Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Istanbul shows that the Mall can be a vibrant urban space - Greater Greater Washington

Istanbul shows that the Mall can be a vibrant urban space

by Ksenia Kaladiouk • November 30, 2011 11:25 am

It's no secret that DC's National Mall is home to dozens of priceless monuments and museums. But why, when it comes to planning, do we seem to treat the Mall itself like it's an ancient artifact to be admired, but not used?

More:Istanbul shows that the Mall can be a vibrant urban space - Greater Greater Washington

Turkey in Worst Emerging Bond Slump Not Enough to Lure Aviva - Businessweek

Turkey in Worst Emerging Bond Slump Not Enough to Lure Aviva
November 30, 2011, 8:51 AM EST

By Selcuk Gokoluk and Michael Patterson

(Updates with today’s trading in 11th paragraph.)

Nov. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Turkish bond yields are rising faster than the rest of emerging-market debt and still can’t entice the world’s biggest investors, who say policy makers won’t curb inflation unless they take steps to slow growth.

More:Turkey in Worst Emerging Bond Slump Not Enough to Lure Aviva - Businessweek

Istanbul attacker came from Syria as new sanctions announced by Ankara | Al Bawaba

Istanbul attacker came from Syria as new sanctions announced by Ankara

Published November 30th, 2011 - 12:15 GMT

A gunman who opened fire in a famous tourist site of İstanbul and wounded two people was killed in a clash with police. Turkey's Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin said. The 36 year old gunman was identified as a national of Libya.

More:Istanbul attacker came from Syria as new sanctions announced by Ankara | Al Bawaba

Le Meridien Announces Turkish Artists :mentalKLINIK As the Newest Members of the LM100 Family - MarketWatch

Le Meridien Announces Turkish Artists As the Newest Members of the LM100 Family

Yasemin Baydar and Birol Demir of :mentalKLINIK Will Join Le Meridien's Community of Cultural Innovators during Art Basel Miami Beach 2011

MIAMI, Nov 30, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- From the 10th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts today announced acclaimed Turkish artists Yasemin Baydar and Birol Demir, known as :mentalKLINIK, as the newest members of the LM100 family. Selected by Jerome Sans, Le Meridien's Cultural Curator since 2006, LM100 is a group of international innovators of mixed generations and interdisciplinary artistic fields chosen from the worlds of art, architecture and cuisine, who use their creativity to develop original and interactive programs for Le Meridien that transform the guest experience. As members of the LM100 family, :mentalKLINIK has been engaged by Le Meridien on a variety of creative initiatives, including designing new keycards for Le Meridien UNLOCK Art programme and constructing a custom installation upon arrival at Le Meridien Istanbul, opening in early 2012.

More:Le Meridien Announces Turkish Artists As the Newest Members of the LM100 Family - MarketWatch

Food and wellness products giant Nestlé has signaled new investments and high growth in Turkey

Food and wellness products giant Nestlé has signaled new investments and high growth in Turkey

Haberturk - Food and wellness products giant Nestlé has signaled new investments and high growth in Turkey as the year nears its end. Nestlé’s investment plans regarding Turkey have not changed and the company will continue investing in Turkey, according to the Nestlé Turkey CEO, Hans Ulrich Mayer, who put the company’s annual growth estimate at 20 percent for the year.

More:Balkans.com Business News : Food and wellness products giant Nestlé has signaled new investments and high growth in Turkey

10,000 Turks Gather To Protest Coal-Fired Power Plant | Green Prophet

Julia Harte
10,000 Turks Gather To Protest Coal-Fired Power Plant
Julia Harte | November 30th, 2011

On Saturday, the Turkish Black Sea town of Gerze — population 11,260 — was host to a 10,000-strong protest against a coal-fired power plant. Protesters arrived from all over the country to march and chant, undeterred by recent violent police crackdowns against environmental protests in the town’s province, Sinop.

More:10,000 Turks Gather To Protest Coal-Fired Power Plant | Green Prophet

BBC News - Turkey attack: Gunman killed at Istanbul palace

Turkey attack: Gunman killed at Istanbul palace
The man carrying a shotgun outside Topkapi Palace Officials said the gunman was a Libyan who entered Turkey on Sunday

An armed man who wounded two people has been shot dead at Topkapi Palace in the Turkish city, Istanbul.

More:BBC News - Turkey attack: Gunman killed at Istanbul palace

Syria hit with Turkey sanctions, army losses mount | Reuters

Syria hit with Turkey sanctions, army losses mount

By Douglas Hamilton and Tulay Karadeniz

BEIRUT/ANKARA | Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:52pm GMT

(Reuters) - Syria's biggest trade partner Turkey suspended all financial credit dealings with it on Wednesday and froze its government's assets, joining the Arab League in isolating President Bashar al-Assad over his military crackdown on opponents.

More:Syria hit with Turkey sanctions, army losses mount | Reuters

Istanbul Adventures IX: Random Act of Kindness | Daily Sundial

Istanbul Adventures IX: Random Act of Kindness

By Kat Russell
November 30th, 2011

It was nearly 10 p.m. I had gone to call on my multimedia teacher and his wife, at their apartment in Galata, seeking advice regarding the status my assignment. I was feeling completely overwhelmed and I knew my teacher could put my mind at ease.

More:Istanbul Adventures IX: Random Act of Kindness | Daily Sundial

Security forces kill gunman at Istanbul palace | Reuters

Security forces kill gunman at Istanbul palace

By Daren Butler

ISTANBUL | Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:19am EST

(Reuters) - Turkish security forces killed a Libyan gunman who shot and wounded two people with a pump-action rifle in the courtyard of Istanbul's historic Topkapi Palace on Wednesday, Turkish officials said.

More:Security forces kill gunman at Istanbul palace | Reuters

New quake hits eastern Turkey - Boston.com

New quake hits eastern Turkey
November 30, 2011

ANKARA, Turkey—Turkey's Kandilli observatory says a magnitude-5.0 quake has shaken eastern Turkey -- a region already devastated by two powerful tremors.

It says the quake hit early Wednesday and its epicenter was in the village of Kurubas near the city of Van.

More:New quake hits eastern Turkey - Boston.com

Turkey slams Cyprus after being cut out of EU meeting

Turkey slams Cyprus after being cut out of EU meeting
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Wed, Nov 30, 2011
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has condemned the Republic of Cyprus for reportedly blocking an invitation to Turkey to attend the meeting of EU foreign ministers on Syria, Hurriyet reports.

More:Turkey slams Cyprus after being cut out of EU meeting

Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories - Businessweek

Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories
November 30, 2011, 4:14 AM EST

By Ali Berat Meric

(Updates with second sale in first and second paragraphs.)

Nov. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Turkey got winning bids of $922 million in an auction of sugar factories in the center and east of the country.

More:Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories - Businessweek

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Turkey as confused about Syria as everyone else | theSundaily

Turkey as confused about Syria as everyone else
Posted on 30 November 2011 - 05:10am

Eric Margolis

ISTANBUL: It’s dark and foggy here along the mighty Bosphorus that separates Europe and Asia. Just as murky and dangerous as exploding next-door Syria.

Turkey’s formerly very successful “no problems” foreign policy crafted by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutogolu buried old arguments with Syria, Iran and Lebanon and opened billions in new trade for Turkey’s bustling exporters. Turkey’s red hot economy grew 7% last year – almost as fast as China.

More:Turkey as confused about Syria as everyone else | theSundaily

Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories - Businessweek

Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories
November 29, 2011, 12:09 PM EST

By Ali Berat Meric

(Updates with second sale in first and second paragraphs.)

Nov. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Turkey got winning bids of $922 million in an auction of sugar factories in the center and east of the country.

More:Turkey Gets Bids of $922 Million for State Sugar Factories - Businessweek

Turkey can become new Ukraine: Caspian gas transit risks: Voice of Russia

Turkey can become new Ukraine: Caspian gas transit risks

Nov 29, 2011 11:32 Moscow Time
Photo: RIA Novosti

There are scores of transit issues that face all possible pipelines which would carry Caspian gas to Europe. For one pipelines would need to pass through several countries where the transit risks overlap. The Southern Gas corridor project has three troublesome regions, Turkey, the Caspian region and Azerbaijan.

More:Turkey can become new Ukraine: Caspian gas transit risks: Voice of Russia

Turks to drill for gas in Famagusta - Cyprus Mail

Turks to drill for gas in Famagusta
By Simon Bahceli Published on November 29, 2011

OIL AND natural gas exploration on land in Turkish-controlled Famagusta is to begin within three months, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz announced at the weekend.

More:Turks to drill for gas in Famagusta - Cyprus Mail

Fed up with separation Cypriot youths seek change | Reuters

Fed up with separation Cypriot youths seek change

By Simon Bahceli

NICOSIA | Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:23pm EST

(Reuters) - Fed up with decades of separation between Cyprus' ethnic Greek and Turkish communities and wary of reunification talks resuming Monday, Orestis Georgiou and Umut Yasar want to start a revolution.

So they have started an occupation.

More:Fed up with separation Cypriot youths seek change | Reuters

Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings - Reuters

Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings - Reuters
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Mon, Nov 28, 2011
Reuters reports that Turkey has offered to bow to EU demands and open its ports, airports and airspace to Cyprus under what it called a "Taiwanese-style" diplomatic arrangement to help reignite sluggish reunification talks.

More:Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings - Reuters

Utah Jazz: Mehmet Okur on hold in Turkey | Deseret News

Utah Jazz: Mehmet Okur on hold in Turkey
Published: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 12:11 a.m. MST

By Jody Genessy, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Mehmet Okur is staying in Turkey — for now, at least.

"Memo has to wait until the lockout is over," his agent, Marc Fleisher, said. "And his contract (with Telekom Turkey Ankara) says once it ends, he can give them notice to leave."

And he will.

NBA players are expected to report to camp on Dec. 9, pending ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement.

More:Utah Jazz: Mehmet Okur on hold in Turkey | Deseret News

TURKEY'S DAVUTOGLU CALLS FOR BUFFER ZONE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE

TURKEY'S DAVUTOGLU CALLS FOR BUFFER ZONE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE

11:08 29 NOV 2011

(AGI) Istanbul - The international community could find it necessary to establish a buffer area for possible Syrian refugeees. This is in case hundreds of thousands of people were to try to escape from the violence currently underway in their Country.

More:AGI News On - TURKEY'S DAVUTOGLU CALLS FOR BUFFER ZONE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE

Turkish Gov. declares Armenian Germus village tourism center - Society - Panorama | Armenian news

Turkish Gov. declares Armenian Germus village tourism center

Armenian Germus village, located in the Turkish province of Sanlıurfa, is now called Dagetegi, which means Hillside. “Ermenihaber.am” news site says Turkey’s Government has passed a decision declaring the village and the Armenian Church tourism center.

More:Turkish Gov. declares Armenian Germus village tourism center - Society - Panorama | Armenian news

Gul: Cyprus solution or recognition of Turkish controlled north

Gul: Cyprus solution or recognition of Turkish controlled north
CEM BARBER / FG ONLINE
• Mon, Nov 28, 2011
Turkey’s President Gul has called on Britain and the EU to either secure a solution in Cyprus within six months or to recognize the Turkish occupied north of the island.

According to Turkish daily Aksam, President Gul made the statements whilst talking to journalists aboard his returning flight from his contacts in Britain.

More:Gul: Cyprus solution or recognition of Turkish controlled north

Navigating Turkey - NYTimes.com

Navigating Turkey
By ANDREW FINKEL

ISTANBUL — G.P.S. navigator devices have started popping up on the dashboards of Istanbul taxis, but I’ve assumed that, like furry dice and troll dolls with wobbly heads, they are fashion statements more than tools. I’ve never seen a driver use one unprompted or even consult a conventional street atlas.

More:Navigating Turkey - NYTimes.com

Turkey ready for any scenario in Syria - minister | Reuters

Turkey ready for "any scenario" in Syria - minister

By Ece Toksabay

ISTANBUL | Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:42pm IST

(Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it did not want military intervention in Syria but was ready for any scenario while Damascus cracks down on protests against President Bashar al-Assad, including setting up a buffer zone to contain any mass influx of refugees.

More:Turkey ready for any scenario in Syria - minister | Reuters

BBC News - Syria: The view from next door

Syria: The view from next door
map

As Syria faces growing economic sanctions and condemnation over what the United Nations calls "gross human rights violations" for its crackdown on protesters, the BBC's Jim Muir considers how the country's immediate neighbours are reacting and how the outcome to the crisis may affect them.

More:BBC News - Syria: The view from next door

Central Bank Says Turkish Credit Slows to ‘Reasonable’ Level - Businessweek

Central Bank Says Turkish Credit Slows to ‘Reasonable’ Level
November 29, 2011, 7:00 AM EST

By Steve Bryant

(Updates with comment from bank in fourth paragraph.)

Nov. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Turkey’s central bank said credit growth slowed in the third quarter to “reasonable” levels and must stay there if the country is to see a lasting improvement in the current-account deficit.

More:Central Bank Says Turkish Credit Slows to ‘Reasonable’ Level - Businessweek

Turkey Plans Alternate Trade Routes If Syria Unrest Worsens - Bloomberg

Turkey Plans Alternate Trade Routes If Syria Unrest Worsens

By Emre Peker - Nov 29, 2011 4:38 AM ET

Turkey is planning to shift its trade routes to the Middle East if the unrest in Syria worsens and embargoes go into effect, Minister of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication Binali Yildirim said.

More:Turkey Plans Alternate Trade Routes If Syria Unrest Worsens - Bloomberg

Turkey Signs With China’s Tianchen to Construct Gas Storage - Bloomberg

Turkey Signs With China’s Tianchen to Construct Gas Storage

By Ali Berat Meric - Nov 29, 2011 3:34 AM ET

Turkey agreed with China Tianchen Engineering Corp. to construct up to 1 billion cubic meters of underground natural gas storage capacity in the center of the country.

The project near Tuz Golu, a lake south of Ankara, will be the biggest Chinese investment in Turkey to date, Fazil Senel, director of state pipeline operator Botas Boru Hatlari Ile Petrol Tasima AS, or Botas, told reporters today. Financing for the project, estimated at about $640 million, is provided by a World Bank loan signed in 2006.

More:Turkey Signs With China’s Tianchen to Construct Gas Storage - Bloomberg

The 17th London Turkish Film Festival 24 Nov – 8 Dec 2011

The 17th London Turkish Film Festival 24 Nov – 8 Dec 2011

“The London Turkish Film Festival is a labour of love and that speaks volumes for the energy and tenacity of its director, Vedide Kaymak.”
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

A showcase for outstanding and innovative Turkish film both contemporary and classic, the 17th London Turkish Film Festival promises to deliver a programme of films that will challenge, entertain and inspire. With an enviable line up that also includes the latest films from established directors such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan (‘Once Upon a Time in Anatolia’); Dervis Zaim (‘Shadows and Faces’) and Sedat Yilmaz (‘Press’), the emphasis this year will be on emerging talent, providing an important platform for a new generation of Turkish film-makers working both at home and abroad.

Festival director Vedide Kaymak comments ‘Over the last decade, Turkish filmmakers, not only in Turkey, but also those living in the rest of the world, have found new creative directions, making critically acclaimed films, and winning awards all over the world. The LTFF has always had an inclusive approach towards programming, and I am especially excited by our programme this year. Now in its 17th year, our festival has grown from a small three-day event to a full-scale two week festival and this year we have been able to push the boundaries further than ever. We are privileged to be able to open up the new trans-cultural Turkish cinema to new audiences in venues across London.’

More:The 17th London Turkish Film Festival 24 Nov – 8 Dec 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

EU will ask Turkey to join, says ex-official

EU will ask Turkey to join, says ex-official

Monday, November 28, 2011
İpek Yezdani - ipek.yezdani@hurriyet.com.tr
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey has to forget about the EU and continue doing things that are right for Turkey, said Richard Balfe, who was a member of the Turkey-EU joint parliamentary commission for more than 20 years and member of the European Parliament for more than 25 years.

More:EU will ask Turkey to join, says ex-official - Hurriyet Daily News

A Look At Turkey's Booming Tech Sector

A Look At Turkey's Booming Tech Sector
Sina Afra, SinaAfra | Nov. 28, 2011, 5:40 PM | 171 | 1

In one of my last articles, I tried to summarize why I believe Turkey is one of the hottest countries in the internet space.

More:A Look At Turkey's Booming Tech Sector

PressTV - PKK plans new attacks in Turkey: report

PKK plans new attacks in Turkey: report
Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:14AM GMT

Turkish sources say that the PKK has deployed its militants from Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq to Turkey's southeastern provinces of Sirnak and Hakkari to carry out new attacks, Press TV's Ankara correspondent reported on Monday.

More:PressTV - PKK plans new attacks in Turkey: report

A miserable EU means a miserable Turkey

A miserable EU means a miserable Turkey

Monday, November 28, 2011
BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Half of the audience attending an international conference in Istanbul last week laughed when a U.S. Congressmen said, “I don’t know, of course, whether Turkey will enter the European Union in the future or if the European Union would like to enter Turkey,” as his joke aimed to show the differences between the economic situation of Turkey and the 27-nation bloc.

More:A miserable EU means a miserable Turkey - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkish dish and Korean tightrope walking join UN intangible heritage list

Turkish dish and Korean tightrope walking join UN intangible heritage list

28 November 2011 –
Three elements from the Republic of South Korea (ROK), one from Spain and one from Turkey were added today to the United Nations-backed list of the world’s outstanding examples of intangible heritage.

More:Turkish dish and Korean tightrope walking join UN intangible heritage list

Verbund, Sabanci Set Up Energy Unit to Own Turkey Ventures - Bloomberg

Verbund, Sabanci Set Up Energy Unit to Own Turkey Ventures

By Ercan Ersoy - Nov 28, 2011 11:02 AM ET

Verbund AG (VER) and Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS (SAHOL) plan to set up a jointly-owned company to own all of the partners’ energy ventures in Turkey, according to a statement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange today.

More:Verbund, Sabanci Set Up Energy Unit to Own Turkey Ventures - Bloomberg

ekathimerini.com | Between Europe and Turkey

Between Europe and Turkey

By Nikos Konstandaras

If Greece finds itself outside the eurozone it is in danger not only of being isolated from its European partners, of losing the economic and social gains of decades, and of undermining the reform effort that has begun: being left adrift in a region where everything is changing presents much greater risks. In the great redistribution of power and influence in our region, in Europe and around the planet, Greece will be in danger of becoming a satellite of the strongest country in the region, which at this time is no other than Turkey. This need not be accomplished through war or political blackmail, but simply through the merciless logic of numbers: the need of the newly poor Greeks to find cheap goods and services, willing customers and a supply of labor.

More:ekathimerini.com | Between Europe and Turkey

Turks prepare a big book on Armenian-Turkish relations

Turks prepare a big book on Armenian-Turkish relations

According to Turkish media 24-part book will be published, which tells about Armenian-Turkish history of centuries. The book is named “Armenian-Turkish relations during the history”. Book is prepared by the joint efforts of “Degisim” publishing-house, “Saqaria” university and Professor Enis Shahin. The latter is researcher on Armenian issues.

More:Turks prepare a big book on Armenian-Turkish relations

Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings | Reuters

Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings

By Ralph Boulton and Asli Kandemir

ISTANBUL | Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:52am EST

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Turkey offered to bow to EU demands and open its ports, airports and airspace to Cyprus under what it called a "Taiwanese-style" diplomatic arrangement to help drive Cypriot reunification talks resuming on Monday under U.N. pressure for a breakthrough.

More:Turkey would open ports to Cyprus, no diplomatic strings | Reuters

Turkish basketball clubs bid farewell to NBA stars / NBA lockout over

Turkish basketball clubs bid farewell to NBA stars / NBA lockout over
28 November, 2011 | 10:21

The end of NBA lockout hits Turkish basketball clubs. Hard. Many star players, including Deron Williams from Besiktas and Mehmet Okur from Telekom, will be heading back to the NBA and USA.

More:Turkish basketball clubs bid farewell to NBA stars / NBA lockout over

News.Az - The Turkish-Armenian border and the EU

The Turkish-Armenian border and the EU

Mon 28 November 2011 11:37 GMT | 6:37 Local Time

Cem Oguz
by Cem Oguz, head of the Turkish Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In Turkish-Armenian relations, the most widely mentioned concept is “normalization.” What is meant by this is the opening of the 325 km-long Turkish-Armenian border which Ankara decided to close in April 1993 basically in response to Armenia’s ambivalence over the recognition of its common border with Turkey and Armenian aggression directed toward Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

More:News.Az - The Turkish-Armenian border and the EU

Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan: Time to Buttress Relations :.

Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan: Time to Buttress Relations

The considerable Iranian leverage in Iraq is already a headache for Turkey whose relations with Iran remain uneven despite improving under Erdogan’s governments, writes Idrees Mohammed.

Middle East Online

On the verge of the US troop withdrawal from Iraq, Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) need to strengthen their relations. President Obama’s determination to withdraw the army is not much different from his predecessor’s decision to send troops into Iraq in 2003, in that both failed to meet US expectations. This resolve, by increasing Kurdish unease and causing Turkish concern about its stake in Iraq, should serve to bring the KRG and Turkey closer.

More:.:Middle East Online::Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan: Time to Buttress Relations :.

France urges Turkey be invited to EU Syria talks

France urges Turkey be invited to EU Syria talks
November 28, 2011 03:23 PM
Agence France Presse

PARIS: France has suggested that non-EU member Turkey be invited to a European foreign ministers' meeting this week because of its key role in the Syrian crisis, the foreign ministry said Monday.

The chief diplomats from the 27 EU member states are to meet on Thursday in Brussels and Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad's vicious crackdown on a popular revolt in his country will be high on the agenda.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: France urges Turkey be invited to EU Syria talks

Turkey Quietly Moves to Grab a Place in the Global Carbon Trade | InsideClimate News

Turkey Quietly Moves to Grab a Place in the Global Carbon Trade
Turkey is laying the groundwork for a mandatory carbon trading plan that could eventually take aim at its soaring global warming emissions. Why now?
By Julia Harte
Nov 28, 2011

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Turkey is finally getting serious about building a domestic carbon trading scheme, and many Western governments and carbon market analysts worldwide are watching to see if it will follow through on its pledges.

More:Turkey Quietly Moves to Grab a Place in the Global Carbon Trade | InsideClimate News

BP to train Turkish gas pipeline engineers - UPI.com

BP to train Turkish gas pipeline engineers
Published: Nov. 28, 2011 at 9:00 AM

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- British energy company BP said, through its Azeri consortium, that it backed a training program in Turkey for natural gas pipeline engineers.

More:BP to train Turkish gas pipeline engineers - UPI.com

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Istanbul, Turkey, Travel Guide | A stroll in the city of sultans

A stroll in the city of sultans
November 27, 2011
Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkish delights ... Istanbul shines. Photo: Getty Images

The magic of Istanbul is best discovered on foot, writes Ben Groundwater.

THERE'S a moment in Istanbul when the realisation hits. You've looked at maps, you've seen where the attractions are, you've plotted ways to get between them. But it's only when you stand in the small space between two of the city's drawcards - the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia - that you understand how close everything is.

More:Istanbul, Turkey, Travel Guide | A stroll in the city of sultans

Turkish Extension Centre to be established in UAF | Business Recorder

Turkish Extension Centre to be established in UAF
November 28, 2011

Business Recorder Logo Turkish Extension Centre will be set up at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, with the financial assistance of The Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) in order to increase meat and milk production keeping in view of grabbing the Halal Market of the world as well as enhancing crops productivity by setting up seed centre.

More:Turkish Extension Centre to be established in UAF | Business Recorder

Iran threatens to bomb Turkey if U.S. or Israel attack nuclear installations | Mail Online

Iran threatens to bomb Turkey if U.S. or Israel attacks its nuclear installations

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 3:53 AM on 28th November 2011

Iran will bomb Turkey if the U.S. or Israel tries to destroy its nuclear installations, a senior military commander warned today.

General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the aerospace division of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, threatened to target Nato's missile defence shield in the neighbouring country.

More:Iran threatens to bomb Turkey if U.S. or Israel attack nuclear installations | Mail Online

Festival on Wheels prepares to take off from Ankara

Festival on Wheels prepares to take off from Ankara

Sunday, November 27, 2011
EMRAH GÜLER
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
The old favorite that is the Festival on Wheels is ready to travel to three cities, taking with it a selection of films from recent international and Turkish cinema, American classics from the 1960s and a Dardenne Brothers retrospective, films about the Arab Spring

More:Festival on Wheels prepares to take off from Ankara - Hurriyet Daily News

The shadow of the present over Dersim

The shadow of the present over Dersim

Sunday, November 27, 2011
NURAY MERT

What started as an intra-party row within the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has reignited debate over the controversial Dersim killings (1937-38) and turned into a debate between the opposition and the government.

More:The shadow of the present over Dersim - Hurriyet Daily News

Wild Beasts to haunt Istanbul for the second time at Babylon

Wild Beasts to haunt Istanbul for the second time at Babylon

Sunday, November 27, 2011
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
At a time when many rock bands go by formulas, the way Wild Beasts try to expand the horizons of modern music becomes all the more important.

More:Wild Beasts to haunt Istanbul for the second time at Babylon - Hurriyet Daily News

Contemporary Istanbul 2011 Celebrated its 6th Anniversary

Contemporary Istanbul 2011 Celebrated its 6th Anniversary
Written by Ozgur Tore
Sunday, 27 November 2011 23:08

Turkey’s most comprehensive contemporary art event to date, Contemporary Istanbul celebrated its 6th anniversary.

contemporary-istanbul-logoThe premier art fair of the region gathered art lovers on November 24-27 at Istanbul Congress Center, Exhibition Area and Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center, Rumeli Hall.

More:Contemporary Istanbul 2011 Celebrated its 6th Anniversary

Hungary not playing Turkish game with IMF talks | Business | Reuters

Hungary not playing "Turkish game" with IMF talks
Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:02am EST

By Marton Dunai

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary hopes that credit rating agencies Fitch and S&P will wait for the results of its talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union (EU) before taking any rating action, a top government official said on Sunday.

More:Hungary not playing Turkish game with IMF talks | Business | Reuters

Turkey seeks to end Kurdish conflict

Turkey seeks to end Kurdish conflict
By Selcan Hacaoglu
Associated Press / November 27, 2011

ANKARA, Turkey—For a quarter century, defeating the Kurdish insurgency has been a pillar of Turkish state policy. Now, that's being called into question as the government takes stock of the fight's cost and its role in hampering Turkey's ambitions for regional leadership.

More:Turkey seeks to end Kurdish conflict - Boston.com

Jailed writer in Turkey has our support | Trinidad Express Newspaper | Letters

Jailed writer in Turkey has our support

The following is a letter from Dawn Thomas, CEO of One Caribbean Media, who was last September elected to the executive board of the International Press Institute, a 51-year-old organisation dedicated to press freedom.

More:Jailed writer in Turkey has our support | Trinidad Express Newspaper | Letters

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Turkish teen back in court next month over double murder · TheJournal.ie

Turkish teen back in court next month over double murder
Yesterday, 11:45 AM 1,286 Views No Comments

THE TEENAGER CHARGED with murdering two Irish women who were holidaying in his home country of Turkey last summer is to appear in court next month to determine if he should be tried as a juvenile or adult, BBC reports today.

More:Turkish teen back in court next month over double murder · TheJournal.ie

Turkey says it won't use its military in Syria - The National

Turkey says it won't use its military in Syria

Thomas Seibert

Bassem Tellawi / AP

ISTANBUL // With a proposal by France for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Syria and demands by dissidents for a Turkish-controlled safe haven offering protection against the Assad regime, Turkey's government has rejected the idea of military intervention in Syria.

More:Turkey says it won't use its military in Syria - The National

Turkey arrests 66 for suspected ties to Kurd rebels: reports - FOCUS Information Agency

Turkey arrests 66 for suspected ties to Kurd rebels: reports
26 November 2011 | 13:15 | FOCUS News Agency
Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans
Ankara. Turkey's courts in Istanbul and mainly Kurdish southeast province of Diyarbakir ordered the arrest of 66 people on Saturday for suspected links to outlawed Kurdish rebels, media reports said, AFP informs.
Thirty-four out of 43 people who were transferred to the courthouse in Istanbul were arrested and nine were released, the Anatolia news agency said, after earlier reporting 33 arrests.

More:Turkey arrests 66 for suspected ties to Kurd rebels: reports - FOCUS Information Agency

Ankara, Bogota to lift visas | New Europe

Ankara, Bogota to lift visas
Article | November 26, 2011 - 1:24pm
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, left, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, right, review a honour guard during an official welcoming ceremony in Ankara, Turkey 18 November 2011. |EPA/EVRIM AYDIN/ANADOLU AGENCY

Turkey and Colombia agreed recently to reciprocally abolish visa requirements in a bid to further boost swelling trade ties between the two countries. Holding a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon in Ankara, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that this was the first visit from Colombia to Turkey on presidential level.

More:Ankara, Bogota to lift visas | New Europe

Turkey 'an inspiration' for Arab Spring - Public Service Europe

Turkey 'an inspiration' for Arab Spring

by Daniel Mason

Turkey is a "source of inspiration" for many in the Middle East and North Africa who aspire to a modern democratic society – European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek said in a speech to Turkish lawmakers yesterday, as he called on the country to help stabilise the region in the wake of the Arab Spring.

He welcomed the solidarity shown by Turkey to opponents of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, where according to the United Nations 3,500 protesters have been killed by the regime.

More:Turkey 'an inspiration' for Arab Spring - Public Service Europe

EU Wants Accession Talks with Turkey to Resume, EP President Says, 26 November 2011 Saturday 9:19

EU Wants Accession Talks with Turkey to Resume, EP President Says

Saturday, 26 November 2011

ANKARA (A.A) - European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said Friday that they wanted accession talks between Turkey and EU would resume in a more comprehensive way and with more chapters.

More:EU Wants Accession Talks with Turkey to Resume, EP President Says, 26 November 2011 Saturday 9:19

The solution to the Turkish-Kurdish conflict rests on equitable political reforms: Voice of Russia

The solution to the Turkish-Kurdish conflict rests on equitable political reforms

Alon Ben-Meir

Nov 26, 2011 10:10 Moscow Time
© Collage "The Voice of Russia"

The latest cycle of violence between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish military in October meant the failure of Prime Minister Erdogan’s historical attempt to put an end to this three decade-long conflict. The conflict began when the PKK took up arms against the Turkish government in 1984 demanding the secession of Turkey’s southeast region. Turkey’s successive governments chose throughout much of this period to ignore the existence of the Kurds as a separate ethnicity (whose more than fourteen million people compromise one fifth of Turkey’s population), banned their language and culture, and inadvertently degraded their standard of living,, making them one of the country’s poorest populations.

More:The solution to the Turkish-Kurdish conflict rests on equitable political reforms: Voice of Russia

Istanbul: Direct line to Turkey's past - News & Advice - Travel - The Independent

Istanbul: Direct line to Turkey's past

A walk along the ancient walls reveals the city's convoluted history, says Tristan Rutherford
Tristan Rutherford

Saturday 26 November 2011

On the lower shores of the Golden Horn – the oozy inlet of the Bosphorus that divides European Istanbul from its touristy historic centre – I witnessed my favourite fiddle. The trick is known across the Mediterranean as the gold ring scam. You'll be strolling along when a fellow walker stumbles over a gold signet ring, which he assumes must be yours. Handle it and your new friend will want a finder's fee. Or a willowy accomplice might spring from a side street claiming it was hers all along, and only a crossed palm of silver will resolve her indignation.

More:Istanbul: Direct line to Turkey's past - News & Advice - Travel - The Independent

Friday, November 25, 2011

Genie out of bottle on facing up the past

Genie out of bottle on facing up the past

Friday, November 25, 2011
BARÇIN YİNANÇ
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s apology for the killings in Dersim has let the genie out of the bottle, says an academic, adding that other dark periods of Turkish history will come under scrutiny. While the realities about Dersim have long been known, the wider public is now more aware of the event, says Ahmet Demirel

More:Genie out of bottle on facing up the past - Hurriyet Daily News

IPRI scholars leave for Istanbul

IPRI scholars leave for Istanbul

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Islamabad: A four-member delegation of scholars from the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) left for Turkey to attend the RNSSC Annual Plenary Meeting, which is being co-hosted by the Centre for Strategic Research, Istanbul, and Regional Network of Strategic and Security Studies, National Defence University, Washington.

More:IPRI scholars leave for Istanbul

Stopping domestic violence tops Turkey's agenda

Stopping domestic violence tops Turkey's agenda

Friday, November 25, 2011
IŞIL EĞRİKAVUK
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
The day after Turkish Parliament’s adoption of a European convention on combating violence against women, cabinet ministers, media figures and UN officials team up for an anti-domestic violence campaign.

More:Stopping domestic violence tops Turkey's agenda - Hurriyet Daily News

Mastering the ‘master narrative’ on Turkey

Mastering the ‘master narrative’ on Turkey

Friday, November 25, 2011
AMSTERDAM
DAVID JUDSON

Disbelief, even a scoff or two, was my reaction when I read the argument by daily Milliyet columnist Can Dündar connecting a WikiLeaks embassy cable from Kabul on media management to this past week’s buzz on the cover of Time magazine.

More:Mastering the ‘master narrative’ on Turkey - Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey seen as door to Syrian "humanitarian corridor" - AlertNet

Turkey seen as door to Syrian "humanitarian corridor"

25 Nov 2011 19:49

Source: reuters // Reuters

By Simon Cameron-Moore

ISTANBUL, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The border wends 800 km (500 miles) eastwards through hilly Turkish terrain, much of it mined. On squat concrete buildings across the valley, the Syrian flag flutters and soldiers clamber over rooftops watching for movement. Villages around are occupied by military.

More:Turkey seen as door to Syrian "humanitarian corridor" - AlertNet

Turkey Central Bank to Announce Minimum 1-Week Repo Funding Plan - Businessweek

Turkey Central Bank to Announce Minimum 1-Week Repo Funding Plan
November 25, 2011, 4:01 AM EST

By Aydan Eksin

Nov. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Turkey’s central bank will regularly announce the minimum funding it will provide banks via one-week repo at its benchmark rate of 5.75 percent to help banks’ liquidity management and funding cost estimates.

More:Turkey Central Bank to Announce Minimum 1-Week Repo Funding Plan - Businessweek

The Kurdish vicious circle of former Ottoman Empire - English pravda.ru

The Kurdish vicious circle of former Ottoman Empire
25.11.2011

The Kurdish vicious circle of former Ottoman Empire. 45963.jpegAn epoch-making event took place in Turkey. For the first time since the establishment of the Turkish Republic, its prime minister officially apologized for mass killings of the Kurds. At the same time, the Turkish police conducted a raid against the Kurds. What stance does Turkey have on this issue? Will the country recognize the existence of the national minority on its territory? It goes about as many as 20 million people.

More:The Kurdish vicious circle of former Ottoman Empire - English pravda.ru

Turkish FM to Abbas: Ankara ready to help wi... JPost - Headlines

Turkish FM to Abbas: Ankara ready to help with unity gov't
By JPOST.COM STAFF
11/25/2011 14:44

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a telephone conversation Friday that Ankara is prepared to assist in facilitating a Palestinian unity government, Israel Radio reported.

More:Turkish FM to Abbas: Ankara ready to help wi... JPost - Headlines

Italian Foreign Minister sees Turkey as Model for Regional Countries, 25 November 2011 Friday 14:39

Italian Foreign Minister sees Turkey as Model for Regional Countries

Friday, 25 November 2011

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Italian foreign minister said on Friday that his country saw Turkey as model of democracy-Islam harmony for regional countries.

More:Italian Foreign Minister sees Turkey as Model for Regional Countries, 25 November 2011 Friday 14:39

Report: Lamar Odom agrees to play in Turkey during lockout | ProBasketballTalk

Report: Lamar Odom agrees to play in Turkey during lockout

Kurt Helin

Nov 25, 2011, 1:50 AM EST
1 Comment
Kobe Bryant And Phil Jackson Address The Media Getty Images

Only Billy Hunter and David Stern can now save us from “Khloe & Lamar in Istanbul.” There may be no greater reason to resolve the lockout and get the NBA players back to work.

More:Report: Lamar Odom agrees to play in Turkey during lockout | ProBasketballTalk

Why Did Turkey's Erdogan ‘Apologize’ for Kurdish Massacre? - International Business Times

Why Did Turkey's Erdogan ‘Apologize’ for Kurdish Massacre?
Analysis

By Palash R. Ghosh: Subscribe to Palash's RSS feed

November 25, 2011 9:53 AM EST

A fascinating -- and perhaps unprecedented -- political imbroglio has erupted in Turkey over tragic events that occurred more than seventy years ago.

On Wednesday, in a televised address to officials of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan placed the blame for the ‘Dersim massacre’ -- a state military operation that killed almost 14,000 people (mostly Kurdish Alevis) during the late 1930s – entirely upon the principal opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) party.

More:Why Did Turkey's Erdogan ‘Apologize’ for Kurdish Massacre? - International Business Times

Another stab into Istanbul’s silhouette on Bosphorus

Another stab into Istanbul’s silhouette on Bosphorus
25 November, 2011 | 12:22

Istanbul / NationalTurk – The once beautiful silhouette of Istanbul was violated as ugly skyscrapers rise in the horizon as seen between the minarets in the historic peninsula, now the ancient naval museum and Dolmabahce Palace right on the Bosphorus shore are about to fall victims to an ugly hotel in Besiktas district.

More:Another stab into Istanbul’s silhouette on Bosphorus

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Turkey's president to visit Wilders' home town

Turkey's president to visit Wilders' home town

Thursday 24 November 2011

Turkey's president Abdullah Gul is to visit Venlo - home town of anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders - during a visit to the Netherlands next year, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.

More:DutchNews.nl - Turkey's president to visit Wilders' home town

Talking Turkey

Talking Turkey

Costume drama Magnificent Century is racking up international sales for distributor Global Agency as Turkish series make their mark in Central and Eastern Europe, reports Michael Pickard.

More:C21Media:

BBC News - Syrian rebel leader waiting in Turkey

Syrian rebel leader waiting in Turkey
John Simpson By John Simpson BBC News, Antakya, southern Turkey

Tracking down and interviewing Colonel Riyad al-Asad close to Turkey's border with Syria is not an easy business.

More:BBC News - Syrian rebel leader waiting in Turkey

PVV Not against Good Relations with Turkey

PVV Not against Good Relations with Turkey

THE HAGUE, 25/11/11 - The Party for Freedom (PVV) is not against maintaining good relations with Turkey, but it is against celebrating with that country.

PVV MP Kortenoeven said in the Lower House that the PVV will not oppose a regular visit by the Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Nor has he any objection whatever to the economic ties that the Netherlands maintains with Turkey.

More:Dutch news - PVV Not against Good Relations with Turkey

Brook Lopez to Play With Deron Williams in Turkey?

Brook Lopez to Play With Deron Williams in Turkey?

According to Turkish media, the Nets’ big man will soon ink a deal with Deron Williams’ lockout squad. Per Ball in Europe: “Could Beşiktaş finally have found the elusive big man the Eagles’ management has pretty much been seeking since signing Deron Williams?

More:SLAM ONLINE | » Brook Lopez to Play With Deron Williams in Turkey?

Oil company workers killed in Turkey attack: report

Oil company workers killed in Turkey attack: report
November 24, 2011 10:18 AM
Agence France Presse

ISTANBUL: Three people were killed in an armed assault blamed on Kurdish rebels on an oil drilling facility in southeastern Turkey, Anatolia news agency reported on Thursday.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Oil company workers killed in Turkey attack: report

Is Turkey Using the Courts to Silence Critics? - TIME

Is Turkey Using the Courts to Silence Critics?
By Pelin Turgut / Istanbul Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Nine months after they were first detained, two well-known and internationally acclaimed Turkish investigative journalists finally appeared before a judge on Tuesday in a trial that has become a rallying point for critics of Turkey's curbs on freedom of expression. Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener are among 13 defendants, including editors of a hardline secularist website, accused of seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-leaning government — charges that international observers say have little evidence to support them.

More:Is Turkey Using the Courts to Silence Critics? - TIME

Kurdish militants kill three at oil field in Turkey - Israel News, Ynetnews

Kurdish militants kill three at oil field in Turkey

Published: 11.24.11, 10:23 / Israel News

Kurdish militants killed three people in an attack on an oil field in southeast Turkey overnight, security officials said on Thursday.

More:Kurdish militants kill three at oil field in Turkey - Israel News, Ynetnews

UPDATE: Turkey President Says EU Unity Is At Stake - WSJ.com

UPDATE: Turkey President Says EU Unity Is At Stake

--Turkish President Abdullah Gul warns "failed economies" of the euro zone are threatening to bring down the EU

--Gul says Turkey in good position to help with efforts to stabilize the world economy

--Gul says not enough for individual countries to keep their economic houses in order

More:UPDATE: Turkey President Says EU Unity Is At Stake - WSJ.com

Turkish Cypriots to carry out census next month - Cyprus Mail

Turkish Cypriots to carry out census next month
Published on November 24, 2011

A CENSUS is to be carried out in the north on December 4, it has been announced.

All residents and visitors will be required to remain at home from 5am to 6pm the day of the census as 7,500 census takers go from home to home recording numbers.

More:Turkish Cypriots to carry out census next month - Cyprus Mail

Court refuses to free Ergenekon case journalists, adjourns until end December - Reporters Without Borders

Court refuses to free Ergenekon case journalists, adjourns until end December
Published on Tuesday 22 November 2011. Updated on Wednesday 23 November 2011.
Printable version PrintSend this article by mail Send français Partager32

The trial of 10 journalists accused of involvement in the ‘Ergenekon’ anti-government conspiracy began yesterday in the Istanbul district of Caglayan with the court rejecting a defence request for their immediate release and then adjourning until 26 December.

More:Court refuses to free Ergenekon case journalists, adjourns until end December - Reporters Without Borders

Turkey in the 2011 Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey, 24 November 2011 Thursday 10:19

Turkey in the 2011 Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey

Thursday, 24 November 2011

By Kerim Rached, JTW

On November 21, Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center, released the results of the 2011 Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey conducted in October.
A total of 3,000 people from various cities across Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates were polled regarding numerous aspects of some of the most contentious issues in the region today, including the Arab Spring, Obama administration, Arab-Israeli conflict, Egyptian elections, national and religious identity, media access, and Iran. While the results of public opinion polls or surveys cannot quite be used in any sort of conclusive statement regarding what’s to come, they do help provide a picture of social and political trends as well as perceptions in a given region, which is ultimately useful in its own right.

More:Turkey in the 2011 Annual Arab Public Opinion Survey, 24 November 2011 Thursday 10:19

Ouch! The Turkish First Lady's skyscraper heels are not made for Buckingham Palace - Telegraph

Ouch! The Turkish First Lady's skyscraper heels are not made for Buckingham Palace
Hayrünnisa Gül took a step in the wrong direction when she towered above the Queen in her stiletto boots.

By Cristina Odone

7:30AM GMT 24 Nov 2011

My left foot felt a sympathetic twinge as I stared at the photos of Hayrünnisa Gül, First Lady of Turkey, that filled the papers yesterday.

The sight of her dainty feet encased in six-inch-high dove-grey shoes triggered a spasm of pain in the bunion that adorns my foot. Round, hard and an alarming red, like the nose on a bibulous partygoer this time of year, the bony protuberance acts up every time I don the wrong shoes. Let us whisper it, palace protocol permitting: the First Lady’s shoes were very much the wrong shoes.

More:Ouch! The Turkish First Lady's skyscraper heels are not made for Buckingham Palace - Telegraph

World record at auction expected for a Turkish work of art at Antik A.S. in Istanbul

World record at auction expected for a Turkish work of art at Antik A.S. in Istanbul

ISTANBUL.- Antik A.S. is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an exceptional auction. The leading auction house of Turkey will offer exceptional paintings by the most important classic Turkish masters. The auction will take place on November 27, 2011 at the Swissotel the Bosphorus and will present selected 200 lots among the finest which ever to have appeared on the market for the first time. Special collection will be exhibited in Antik A.S. exhibition rooms until 27th of November.

More:World record at auction expected for a Turkish work of art at Antik A.S. in Istanbul

Warplanes: Predator Moves To Turkey

Predator Moves To Turkey
November 24, 2011: Four American Predator UAVs, which had long operated in Iraq, were moved to Turkey last month. There, the American UAVs will be under the control of the Turkish security forces and assist in tracking Kurdish separatist (PKK) rebels. American UAVs based in Iraq had been helping the Turks track the PKK, but with all American forces leaving Iraq in the next few weeks, the Turks were happy to give some of the Iraq-based Predators a new home.

More:Warplanes: Predator Moves To Turkey

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Remains of Necipoğlu brought to Istanbul - Hurriyet Daily News

Remains of Necipoğlu brought to Istanbul

Wednesday, November 23, 2011
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

The remains of Turkish harpist Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu has been discovered and brought to Turkey more than two years after was killed in a plane crash.

More:Remains of Necipoğlu brought to Istanbul - Hurriyet Daily News

Pride Parade in Istanbul faces more opposition than in America | Daily Sundial

Pride Parade in Istanbul faces more opposition than in America

By Kat Russell
November 23rd, 2011

Protests in Istanbul are an almost weekly occurrence. Whether it’s student protests, Kurdish protests, or workers’ unions, the people in Istanbul are not afraid to use their voices and are often dead set on making sure they are heard. Demonstrations almost always start or end in Taksim Square – the center of modern Istanbul – making the square symbolic of challenging social and political boundaries.

More:Pride Parade in Istanbul faces more opposition than in America | Daily Sundial

Can Turkey inspire Tunisia?

Can Turkey inspire Tunisia?

This Arab nation faces democratic, economic and demographic challenges

As a forerunner of the Arab Spring, Tunisia has offered a pioneering example for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. After sparking the MENA revolutions, it rapidly stepped into a post-revolutionary phase by organizing the first democratic elections in the region. Moreover, it is in Tunisia that Islamic political parties and activists, who have long been used as an excuse to justify dictatorial regimes in other countries, gained power democratically. And just as Tunisia's revolt proved contagious across the region, the outcome of the recent Tunisian vote will likely influence the upcoming elections in Egypt and Morocco.

More:Can Turkey inspire Tunisia? - Arab News

Armenian entrepreneurs should not fear they would lose competition to Turkish peers: U.S. ambassador

Armenian entrepreneurs should not fear they would lose competition to Turkish peers: U.S. ambassador

YEREVAN, November 23. /ARKA/. Armenian entrepreneurs should not fear they would lose the competition to Turkish peers if the border between the two counties opens, U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, said today at the closing of a two-day Armenian-Turkish business forum in Yerevan.

More:Armenian entrepreneurs should not fear they would lose competition to Turkish peers: U.S. ambassador | 23/11/2011 23:03 | News agency ARKA - Armenian news

Turkey air strikes wound one in north Iraq-official

Turkey air strikes wound one in north Iraq-official
November 23, 2011 06:29 PM
Reuters

ARBIL, Iraq: Turkish fighter jets have wounded one civilian after carrying out more air strikes on northern Iraq in an ongoing campaign to counter Kurdish separatist rebels hiding in camps there, a local official said on Wednesday.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkey air strikes wound one in north Iraq-official

Analysis: Turkey confronted with possible Syrian civil war | Reuters

Analysis: Turkey confronted with possible Syrian civil war

By Ralph Boulton

LONDON | Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:04pm EST

(Reuters) - Turkey appears to be preparing for some form of civil war in neighboring Syria, wary of any unilateral intervention but fearful fighting there could quickly escalate to a broader sectarian conflagration in the Arab world.

More:Analysis: Turkey confronted with possible Syrian civil war | Reuters

The Contemporary Istanbul art fair attracts UAE gallerists - The National

The Contemporary Istanbul art fair attracts UAE gallerists

Christopher Lord
Nov 24, 2011

Four vanguard UAE galleries are heading to the Turkish capital this week as Contemporary Istanbul opens its doors with a special Gulf focus.

This year the city's art fair has invited six galleries that focus on art from the Middle East to bolster its roster of more than 80 prominent Turkish and international spaces looking to sell works to local collectors and those from the wider region.

More:The Contemporary Istanbul art fair attracts UAE gallerists - The National

Turkey Considers Allowing Conscientious Objection to Military Service | Middle East | English

Turkey Considers Allowing Conscientious Objection to Military Service

Dorian Jones | Istanbul

Conscientious objectors to Turkey's national army service face years in jail, often brutalized by fellow inmates for being traitors. But the government, under pressure from the European court of human rights, has indicated that it may allow conscientious objection. The issue has provoked a storm of controversy.

More:Turkey Considers Allowing Conscientious Objection to Military Service | Middle East | English

Turkish watchdog says 26 firms apply for West pipeline deal | Reuters

Turkish watchdog says 26 firms apply for West pipeline deal

ISTANBUL | Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:11am EST

Nov 23 (Reuters) - Twenty-six companies, including Austria's OMV, Turkey's Aygaz, Zorlu , Aksa, Demiroren and Turcas have applied for a licence to transfer 4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas through the West Pipeline, Turkish Energy Market Regulator said on Wednesday.

More:Turkish watchdog says 26 firms apply for West pipeline deal | Reuters

Zero Rates a Turkish 'Ideal' - WSJ.com

Zero Rates a Turkish 'Ideal'

BY MARC CHAMPION AND JOE PARKINSON

ISTANBUL—Turkey's economy czar Ali Babacan on Wednesday waded into a furious debate over an ideological policy of targeting zero real interest rates, saying this was an "ideal," but that achieving it was constrained by markets.

More:Zero Rates a Turkish 'Ideal' - WSJ.com

Turkey’s past provides insights into the EU’s future – The Beaver

Turkey’s past provides insights into the EU’s future

by Abir Qazilbash on 23 Nov 2011 in News
The Woflson Theatre was filled with discussion during a public lecture entitled “Turkish angles: Europe’s nation states” which featured three distinguished academics who have extensively studied Turkish politics, law and identity. John Breuilly, Professor of Nationalism and Ethnicity in the LSE’s Department of Government, Sir Francis Jacobs, Law Professor at King’s College London, and Professor Umut Özkirimli from Lund University’s Centre for Middle East Studies discussed the ways in which Turkish perspectives have shifted our understanding of European identity.

More:Turkey’s past provides insights into the EU’s future – The Beaver

Istanbul,Cairo top Middle East cities in Ericsson Networked Society Index - Business Intelligence Middle East - bi-me.com - News, analysis, reports

Istanbul,Cairo top Middle East cities in Ericsson Networked Society Index

UAE. The second edition of Ericsson’s (NASDAQ:ERIC) Networked Society City Index ranked Istanbul and Cairo amongst the world’s 25 largest cities according to their ability to transform Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to social, economic and environmental benefits.

More:Istanbul,Cairo top Middle East cities in Ericsson Networked Society Index - Business Intelligence Middle East - bi-me.com - News, analysis, reports

The Turkish Film Festival gets underway – Now. Here. This. – Time Out London

The Turkish Film Festival gets underway
Posted at 3:30 pm, November 23, 2011 in Arts & Entertainment

Once Upon a Time in AntatoliaLondon’s annual celebration of Turkish cinema kicks off this Thursday 24 November with a gala screening of new comic drama ‘Being Italian with Signora Enrica’, in which legendary screen siren Claudia Cardinale plays a staunch feminist who gradually warms to her Turkish student lodger. Cardinale will be on hand to introduce the film – but don’t worry if that event is sold out, there’s plenty more good stuff on offer. Our pick of the festival has to be Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s astonishing ‘Once Upon a Time in Anatolia’ (check out a 5-star review by Dave Calhoun), but we’re also rooting for ‘September’, a dark drama about drifting characters lost in modern-day Istanbul. The festival is uniquely structured – all the films play at the Rio in Dalston between Nov 25 and Dec 1, then all of them play again at the Apollo West End from Dec 2 to Dec 8, giving viewers no excuses for missing anything.

More:The Turkish Film Festival gets underway – Now. Here. This. – Time Out London

Turkish President Gul stands with PM Erdogan against Syria's violent crackdown | News | National Post

Syrian violence a threat to entire region: Turkish President Gul

By Jonathon Burch and Adrian Croft

LONDON/ANKARA — Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned on Wednesday that President Bashar al-Assad’s violent crackdown on an eight-month-old revolt in Syria threatened to “drag the whole region into turmoil and bloodshed.”

More:Turkish President Gul stands with PM Erdogan against Syria's violent crackdown | News | National Post

Turkish Central Bank Holds Key Rate As Expected

Turkish Central Bank Holds Key Rate As Expected
11/23/2011 8:04 AM ET

(RTTNews) - Turkey's central bank on Wednesday decided to retain its policy interest rate at a record low of 5.75 percent. The decision was in line with economists' expectations.

More:Turkish Central Bank Holds Key Rate As Expected

Deutsche Borse, Istanbul Stock Exchange sign cooperation deal - Banking Business Review

Deutsche Borse, Istanbul Stock Exchange sign cooperation deal
BBR Staff Writer Published 23 November 2011

Germany-based Deutsche Borse and Turkey's Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) have signed an agreement to support each other in developing their respective securities markets, such as joint research projects and marketing activities in Germany and Turkey.

More:Deutsche Borse, Istanbul Stock Exchange sign cooperation deal - Banking Business Review

Turkish President Chides ‘Miserable’ EU - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ

Turkish President Chides ‘Miserable’ EU

Mr. Gul was quoted widely by Turkish newspapers on Wednesday telling reporters the previous day just how unhappy Ankara was that the Greek (and internationally recognized) half of Cyprus is scheduled to chair the EU’s rotating presidency next year.

More:Turkish President Chides ‘Miserable’ EU - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ

At The Crossroads: International Energy Investors Grow Turkish Presence

At The Crossroads: International Energy Investors Grow Turkish Presence

By Peter Gardett

Amid a struggling US economy rife with political dissonance, a European sovereign debt crisis and Asian markets often closed to foreigners, a stable country of 70 million in the process of a full-scale deregulation of its energy markets--without restrictions on foreign investors--sounds almost like a fantasy.

More:At The Crossroads: International Energy Investors Grow Turkish Presence

Turkish journalists face judge in test of media freedom - CNN.com

Turkish journalists face judge in test of media freedom
By Yesim Comert and Gul Tuysuz, CNN
November 23, 2011 -- Updated 1218 GMT (2018 HKT)

Istanbul (CNN) -- Several journalists accused of being involved in an alleged plot to overthrow the Turkish government appeared in an Istanbul court on Tuesday for the first hearing in a trial that is seen as a test for media freedoms in Turkey.

More:Turkish journalists face judge in test of media freedom - CNN.com

Turkish PM apologizes over 1930s killings of Kurds

Turkish PM apologizes over 1930s killings of Kurds

(AP) – 40 minutes ago

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's prime minister has apologized for the first time for the killings of nearly 14,000 people in a bombing and strafing campaign to crush a Kurdish rebellion in the 1930s.

The apology Wednesday by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan comes at tense time for relations between Turkey and its minority Kurds. Erdogan's government is currently fighting against autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels and despite efforts to seek peace, it says it is determined to crush the rebels if they don't lay down arms.

More:The Associated Press: Turkish PM apologizes over 1930s killings of Kurds

AFP: British pomp on show as Turkey's Gul starts state visit

British pomp on show as Turkey's Gul starts state visit

(AFP) – 21 hours ago

LONDON — Turkish President Abdullah Gul was welcomed to Britain by Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday at the start of a three-day state visit aimed at forging closer links with Turkey's emerging economy.

The two heads of state shook hands warmly as the hosts laid on the traditional pomp in a central London ceremony, with a 41-gun royal salute fired and Gul inspecting lines of Coldstream Guards in their grey greatcoats.

More:AFP: British pomp on show as Turkey's Gul starts state visit

London sings praises for Turkey - UPI.com

London sings praises for Turkey
Published: Nov. 22, 2011 at 1:34 PM

LONDON, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Turkey is strategically positioned to play an important role in regional affairs, the British foreign secretary said in an appeal for warmer diplomatic ties.

More:London sings praises for Turkey - UPI.com

Criticism grows over Ankara’s curbs on society - FT.com

Criticism grows over Ankara’s curbs on society

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

Moves by the Turkish government have sparked concern that the state is exerting ever-greater sway over other parts of society, ranging from academia to business.

This year, Turkey has put independent regulators under the supervision of government departments, asserted new powers to appoint members of the Turkish Academy of Sciences and increased control over the Istanbul Stock Exchange as a possible prelude to privatisation. On Tuesday, Ankara introduced new internet filters that the government claims will protect children from damaging content. The state has set out different rationales in each case. But critics – and even some sympathisers – are alarmed.

More:Criticism grows over Ankara’s curbs on society - FT.com

New Turkish Film Shatters Taboos (Video) | Care2 Causes

New Turkish Film Shatters Taboos (Video)

by Paul Canning
November 22, 2011
11:00 am
A new Turkish film loosely based on the life of murdered Turkish gay activist Ahmet Yıldız is winning awards and opening worldwide in January.

“Zenne” (Zenne Dancer, or “dancing man, man dancer” in Turkish) won five Golden Oranges at the Golden Orange Film Festival, Turkey’s most prestigious film event. It is co-directed by M. Caner Alper and Mehmet Binay.

More:New Turkish Film Shatters Taboos (Video) | Care2 Causes

Turkey: More on Monday’s column

Turkey: More on Monday’s column

Author: Emre Deliveli · November 23rd, 2011 · Comments (0) Share This Print 0 0

[edited the end based on reader feedback; apologies to readers who thought it was not my style; my anger at insults and false accusations had got the better of me]

Just I was getting geared up to write an addendum to Monday’s Hurriyet Daily News column, which also appeared here, I got notified that Oguz Karamuk, the econ section chief of Sabah to whose conspiracy-theory anti-Semitic mind you got introduced to with my column, had responded (I am sorry that both articles are in Turkish, but you should see what they are about from my column and this post), and with his crony Suluman the Economist nonetheless. So I had better start with those:

More:EconoMonitor : EconoMonitor » Turkey: More on Monday’s column

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Turkey’s Democratic Dusk - Dani Rodrik - Project Syndicate

Turkey’s Democratic Dusk
Dani Rodrik

CAMBRIDGE – When questioned recently about a constitutional law professor who was arrested for lecturing at an institute run by the country’s main pro-Kurdish political party, Turkey’s interior minister, Idris Naim Sahin, couldn’t hide his irritation: “I am having a hard time understanding those saying a professor should not be arrested while thousands of other people are being arrested in Turkey.”

More:Turkey’s Democratic Dusk - Dani Rodrik - Project Syndicate

Paradigm shift in Turkey’s view of the Arab world - Arab News

Paradigm shift in Turkey’s view of the Arab world

By ABDUL HANNAN TAGO | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 22, 2011 22:52 Updated: Nov 22, 2011 22:52

RIYADH: A senior official of Turkey’s think tank said on Tuesday that the people of Turkey look up to the Saudis as brothers while the new stress of Turkish media’s coverage of Middle East emphasizes the turnaround in Turkey’s view of the Arabs.
More:Paradigm shift in Turkey’s view of the Arab world - Arab News

Playing to home audiences keeps Turkey's cinema scene cooking | Film | guardian.co.uk

Playing to home audiences keeps Turkey's cinema scene cooking

With domestic films repeatedly ranking in the nation's most viewed, the Turkish industry is booming as others around it stall

You couldn't move for new waves in the noughties: even Antarctica looked capable of knocking out its own film scene. But the Latin American buena onda in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the South Korea extreme-Asia offshoot and the Russian blockbuster boom all had one thing in common. They found it hard to sustain their initial impact, whether it was because the global media moved on to the next big thing, or their key directors were poached by Hollywood, or there was a lack of sustained investment. Gael García Bernal reflected on the Mexican version of the problem at an NFT talk: "When we did Amores Perros, Mexico only made six films that year. There will be 65 films this year. But I don't know how many of those will be seen. The point is not just making them but of them becoming reality, of becoming films that are shown in cinemas."

More:Playing to home audiences keeps Turkey's cinema scene cooking | Film | guardian.co.uk

Ankara backing Nabucco rival? - UPI.com

Ankara backing Nabucco rival?
Published: Nov. 22, 2011 at 8:28 AM
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ANKARA, Turkey, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Ankara supports a natural gas pipeline from the Shah Deniz 2 field in Azerbaijan that could be seen as a direct competitor to Nabucco, an official said.

More:Ankara backing Nabucco rival? - UPI.com

Füle and Eroğlu talk turkey on Cyprus issues | New Europe

Füle and Eroğlu talk turkey on Cyprus issues
Article | November 22, 2011 - 2:40pm

Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle met with Derviş Eroğlu, leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on 22 November.

Commissioner Füle and Turkish leader Eroğlu shared views of the last tripartite meeting between the Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, Eroğlu and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which took place end of October in New York.

More:Füle and Eroğlu talk turkey on Cyprus issues | New Europe

Analysis: Turkey at new crossroads

Analysis: Turkey at new crossroads
An age-old dilemma for Turkey rears its head once again

As Turkish president Abdullah Gul begins a three-day state visit to the UK, the country traditionally at the crossroads between east and west finds itself facing an ancient dilemma once again.

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Erdogan calls on Assad to resign - FT.com

Erdogan calls on Assad to resign

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul and Funja Guler in Ankara

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, has called on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to leave power and compared him to Adolf Hitler, in a final break with Damascus days after an apparent attack by Syrian forces on Turkish citizens.

More:Erdogan calls on Assad to resign - FT.com

Istanbul to combine exchanges - FT.com

Istanbul to combine exchanges

By Jeremy Grant in London and Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

Turkey’s two biggest exchanges, the Istanbul Stock Exchange and TurkDex, will be combined under a plan unveiled by Ankara to develop Istanbul into a regional financial centre.


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Denizbank Jumps in Istanbul After Report of HSBC Offer - Bloomberg

Denizbank Jumps in Istanbul After Report of HSBC Offer

By Benjamin Harvey - Nov 22, 2011 3:03 AM ET

Denizbank AS (DENIZ), a Turkish bank owned by Dexia SA, jumped in Istanbul trading after Sky News reported that HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) had made an offer.

More:Denizbank Jumps in Istanbul After Report of HSBC Offer - Bloomberg

Turkish journalists stand trial - Boston.com

Turkish journalists stand trial
By Selcan Hacaoglu and Bertan Ayduk
Associated Press / November 22, 2011

ISTANBUL—Several journalists accused of involvement in an alleged plot to topple Turkey's Islamic-rooted government went on trial Tuesday after spending about nine months in jail.

More:Turkish journalists stand trial - Boston.com

Britain and Turkey: a new special relationship - Telegraph

Britain and Turkey: a new special relationship

The case for a strong bilateral partnership between Britain and Turkey has never been stronger, writes William Hague.

More:Britain and Turkey: a new special relationship - Telegraph

Turkey to announce tender for hydrocarbons exploration in Mediterranean - Trend

Turkey to announce tender for hydrocarbons exploration in Mediterranean
22 November 2011, 13:40 (GMT+04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov.22 / Trend A. Taghiyeva /

Turkey, which previously agreed with the Shell Oil Company to deal with oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, will announce an international tender to issue a certificate for hydrocarbons exploration in the Gulf of Mersin in December, the Sabah newspaper reported on Tuesday.

More:Turkey to announce tender for hydrocarbons exploration in Mediterranean - Trend

Turkish Pharma and Health Ministry defend clinical trials record - Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology News - Pharma Letter

Turkish Pharma and Health Ministry defend clinical trials record

Article | 21 November 2011

The Turkish Ministry of Health and the country’s Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AiFD) have both strongly defended the regulation of clinical trials, following an article in the UK’s The Independent, and picked up by the local media, suggesting that hundreds of people had died as a result of taking part in such studies.

More:Turkish Pharma and Health Ministry defend clinical trials record - Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology News - Pharma Letter

Turkish police detain 15 in Al Qaeda raids

Turkish police detain 15 in Al Qaeda raids
(Reuters)

22 November 2011
ANKARA - Turkish police have detained 15 people in overnight raids targeting Al Qaeda militants south of the Turkish capital, local media reported on Tuesday.

The men were arrested at several addresses across the city of Konya, 250 km (155 miles) south of Ankara, on suspicion of being members of Al Qaeda now led by Egyptian Ayman Al Zawahiri, state news agency Anatolian and private broadcasters reported.

More:Turkish police detain 15 in Al Qaeda raids

AFP: Turkey arrests 70 for suspected Kurd rebel links

Turkey arrests 70 for suspected Kurd rebel links

(AFP) – 2 hours ago

ISTANBUL — Turkish police arrested more than 70 people in coordinated raids around the country on Tuesday for suspected links to outlawed Kurdish rebels, media reports said.

Lawyers for jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and some members of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were among those arrested, security sources in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir said.

More:AFP: Turkey arrests 70 for suspected Kurd rebel links

Free press on trial in EU aspirant Turkey

Free press on trial in EU aspirant Turkey

By Andrew Rettman

BRUSSELS - The trial of 11 journalists - including Turkey's "last investigative reporter" - begins on Tuesday (22 November) in a country which says it wants to join the EU.

More:EUobserver.com / Enlargement / Free press on trial in EU aspirant Turkey

Free press on trial in EU aspirant Turkey - by Andrew Rettman

The trial of 11 journalists - including Turkey's "last investigative reporter" - begins today, Tuesday (22 November) in a country which says it wants to join the EU.

Nedim Sener, Ahmet Sik and nine other journalists will face the court after spending six months in pre-trial detention on charges they support Ergenekon - an alleged conspiracy against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan named after a fairy tale palace. If convicted, they will join the 63 newspaper men and women who are already in prison or the 50 journalists who live under threat of prison due to suspended sentences.

The trial comes one month after Turkey arrested Ragip Zarakolu, an eminent intellectual and free speech campaigner, on charges that he collaborates with an illegal Kurdish movement, the KCK. It also comes the same day the government launches a Chinese-style Internet filter designed to block access to thousands of websites containing pornography or Kurdish "separatist propaganda."

For more: EUobserver.com / Enlargement / Free press on trial in EU aspirant Turkey

Monday, November 21, 2011

Turkish athletics history, at a glance - Istanbul 2012

Turkish athletics history, at a glance - Istanbul 2012

With the IAAF World Indoor Championships - Istanbul Turkey, 9-11 March 2012 - set to get underway in just under four months time we continue our countdown to the world's premiere indoor athletics competition with a quick look at some athletics highlights produced by athletes from the host nation.

More:iaaf.org - Turkish athletics history, at a glance - Istanbul 2012

Sabanci, Ageas to buy up to 5 pct each of Aksigorta | Reuters

Sabanci, Ageas to buy up to 5 pct each of Aksigorta

ISTANBUL | Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:08am EST

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding and Belgium-based insurance group Ageas, partners in Turkish insurance company Aksigorta , will each buy up to 5 percent of the firm's shares back from the Istanbul Stock Exchange within one year, Sabanci said in a statement on Monday.

More:Sabanci, Ageas to buy up to 5 pct each of Aksigorta | Reuters

Turkey's Richest Man Battles to Keep Control - WSJ.com

Turkey's Richest Man Fights to Survive
Fraud Case, Failed Utility Auction and Control of Cellphone Firm Put Mr. Karamehmet on Defensive

BY MARC CHAMPION

ISTANBUL—Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, chairman of Turkey's Cukurova Holding AS, is the country's richest man, the founder of some of its most innovative companies—and fighting to survive.

More:Turkey's Richest Man Battles to Keep Control - WSJ.com

BBC News - Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence
Bridget Kendall By Bridget Kendall Diplomatic correspondent, Istanbul
Panorama of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople Turkish diplomats dismiss talk of neo-Ottomanism

The dome next to Istanbul's ancient walls is one of the city's newest tourist attractions. The 360 degree panorama, complete with sound effects of cannon fire and fighting, depicts the moment in 1453 when the Byzantine city of Constantinople was seized by the Turkish Sultan.

More:BBC News - Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Turkey Probes Banks Over Possible Rate Collusion - WSJ.com

Turkey Probes Banks Over Possible Rate Collusion

BY JOE PARKINSON

ISTANBUL—Turkey's Competition Board will launch an investigation into 12 banks, including the country's biggest lenders, to probe whether they have colluded in setting deposit and loan rates, government officials said Monday.

More:Turkey Probes Banks Over Possible Rate Collusion - WSJ.com

Lira Weakens on U.S. Budget Impasse, Central Bank Dollar Sale - Businessweek

Lira Weakens on U.S. Budget Impasse, Central Bank Dollar Sale
November 21, 2011, 9:16 PM EST

By Selcuk Gokoluk

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The lira depreciated a sixth day to its weakest level in a month as a U.S. budget impasse curbed appetite for riskier assets and the central bank’s $140 million offer to banks for liras failed to stem the currency’s depreciation.

More:Lira Weakens on U.S. Budget Impasse, Central Bank Dollar Sale - Businessweek

Turkish-Syrian Tensions Escalate After Attack on Pilgrims « VOA Breaking News

Turkish-Syrian Tensions Escalate After Attack on Pilgrims
Posted Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Relations between Turkey and Syria continued to deteriorate Monday after gunmen in northern Syria opened fire on a convoy of buses carrying Turkish pilgrims back from the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

More:Turkish-Syrian Tensions Escalate After Attack on Pilgrims « VOA Breaking News

Abdullah Gul visits Britain as EU turns its back on Turkey | Politics | guardian.co.uk

Abdullah Gul visits Britain as EU turns its back on Turkey

Turkish president in Britain for state visit as hopes of joining EU crumble in the face of opposition from France and Germany

Amid all the drama of the eurozone crisis, the political world has missed out on a highly significant development in the EU. This is the junking of Turkey's hopes of joining the EU.

More:Abdullah Gul visits Britain as EU turns its back on Turkey | Politics | guardian.co.uk

Turkey supports all pipelines within Southern gas corridor - Trend

Turkey supports all pipelines within Southern gas corridor
21 November 2011, 18:02 (GMT+04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 21 / Trend A.Badalova/

Turkey is still offering support to all three pipelines within the Southern gas corridor, which is designed to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Platts reported referring to a spokesman for the energy ministry of Turkey.

More:Turkey supports all pipelines within Southern gas corridor - Trend

BBC News - Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Bridget Kendall By Bridget Kendall Diplomatic correspondent, Istanbul
Panorama of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople Turkish diplomats dismiss talk of neo-Ottomanism

The dome next to Istanbul's ancient walls is one of the city's newest tourist attractions. The 360 degree panorama, complete with sound effects of cannon fire and fighting, depicts the moment in 1453 when the Byzantine city of Constantinople was seized by the Turkish Sultan.

More:BBC News - Turks sense dawn of new era of power and confidence

Israel boosts diplomatic mission to Turkey - Israel News, Ynetnews

Israel boosts diplomatic mission to Turkey

Foreign Ministry names Joseph Levy-Safri chargé d'affaires of Israeli Embassy in Ankara but tension between nations remain high

Ronen Medzini
Published: 11.21.11, 14:22 / Israel News

The Foreign Ministry announced Monday that it will be sending another diplomatic envoy to Ankara, who will act as the chargé d'affaires of the Israeli Embassy, despite the unrelenting tensions between Israel and Turkey.

More:Israel boosts diplomatic mission to Turkey - Israel News, Ynetnews

Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal

Istanbul (Platts)--21Nov2011/538 am EST/1038 GMT

Turkey would support a proposal for a pipeline to carry gas from the second phase of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to Europe, a spokesman for the energy ministry said Monday.

The proposed pipeline would be in competition with the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline project.

More:Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

EU accused of reneging on pledge to end 'isolation' of northern Cyprus: theparliament.com

EU accused of reneging on pledge to end 'isolation' of northern Cyprus

By Martin Banks - 21st November 2011
" We want to see the EU put pressure on the Greek Cypriot side"

Osman Ertug

The EU has been accused of reneging on its pledge to end the 'isolation' of northern Cyprus.

The attack by a close aide to Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu comes ahead of a major conference aimed at reaching a resolution to the long running conflict.

More:EU accused of reneging on pledge to end 'isolation' of northern Cyprus: theparliament.com

Turkey Probes Banks for Rate Collusion - WSJ.com

Turkey Probes Banks for Rate Collusion

BY JOE PARKINSON

ISTANBUL—Turkey's Competition Board will launch an investigation into 12 banks, including the country's biggest lenders, to probe whether they have colluded in setting deposit and loan rates, government officials said Monday.

More:Turkey Probes Banks for Rate Collusion - WSJ.com

Lira Weakens Sixth Day to One Month Low on U.S. Budget Impasse - Businessweek

Lira Weakens Sixth Day to One Month Low on U.S. Budget Impasse
November 21, 2011, 7:14 AM EST

By Selcuk Gokoluk

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The lira weakened for a sixth day to its lowest level in a month, extending its longest losing streak since June as an impasse over U.S. budget cuts curbed appetite for riskier assets.

More:Lira Weakens Sixth Day to One Month Low on U.S. Budget Impasse - Businessweek

Yerevan to host Armenian-Turkish business conference

Yerevan to host Armenian-Turkish business conference

November 21, 2011 - 13:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - On November 22-23, 2011, a conference of Armenian and Turkish businessmen will take place at the Hrazdan Hotel in Yerevan.

The event is organized by the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia as part of the “Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement” project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Consortium of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, Yerevan Press Club, International Center for Human Development and the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen (Employers) of Armenia.

More:Yerevan to host Armenian-Turkish business conference - PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal

Istanbul (Platts)--21Nov2011/538 am EST/1038 GMT

Turkey would support a proposal for a pipeline to carry gas from the second phase of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to Europe, a spokesman for the energy ministry said Monday.

The proposed pipeline would be in competition with the EU-backed Nabucco pipeline project.

More:Turkey says will support Azerbaijan gas transit pipeline proposal - Natural Gas | Platts News Article & Story

UPDATE 1-Turkish Competition Board to investigate 12 banks | Reuters

UPDATE 1-Turkish Competition Board to investigate 12 banks

By Orhan Coskun

ANKARA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The Turkish Competition Board has decided to launch an investigation into 12 banks over complaints of anti-competitive behaviour in setting loan rates, the board's chairman Nurettin Kaldirimci told Reuters on Monday.

More:UPDATE 1-Turkish Competition Board to investigate 12 banks | Reuters

Bulgaria, Turkey to sign agreement on gas link construction - Bulgaria - The Sofia Echo

Bulgaria, Turkey to sign agreement on gas link construction
Mon, Nov 21 2011 09:49 CET

Bulgaria and Turkey will sign a political agreement to build a cross-border gas pipeline, thus declaring the strategic importance of this project to both states, Bulgaria's Energy Ministry said on November 19 2011.

More:Bulgaria, Turkey to sign agreement on gas link construction - Bulgaria - The Sofia Echo

Turkey: energy deals need spark | beyondbrics | News and views on emerging markets from the Financial Times – FT.com

Turkey: energy deals need spark
November 21, 2011 8:46 am by Daniel Dombey

A market of more than 70m people where economic growth outstripped 10 per cent for the first half of the year. An energy import bill of some $50bn a year, accounting for two thirds of the country’s current account deficit. An emphasis by the government on energy sector privatisation as a means of delivering economic reform.

More:Turkey: energy deals need spark | beyondbrics | News and views on emerging markets from the Financial Times – FT.com

Asia Times Online :: Turkey and the Syrian 'Abyss'

Turkey and the Syrian 'Abyss'
By Ramzy Baroud

When Recep Tayyip Erdogan became Turkey's prime minister in 2003, he seemed to be certain of the new direction his country would take. It would maintain cordial ties with Turkey's old friends, Israel included, but also reach out to its Arab and Muslim neighbors, Syria in particular.

More:Asia Times Online :: Turkey and the Syrian 'Abyss'

Turkey focused on growth more than inflation: aide - MarketWatch

Turkey focused on growth more than inflation: aide
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By Joe Parkinson

ISTANBUL (MarketWatch) -- Turkey's finance minister this weekend urged Europe's policymakers to stem contagion risks from the spiraling debt crisis, but dismissed market concerns over a spike in Turkish prices, suggesting Ankara remains more concerned about threats to growth than inflation.

More:Turkey focused on growth more than inflation: aide - MarketWatch

Fund file: Turkey’s springboard | beyondbrics | News and views on emerging markets from the Financial Times – FT.com

Fund file: Turkey’s springboard
November 21, 2011 6:00 am by Emma Boyde

“We have to decide to be part of somewhere. The most logical place is Europe,” says Turkish asset manager, Tolon Canpolat Aydos, in a report in Monday’s FTfm

More:Fund file: Turkey’s springboard | beyondbrics | News and views on emerging markets from the Financial Times – FT.com

Turkey will ‘lose nothing’ with EU- Cyprus snub

Turkey will ‘lose nothing’ with EU- Cyprus snub

In comments on the stalemate in the accession talks, Bagis said the EU was in the grips of “an eclipse of reason,” but said Turkey would stay on the path of reform.
MIKE DOYLE / FG ONLINE
• Mon, Nov 21, 2011
TURKEY’S EU Minister Egemen Bagis has said that Ankara will lose nothing if it fails to open any EU chapter during the six months during the Greek Cypriot presidency.

More:Turkey will ‘lose nothing’ with EU- Cyprus snub

Turkey Fin Min: Turkey Will Be Hit By Euro Zone Slump, Rebound Strongly - WSJ.com

Turkey Fin Min: Turkey Will Be Hit By Euro Zone Slump, Rebound Strongly

By Joe Parkinson

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

ISTANBUL (Dow Jones)--Turkey's finance minister this weekend urged Europe's policymakers to stem contagion risks from the spiraling debt crisis, but dismissed market concerns over a spike in Turkish prices, suggesting Ankara remains more concerned about threats to growth than inflation.

More:Turkey Fin Min: Turkey Will Be Hit By Euro Zone Slump, Rebound Strongly - WSJ.com