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Saturday, May 31, 2014

64-year old woman passes away after spending 159 days in coma due to police tear gas - CRIME

64-year old woman passes away after spending 159 days in coma due to police tear gas

İsmail Saymaz ISTANBUL / Radikal

Police tear gas has claimed another victim as a 64-year-old woman who was sent into a coma by police during a crackdown in Istanbul last December passed away May 30.

More:64-year old woman passes away after spending 159 days in coma due to police tear gas - CRIME

News.Az - Swedish FM Carl Bildt urges Turkey to revise Internet policies

Swedish FM Carl Bildt urges Turkey to revise Internet policies

Fri 30 May 2014 06:30 GMT | 9:30 Local Time

Revising Internet policies and continuing necessary economic and political reforms are in the interests of Turkey, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has suggested, stressing that the country’s only path forward is through Europe.

More:News.Az - Swedish FM Carl Bildt urges Turkey to revise Internet policies

Turkey's Erdogan Strong a Year After Gezi Park Protests - WSJ

A Year After Gezi Park Protests, Turkey's Erdogan Still Has Strong Grip on Power
Anger Hasn't Translated Into Broader Political Coalition

May 30, 2014 2:15 p.m. ET

Power-plant workers in Ankara protested privatization plans one day before the anniversary of demonstrations that rocked Turkey. Adem Altan/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

ISTANBUL—Gezi Park, the leafy Istanbul spot that emerged at the center of mass demonstrations here a year ago, remains a symbol of antigovernment defiance as the one-year anniversary arrives on Saturday.

More:Turkey's Erdogan Strong a Year After Gezi Park Protests - WSJ

Has ‘the West’ crossed out Erdoğan’s name? - MURAT YETKİN

Has ‘the West’ crossed out Erdoğan’s name?

This time a year ago, Turkey was experiencing its largest ever wave of civil protests, following the government’s strong reaction to protesters who did not want a shopping mall to be built over one of the last remaining green spots at the heart of Istanbul: Gezi Park in Taksim Square.

More:Has ‘the West’ crossed out Erdoğan’s name? - MURAT YETKİN

Turkish security forces fire teargas to remove Kurdish roadblocks | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Turkish security forces fire teargas to remove Kurdish roadblocks
Fri May 30, 2014 9:49am GMT

DIYARBAKIR May 30 (Reuters) - Turkish paramilitary forces fired teargas and water cannon on Friday to try to reopen a highway blocked for almost a week by militants in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, security sources said.

More:Turkish security forces fire teargas to remove Kurdish roadblocks | Energy & Oil | Reuters

AK Party to remove many provincial administrations ahead of elections

AK Party to remove many provincial administrations ahead of elections

May 30, 2014, Friday/ 12:54:02/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM / ISTANBUL

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is in preparations to remove administrations of over 10 provinces -- including Ankara and İzmir -- and dozens of districts, a move interpreted as an attempt to overhaul the party ahead of presidential elections that will be held in August, the Radikal daily reported on Friday.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Moving Image Art Fair's Next Move: Istanbul

Moving Image Art Fair’s Next Move: Istanbul
Benjamin Sutton, 6 a.m. EDT, Friday, May 30, 2014

Moving Image, the video- and film-centric art fair with editions in New York and London that was co-founded by Murat Orozobekov and Edward Winkleman, will expand to Istanbul this fall, with its first edition in the Turkish city due to take place concurrent with its marquee fair, ArtInternational, from September 25–28, at the Haliç Congress Center’s Kuleli Building. The new Istanbul expansion is due to take place just three weeks before Frieze London, when Moving Image London typically takes place.

More:Moving Image Art Fair's Next Move: Istanbul

VIDEO: Turkish social media debates Erdoğan's door-opening protocol - POLITICS

VIDEO: Turkish social media debates Erdoğan's door-opening protocol

İZMİR

An aide who routinely opens Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official car’s door was able to enjoy the luxury himself, as his own door was opened by another aide on May 29.

More:VIDEO: Turkish social media debates Erdoğan's door-opening protocol - POLITICS

Turkey shuts two coal mines after disaster | Agricultural Commodities | Reuters

Turkey shuts two coal mines after disaster
Thu May 29, 2014 10:16am GMT

ANKARA May 29 (Reuters) - Turkish workplace safety inspectors have halted operations in two coal mines near where 301 workers were killed in the country's worst industrial accident two weeks ago, the energy minister said on Thursday.

More:Turkey shuts two coal mines after disaster | Agricultural Commodities | Reuters

Will Europe wake up? - SEMİH İDİZ

Will Europe wake up?

Commenting on the results of the European Parliament elections in the Guardian on May 26, British historian Timothy Garton Ash concluded by declaring: “I have a dreadful feeling in my bones that future historians may write of the May 2014 elections: ‘This was the wake-up call from which Europe failed to wake up.’”

More:Will Europe wake up? - SEMİH İDİZ

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Galatasaray one win away from Turkish basketball league finals - BASKETBALL

Galatasaray one win away from Turkish basketball league finals

ISTANBUL

Defending Turkish men’s basketball league champion Galatasaray Liv Hospital is one win away from the finals, following its victory over Banvit on May 28.

More:Galatasaray one win away from Turkish basketball league finals - BASKETBALL

Turkish court ruling won't ruin relations with Israel - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish court ruling won't ruin relations with Israel

While there may be bitter criticism in the foreign media against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government, the reality is that the regional circumstances have enhanced the strategic need for Turkey. Despite the negative attitude of the media and civil society, the bar in relations with Ankara is getting higher.

More:Turkish court ruling won't ruin relations with Israel - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

PressTV - Turkey rules out refugee status for Syrian nationals

Turkey rules out refugee status for Syrian nationals
Fri May 30, 2014 1:59AM GMT

Senior authorities in Ankara have ruled out refugee status for Syrian nationals who are seeking shelter in Turkey.

More:PressTV - Turkey rules out refugee status for Syrian nationals

Hey! Erdoğan! Leave them kid(ding) alone! - EMRE DELİVELİ

Hey! Erdoğan! Leave them kid(ding) alone!

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” The Central Bank of Turkey’s Gov. Erdem Başçı found out the wisdom in this Bill Cosby quote the hard way this past week.

More:Hey! Erdoğan! Leave them kid(ding) alone! - EMRE DELİVELİ

Turkey’s Kurdish oil gamble - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s Kurdish oil gamble

Rather than assume regional leadership and help resolve the oil dispute between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has done just the opposite. Ankara’s sale of Kurdish crude without Baghdad’s authorization — with revenues to be deposited in a Turkish bank — may pressure Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, give Turkey access to cheap Kurdish crude and provide much-needed revenue to the KRG. Yet it has unleashed a legal and political backlash in Iraq. Erdogan’s goodwill gesture toward the Kurds has also deepened the polarization between Baghdad and Erbil without resolving the KRG’s current revenue crisis. The KRG remains in financial limbo, dependent upon both Ankara and Baghdad, and still in need of a grand bargain that can permit large-scale, risk-free exports through the northern corridor.

More:Turkey’s Kurdish oil gamble - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Minister urges water saving as Istanbul faces drought - LOCAL

Minister urges water saving as Istanbul faces drought

ISTANBUL
The water levels in Istanbul’s dams are lowest of the past decades with threatening the city with a water cuts in the summer. Waterworks minister calls on people to be careful using water at home

More:Minister urges water saving as Istanbul faces drought - LOCAL

Turkish court rejects YouTube ruling

Turkish court rejects YouTube ruling
Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY 2:29 p.m. EDT May 29, 2014

Turkey's highest court ruled Thursday that an ongoing block to YouTube's services in the country is a violation of rights — in particular a breach of the freedom of expression.

More:Turkish court rejects YouTube ruling

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Turkish PM calls for national rebirth | Vestnik Kavkaza

Turkish PM calls for national rebirth
27 May 2014 - 2:19pm

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it was time for a national and economic rebirth of the country. He reminded that there were countries that had gone through wars and had been reborn. Turkey, he said, was falling behind other countries, Trend reports.
Erdogan noted that terror and economic problems had always been a problem every time the country had tried to become a leader. Erdogan pointed out that foreign forces and political groups were undermining the country and attempting to cause conflict between Alawites and Sunnis.

More:Turkish PM calls for national rebirth | Vestnik Kavkaza

Erdoğan says Gülen Movement ‘preparing film’ about him and family - POLITICS

Erdoğan says Gülen Movement ‘preparing film’ about him and family

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has claimed that the movement of the U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen is “preparing a film” depicting him and his family, suggesting the possible leak of further videos ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in August.

More:Erdoğan says Gülen Movement ‘preparing film’ about him and family - POLITICS

Reports: PM aide who kicked miner not sacked

Reports: PM aide who kicked miner not sacked

An advisor to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yusuf Yerkel, who incurred an avalanche of criticism and public anger after he kicked a miner in Soma during Erdoğan's visit to the grieving town on May 15, following a disaster that claimed 301 lives at a Soma coal mine, allegedly has retained his position at the Prime Ministry despite earlier reports that the government sacked him to ease public outrage.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Assad's Staying Power Leaves Turkey Frustrated, Exposed

Assad's Staying Power Leaves Turkey Frustrated, Exposed

May 27, 2014 11:00 AM
ANKARA — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's certain victory in an election next month, derided internationally as a charade, leaves Turkey facing a bitter truth - its assumption of his quick demise was a costly miscalculation.

More:Assad's Staying Power Leaves Turkey Frustrated, Exposed

Thousands of Syrian Refugees Keep Pouring into Turkey | FINNBAY

Thousands of Syrian Refugees Keep Pouring into Turkey
28 May 2014

(FINNBAY-ANSAmed) – Ankara, 28 May 2014. More than 100,000 Syrians streamed into Turkey through its southeastern Cilvegozu border crossing with Syria in the first four months of this year, Anadolu Agency reports quoting officials as saying.

More:Thousands of Syrian Refugees Keep Pouring into Turkey | FINNBAY

A race in Ankara: Who will replace Erdoğan? - MURAT YETKİN

A race in Ankara: Who will replace Erdoğan?

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan has been criticizing the opposition parties for some time over their inability to announce their candidates for the first round of the presidential elections on Aug. 10.
Indeed, they have not announced them.

More:A race in Ankara: Who will replace Erdoğan? - MURAT YETKİN

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Sorry, but we won’t get the hell out! - BURAK BEKDİL

Sorry, but we won’t get the hell out!

We are experiencing days when understanding “Turkish politics” does not require help from political science only, but also from the field of psychiatrics. Despite eight election victories in 12 years with, most likely, a ninth on the way, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is full of hatred, anger, nervousness, unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
More:Sorry, but we won’t get the hell out! - BURAK BEKDİL

Lira Falls to Week Low as Erdogan Presses for Rate Cut - Businessweek

Lira Falls to Week Low as Erdogan Presses for Rate Cut
By Selcuk Gokoluk May 27, 2014

(Corrects attribution in fourth paragraph to she.)

The lira declined to a one-week low as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed ahead with calls for the central bank to cut interest rates further.

More:Lira Falls to Week Low as Erdogan Presses for Rate Cut - Businessweek

Turkey's Constitutional Court appeals give hope to thousands

Turkey's Constitutional Court appeals give hope to thousands

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

ANKARA - The right of individual applications to Turkey's Constitutional Court since 2012 has meant "hope" for almost 17,000 people including well-known figures, ranging from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Aziz Yildirim, the chairman of Fenerbahce Football Club.

More:Turkey's Constitutional Court appeals give hope to thousands

Clashes between PKK members and security forces end after two days in southeastern Turkey - LOCAL

Clashes between PKK members and security forces end after two days in southeastern Turkey

DİYARBAKIR

The clashes that had erupted between members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and security forces in southeastern province of Diyarbakır have ended after a two day skirmish.

More:Clashes between PKK members and security forces end after two days in southeastern Turkey - LOCAL

Turkey's PM Calls EU Elections A Sign Of Rising Racism

Turkey's PM Calls EU Elections A Sign Of Rising Racism
AP
Posted: 05/27/2014 8:29 am EDT Updated: 05/27/2014 8:59 am EDT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's prime minister says the European Parliament election results this week strongly indicate the threat of rising racism in Europe.

More:Turkey's PM Calls EU Elections A Sign Of Rising Racism

Erdoğan says gov't has ‘Plans B and C' if PKK does not release teens

Erdoğan says gov't has ‘Plans B and C' if PKK does not release teens

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks his party's weekly group meeting in Parliament on Tuesday. (Photo: Cihan)
May 27, 2014, Tuesday/ 16:31:09/ TODAY'S ZAMAN/ ANKARA

Breaking his weeks-long silence on the issue, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a warning against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), saying that if the terrorist group refuses to release kidnapped children, the government has plans to secure the release of these children.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

In Photos: Fear and Death Takes Over Istanbul's Okmeydani Neighborhood | VICE News

In Photos: Fear and Death Takes Over Istanbul's Okmeydani Neighborhood

By Barbaros Kayan
May 27, 2014 | 7:50 pm

This article originally appeared on VICE UK.

On May 22, 2014 protesters gathered in Istanbul's Okmeydani, a neighborhood with a large Alevi population, to rally support for the recent mine disaster in Soma and to demand justice for the death of Berkin Elvan — the 15-year-old who lost his life during the Gezi protests.

More:In Photos: Fear and Death Takes Over Istanbul's Okmeydani Neighborhood | VICE News

Ancient Anatolian sites abandoned to their fate - ARCHAEOLOGY

Ancient Anatolian sites abandoned to their fate

DİYARBAKIR – Doğan News Agency
Diyarbakır’s Hilar Inns and the Çayönü Hill are registered as first-degree archaeological sites but they are in danger of becoming no more than a rubbish dump after the departure of the area’s watchmen

More:Ancient Anatolian sites abandoned to their fate - ARCHAEOLOGY

Turkish PM Erdoğan says foreign hands still ‘pushing a button’ to stop Turkey’s rise - POLITICS

Turkish PM Erdoğan says foreign hands still ‘pushing a button’ to stop Turkey’s rise

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has marked the upcoming anniversary of the Gezi Park protests by slamming the massive demonstrations, while reiterating his previously voiced assertion that “dark hands abroad” are attempting to stop Turkey’s rise.

More:Turkish PM Erdoğan says foreign hands still ‘pushing a button’ to stop Turkey’s rise - POLITICS

Monday, May 26, 2014

Erdogan’s misguided Alevi strategy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan’s misguided Alevi strategy

The Sunni-Alevi rift, one of the multiple fault lines of Turkey, is simmering thanks to the increasingly sectarian discourse and politics of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. For decades, the Kurdish question used to be the most volatile issue in the Turkish political and societal agenda. But, for over a year a “peace process,” although imperfect and uncertain in how it will evolve, where it will lead and how it will end, has provided relative peace. There have been no coffins of “martyrs,” as the fallen security personnel are defined by state officials, or of the Kurdish fighters as named by their organization, the notorious Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The “peace process,” which bears the imprint of Erdogan more than anybody else, has evoked tremendous optimism for the country toward overcoming its seemingly most intractable problem.

More:Erdogan’s misguided Alevi strategy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

EP elections hurts Turkey's EU chances, disappoint Muslims in Europe

EP elections hurts Turkey's EU chances, disappoint Muslims in Europe

ANKARA -- The results of the European Parliament (EP) elections, which will be determinative in Europe's policy in the coming years, are expected to adversely affect not only Turkey's European Union accession process but also the situation of Muslim immigrants in European capitals as Euroskeptic and far-right parties have made strong gains in the elections, experts agree.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkish court seeks military arrests of Israelis over ship killings | Reuters

Turkish court seeks military arrests of Israelis over ship killings

ISTANBUL Mon May 26, 2014 9:45am EDT

(Reuters) - A Turkish court has issued arrest warrants on Monday for four former Israeli military commanders who are on trial in absentia over the 2010 killing of nine Turks on a Gaza-bound aid ship, Turkish media reports said.

More:Turkish court seeks military arrests of Israelis over ship killings | Reuters

Erdogan Says Basci’s Paltry Turk Interest Rate Cut Is a Joke - Bloomberg

Erdogan Says Basci’s Paltry Turk Interest Rate Cut Is a Joke
By Onur Ant and Selcan Hacaoglu May 26, 2014 4:36 PM GMT+0300

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the central bank’s decision to cut the key interest rate by a half percentage point last week is a joke and told policy makers to “shape up.”

More:Erdogan Says Basci’s Paltry Turk Interest Rate Cut Is a Joke - Bloomberg

Koç Group sweeps aside Turkish PM’s local car production push - BUSINESS

Koç Group sweeps aside Turkish PM’s local car production push

ISTANBUL

Ford Otosan Chairman Ali Koç has said his group does not intend to abandon its long-standing partnerships with global auto giants Ford and Fiat to create an indigenous brand, which has been urged by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

More:Koç Group sweeps aside Turkish PM’s local car production push - BUSINESS

Top court digging deeper into contested Ankara election - POLITICS

Top court digging deeper into contested Ankara election

ANKARA

The top court of Turkey has decided to dig deeper into an appeal by the main opposition party’s candidate for ordering a rerun of the contested mayoral race in the capital, as it has asked for additional documents concerning the complainant’s appeal.

More:Top court digging deeper into contested Ankara election - POLITICS

Police detain 15 in Istanbul raids, media say - Europe - Stripes

Police detain 15 in Istanbul raids, media say

The Associated Press
Published: May 26, 2014

ISTANBUL — Police have launched dawn raids on at least three Istanbul neighborhoods, including one that was the scene of violent anti-government protests last week, and detained at least 15 people, Turkish media reports say.

More:Police detain 15 in Istanbul raids, media say - Europe - Stripes

Ill Winds Blowing in Turkey

Ill Winds Blowing in Turkey

The forces pushing Israel to accept Turkish demands do not understand the nature of the changes in Turkey.

More:The Jewish Press » » Ill Winds Blowing in Turkey

267 injured in quake in northwestern Turkey

267 injured in quake in northwestern Turkey

Sunday, May 25, 2014

ISTANBUL – A 6.5-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey's northwest Aegean region Saturday at noon caused 267 injuries, one of them critical, according to Turkey's official emergency agency.

More:267 injured in quake in northwestern Turkey

Istanbul police detain 38 in dawn raid in tense Okmeydanı neighborhood - LOCAL

Istanbul police detain 38 in dawn raid in tense Okmeydanı neighborhood

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Some 38 people were detained by Istanbul police in a major operation early on May 26 centered on the flashpoint neighborhood of Okmeydanı, the scene of two deaths last week amid clashes between police and protesters.

More:Istanbul police detain 38 in dawn raid in tense Okmeydanı neighborhood - LOCAL

Turkish Bonds Rise on Report Erdogan Criticizes Bank Rate Policy - Businessweek

Turkish Bonds Rise on Report Erdogan Criticizes Bank Rate Policy
By Selcuk Gokoluk May 26, 2014

Turkish bonds rose as Sabah newspaper reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the central bank’s interest-rate policy, saying high borrowing costs are hurting the economy. The lira weakened for a second day.

More:Turkish Bonds Rise on Report Erdogan Criticizes Bank Rate Policy - Businessweek

Why Turkey wants journalists with ‘one eye closed’ | Toronto Star

Why Turkey wants journalists with ‘one eye closed’

Turkey is one of most restrictive countries in world to be a journalist. Many are detained in prisons, most charged with being terrorists.

More:Why Turkey wants journalists with ‘one eye closed’ | Toronto Star

'Winter Sleep': A wake-up call for Turkey's Erdogan? - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

'Winter Sleep': A wake-up call for Turkey's Erdogan?

Turkish film bags Palme d'Or award and Ankara's congratulations. But was it a metaphor for the country's social malaise?

More:'Winter Sleep': A wake-up call for Turkey's Erdogan? - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Quakes put Turkey's quake preparedness under spotlight

Quakes put Turkey's quake preparedness under spotlight

Saturday’s earthquake caused substantial damage to some old buildings on Gökçeada, which was near the epicenter of the magnitude 6.5 quake. (Photo: DHA)
May 25, 2014, Sunday/ 17:13:40/ TODAY'S ZAMAN/ ISTANBUL

Two smaller earthquakes off Turkey's Aegean coast on Sunday, coming on the heels of a magnitude 6.5 one on Saturday, have sparked panic among the populace while once again bringing attention to the country's preparedness for a quake.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkish director's triumph at Cannes feted back home - Film - Arts & Culture - Ahram Online

Turkish director's triumph at Cannes feted back home
AFP, Sunday 25 May 2014

Turkey on Sunday celebrated the Cannes film festival success of Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, with the media hailing him for dedicating his Palme d'Or to victims of his country's political strife.

More:Turkish director's triumph at Cannes feted back home - Film - Arts & Culture - Ahram Online

Erdoğan polarizes German-Turks, attacks German media,irritates Germans

Erdoğan polarizes German-Turks, attacks German media,irritates Germans

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Photo: DHA)
May 25, 2014, Sunday/ 18:03:13/ TODAY'S ZAMAN/ ANKARA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's appearance in Cologne on Saturday to address Turkish expatriates in a sports center with a capacity of 20,000 carried polarization in Turkey to German streets, while 40,000 Turks protested the Erdoğan government's policies freely, without police intervention.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkish minority party in Greece to contest EU polls

Turkish minority party in Greece to contest EU polls

Sunday, May 25, 2014

KOMOTINI, Greece - The Friendship, Equality and Peace Party, representing the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, Greece, will take part in Sunday’s European Parliament elections for the first time, contesting the polls with 38 candidates.

More:Turkish minority party in Greece to contest EU polls

United in anger at Erdogan | Germany | DW.DE | 25.05.2014

United in anger at Erdogan

Thousands of Erdogan opponents took to the streets of Cologne to protest against the Turkish prime minister's visit. They were demonstrating against his attitude to minorities and the mine tragedy in Soma.

More:United in anger at Erdogan | Germany | DW.DE | 25.05.2014

Sunday, May 25, 2014

The illusion of anti-Erdoganism - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The illusion of anti-Erdoganism

A prominent columnist from the Radikal daily, Murat Yetkin, penned a searing column titled “Soma is neither Gezi nor the graft probe, you know that, right?” Yetkin explained that the Soma mine disaster touched a different nerve in society and could not be blamed on a lobby. Several opposition pundits joined Yetkin to argue that the Soma disaster could easily escalate to bring the “end of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” that is, if his administration could be held accountable. One supporting argument opposition was that the Soma disaster harmed Erdogan’s public image so much that he had to delay the much-anticipated announcement about his presidential bid.

More:The illusion of anti-Erdoganism - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan’s dictator defense - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan’s dictator defense

Turkey's main opposition leader and his spokespersons accuse Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming dictatorial. Erdogan sees this as an unfair accusation and keeps saying he is not a dictator. In his defense he provides examples of what could happen to his critics if he were really a dictator.

More:Erdogan’s dictator defense - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s Alevis march against discrimination - RIGHTS

Turkey’s Alevis march against discrimination

ISTANBUL/ANKARA

Thousands of Alevis marched in rallies across Turkey on May 25, calling for an end to discrimination in the aftermath of two deaths in Istanbul.

More:Turkey’s Alevis march against discrimination - RIGHTS

Cologne revolts against Erdogan - Стандарт Нюз

Cologne revolts against Erdogan

Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the German city of Cologne. His visit has sparked much controversy, DW reports.

Some 40,000 people on Saturday protested in Cologne against Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party ahead of a planned speech by the Turkish premier to his conservative supporters.

More:Cologne revolts against Erdogan - Стандарт Нюз

LLEWELLYN KING: Turkey's future: secularism or Islam? - May 24, 2014

LLEWELLYN KING: Turkey's future: secularism or Islam?
on May 24, 2014 10:00 AM

ISTANBUL — The skyline of this most cosmopolitan of cities also tells the political narrative of Turkey and the strains that may decide its future. Minarets from a thousand mosques implore the skies in the name of Islam while multistory buildings proclaim the secular ascendancy that is the 20th-century heritage of this country.

More:LLEWELLYN KING: Turkey's future: secularism or Islam? - May 24, 2014

1ST LEAD Erdogan speech in Germany draws mass protests By Christoph Driessen, dpa | EUROPE ONLINE

1ST LEAD Erdogan speech in Germany draws mass protests By Christoph Driessen, dpa
Europe
25.05.2014
By our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online auf Facebook posten Auf Twitter posten
Cologne, Germany (dpa) - Tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan massed Saturday in Cologne, Germany, where the presidential prospect held a campaign-style rally with expatriate voters.

More:1ST LEAD Erdogan speech in Germany draws mass protests By Christoph Driessen, dpa | EUROPE ONLINE

Erdogan And The Bitter Lessons Of Modern Muslim Leadership

Erdogan And The Bitter Lessons Of Modern Muslim Leadership
Zafer Senocak* (2014-05-25)

BERLIN — There’s a cold civil war in Turkey. An event like the mining catastrophe and its 301 victims could have united the deeply split country, emotionally. But not even the grief of so many Turks could bring supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan together.

More:Erdogan And The Bitter Lessons Of Modern Muslim Leadership

Istanbul is a thriving metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia - NY Daily News

Istanbul is a thriving metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia

A number of new hotels have opened, the food and shopping scene is excellent, and the city as a whole is an exciting mix of history and modernism

More:Istanbul is a thriving metropolis that straddles Europe and Asia - NY Daily News

Turkey's Ceylan dedicates Cannes Palme d'Or to anti-Erdogan protesters - Cannes Film Festival 2014 - RFI

Turkey's Ceylan dedicates Cannes Palme d'Or to anti-Erdogan protesters

Turkish film director Nuri Bilge Ceylan dedicated his Palme d’Or to young people killed during anti-government protests in his country after his film Winter Sleep won the top honour at the Cannes Film Festival. Britain’s Timothy Spall won best actor prize, while Canadian Xavier Dolan and Franco-Swiss Jean-Luc Godard shared the Jury Prizes.

More:Turkey's Ceylan dedicates Cannes Palme d'Or to anti-Erdogan protesters - Cannes Film Festival 2014 - RFI

Christian Marclay's 'The Clock' brings filmic time to İstanbul

Christian Marclay's 'The Clock' brings filmic time to İstanbul

May 24, 2014, Saturday/ 16:30:00 / ISTANBUL

Christian Marclay's extensive work “The Clock,” in which he gathers thousands of scenes from film history, has met its audience in İstanbul at Salt Beyoğlu after traveling around the world for the last three years.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or - seattlepi.com

Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or
By JAKE COYLE and THOMAS ADAMSON, Associated Press
Updated 12:09 am, Sunday, May 25, 2014

CANNES, France (AP) — The richly ruminative Chekhovian drama "Winter Sleep" was awarded the Palme d'Or on Saturday, bestowing the Cannes Film Festival's top honor on an intimate, wintery epic set on Turkey's Anatolian steppe.

More:Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or - seattlepi.com

Turkey's Premier, in Germany, Assails Media - WSJ.com

Turkey's Premier, in Germany, Assails Media
Amid Increasing Tensions Between the Nations, Erdogan Criticizes Mine-Disaster Coverage
By
Todd Buell and
Joe Parkinson

May 24, 2014 4:40 p.m. ET

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lambasted the German media in a speech to around 15,000 supporters in western Germany on Saturday, crowning a week of mounting tension between the two countries.

More:Turkey's Premier, in Germany, Assails Media - WSJ.com

German Turks protest ahead of Erdogan speech - Channel NewsAsia

German Turks protest ahead of Erdogan speech

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan roused cheering supporters at a speech in Germany, the country with the most overseas Turks, shrugging off street protests there labelling him a "dictator".

More:German Turks protest ahead of Erdogan speech - Channel NewsAsia

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Molotov cocktails rock Ankara, Turkey, overnight — RT In motion

Molotov cocktails rock Ankara, Turkey, overnight

СOURTESY: RT's RUPTLY video agency, NO RE-UPLOAD, NO REUSE - FOR LICENSING, PLEASE, CONTACT http://ruptly.tv

Clashes between the Turkish police and protesters erupted on the campus of Ankara's Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) on Friday night. Students gathered to protest two deaths as a result of clashes in Istanbul, and police used teargas and water cannons to prevent them from going outside of the campus. Some protesters responded by throwing fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police.

More:Molotov cocktails rock Ankara, Turkey, overnight — RT In motion

Deep Purple arrives in Turkish Cyprus for concert - POLITICS

Deep Purple arrives in Turkish Cyprus for concert

Ömer Bilge NICOSIA

World-renowned rock band Deep Purple arrived in Turkish Cyprus May 24 for a concert to be held at the Near East University.

The band landed in Nicosia’s Ercan Airport in a British Airways plane rented for the trip in a rare occasion for the airport, which is closed to international flights.

More:Deep Purple arrives in Turkish Cyprus for concert - POLITICS

Aegean earthquake rattles western Turkey

Aegean earthquake rattles western Turkey

24 May 2014 | 14:15 | FOCUS News Agency
Aegean earthquake rattles western TurkeyPicture: AFP
Ankara. A powerful earthquake centered to the north of the Turkish Aegean island of Gökçeada has shaken areas around western Turkey at 12:25 p.m on May 24, Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has announced, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News reported.
The temblor measured 6.5, according to Istanbul's Kandilli Observatory, Turkey's main seismic monitoring institute, while a magnitude 5.3 aftershock shook the area six minutes after the earthquake.

More:Aegean earthquake rattles western Turkey

Turkish Dissident Journalist: “Erdogan Behaves Like a Sultan” | Foreign Policy Blogs

Turkish Dissident Journalist: “Erdogan Behaves Like a Sultan”

Turkey
by Rachel Avraham | on May 23rd, 2014 | 0 comments

Recently, over 300 Turkish citizens were killed after a mine exploded and caught on fire. In the wake of this disaster, there have been massive protests in Turkey calling upon Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to resign. They view him to be personally responsible for the disaster. As a result, Erdogan’s government has begun to clamp down more on dissent.

A Der Spiegel journalist received death threats and was forced to flee Turkey due to his critical coverage of the Soma disaster. A 15-year-old girl was punched in the face for referring to Erdogan as “her father’s murderer.” Another man was called “sperm of Israel” and hit personally by the Turkish Prime Minister. One of Erdogan’s advisers was caught on video kicking a demonstrator in the stomach. The police chased after protesters in the narrow streets of Dani, Istanbul, and Okmey. A man not connected to the protests was even shot and killed, the BBC reported.

More:Turkish Dissident Journalist: “Erdogan Behaves Like a Sultan” | Foreign Policy Blogs

Turkish PM's aide who kicked protester sacked: official | Reuters

Turkish PM's aide who kicked protester sacked: official

By Orhan Coskun

ANKARA Sat May 24, 2014 6:15am EDT

(Reuters) - An aide to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan who made front page news around the world after being filmed kicking a protester in the wake of Turkey's worst ever mining accident has been sacked, a government official said on Saturday.

More:Turkish PM's aide who kicked protester sacked: official | Reuters

Child murders traumatize Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Child murders traumatize Turkey

A series of child rapes and murders have rattled Turkey in recent months, sparking nationwide outrage and trauma. In the first four months of the year alone, 13 children perished as a result of violence or negligence. A government proposal to punish child abusers with up to 30 years in jail has failed to appease the public.

More:Child murders traumatize Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The illusion of anti-Erdoganism - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The illusion of anti-Erdoganism

A prominent columnist from the Radikal daily, Murat Yetkin, penned a searing column titled “Soma is neither Gezi nor the graft probe, you know that, right?” Yetkin explained that the Soma mine disaster touched a different nerve in society and could not be blamed on a lobby. Several opposition pundits joined Yetkin to argue that the Soma disaster could easily escalate to bring the “end of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” that is, if his administration could be held accountable. One supporting argument opposition was that the Soma disaster harmed Erdogan’s public image so much that he had to delay the much-anticipated announcement about his presidential bid.

More:The illusion of anti-Erdoganism - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

CANNES, France: Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or | Movie News & Reviews | The State

Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or

By JAKE COYLE and THOMAS ADAMSON

CANNES, France — The Chekhovian Turkish drama "Winter Sleep" was awarded the Palme d'Or Saturday at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival.

More:CANNES, France: Turkish drama 'Winter Sleep' wins Palme d'Or | Movie News & Reviews | The State

Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Erdoğan's new election strategy: Alevi-Sunni tension

It is no secret anymore that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan builds his election campaigns on social tensions. If he needs a little tension, he fans small fires along social fault lines; if he needs a lot of tension, he sets a big fire.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Europe and Erdogan: Falling Out of Love

Europe and Erdogan: Falling Out of Love
By Alexandra Di Stefano Pironti 9 hours ago

BARCELONA, Spain – The exchange of accusations between German and Turkish politicians before this week’s upcoming visit by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shows the disaffection between Europe and Ankara.

More:Europe and Erdogan: Falling Out of Love

Haydarpaşa Station like a museum of history - TRAVEL

Haydarpaşa Station like a museum of history

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency
A significant piece of cultural heritage for Turkey and a symbol of Istanbul, the Haydarpaşa Railway Station is like a museum of history with objects from the Ottoman era. It is now closed to long-distance trains

More:Haydarpaşa Station like a museum of history - TRAVEL

One more person dead from Istanbul clashes: Governor - LOCAL

One more person dead from Istanbul clashes: Governor

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet

A second person has died after the May 22 clashes in Istanbul, Gov. Hüseyin Avni Mutlu said today.

The second death comes after the killing of Uğur Kurt, who was shot dead by a stray bullet when police responded, allegeldy with live ammunition, against a group of protesters in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı neighborhood.

More:One more person dead from Istanbul clashes: Governor - LOCAL

Biden optimistic about Cyprus reunification | EurActiv

Biden optimistic about Cyprus reunification

US Vice President Joe Biden said yesterday rival leaders in divided Cyprus had agreed to speed up slow-moving peace talks to heal one of Europe's most intractable rifts.

More:Biden optimistic about Cyprus reunification | EurActiv

Erdogan Heads to Germany to Boost Presidential Bid

Erdogan Heads to Germany to Boost Presidential Bid

Dorian Jones

May 23, 2014 2:24 PM
ISTANBUL — Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is heading to Germany Saturday in hopes of boosting prospects for his widely expected presidential bid in upcoming elections.

More:Erdogan Heads to Germany to Boost Presidential Bid

Iraq files complaint against Turkey over Kurd oil exports - ENERGY

Iraq files complaint against Turkey over Kurd oil exports

BAGHDAD - Agence France Presse

Baghdad took legal action against Turkey May 23 after Ankara announced that oil from Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region was being exported to international markets, a move that could badly strain ties.

More:Iraq files complaint against Turkey over Kurd oil exports - ENERGY

Turkey: violence flares in Istanbul after two die | euronews, world news

Turkey: violence flares in Istanbul after two die

23/05 19:19 CET

Violent clashes have erupted for a second day in the Turkish city of Istanbul between police and protesters.

Riot officers once again used tear gas and fired live rounds into the air on Friday in the city’s troubled Okmeydani district to disperse demonstrators.

It comes a day after two people died of their injuries. One man was shot in the head while the other reportedly died of wounds caused by a fragmentation grenade.

More:Turkey: violence flares in Istanbul after two die | euronews, world news

Friday, May 23, 2014

Erdogan visit brings Turkey's divisions to streets of Cologne | Reuters

Erdogan visit brings Turkey's divisions to streets of Cologne

By Alexandra Hudson

BERLIN Fri May 23, 2014 7:34am EDT

Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer

(Reuters) - A visit by Tayyip Erdogan to Cologne on Saturday to address thousands of expatriate Turks threatens to bring Turkey's political tensions to German streets, despite an appeal by Chancellor Angela Merkel for him to adopt a sensitive tone.

More:Erdogan visit brings Turkey's divisions to streets of Cologne | Reuters

Column row sparks debate over Turkey's press censorship

Column row sparks debate over Turkey's press censorship
Like this article1
By Fulya Ozerkan (AFP)

A columnist for a Turkish newspaper has proved her own point all too well after a piece she wrote criticising Ankara's crackdown on press freedom was rejected by her editor.

More:Column row sparks debate over Turkey's press censorship

Trade Is an Engine of Growth for Turkey

Trade Is an Engine of Growth for Turkey

May 22, 2014

To reach the 2023 export goals the focus should be on productivity

ANKARA, May 23, 2014 - The World Bank today launched a new report, “Turkey Country Economic Memorandum: Trading up to High Income”, at a conference held in Ankara in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and the Undersecretariat of Treasury.

More:Trade Is an Engine of Growth for Turkey

Gezi anniversary reminder of Erdogan's nine lives - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Gezi anniversary reminder of Erdogan's nine lives

Turkey is bracing for the first anniversary of the demonstrations that started as a simple protest to save trees in Gezi Park, near Istanbul’s Taksim Square, and ended up convulsing the country after the government’s heavy-handedness toward the protesters.

More:Gezi anniversary reminder of Erdogan's nine lives - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Many Turkish hearts in Germany beat for Erdogan | Germany | DW.DE | 23.05.2014

Many Turkish hearts in Germany beat for Erdogan

Many Germans criticize Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of his visit to Cologne. But his supporters in the city are ready to cheer on the man they regard as a national hero.

More:Many Turkish hearts in Germany beat for Erdogan | Germany | DW.DE | 23.05.2014

S&P affirms its rating on Turkey - International | IOL Business | IOL.co.za

S&P affirms its rating on Turkey

May 23 2014 at 11:50am
By SAPA

Ankara - Standard and Poor's held its credit rating for Turkey on Friday at BB+, but warned of possible tensions ahead on financial markets, just a day after the central bank sprang a rate cut.

More:S&P affirms its rating on Turkey - International | IOL Business | IOL.co.za

Is There a Political Meaning to Turkey’s Mining Tragedy? - Carnegie Europe

Is There a Political Meaning to Turkey’s Mining Tragedy?
Posted by: Marc Pierini Friday, May 23, 2014 + Print Page

On May 13, the town of Soma in western Turkey was hit by a terrible mining accident that killed 301 miners. The days of official mourning are over, but the human grief and the political ripple effects will be felt for much longer. From a Western standpoint, there are observations to be made on Turkey’s mining safety record, on its privatization policies, and on the government’s handling of the tragedy.

More:Is There a Political Meaning to Turkey’s Mining Tragedy? - Carnegie Europe

Erdogan's Slap in the Face of All Turks | Elif Shafak

Erdogan's Slap in the Face of All Turks
Posted: 05/22/2014 3:54 pm EDT Updated: 05/22/2014 3:59 pm EDT

Christos Tsiolkas set his novel "The Slap" at a barbecue in suburban Melbourne. But a version of his story of patriarchal violence has been played out in the Turkish village of Soma, scene of the mining disaster last week that killed more than 300. The country is abuzz at suggestions that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the prime minister, followed a protester into a supermarket and slapped him. True or not, it is telling that not even Erdoğan's advocates find it implausible. There is a sense that, given his mercurial personality, such a thing could well have happened. In a video recorded on the same day, Erdoğan is heard warning: "If you boo this country's prime minister, you get a slap."

More:Erdogan's Slap in the Face of All Turks | Elif Shafak

Man shot by Turkish police during protest dies | EUROPE ONLINE

Man shot by Turkish police during protest dies
Europe
23.05.2014
By our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online auf Facebook posten Auf Twitter posten
Istanbul (dpa) - A man who was shot by Turkish police in a protest in Istanbul died in hospital overnight from head injuries, activists and officials said Friday.

The victim has been identified as Ugur Kurt, a 30-year-old father of one. He was apparently hit by a stray bullet.

More:Man shot by Turkish police during protest dies | EUROPE ONLINE

The Twitter affair of the ‘dictator’ - AKİF BEKİ

The Twitter affair of the ‘dictator’

Two months ago, German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel said, “Erdoğan closed down Twitter. Only a dictator could do this.”

Look, here is what Twitter alone can do: Der Spiegel withdrew its Turkey correspondent Hasnain Kazim to Hamburg. The reason is a threat to safety.

More:The Twitter affair of the ‘dictator’ - AKİF BEKİ

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Guerilla photo exhibition in Istanbul streets ahead of Gezi Park protests’ anniversary - ARTS

Guerilla photo exhibition in Istanbul streets ahead of Gezi Park protests’ anniversary

ANKARA

Over the next few days, Istanbul residents will find themselves randomly coming across photographs taken during last year’s Gezi Park protests: On the façade of abandoned houses, on the walls of ATMs, and even at the top of street signs.

More:Guerilla photo exhibition in Istanbul streets ahead of Gezi Park protests’ anniversary - ARTS

Turkey mine disaster gas masks ‘were 15 years past expiry date’ - FT.com

Turkey mine disaster gas masks ‘were 15 years past expiry date’

By Daniel Dombey and Piotr Zalewski in IstanbulAuthor alerts
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the scene after a coal mine explosion in Soma, Manisa, Turkey on May 14 2014©AP

Gas masks used in the Turkish coal mine where a fire last week claimed the lives of 301 miners were more than 15 years past their expiry date, media in the country have reported, as both the mining company and the country’s government struggle with the disaster’s aftermath

More:Turkey mine disaster gas masks ‘were 15 years past expiry date’ - FT.com

Turkish PM, main opposition leader engage in ‘dictator’ joust - POLITICS

Turkish PM, main opposition leader engage in ‘dictator’ joust

ANKARA

An exchange of epithets between Turkey’s prime minister and the main opposition leader created more than just a heated debate yesterday when the pair addressed a grand gathering of representatives of Turkey’s private sector and entrepreneurs.

More:Turkish PM, main opposition leader engage in ‘dictator’ joust - POLITICS

Cargill buys Turkish cooking oil firm Turyag | Reuters

Cargill buys Turkish cooking oil firm Turyag

ISTANBUL Thu May 22, 2014 1:22am EDT

May 22 (Reuters) - U.S. agribusiness Cargill Inc bought a Turkish liquid oil and margarine firm Turyag, Cargill Turkey chief Murat Tarakcioglu told reporters late on Wednesday.

More:Cargill buys Turkish cooking oil firm Turyag | Reuters

A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux – The Express Tribune

A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux
By Hilary Stauffer

Next week will mark the one-year anniversary of the Taksim Square protests in Turkey. Demonstrators were originally upset over plans to further urbanise one of Istanbul’s cherished green spaces, but as with other protests that have swept through the Muslim world since 2011, the initial spark soon transformed into a wider referendum on middle-class dissatisfaction with their government.

More:A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux – The Express Tribune

Ford Otosan opens new factory in Turkey - BUSINESS

Ford Otosan opens new factory in Turkey

The inauguration of Ford Otosan’s $670-million Yeniköy plant in the northwestern province of Kocaeli has been marked with a fanfare ceremony attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ford Chairman Bill Ford.

More:Ford Otosan opens new factory in Turkey - BUSINESS

Gay rights activist sued by PM fined for using word ‘queer’ in tweet - RIGHTS

Gay rights activist sued by PM fined for using word ‘queer’ in tweet

Ayşegül Usta HÜRRİYET / ISTANBUL

A gay rights activist was fined 1,500 Turkish Liras by a court on May 22 for using the word “queer” in a tweet, responding to a statement last July by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that he was “a perfect Alevi.”

More:Gay rights activist sued by PM fined for using word ‘queer’ in tweet - RIGHTS

Turkish police clash with Istanbul protesters, one seriously injured: Media - Region - World - Ahram Online

Turkish police clash with Istanbul protesters, one seriously injured: Media
AFP , Thursday 22 May 2014

Turkish riot police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse a group of protesters hurling Molotov coctails and stones, seriosly injuring one person, local media reported.

More:Turkish police clash with Istanbul protesters, one seriously injured: Media - Region - World - Ahram Online

UPDATE 2-Turkey surprises with rate cut weeks after Erdogan's call | Reuters

UPDATE 2-Turkey surprises with rate cut weeks after Erdogan's call

Thu May 22, 2014 7:07pm IST

By Seda Sezer

ISTANBUL, May 22 (Reuters) - Turkey's central bank surprised markets with its first rate cut in a year on Thursday, weeks after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called for rates to fall - reviving questions about political pressure on the bank.

More:UPDATE 2-Turkey surprises with rate cut weeks after Erdogan's call | Reuters

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Anti-Semitism is a perversion - MURAT YETKİN

Anti-Semitism is a perversion

Guess who said that strong sentence in the title.

It is Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan. The date is not too old; it was June 10, 2005. It was at a ceremony organized by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in New York where ADL Chairman Abraham Fox presented a “Courage” award to Erdoğan for a “Better future for our children.” In his speech, Fox said Turkey, “which was established by the great Kemal Atatürk,” had been setting a unique model for Muslim countries with its “secular system.”

More:Anti-Semitism is a perversion - MURAT YETKİN

Crack in Istanbul’s intercontinental metro construction causes concern - LOCAL

Crack in Istanbul’s intercontinental metro construction causes concern

Burcu PURTUL UÇAR ISTANBUL

A long, deep crack emerged in the ground during the ongoing construction of the Marmaray, the metro line that connects Istanbul’s Asian and European sides, has caused concern, locals say.

More:Crack in Istanbul’s intercontinental metro construction causes concern - LOCAL

'Bullet blinded student' in Turkey's May Day protests

'Bullet blinded student' in Turkey's May Day protests

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

ANKARA - A high school student who was left blind in one eye after a May Day police crackdown in Ankara has given a statement to prosecutors amid claims he was blinded by a rubber bullet.

More:'Bullet blinded student' in Turkey's May Day protests

Juncker and Schulz say 'no' to Turkey in last TV duel | EurActiv

Juncker and Schulz say 'no' to Turkey in last TV duel

In their final debate on German television ahead of the EU elections, the two leading candidates for the European Commission promised that Turkey would not join the club under their watch. EurActiv Germany reports.

More:Juncker and Schulz say 'no' to Turkey in last TV duel | EurActiv

Turkey says Twitter to be sensitive on court orders, to set up live support: official | Reuters

Turkey says Twitter to be sensitive on court orders, to set up live support: official

By Orhan Coskun

ISTANBUL Wed May 21, 2014 2:24pm EDT

(Reuters) - Twitter will be more sensitive in responding to Turkish court orders calling for content to be removed from the site, and will open a live customer support service in Turkish to address complaints, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

More:Turkey says Twitter to be sensitive on court orders, to set up live support: official | Reuters

Cyprus leaders to meet

Cyprus leaders to meet
21 May 2014 07:47

NICOSIA – President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will meet on Monday, June 2, to push ahead with UN-brokered Cyprus peace talks, it was announced on Tuesday.

More:Cyprus leaders to meet

S&P expected to raise Turkish credit rating - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

S&P expected to raise Turkish credit rating

The Turkish economy grew 8.5% in 2011, the highest growth rate in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the second-highest after China in the G-20 group of industrialized nations. The government expected a rating upgrade. But in a move that shocked Ankara, S&P downgraded Turkey’s outlook from “positive” to “stable” on May 1, 2012. Government officials responded in the harshest terms, scrambling to punish S&P.

More:S&P expected to raise Turkish credit rating - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Airport upgrade to boost Turkish tourism trade | ConstructionWeekOnline.com

Airport upgrade to boost Turkish tourism trade
by Gavin Gibbon on May 21, 2014

Foreign interest along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline is expected to surge in the next 12 months, thanks to plans to increase capacity and infrastructure at Gazipasa Airport, according to property agency Spot Blue International Property, adding that the airport was in talks with carriers about new routes from the UK.

More:Airport upgrade to boost Turkish tourism trade | ConstructionWeekOnline.com

Turkish groups react to 'biased' German press coverage

Turkish groups react to 'biased' German press coverage

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

BERLIN – Leading representatives of Turkish civil societies in Germany have reacted to German media coverage criticizing Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's handling of the Soma mine disaster.

More:Turkish groups react to 'biased' German press coverage

A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux – The Express Tribune

A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux
By Hilary Stauffer
Published: May 22, 2014

The writer is an international lawyer who has worked on human rights and humanitarian law projects in the US, Europe, Asia and Africa

Next week will mark the one-year anniversary of the Taksim Square protests in Turkey. Demonstrators were originally upset over plans to further urbanise one of Istanbul’s cherished green spaces, but as with other protests that have swept through the Muslim world since 2011, the initial spark soon transformed into a wider referendum on middle-class dissatisfaction with their government.

More:A year after Taksim, Turkey is in flux – The Express Tribune

Police to break the bank for new generation of TOMAs - LOCAL

Police to break the bank for new generation of TOMAs

ANKARA / Hürriyet

The Turkish Police Department is set to buy 25 new water cannon trucks, known as TOMAs by the public, in an expensive deal for a new generation of the anti-riot police vehicles that have become a mundane part of everyday life for protesters.

More:Police to break the bank for new generation of TOMAs - LOCAL

Trial resumes for first Gezi victim at Istanbul courthouse - LOCAL

Trial resumes for first Gezi victim at Istanbul courthouse

ISTANBUL

The two leading suspects in the killing of last summer’s first Gezi Park victim, Mehmet Ayvalıtaş, again failed to appear in an Istanbul court early May 21 for the third hearing into the ongoing case.

More:Trial resumes for first Gezi victim at Istanbul courthouse - LOCAL

US rejects ‘use of unprovoked violence’ against Soma protesters

US rejects ‘use of unprovoked violence’ against Soma protesters

Jen Psaki (Photo: Cihan, İhsan Denli)
May 20, 2014, Tuesday/ 02:44:28/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM / ANKARA

US Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki has said that the US rejects the “apparent use of unprovoked violence” against demonstrators in Soma following the catastrophic mining accident which claimed 301 lives on May 13 and subsequent video footage showing violence against demonstrators, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan punching a citizen.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkish lira slips; Treasury to hold 3 auctions

Turkish lira slips; Treasury to hold 3 auctions
Tuesday, 20 May 2014 17:01
Posted by Imaduddin

ISTANBUL: Turkey's lira weakened on Tuesday as some traders positioned for the outside chance of an interest rate cut at a central bank meeting on Thursday, although the market consensus was still for no change in rates.

More:Turkish lira slips; Treasury to hold 3 auctions

Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally - WSJ.com

Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally
Warning from Merkel Points to Deteriorating Relations Between Turkey and Europe
By
Harriet Torry
connect
May 19, 2014 4:14 p.m. ET

BERLIN—The German government urged the Turkish prime minister to watch his words at a coming rally in Cologne, underlining the deteriorating relations between Turkey and its European Union neighbors.

More:Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally - WSJ.com

Erdogan's slap in the face of all Turks | Elif Shafak | Comment is free | The Guardian

Erdogan's slap in the face of all Turks

Don't expect the prime minister's aggression in Soma to shake the Turkish government. We grow up excusing the unprovoked blows of men in authority

More:Erdogan's slap in the face of all Turks | Elif Shafak | Comment is free | The Guardian

Alarm Over Istanbul’s Building Boom - NYTimes.com

Alarm Over Istanbul’s Building Boom

ISTANBUL — “We are invading Istanbul again,” the real estate agent said
enthusiastically as she ticked off the selling points of Turkey’s most
ambitious development extravaganza to date Maslak 1453.

More:Alarm Over Istanbul’s Building Boom - NYTimes.com

Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek: Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU

Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek: Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU
Print version
May 20, 2014, 1:43 p.m. | Op-ed — by Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek

“Turkey and Ukraine are both large, strategically important Black Sea states located in the EU's immediate neighbourhood. Despite the fact that they have little in common in terms of democratic culture, level of economic development and regional influence, they are united by the fact that the EU has an important role to play in supporting the democratisation and modernisation processes of both states.

More:Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek: Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

‘Ziazan' wins two awards at short film showcase in Cannes

‘Ziazan' wins two awards at short film showcase in Cannes

May 20, 2014, Tuesday/ 16:48:18/ TODAY'S ZAMAN/ ISTANBUL

Turkish actress Derya Durmaz's short film “Ziazan” received two awards from the short film showcase Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes, grabbing the jury's choice and audience prizes.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Der Spiegel withdraws reporter after death threats over Soma disaster story - RIGHTS

Der Spiegel withdraws reporter after death threats over Soma disaster story

ISTANBUL

Der Spiegel magazine has withdrawn its reporter from Turkey, Hasnain Kazim, after he received death threats over a report in the wake of the Soma disaster last week, German media reported May 20.

More:Der Spiegel withdraws reporter after death threats over Soma disaster story - RIGHTS

Erdogan in pledge over mine tragedy - Independent.ie

Erdogan in pledge over mine tragedy

Updated 20 May 2014 08:12 PM
Turkey's prime minister has pledged not to allow anyone responsible for the country's worst mine disaster to go unpunished, and promised improved supervision of the industry.

More:Erdogan in pledge over mine tragedy - Independent.ie

Opinion: The divider from Turkey | Germany | DW.DE | 20.05.2014

Opinion: The divider from Turkey

Criticism surrounding the Turkish prime minister's planned appearance in Germany has been hefty - and rightly so. The event will be damaging to integration and only in Erdogan's interest, writes DW's Christoph Strack.

More:Opinion: The divider from Turkey | Germany | DW.DE | 20.05.2014

Erdogan's next move and the future of the AKP - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Erdogan's next move and the future of the AKP
AKP will retain power in Turkey only if it consolidates its party institutions and expands its constituency.
Last updated: 20 May 2014 12:25

Turkey is set to have its first popularly elected president in August. On the governing side of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), all signs point to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the party's candidate for the presidential race. On the opposition side, no name has so far emerged as a potential candidate to challenge him in the contest.

More:Erdogan's next move and the future of the AKP - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Germany's MAN moves bus production to Turkey | Reuters

Germany's MAN moves bus production to Turkey

Tue May 20, 2014 4:52pm IST

BERLIN, May 20 (Reuters) - German truckmaker MAN SE will shut its sole bus factory in its home market and shift production to lower-wage Turkey, responding to poor demand in core European markets.

More:Germany's MAN moves bus production to Turkey | Reuters

There is anxiety in Ankara

There is anxiety in Ankara
By Marielena Montesino de Stuart

The Turks are working their worry beads...

There is a reason Turkey is very nervous these days, particularly when it comes to Crimea.

When Turks think of Crimea they think of the Crimean Khanate, a Turkish-Mongol basal state under the Ottoman Empire, until 1783 – when Catherine the Great annexed the region.

More:There is anxiety in Ankara

Liberia: Turkey Donates 20 Buses, 2 Trucks to Liberia (Page 1 of 2)

Liberia: Turkey Donates 20 Buses, 2 Trucks to Liberia
19 May 2014

Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan at the head of a six-man Liberian delegation has concluded a weeklong visit to Turkey with the donation of twenty (20) buses to the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) by the City of Istanbul, Turkey.

More:allAfrica.com: Liberia: Turkey Donates 20 Buses, 2 Trucks to Liberia (Page 1 of 2)

Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU | EurActiv

Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU

While in the case of Ukraine recent developments seem to have invigorated the EU's approach to a certain degree, in the case of Turkey it remains unclear how the EU is planning to move forward, write Amanda Paul and Demir Murat Seyrek.

More:Why Turkey and Ukraine need the EU | EurActiv

Turkey’s Preventable Tragedy - NYTimes.com

Turkey’s Preventable Tragedy

MANISA, Turkey — On the morning of May 13, Turkey finally woke up from
its deep slumber on workplace safety — but at the cost of 301 lives. The
subterranean fire last week at the Soma coal mine in western Turkey was
the worst mining disaster in the country’s history. Hundreds of
hardworking men in the district I represent are dead. And sadly, their
deaths could have been prevented.

More:Turkey’s Preventable Tragedy - NYTimes.com

Turkish PM’s aide granted sick leave for ‘trauma’ after kicking mine tragedy mourner — RT News

Turkish PM’s aide granted sick leave for ‘trauma’ after kicking mine tragedy mourner
Published time: May 20, 2014 07:32
Edited time: May 20, 2014 08:21

A top aide to the Turkish PM, Ysuf Yerkel, has been given a week’s sick leave for “leg trauma” he sustained after kicking a mourner following Turkey’s worst mining disaster in history.

More:Turkish PM’s aide granted sick leave for ‘trauma’ after kicking mine tragedy mourner — RT News

Turkish mine company CEO, manager arrested | Mail Online

Turkish mine company CEO, manager arrested

By Associated Press

Published: 08:19 GMT, 20 May 2014 | Updated: 08:20 GMT, 20 May 2014

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's state-run news agency says a court has arrested three more people over Turkey's worst mining disaster, raising the number of suspects facing charges of negligent death to eight.

More:Turkish mine company CEO, manager arrested | Mail Online

Turkey is pressing to be included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Turkey is pressing to be included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

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Balkans News - 19.05.2014

Turkey would find it very hard to continue in a customs union with Europe if the country is excluded from a free trade deal with the United States, but quitting the union is not an option, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said May 15.

More:Turkey is pressing to be included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Turkey shuts Benghazi consulate due to security threat | Reuters

Turkey shuts Benghazi consulate due to security threat

ANKARA Mon May 19, 2014 10:46am EDT

(Reuters) - Turkey temporarily closed its consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Monday, a spokesman said, because of a threat of an attack after scores of people were killed in clashes between a renegade general and Islamist militias.

More:Turkey shuts Benghazi consulate due to security threat | Reuters

Garvan Walshe: The mining disaster that may end Erdogan’s presidential ambitions | Conservative Home

Garvan Walshe: The mining disaster that may end Erdogan’s presidential ambitions

By Garvan Walshe

Last updated: May 20, 2014 at 8:38 am

Tuesday week will mark a year since police first tried to clear Istanbul’s Gezi Park, sparking enormous protests. Turkey was bracing itself for a new round of riots. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s Prime Minister, had looked set to overcome the disturbance. The protesters – though drawing in more than the hippies and leftists he had originally dismissed them as – were, like opponents of the Vietnam war in America, very much a privileged minority.

More:Garvan Walshe: The mining disaster that may end Erdogan’s presidential ambitions | Conservative Home

Fake cancer drugs seized in police raids | Nation | Daily Sabah

FAKE CANCER DRUGS SEIZED IN POLICE RAIDS

Daily Sabah
Published : 20.05.2014 00:08:49

Fake cancer drugs seized in police raids
ISTANBUL — After a two-year operation, Turkish police have arrested two dozen people accused of running a gang that markets fake and expired cancer drugs.

The investigation was launched when a nurse in Istanbul noticed a cancer drug she administered was fake. Two years the operation would appear to be completed.

More:Fake cancer drugs seized in police raids | Nation | Daily Sabah

Turkey and Israel, partners in muffling freedom of the press - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Turkey and Israel, partners in muffling freedom of the press

U.S.-based Freedom House, which is led by a Jewish neoconservative, has downgraded both countries. It’s complicated.

More:Turkey and Israel, partners in muffling freedom of the press - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

The European Union: “No, thank you, for the time being” - CONTRIBUTOR

The European Union: “No, thank you, for the time being”

MEHMET ÖĞÜTÇÜ

As a former Turkish diplomat, who worked tirelessly for his country to join the European Union (EU) at some point, I do not take pleasure in saying that this ambitious federal project is not going anywhere and that, after all, it may not be worth becoming a member in the foreseeable future of this exclusive club, once viewed as a golden prize for candidate countries.

More:The European Union: “No, thank you, for the time being” - CONTRIBUTOR

Turkey bids farewell to ‘cheap’ gas - ECONOMICS

Turkey bids farewell to ‘cheap’ gas

ANKARA
A two-month period allowed by the energy watchdog to impose a ceiling on the gasoline and diesel prices in Turkey comes to an end tomorrow, with some analysts expressing concern over the potential volatility over regional and domestic political tension

More:Turkey bids farewell to ‘cheap’ gas - ECONOMICS

Friedman: The Square people, Part 2 - Houston Chronicle

The Square people, Part 2

...Ditto in Turkey. A spontaneous movement emerged to resist Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attempt to install a mall in the only green space near Istanbul's central Taksim Square, but it quickly mushroomed into protests against his autocratic rule. Erdogan went berserk. He had created a two-party universe that included only himself and the official Turkish opposition parties and TV stations, which he had totally cowed, tamed and neutered. So Turkey's Square People created a new opposition, and, through Twitter and YouTube, their own TV network.

But Erdogan has managed to outmaneuver his Square People with repeated election victories. How? A report in Forbes.com Friday gives one answer. Most of Erdogan's largely rural voting base is not on YouTube or Twitter. "Television news channels show only the damage and virulence of protest, a selection of images that ultimately give the impression of anarchy loosed upon the country by rabid troublemakers."

More:Friedman: The Square people, Part 2 - Houston Chronicle

Monday, May 19, 2014

Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally - WSJ.com

Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally
Warning from Merkel Points to Deteriorating Relations Between Turkey and Europe
By
Harriet Torry
connect
May 19, 2014 4:14 p.m. ET

BERLIN—The German government urged the Turkish prime minister to watch his words at a coming rally in Cologne, underlining the deteriorating relations between Turkey and its European Union neighbors.

More:Berlin Urges Erdogan to Show Restraint at German Rally - WSJ.com

See Morrissey's Spoken-Word Reading of New Track 'Istanbul' - Premiere | Music News | Rolling Stone

See Morrissey's Spoken-Word Reading of New Track 'Istanbul' - Premiere

Ex-Smith unleashes new teaser for July album 'World Peace Is None of Your Business'

More:See Morrissey's Spoken-Word Reading of New Track 'Istanbul' - Premiere | Music News | Rolling Stone

Report: high levels of gas ignored at Turkish mine - The Grand Island Independent: World

Report: high levels of gas ignored at Turkish mine

Posted: Monday, May 19, 2014 4:16 am | Updated: 6:08 am, Mon May 19, 2014.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish news reports say sensors pointed to high levels of toxic gas inside a coal mine days before Turkey's worst mining disaster, but company officials took no action.

More:Report: high levels of gas ignored at Turkish mine - The Grand Island Independent: World

Mining Disaster Becomes Political Fiasco after Erdogan, Advisor Seen Attacking Mourner-Protesters | The Tower

Mining Disaster Becomes Political Fiasco after Erdogan, Advisor Seen Attacking Mourner-Protesters

by Omri Ceren | 05.19.14 6:01 pm

A CNN report filed from Turkey on Friday described behavior by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) as part of “perhaps the strangest crisis management the world has ever seen,” as photos and video emerged of Erdogan and one of his top advisors beating mourner-protesters in the town of Soma, which this week suffered the worst mining accident in the country’s history. Government officials have acknowledged that the death toll from the tragedy is now expected to reach at least 300, and controversy over the AKP’s response has steadily deepened since it occurred.

More:Mining Disaster Becomes Political Fiasco after Erdogan, Advisor Seen Attacking Mourner-Protesters | The Tower

Turkish Media: Police Detonate Package Near US Embassy

Turkish Media: Police Detonate Package Near US Embassy

May 19, 2014 1:10 PM
ANKARA — Turkish police detonated a suspicious package near the U.S. Embassy in Ankara on Monday, according to local media.

More:Turkish Media: Police Detonate Package Near US Embassy

PM Erdoğan holds unscheduled summit with inner Cabinet - POLITICS

PM Erdoğan holds unscheduled summit with inner Cabinet

ANKARA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gathered top-level members of Cabinet on May 19 for an unscheduled meeting.

In addition to last week’s coal mine disaster in the western town of Soma that killed 301 miners, security on the border with Syria and the long-stalled peace process with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) were also reportedly on the agenda. The peace process refers the government-led initiative to end the long-running Kurdish issue by ending the three-decade-old conflict between security forces and the PKK.
More:PM Erdoğan holds unscheduled summit with inner Cabinet - POLITICS

Only 18 Members Remain in 2,300-Year-Old Turkish Jewish Community Following Political, Economic Turmoil | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

Only 18 Members Remain in 2,300-Year-Old Turkish Jewish Community Following Political, Economic Turmoil
May 19, 2014 6:55 am 0 comments

The once thriving Jewish community of Antakya, Turkey has now dwindled to just 18 members as many locals have fled to escape unrest and violence in the area, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.

More:Only 18 Members Remain in 2,300-Year-Old Turkish Jewish Community Following Political, Economic Turmoil | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

In mining tragedy, Erdogan doesn't learn from past mistakes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

In mining tragedy, Erdogan doesn't learn from past mistakes

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government’s reaction to criticisms in the wake of the Soma mine disaster has shown that he has not learned anything from the disastrous attempt at crisis management during the Gezi Park protests of a year ago. Again, the government’s response appears to be harsh, slow, unsympathetic, detached and prone to disastrous mistakes.

More:In mining tragedy, Erdogan doesn't learn from past mistakes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s Erdogan problem - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s Erdogan problem

The March 30 local elections in Turkey were not really local elections but a de facto referendum on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ability to govern the country. The outcome came as “a kiss of life” for Erdogan, whose legitimacy had been in a downward spiral since May 2013 when his authoritarian attitudes fanned the Gezi Park revolt. His legitimacy took a further blow with the massive corruption probe in December, which came coupled with a slew of wiretaps leaked on the Internet that exposed the government’s dirty affairs.

More:Turkey’s Erdogan problem - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Springtime with Antep's Top (Home) Chef | Culinary Backstreets

CB on the Road: Springtime with Antep's Top (Home) Chef
May 19, 2014, by Istanbul Eats, Comments 0

The cuisine of Antep deserves every bit of the praise it receives. In the southeastern city known as the gastronomic temple of Turkey, the world’s most refined kebab traditions are obsessively guarded by a cadre of traditional usta in the local grilling institutions. Baklava workshops are steeped in an odd mixture of science and voodoo that would titillate Willy Wonka himself. But coming down from a grilled meat and sweets binge, the body wants dolma, pilav, börek and çorba – the homestyle food that is strangely absent in Antep’s restaurants.

More:Springtime with Antep's Top (Home) Chef | Culinary Backstreets

Erdogan fracas shows Turkey's growing polarisation - The Rakyat Post - The Rakyat Post

Erdogan fracas shows Turkey’s growing polarisation

ISTANBUL, May 19:

Flanked by half a dozen body guards, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan turns towards a crowd baying for his resignation in a mining town still shocked and grieving after the country’s worst industrial disaster.

More:Erdogan fracas shows Turkey's growing polarisation - The Rakyat Post - The Rakyat Post

Ozymandias in Turkey

Ozymandias in Turkey

Published on Monday, 19 May 2014 06:20
Written by Robert Ellis

The big question in Turkey at the moment is whether Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will run for president in August. There is every indication he will. At a meeting of the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK), it was decided to maintain the party's rule that a deputy should serve for a maximum of three terms, which rules out the prime minister's leadership after the 2015 elections. Unless Erdoğan intends to twiddle his thumbs, which is unlikely, his only option is take over from President Abdullah Gül. Provided he is elected.

More:Ozymandias in Turkey

Two more charged as Turkey promises action plan over mine disaster - thenews.com.pk

Two more charged as Turkey promises action plan over mine disaster

By AFP

May 19, 2014 - Updated 1555 PKT

ANKARA: Two more officials in Turkey have been charged with manslaughter as the government promised "a plan of action" to improve mining safety after the country´s worst mining disaster claimed 301 lives, a spokesman said Monday. A total of five officials from mining company Soma Komur have now been charged with manslaughter, news agency Dogan reported, with more due before prosecutors on Monday.

More:Two more charged as Turkey promises action plan over mine disaster - thenews.com.pk

Erdogan and Gulen: Inevitable Clash? - Middle East - Politics - OnIslam.net

Erdogan and Gulen: Inevitable Clash?

By Noha Khaled
Sunday, 18 May 2014 00:00

Unlike classical Islamists, Gulen distanced himself from politics, and focused on grassroots social activism, most importantly education (Reuters)

It would not be an exaggeration if we stated that Turkey’s Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) reign in power is the most important political experiment in the post-Ottoman Muslim World. As well, the Turkish reformist “Hizmet” movement, with its successes and expansion locally and globally, can be said to be one of the most important civic movements in contemporary Muslim history.

More:Erdogan and Gulen: Inevitable Clash? - Middle East - Politics - OnIslam.net

Turkey, 95 years ago today - MURAT YETKİN

Turkey, 95 years ago today

Ninety-five years ago today a group of young officers of the defeated Ottoman army set out for the Black Sea port of Samsun, in a three-day voyage from Istanbul under the intimidation of British, French and Greek warships.

More:Turkey, 95 years ago today - MURAT YETKİN

BBC Turkey mistakes women's identities in Soma blunder | Politics | Daily Sabah

BBC TURKEY MISTAKES WOMEN'S IDENTITIES IN SOMA BLUNDER

Tevhid Nazmi Baştürk
Updated : 19.05.2014 10:22:33
Published : 19.05.2014 01:50:09

BBC Turkey mistakes women's identities in Soma blunder
ISTANBUL — During its coverage of the Soma mining accident, BBC Turkey ran a story by correspondent Rengin Arslan which has since sparked controversy across the country after two interviewees apparently misrepresented their identities.The article, said to cite the views of two miner's wives expressing their anger toward the AK Party government, was accompanied by a video of the two on scene at the Soma mine. The video shows them angrily stating that the incident was solely the responsibility of the ruling AK Party government and that the political party was using force to gain votes in Manisa province's town of Soma.

More:BBC Turkey mistakes women's identities in Soma blunder | Politics | Daily Sabah

Turkish tourism to Morocco nearly doubles - eTurboNews.com

Turkish tourism to Morocco nearly doubles
May 19, 2014

The number of Turkish tourists going to Morocco has nearly doubled over the last five years, figures show, demonstrating growth in the North African country's appeal for Turks, largely due to its political stability and an increased promotional campaign in Turkey.

More:Turkish tourism to Morocco nearly doubles - eTurboNews.com

Soma Tragedy Won’t Deter Turkey From Coal

Soma Tragedy Won’t Deter Turkey From Coal
By John Daly | Sun, 18 May 2014 00:00 | 0

Following the May 13 mine explosion in Soma, Turkey, which killed at least 282 miners and left dozens trapped after the blast, the Turkish government declared three days of mourning.

More:Soma Tragedy Won’t Deter Turkey From Coal

Turkey’s parallel universe | neurope.eu

Turkey’s parallel universe
by
Robert Ellis
18.05.2014 - 21:02

The AKP government has defended itself against serious charges of corruption with a counterclaim that the graft probe launched on December 17 was an attempted coup instigated by “a parallel state” controlled by the Pennsylvania cleric, Fethullah Gülen. One could also argue that the same government is living in a parallel universe controlled by the dyad Ahmet Davutoğlu and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

More:Turkey’s parallel universe | neurope.eu

Erdogan slams German president for his criticism against Turkey | neurope.eu

Erdogan slams German president for his criticism against Turkey
18.05.2014 - 20:46

German President Joachim Gauk denounced Turkey for its democratic deficiencies – censorship of the media and the recent blocking of access to YouTube and Twitter. “These developments frighten me,” Gauck said in a recent speech to students in Ankara.

More:Erdogan slams German president for his criticism against Turkey | neurope.eu

Lions earn CL proper ticket, Eagles to play in qualifiers

Lions earn CL proper ticket, Eagles to play in qualifiers

Galatasaray overcame Kayseri Erciyesspor 2-1 at Türk Telekom Arena in İstanbul in its last match of the 2013-14 Spor Toto Super League season to finish as runner-up ahead of Beşiktaş, which was held 1-1 by visiting Ankara side Gençlerbirliği at İstanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Turkey Arrests More Than A Dozen In Connection With Mine Disaster

Turkey Arrests More Than A Dozen In Connection With Mine Disaster

by: Eyder PeraltaMay 18, 2014

Turkish authorities arrested more than a dozen people in connection with the country’s worst mining disaster.

According to the Times of India, the arrests include mining company executives.

More:Turkey Arrests More Than A Dozen In Connection With Mine Disaster

Students occupy Istanbul university over mining disaster | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Students occupy Istanbul university over mining disaster
May 18, 2014 04:36 PM
By Dilay GUNDOGAN

ISTANBUL: "This faculty is occupied," reads a huge banner hanging from the mining department of an Istanbul university, where Turkish students have been holding all-night vigils over a devastating mine disaster that claimed over 300 lives.

More:Students occupy Istanbul university over mining disaster | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Turkey: Leading MPs and Doctors Question Prime Minister Erdogan's Sanity | nsnbc international

Turkey: Leading MPs and Doctors Question Prime Minister Erdogan’s Sanity

nsnbc : Leading Turkish Members of Parliament and Doctors publicly questioned the sanity of Prime Minister R. Tayyip Erdogan and warn that the Prime Minister’s psychological condition poses a risk to Turkey’s national security.

More:Turkey: Leading MPs and Doctors Question Prime Minister Erdogan's Sanity | nsnbc international

Sunday, May 18, 2014

A Tragedy of Negligence: the Soma Mine Disaster

A Tragedy of Negligence: the Soma Mine Disaster

Two days have passed since the Soma Mine disaster, with it occurring on May 13, 2014; a day that will go down in Turkish history as the day that the most miners, or for that fact workers, were killed at a work site. It is officially reported that 274 are dead, but many more are reported missing.

More:Istanbul-New York-Tel Aviv: A Tragedy of Negligence: the Soma Mine Disaster

24 detained in Turkish mine disaster probe

24 detained in Turkish mine disaster probe

Several administrators of the company that runs the Soma mine, where a major disaster left hundreds dead, have been detained. (Photo: DHA)
May 18, 2014, Sunday/ 13:58:39/ TODAYSZAMAN.COM WITH WIRES/ ISTANBUL

Twenty-four people, including company executives, have been detained as Turkish officials investigate the mining disaster that killed 301 people, a domestic news agency reported Sunday.

More:Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Soma cordoned off after Turkish mine explosion, Erdogan takes German flak | News | DW.DE | 18.05.2014

Soma cordoned off after Turkish mine explosion, Erdogan takes German flak

Turkish police have put the mining town of Soma on virtual lockdown, in response to protests about the deaths of 301 workers. Istanbul was also the site of protests, almost a year after the Gezi Park demos.

More:Soma cordoned off after Turkish mine explosion, Erdogan takes German flak | News | DW.DE | 18.05.2014

Erdogan fracas as Turkey mourns betrays growing polarisation | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Erdogan fracas as Turkey mourns betrays growing polarisation
Sun May 18, 2014 9:52am GMT

The man, Taner Kurucan, later said Erdogan had been unable to control himself in the heat of the moment and had given him an "involuntary slap".

More:Erdogan fracas as Turkey mourns betrays growing polarisation | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Turkish mine explosion: Are 300 lives enough to make Recep Tayyip Erdogan's admirers think again? - Comment - Voices - The Independent

Turkish mine explosion: Are 300 lives enough to make Recep Tayyip Erdogan's admirers think again?
Cutting corners in the drive for cheap coal meant last week's disaster was an accident waiting to happen

Less than three weeks ago, a Turkish opposition MP got up to demand a parliamentary investigation into safety measures at a coal mine in his constituency. "We are sick of going to the funerals of miners," declared Ozgur Ozel, saying he had been inundated with complaints about safety conditions at the pit. Nonsense, replied a deputy from the ruling AK party, claiming that the country's mines were safer than many elsewhere in the world. In words which should come back to haunt the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the AK party deputy added that, "God willing", nothing would happen at the mine, "not even a nosebleed".

More:Turkish mine explosion: Are 300 lives enough to make Recep Tayyip Erdogan's admirers think again? - Comment - Voices - The Independent