. This used to be a relationship that Israel desperately wanted to keep going as it was ideologically and politically useful, having been a unique one with a major Muslim power, and also highly lucrative, Turkey being a receptive market for Israeli goods and services, civilian and military.
More:Asia Times Online :: Israel turns tables on Turkey

Turkish league's Fenerbahce requests relegation - ESPN

Turkey's Fenerbahce asks for relegation

ANKARA, Turkey -- Fenerbahce says it has asked the Turkish Football Federation to consider relegating it from the top league because of the country's match-fixing scandal.

The move on Friday comes two days after the federation removed Fenerbahce from the Champions League despite allowing it this month to continue playing in Turkey's Super League.

More:Turkish league's Fenerbahce requests relegation - ESPN

Turkey - Factors to Watch on Aug 26 | Reuters

Turkey - Factors to Watch on Aug 26

ISTANBUL | Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:20am EDT

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Here are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Friday.

More:Turkey - Factors to Watch on Aug 26 | Reuters

One quarter of romania's exports of common metals goes to turkey, in q1

One quarter of Romania's exports of common metals goes to Turkey, in Q1
Date: 26-08-2011

One quarter of Romania's exports of common metals goes to Turkey, in Q1 Approximately 24% of Romania's total exports of common metals and metallurgical products went to Turkey in Q1 of this year, with the total value of products sold having stood at some 424 million euros.

According to a release of the Turkish Businessmen's Association (TIAD), which quotes data from the National Statistics Institute, after the first four months of 2011, Romania registered a total value of exports of metallurgical products of 1.7 billion euros (7.56 billion lei).
More:One quarter of romania's exports of common metals goes to turkey, in q1

Prosperity in Turkey Creates Iftar Divide | Europe | English

Prosperity in Turkey Creates Iftar Divide

Dorian Jones | Istanbul

In Turkey, the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan has put the spotlight on the increasing divide between rich and poor. The country's growing affluent class, a product of a decade of unprecedented economic growth, has resulted in increasing numbers of people celebrating the iftar dinner at luxurious restaurants and hotels. But that has sparked a growing controversy in the country,
More:Prosperity in Turkey Creates Iftar Divide | Europe | English

Fethiye Continues to Grow as a Hotspot for Brits Relocating to Turkey

Fethiye Continues to Grow as a Hotspot for Brits Relocating to Turkey

Friday, 26 August 2011 00:00

Brits top resident foreigners settling in 'Boutique' Fethiye according to a local charity. But what is the attraction with this Turkish destination?
More:Fethiye Times.com | Fethiye Continues to Grow as a Hotspot for Brits Relocating to Turkey

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Dutch startup Tinypay raises $1M, moves to San Francisco - San Francisco Business Times

Dutch startup Tinypay raises $1M, moves to San Francisco
San Francisco Business Times - by Steven E.F. Brown

Steven E.F. Brown

Tinypay.me, a Dutch online payment startup that’s moving its headquarters to San Francisco, raised $1 million in venture funding.

The money came from Turkish firm Aksoy Internet Ventures, led by Chairman Taner Aksoy and based in Istanbul.

More:Dutch startup Tinypay raises $1M, moves to San Francisco - San Francisco Business Times

Turkey and the Kurds: Giving war a chance | The Economist

Turkey and the Kurds
Giving war a chance
The Turkish response to a surge in Kurdish violence has been swift and hard

Aug 27th 2011 | DIYARBAKIR AND ULUDERE | from the print edition

THE dull thud of mortar shells echoes across the barren mountains separating Turkey from Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Columns of armoured vehicles trundle along the border as Turkish F-16 fighter jets screech over their targets: rebels of the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). On a nearby peak hundreds of Kurdish “peace mothers” keep vigil for their sons; some of them soldiers in the Turkish army, others PKK fighters inside Iraq. They won’t come down, they say, until Turkey halts its air strikes. The army is blocking buses containing thousands of Kurds who want to join the protests, paralysing traffic in the narrow mountain roads. “They are being used by the PKK—we won’t allow it,” says a stony-faced corporal.

More:Turkey and the Kurds: Giving war a chance | The Economist

Turkey threatens to break ties with Israel over refusal to apologize over Mavi Marmara incident, Barak hints at Israeli apology

Turkey threatens to break ties with Israel over refusal to apologize over Mavi Marmara incident, Barak hints at Israeli apology
by: EJP Updated: 25/Aug/2011 18:10

ANKARA/JERUSALEM (EJP)---Turkey has threatened to break its ties with Israel for its refusal to apologize refusal for the attack on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara last year in which nine Turkish nationals were killed.

More:EJP | News | Turkey threatens to break ties with Israel over refusal to apologize over Mavi Marmara incident, Barak hints at Israeli apology

AFP: Fenerbahce lose appeal over Champions League ban

Fenerbahce lose appeal over Champions League ban

(AFP) – 12 hours ago

ISTANBUL — Turkish league winners Fenerbahce on Thursday lost their appeal against being banned from Europe's top club football competition over a match-fixing probe, local media reported.

Fenerbahce were prevented from entering the Champions League because of the scandal with runners-up Trabzonspor taking their place instead in Thursday's draw.

More:AFP: Fenerbahce lose appeal over Champions League ban

Iraq summons Turkish envoy for end to air strikes

Iraq summons Turkish envoy for end to air strikes
August 25, 2011 06:09 PM
Agence France Presse

BAGHDAD: Iraq summoned Turkey's ambassador to demand an immediate end to Ankara's air strikes against Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq, a foreign ministry statement viewed on Thursday said.

The formal protest was made on Wednesday by foreign ministry Undersecretary Mohammed Jawad al-Dorki in a meeting with Turkish envoy Murat Ozcelik.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Iraq summons Turkish envoy for end to air strikes

Reports: Fenerbahce barred from Champions League - Monsters and Critics

Reports: Fenerbahce barred from Champions League

Aug 24, 2011, 16:51 GMT

Istanbul - Turkish media reported on Wednesday that the Turkish football federation (TFF) said that Fenerbahce would not be allowed to play in this season's Champions League because of match-fixing allegations.

More:Reports: Fenerbahce barred from Champions League - Monsters and Critics

Turkey's Sabanci says Q2 net profit rose 68 pct | Reuters

Turkey's Sabanci says Q2 net profit rose 68 pct

ISTANBUL | Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:31am EDT

Aug 25 (Reuters) - Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding , which has interests in energy and banking, said on Thursday second quarter net profit rose 68 percent from a year earlier to 706.6 million lira ($402.6 million) as sales increased.
More:Turkey's Sabanci says Q2 net profit rose 68 pct | Reuters

PKK blamed for injuring Turkish soldiers - UPI.com

PKK blamed for injuring Turkish soldiers
Published: Aug. 25, 2011 at 10:10 AM

ANKARA, Turkey, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- More than a dozen Turkish soldiers were injured Thursday in PKK attack in Hakkari province, the site of last week's deadly raid, authorities said.

More:PKK blamed for injuring Turkish soldiers - UPI.com

Steven Spielberg’s yacht ‘Seven Seas’ spotted in Marmaris,Turkey

Steven Spielberg’s yacht ‘Seven Seas’ spotted in Marmaris,Turkey
25 August, 2011 | 14:45

Steven Spielberg’s 280ft-long super-yacht, ‘Seven Seas’ has docked at Marmaris Marina, south Turkey. Famed Us director is allegedly on a ‘Blue Cruise’ on turkish and greek waters.

More:Steven Spielberg’s yacht ‘Seven Seas’ spotted in Marmaris,Turkey

Libyan National Transitional Council to hold talks in Istanbul | Vestnik Kavkaza

Libyan National Transitional Council to hold talks in Istanbul

The National Transitional Council of Libya will have a meeting in
Istanbul, after being summoned by Ankara. The session will hold talks
on the road map after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime, SalamNews
reports.

More:Libyan National Transitional Council to hold talks in Istanbul | Vestnik Kavkaza

Turkey's EU Minister Says Turkish-Danish Relations Overshadowed by ROJ-TV

Turkey's EU Minister Says Turkish-Danish Relations Overshadowed by ROJ-TV

Thursday, 25 August 2011

The Turkish minister in charge of affairs with the European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that developments regarding ROJ-TV overshadowed the relations between Turkey and Denmark.

More:Turkey's EU Minister Says Turkish-Danish Relations Overshadowed by ROJ-TV, 25 August 2011 Thursday 9:36

'Hakkari blast injures 2 Turkish troops'

'Hakkari blast injures 2 Turkish troops'
Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:26AM GMT
A roadside bomb has targeted a military convoy in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari, injuring two Turkish soldiers. (file photo)
Two Turkish soldiers have been seriously injured when a roadside bomb targeted a convoy carrying troops in the southeastern province of Hakkari, local media report.

According to Turkish media outlets, the blast damaged a minibus carrying the soldiers at around 7 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Thirteen other soldiers sustained minor wounds.

More:PressTV - 'Hakkari blast injures 2 Turkish troops'

Lira Rises on Expectation of Stimulus From Federal Reserve - Bloomberg

Lira Rises on Expectation of Stimulus From Federal Reserve

By Selcuk Gokoluk - Aug 25, 2011 3:08 AM ET

The Turkish lira appreciated on speculation that the Federal Reserve may decide further stimulus measures and back appetite for emerging market assets.

More:Lira Rises on Expectation of Stimulus From Federal Reserve - Bloomberg

Davutoglu Delivers Promised Aid to Libyan Opposition: And more from the Turkish Press :: Hudson New York

Davutoglu Delivers Promised Aid to Libyan Opposition
And more from the Turkish Press

by AK Gorup
August 25, 2011 at 3:00 am

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu became the first foreign official to visit Libya after insurgents entered the capital of Tripoli and wrested control of Gadhafi's headquarters.

Turkey released $200 million of financial aid, which has been promised to the new administration in Libya. Following his meeting with Davutoglu, Libyan Interim Transitional Council Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil thanked Turkey, saying: "Turkish officials overcame the bureaucratic obstacles and delivered the financial aid."

More:Davutoglu Delivers Promised Aid to Libyan Opposition: And more from the Turkish Press :: Hudson New York

Ankara reiterates September deadline for Baku gas deal

Ankara reiterates September deadline for Baku gas deal

Thu 25 August 2011 06:05 GMT | 2:05 Local Time

Turkey wants to reach agreement by the end of September on the purchase and transit of gas to be produced at Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field.

More:News.Az - Ankara reiterates September deadline for Baku gas deal

Armenian-Turkish Protocols On Hold, Expert Says

Armenian-Turkish Protocols On Hold, Expert Says
Wednesday, 24 August 2011 15:20

The removal of the Armenian-Turkish protocols from the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey proved to be a legal fact, Ruben Melkonyan, Deputy Dean, Department of Oriental Studies, Yerevan State University, told a press conference Aug. 24.

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's signature to the document has not been invalidated, he added. "So we can consider them to be 'on hold'. The protocols continue to exist, but have now dropped out of Turkish Legislature's sight. They may come into sight at any moment," Melkonyan said.
More:Armenian-Turkish Protocols On Hold, Expert Says

Tapas, Turkish Style

Tapas, Turkish Style
August 24, 2011 - Linda Morel, Jewish Exponent Feature

On a recent trip to Turkey, I discovered mezze -- beautifully seasoned appetizers similar to Italian antipasto. Every lunch and dinner began with a selection of these piquant dishes.

To live in Turkey means to be immersed in mezze culture. The experience reminded me of Spanish tapas. They drink Raki, an anise-flavored spirit as fierce as lions, as an accompaniment.

More:Tapas, Turkish Style | The Jewish Exponent

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Turkey, Iran Bump Heads Over Syria

Turkey, Iran Bump Heads Over Syria
Written by David Rosenberg
Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011

As Al-Asad regime fights for its life, two powers take opposite sides

When the call came in from Iran on Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered his convoy to pull off onto the shoulders of a busy highway for a conversation that last some 40 minutes.

More:The Media Line

Istanbul city break guide - Telegraph

Istanbul city break guide
An essential guide to Istanbul, Turkey, including insider's advice on the city's best hotels, attractions, bars, shops and restaurants from our expert, Terry Richardson.

Why go?

Without a shadow of a doubt, Istanbul – like London, New York or Paris – is one of the world’s great cities. Superbly situated either side of the blue ribbon of the Bosphorus Strait that separates Europe from Asia, it is split between two continents like no other city in the world.

More:Istanbul city break guide - Telegraph

WikiLeaks: Israeli envoy to Turkey says Erdogan 'hates us religiously' - Washington Times

WikiLeaks: Israeli envoy to Turkey says Erdogan ‘hates us religiously’

By Ben Birnbaum

An Israeli ambassador described Turkey’s prime minister as a “fundamentalist” who hates the Jewish state on religious grounds, according a U.S. diplomatic cable recently released.

More:WikiLeaks: Israeli envoy to Turkey says Erdogan 'hates us religiously' - Washington Times

Turkey prepares for ground assault on Kurdish rebels in Iraq | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 24.08.2011

Turkey prepares for ground assault on Kurdish rebels in Iraq

Turkish forces have begun massing on the Iraqi border ahead of an expected attack on Kurdish rebels in the neighboring country's mountainous northern region. The attack would follow days of airstrikes on the area.

More:Turkey prepares for ground assault on Kurdish rebels in Iraq | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 24.08.2011

Greenpeace urges Turkish minister to save fish

Greenpeace urges Turkish minister to save fish

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet

The environmental organization Greenpeace has launched a new campaign demanding limits on the catching of threatened fish species.

More:Greenpeace urges Turkish minister to save fish - Hurriyet Daily News

Fenerbahce withdrawn from UEFA Champions League - CNN.com

Fenerbahce withdrawn from UEFA Champions League
August 24, 2011 -- Updated 2024 GMT (0424 HKT)

(CNN) -- Turkish champions Fenerbahce have been withdrawn from the UEFA Champions League group stage by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in relation to bribery and match fixing allegations.

More:Fenerbahce withdrawn from UEFA Champions League - CNN.com

Is the Turkish Public Really Leading the European Pack in Concern about Climate Change? : TreeHugger

Is the Turkish Public Really Leading the European Pack in Concern about Climate Change?
by Jennifer Hattam, Istanbul, Turkey on 08.24.11

Public concern about global warming is dramatically on the rise in Turkey, increasing from 48 percent in 2010 to 75 percent this year, topping a survey of 10 European countries. At least that's what the latest Low Energy Alternative Future (LEAF) Index compiled by the U.K.-based utility EDF Energy says. But do the numbers really represent the reality?

More:Is the Turkish Public Really Leading the European Pack in Concern about Climate Change? : TreeHugger

First "all Turkish" satellite launched

First "all Turkish" satellite launched

First "all Turkish" satellite launchedTurkey has launched its first observation satellite to have been designed and manufactured wholly by Turkish engineers and technicians. The satellite is part of the planned self-sufficiency in Turkey's military and developmental industries, officials said.

More:First "all Turkish" satellite launched

Turkish extremist requests asylum in Netherlands | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Turkish extremist requests asylum in Netherlands
Published on 24 August 2011 - 10:12am

A man believed to be a leader of the Turkish Hezbollah has requested asylum in the Netherlands, according to Dutch daily de Volkskrant. The Hezbollah movement was responsible for a large number of terrorist attacks in Turkey the 1990s.

More:Turkish extremist requests asylum in Netherlands | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Cypriot leaders back at table

Cypriot leaders back at table
Published: Aug. 23, 2011 at 10:34 PM

NICOSIA, Cyprus, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The presidents of the Greek and Turkish sections of Cyprus returned to the negotiating table Tuesday after a three-week hiatus.

More:Cypriot leaders back at table - UPI.com

TCIP appoints US RE to place reinsurance for earthquake risk - Insurance Business Review

TCIP appoints US RE to place reinsurance for earthquake risk
IBR Staff Writer Published 24 August 2011

The Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP) has appointed international reinsurance brokers US RE Corporation along with its Turkish partner, Turker Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers, as one of the Consortium Brokers to place reinsurance for the Pool's earthquake risk.

More:TCIP appoints US RE to place reinsurance for earthquake risk - Insurance Business Review

Turkey will keep up attacks on Kurdish rebels - TwinCities.com

Turkey will keep up attacks on Kurdish rebels
Pioneer Press
Updated: 08/23/2011 10:11:51 PM CDT

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's military said Tuesday that airstrikes on suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq this week have killed up to 100 guerrillas and warned that it would press ahead with offensives against the group both inside Turkey and across the border.

More:Turkey will keep up attacks on Kurdish rebels - TwinCities.com

Playoffs introduced for Turkish league - News | FOX Sports on MSN

Playoffs introduced for Turkish league

Updated Aug 24, 2011 6:54 AM ET
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)

The Turkey Football Federation says it is introducing playoffs to determine the winner of the Turkish league.

Federation President Mehmet Ali Aydinlar says he hopes a playoff will increase club revenues and ''bring color'' to Turkish football, which has been marred by a match-fixing scandal.

More:Playoffs introduced for Turkish league - News | FOX Sports on MSN

Turkish Police Detain Five Journalists

Turkish Police Detain Five Journalists
IPI Condemns Action Following Raids on Istanbul Newspaper, TV Station

Steven M. Ellis, Press Freedom Adviser

The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned raids by police in Istanbul on the offices of Aydinlik newspaper and the Ulusal Kanal television station and the detention of five journalists.

More:Turkish Police Detain Five Journalists

‘UEFA report crucial for Turkish teams’

‘UEFA report crucial for Turkish teams’

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The visit of a UEFA inspector to Istanbul may seal Turkish teams’ fate in European competitions, national newspapers claimed Tuesday.

More:‘UEFA report crucial for Turkish teams’ - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey to decide future of Russian gas contract next week - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

Turkey to decide future of Russian gas contract next week

Istanbul (Platts)--24Aug2011/801 am EDT/1201 GMT

The Turkish government will next week take a decision on renewing the country's first gas import contract with Gazprom, which ended this year, a spokesman for the energy ministry told Platts Wednesday.

The contract, which was signed in February 1986 and ran for 25 years, allowed for the importation of up to 6 billion cubic meters/year of Russian gas via the purpose built Transbalkan gas pipeline which connects the main export line running south through Ukraine and Moldova to Romania, with Turkey via Bulgaria.

Imports through the line began in 1987.

More:Turkey to decide future of Russian gas contract next week - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Turkey Boom Most Since Ataturk Began Lets Erdogan Contemplate Masterpiece - Bloomberg

Turkey Boom Most Since Ataturk Began Lets Erdogan Contemplate Masterpiece

By Emre Peker and Steve Bryant - Aug 23, 2011 5:00 PM ET
Bloomberg Markets Magazine

At the height of his power in a country he has transformed, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is positioned for the first time as an anchor of stability and economic growth both in Europe and the Middle East.

More:Turkey Boom Most Since Ataturk Began Lets Erdogan Contemplate Masterpiece - Bloomberg

Despite strained ties, IDF attache welcomed in... JPost - Defense

Despite strained ties, IDF attache welcomed in Turkey
By YAAKOV KATZ
08/24/2011 01:35

Col. Moshe Levi has vast experience working together with int'l organizations, countries such as Turkey; defense official: “Levi’s work will not be simple.”

Despite ongoing tension with Turkey, the IDF sent a new military attache to Ankara this week to lead military ties between the two countries.

The new attache is Col. Moshe Levi, former head of the Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration. Levi has vast experience working together with international organizations and countries such as Turkey which has sent aid to the Gaza Strip in recent years with the CLA’s assistance.

More:Despite strained ties, IDF attache welcomed in... JPost - Defense

Suicide, murder debated in Turkish deaths - UPI.com

Suicide, murder debated in Turkish deaths
Published: Aug. 23, 2011 at 3:17 PM

BATMAN, Turkey, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A recent rash of suicides in a Turkish province infamous for female killings are in fact murders, womens' rights groups allege.

More:Suicide, murder debated in Turkish deaths - UPI.com

U.S. RE Appointed to Place Reinsurance for Turkish Insurance Catastrophe Pool

U.S. RE Appointed to Place Reinsurance for Turkish Insurance Catastrophe Pool

PEARL RIVER, NY--(Marketwire - Aug 23, 2011) - The Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP) has appointed U.S. RE Corporation along with its Turkish partner, Türker Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers, as one of the Consortium Brokers to place reinsurance for the Pool's earthquake risk, Joseph Fedor, U.S. RE Executive Vice President, reported.

More:U.S. RE Appointed to Place Reinsurance for Turkish Insurance Catastrophe Pool

Ankara seeks to take lead in drive to rebuild - FT.com

Ankara seeks to take lead in drive to rebuild

By Daniel Dombey in London

Turkey has revealed it has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Libya’s rebels, urged the country to form a broad-based government and called for the rest of the world to release frozen Libyan funds as soon as possible.

More:Ankara seeks to take lead in drive to rebuild - FT.com

Turkey to start power futures trading in September - Electric Power | Platts News Article & Story

Turkey to start power futures trading in September

Istanbul (Platts)--23Aug2011/806 am EDT/1206 GMT

Turkey's derivatives market, the Vadeli Islem ve Opsiyon Borsasi (VOB) plans to begin allowing the trading of Turkish power futures in September, the head of the exchange said Monday. "We have received permission to begin trading from the Capital Markets Board and from the Energy Regulatory Authority and now we need the go-ahead from our own board," Donmez said.

More:Turkey to start power futures trading in September - Electric Power | Platts News Article & Story

New Media Order in Turkey

New Media Order in Turkey
by Ayhan Aytes
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 07:01 AM EDT

(This is the sixth installment in a series of updates from the WikiHistories summer research fellows, who will be studying the virtual community history of different Wikipedia editing communities.)

During my trip in Turkey, I've met with many interesting Vikipedians who truly believe in the importance of their contribution to Vikipedi and enjoy the many hours they spend in front of their computers editing the encyclopedia. It has been a highly remarkable experience to meet so many users with a highly successful educational background and with great ambition for their futures. Most Vikipedians are in different stages of their high school and college educations and see Vikipedi as an important part of their academic growth, as well as a significant part of their social life. This was one of the reasons why many of them repeatedly expressed interest in organizing regular meetings. But, they are also interested in organizing international meetings such as Wikimania.

More:New Media Order in Turkey - Watching the Watchers

Germany's Graf opens Istanbul office | News | The Lawyer

Germany's Graf opens Istanbul office

23 August 2011 | By Dale McEwan

German firm Graf von Westphalen is to open an Istanbul office in cooperation with local Turkish outfit GSI Meridian.

More:Germany's Graf opens Istanbul office | News | The Lawyer

Crisis with Turkey may lead to loss of $1B - Israel Business, Ynetnews

Crisis with Turkey may lead to loss of $1B

Figures for first half of 2011 show surprising surge of 40% in exports to Ankara on backdrop of political crisis, reaching $950 million. Chamber of Commerce president concerned about Turkey's threat to sever ties with Israel, says 'government must find a formula to uphold relations'

More:Crisis with Turkey may lead to loss of $1B - Israel Business, Ynetnews

TURKEY RISKS TO LOSE PEPPER EXPORTS TO EUROPE

TURKEY RISKS TO LOSE PEPPER EXPORTS TO EUROPE
The new tests on pesticides introduced by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, compulsory from July 8, could jeopardize Turkey’s pepper exports to European countries -Turkish agricultural exporters report.

More:Green Med Journal - The Mediterranean Fresh Produce Magazine

Turkey opens its eyes to domestic violence | Elif Shafak | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Turkey opens its eyes to domestic violence

The introduction of electronic handcuffs for abusive husbands reflects a growing Turkish movement against honour killings

Elif Shafak

Being a woman in Turkey means living with several contradictions. On the one hand, Turkish women were granted the right to vote as early as 1934, ahead of numerous European nations, and they have been far better off than their sisters throughout the Muslim world. Western visitors to Turkey today frequently express their surprise at seeing women highly active and vocal in all cultural, economic and social spheres. Yet on the other hand, there is a darker side to the story that only now is being openly discussed, openly contested: domestic violence.

More:Turkey opens its eyes to domestic violence | Elif Shafak | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Turkish Rate Cut May Push Lira to Record Low, DZ Bank Says - Bloomberg

Turkish Rate Cut May Push Lira to Record Low, DZ Bank Says

By Selcuk Gokoluk - Aug 23, 2011 4:30 AM ET

The lira may test record lows at about 1.82 per dollar should the central bank cut the benchmark interest rate at a meeting today, DZ Bank AG said.

More:Turkish Rate Cut May Push Lira to Record Low, DZ Bank Says - Bloomberg

Turkey says it killed 100 Kurdish rebels in Iraq - Forbes.com

Turkey says it killed 100 Kurdish rebels in Iraq
By SUZAN FRASER , 08.23.11, 04:41 AM EDT

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's military said Tuesday its air strikes on suspected Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq this week have killed an estimated 90 to 100 guerrillas and warned that it would press ahead with offensives against the group both inside Turkey and across the border.

More:Turkey says it killed 100 Kurdish rebels in Iraq - Forbes.com

Turkey Jails Politicians, Reporter in Coup Probe, Hurriyet Says - Bloomberg

Turkey Jails Politicians, Reporter in Coup Probe, Hurriyet Says

By Benjamin Harvey - Aug 23, 2011 3:03 AM ET

A Turkish court ordered the jailing of Mehmet Perincek, son of Labor Party leader Dogu Perincek, two other party members and a journalist as part of an investigation into the so-called “Ergenekon” coup plot, Hurriyet reported.

More:Turkey Jails Politicians, Reporter in Coup Probe, Hurriyet Says - Bloomberg

Attacks kill at least 100 Kurds

Attacks kill at least 100 Kurds
Published: Aug. 23, 2011 at 7:54 AM

NIQ2003040201 - KEFRI, Iraq, April 2 (UPI) -- An Iraqi Kurd peshmerga fighter tests a machine gun left by the Iraqi Army in Kefri, in northern Iraq, on April 2, 2003. AdG/Ali Khaligh UPI..
Advertisement

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Turkey's airstrikes into northern Iraq the past week have killed at least 100 Kurdish separatists and injured more than 80 others, Turkey's military said.

More:Attacks kill at least 100 Kurds - UPI.com

Monday, August 22, 2011

UEFA legal adviser arrives in Istanbul | Turkey | Trend

UEFA legal adviser arrives in Istanbul

[22.08.2011 17:14]
UEFA legal adviser arrives in Istanbul

Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 22 / Trend /

The Chief Legal Counsel Integrity and Regulatory Affairs of the UEFA, Pierre Cornu, has arrived in Istanbul for a meeting with prosecutor Mehmet Berk, who is in charge of a match-fixing case, CNN Turk reported.

More:UEFA legal adviser arrives in Istanbul | Turkey | Trend

Flying chefs of national carrier tired of flying long

Flying chefs of national carrier tired of flying long

Monday, August 22, 2011
GÖKHAN KURTARAN
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The “flying chefs,” the cooks on Turkish Airlines planes, have accused Turkish DO&CO, their contractor employer, of preventing them from unionizing with a threat of layoffs, chefs speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News said.

More:Flying chefs of national carrier tired of flying long - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkmenistan: Turkish Schools Closed Amid Concerns of Spread of Nurchilar Movement | EurasiaNet.org

Turkmenistan: Turkish Schools Closed Amid Concerns of Spread of Nurchilar Movement
August 22, 2011 - 4:17pm, by Catherine A. Fitzpatrick

Like their counterparts in Uzbekistan and other Eurasian countries, Turkmen authorities have evidently become concerned about the influence of Nurchilar, a Turkish Islamic movement that has supported Turkmen-Turkish schools in Turkmenistan for more than a decade. In April, the Turkish schools stopped taking new pupils. Then on August 1, Turkish-supported schools in Turkmenbashi, Nebitdag, Turkmenabad and other cities were closed; only one school remains in Ashgabat, the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk School No. 57, reports Chronicles of Turkmenistan (chrono-tm.org), an independent émigré news site.

More:Turkmenistan: Turkish Schools Closed Amid Concerns of Spread of Nurchilar Movement | EurasiaNet.org

Greek ditch widens divide with Turkey - The National

Greek ditch widens divide with Turkey

Thomas Seibert
Aug 23, 2011

ISTANBUL // Turkey's government is concerned over a plan by neighbouring Greece to dig a giant trench along the joint land border. The project, which appears to be designed to ward off refugees and repel a possible Turkish military assault, could undermine efforts to normalise relations between the two countries, analysts say.

More:Greek ditch widens divide with Turkey - The National

Gaddafi's end lesson to region's leaders: Turkey | Reuters

Gaddafi's end lesson to region's leaders: Turkey

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi takes part in an official welcoming ceremony in Kiev in this November 4, 2008 file photo. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/Files

ANKARA | Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:19am EDT

(Reuters) - The likely end of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi's rule is a lesson for leaders in the Middle East who ignore the demands of their people for change, Turkey said on Monday.

More:Gaddafi's end lesson to region's leaders: Turkey | Reuters

Victory Day reception cancelled

Victory Day reception cancelled

Sunday, August 21, 2011
ANKARA- Hürriyet Daily News

The Turkish General Staff has decided to cancel all upcoming receptions, including the Aug. 30 Victory Day celebrations, due to recent terrorist attacks and the rising number of military casualties.
More:Victory Day reception cancelled - Hurriyet Daily News

Report: Turkey considering severing ties with Israel - Israel News, Ynetnews

Report: Turkey considering severing ties with Israel

Published: 08.22.11, 12:11 / Israel News

Turkey informed the United States that Israel's refusal to issue an apology for the flotilla events "will lead to further deterioration in the relations between the countries," Turkish Hurriyet paper reported on Monday.

More:Report: Turkey considering severing ties with Israel - Israel News, Ynetnews

Camp offers new experience for three girls from Istanbul - Martinsville Bulletin

Camp offers new experience for three girls from Istanbul

Monday, August 22, 2011

By ASHLEY JACKSON - Bulletin Staff Writer

A local animal camp provided three girls from Turkey the opportunity to be free from a crowded lifestyle.

This summer, Infinity Acres Ranch in Ridgeway welcomed Pelin Marie, 12; Ela Mae, 10; and Aylin Bridget Yirmibesoglu, 7, who are from Istanbul, Turkey, to its Animal Adventure Camp.

More:Camp offers new experience for three girls from Istanbul - Martinsville Bulletin

Turkish Yields Rise on Speculation Bank Will Keep Rates on Hold - Bloomberg

Turkish Yields Rise on Speculation Bank Will Keep Rates on Hold
Q
By Selcuk Gokoluk - Aug 22, 2011 11:01 AM ET

Turkish bond yields rose on speculation that the central bank will keep rates on hold, as a weak lira discourages it from cutting rates to a new record low.

More:Turkish Yields Rise on Speculation Bank Will Keep Rates on Hold - Bloomberg

Young ‘Sultans of the Net’ add World Cup to Euro title

Young ‘Sultans of the Net’ add World Cup to Euro title
22 August 2011, Monday / OKAN UDO BASSEY, İSTANBUL

The junior women’s Turkish national volleyball team and officials pose with the trophy after the Turks beat China in straight sets in the 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship final in the capital Ankara.
Back on May 8, Turkey was crow-ned the 2011 continental champion after beating Italy 3-0 in the final of the CEV Youth Volleyball Girls’ European Championship at the TVF Başkent Sports Hall in Ankara.

More:Young ‘Sultans of the Net’ add World Cup to Euro title

Somalia: Three Killed As Soldiers Fire At IDPs Collecting Aid

Somalia: Three Killed As Soldiers Fire At IDPs Collecting Aid

22 August 2011

Mogadishu — Some Somali government soldiers on Monday opened fire at internally displaced people collecting aid in Mogadishu, killing at least three people and wounding three others, witnesses said.

More:allAfrica.com: Somalia: Three Killed As Soldiers Fire At IDPs Collecting Aid

Turkish teen admits 'revenge' stabbings - UPI.com

Turkish teen admits 'revenge' stabbings
Published: Aug. 22, 2011 at 12:38 PM

IZMIR, Turkey, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A Turkish teen who admitted to stabbing two British women to death said he did so because one of them refused to let him marry her daughter, authorities said.

More:Turkish teen admits 'revenge' stabbings - UPI.com

Kurdish pawns bind Turkish rook

Kurdish pawns bind Turkish rook
By M K Bhadrakumar

Kurdish insurgents have "constructively engaged" Turkey just as the government in Ankara was rolling up its sleeves for a bit of vigorous action in the Muslim Middle East bent on reclaiming its Ottoman legacy. Ankara has been compelled to train its eyes homeward - for a while, at least. This was also the course Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had exhorted the nation to follow - "Peace at home, Peace abroad."

More:Asia Times Online :: Kurdish pawns bind Turkish rook

SVP accused of hypocrisy over Swiss-Turkish actress

SVP accused of hypocrisy over Swiss-Turkish actress

Published: 22 Aug 2011 13:16 GMT+1
Updated: 22 Aug 2011 11:27 GMT+1

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which campaigns against mass immigration to Switzerland, is facing accusations of employing double standards after it used a female model with an immigrant background in its latest election campaign ad.

More:The Local - SVP accused of hypocrisy over Swiss-Turkish actress

AFP: Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia

Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

ISTANBUL — The Turkish military will sent an aid vessel to famine-hit Somalia, where the United Nations has officially declared a famine in five regions of the country, the army said on its website Monday.

More:AFP: Turkish military to send aid vessel to Somalia

Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report

Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report

Day before scheduled publication of report probing raid on Gaza-bound flotilla, Ankara says UN postponed release at Israel's behest; media reports say Erdogan mulling suspension of political, economic ties if apology isn't issued

More:Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report - Israel News, Ynetnews

Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report

Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report

Day before scheduled publication of report probing raid on Gaza-bound flotilla, Ankara says UN postponed release at Israel's behest; media reports say Erdogan mulling suspension of political, economic ties if apology isn't issued

More:Turkey: UN delays Palmer Report - Israel News, Ynetnews

Cyprus endgame - New Europe

Cyprus endgame

Author: Robert Ellis
22 August 2011 - Issue : 950

Ban Ki-moon: Confident that 'convergence on all issues' will be reached by October

Within the next year the tragic division of Cyprus in 1974 will either be brought to an end or confirmed. That is, if UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon or Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are to be believed.

More:Cyprus endgame - New Europe

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Joost Lagendijk: Ankara should confront Tehran

Joost Lagendijk: Ankara should confront Tehran

Sunday, 21 August 2011

By Joost Lagendijk

A few days ago the US and the EU finally did what they had been expected to do for some time: In a coordinated action they called on Syrian President Bashar Al Assad to step down.

According to Washington and Brussels the Syrian leader has lost all legitimacy after his government’s recent brutal attacks against his own people.

More:Joost Lagendijk: Ankara should confront Tehran

WSJ: Turkey most join the demands of U.S. and EU in Syria"

Turkey most join the demands of U.S. and EU in Syria"

Turkey most join the demands of U.S. and EU in Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected U.S. and European demands that he step down.

Albanian Minerals President and CEO Sahit___Muja said "Thousands of innocent man, woman and children killed in Syria. Where is the outrage by the Muslim world" ?

More:WSJ: Turkey most join the demands of U.S. and EU in Syria"

Muslim clothing for tourists

Muslim clothing for tourists

Saturday, August 20, 2011
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The Religious Affairs Directorate and a number of civil-society organizations are preparing a new program that will both ease tourists’ visits to Istanbul’s iconic Sultanahmet Mosque, or Blue Mosque, and provide them information on Islam.


More:Muslim clothing for tourists - Hurriyet Daily News

All colors of Istanbul streets slowly losing their brightness

All colors of Istanbul streets slowly losing their brightness

Sunday, August 21, 2011
Işıl Eğrikavuk
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
Continuing raids by the municipality elicit reactions from citizens who argue that there is no public space open for the use of people. While 20 people were detained Saturday by police for protesting the raids, experts say that Beyoğlu needs to have an urban planning guide


More:All colors of Istanbul streets slowly losing their brightness - Hurriyet Daily News

Should Israel apologize to Turkey?

Should Israel apologize to Turkey?
By ELY KARMON
08/21/2011 21:39

The incident produced an unprecedented crisis in relations between Turkey and Israel, impeded the US alliance with the two non-Arab states.

More:Should Israel apologize to Turkey? - JPost - Opinion - Op-Eds

Forest fire destroys six hectares of land in Datça

Forest fire destroys six hectares of land in Datça

Sunday, August 21, 2011
MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

A forest fire sparked by contact between energy transmission lines was finally extinguished by firefighters Sunday morning after it burned six hectares of forest in the Aegean province of Muğla’s Datça district.

More:Forest fire destroys six hectares of land in Datça - Hurriyet Daily News

Ramadan Reflections from the Netherlands

Ramadan Reflections from the Netherlands

By: Aamir Aziz*

In the Netherlands—the land below the sea level literally. There is a saying, “god made the world, and in the world of god, Dutch engineers made the Netherlands”. It is a saying owing its origin to Dutch engineering heroic, which resulted in half of the country lying below sea level being reclaimed from the sea through an extensive system of dikes. In this densely populated country with its controversial policies of tolerance towards homosexuality, prostitution and use of soft drugs, God also manifests in the lives of its 6% Muslim population, whose origins are traceable to the Dutch colonial history in the East Indies (Indonesia) and Surinam and immigrants from Turkey and Morocco.

More:Ramadan Reflections from the Netherlands

Muslim Turks rap Quran courses age ban

Muslim Turks rap Quran courses age ban
Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:17AM GMT

A group of Turkish Muslims have demonstrated in the capital city of Ankara in protest over the age restriction that prevents children under 12 from attending Qur'an courses.

More:PressTV - Muslim Turks rap Quran courses age ban


Turkey says it hit 85 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq

Turkey says it hit 85 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq
AFP
Sat Aug 20 2011 12:42:59 GMT+0400 (Arabian Standard Time) Oman Time

Turkey: Turkey resumed its bombing of positions held by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Iraq mountains after a break of more than a year following an attack on Wednesday in southeast Turkey in which nine members of the Turkish security forces were killed.

More:Times of Oman

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Tensions Mounting in Cyprus Over Oil, Gas Exploration Plans | News | English

Tensions Mounting in Cyprus Over Oil, Gas Exploration Plans

Nathan Morley | Nicosia

Tensions are mounting between the Cyprus and Turkey over the island nation's plans to begin oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Drilling is scheduled to start in just six weeks.

More:Tensions Mounting in Cyprus Over Oil, Gas Exploration Plans | News | English

Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - Europe/World

Turkey giving up on peaceful solution to Kurdish issue

AFP/Istanbul

Turkey risks plunging into new bloodshed rather than reaching a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue, analysts said as its warplanes continued to strike Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq.
“We are entering an era where the language of war and violence will prevail,” Soli Ozel, a columnist in the daily Haber Turk, wrote, while warning of the possible consequences of a new cycle of violence.

More:Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - Europe/World

Syria raises tension with Turkey in new border move | World news | The Observer

Syria raises tension with Turkey in new border move

President Bashar al-Assad increases military patrols along frontier to dissuade Turkey from intervening in domestic unrest

Syrian officials have ordered military units to increase patrols near the restive Turkish border in what amounts to a warning to its increasingly irate northern neighbour not to establish a buffer zone inside Syria.

More:Syria raises tension with Turkey in new border move | World news | The Observer

Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

by Nadia Alkahzrajie - Thursday August 18, 2011 2:59 pm

Like no other jilted capital Istanbul engulfs visitors with its razzled charms, the musk of rose petal tinged with rancid fish-heads the prelude to your renewed affections. Important things have happened in this city of minarets; here the past isn’t so much a passive resident but a restless dervish whirling down the backstreets off Taxsim square, where men smoke the hookah and sip coffee as thick and loamy as compost.

More:Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - Foodepedia

Turkey strikes Kurd rebels in Iraq for third night | Reuters

Turkey strikes Kurd rebels in Iraq for third night

ANKARA | Sat Aug 20, 2011 3:58am EDT

(Reuters) - Turkish warplanes struck Kurdish guerrilla targets in northern Iraq in a third consecutive night of airstrikes, military headquarters said on Saturday, adding that the planes had all returned safely to their bases.

More:Turkey strikes Kurd rebels in Iraq for third night | Reuters

Factbox: What is the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)? | Reuters

Factbox: What is the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)?

Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:32pm EDT

(Reuters) - Turkey launched an air and artillery assault on Kurdish guerrilla targets in northern Iraq overnight after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he had lost patience with separatists fighting in southeastern Turkey.

More:Factbox: What is the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)? | Reuters

Turkey’s double-standard policy on Syria - Tehran Times

Turkey’s double-standard policy on Syria
Mojtaba Sadeghian

On Line: 19 August 2011 17:17

The Turkish military’s recent massive attacks on Kurdish separatists have raised the question of why Turkey is criticizing the Syrian government for its crackdown on armed terrorists.

In response to PKK terrorist attacks in which several militants were killed, the Turkish armed forces have conducted extensive operations against PKK bases in southern Turkey and northern Iraq over the past month.

More:Turkey’s double-standard policy on Syria - Tehran Times

AFP: Turkey says it hit 85 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq

Turkey says it hit 85 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq

(AFP) – 4 hours ago

ANKARA — Turkish planes carried out two raids in Iraq on Friday and bombarded 85 Kurdish rebel targets, the army announced on Saturday, without giving any possible casualty figures.

Turkey resumed its bombing of positions held by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Iraq mountains after a break of more than a year following an attack on Wednesday in southeast Turkey in which nine members of the Turkish security forces were killed.

More:AFP: Turkey says it hit 85 Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq

Ramadan in Turkey: Where relaxed fasting rules meet religiosity and tradition | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt

Ramadan in Turkey: Where relaxed fasting rules meet religiosity and tradition
Hugo Massa

Throughout these last two weeks of Ramadan, the travel section will look at Ramadan in a number of countries around the world. This is the first in our little mini-series on the different experiences of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a month of celebrations in every Muslim country in the world. Yet one notices differences in cultural and religious practices during the holy month from one region to another.

More:Ramadan in Turkey: Where relaxed fasting rules meet religiosity and tradition | Al-Masry Al-Youm: Today's News from Egypt

Turkish security forces kill 4 PKK rebels - People's Daily Online

Turkish security forces kill 4 PKK rebels
(Xinhua)
17:18, August 19, 2011

ANKARA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces killed four rebels of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in the eastern and southeastern Turkey late Thursday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.

More:Turkish security forces kill 4 PKK rebels - People's Daily Online

Furnishing an Ottoman kitchen

Furnishing an Ottoman kitchen

Friday, August 19, 2011
NIKI GAMM
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The kitchen in an Ottoman palace or mansion would traditionally be located away from the living quarters to minimize the possibility of an entire house going up in flames and to allow people from outside to come and go

More:Furnishing an Ottoman kitchen - Hurriyet Daily News

Cyprus riles Turkey with oil and gas exploration plans | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 19.08.2011

Cyprus riles Turkey with oil and gas exploration plans

Cyprus' plans to begin exploratory drilling for oil and gas reserves in the east Mediterranean has angered Turkey. Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus have strongly objected to the move.

More:Cyprus riles Turkey with oil and gas exploration plans | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 19.08.2011

Design Ateliers Set Up Shop in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

Design Ateliers Set Up Shop in Istanbul
Monique Jaques for The New York Times

Serdar-I Ekrem Street near the Galata Tower; designers have followed artists to the Galata neighborhood.
By ROBYN ECKHARDT

ON an unseasonably warm day last winter the tap-tap of a jeweler’s hammer mingled with the clink of espresso cups in Istanbul’s Galata neighborhood. Just a few strides from the neo-bohemians idling at tables outside the cafe-cum-boutique Mavra, the jewelry designer Janset Bilgin hunched over a workbench in her tiny atelier fusing silver, gray labradorite and strips of silk into a bold, chunky necklace.

More:Design Ateliers Set Up Shop in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

Hotel Review - House Hotel Bosphorus, in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

Hotel Review: House Hotel Bosphorus, in Istanbul
Katie Parla

Room at the House Hotel, a new boutique choice on the European side of Istanbul.
By KATIE PARLA
Published: August 19, 2011

Most hotels on the Bosporus are luxury affairs set in magnificent, palatial complexes. But the 23-room House Hotel Bosphorus, which opened in May, offers a fresh and accessible boutique alternative, with an inviting and elegant atmosphere and rooms starting at 199 euros, about $278 at $1.40 to the euro.



More:Hotel Review - House Hotel Bosphorus, in Istanbul - NYTimes.com

New Syrian National Council convening Saturday in Istanbul | The Cable

New Syrian National Council convening Saturday in Istanbul
Posted By Josh Rogin Friday, August 19, 2011 - 3:22 PM Share

Hundreds of representatives of the Syrian opposition are converging on Istanbul tomorrow to formally inaugurate the Syrian National Council, which will put itself forward as the official representative of the Syrian revolution.

More:New Syrian National Council convening Saturday in Istanbul | The Cable

CD offers women’s songs to listeners

CD offers women’s songs to listeners
Font Size: Larger|Smaller
Friday, August 19, 2011
ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Istanbul Municipality’s cultural division has produced a new album featuring 11 songs from legendary women of the city.

More:CD offers women’s songs to listeners - Hurriyet Daily News

Friday, August 19, 2011

Gas flows from Iran to Turkey resume - UPI.com

Gas flows from Iran to Turkey resume
Published: Aug. 19, 2011 at 7:39 AM

TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Iranian natural gas shipments through a pipeline to Turkey have resumed after deliveries were interrupted by Kurdish rebels, an Iranian official said.

More:Gas flows from Iran to Turkey resume - UPI.com

Turkish Bursaspor football team's soccer summoned by police | Turkey | Trend

Turkish Bursaspor football team's soccer summoned by police

[19.08.2011 17:34]
Turkish Bursaspor football team's soccer summoned by police

Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.19 / Trend /

Today Turkish Bursaspor football team soccer of Brazilian origin Gokcek Vederson was summoned to police department due to a match-fixing case, the Sabah newspaper reported.

More:Turkish Bursaspor football team's soccer summoned by police | Turkey | Trend

PKK Responds to Turkish Strikes with New Attacks | Europe | English

PKK Responds to Turkish Strikes with New Attacks

VOA News | VOA News

Members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) launched new attacks against Turkish soldiers as Turkey vowed to keep up the pressure on the terror group.

PKK rebels struck at least two military positions in Siirt province in southern Turkey on Thursday. Turkish media reported the attacks killed at least two soldiers and wounded three civilians.

More:PKK Responds to Turkish Strikes with New Attacks | Europe | English

Turkey calls for change in Syria, but not Assad's resignation - The National

Turkey calls for change in Syria, but not Assad's resignation

Thomas Seibert
Aug 19, 2011

ISTANBUL // Turkey's political and military leadership yesterday called for "democratic change" in Syria, one day after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, issued his strongest criticism yet of the Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad by comparing him to the Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi.

More:Turkey calls for change in Syria, but not Assad's resignation - The National

Dimming the Red Lights in Turkey - NYTimes.com

Dimming the Red Lights in Turkey
Anna Louie Sussman for The New York Times

The unsavory, garbage-strewn pathway to the city's sex district.
By ANNA LOUIE SUSSMAN
Published: August 19, 2011

On a Sunday afternoon earlier this summer, hundreds of Turkish men disappeared down a short alleyway just a five-minute walk from the Istanbul Modern art museum. Some flicked prayer beads around their fingers. The younger ones arrived in small groups, flashing nervous grins and smoothing their hair down with spit. They strode by a pile of garbage bags holding wadded-up tissues and cigarette butts before reaching a metal gate that separated the alley from their destination: Kadem Street, a narrow cul-de-sac and one of the country’s few remaining red-light districts.

More:Dimming the Red Lights in Turkey - NYTimes.com