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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

US women expect tougher Olympic test vs Turkey - Yahoo! Sports

US women expect tougher Olympic test vs Turkey
By DOUG FEINBERG (AP Basketball Writer) | The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- The U.S. women expect their toughest Olympic test so far when they play unbeaten Turkey on Wednesday in the women's basketball tournament.

More:US women expect tougher Olympic test vs Turkey - Yahoo! Sports

Recently released market study: Turkey Tourism Report Q3 2012

Recently Released Market Study: Turkey Tourism Report Q3 2012

Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/31/2012 -- The Turkey Tourism Report examines the latest performance of the tourism sector and looks at its longterm potential. The rate of growth in foreign tourism broadly slowed during 2011, after an impressive start earlier in the year (probably boosted by the Arab Spring, which affected tourism rivals in the region such as Egypt and Tunisia), but remained strong at just under 10% compared with 2010.

More:Recently released market study: Turkey Tourism Report Q3 2012

Turkish stowaway kitten travels 2,000 miles to Dartford

Turkish stowaway kitten travels 2,000 miles to Dartford

Kitten's 25-mile trip in engine

A kitten jumped into a delivery vehicle in Turkey for a cat nap - and ended up 2,000 miles away in Dartford.

The intrepid six-week-old tabby cat emerged from the trailer in Kent "timid and frightened", her rescuers said.

More:BBC News - Turkish stowaway kitten travels 2,000 miles to Dartford

Turkish Trade Deficit Narrows In June

Turkish Trade Deficit Narrows In June

7/31/2012 3:18 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Turkey's trade gap narrowed in June as exports increased alongside a sharp dip in imports, the latest figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed Tuesday.

More:Turkish Trade Deficit Narrows In June

Turkish Worries Over Syria Blamed on 'Kurdish Phobia' - NYTimes.com

Turkish Worries Over Syria Blamed on ‘Kurdish Phobia’
By HARVEY MORRIS

LONDON — There are mounting concerns in Turkey that the conflict in neighboring Syria has opened a Pandora ’s Box from which an autonomous and potentially hostile Kurdish entity will emerge.

With global attention focused on events in Aleppo, which rebels vow to turn into the “regime’s grave,” Turkey has sent troops, armored personnel carriers and missile batteries to the border with Syria after chunks of Syria fell into the hands of Kurdish militias.

More:Turkish Worries Over Syria Blamed on 'Kurdish Phobia' - NYTimes.com

Turkey's Syria policy backfires | World | DW.DE | 31.07.2012

Turkey's Syria policy backfires

As Syria's crisis deepens, Turkey is greatly concerned about a PKK-controlled Kurdish state in Turkey's immediate neighborhood. Ankara's fear is not a Greater Kurdistan, but a PKK-controlled semi-state, analysts say.

More:Turkey's Syria policy backfires | World | DW.DE | 31.07.2012

Turkish journalist charged with threatening judges | Reuters

Turkish journalist charged with threatening judges

ISTANBUL | Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:25am EDT

(Reuters) - A Turkish journalist facing trial for an alleged plot to overthrow the government was on Tuesday also charged with being a member of a "terrorist organization" and threatening and defaming the judiciary, the DHA news agency said.

More:Turkish journalist charged with threatening judges | Reuters

Türk Telekom's Sustainability Communication Wins IPRA Award -- ISTANBUL, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Türk Telekom's Sustainability Communication Wins IPRA Award

ISTANBUL, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

"Environment Friendly Communication" campaign brings Golden World Award to Türk Telekom

Türk Telekom achieves international recognition with "Environment Friendly Communication" campaign that aims to increase public awareness on sustainability. Türk Telekom's Environment Friendly Communication Campaign is rewarded with Golden Award in Environment Category of Golden World Awards organized by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

More:Türk Telekom's Sustainability Communication Wins IPRA Award -- ISTANBUL, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

CHP’s New A-Team Set to Win Elections in Istanbul, 31 July 2012 Tuesday 10:16

CHP’s New A-Team Set to Win Elections in Istanbul

By Göksel Bozkurt, Hurriyet Daily News

The new A-team of the main opposition is set to win the local elections in Istanbul slated for 2013, its leader has said, announcing a new party organization totally focused on increasing the party’s votes in these elections.

More:CHP’s New A-Team Set to Win Elections in Istanbul, 31 July 2012 Tuesday 10:16

UPDATE 1-Turkey's lira firms, trade deficit narrowing | Reuters

UPDATE 1-Turkey's lira firms, trade deficit narrowing

* Shares steady, Garanti down after lower-than-expected results (Adds trade data, bonds, equities, quotes)

ISTANBUL, July 31 (Reuters) - The Turkish lira firmed to its strongest in one year against a euro-dollar basket on Tuesday as investors bought Turkish bonds ahead of inflation data and a lower-than-expected trade deficit pointed to continued improvement in the external balance.

More:UPDATE 1-Turkey's lira firms, trade deficit narrowing | Reuters

Turkey hunts agencies for 2013 international ad campaign | Advertising news | Campaign

Turkey hunts agencies for 2013 international ad campaign

By Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, campaignlive.co.uk, Tuesday, 31 July 2012

The Turkish Culture and Tourism Office has put out a tender for a 2013 advertising campaign, inviting agencies to submit proposals for campaigns in one or more of six regions, with a total budget of $48m (£31m).

More:Turkey hunts agencies for 2013 international ad campaign | Advertising news | Campaign

Turkey must work with Syria's Kurds | Ranj Alaaldin

Turkey must work with Syria's Kurds

While Turkey may be threatened by Kurdish gains in Syria, there's little it can do to prevent an autonomous Syrian Kurdistan

Turkey's support for the uprising against Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, has been challenged during the last week or so as Kurds in the north-east of Syria have taken control of several towns and cities.

More:Turkey must work with Syria's Kurds | Ranj Alaaldin | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's Press Freedom Day: 95 Journalists Behind Bars :: Gatestone Institute

Turkey's Press Freedom Day: 95 Journalists Behind Bars

by BIA Media Monitoring Group
July 31, 2012 at 4:45 am


The courts sentenced eight suspects to nine years in jail and five suspects to pay fines in the amount of 29,880 TL [$16,580], three of them directly to the person of Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Ergogan.

More:Turkey's Press Freedom Day: 95 Journalists Behind Bars :: Gatestone Institute

Turkey: For Ankara, Fears of a Kurdistan Rising | EurasiaNet.org

Turkey: For Ankara, Fears of a Kurdistan Rising
July 30, 2012 - 9:10pm, by Yigal Schleifer

The continuing violence and bloodshed in Syria may be troubling, but for Ankara, the real worry right now is actually about what's happening in the place where things are quiet, across the border in Syria's Kurdish region, where the Assad regime has now ceded control to local militias as it tries to consolidate its forces in order to protect Aleppo and Damascus from rebel forces.

More:Turkey: For Ankara, Fears of a Kurdistan Rising | EurasiaNet.org

Turkish Armed Forces Press the Button :: Gatestone Institute

Turkish Armed Forces Press the Button
100,000 troops put on standby, army units moving toward Syrian border

by Claire Berlinski
July 30, 2012 at 1:35 pm

Murat Gurgen, writing for Habertürk, reports that all all units of the Turkish Land Forces' 2nd Army Command have been put on standby.

I apologize if there are errors in my translation--I'm not sure how some of these military terms are properly rendered in English--but I think this is roughly what he wrote:

More:Turkish Armed Forces Press the Button :: Gatestone Institute

Ergenekon court gets emotional

Ergenekon court gets emotional

HAKKARİ - Hürriyet Daily News
Suspects in the Ergenekon coup plot case went had an emotional moment in court yesterday, when musician Melike Demirağ, who was among the courtroom audience, sang a song called “Arkadaş (Friend)” for the convicts.

More:POLITICS - Ergenekon court gets emotional

Turkey wins a thriller against Czech Republic – Olympics Women Basketball Recap | bettor.com

Turkey wins a thriller against Czech Republic – Olympics Women Basketball Recap

The Turkish women basketball team continued their winning ways at the 2012 London Olympics after they defeated the Czech Republic 61-57 in a thrilling game.

More:Turkey wins a thriller against Czech Republic – Olympics Women Basketball Recap | bettor.com

Monday, July 30, 2012

Why You Should Be Smart And Visit Turkey This Year - Forbes

Why You Should Go to Turkey This Year

Istanbul always dazzles; that’s a given. The combination of iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the maze like Grand Bazaar and Spice Market with up to the minute clubs and restaurants gives this city an undeniable exotic/historic/cutting edge buzz. And it’s always improving.

More:Why You Should Be Smart And Visit Turkey This Year - Forbes

Turkey’s credit rating upgrade: holy grail or poisoned chalice? | beyondbrics

Turkey’s credit rating upgrade: holy grail or poisoned chalice?
July 30, 2012 7:00 pm by Andrew Bowman

What’s an emerging market got to do to convince the rating agencies that they are investment grade? In Turkey’s case, quite a lot.

More:Turkey’s credit rating upgrade: holy grail or poisoned chalice? | beyondbrics

Turkey Strengthens Forces on Syrian Border - NYTimes.com

Turkey Strengthens Forces on Syrian Border
By SEBNEM ARSU and JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: July 30, 2012

ANTAKYA, Turkey — The Turkish military dispatched troops, armored personnel carriers and missile batteries to the Syrian border on Monday, shoring up defenses against a country that has plunged into turmoil with some serious potential repercussions for Turkey.

More:Turkey Strengthens Forces on Syrian Border - NYTimes.com

Lira Advances to Highest in Four Weeks on Central Bank Support - Bloomberg

Lira Advances to Highest in Four Weeks on Central Bank Support
By Benjamin Harvey - Jul 30, 2012 4:46 PM GMT+0200

The lira gained for a fourth day to the highest in almost four weeks as investors see the central bank maintaining its support by offering minimal funding.

More:Lira Advances to Highest in Four Weeks on Central Bank Support - Bloomberg

Mrs Watanabe in Istanbul | Global Investing

Mrs Watanabe in Istanbul
By Sujata Rao
July 30, 2012

Japanese mom-and-pop investors’ penchant for seeking high-yield investments overseas is well known. Mrs Watanabe (as the canny player of currency and exchange rate arbitrage has come to be known) invests billions of yen overseas every year via so-called uridashi bonds, debt denominated in currencies with high yields. Data shows the lira has suddenly become the red-hot favourite with uridashi investors this year.

More:Mrs Watanabe in Istanbul | Global Investing

Sultans lose out to China in second Olympic challenge

Sultans lose out to China in second Olympic challenge

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey's women's volleyball team failed to claim the winning title against China, losing out to their competition with a score of 3 to 1.

More:VOLLEYBALL - Sultans lose out to China in second Olympic challenge

Turkish C. Bank has revised down its year-end inflation forecast

Turkish C. Bank has revised down its year-end inflation forecast

Balkans Business News Correspondent - 30.07.2012

The Turkish Central Bank has revised down its year-end inflation forecast, citing the falling downward trend in energy and food prices.

More:Balkans.com Business News : Turkish C. Bank has revised down its year-end inflation forecast

British archive confirms Turkey’s objective was Cyprus division

British archive confirms Turkey’s objective was Cyprus division

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Sat, Jul 28, 2012

Foreign Office documents, released on Thursday concerning ex-British colonies, confirm that Turkey’s objective in Cyprus has always been the island’s division.

The documents contain extensive references to British scenarios on how to achieve this objective.

More:British archive confirms Turkey’s objective was Cyprus division

Deputy police chief in Syria's Latakia flees to Turkey | Reuters

Deputy police chief in Syria's Latakia flees to Turkey

ANKARA | Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:06am EDT

(Reuters) - The deputy police chief of Syria's western Latakia city, a brigadier-general, defected and fled to Turkey overnight with 11 other Syrian officers, a Turkish official said on Monday.

More:Deputy police chief in Syria's Latakia flees to Turkey | Reuters

Turkey Threatens Attacks on Kurdish Region in Syria -- News from Antiwar.com

Turkey Threatens Attacks on Kurdish Region in Syria
Will 'Take Every Measure' Against Faction in Northeast Syria
by Jason Ditz, July 29, 2012

Speaking on Turkish television today, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu threatened military action against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters operating inside Syria, saying the nation would “take every measure” to prevent them from establishing a foothold near the border.

More:Turkey Threatens Attacks on Kurdish Region in Syria -- News from Antiwar.com

Turkey: The ultimate destination for tourists

Turkey: The ultimate destination for tourists

The Middle East Tourism Exhibition (METEX) 2012 in Ankara gathered hundreds of tourism professionals from more than 30 countries earlier this year in a bid to welcome Arab nations and lure tourists from the Middle East.

More:Saudi Gazette - Turkey: The ultimate destination for tourists

Turkey’s election campaign is starting early

Turkey’s election campaign is starting early

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Göksel Bozkurt Göksel Bozkurt goksel.bozkurt@hurriyet.com.tr

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government wants to move the local elections that were originally going to be held in March 2014 up to October 2013.

more:ANKARA WHISPERS - Turkey’s election campaign is starting early

Turkey seeks second hoops win

Turkey seeks second hoops win

LONDON - Hürriyet Daily News
Buoyed by a victory against Angola in the country’s first-ever women’s basketball game in the Olympics, the Turkish women’s national team takes on Czech Republic today in London in a crucial game for the team’s group stage performances. While the women basketballers enjoy the victory, a bitter Turkish women’s volleyball team plays China following a close loss to defending Olympic champion Brazil

More:OTHERS - Turkey seeks second hoops win

Turkish films shine in Venice line-up

Turkish films shine in Venice line-up

EMRAH GÜLER ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Absent at the Venice International Film Fest for two decades, Turkish cinema has become a regular fixture in the festival over the last four years. This year’s line up includes three movies from Turkish filmmakers Here’s a look at the journey of Turkish cinema in Venice over the past four years

More:CINEMA-TV - Turkish films shine in Venice line-up

Hatay Feels the Brunt of Crisis in Syria , 30 July 2012 Monday 10:3

Hatay Feels the Brunt of Crisis in Syria

Monday, 30 July 2012

by Mehmet Ezer

Hatay, on the border between Turkey and Syria, is feeling the brunt of the unrest in the neighboring country with many local businesses on the brink of bankruptcy. Some firms are unable to pay their debts tourism is almost nonexistent

More:Hatay Feels the Brunt of Crisis in Syria , 30 July 2012 Monday 10:3

When Turkey's Weirdest Televangelist Met Sean Ali Stone

When Turkey's Weirdest Televangelist Met Sean Ali Stone
Or: Why I don't bother writing fiction anymore

by Claire Berlinski
July 30, 2012 at 3:02 am

The Turkish televangelist Harun Yahya, also known as Adnan Oktar, is a controversial figure in Turkey, controversial among other things for his litigiousness—scores of websites in Turkey, including Wordpress, have been banned at his behest—so forgive me for couching my language in the utmost of circumspection. He is best known for sending his anti-Darwinian magnum opus, the Atlas of Creation—weighing in at more than 13 pounds—to tens of thousands of journalists worldwide. No one knows where he received the money for this project. I received a copy and quite liked and appreciated the book, which is beautiful.

More:When Turkey's Weirdest Televangelist Met Sean Ali Stone :: Gatestone Institute

Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Europe | .TR

DISCOVER EUROPE'S MOST VISITED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Europe is far from boring – its old-world charm still enchants even the most jaded Hollywood movie directors, such as Woody Allen who has created tributes to London, Barcelona, Paris, and Rome. Although these cities have undeniable allure, there is much more to Europe than its comfortingly familiar historical attractions.

Take Istanbul, for instance. Fifteen million people travel to the city for the Grand Bazaar every year, where shopkeepers interact with visitors – an adventure that takes them back to the Byzantine era, where they can glimpse bits and pieces of Istanbul's colorful history. Even the walkways are straight out of the 15th century, and this is not just for show. Local bargain hunters can be seen jostling alongside the tourists for the best prices they can find.

More:Most Visited Tourist Attractions in Europe | .TR

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Kurds and Turks: Business as usual – for now - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Kurds and Turks: Business as usual – for now

The Kurds’ only independent political entity is cozying up to Turkey to do business. How long can Iraqi Kurdistan stay in the quiet eye of the regional storm and avoid collateral damage?

More:Kurds and Turks: Business as usual – for now - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper

AFP: Turkey vows to take every measure against PKK in Syria

Turkey vows to take every measure against PKK in Syria

(AFP) – 9 hours ago

ANKARA — Turkey said Sunday it would do everything it could to prevent "terrorist" formations near its border with Syria that would threaten its national security.

"We will not allow the formation of a terrorist structuring near our border," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish television channel Kanal 7.

More:AFP: Turkey vows to take every measure against PKK in Syria

allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Six Days in Turkey...the Many Lessons

Nigeria: Six Days in Turkey...the Many Lessons
29 July 2012

On July 8, 2012, six senior journalists based in Abuja, Nigeria left the country for the Turkish capital, Istanbul. The desire to visit the country stemmed from various reasons: it is one of the few countries that belong to two continents and one of the countries that is an Islamic nation yet operates as if its a secular state.

More:allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Six Days in Turkey...the Many Lessons

In Cyprus, a new generation inherits a conflict - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |

In Cyprus, a new generation inherits a conflict

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA
Associated Press
PYLA, Cyprus (AP) - Tell a Greek Cypriot that your next destination is the Turkish city of Istanbul, once the seat of empires, and there's a chance you will be gently chided. "You mean 'Constantinople,'" the conversation partner might say, referring to the former Byzantine capital, which fell to Ottoman armies in 1453.

More:In Cyprus, a new generation inherits a conflict - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |

Turkey's & Obama's Syria Policy on Verge of Collapse

Turkey's & Obama's Syria Policy
On Verge of Collapse

July 27, 2012 (EIRNS)—This release was issued today by the Lyndon LaRouche Political Action Committee (LPAC).

Turkey's policy of supporting the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad is on the verge of collapse, in the face of fears that Syria would break up into Sunni, Alawite, and Kurdish enclaves if the Syrian government collapsed. The prospect of a Kurdish state rising alongside Turkey's ethnic Kurdish provinces, where the government has been fighting the terrorist Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), has created a firestorm of opposition against Ankara's policy.

More:Turkey's & Obama's Syria Policy on Verge of Collapse

Turkish and Russian Media Boiling About Approaching War « The Mideastwire Blog

Turkish and Russian Media Boiling About Approaching War

Reading translations of the Turkish and Russian media lately, and the crescendo of war is increasingly apparent. A few selections:

************

Gazprom-owned, editorially independent Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy on 26 July

[Presenter] The parents of conscripts from St Petersburg are concerned that soldiers conscripted last autumn have been sent onboard Russian ships to the Syrian coast. From the legal point of view, there are no violations here but the families are anxious for their children’s safety, the head of the Soldiers’ Mothers of St Petersburg organization, Ella Polyakova, has told us.

More:Turkish and Russian Media Boiling About Approaching War « The Mideastwire Blog

Syria’s Conflict Intrudes on Antakya, Turkey - NYTimes.com

Fighters Replace Tourists Crossing Over From Syria to an Idyllic Turkish Town
Ayman Oghanna for The New York Times

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: July 28, 2012

The Turkish police have become a more frequent sight in Antakya as refugees, rebels and jihadis cross over from Syria.

Turkey’s southeastern quadrant, along the Syrian border, is one of its most picturesque, where olive groves dot the rolling farmland and the mountains are sluiced by Evian-clear streams. In the mornings, old women come down the hills to pluck apricots from the market. In the evenings, tourists stroll along the cobblestone promenades, happily searching for a simit, a bagel-like roll, or a scoop of lemon ice cream.

More:Syria’s Conflict Intrudes on Antakya, Turkey - NYTimes.com

PressTV - Turkey decides future of Syria: FM Ahmet Davutoglu

Turkey decides future of Syria: FM Ahmet Davutoglu

Sat Jul 28, 2012 6:27PM GMT

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says Ankara will decide the future of Syria; an apparent interference in the internal affairs of the Arab country.

Turkish media quoted Davutoglu as saying on Friday that Turkey plays a major role in the political developments in Syria.

More:PressTV - Turkey decides future of Syria: FM Ahmet Davutoglu

Kemalism after nine decades | DAWN.COM

Kemalism after nine decades

THIS is with reference to Prof Shameem Akhtar’s letter ‘Clergy-feudal nexus’ (July 26) in which the learned writer speaks of the ‘fate of Kemalism in Turkey’.

Kemalism is as strong as ever. The Kemalist philosophy has served Turkey well for nearly nine decades. Recep Tayyip Erdogan ditched his mentor, Necmettin Erbekan, and pledged loyalty to secularism. That’s why he has succeeded.

More:Kemalism after nine decades | DAWN.COM

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Turkey hand a 72-50 thrashing to Angola – Olympics Women Basketball Recap | bettor.com

Turkey hand a 72-50 thrashing to Angola – Olympics Women Basketball Recap
(0) (0)
Posted By:
Andre Miller

The formidable Turkish women basketball side made their presence known on the first day of competition at the 2012 London Olympics, with a crushing 72-50 victory over Angola.

More:Turkey hand a 72-50 thrashing to Angola – Olympics Women Basketball Recap | bettor.com

Turkey and the Indians - The Washington Post

Turkey and the Indians

By Al Kamen, Published: July 25

History is littered with odd couples: Oscar and Felix, Anna Nicole Smith and that old guy, etc. Add to that list Native Americans and . . . Turkey?

That unlikely pairing was the star of a perplexing bill that failed on the House floor Monday night. The measure would have made it easier for American Indian tribes to do business with Turkey.

More:Turkey and the Indians - The Washington Post

Turkish court rejects requests to release chief Ergenekon suspects - Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production

Turkish court rejects requests to release chief Ergenekon suspects

28/07/2012

ISTANBUL (CIHAN)- Turkish court has rejected requests to release 65 jailed suspects who stand trial in the Ergenekon coup investigation, including Turkey's ex-army chief and other chief defendants.

More:Turkish court rejects requests to release chief Ergenekon suspects - Cogeneration & On-Site Power Production

Turkey and Rights - NYTimes.com

Turkey and Rights
Published: July 27, 2012

Re “Turkey’s Human Rights Hypocrisy” (Op-Ed, July 20):

Taner Akcam leaves out an important part of the history of that dark episode in Anatolia nearly 100 years ago, contradicting the values he claims to cherish.

More:Turkey and Rights - NYTimes.com

Turkish Base Directs Rebel Support - The Daily Beast

Turkish Base Directs Rebel Support

A clandestine “nerve center” jointly run by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar is coordinating the provision of weapons and communications support to the Syrian rebels trying to topple Bashar al-Assad, sources in the Persian Gulf have told Reuters. The revelation comes at a time when the tide seems to be turning toward the rebels, as leaders in the United States debate ways to aid the rebels more directly. The center, located in the southern Turkish city of Adana, was set up after a visiting Saudi minister requested it. It could explain some of the rebels’ recent success, including a recent bomb attack that killed at least four Assad aides.

More:Turkish Base Directs Rebel Support - The Daily Beast

Turkish President Meets With Minority Groups

Turkish President Meets With Minority Groups
Posted GMT 7-28-2012 3:42:41

The leaders of Turkey's eight minority foundations have been hosted for the first time at the presidential summer compound in the history of the Turkish Republic. The visit was significant, as it represented the first time the leaders of minority communities together have been hosted at the presidential summer compound in the history of the Turkish Republic.

More:Turkish President Meets With Minority Groups

Turkish, Albanian weightlifters dropped from Olympics after failing doping tests - The Washington Post

Turkish, Albanian weightlifters dropped from Olympics after failing doping tests

By Associated Press, Published: July 27

LONDON — The Olympic weightlifting competition has been hit by three new doping cases on the eve of the games after two Turks and an Albanian tested positive for banned substances.

More:Turkish, Albanian weightlifters dropped from Olympics after failing doping tests - The Washington Post

Turkey: Meeting energy demands | Energy | Turkey | Oxford Business Group

Turkey: Meeting energy demands
Eastern Europe | 27 Jul 2012

Faced with rising energy consumption, Turkey’s government has moved to meet growing demand by sealing a key gas pipeline deal with neighbouring Azerbaijan and stepping up efforts to diversify its power sources away from hydrocarbons imports.

More:Turkey: Meeting energy demands | Energy | Turkey | Oxford Business Group

Turk tourists flock to Greek islands

Turk tourists flock to Greek islands

BURSA - Doğan News Agency

Turkish tourists have begun to the Greek islands of Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Chios and Lesvos in the Eastern Aegean in record numbers after the Greek government moved to ease visa restrictions against non-EU citizens at its ports.

More:TOURISM - Turk tourists flock to Greek islands

Non-Muslim Turks Share Ramadan Spirits - Europe - News - OnIslam.net

Non-Muslim Turks Share Ramadan Spirits
Friday, 27 July 2012 00:00
Turkey celebrated the start of the holy fasting month on Friday, July 20.

ISTANBUL – Sharing the spiritual experience of Ramadan fasting, Turkey non-Muslims are celebrating the holy month’s customs with their Muslim counterparts like one family.

More:Non-Muslim Turks Share Ramadan Spirits - Europe - News - OnIslam.net

Turkey And Greater Azerbaijan: A Card To Play?

Turkey And Greater Azerbaijan: A Card To Play?
Friday, 27 July 2012 14:01
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by Dr. Nadir Devlet

On the surface, Turkey’s relations with the countries of the South Caucasus seem clear enough. Its relations with Azerbaijan are excellent, and the two work in partnership on many issues. Georgia maintains a close relationship with Turkey, and the two share a busy border marked by prolific and growing trade.

Only Armenia remains a problem mostly because of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

More:Turkey And Greater Azerbaijan: A Card To Play?

Turkish Central Bank Cuts 2012 Inflation Forecast to 6.2% - Bloomberg

Turkish Central Bank Cuts 2012 Inflation Forecast to 6.2%
By Ali Berat Meric and Selcuk Gokoluk - Jul 26, 2012 9:48 AM GMT+0200

Turkey’s central bank reduced its estimate for inflation this year to 6.2 percent from 6.5 percent, saying the rate may be lower than the forecast and is expected to dip in the fourth quarter.

More:Turkish Central Bank Cuts 2012 Inflation Forecast to 6.2% - Bloomberg

Turkey Watches Warily as Kurds Mobilize in Northern Syria

Turkey Watches Warily as Kurds Mobilize in Northern Syria
By Catherine Cheney, on 27 Jul 2012, Trend Lines

With his grip over Syria apparently loosening, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has abandoned the border area between Syria and Turkey, allowing Kurdish militants to take control of several towns in northern Syria. The development heightens the possibility of involvement by Iraqi Kurds as well as by Turkey, introducing new tensions to the Syrian conflict.

More:WPR Article | Turkey Watches Warily as Kurds Mobilize in Northern Syria

Turkish migrants will provide food package to poor - thenews.com.pk

Turkish migrants will provide food package to poor

Islamabad: With a view to express love with their Pakistani brethren on the auspicious occasion of the holy month of Ramazan, the Turkish migrants settled in Europe have arranged food supply for over 25,000 poor and vulnerable families settled in the suburbs of Islamabad and other parts of the country.

More:Turkish migrants will provide food package to poor - thenews.com.pk

Two soldiers killed in blast in southeast Turkey | Reuters

Two soldiers killed in blast in southeast Turkey

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey | Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:44am EDT

(Reuters) - Two Turkish soldiers were killed in the mainly Kurdish southeast on Friday when the vehicle they were traveling in was hit by a remote-controlled explosive, security sources said.

More:Two soldiers killed in blast in southeast Turkey | Reuters

Friday, July 27, 2012

Turkey not milk drinking nation

Turkey not milk drinking nation

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
While Turkey ranks 15th in global milk production, the country is not a nation of milk drinkers with consumption at 25 liters per capita vs. the EU’s 75 liters and US’ 95 liters

More:ECONOMICS - Turkey not milk drinking nation

After quake, rebuilding community remains biggest challenge for Turkey's Kurds - CSMonitor.com

After quake, rebuilding community remains biggest challenge for Turkey's Kurds

Officials are moving quickly to rebuild the cities and towns destroyed in last year's earthquake in eastern Turkey, but they can't restore the Kurds' fractured family and community ties.

More:After quake, rebuilding community remains biggest challenge for Turkey's Kurds - CSMonitor.com

Kurdish worries drag Turkey deeper into Syria war | Reuters

Kurdish worries drag Turkey deeper into Syria war

By Peter Apps and Daren Butler

LONDON/ISTANBUL | Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - - Turkey may be some way from acting on Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's threat to strike Kurdish separatists in Syria, but week by week it finds itself sucked ever further into its neighbor's worsening war.

More:Kurdish worries drag Turkey deeper into Syria war | Reuters

Turkey Warns of Threat From Kurdish Groups in Northern Syria - Businessweek

Turkey Warns of Threat From Kurdish Groups in Northern Syria
By Ben Holland on July 27, 2012

Turkey warned that it may take action against Kurdish groups with links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, that have taken control of several towns in northern Syria near the Turkish border.

More:Turkey Warns of Threat From Kurdish Groups in Northern Syria - Businessweek

Turkish Talk Show Host Creates Polygamy Stir

Turkish Talk Show Host Creates Polygamy Stir

Dorian Jones

July 27, 2012
ISTANBUL – In Turkey, a well-known women's talk show host has provoked ire among some Turks by offering a friend as a second wife to her husband. The overture thrust polygamy into the national spotlight.

"You have no shame! You are defending adultery," a woman shouted at Sibel Uresin, an Islamic media personality, during a televised discussion program.

More:Turkish Talk Show Host Creates Polygamy Stir

Finding Religion Through Istanbul's Mosques | The Jakarta Globe

Finding Religion Through Istanbul's Mosques
Wahyuni Kamah | July 27, 2012
The Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, a city that is home to thousands of mosques. (JG Photos/Wahyuni Kamah) The Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, a city that is home to thousands of mosques. (JG Photos/Wahyuni Kamah)

“There are 4,000 mosques in [Istanbul], some are just stunning, and it really makes me think about becoming a Muslim.”

This quote from Liam Neeson, an Irish actor who made a movie in Istanbul, was in some tabloids earlier this year, leaving some to assume that he had converted to Islam.

More:Finding Religion Through Istanbul's Mosques | The Jakarta Globe

Turkey's Changemakers: Women entrepreneurs make a difference with 'Micronet'

Turkey's Changemakers: Women entrepreneurs make a difference with 'Micronet'

On 20 July 2012, Turkey's Changemakers program hosts the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work (FSWW).

More:CHANGEMAKERS - Turkey's Changemakers: Women entrepreneurs make a difference with 'Micronet'

Turkey’s Visa Liberalisation – Benefits and Problems

Turkey’s Visa Liberalisation – Benefits and Problems
Published: July 25, 2012 15:52, Zhaneta Kuyumdzhieva, trainee, Sofia, updated: today 10:42

As euinside already wrote, at the 50th Association Council on 22 June, will was clearly demonstrated for the start of a process of liberalisation of the visa regime with Turkey. The Vienna based research institute ESI (European Stability Initiative), specialised in Balkan topics, sees nine reasons to apply in practise this intention. Besides the always good effects from integration action (improvement of certain internal policies, alignment with European practises, strengthening of security and, of course, progress towards EU membership), Turkey will get what it needs – more space. Because, if the European countries that aspire EU membership see a chance for securing resources for better economic performance in the full membership, for Ankara this is an opportunity to spread its indisputable demographic and economic potential. In this sense, the analysis of ESI appears to be concerned to present the benefits for the EU following the visa liberalisation with Turkey rather than the benefits for Turkey itself because the latter are very obvious.

More:Turkey’s Visa Liberalisation – Benefits and Problems

Kemal Kilicdaroglu wants to upend the Ankara status quo - NYTimes.com

Turkey’s Energizing Opposition
By ANDREW FINKEL

ANKARA — If the Turkish government appears gripped with arrogance, that’s in part because it rules unopposed. Opinion polls show Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival, the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, still struggling to improve on the 2011 election results, when it received just over a quarter of the popular vote. That was its third loss in a row.

More:Kemal Kilicdaroglu wants to upend the Ankara status quo - NYTimes.com

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkish Olympic boxing official dies in London | Olympics | Macon.com

Turkish Olympic boxing official dies in London

ANKARA, Turkey — A boxing official says a Turkish referee has been found dead in his London hotel room.
Turkish Boxing Federation chief Bayram Altug says Friday the body of 73-year-old Garip Erkuyumcu was discovered by a colleague Thursday. A heart attack is suspected and autopsy results are expected Friday.

More:ANKARA, Turkey: Turkish Olympic boxing official dies in London | Olympics | Macon.com

Immigrants boost German population as births outnumber death first time in eight years

The German population has grown for the first time in eight years, according to the latest estimates from the Federal Statistical Office – but only thanks to an influx of immigrants, mainly from eastern Europe.

The office's latest estimate suggests that the German population grew by 90,000 people last year, with the numbers boosted by around 163,000 Poles, 95,000 Romanians, 51,000 Bulgarians, and 41,000 Hungarians all settling in the country in 2011.

But despite this positive development, authorities still believe that the population will continue to decline in coming decades, because Germans are not having enough babies.

The office says that there would need to be an average of 2.1 children per woman in order to sustain the current population level – but the current birth-rate is well below that at 1.4. Even the current rate of immigration to Germany is not enough to make up the deficit.

Immigrants boost German population - The Local

How Istanbul Is Eating Now | Culinary Backstreets

Istanbul: State of the Stomach 2012
July 24, 2012, by Istanbul Eats, Comments 0

Beyond the kebab – and what you will find listed in most guidebooks for Istanbul – lies a wide range of unique Turkish regional cuisines and restaurants with hints of Balkan, Caucasian and Middle Eastern cooking. The city has been a crossroads of numerous civilizations for centuries and, more recently, a magnet for migrants from across Turkey, with every group that has either come through or stayed put adding their ingredients to Istanbul’s culinary stew. Thanks to this, one of the joys of visiting Istanbul is that, in terms of eating, it’s possible to visit every one of Turkey’s varied regions – and even a few neighboring countries – without ever leaving the city limits. With restaurants serving everything from the Middle Eastern-influenced kebabs of Southeast Turkey to the homey, rib-sticking soul food of the Black Sea area in the North, Istanbul has truly become the culinary Babel of the country.

More:How Istanbul Is Eating Now | Culinary Backstreets

Turkey’s Middle Eastern Policies And Concept Of Commitment To Principles - OpEd Eurasia Review

Turkey’s Middle Eastern Policies And Concept Of Commitment To Principles – OpEd

By: Iran Review
July 27, 2012

By Elyas Vahedi

After a wave of popular uprisings swept Arab countries, Turkish politicians in Ankara felt obliged to adopt a new foreign policy approach to regional developments. As a result, Turkey’s high-ranking officials, especially the country’s foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu have frequently tried to justify their new approach in Turkey’s foreign policy. Commitment of Turkey’s government to principles in the area of foreign policy is one of the main concepts which have been frequently used by politicians and supporters of Justice and Development Party during discussions in political and media circles.

More:Turkey’s Middle Eastern Policies And Concept Of Commitment To Principles - OpEd Eurasia Review

Berlin-based IPA Fest starts in Istanbul

Berlin-based IPA Fest starts in Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Germany based International Performance Association Festival (IPA) to be held abroad will take place in Istanbul. The festival aims to gather performance artists and questions the performance art

More:STAGE - Berlin-based IPA Fest starts in Istanbul

MEHMET ALİ BİRAND - Mega Kurdish state is being founded

Mega Kurdish state is being founded

Others have mentioned this topic before me. But that is not important, I want to reiterate and draw your attention again.

Developments in Syria are shifting in different directions. The scenario I am talking about may not come true, but if it does we will be crying over spilt milk. I am quite angry at those who do not see where things are heading. This is not acceptable. What we have been fearing for years will actually happen because of our incompetence and because of our small thinking.

More:MEHMET ALİ BİRAND - Mega Kurdish state is being founded

Turkey ‘would abandon’ EU for Shanghai Five

Turkey ‘would abandon’ EU for Shanghai Five

ANKARA - Hürriyet
Turkey may discard its European Union bid if it is accepted by the Shangai Five, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said jokingly, speaking of his recent visit to Moscow, daily Hürriyet reported yesterday.

More:POLITICS - Turkey ‘would abandon’ EU for Shanghai Five

Ankara wants to reduce natural gas use in electricity generation - Power Engineering

Ankara wants to reduce natural gas use in electricity generation

Sponsored by FLSmidth
07/26/2012

ISTANBUL (CIHAN)- Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz on Tuesday said that the government is planning to reduce the use of natural gas in electricity production from the current rate of approximately 53 percent to 30 percent by 2023.

More:Ankara wants to reduce natural gas use in electricity generation - Power Engineering

Kurds in Syrian conflict worry Turkey | News24

Kurds in Syrian conflict worry Turkey
2012-07-26 11:05

Antakya - Holed up in a Turkish safe-house, a Kurdish commander of a Syrian rebel unit makes a novel pitch for more weapons to help his men fight the regime of President Bashar Assad.

More:Kurds in Syrian conflict worry Turkey | News24

Turkey Sounds Warning Over Kurds in Syria - WSJ.com

Turkey Says It Would Act to Stop Kurdish Rule in Syria

BY JOE PARKINSON

ANTAKYA—Turkey warned that it might take action to stop groups it deemed "terrorists" from forming a Kurdish-run region in Syria, underscoring Ankara's growing concern that such Kurdish rule in Syria's north could provide sanctuary to militants.

More:Turkey Sounds Warning Over Kurds in Syria - WSJ.com

Syria general Tlas says seeks to unite opposition | Reuters

Syria general Tlas says seeks to unite opposition

By Mert Ozkan

ANKARA | Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:03pm EDT

(Reuters) - Brigadier General Manaf Tlas, one of the most senior defectors from President Bashar al-Assad's rule, met on Thursday with the foreign minister of Turkey, Syria's powerful neighbor which has a stake in shaping any post-Assad leadership.

More:Syria general Tlas says seeks to unite opposition | Reuters

Turkey Eyes Move to Semi-Presidential System - WSJ.com

Turkey Eyes Move to Semi-Presidential System

BY EMRE PEKER

ISTANBUL—A semi-presidential system will govern Turkey after the first public elections for the head of state in 2014, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said Thursday, marking the latest attempt to set the stage for a powerful presidency amid stuttering efforts to overhaul the constitution.

More:Turkey Eyes Move to Semi-Presidential System - WSJ.com

Turkey-Syria border closing to commerce, not refugees-U.N. | Reuters

Turkey-Syria border closing to commerce, not refugees-U.N.

GENEVA, July 25 | Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:53am EDT

(Reuters) - - Turkish authorities have told the U.N. refugee agency that its borders with Syria will close to commercial traffic but remain open for Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict, a UNHCR spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

More:Turkey-Syria border closing to commerce, not refugees-U.N. | Reuters

Report: Syrian legislator flees to Turkey

Report: Syrian legislator flees to Turkey
stumbleupon: Report: Syrian legislator flees to Turkey

July 27, 2012 03:07 AM EST | AP

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's state-run agency says a Syrian legislator from the northern city of Aleppo has fled to Turkey and warned that Syria was preparing for a massive offensive on cities where rebels are fighting government forces.

More:Report: Syrian legislator flees to Turkey

Assad Grants Autonomy to Kurdish Region, Prompting Threats From Turkey -- News from Antiwar.com

Assad Grants Autonomy to Kurdish Region, Prompting Threats From Turkey
The PKK will find safe-haven in northern Syria now, which could prompt an attack from Turkey, a NATO member
by John Glaser, July 26, 2012

Syrian President Bashar Assad, amid growing unrest, has granted control of parts of northern Syria over to militant Kurds, long branded as terrorists by Turkey, in a provocation that could lead the conflict to break out internationally.

More:Assad Grants Autonomy to Kurdish Region, Prompting Threats From Turkey -- News from Antiwar.com

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Istanbul show sheds light on Goya's dark etchings | Reuters

Istanbul show sheds light on Goya's dark etchings

By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL | Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:48am EDT

(Reuters) - Goya's bullfighters, prostitutes and demons are on exhibit in Istanbul in what curators called one of the most extensive shows of the Spanish master's work.

More:Istanbul show sheds light on Goya's dark etchings | Reuters

Slow Food Turkey: Wheat Rites

Slow Food Turkey: Wheat Rites ita eng

Francesco Martino | Istanbul

26 July 2012

A few kilometres off the coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara, the Princes' Islands are the tourist destination for those who want to leave behind, at least for a few hours, the frenzy of the immense metropolis on the Bosporus. These islands have been for millennia a laboratory of cultural contamination, as testified by recipes, smells, tastes, and words – suspended between memory and oblivion

More:Slow Food Turkey: Wheat Rites

Istanbul attractions: what to see and do in summer - Telegraph

Istanbul attractions: what to see and do in summer

Our Istanbul expert, Terry Richardson, suggests what to see and do in the city this summer, with advice on upcoming exhibitions and shows, and where to stay.

More:Istanbul attractions: what to see and do in summer - Telegraph

Former chief of General Staff to testify

Former chief of General Staff to testify

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Hilmi Özkök, a former chief of General Staff, has been summoned to testify in court as part of the Ergenekon coup-plot case, Doğan news agency reported today.

More:POLITICS - Former chief of General Staff to testify

Turkey faces with choice on issue of "Kurdistan" - Trend.Az

Turkey faces with choice on issue of "Kurdistan"
Turkey faces with choice on issue of "Kurdistan"
26 July 2012, 17:51 (GMT+05:00)

Trend Arabic news service head Rufiz Hafizoglu

Despite the fact that there were opinions that Syrian regime will fall soon after the murder of close associates of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, these statements do not seem convincing.

More:Turkey faces with choice on issue of "Kurdistan" - Trend.Az

Turkish forces kill 15 Kurdish rebels

Turkish forces kill 15 Kurdish rebels

Turkish security forces killed at least 15 Kurdish rebels in a raid near the country’s border with Iraq after tracking them with drones and attacking them with helicopters and on the ground, officials said yesterday.

More:Turkish forces kill 15 Kurdish rebels - The Irish Times - Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Turkey's Top Brass Meets on Kurdish Rebels in Syria

Turkey's Top Brass Meets on Kurdish Rebels in Syria
Posted GMT 7-25-2012 23:40:50

(AFP) -- Turkey's top brass held talks Wednesday about the activities of Kurdish rebels in Syria, after press reports that they were in control of several northern areas of the conflict-torn nation.

"The latest developments in Syria, the activities of the terrorist separatist group in our country and in neighboring countries were discussed at the meeting," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office said.

More:Turkey's Top Brass Meets on Kurdish Rebels in Syria

Turkey a hub for Syria revolution as illegal border crossing points abound - The Washington Post

Turkey a hub for Syria revolution as illegal border crossing points abound

By Liz Sly, Thursday, July 26, 4:07 AM

ON THE TURKEY-SYRIA BORDER — Come nightfall, a bucolic farming village begins to buzz with unusual activity. Shadowy figures emerge from olive groves, clutching small suitcases. Cars crowd the winding rural road collecting and discharging passengers. Farmers step onto their porches, ready to offer a bed for the night to Syrians who have hiked across one of the countless illegal crossing points along Turkey’s 550-mile border with their country.

More:Turkey a hub for Syria revolution as illegal border crossing points abound - The Washington Post

Kirk Penney signs to play in Turkish capital

Kirk Penney signs to play in Turkish capital
MARC HINTON

Kirk Penney signs to play in Turkish capital Bruton loses dreadlocks, not three-peat desire Breakers to open season vs rival Wildcats USA defence too much in rout of Spain BBNZ zeroing in on a new boss after review Melbourne Tigers closing in on Braswell deal USA squeeze by Argentina in '92 throwbacks Breakers ready to take Corey Webster back Lin-sane sum far too good to be ignored Bryant admits lack of size a problem for US

Tall Blacks star Kirk Penney will move from Spain to Turkey to continue his professional basketball odyssey.

The former NZ Breakers shooting guard confirmed he had signed to play for TED Ankara Kolejliler in the Turkish Basketball League (TBL) after severing ties with Spanish club Fuenlabrada.

More:Basketball | Kirk Penney signs to play in Turkish... | Stuff.co.nz

Turkey Bond Yields Advance to Highest in 11 Days on Funding Cost - Bloomberg

Turkey Bond Yields Advance to Highest in 11 Days on Funding Cost
By Selcuk Gokoluk - Jul 24, 2012 5:31 PM GMT+0300

Turkey’s bond yields rose to the highest in more than a week after the banks’ average funding cost increased and as investors sold riskier assets amid concern the European debt crisis is worsening.

More:Turkey Bond Yields Advance to Highest in 11 Days on Funding Cost - Bloomberg

Grave issues lie on the horizon over tensions in Turkish region | This is Cornwall

Grave issues lie on the horizon over tensions in Turkish region
Trusted article source icon
Thursday, July 26, 2012

In summer many from these islands go on holiday to the Eastern Mediterranean. I had my honeymoon in Cyprus and have been back there on several occasions; others talk of fantastic unspoilt beaches in Turkey or the Lebanon. But there are serious political problems building up in the Eastern Mediterranean, and tensions over oil and gas exploration.

More:Grave issues lie on the horizon over tensions in Turkish region | This is Cornwall

Tourism a priority for Maltese consulate in Turkey

Tourism a priority for Maltese consulate in Turkey
Article published on 26 July 2012

Tourism was a priority on the agenda of the Maltese consul general in Istanbul, Turkey, with a Malta stand in February at the tourism fair Emitt put up by the Malta Tourism Authority. Over 60 countries had stands at the fair.

More:INDEPENDENT online

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

10 Countries With Very Surprising Women's Rights Rankings

10 Countries With Very Surprising Women's Rights Rankings

Emma Clarke
Since 2006, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has published an annual report on gender inequality around the world. The Global Gender Gap Report (GGGR) ranks countries according to their scores in four categories: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. The GGGR generates a lot of commentary about which countries are the “best” and “worst” for women, but since the report is actually about inequality and not empowerment, this is not a correct interpretation. Countries where women are relatively well off internationally can receive very low scores if women’s rights and opportunities are less than those of their countrymen (emphasis on the men). Here are 10 countries whose 2011 rankings might surprise you.

10. Turkey (Ranked 122nd)
At number 122, Turkey ranks in the bottom 15 on the GGGR index. The report shows that Turkey has a very wide gender gap with regards to educational attainment and economic participation.  This is surprising given the discussions (albeit at a standstill) about Turkey joining the European Union. In fact, a New York Times article cited Turkish experts who believe that “women’s progress is being undermined by Turkey’s flagging prospects for European Union membership.”

More:10 Countries With Very Surprising Women's Rights Rankings

Turkish group pledges continued support of Native Americans

Turkish group pledges continued support of Native Americans
25 July 2012 G. Lincoln McCurdy | Turkish Coalition of America
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WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on H.R. 2362, the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act of 2011. Introduced by Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the only Native American member of Congress, the bill had the full backing of major tribal groups and strong bipartisan support. 58% (222) of the members present voted in favor of the bill. Though it did not meet the two-thirds majority required to pass the legislation under suspension vote, a process reserved for normally non-controversial bills, it did receive enough votes to obtain a simple majority on the full House – a major accomplishment for any piece of legislation. This is also the first time the Turkish American community took the initiative to create positive change through substantive legislation in Congress.

More:Turkish group pledges continued support of Native Americans

Comment: Iran, Turkey, Cyprus and the balance of power in the Middle East

Comment: Iran, Turkey, Cyprus and the balance of power in the Middle East
BY ROBERT ELLIS
• Wed, Jul 25, 2012
The civil war in Syria fails to overshadow the main item on the agenda – the looming confrontation with Iran.

The head of Britain’s MI6, Sir John Sawers, recently warned that Iran will become a nuclear weapons state within two years, by which time Israel or the United States will have to decide to launch a military strike.

More:Comment: Iran, Turkey, Cyprus and the balance of power in the Middle East

Istanbul University Earns AACSB Accreditation

Istanbul University Earns AACSB Accreditation

TAMPA, Florida, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AACSB International (AACSB) announced today that Istanbul University has earned accreditation for its Faculty of Business Administration. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.

More:PR Newswire UK: Istanbul University Earns AACSB Accreditation -- TAMPA, Florida, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Turkcell's Q2 net profit 535.8 mln lira, beats f'cast | Reuters

Turkcell's Q2 net profit 535.8 mln lira, beats f'cast

ISTANBUL, July 25 | Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:09pm EDT

(Reuters) - Turkey's largest mobile phone operator Turkcell said on Wednesday that its second quarter net profit rose to 535.8 million lira ($293.11 million) versus a net loss in the same period of a year ago, beating a Reuters survey of 465 million lira.

More:Turkcell's Q2 net profit 535.8 mln lira, beats f'cast | Reuters

Turkey: GCC Residents' destination of choice this Ramadan | Turkish Tourism Board | AMEinfo.com

Turkey: GCC Residents' destination of choice this Ramadan

With Ramadan already here, GCC residents are flocking to Turkey in record numbers to spend it surrounded by an array of traditional celebrations that mark the holy month. Bookings from the Middle East to Turkey witnessed a phenomenal hike in 2012, outshining last year's figures.

More:Turkey: GCC Residents' destination of choice this Ramadan | Turkish Tourism Board | AMEinfo.com

China Sunergy intents to invest in a production plant in Turkey

China Sunergy intents to invest in a production plant in Turkey

Balkans Business News Correspondent - 25.07.2012

Dünya - China Sunergy (CSUN), a leading manufacturer of solar panels and cells, has announced its intention to invest in a production plant in Turkey in partnership with local energy companies, Akfel Grup and Seul Enerji.

More:Balkans.com Business News : China Sunergy intents to invest in a production plant in Turkey

Turkish actress' new series airs in Arab channel

Turkish actress' new series airs in Arab channel

ISTANBUL

Songül Öden’s new series “Desperate Housewives” is now being screened on Arab TV channel MBC4, according to Daily Hürriyet. The series has garnered huge interest in the country, because it stars famous actress Songül Öden, who also played Noor in the series “Gümüş” (“Noor” in Arabic).

More:CINEMA-TV - Turkish actress' new series airs in Arab channel

Turkey to close border with Syria to all traffic | Reuters

Turkey to close border with Syria to all traffic

ISTANBUL | Wed Jul 25, 2012 2:22am EDT

(Reuters) - All Turkey's border gates with Syria are to be closed from Wednesday, an official from the Turkish Customs and Trade Ministry told Reuters, in response to worsening security conditions.

More:Turkey to close border with Syria to all traffic | Reuters

Turkish PM, Hamas leader meet

Turkish PM, Hamas leader meet
July 25, 2012 06:53 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- State-run television says Turkey's prime minister has met exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal to break the daily fast during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

TRT television says Wednesday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Mashaal at his residence in Ankara on Tuesday evening.

More:KTVL CBS Channel 10 :: News - International News

Johnny Heitinga set for Everton exit as Fenerbahce make £5m bid | Mail Online

Heitinga exit strategy as Fenerbahce make £5m bid for Dutch defender

By Dominic King

PUBLISHED: 21:30 GMT, 24 July 2012 | UPDATED: 21:30 GMT, 24 July 2012

Johnny Heitinga could become Everton's third big departure of the week after Fenerbahce made a £5million bid for the Holland defender.

More:Johnny Heitinga set for Everton exit as Fenerbahce make £5m bid | Mail Online

PM: We must find way to restore Turkish relations

PM: We must find way to restore Turkish relations
By HERB KEINON
07/24/2012 22:22
Netanyahu reaches out to visiting Turkish journalists, says reconciliation especially important amid regional uncertainty.

More:PM: We must find way to restore T... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

Turkish media reports state Turkish military has sent teams trained in chemical weapons attacks to Syrian border region - Al Jazeera Blogs

Turkish media reports state Turkish military has sent teams trained in chemical weapons attacks to Syrian border region
July 24, 2012 - 22:36

Turkey's military has sent teams specially trained in dealing with chemical weapons attacks to the Syrian border region after Syria warned that it could used such weapons against forces from outside the country, Turkish media reports said on Tuesday.

More:Turkish media reports state Turkish military has sent teams trained in chemical weapons attacks to Syrian border region - Al Jazeera Blogs

QUICKTAKE: Turkey has Enough Trouble | Middle East Voices

QUICKTAKE: Turkey has Enough Trouble

July 24, 2012 By Middle East Voices

Hugh Pope, Project Director for Turkey of the International Crisis Group is stationed in Istanbul. He comments on the difficult situation Turkey finds itself in trying to assist Syrian opposition groups without being drawn into a war with Syria. But the country’s predicament is complicated by another dimension – the on-going clashes they have with a Kurdish population that exists in both countries. Turkey has battled separatists (the PKK) for decades but it’s difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys.

More:QUICKTAKE: Turkey has Enough Trouble | Middle East Voices

Turkey explores missile options - UPI.com

Turkey explores missile options

Published: July 24, 2012 at 9:49 AM

ANKARA, Turkey, July 24 (UPI) -- Turkey is interested in pursuing ballistic missile technology in an effort to protect its national security interests, a defense official said.

More:Turkey explores missile options - UPI.com

Ankara holds security meeting on growing number of Syrian refugees

Ankara holds security meeting on growing number of Syrian refugees

ANKARA

Growing number of Syrian citizens who have fled to Turkey and their needs were at the center of a high-level meeting held in Ankara yesterday.

More:POLITICS - Ankara holds security meeting on growing number of Syrian refugees

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Turkey’s ‘Sultans’ go to London with high hopes

Turkey’s ‘Sultans’ go to London with high hopes

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Although being pitted in the tougher of two groups, Turkish national women’s volleyball team is confident of capping its historic run with an Olympic medal

More:VOLLEYBALL - Turkey’s ‘Sultans’ go to London with high hopes

Turkey responds to Syria chemical weapons warning- media | Reuters

Turkey responds to Syria chemical weapons warning- media

ISTANBUL | Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:37pm EDT

(Reuters) - Turkey's military has sent teams specially trained in dealing with chemical weapons attacks to the Syrian border region after Syria warned that it could used such weapons against forces from outside the country, Turkish media reports said on Tuesday.

More:Turkey responds to Syria chemical weapons warning- media | Reuters

Sunergy on hunt for Europe base but plays down Turkey claims - Solar - Renewable energy news - Recharge - wind, solar, biomass, wave/tidal/hydro and geothermal

Sunergy on hunt for Europe base but plays down Turkey claims

Solar panel maker China Sunergy has denied reports that it is poised to spend $600m on a new factory in Turkey – but confirms the country is one option for a plant to serve the European region.

More:Sunergy on hunt for Europe base but plays down Turkey claims - Solar - Renewable energy news - Recharge - wind, solar, biomass, wave/tidal/hydro and geothermal

Turks turn to Twitter as Erdogan muzzles traditional media

Turks turn to Twitter as Erdogan muzzles traditional media

By Alexander Christie-Miller,
Correspondent, CSMonitor

(AXcess News) Istanbul, Turkey - When Turkish journalist Serdar Akinan awoke last December to find his Twitter feed abuzz with rumors of a ''massacre'' in the country’s southeast, he naturally switched on the television. When he flicked through the channels and found nothing but the usual grind of daily news, he called his friends at the TV stations.

More:Turks turn to Twitter as Erdogan muzzles traditional media

Syrian Kurdish moves ring alarm bells in Turkey | Reuters

Syrian Kurdish moves ring alarm bells in Turkey

By Daren Butler

ISTANBUL | Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:58am EDT

(Reuters) - Concerns are surfacing in Turkey about the growing influence in northern Syria of a Kurdish group linked to Kurdish separatists fighting Ankara, something Turkey fears may further complicate efforts to solve its intractable Kurdish problem.

More:Syrian Kurdish moves ring alarm bells in Turkey | Reuters

Turkey Drums up Syria Threats

Turkey Drums up Syria Threats

ISTANBUL--Turkey will respond to Syria in "multitudes" if President Bashar al-Assad pursues an aggressive stance against its northern neighbor, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, forecasting the Damascus regime's fall without elaborating on Ankara's plans.

More:Turkey Drums up Syria Threats

Turkey's evolving relationship with Europe | EurActiv

Turkey's evolving relationship with Europe
-A +A
Published 24 July 2012

As Europe's political and economic weight declines and Turkey is consolidated as a regional power, cooperation on economic issues will be increasingly supplemented by cooperation in other areas in order to maintain a geopolitical balance in the region and limit the presence of external players, says Stratfor.

More:Turkey's evolving relationship with Europe | EurActiv

EU parliament urged to 'consider' suspending relations with Turkey: theparliament.com

EU parliament urged to 'consider' suspending relations with Turkey
Share by emailPrint via CleanPrint

By Martin Banks - 24th July 2012
" Parliament should consider the possibility of suspending their relations with Turkey"

Eleni Theocharous

Cypriot MEP Eleni Theocharous has urged parliament to consider suspending its relations with Turkey.

The EPP member says the move is justified because of Turkish intentions to freeze its relations with the new Cyprus presidency of the EU.

More:EU parliament urged to 'consider' suspending relations with Turkey: theparliament.com

US women know firsthand all about fierce rivalry between Turkish basketball teams - The Washington Post

US women know firsthand all about fierce rivalry between Turkish basketball teams

ISTANBUL — Diana Taurasi knows a bit about rivalries.
She grew up a Lakers fan and hated the Celtics. She also played for coach Geno Auriemma at Connecticut during the height of the Tennessee-UConn rivalry.

Both pale compared to the hatred between Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. It’s one of the fiercest in women’s basketball.

More:US women know firsthand all about fierce rivalry between Turkish basketball teams - The Washington Post

Turkey's Erdogan says Syrian people "close to victory" - CNBC

Turkey's Erdogan says Syrian people "close to victory"
Published: Tuesday, 24 Jul 2012 | 4:14 AM ET

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is "closer than ever to victory" and warned that Turkey will respond firmly to any hostility from Syria.

More:Turkey's Erdogan says Syrian people "close to victory" - CNBC

China Sunergy to Invest in Turkey, 23 July 2012 Monday 14:49

China Sunergy to Invest in Turkey

Monday, 23 July 2012

China Sunergy (CSUN) will invest in Turkey in solar panel sector.

CSUN will invest 600 million USD in Turkey, and establish the largest solar panel factory in Europe.

More:China Sunergy to Invest in Turkey, 23 July 2012 Monday 14:49

Turks turn to Twitter as Erdogan muzzles traditional media | Alaska Dispatch

Twitter emerges as hero for Turkish reporters
Alexander Christie-Miller | The Christian Science Monitor | Jul 23, 2012

When Turkish journalist Serdar Akinan awoke last December to find his Twitter feed abuzz with rumors of a "massacre" in the country’s southeast, he naturally switched on the television. When he flicked through the channels and found nothing but the usual grind of daily news, he called his friends at the TV stations.

More:Turks turn to Twitter as Erdogan muzzles traditional media | Alaska Dispatch

Istanbul in top 10 street food list

Istanbul in top 10 street food list

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Istanbul places seventh on virtualtourist.com’s ‘Top Ten Best Street Food Cities’ list on the strength of its street food. Editors of the website particularly note the tastiness of Istanbul’s simit and kebabs

More:EATERY - Istanbul in top 10 street food list

Turkey Arrests Public-Sector Unionists Under Broad Terror Law - Working In These Times

Turkey Arrests Public-Sector Unionists Under Broad Terror Law
By Stephen Franklin

ISTANBUL, Turkey—They were upfront and loud, not unusual behavior for discontented labor unions anywhere.

They had complained about the puny wage increases the Turkish government was offering its public workers. Nor did they like new education laws that they claimed hurt students and teachers. And they had voiced their views about plenty of government polices affecting not just workers.

More:Turkey Arrests Public-Sector Unionists Under Broad Terror Law - Working In These Times

Turkey Tourist Arrivals Rebound In June

Turkey Tourist Arrivals Rebound In June

7/23/2012 6:10 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Turkey's tourist arrivals rebounded in June, after falling for four consecutive months, provisional data released by by the Ministry of Tourism showed Monday.

More:Turkey Tourist Arrivals Rebound In June

Istanbul 2020 reveal campaign logo as Turkish Prime Minister throws full support behind bid | 2020 Summer Olympics | insidethegames.biz

Istanbul 2020 reveal campaign logo as Turkish Prime Minister throws full support behind bid
Monday, 23 July 2012
By Duncan Mackay at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London

Istanbul 2020_logoJuly 23 - Istanbul are raising the profile on their campaign to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics on the eve of London 2012 by unveiling a bid logo and revealing that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will travel to the Games.

More:Istanbul 2020 reveal campaign logo as Turkish Prime Minister throws full support behind bid | 2020 Summer Olympics | insidethegames.biz

Lieberman to Turkish reporters: Marmara raid justified

Lieberman to Turkish reporters: Marmara raid justified

During meeting with Turkish reporters, FM says Israel should not apologize for deadly 2010 commando raid on Gaza-bound Turkish vessel; say Syrian resistance refused Israeli assistance

More:Lieberman to Turkish reporters: Marmara raid justified - Israel News, Ynetnews

Nissin Foods Heads Into Uncharted Turkish Noodle Market - Japan Real Time - WSJ

Nissin Foods Heads Into Uncharted Turkish Noodle Market

By Hiroyuki Kachi

From mountain climbers to late night computer programmers, instant noodles are nearly as globally pervasive as Coca-Cola thanks to their limitless appeal to hungry people strapped for cooking utensils and time.

More:Nissin Foods Heads Into Uncharted Turkish Noodle Market - Japan Real Time - WSJ

Monday, July 23, 2012

Turkey’s Frigo Pak becomes PE target | beyondbrics

Turkey’s Frigo Pak becomes PE target
July 23, 2012 3:56 pm by David O'Byrne

With a growing population and booming economy to cater for, Turkey’s food industry is in excellent health. But it is also highly competitive and fragmented. Just 22 food and drink manufacturers are listed on the Istanbul stock exchange and there are relatively few well-established brands. The market is dominated by a large number of small and medium sized family run companies, buffeted by widely fluctuating margins.

More:Turkey’s Frigo Pak becomes PE target | beyondbrics

Turkish Growth: Parsing The Numbers | Forexpros

Turkish Growth: Parsing The Numbers
By Emre Deliveli | Market Overview | Jul 23, 2012 04:45PM GMT | Add a Comment

Not in the sense of Greece or, more recently, China, but some have been noting that a surge in gold imports and exports has been distorting GDP figures:

More:Turkish Growth: Parsing The Numbers | Forexpros

Asia Times Online :: Middle East News, Iraq, Iran current affairs

The rise and fall of Turkey's Erdogan
By M K Bhadrakumar

Israel's emergence from the woodwork can signal only one thing: the Syrian crisis is moving towards the decisive phase. The lights have been switched on in the operation theatre and the carving of Syria is beginning. What is going to follow won't be a pretty sight at all since the patient is not under anesthesia, and the chief surgeon prefers to lead from behind while sidekicks do the dirty job.

More:Asia Times Online :: Middle East News, Iraq, Iran current affairs

Commentary: Why Does Turkey Want Regime Change in Syria? | The National Interest

Why Does Turkey Want Regime Change in Syria?

Halil Karaveli
|
July 23, 2012

The downing of a Turkish RF-4E reconnaissance aircraft in late June brought Turkey and Syria to the brink of war. Following the statement of Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the rules of engagement of the Turkish military have been changed and expanded, Turkey has deployed two armored brigades and positioned antiaircraft batteries along its Syrian border. Turkish F-16 fighters scrambled to chase away Syrian assault helicopters, which were within four miles of the Turkish-Syrian border on several occasions during the first week of July.

More:Commentary: Why Does Turkey Want Regime Change in Syria? | The National Interest

Lifting off in style: Houstonians celebrate a visit to Turkey in advance of fall Consular Ball - 2012-Jul-22 - CultureMap Houston

Lifting off in style: Houstonians celebrate a visit to Turkey in advance of fall Consular Ball
News_Deborah Elias_head shot_column mug
By Deborah Elias
07.22.12 | 07:14 pm

I have always wanted to travel to Turkey so when I received an invitation to attend a trip with the Houston Junior Chamber Consular Forum 2012 and the Texas Turkish-American Chamber, I quickly jumped at the chance. So much so that I found out about the trip on a Tuesday and was on a plane the following Sunday.

More:Lifting off in style: Houstonians celebrate a visit to Turkey in advance of fall Consular Ball - 2012-Jul-22 - CultureMap Houston

Turkish Forces Put Down Riots in 2 Syrian Refugee Camps « VOA Breaking News

Turkish Forces Put Down Riots in 2 Syrian Refugee Camps
Posted Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Turkish security forces on Sunday fired in the air and used tear gas to put down a riot in a Syrian refugee camp near the Turkish-Syrian border.

Turkish media say at least seven refugees and officers were hurt.

More:Turkish Forces Put Down Riots in 2 Syrian Refugee Camps « VOA Breaking News

Turkey deploys missiles on border with Syria | The Nation

Turkey deploys missiles on border with Syria
By: AFP | July 23, 2012 |

ISTANBUL/DAMASCUS - Turkey sent batteries of ground-to-air missiles to the border with Syria on Sunday, media reports said, boosting its firepower as rebels in Syria seized several border posts.As fighting raged in Damascus and Aleppo, rebels were said to have taken control of three crossing points on the border with Turkey, which is sheltering thousands of Syrians who have fled the conflict at home.A train convoy carrying several batteries of missiles arrived in Mardin in southeastern Turkey and will be transferred to several army units deployed on the border, according to the Anatolia news agency.

More:Turkey deploys missiles on border with Syria | The Nation

Turkey-Syria border almost war zone: Voice of Russia

Turkey-Syria border almost war zone

Jul 22, 2012 22:10 Moscow Time

According to Turkish media, Turkey has moved another five anti-aircraft missile batteries to its border with Syria.

In a related development, reported by Syrian media, the Syrian army has used helicopter gunships against an estimated 150 Al Qaeda fighters as they tried to cross into Syrian territory from Turkey.

More:Turkey-Syria border almost war zone: Voice of Russia

Turkey Helicopter Crashes in Kurd Region; 4 Killed - ABC News

Turkey Helicopter Crashes in Kurd Region; 4 Killed

ANKARA, Turkey July 22, 2012 (AP)

A Turkish paramilitary helicopter crashed Sunday in a southeastern region where troops are fighting Kurdish rebels, killing four security personnel on board, officials said. Eight others were injured.

More:Turkey Helicopter Crashes in Kurd Region; 4 Killed - ABC News

Turkey prepares for the inevitable big earthquake - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

Turkey prepares for the inevitable big earthquake

July 22, 2012

By SHIGEKO SEGAWA/ The Asahi Shimbun Science and Medical News Section

Istanbul has one foot planted firmly in Europe and the other in the Asian continent, courtesy of the Bosphorus strait that cuts Turkey's largest city into two.

More:Turkey prepares for the inevitable big earthquake - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

Turkey to Europe: Who's Sick Now? - NYTimes.com

Turkey to Europe: Who’s Sick Now?
By DAN BILEFSKY

ISTANBUL — With Europe roiled by economic crisis, Turks could be forgiven for engaging in a bit of Ottoman-style chest-thumping.

A sense of material-fueled contentment is evident in Istanbul’s giant gleaming malls where clutches of hip young women in brightly colored headscarves clasp their Gucci purses while shopping with reckless abandon.

More:Turkey to Europe: Who's Sick Now? - NYTimes.com

Tension with Armenia affects airing of TV show

Tension with Armenia affects airing of TV show

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Armenian Shant TV has purchased script rights to Turkish TV show ‘Ezel’, and produced its own TV series due to alleged fears about the audience response. The TV channel is allegedly hiding the origin of the show

More:CINEMA-TV - Tension with Armenia affects airing of TV show

Plans for ruling party’s ‘deep congress’

Plans for ruling party’s ‘deep congress’

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) will celebrate its 11th anniversary on Aug. 14. The party, founded by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and ruled by him for 11 years, may be on the brink of a historic congress, as important as the party’s founding congress. Declaring his candidacy for the party’s chairmanship for the fourth time, as is required by the party’s rules, Erdoğan will be elected for the last time at the AKP congress, which is planned to be held on Sept. 30. Therefore, radical changes are expected at the party’s roots.

More:ANKARA WHISPERS - Plans for ruling party’s ‘deep congress’

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Augustus provides USA women an answer for Turkey's challenge - St. Paul Sports | Examiner.com

Augustus provides USA women an answer for Turkey's challenge

2012 Olympics
July 22, 2012
By: Mike Peden

The United States women's national finished their exhibition tour undefeated following an 80-61 win over the Turkish national team Sunday in Istanbul, Turkey.

More:Augustus provides USA women an answer for Turkey's challenge - St. Paul Sports | Examiner.com

ISTANBUL: US women beat Turkey 80-61 in exhibition

US women beat Turkey 80-61 in exhibition

Published: July 22, 2012 Updated 22 minutes ago

By DOUG FEINBERG — AP Basketball Writer

ISTANBUL — After breezing through its first few exhibition games, Geno Auriemma was happy that his team was tested.

Seimone Augustus and Diana Taurasi each scored 16 points to lead the U.S. women's basketball team to an 80-61 victory over Turkey on Sunday.

More:ISTANBUL: US women beat Turkey 80-61 in exhibition | Womens Basketball | Bradenton Herald

Istanbul 2020 Unveils New Logo

Istanbul 2020 Unveils New Logo
Sunday, July 22, 2012 1:04pm EDT GB Staff

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey, unveiled Istanbul's logo for the Candidate City phase of its bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The logo was unveiled Saturday night by the Prime Minister as he addressed the "record breaking" number of Turkish athletes attending the London 2012 Games.

More:GamesBids.com - Istanbul 2020 Unveils New Logo

Report: Unrest at 2 refugee camps in Turkey

July 22, 2012 15:46 GMT

%reldate(2012-07-22T15:35:27

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's state-run news agency says Turkish security forces have used tear gas, batons and shots fired into the air to quell unrest at two camps housing Syrian refugees.

More than 43,000 Syrians have taken refuge in eight camps along Turkey's 566-mile (911-kilometer) border with Syria, but Sunday was the first time official media have reported violence among the refugees that required security forces to intervene.

More:WPEC CBS Channel 12 News :: News - International News

5.0 magnitude quake shakes Turkey - Wire World News - The Sacramento Bee

5.0 magnitude quake shakes Turkey
The Associated Press
Published: Sunday, Jul. 22, 2012 - 3:28 am

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's seismology center says a moderately strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 has shaken central Turkey.

More:5.0 magnitude quake shakes Turkey - Wire World News - The Sacramento Bee

Assad rebuilds fighting command, retaliates against Turkey

Assad rebuilds fighting command, retaliates against Turkey
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report July 22, 2012, 8:53 AM (GMT+02:00)

President Bashar Assad quickly recovered from the blow he suffered with the loss of his four top allies last Wednesday, July 18. Within 24 hours, he had put in place a new command for fighting the rebels headed by his younger brother Gen. Maher Assad, commander of the 4th Division, debkafile’s military and intelligence sources report exclusively. He also appointed Gen. Ali Mamloukh to head the General Security Service; Gen. Hafez Makhlouf, military commander of Damascus; and Gen. Ali Hassan, new chief of the Alawite Shabiha militia.

More:Assad rebuilds fighting command, retaliates against Turkey

Syrians Find Optimism at a Tent City in Turkey - NYTimes.com

Syrians Hold On to Optimism at a Tent City in Turkey
Tomas Munita for The New York Times

There are 6,500 Syrians at the Islahiye camp. More Photos »
By C. J. CHIVERS
Published: July 21, 2012

ISLAHIYE, Turkey — Almost all of the toilets in a refugee camp here for Syrians who have fled the conflict at home bear messages in spray paint for President Bashar al-Assad. But one note summarizes them all.

More:Syrians Find Optimism at a Tent City in Turkey - NYTimes.com

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Kurdish MPs urge Turkey to free militant leader | Reuters

Kurdish MPs urge Turkey to free militant leader

By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL | Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:02pm BST

(Reuters) - Kurdish members of Turkey's parliament on Saturday called for the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the armed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), saying an end to the group's 27-year conflict with the army is impossible while he is in prison.

More:Kurdish MPs urge Turkey to free militant leader | Reuters

Turkish truck drivers accuse rebel fighters of looting | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Turkey's Erdogan to push for Istanbul 2020 in London

Karolos Grohmann Reuters

8:55 a.m. CDT, July 21, 2012

LONDON (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan will travel to London for the Olympics starting next week to push for Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Games, bid officials

More:Turkish truck drivers accuse rebel fighters of looting | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Turkey's Erdogan to push for Istanbul 2020 in London - chicagotribune.com

Turkey's Erdogan to push for Istanbul 2020 in London

Karolos Grohmann Reuters

8:55 a.m. CDT, July 21, 2012

LONDON (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan will travel to London for the Olympics starting next week to push for Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Games, bid officials

More:Turkey's Erdogan to push for Istanbul 2020 in London - chicagotribune.com

Turkey's Plans To Become A Health Tourism Hotspot Are Welcomed By Holiday Mate - Press Release - Digital Journal

Turkey's Plans To Become A Health Tourism Hotspot Are Welcomed By Holiday Mate
>PRWEB.COM Newswire

(PRWEB UK) 21 July 2012

The holiday provider who promises not to beaten on price or value is anticipating that health tourism will help to increase the number of bookings for Turkey holidays next year.

More:Turkey's Plans To Become A Health Tourism Hotspot Are Welcomed By Holiday Mate - Press Release - Digital Journal

Turkey's witness law shields women | Vestnik Kavkaza

Turkey's witness law shields women

As Turkey continues to be shocked by the number of women murdered in the country, an Istanbul court has ruled to allow women to adopt new identities in order to protect themselves from violent spouses. Women’s rights defenders, however, claim the effort is in vain as rules regarding domestic violence are improperly practiced.

More:Turkey's witness law shields women | Vestnik Kavkaza

Attack on Turkey-Iraq pipeline knocks out oil flows: report - CNBC

Attack on Turkey-Iraq pipeline knocks out oil flows: report
Published: Saturday, 21 Jul 2012 | 1:33 AM ET
Text Size

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish authorities are blaming sabotage for a fire on a pipeline carrying petroleum from Iraq to Turkey's Mediterranean coast that cut oil flows late on Friday, NTV television said.

More:Attack on Turkey-Iraq pipeline knocks out oil flows: report - CNBC

Dutch And Muslim Are Not Mutually Exclusive - OpEd Eurasia Review

Dutch And Muslim Are Not Mutually Exclusive – OpEd

By: CGNews
July 21, 2012

By Marianne Vorthoren

A few years ago, I had a conversation in a mosque in Rotterdam with two Muslim girls who were about 6 or 7 years-old. They asked me, in fluent Dutch, if I was Turkish. I explained that I was Dutch, and had in fact converted to Islam. At one point during our exchange, one of them said, “So back when you were still Dutch…”

More:Dutch And Muslim Are Not Mutually Exclusive - OpEd Eurasia Review

Japan, Turkey agree to study FTA prospects | The Japan Times Online

Japan, Turkey agree to study FTA prospects
Kyodo

Japan and Turkey agreed Thursday to look into the possibility of negotiating a bilateral free-trade agreement, which would give Tokyo better access to a high-growth market and Ankara a way to tap into the world's third-largest economy.

More:Japan, Turkey agree to study FTA prospects | The Japan Times Online

Should Turkey be afraid of the Syrian Kurds? – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

Should Turkey be afraid of the Syrian Kurds?

By Soner Cagaptay, Special to CNN

Editor's note: Soner Cagaptay is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a GPS contributor. You can find his other posts here. The views expressed are solely those of the author.

Many in Turkey are said to be alarmed by reports over the past couple of days that Syrian Kurds have taken over a string of towns along that country’s border with Turkey, including Ayn-al ‘Arab and Afrin.

More:Should Turkey be afraid of the Syrian Kurds? – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs

GREEN - EU project to protect Black Sea marine areas of Turkey

EU project to protect Black Sea marine areas of Turkey

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

A new EU-supported project has earmarked a number of areas on the Black Sea, including sites in
Turkey, for a series of new protection zones in which human activity will be minimized to conserve the environment.

More:GREEN - EU project to protect Black Sea marine areas of Turkey

Not Turkey, But Others Violate Iraq Space: Prime Minister, 20 July 2012 Friday 9:54

Not Turkey, But Others Violate Iraq Space: Prime Minister

Friday, 20 July 2012

Turkey’s prime minister has dismissed reports of ongoing tension between Ankara and Baghdad after an alleged violation of Iraqi airspace, saying Iraqi officials are aware of the Turkish offensive in northern Iraq.

More:Not Turkey, But Others Violate Iraq Space: Prime Minister, 20 July 2012 Friday 9:54

Turkish PM declares war on media critics | Al Bawaba

Turkish PM declares war on media critics

Published July 21st, 2012 - 07:11 GMT via SyndiGate.info

Throughout his political career, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has all too frequently been stung by the media. The same applied to his spiritual and political mentor, the late leader of the Felicity Party Necmettin Erbakan – and indeed all Islamists. But the current prime minister, ever since the era when he was responsible for the activities of the National Salvation Party in Istanbul – he would go on to become the city’s mayor in 1994 – has been the particular subject of media campaigns, targeting him personally as well as his party.

More:Turkish PM declares war on media critics | Al Bawaba

Friday, July 20, 2012

Turkish bank sale drags Citi's net down 12 percent

Turkish bank sale drags Citi's net down 12 percent
Posted: Jul 16, 2012 3:15 PM TDT Updated: Jul 17, 2012 1:26 AM TDT

By PALLAVI GOGOI
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - Citigroup's net income fell 12 percent in the second quarter partly due to a loss on the sale of its stake in a Turkish lender. The income of $2.9 billion was still better than analysts were expecting.
More:Turkish bank sale drags Citi's net down 12 percent