Saturday, March 31, 2012

Delegation to visit Ankara to observe city development models

Delegation to visit Ankara to observe city development models

ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation of officials from the federal capital will soon visit Turkey to observe development models of Ankara, a sister city of Islamabad. They hope to replicate and implement the city’s model in the capital.

More:Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Delegation to visit Ankara to observe city development models

Istanbul, or Why has it taken me 20 years to get here | The Daily Californian

Istanbul, or Why has it taken me 20 years to get here

By Jillian Wertheim | Senior Staff

If your list of dream travel destinations does not currently include Istanbul, let me tell you, straight up: You’re doing it wrong.

Move over Paris, Barcelona — these traditional European hotspots need to make room for the best thing you never knew you were missing. Do yourself a favor and book a ticket right now. Turkey — it’s the place to be.

More:Istanbul, or Why has it taken me 20 years to get here | The Daily Californian

Challenge of the Turkish soap operas

Challenge of the Turkish soap operas

The High production values of dubbed Turkish television dramas, which are extremely popular in Arab households, pose a huge challenge, experts says

By Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor
Published: 00:00 April 1, 2012

The remarkably popular Turkish dramas are increasingly becoming a source of delight for sponsors and advertisers on Arabic channels.

The demand for drama, which has become a target for several Arab channels in the past few years, has increased in recent months with the expansion of its broadcasting map, after overcoming some accent barriers. The demand for Turkish drama has increased, especially with the decreasing output of the two important TV production cities in the Arab region, Cairo and Damascus, due to the political turmoil in both countries for more than a year.

More:gulfnews : Challenge of the Turkish soap operas

Talking Turkey (the country) | UTSanDiego.com

Talking Turkey (the country)

Written by
John Wilkens

“Anatolian Days & Nights” is about the 10-year odyssey authors Angie Brenner and Joy Stocke took through what they consider one of the world’s most fascinating and misunderstood countries: Turkey.

More:Talking Turkey (the country) | UTSanDiego.com

Turkey’s foreign trade deficit sees notable improvement in February

Turkey’s foreign trade deficit sees notable improvement in February

Turkey’s foreign trade deficit dropped by more than one-fifth year-on-year in February, the official statistics bureau has said. According to Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) figures, the gap declined by 20.4 percent from $7.46 billion in February 2011 to $5.93 billion the second month of this year.

More:Turkey’s foreign trade deficit sees notable improvement in February

Turkey cuts 20% of oil purchases from Iran - FT.com

Turkey cuts 20% of oil purchases from Iran

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul, Geoff Dyer in Washington and Javier Blas in London
A worker walks past oil barrels©Reuters

Turkey is slashing its purchases of Iranian oil by 20 per cent, becoming Tehran’s last big energy client to fall into line with new US sanctions signed by President Barack Obama barely three months ago.

More:Turkey cuts 20% of oil purchases from Iran - FT.com

Eight People Detained in Turkey after Anti-Terrorist Operation, 31 March 2012 Saturday 13:2

Eight People Detained in Turkey after Anti-Terrorist Operation

Saturday, 31 March 2012

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 31 / Trend A.Taghieva /

During the special operation of the Turkish security forces eight people have been arrested in Istanbul, TRT Haber TV channel reported on Saturday.

More:Eight People Detained in Turkey after Anti-Terrorist Operation, 31 March 2012 Saturday 13:2

International Istanbul Film Festival opens, 31 March 2012 Saturday 9:51

International Istanbul Film Festival opens

The 31st edition of the International Istanbul Film Festival, hosted by Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation (IKSV), opened with a gala ceremony on Friday at Lutfi Kirdar Convention Hall.

More:International Istanbul Film Festival opens, 31 March 2012 Saturday 9:51

Syria refugee crisis lands on Turkey's doorstep

Syria refugee crisis lands on Turkey's doorstep

Saturday, Mar 31, 2012

HATAY, Turkey - Turkey is grappling with a refugee crisis stemming from the Damascus regime's military offensive against opponents as the country braces for a new influx of people fleeing the violence.

More:Syria refugee crisis lands on Turkey's doorstep

MEHMET ALİ BİRAND - A different voice this time from the EU Parliament

A different voice this time from the EU Parliament

The European Union Parliament’s annual “Progress Report” on Turkey was approved March 29. There are significant changes when compared to previous ones. For the first time, the views of almost all groups are included. I can summarize the most important topics as such:

More:MEHMET ALİ BİRAND - A different voice this time from the EU Parliament

Explosion, fire kills two at Istanbul café

Explosion, fire kills two at Istanbul café
30 March 2012 1,839 views No Comment BY: BNO News

ISTANBUL, TURKEY (BNO NEWS) -- Two people were killed on early Friday morning when an explosion ripped through a live music café in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, officials said. A third person was injured.

The blast occurred at around 6 a.m. local time in the establishment in Istanbul's Esenler district, which is located on the European side of the city. The café, which plays live music, is located on the basement floor of a building at Orhan Gazi Street.

More:Channel 6 News » Explosion, fire kills two at Istanbul café

Armenia and Turkey: Normalization of Relations (Taken Question)

Armenia and Turkey: Normalization of Relations

Taken Question
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

Question Taken at the March 30, 2012 Daily Press Briefing
March 30, 2012

QUESTION: The last time the Secretary of State was in Armenia she mentioned that it’s up to Turkey now to make a step towards reconciliation. Is this the same message that this building is trying to deliver to Ankara authorities?

ANSWER: We strongly support the efforts of Turkey and Armenia to normalize their bilateral relationship. The issue is a regular part of our dialogue with the highest levels of both the Turkish and Armenian governments.

Armenia and Turkey: Normalization of Relations (Taken Question)

Friday, March 30, 2012

Taking a beating at Turkish bath - Chicago Sun-Times

Taking a beating at Turkish bath

Dave Hoekstra dhoekstra@suntimes.com March 30, 2012 3:18PM

ISTANBUL, Turkey — Like so many tired souls that had arrived before me at the Cagaloglu Hamam I was looking for a helping hand.

But we hit it off with a slap on the back and the twist of a neck.

Salih was my scrubber at the historic Turkish hamam (baths).

Did I say ouch?

He only spoke Turkish, I only spoke English, so we connected through body language. Salih made it known he was building momentum on my pretty much naked torso by fierce grunts and growls. His toothy grin emerged from under a thick black moustache.

More:Taking a beating at Turkish bath - Chicago Sun-Times

Turkish youth suffering from knowledge deficit: Sociologist

Turkish youth suffering from knowledge deficit: Sociologist

ISTANBUL-Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey might have a young population, but the country’s youth are largely insular and ignorant, posing problems if the nation wants to run a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy, leading sociologist Nilüfer Narlı says. Internet penetration is low, while many young people don’t know a second language, she says

More:LOCAL - Turkish youth suffering from knowledge deficit: Sociologist

Turkish lawmakers adopt disputed education bill - San Jose Mercury News

Turkish lawmakers adopt disputed education bill
By SUZAN FRASER Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey—Turkish lawmakers on Friday approved a hotly contested school reform bill that detractors say will increase the influence of Islamic schools and which has reignited tensions between the Islamic-leaning government and opponents who fear the country's secular ideals are in danger.

More:Turkish lawmakers adopt disputed education bill - San Jose Mercury News

Turkey to cut Iran oil imports, bows to US pressure | Reuters

UPDATE 2-Turkey to cut Iran oil imports, bows to US pressure

By Seda Sezer

ISTANBUL, March 30 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Friday it will cut imports of oil from Iran by a tenth, ceding to U.S. pressure a week after Washington warned Tehran's customers they could incur U.S. sanctions unless they significantly reduce purchases.

More:UPDATE 2-Turkey to cut Iran oil imports, bows to US pressure | Reuters

Turkey's Sabanci says 2011 net profit rises 13 pct vs 2010 | Reuters

Turkey's Sabanci says 2011 net profit rises 13 pct vs 2010

ISTANBUL, March 30 | Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:45am EDT

(Reuters) - Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding, which has interests in finance and energy, said 2011 net profit rose 13.3 percent from a year earlier to 1.88 billion lira ($1.05 billion).

More:Turkey's Sabanci says 2011 net profit rises 13 pct vs 2010 | Reuters

Stocks Advance on Europe Aid, U.S. Data; Treasuries Drop - Bloomberg

Stocks Advance on Europe Aid, U.S. Data; Treasuries Drop
By Stephen Kirkland and Rita Nazareth - Mar 30, 2012 4:27 PM ET

Global stocks extended the best first-quarter rally since 1998 and the euro gained as European finance ministers agreed to increase rescue funds and U.S. personal spending and consumer confidence topped forecasts. Oil rebounded from its biggest drop of the year and Treasuries slid.

More:Stocks Advance on Europe Aid, U.S. Data; Treasuries Drop - Bloomberg

Turkey's Global gets preliminary bids for energy unit stake sale | Reuters

Turkey's Global gets preliminary bids for energy unit stake sale

ISTANBUL, March 30 | Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:51am EDT

(Reuters) - Turkish conglomerate Global Yatirim Holding said on Friday it received non-binding preliminary bids from potential buyers for a minority stake sale in its unit Global Enerji.

More:Turkey's Global gets preliminary bids for energy unit stake sale | Reuters

Iran and Turkey battle for Iraq supremacy

Iran and Turkey battle for Iraq supremacy

Baghdad (CNN) - As Iraq's capital emerges from almost a decade of conflict and civil strife it is becoming an economic battleground for Turkey and Iran.

Turkish firm Tefirom is contracted to build Baghdad Mall. Featuring a five-star hotel more than 100 meters tall, it is set to be the tallest building in Baghdad. It will also house shops, gyms, a giant parking garage and a state-of-the art medical center.

More:Iran and Turkey battle for Iraq supremacy – Business 360 - CNN.com Blogs

Vizrt Signs Deal with Turkish Station for Stereoscopic 3D Upgrade and Broadcast Graphics Tools | Reuters

Vizrt Signs Deal with Turkish Station for Stereoscopic 3D Upgrade and Broadcast Graphics Tools

Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:30am EDT

Bergen, Norway, March 30, 2012, Vizrt Ltd. (Oslo Main List: VIZ)

Vizrt Ltd., a leading provider of content production tools for the digital media industry, announced today that the Company has signed a deal worth in excess of USD 265,000 for the implementation of Broadcast Graphics products with a Television Station in Turkey.

More:Vizrt Signs Deal with Turkish Station for Stereoscopic 3D Upgrade and Broadcast Graphics Tools | Reuters

Turkish Airlines Selects PROS To Support Network And Revenue Growth - TheStreet

Turkish Airlines Selects PROS To Support Network And Revenue Growth
By Business Wire 03/29/12 - 08:00 AM EDT

PROS ® (NYSE: PRO), a world leader in pricing and revenue management software, today announced that Turkish Airlines has begun implementing four PROS solutions to support its global expansion. After an exhaustive evaluation process, the Istanbul-based carrier selected the state-of-the art PROS Origin & Destination Solutions™ (O&D), PROS Real-Time Dynamic Pricing™ (RTDP), PROS Group System™ and PROS Group Agent™. The transaction was closed in December, 2011.

More:Turkish Airlines Selects PROS To Support Network And Revenue Growth - TheStreet

MEPs regret Turkey’s remarks to freeze relations with Cyprus’ EU Presidency

MEPs regret Turkey’s remarks to freeze relations with Cyprus’ EU Presidency
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Fri, Mar 30, 2012
The European Parliament adopted today a resolution on the progress report on Turkey, pointing out that further progress of its accession course is closely related with reforms and keeping the promises it has undertaken as a candidate state.

MEPs regret Ankara’s statements that it will freeze relations with Cyprus’ EU Presidency if the Cyprus problem is not resolved by mid-2012. The Parliament expressed support for the ongoing UN-led reunification negotiations and asked Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus.

More:MEPs regret Turkey’s remarks to freeze relations with Cyprus’ EU Presidency

Turkey urges political reform in Syria

Turkey urges political reform in Syria
March 30, 2012 09:49 AM

TEHRAN: Syria should heed the will of its people by implementing political reforms and allowing free elections, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on a visit to Tehran in remarks reported by Iranian media Friday.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkey urges political reform in Syria

Turkey: A Monster-sized Dessert Strikes the Heart of Istanbul | EurasiaNet.org

Turkey: A Monster-sized Dessert Strikes the Heart of Istanbul
March 30, 2012 - 12:13am

(Editor’s Note: This guest post comes from Jennifer Hattam, an Istanbul-based journalist and blogger, who recently came across a rather striking culinary vision in the heart of Istanbul.)

Sweet-toothed Istanbul residents lined up recently in Taksim Square for a sticky, gooey bite from a 73-meter-long künefe – one meter for every year that the province of Hatay has been a part of Turkey.

More:Turkey: A Monster-sized Dessert Strikes the Heart of Istanbul | EurasiaNet.org

Guest column: The other side of the story

Guest column: The other side of the story

By Ergin Ayalp

Thursday, March 29, 2012

I’m writing in response to Maria Romas’ Wednesday column entitled “Help the huddled masses yearning to break free,” as I feel it’s important to show both sides of a coin before choosing heads or tails. Though the weakly constructed story of “Myroulla Nicolaou” needs no rebuttal, as it is clearly stated to be fiction, it is important to clarify exactly what happened in Cyprus and exactly what it’s like today. As Romas mentioned, in 1974 the Turkish Republic sent a large number of troops to the island, and also managed to seize large swaths of territory. However, Romas failed to mention why the Turkish Army was compelled to take action at that moment in history — after all why didn’t Turkey just seize the island earlier?

More:Guest column: The other side of the story - Opinion - The Diamondback - University of Maryland

Moment of truth approaches in Istanbul over Iran's nuclear programme | World news | guardian.co.uk

Moment of truth approaches in Istanbul over Iran's nuclear programme

Multilateral talks due to resume on April 14 under the shadow of oil sanctions and military threats

The most likely date and venue for the resumption of nuclear talks with Iran are April 14 in Istanbul, where the last round of negotiations collapsed over a year ago.

More:Moment of truth approaches in Istanbul over Iran's nuclear programme | World news | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications

Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications
By John Daly | Thu, 29 March 2012 23:21 | 3

Turkey has adopted a new strategy in its bid to solve its Kurdish “issue.”

Ankara’s outreach initiative has enormous energy implications, as Turkey currently imports 90 percent of its energy supplies and many pipelines run through Turkey’s eastern Kurdish regions, a tempting target which Kurdish militants have attacked in the past.

More:Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications

Thursday, March 29, 2012

CNA to sign cooperation agreement with Turkish news agency - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

CNA to sign cooperation agreement with Turkish news agency
2012/03/29 22:47:01

Taipei, March 29 (CNA) Taiwan's state-funded Central News Agency (CNA) will sign a media cooperation agreement with Cihan News Agency, a Turkish news agency based in Istanbul, at a ceremony marking CNA's 88th anniversary on Friday.

More:CNA to sign cooperation agreement with Turkish news agency - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications

Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications
By John Daly | Thu, 29 March 2012 23:21 | 0


Turkey has adopted a new strategy in its bid to solve its Kurdish “issue.”

Ankara’s outreach initiative has enormous energy implications, as Turkey currently imports 90 percent of its energy supplies and many pipelines run through Turkey’s eastern Kurdish regions, a tempting target which Kurdish militants have attacked in the past.

More:Turkey's Attempts to Quell PKK Insurgency has Energy Implications

Green light for retrial of Dink murder

Green light for retrial of Dink murder

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

A prosecutor has appealed the ruling in the Hrant Dink murder trial, arguing that the crime was an organized hit.

More:RIGHTS - Green light for retrial of Dink murder

Turkey Seeks to Raise Stake in Tanap Gas Pipeline, Reuters Says

Turkey Seeks to Raise Stake in Tanap Gas Pipeline, Reuters Says
By Zulfugar Agayev - Mar 29, 2012 7:42 AM ET

Turkey may raise its 20 percent stake in the planned Trans-Anatolia Pipeline project, or Tanap, Reuters reported, citing Metin Kilci, undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

More:Turkey Seeks to Raise Stake in Tanap Gas Pipeline, Reuters Says - Bloomberg

Turkish prosecutors seek jail for 364 officers

Turkish prosecutors seek jail for 364 officers

By Ece Toksabay

SILIVRI, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkish prosecutors demanded 15-20 year jail sentences for 364 serving and retired military officers at a coup plot trial on Thursday, marking a dark day for a military that until recently held the power to make or break governments.

More:WBFO: Turkish prosecutors seek jail for 364 officers (2012-03-29)

Turkish PM Erdogan holds Tehran talks with Ahmadinejad

Turkish PM Erdogan holds Tehran talks with Ahmadinejad

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently held met Barack Obama, has held talks in Iran ahead of a fresh round of nuclear negotiations

More:Turkish PM Erdogan holds Tehran talks with Ahmadinejad | World news | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's Increasing Role in Somalia: An Emerging Donor?

Turkey's Increasing Role in Somalia: An Emerging Donor?

By Abdihakim Aynte, Contributor, Somalia

In what seems to be an extraordinary shift in its involvement in Africa, Turkey is fast becoming an ally – and international actor – in Somalia's theater. Lately, Ankara has shown an increasing interest and willingness to intervene in the devastating situation caused by the acute drought, complicated by terrorism and statelessness in Somalia.

More:Turkey's Increasing Role in Somalia: An Emerging Donor?, 29 March 2012 Thursday 10:25

Around the world in 52 suburbs: Istanbul | Louise Hawson

Around the world in 52 suburbs: Istanbul
Louise Hawson
March 29, 2012 - 4:20PM

Sydney photographer Louise Hawson goes beyond the cliches in Turkey's largest city in the third stop on her "52 Suburbs Around the World" series.

Hoş geldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul. A sprawling metropolis of 13-plus million and the only city in the world to have one Turkish slippered foot in Europe and the other in Asia.

More:Around the world in 52 suburbs: Istanbul | Louise Hawson

Turkey to tender Seyitomer coal-fired plant soon-Kilci | Reuters

Turkey to tender Seyitomer coal-fired plant soon-Kilci

ISTANBUL, March 29 | Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:05am EDT

(Reuters) - The tender process for the privatisation of Turkey's Seyitomer coal-fired power plant will start soon, Energy Ministry undersecretary Metin Kilci told Reuters on Thursday.

More:Turkey to tender Seyitomer coal-fired plant soon-Kilci | Reuters

Coca-Cola Icecek Falls in Istanbul After Profit Misses Estimate - Businessweek

Coca-Cola Icecek Falls in Istanbul After Profit Misses Estimate
By Aydan Eksin on March 29, 2012

Coca-Cola Icecek AS (CCOLA), Coca-Cola’s bottler in Turkey, declined most in a week in Istanbul after reporting a 29 percent decline in full-year profit, missing estimates.

More:Coca-Cola Icecek Falls in Istanbul After Profit Misses Estimate - Businessweek

Turkey Inc.: Rethinking the Model's Regional Role - Sada

Turkey Inc.: Rethinking the Model's Regional Role
March 29, 2012 Nora Fisher Onar

Turkey is often touted as an inspiration for the rest of the Middle East—a characterization it accepts and pursues. In recent years, Turkish policy makers have worked hard to establish “Turkey Inc.": a model of a relatively free, stable, and increasingly prosperous Muslim-majority country with great economic and foreign policy leverage. But what does the Turkish experience actually represent for the Arab Middle East? How convincing is Turkey, Inc.—and can it really be emulated?

More:Turkey Inc.: Rethinking the Model's Regional Role - Sada

Turkey : US Sanctions on Iran hit Turkish apparel exports

US Sanctions on Iran hit Turkish apparel exports
March 29, 2012 (Turkey)

The fresh wave of unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Iran is affecting apparel exports from Turkey, a member North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Turkish exports to Iran surged 12-fold during the last ten years to touch US$ 3.5 billion in 2011 due to improved bilateral relations and growing trade between the two countries.

More:Turkey : US Sanctions on Iran hit Turkish apparel exports - Apparel News Turkey

Turkish general's trial interrupted as friend faints

Turkish general's trial interrupted as friend faints

Ece Toksabay Reuters

7:02 a.m. CDT, March 29, 2012

SILIVRI, Turkey (Reuters) - The terrorism trial of former Turkish armed forces commander Ilker Basbug was halted briefly on Thursday when a family friend first fainted in the courtroom, then regained consciousness, shouting "the Pasha (general) must walk free!"

More:Turkish general's trial interrupted as friend faints - chicagotribune.com

Turkish paedophile re-arrested

Turkish paedophile re-arrested
Publish Date: Mar 29, 2012

By Vision Reporter

Turkish paedophile Emmin Baro who lured Ugandan underage girls to perform oral sex on him has been re-arrested, the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura has said.

Kayihura Thursday told a news conference at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala that the 54-year- old man is in police custody.

More:Turkish paedophile re-arrested

Turkey dismisses partnership with Iran on nuclear power plant | euronews, world news

Turkey dismisses partnership with Iran on nuclear power plant


Iran’s nuclear programme and energy are among Turkey’s top priorities during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Tehran. Ahead of the talks, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said: “We don’t have a common goal with Iran on the subject of nuclear power plants.”

More:Turkey dismisses partnership with Iran on nuclear power plant | euronews, world news

Souvenir lands tourist family in trouble|Society|chinadaily.com.cn

Souvenir lands tourist family in trouble
Updated: 2012-03-29 07:35
By Shi Yingying in Shanghai (China Daily)

Shanghai resident Du Chengyi and his family of three have had to spend six extra days in Antalya, Turkey, to appear in court on charges of smuggling cultural relics during their trip.

The 20 euro ($27) stone Du bought from a vendor at a scenic site was to blame.

"It (the stone) looks like any piece of normal marble, with both sides ground to rectangles," Du said about the brick-sized stone he brought as a souvenir during the vacation with his wife and mother-in-law.

More:Souvenir lands tourist family in trouble|Society|chinadaily.com.cn

Turkish Cypriot Leader Expresses Readiness To Negotiate Every Issue In A Conference, 29 March 2012 Thursday 15:36

Turkish Cypriot Leader Expresses Readiness To Negotiate Every Issue In A Conference

Thursday, 29 March 2012

LEFKOSA (A.A) - The president of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) expressed on Thursday readiness to negotiate every issue related with Cyprus question in a multilateral conference.

More:Turkish Cypriot Leader Expresses Readiness To Negotiate Every Issue In A Conference, 29 March 2012 Thursday 15:36

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Ankara, Berlin to work on neo-Nazi killings together

Ankara, Berlin to work on neo-Nazi killings together

BERLIN - Anatolia News Agency
Efficient investigation and trial procedures are important in the case of the neo-Nazi killings in Germany, Turkish Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin has said, adding that the Turkish government would cooperate with the German authorities in this respect.

More:POLITICS - Ankara, Berlin to work on neo-Nazi killings together

Turkey: For Ankara, the Nuclear Issue High on the Agenda | EurasiaNet.org

Turkey: For Ankara, the Nuclear Issue High on the Agenda
March 28, 2012 - 1:07pm, by Yigal Schleifer


After being grounded for several months following an unspecified digestive tract illness and subsequent surgery, the normally on-the-go Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was back in action this week, with a trip that took him first to South Korea and then Iran. In both cases, the question of nuclear power -- that of Turkey and of others -- was high on the agenda.

More:Turkey: For Ankara, the Nuclear Issue High on the Agenda | EurasiaNet.org

Netherlands ; Imtech Marine wins Netuba Turkey Trade Award

Netherlands ; Imtech Marine wins Netuba Turkey Trade Award

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

On 22nd March, Imtech Marine received the Netherlands Turkey Trade Award 2012. The award was handed over to Terry van Velzen, Business development director of Imtech Marine, by the Turkish Ambassador, His Excellency Ugur Dogan in the city hall of Rotterdam. About 230 persons attended the award ceremony. The award is granted every two years, to a company or person who has remarkably contributed to the trade and/or investment relation between Holland and Turkey. The award grant co-incides with the celebration of 400 years of diplomatic relationships between Holland and Turkey.

More:BYM Marine & Maritime News

In Turkish Restoration, a Violent History Unearthed - NYTimes.com

In Turkish Restoration, a Violent History Unearthed

By SUSANNE GÜSTEN
Published: March 28, 2012

DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY — Crouched on the back of a fleeing bull, a mighty lion digs his claws into the flanks of its prey, sinking his teeth into its neck for the kill. The limestone bas-relief, set into the basalt gateway arch of the Diyarbakir citadel, carries a message as clear today as it was 800 years ago, when the Artuqids, a Mesopotamian dynasty that then ruled the region, carved it into the fortress gate.

More:In Turkish Restoration, a Violent History Unearthed - NYTimes.com

Turkish Hypocrisy

Turkish Hypocrisy
by Benny Morris Mar 28, 2012 10:30 AM EDT

A fortnight ago, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, accused Israel of committing "genocide" against the Palestinians. Speaking before members of his AK Party, the Islamist party that has ruled Turkey since 2002, Erdogan said that the "children of the Holocaust"—the Israelis—had for a century been "systematically" carrying out a campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people.

More:Turkish Hypocrisy - The Daily Beast

Turkey: Reporter to EU, 102 colleagues still in jail

Turkey: Reporter to EU, 102 colleagues still in jail
I was freed after 276 days, but I will be convicted at trial

28 March, 18:25

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, March 28 - Turkey is de facto run by a 'regime' and there are currently 102 journalists still in jail in the country. Turkish investigative journalist Ahmet Sik explained this to the European parliament today, after his release from prison on 12 March. He had been invited by the European Liberal Democrat group (ALDE) to Brussels to explain the situation regarding press freedom in Turkey, a candidate country for accession to the EU.

More:Turkey: Reporter to EU, 102 colleagues still in jail - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Erdogan’s Turkey: A rule more ruthless - FT.com

Erdogan’s Turkey: A rule more ruthless

By David Gardner and Daniel Dombey
A decade on, the AKP government’s hold on power is ever more authoritarian
Riot police stand guard in front of an election campaign office, Turkey©Reuters

His pictures and posters are these days almost as ubiquitous as those of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founding father of the modern Turkish nation. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come to tower over the country’s political landscape. Elected last June for the third time since 2002 and with a still rising share of the vote, he is a prime minister preternaturally buoyed by the strength of his rapport with the Anatolian heartland.

More:Erdogan’s Turkey: A rule more ruthless - FT.com

Can film-makers ever play it fair when it comes to depicting war?

Can film-makers ever play it fair when it comes to depicting war?

There's always a loser when two sides go to battle, and movie dramatisations of historic events are no different

Truth is famously the first casualty of war – and that goes double as soon as a film crew moves in. Turkey has discovered this with its recent bastion-storming blockbuster, Fetih 1453 (Conquest 1453). A scimitars'n'CGI blockbuster account of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in the 15th century, it is the country's most expensive film ever ($17m budget), most popular (4.6m tickets in its first 18 days) and most lucrative ($29m and counting).

More:Can film-makers ever play it fair when it comes to depicting war? | Film | guardian.co.uk

Turkey's Premier in Iran for Nuclear Talks - WSJ.com

Turkey's Premier in Iran for Nuclear Talks

TEHRAN—Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is meeting with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials Wednesday to discuss Tehran's disputed nuclear program and the crisis in Syria

More:Turkey's Premier in Iran for Nuclear Talks - WSJ.com

Lira Advances as Central Bank Seen Switching Focus to Currency

Lira Advances as Central Bank Seen Switching Focus to Currency
By Benjamin Harvey - Mar 28, 2012 12:12 PM ET

The lira strengthened to the highest level in almost three weeks after the central bank withheld funding at its benchmark rate for a fifth day.

The Turkish currency appreciated 0.2 percent to 1.7839 per dollar at 5:55 p.m. in Istanbul, its highest level since March 8. The lira has gained 1.4 percent since March 22, when the central bank first declined to offer daily funding at its benchmark one-week repo rate of 5.75 percent, the lower end of its so-called rates corridor.

More:Lira Advances as Central Bank Seen Switching Focus to Currency - Bloomberg

Brillante judge at Istanbul Fest

Brillante judge at Istanbul Fest
(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The 2009 Cannes Best Director (Kinatay) Brillante Mendoza (photo) joins the international jury of the 31st Istanbul Film Festival (IFF) to be held in Turkey’s oldest and largest historic city, from March 31 to April 15. The IFF is Turkey’s biggest annual cinema event, a two-week program with more than 200 movies under 20 sections, famous guests, seminars and workshops with expert filmmakers, film classes, master classes and concerts.

More:Brillante judge at Istanbul Fest - The Philippine Star » News » Entertainment

Top general’s court battle for honour divides Turks

Top general’s court battle for honour divides Turks

By Daren Butler and Ece Toksabay

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Raising a clenched fist to supporters and storming at one point from the courtroom, former military chief Ilker Basbug has cut a defiant figure defending the army’s prestige at his trial for terrorism. But the extraordinary scenes have stirred mixed emotions among Turks and raised questions about the way a sprawling coup plot investigation is being handled.

More:NewsWires : euronews : the latest international news as video on demand

Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill - seattlepi.com

Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill
Updated 08:38 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2012

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Thousands of people have joined a Turkish opposition rally denouncing a government education reform bill they say is designed to boost the influence of Islamic schools.

More:Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill - seattlepi.com

Turkish businessmen have frozen their businesses in Syria

Turkish businessmen have frozen their businesses in Syria

Balkans Business News Correspondent - 28.03.2012

Some 100 businessmen from Hatay have frozen their businesses in the Arab republic and returned home following Ankara’s call for Turkish nationals to leave the violence-hit country, said the head of a regional business association.

More:Balkans.com Business News : Turkish businessmen have frozen their businesses in Syria

Turkey Pushes Syrian Dissidents For Unity

Turkey Pushes Syrian Dissidents For Unity
And more from the Turkish Press

by AK Group
March 28, 2012 at 3:00 am

Ankara believes a meeting of Syrian dissidents Tuesya in Istanbul could become a watershed in the Syrian crisis if the divided opposition can unite to create a common vision for a new government, according to a Turkish official.

"If they agree on a document that puts forth a constitutional vision that endorses everybody ahead of the meeting of the Friends of Syria that will take place in Istanbul on April 1, then the Syrian National Council [could be recognized] as the sole legitimate representative of Syrian people," said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.

More:Turkey Pushes Syrian Dissidents For Unity :: Gatestone Institute

Fear and anguish for Syrians fleeing to Turkey

Fear and anguish for Syrians fleeing to Turkey

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

By AFP
SARDANA Syria

At the crack of dawn, Fatima rouses her son Nafissa from a deep
from the violence that has haunted them for weeks.

As preparations for the journey are made, another son, Ali, plays nearby. His parents pack what little they brought with them into plastics bags and get ready to leave the safe house where they spent the night.

More:Fear and anguish for Syrians fleeing to Turkey

Turkey's former army chief: a moderate pushed to the limit

Turkey's former army chief: a moderate pushed to the limit

Turkey's former army chief, Ilker Basbug, who went on trial Monday on charges of trying to topple the Islamist-rooted government, is a decorated career soldier with British and NATO training.

ANKARA- The 68-year-old former general led Turkey's military campaign against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for many years, only to find himself accused in his retirement of having led a terrorist group himself.

More:Cumhuriyet Portal in English

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Harvard Dropout Thrives as Turkey E-Commerce Lures Amazon - Bloomberg

Harvard Dropout Thrives as Turkey E-Commerce Lures Amazon
By Benjamin Harvey and Ercan Ersoy - Mar 27, 2012 6:00 PM ET

In a former belt factory on the outskirts of Istanbul, Sina Afra and his 500 employees are building what the German-raised Turk says will be the country’s first billion-dollar e-trade company.

Afra’s Markafoni, the second most-visited members-only shopping network in the world, is a frontrunner in an industry that grew almost 60 percent in Turkey last year and has attracted investment from EBay Inc. (EBAY), Amazon.com Inc., Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Naspers Ltd. (NPN) and Tiger Global.

More:Harvard Dropout Thrives as Turkey E-Commerce Lures Amazon - Bloomberg

Istanbul archeologist describes excavation of ancient ships, port | StarNewsOnline.com

Istanbul archeologist describes excavation of ancient ships, port

By Jan Hartlaub
StarNews Correspondent
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 5:18 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 5:18 p.m.

SOUTHPORT | “It’s what nautical archeologists live for.” That’s how a site worker at the Yenikapi Shipwrecks Project in Istanbul described the project that has been ongoing since 2004.

More:Istanbul archeologist describes excavation of ancient ships, port | StarNewsOnline.com

Inside the Turkish Airlines Flagship Lounge at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport

Inside the Turkish Airlines Flagship Lounge at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
March 27, 2012 at 3:23 PM | by maxgraham | Comments (0)

International DJ, frequent flyer extraordinaire and Jaunted contributor Max Graham drops his thoughts on hanging out in Turkish Airlines' flagship lounge at Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport recently:

Flying from Hong Kong to London this past month, I stayed loyal to Star Alliance and chose to fly Turkish Airlines, which meant a stop in Istanbul and a visit to their large flagship lounge. Right away I was very impressed with the entry system. It goes like this: you scan your boarding pass and, if you're allowed in, turnstile-like doors automatically open. This eliminates the need to wait in line while someone manually checks your boarding pass and keys in your frequent flyer number. It's the future!

More:Inside the Turkish Airlines Flagship Lounge at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport || Jaunted

First female president for 127-year-old Turkish-French association

First female president for 127-year-old Turkish-French association

When the French airport operator Aeroports de Paris (ADP) recently bought 38 percent of the shares of TAV Airports Holding, owned by Tepe-Akfen, for 874 million dollars, the president of the executive board of Akfen-TAV, Hamdi Akın made an interesting comment:

More:GİLA BENMAYOR - First female president for 127-year-old Turkish-French association

Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill  | ajc.com

Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill

The Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — Thousands of people have joined a Turkish opposition rally denouncing a government education reform bill they say is designed to boost the influence of Islamic schools.

The protest was staged Tuesday hours before parliament began debate on the proposal. The bill would extend compulsory education from the current eight years to 12 and pave the way for middle school students to attend Islamic schools.

More:Turkish protesters denounce education reform bill  | ajc.com

A spiced-up TV show on a legendary Ottoman sultan divides Turkey - World - Macleans.ca

A spiced-up TV show on a legendary Ottoman sultan divides Turkey

The soap opera is drawing viewers—and criticism from the religious conservatives as well as nationalists

More:A spiced-up TV show on a legendary Ottoman sultan divides Turkey - World - Macleans.ca

Turkish agency pulls controversial Hitler shampoo ad | EUROPE ONLINE

Turkish agency pulls controversial Hitler shampoo ad
Europe
27.03.2012

Istanbul (dpa) - A Turkish advertising agency has halted the airing of a TV advertisement using film footage of Adolf Hitler following complaints from Turkey‘s Jewish community, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

More:Turkish agency pulls controversial Hitler shampoo ad | EUROPE ONLINE

Turkey Should Do More to Protect its Christians - Brookings Institution

Turkey Should Do More to Protect its Christians

Turkey, U.S. Department of State, Religion, Policy and Politics, Islamic World

March 26, 2012 —
In a surprising and controversial move, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2012 Annual Report released on Thursday recommended that the U.S. State Department categorize Turkey as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom, a category reserved for the worst such as Iran, China and Saudi Arabia.

More:Turkey Should Do More to Protect its Christians - Brookings Institution

Talks On Syrian Opposition Unity Begin In Istanbul

Talks On Syrian Opposition Unity Begin In Istanbul

3/27/2012 9:33 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Reconciliation talks aimed at uniting the divided Syrian Opposition began in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul on Tuesday so as to prove that it could provide an effective and viable alternative to President Bashar al-Assad who continues to put down the year-old uprising against his regime.

More:Talks On Syrian Opposition Unity Begin In Istanbul

Turkish ex-army chief rejects terrorism charges, says he won’t defend himself in court - The Washington Post

Turkish ex-army chief rejects terrorism charges, says he won’t defend himself in court

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, March 27, 10:01 AM

ANKARA, Turkey — A former Turkish military chief accused of leading an Internet campaign as part of an alleged conspiracy to topple the Islamic-rooted government rejected the allegations on Tuesday as “a comedy of incompetence.”

More:Turkish ex-army chief rejects terrorism charges, says he won’t defend himself in court - The Washington Post

Turkish Central Bank Keeps Rates Same to Fight Inflation

Turkish Central Bank Keeps Rates Same to Fight Inflation

By Emre Peker - Mar 27, 2012 7:55 AM ET

Turkey’s central bank kept its interest-rate corridor unchanged after a reduction in the top rate last month caused the lira to plunge.

The Ankara-based lender left the benchmark one-week repo rate, the floor of the corridor, at 5.75 percent, matching all 11 forecasts in a Bloomberg survey. The maximum rate on overnight loans was also unchanged at 11.5 percent, the bank said on its website today, in line with predictions by five of six economists.

More:Turkish Central Bank Keeps Rates Same to Fight Inflation - Bloomberg

Turkey's ex-army chief says trial 'frivolous,' leaves courtroom

Turkey's ex-army chief says trial 'frivolous,' leaves courtroom

Hurriyet.com.tr

Turkey's former Chief of General Staff, Gen. İlker Başbuğ, has left the courtroom where a hearing of the ongoing "Internet Memorandum" case was being held today.

Başbuğ reportedly said the trial was "frivolous" and left the courtroom after the court had him listen to a phone recording between Ergenekon suspects İbrahim Şahin and Fatma Cengiz.

More:POLITICS - Turkey's ex-army chief says trial 'frivolous,' leaves courtroom

Turkish news report sends Cyprus abuzz

Turkish news report sends Cyprus abuzz

Cem Barber | FG Online
• Mon, Mar 26, 2012
A NEWS REPORT IN A TURKISH daily which claimed the Ankara government is ready to let thousands of Greek Cypriot refugees from Famagusta return to their homes this summer has set the media in Cyprus abuzz today.

More:Turkish news report sends Cyprus abuzz

Largest charter network in U.S.: Schools tied to Turkey - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Largest charter network in U.S.: Schools tied to Turkey
By Valerie Strauss

This was written by Sharon Higgins, an independent researcher and blogger based in California. She is also a founding member of Parents Across America.

By Sharon Higgins

The largest charter school network in the United States is operated by people in and associated with the Gulen Movement (GM), a secretive and controversial Turkish religious sect. With 135 schools enrolling more than 45,000 students, this network is substantially larger than KIPP, the well-known charter management organization with only 109 schools. A lack of awareness about this situation persists despite it being addressed in a national paper and in articles about Gulen charter schools in Utah (also here), Arizona, (also here), Illinois, Tennessee, Pennsylvania (also here), Indiana, Oklahoma (and here), Texas (also here), Arkansas, Louisiana (also here), New Jersey, Georgia, and North Carolina. It was also reported that the FBI and the Departments of Labor and Education are investigating practices at these schools.

More:Largest charter network in U.S.: Schools tied to Turkey - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Turkey tries to shift OSCE Minsk Group format and have role in Karabakh process | Armenia News - NEWS.am

Turkey tries to shift OSCE Minsk Group format and have role in Karabakh process

March 27, 2012 | 11:46

YEREVAN.- Azerbaijan does not want to yield on Nagorno-Karabakh peace process due to Turkish lobby, expert Aristakes Simavoryan told the journalists on Tuesday commenting on the meeting of the U.S. President Obama and Turkish PM Erdogan in Seoul.

More:Turkey tries to shift OSCE Minsk Group format and have role in Karabakh process | Armenia News - NEWS.am

Italian police seek arrest of 5 PKK members

Italian police seek arrest of 5 PKK members

Posted on March 27, 2012 at 5:01 AM

MILAN (AP) — Italian police have ordered the arrests of five members of the Kurdish rebel group PKK on suspicion of extorting money from Kurdish immigrants to support the group.

More:Italian police seek arrest of 5 PKK members | kens5.com San Antonio

‘Turkey not acting in good faith’ - Cyprus Mail

‘Turkey not acting in good faith’
By Stefanos Evripidou Published on March 27, 2012

THE GOVERNMENT roundly rejects any proposals on the fenced-off area of Famagusta which violate UN resolutions, said government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday.

More:‘Turkey not acting in good faith’ - Cyprus Mail

Turkey feels sorry about ongoing incidents in Syria - Premier

Turkey feels sorry about ongoing incidents in Syria - Premier

Tue 27 March 2012 05:59 GMT | 1:59 Local Time


Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it was impossible to remain silent towards what was happening in Syria.

More:News.Az - Turkey feels sorry about ongoing incidents in Syria - Premier

Turkish players: PET prices are down on lower costs - ChemOrbis.com

Turkish players: PET prices are down on lower costs

Before rebounding last week, Asian and European feedstock markets recorded steady drops since the second week of March. The previous softening in spot PX, PTA and MEG costs due to fluctuating energy prices has just found its reflection in Turkey’s PET market. Seeing retreating costs, converters who were covered took a waiting stance, leading to tougher competition among sellers.

More:Turkish players: PET prices are down on lower costs - ChemOrbis.com

Korea, Turkey Complete Free Trade Talks

Korea, Turkey Complete Free Trade Talks

President Lee Myung-bak and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the conclusion of bilateral free trade talks when they met at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday.

More:The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea - Korea, Turkey Complete Free Trade Talks

Monday, March 26, 2012

Turkey's Military Requires Explicit Proof, 'Pink Certificate' For Homosexual Exemption: Report

Turkey's Military Requires Explicit Proof, 'Pink Certificate' For Homosexual Exemption: Report

Posted: 03/26/2012 11:24 am Updated: 03/26/2012 11:46 am

Being a gay man officially means you're exempt from the otherwise mandatory years of Turkish military service.

More:Turkey's Military Requires Explicit Proof, 'Pink Certificate' For Homosexual Exemption: Report

Istanbul to outperform London in 2012?

Istanbul to outperform London in 2012?

Despite Olympic investment, and the world’s eyes being turned towards London, experts believe that Istanbul’s property market will outperform London’s in 2012.

More:A Place in the Sun | News and features - Istanbul to outperform London in 2012?

Lira Jumps Most in Eight Weeks as Bank Support Seen Continuing - Bloomberg

Lira Jumps Most in Eight Weeks as Bank Support Seen Continuing
By Benjamin Harvey - Mar 26, 2012 11:21 AM ET

The lira appreciated for a fourth day and jumped the most in almost eight weeks on bets the central bank would continue supporting the currency to rein in inflation.

The Turkish currency gained as much as 0.8 percent, the most since Feb. 1, and traded 0.7 percent higher at 1.7886 per dollar by 5:00 p.m. in Istanbul, its biggest rise since Feb. 28 on a closing basis. Yields (BENCH) on the two-year benchmark government debt rose the most since March 8, adding 13 basis points, or 0.13 percentage point, to 9.54 percent.

More:Lira Jumps Most in Eight Weeks as Bank Support Seen Continuing - Bloomberg

Turkey, Iran, and the Bomb - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Turkey, Iran, and the Bomb
Sinan Ülgen Euractiv, March 26, 2012

Turkey, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, are the countries most often cited as likely to develop indigenous nuclear capabilities to counter Iran. Analysts point to statements last December by Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal as firm evidence of this risk. Prince Turki was plain: a nuclear-armed Iran would cause Saudi Arabia to reconsider its own nuclear options. As a result, it is feared, an Iranian bomb would be the first step toward a disastrous regional proliferation cascade.

More:Turkey, Iran, and the Bomb - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Medical Tourism to Turkey at its zenith

Medical Tourism to Turkey at its zenith
23 March, 2012 | 18:55

Turkey’s medical tourism offers high quality facilities for medical, spas, thermal and wellness services and adds five-star hotel accommodation into the package. Turkey has become a premier choice destination for medical tourists from European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Germany, England, Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria and recently medical tourists from Middle Eastern and Arab countries visit the country as well.

More:Medical Tourism to Turkey at its zenith

Grafist 16: Istanbul Graphic Design Week

Grafist 16: Istanbul Graphic Design Week
March 25, 2012 | Umut KART


The sixteenth edition of Grafist - Istanbul Graphic Design Week - will take place on May 7-12, 2012 in Istanbul.

Grafist is an educational event organized annually since 1997 by the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Department of Graphic Design.

More:Grafist 16: Istanbul Graphic Design Week

Turkey's EU ambassador accused of 'embezzling wine' | Daily wine news - the latest breaking wine news from around the world | News | decanter.com

Turkey's EU ambassador accused of 'embezzling wine'

Monday 26 March 2012
by Chris Mercer

Turkish authorities are investigating the country's former ambassador to the European Union, following allegations he embezzled wine worth hundreds of thousands of euros.

More:Turkey's EU ambassador accused of 'embezzling wine' | Daily wine news - the latest breaking wine news from around the world | News | decanter.com

U.S. Helping Turkey Reduce Dependence on Iranian Oil :: Gatestone Institute

U.S. Helping Turkey Reduce Dependence on Iranian Oil
And more from the Turkish Press

by AK Group
March 26, 2012 at 3:00 am

A United States State Department spokesperson has said the U.S. is working with Turkey to reduce its dependence on Iranian oil and find alternative sources of supply in a bid to further squeeze the Islamic republic over its suspected nuclear program; a reduction of oil imports from Iran may also help Turkey bypass U.S. sanctions.

More:U.S. Helping Turkey Reduce Dependence on Iranian Oil :: Gatestone Institute

Obama Discusses Syria, Iran With Turkish PM

Obama Discusses Syria, Iran With Turkish PM

3/26/2012 3:59 AM ET
(RTTNews) - United States President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the situation in Syria and Iran's nuclear standoff with the West at a hotel in Seoul ahead of an international nuclear summit.

More:Obama Discusses Syria, Iran With Turkish PM

Iran not keen to walk Turkey's red carpet

Iran not keen to walk Turkey's red carpet
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts - In a major setback for Turkey's self-promotion as a pivot of regional diplomacy, Tehran could rebuff Ankara's bid to hold the next round of multilateral nuclear talks in Istanbul. As a result, unless Ankara sends Tehran some reassuring signals, it is a sure bet that the talks will be held elsewhere.

More:Asia Times Online :: Iran not keen to walk Turkey's red carpet

Turkish Airlines’ Global Expansion Takes Off With Added Flights - MarketWatch

Turkish Airlines’ Global Expansion Takes Off With Added Flights
“Europe’s Best Airline” Boosts Flight Frequency, Adds Routes to Accommodate Growing Demand

NEW YORK, Mar 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Responding to growing demand, Turkish Airlines will increase non-stop Trans-Atlantic flights to Istanbul from three of its U.S. gateways -- New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC -- offering more frequent and convenient departures for both business and leisure travelers. The carrier’s Istanbul hub is rapidly becoming a key global connecting point for international travelers, providing convenient connections to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

More:Turkish Airlines’ Global Expansion Takes Off With Added Flights - MarketWatch

Akbank Falls on Citigroup Selling Stake: Istanbul Mover - Businessweek

Akbank Falls on Citigroup Selling Stake: Istanbul Mover
By Benjamin Harvey on March 26, 2012

Akbank TAS (AKBNK), Turkey’s second-biggest listed bank by market value, dropped the most in almost four months after Citigroup Inc. (C) said it will sell more than half its stake in the company.

More:Akbank Falls on Citigroup Selling Stake: Istanbul Mover - Businessweek

Chinese Film Week opens in Istanbul

Chinese Film Week opens in Istanbul
Updated: 2012-03-26 16:51

The Chinese Film Week kicked off in Istanbul Thursday as part of celebrations for the 2012 China Culture Year in Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported.

The event opened with a night gala featuring traditional Chinese acrobatics by China's Henan Acrobatic Troupe.

More:Chinese Film Week opens in Istanbul|Art|chinadaily.com.cn

Readers' travel tips: eating out in Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

Readers' travel tips: eating out in Turkey

Turkish food isn't all kebabs and mezze, though they're fantastic too. Been there readers suggest great places to eat and drink across the country

More:Readers' travel tips: eating out in Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

Turkey to inaugurate lignite thermoelectric power plant by 2015 - Energy Business Review

Turkey to inaugurate lignite thermoelectric power plant by 2015
EBR Staff Writer Published 26 March 2012

Korea-based SK Group said the $2bn Tufanbeyli thermoelectric power plant project in Turkey is now 10% completed and will be finished in February 2015.

The company has recently entered into a deal with Turkey national electricity production company EUAS for the thermoelectric power plant, considered as the world`s first low-calorie lignite thermal power plant, under construction at the Turkey Tufanbeyli mountainous area by a Korean construction company.

More:Turkey to inaugurate lignite thermoelectric power plant by 2015 - Energy Business Review

Turkey closes embassy in Syria, recalls ambassador - Boston.com

Turkey closes embassy in Syria, recalls ambassador
U.S. President Barack Obama, right, stands with Prime Minister of Turkey Recep
By Suzan Fraser
Associated Press / March 26, 2012

ANKARA, Turkey—Turkey and Norway on Monday closed their embassies in Damascus, citing the worsening security situation in Syria.

Turkey's move comes two days after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country, once close to Damascus and now one of its most vocal critics, was on the brink of breaking diplomatic ties.

More:Turkey closes embassy in Syria, recalls ambassador - Boston.com

Moderate Earthquake Shakes Eastern Turkey

World
Moderate earthquake shakes eastern Turkey

Published March 26, 2012

ANKARA, Turkey – A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 shook eastern Turkey on Monday, demolishing barns and causing some damage to mud-brick homes at a village in its epicenter, officials said.

More:Moderate Earthquake Shakes Eastern Turkey | Fox News

Turkish Airlines food turns into restaurant menu in Hong Kong

Turkish Airlines food turns into restaurant menu in Hong Kong

ISTANBUL

A restaurant chain in Hong Kong has begun serving the same food Turkish Airlines distributes on its flights, Anatolia news agency reported.

More:TRAVEL - Turkish Airlines food turns into restaurant menu in Hong Kong

Turkey’s Jewish community protests shampoo commercial using Hitler image - The Washington Post

Turkey’s Jewish community protests shampoo commercial using Hitler image

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, March 26, 9:57 AM

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s Jewish community is protesting a Turkish commercial that uses an old film footage of Adolf Hitler to sell shampoo.

More:Turkey’s Jewish community protests shampoo commercial using Hitler image - The Washington Post

Erdogan says Turks “are tired” of Armenian Genocide - PanARMENIAN.Net

Erdogan says Turks “are tired” of Armenian Genocide
Erdogan says Turks “are tired” of Armenian Genocide
March 26, 2012 - 13:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of the Armenian Genocide was discussed at the meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the nuclear summit in Seoul.

In particular, Erdogan complained to Obama about Turkey being tired of the Genocide problem.

More:Erdogan says Turks “are tired” of Armenian Genocide - PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkish Cypriot side tight-lipped on reported Varosha opening - Cyprus Mail

Turkish Cypriot side tight-lipped on reported Varosha opening
By Simon Bahceli Published on March 26, 2012

The Turkish Cypriot side has remained tight lipped amid rumours of an agreement with Ankara that the ghost town of Varosha could be opened to its Greek Cypriot residents on July 1.

The rumours, which appeared in Turkish daily Milliyet quoting “diplomatic sources”, said the proposal for opening the currently fenced-off town of Varosha was put to the Turkish government by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and his negotiating team at a meeting in the Turkish capital on March 13.

More:Turkish Cypriot side tight-lipped on reported Varosha opening - Cyprus Mail

Syrian opposition groups gather in Turkey, try to unify voice - CNN.com

Syrian opposition groups gather in Turkey, try to unify voice
From Ivan Watson, CNN
updated 9:43 AM EDT, Mon March 26, 2012

NEW: At least 27 people are killed Monday across Syria, opposition activists say
Analyst: Getting support of Kurdish groups is key at opposition meeting
Avaaz: Forces ambush and arrest an activist who helped smuggle humanitarian aid
Turkey suspends operations of its embassy in Damascus

Istanbul (CNN) -- Disjointed factions of the Syrian opposition are meeting Monday in Istanbul in an effort to form a unified voice ahead of the next week's "Friends of Syria" conference.

More:Syrian opposition groups gather in Turkey, try to unify voice - CNN.com

Former Turkish military chief on trial

Former Turkish military chief on trial
March 26, 2012 13:11 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's former military chief has gone on trial for allegedly leading an Internet campaign aimed at stirring revolt and destabilizing the government.

More:WGME 13 :: News - International News

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Japanese writer collects hundreds of Turkish laces

Japanese writer collects hundreds of Turkish laces

ANTALYA - Anatolia News Agency

Japanese writer Ikumi Nonaka, who is living in the southern province of Antalya, has created a huge collection of lace that she has gathered from various regions of Turkey.

More:FASHION - Japanese writer collects hundreds of Turkish laces

Turkish students learning nuke know-how in Russia

Turkish students learning nuke know-how in Russia

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency
As part of a nuclear energy education program, 49 Turkish university students are receiving an education in Russia. The students, who have been living there for six months so far, will be able to find employment at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in the southern Turkish province of Mersin when their education is finished

More:ENERGY - Turkish students learning nuke know-how in Russia

Turk artist succeeding in Europe

Turk artist succeeding in Europe

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Turkish soprano Selva Erdener, a soloist for the world-famous Medea Opera under Belgian composer Wim Henderickx, has been winning recognition for her performances during the Dutch and Belgian legs of her European tour.

More:MUSIC - Turk artist succeeding in Europe

Ahead of Istanbul meeting, allies look reluctantly at intervention in Syria - The Washington Post

Ahead of Istanbul meeting, allies look reluctantly at intervention in Syria

By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, March 25, 8:50 AM

ISTANBUL — A year of sanctions, diplomacy and harsh rhetoric failed to stop Syria’s bloody crackdown and oust President Bashar Assad. With frustration running high, Turkey and other countries that have staked moral credibility on ending the violence are increasingly looking at intervention on Syrian soil, a strategy they have so far avoided for lack of international consensus and fears it could widen the conflict.

More:Ahead of Istanbul meeting, allies look reluctantly at intervention in Syria - The Washington Post

Turkey, Ecuador to boost trade, investment | New Europe

Turkey, Ecuador to boost trade, investment
Article | March 25, 2012 - 7:51pm

It was reported that co-organisers of the event includes the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON), Ecuador's Embassy in Ankara and Ecuador's Trade Office (Pro Ecuador). Business circles from Ecuador briefed Turkey on trade and investment opportunities in their country.

More:Turkey, Ecuador to boost trade, investment | New Europe

Turkish court bans pro-Kurdish daily for month-editor | Reuters

Turkish court bans pro-Kurdish daily for month-editor

By Ece Toksabay

ISTANBUL, March 25 | Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:11pm EDT

(Reuters) - A Turkish court banned a pro-Kurdish newspaper for a month for spreading "terrorist propaganda" and police raided its offices in Istanbul to seize the Sunday edition, its editor said.

More:Turkish court bans pro-Kurdish daily for month-editor | Reuters

US, Turkey may aid Syrian rebels │ GlobalPost

US, Turkey may aid Syrian rebels

US might provide medical, communications equipment; Turkey talks buffer zone.

Providing “non-lethal” aid to Syrian rebels and erecting a buffer zone inside Syria are options discussed to halt the killing there, President Obama and his Turkish counterpart said today.

More:US, Turkey may aid Syrian rebels │ GlobalPost

The Houses of Muğla

The Houses of Muğla

The houses in the city of Muğla are generally located on steep and rocky hills, facing the plain of the same name. The houses of Muğla are similar to those on the Karabağlar Plateau and Düğerek. The houses stand on narrow streets, hardly wide enough to let a car pass and are generally of two storeys and have a courtyard. Some have their semi-open area for sofas closed in though more recently built houses were constructed with no such open space.

More:The Houses of Muğla | Sun Express News : Fethiye English Newspaper

EconoMonitor : EconoMonitor » Greece and Turkey: Throwing Stones in a Glass House

Greece and Turkey: Throwing Stones in a Glass House

Author: Emre Deliveli · March 25th, 2012 · Comments (0) Share This Print 0 0

Weekend is for non-econ / lighter stuff, so here we go:

The comments to my post Greece, Europe and Turkey; Euro, Drachma and Lira summarize the views of Greeks and Turks towards each other really well…

The title comes from reader Christos’ last comment: “”he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones” He argues that Turkey has a “poor human rights record and lack of judicial due process”, and so I should be worrying about these rather than claim that Greece will leave the Euro.

More:EconoMonitor : EconoMonitor » Greece and Turkey: Throwing Stones in a Glass House

AGI.it - Syria: opposition forces to meet in Istanbul on Monday

Syria: opposition forces to meet in Istanbul on Monday

07:27 25 MAR 2012

(AGI) Istanbul - The Syrian National Council invited all the various Syrian opposition factions to meet in Istanbul on Monday. This meeting has been convened in preparation for the second summit of the ' Friends of Syrian People' to be held in Istanbul on 1 April next.

More:AGI.it - Syria: opposition forces to meet in Istanbul on Monday

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Turkey’s Challenges

Turkey’s Challenges
Published: March 24, 2012

In Istanbul and Ankara, high-rise apartments and office towers are changing the landscape. With recent economic growth rates that exceed those in many European countries, Turkey is often cited as a success story in a region in turmoil.

More:Turkey’s Challenges - NYTimes.com

From Tunis to Istanbul: Syrian opposition seeks to heal rift:.

From Tunis to Istanbul: Syrian opposition seeks to heal rift

Syria's fragmented opposition struggles to remain united in face of more than year-long deadly crackdown on dissent by Assad regime.

BEIRUT - Several Syrian opposition groups will gather in Turkey on Monday to hammer out common objectives in the face of the regime's deadly crackdown on dissent, the main umbrella grouping said.

More:.:Middle East Online::From Tunis to Istanbul: Syrian opposition seeks to heal rift:.

Hitler shampoo commercial gets blasted

Hitler shampoo commercial gets blasted

Steffan
By Steffan Ileman
Mar 24, 2012 - 5 hours ago in World

Istanbul - In keeping with the adage that there's no such thing as a bad advertisement, an Istanbul ad agency created a truly striking shampoo commercial with the "endorsement" of an historical figure: Adolf Hitler, who was cast as a symbol of virility.

More:Hitler shampoo commercial gets blasted

Turkey sees huge potential in ties with India

Turkey sees huge potential in ties with India
Delhi,Art/Culture/Books,Diplomacy, Sat, 24 Mar 2012 IANS

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Stressing the strong relations between India and Turkey, Turkish ambassador to India Burak Akcapar Saturday said there was huge potential in the ties between the two countries.

'I'd like to tell something to the young people here. India and Turkey have had common roots. Its time to rekindle our age-old ties. An Indian would not be culture-shocked in Turkey,' said Akcapar at the launch of the Turkish Fest 2012 at Select Citywalk mall in Saket area of south Delhi.

More:Turkey sees huge potential in ties with India

AFP: Turkish forces kill 15 women Kurd rebels

Turkish forces kill 15 women Kurd rebels

(AFP) – 2 hours ago

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — Turkish security forces killed 15 rebel Kurds, all of them women, in fighting in the separatist heartland in the southeast of the country on Saturday, the interior ministry said.

The clashes erupted the day after the Turkish army and police wrapped up a massive offensive against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) near the Iraqi border.

More:AFP: Turkish forces kill 15 women Kurd rebels

House Speaker denounces Turkish intransigence

House Speaker denounces Turkish intransigence
Cyprus will strive to secure the fundamental rights of the Cypriots, in spite of continuing Turkish intransigence, President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou has said.

More:House Speaker denounces Turkish intransigence

Turkish cooperation sought for a modern metropolis

Turkish cooperation sought for a modern metropolis
Staff Reporter

Islamabad—Turkish cooperation has been sought to develop the Federal Capital as one of the most modern metropolitan of the world, particularly in fields of transportation, solid waste management, waste to energy generation and real estate development.

More:Turkish cooperation sought for a modern metropolis

‘New Strategy’ Stirs Politics in Ankara, 24 March 2012 Saturday 10:7

‘New Strategy’ Stirs Politics in Ankara

Saturday, 24 March 2012

The Turkish government’s reported new strategy for solving the Kurdish issue has sparked controversy, as a senior minister said he was not aware of such a plan, while leading Kurdish politicians bluntly dismissed it, and the main opposition party has called for an open debate in Parliament.

More:‘New Strategy’ Stirs Politics in Ankara, 24 March 2012 Saturday 10:7

France Obsessing Over Turkey’s Rising Regional Profile, Scholar, 24 March 2012 Saturday 9:55

France Obsessing Over Turkey’s Rising Regional Profile, Scholar

Saturday, 24 March 2012

France is having difficulty grappling with a Turkey that is increasingly moving into areas that Paris has long viewed as its sphere of influence, according to a French scholar of international relations. “The French Foreign Ministry is obsessed by Turkey’s rising profile in the region,” said Dorothée Schmid of the Institut français des relations internationales (IFRI).

More:France Obsessing Over Turkey’s Rising Regional Profile, Scholar, 24 March 2012 Saturday 9:55

POLITICS - Turkish government could broaden local ruling rights

Turkish government could broaden local ruling rights

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Ankara is considering abolishing the reservations it has put on the Council of Europe’s Charter of Local Self-Government in an attempt to address the demands of the Kurdish population. The move may be part of a new, officially unannounced strategy, to both solve the Kurdish question and end terrorism.

More:POLITICS - Turkish government could broaden local ruling rights

A big night out in Istanbul – and a big breakfast the morning after

A big night out in Istanbul – and a big breakfast the morning after

Istanbul is a brilliant city to party and listen to live music, and to tuck into huge traditional Turkish breakfasts the morning after. Here's our guide to both

More:A big night out in Istanbul – and a big breakfast the morning after | Travel | The Guardian

Istanbul's fasil music scene | Travel | The Guardian

Istanbul's fasil music scene

Head for an Istanbul meyhane (tavern) and enjoy a raki-fuelled night of Turkish 'fasil' song and dance – as long as you don't mind joining in

More:Istanbul's fasil music scene | Travel | The Guardian

Turkey's hidden tourist gems | Travel | The Guardian

Turkey's hidden tourist gems

Turkey has some fantastic sights away from the crowds, from spectacular mosques to the ancient city of Sagalassos

More:Turkey's hidden tourist gems | Travel | The Guardian

Time travel in ancient Antioch, Turkey

Time travel in ancient Antioch, Turkey

Saint Paul preached there and Anthony and Cleopatra partied. In the ancient city of Antioch, near the border with Syria, our writer found a taste of Turkey with an Arabic accent

More:Time travel in ancient Antioch, Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

Boutique beach hotels in Bodrum, Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

Boutique beach hotels in Bodrum, Turkey

In the south-west of Turkey, away from the crowds, the Bodrum peninsula offers lush wooded hills and crystal seas – and a clutch of chic new hotels

More:Boutique beach hotels in Bodrum, Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

The expendable sex

The expendable sex

Review by Suzy Hansen
A young Kurdish woman escapes her village for a new life in the west but becomes the victim of an honour killing

More:The expendable sex - FT.com

Lira Gains After Bank Withholds Low-Rate Lending for Second Day - Bloomberg

Lira Gains After Bank Withholds Low-Rate Lending for Second Day
By Benjamin Harvey - Mar 23, 2012 12:32 PM ET

The lira strengthened for a third day after the central bank did not lend at its lowest interest rate for a second day, tightening liquidity to stem the currency’s weakness.

The lira appreciated 0.4 percent to 1.8012 per dollar at 5:15 p.m. in Istanbul. Yields (BENCH) on the two-year benchmark bonds were unchanged at 9.67 percent after rising to as high as 9.78 percent in intraday trading. On the week, the lira is up 0.4 percent and yields have increased 35 basis points, or 0.35 percentage point.

More:Lira Gains After Bank Withholds Low-Rate Lending for Second Day - Bloomberg

Friday, March 23, 2012

Turkey blames Syria for supporting Kurdish rebels, inches closer to military action - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Turkey blames Syria for supporting Kurdish rebels, inches closer to military action

Should Turkey decide that the Kurdistan Workers' Party – seen now by Ankara as an additional arm of Assad's forces – threatens its national security, it may decide to invade its neighbor.

More:Turkey blames Syria for supporting Kurdish rebels, inches closer to military action - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Exclusive: Iran ramps up food imports via Turkish banks: trade | Reuters

Exclusive: Iran ramps up food imports via Turkish banks: trade

By Jonathan Saul and Michael Hogan

LONDON/HAMBURG | Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:07am EDT

(Reuters) - Almost half a million metric tonnes of grain has arrived at Iran's major food port and Turkish banks are being used by the Islamic Republic as an alternative trade financing route to sidestep Western sanctions, trade sources say.

More:Exclusive: Iran ramps up food imports via Turkish banks: trade | Reuters

Israelis in Scotland Pretend to be French or Turkish

Israelis in Scotland Pretend to be French or Turkish
March 23, 2012 12:55 pm 0 comments

Scottish Jews regularly “hide their religious identity to avoid abuse and attack” according to a survey carried out by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC). Israelis in Scotland reportedly pretend “to be French or Turkish to ‘avoid uncomfortable situations’.”

More:Israelis in Scotland Pretend to be French or Turkish

Cash-strapped Libyans ransack Istanbul consulate | Reuters

Cash-strapped Libyans ransack Istanbul consulate

ISTANBUL | Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:05pm IST

(Reuters) - Turkish police detained more than two dozen Libyans after they occupied and ransacked the Libyan consulate in Istanbul on Friday to protest at a lack of financial support from their government while in Turkey for medical treatment.

More:Cash-strapped Libyans ransack Istanbul consulate | Reuters

Dutch politician puts government on notice | Reuters

Dutch politician puts government on notice

By Gilbert Kreijger and Sara Webb

AMSTERDAM, March 23 | Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:43am EDT

(Reuters) - Anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders holds in his hands the fate of the Dutch government and of austerity measures meant to save the country from economic crisis. Immigrant groups fear, however, they could pay the price he demands for his support.

More:Dutch politician puts government on notice | Reuters

Turkey Urges Greece to Boost Trade Ties

Turkey Urges Greece to Boost Trade Ties

By Ayla Albayrak and Joe Parkinson

According to Ankara’s top economic policy, the solution Greece’s debt crisis is obvious: “Turkey.”

In a speech that could ruffle feathers in Athens, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan on Thursday said the only way Greece can survive is to dramatically boost trade ties with fast-growing Turkey, its neighbor and long-time adversary across the Aegean.

More:Turkey Urges Greece to Boost Trade Ties - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ

Once Upon a Lost Time in Turkey | The Majalla Magazine

Once Upon a Lost Time in Turkey
Review: Once Upon A Time in Anatolia

In a film that takes place in the context of a single night and morning, Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan explores Turkey’s darker past

Acclaimed Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan recently said, “I like to create to mislead people.” Everything about his extraordinary, Palme d’Or-winning film Once Upon A Time in Anatolia seems designed to send its audience in the wrong direction.

The film begins with a party, as three jolly men drink in a roadside mechanic shop. Then the mood abruptly changes to a kind of bleak, CSI-type recast with quarrelsome Turkish men. The story follows four policemen, a prosecutor (the Turkish equivalent of a District Attorney), a coroner, and a pair of military gendarmes through the night on their search for the grave of one of the men. The drinking party evidently turned murderous, but why? One cop observes that unexplained crimes always revolve around women.

More:Once Upon a Lost Time in Turkey | The Majalla Magazine

Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Turkey launches ‘Aegean Delicacies Workshops’

Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Turkey launches ‘Aegean Delicacies Workshops’

Friday, 23 March 2012 09:13

Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Turkey has announced new cooking workshops for guests wanting to discover nouvelle Turkish cuisine from the Aegean region. Ideal for food-lovers and those who want to learn about local cooking, these courses allow guests to explore local markets, enjoy daily cooking workshops and learn about a range of Aegean ingredients and speciality dishes.

More:Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Turkey launches ‘Aegean Delicacies Workshops’

Switzerland ready to restore mediation between Armenia and Turkey

Switzerland ready to restore mediation between Armenia and Turkey

March 23, 2012 | 11:54

Switzerland and Turkey want to strengthen their economic cooperation, Swiss RTS website reports.

More:Switzerland ready to restore mediation between Armenia and Turkey | Armenia News - NEWS.am

Senate resolution is antagonistic toward Turkey | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com

Senate resolution is antagonistic toward Turkey
6:36 PM, Mar. 22, 2012 |

JAVID HUSEYNOV

On March 8, Sens. Scott Brown, R-Mass., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., introduced Senate Resolution 392, "urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties." The resolution, which is currently referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, constitutes another dissolute attempt to interfere in Turkey's religious affairs and to unfairly single out this country under pressure from the ethnic special interest groups.

More:Senate resolution is antagonistic toward Turkey | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com

Adventure holidays in Turkey

Adventure holidays in Turkey

Adventure travellers are spoilt for choice in Turkey. Kevin Gould picks great experiences beyond the beach, from horse-riding in the little-visited north west, to a homestay in a Kurdish village and white-water rafting in the Kaçkar mountains

More:Adventure holidays in Turkey | Travel | The Guardian

Turkey Flays US Report On Religious Freedom

Turkey Flays US Report On Religious Freedom

3/23/2012 1:55 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Turkey has taken umbrage at a U.S. report on religious freedom that listed the country among the world's worst violators of religious freedoms and said it treats the document as "null and void."

More:Turkey Flays US Report On Religious Freedom

Comic magazine mocks Turkey’s EU Minister

Comic magazine mocks Turkey’s EU Minister
Comic magazine mocks Turkey’s EU Minister
March 23, 2012 - 10:39 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s European Union Minister Egemen Bağış posted on his Twitter account a cartoon lampooning him that appeared on the cover of the comic magazine Penguen.

More:Comic magazine mocks Turkey’s EU Minister - PanARMENIAN.Net

Turkey PM: fixers, not clubs, should be punished - - SI.com

Turkey PM: fixers, not clubs, should be punished

ISTANBUL (AP) -Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a plea for individuals rather than clubs to be punished for match-fixing on Thursday, even as FIFA President Sepp Blatter urged increased vigilance against what he called the "scourge'' of rigged matches.

More:Turkey PM: fixers, not clubs, should be punished - - SI.com

U.S. Exempts 11 Nations From Iran Sanctions, But Not Ally Turkey :: Gatestone Institute

U.S. Exempts 11 Nations From Iran Sanctions, But Not Ally Turkey
And more from the Turkish Press

by AK Group
March 23, 2012 at 3:00 am

Turkey could still get a waiver regarding the sanctions the United States plans to implement on countries buying oil from Iran, despite not being named on a list of exempted nations released by Washington, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said on Wednesday.

More:U.S. Exempts 11 Nations From Iran Sanctions, But Not Ally Turkey :: Gatestone Institute

Turkey should have thought twice on Syria

Turkey should have thought twice on Syria
March 23, 2012 08:36 AM
By Michel Sailhan

ISTANBUL: Turkey may have acted too fast when it took its tough stance against Damascus, expecting a rapid fall for the regime, some observers have argued ahead of a "Friends of Syria" conference in Istanbul.

More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Analysis :: Turkey should have thought twice on Syria

Turkish Cypriot Leader Says Not Possible To Get A Result In Cyprus Talks After July 1, 22 March 2012 Thursday 16:57

Turkish Cypriot Leader Says Not Possible To Get A Result In Cyprus Talks After July 1

Thursday, 22 March 2012

LEFKOSA (A.A) - The president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Thursday that it was not possible to get a result in ongoing Cyprus talks after July 1 (when the Greek Cypriot administration was set to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union).

More:Turkish Cypriot Leader Says Not Possible To Get A Result In Cyprus Talks After July 1, 22 March 2012 Thursday 16:57

Turkey Tourist Arrivals Decline In February

Turkey Tourist Arrivals Decline In February

(RTTNews.com) - Tourist arrivals in Turkey decreased from last year in February, data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed Friday.

More:Turkey Tourist Arrivals Decline In February

Turkey, China celebrate diplomatic ties anniversary with photo exhibition - People's Daily Online

Turkey, China celebrate diplomatic ties anniversary with photo exhibition
(Xinhua)
09:10, March 23, 2012

ANKARA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and China held a photo exhibition Thursday in the Turkish capital of Ankara to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

More:Turkey, China celebrate diplomatic ties anniversary with photo exhibition - People's Daily Online

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Lara Stone On Vogue Turkey 2012 | Styleite

Lara Stone’s New Hair And Tan-Free Armpits On Turkish Vogue

by Jada Wong | 6:13 pm, March 22nd, 2012

We’re used to seeing Lara Stone as a blonde, but her new darker hue suits her just as nicely. The Dutch bombshell showed off short, black locks on the April cover of Vogue Turkey, lensed by Cuneyt Akeroglu. She still, however, has no eyebrows.

More:Lara Stone On Vogue Turkey 2012 | Styleite

Investigation, threats against freed Turkish journalists - Committee to Protect Journalists

Investigation, threats against freed Turkish journalists

New York, March 22, 2012--Turkish authorities must immediately dismiss the new criminal investigation against journalist Ahmet Şık and should thoroughly investigate threats made against Şık and investigative journalist Nedim Şener, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

More:Investigation, threats against freed Turkish journalists - Committee to Protect Journalists

PNAC to get Turkish panel’s membership - The News

PNAC to get Turkish panel’s membership


In light of the launch of Halal food accreditation scheme, Standard & Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) of Turkey has decided to award its membership to Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC).

More:PNAC to get Turkish panel’s membership - The News

With no int'l consensus, Turkey and allies run out of options on how to stop Syria's Assad | The Republic

With no int'l consensus, Turkey and allies run out of options on how to stop Syria's Assad

CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

ISTANBUL — Turkey stands at the forefront of calls for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad, but there are an awful lot of red lines that it won't cross to realize that goal.

More:With no int'l consensus, Turkey and allies run out of options on how to stop Syria's Assad | The Republic

Turkey's Rise Under Enigmatic Erdogan's Rule : NPR

Turkey's Rise Under Enigmatic Erdogan's Rule

March 22, 2012

A NATO ally with close ties to the West, Turkey's economy has grown significantly, and the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken active roles in several international crises. But reporter Dexter Filkins paints a complicated picture of Erdogan under threats of coup and paranoia.

More:Turkey's Rise Under Enigmatic Erdogan's Rule : NPR

Turkey Goes for the Gold in a Bid to Curb Deficit - WSJ.com

Turkey Targets Gold Stashes

BY YELIZ CANDEMIR AND JOE PARKINSON

ISTANBUL—The Turkish government, facing a bloated current-account deficit that threatens to derail the country's rapid expansion, is trying to persuade Turks to transfer their vast personal holdings of gold into the country's banking system.

More:Turkey Goes for the Gold in a Bid to Curb Deficit - WSJ.com

Turkey Tightens by Halting Benchmark Funding; Yields Climb - Bloomberg

Turkey Tightens by Halting Benchmark Funding; Yields Climb
By Selcuk Gokoluk - Mar 22, 2012 11:26 AM ET

Turkey’s central bank tightened monetary policy by withdrawing funding at its benchmark rate for the first time in more than two months. Bond yields rose to the highest level since January.

The central bank in Ankara didn’t offer to lend money to the country’s banks over a week at the 5.75 percent annual rate in a daily auction at the scheduled time of 10 a.m.

More:Turkey Tightens by Halting Benchmark Funding; Yields Climb - Bloomberg

Rwanda: Turkish Lawmakers Commend Country's Constitution On Gender

Rwanda: Turkish Lawmakers Commend Country's Constitution On Gender
By Sam Nkurunziza, 22 March 2012

A report compiled by Turkish lawmakers has identified Rwanda as having one of the best constitutions in regard to gender equality worldwide.

In Africa, Rwanda is ranked alongside South Africa while elsewhere; countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden lead the way in eliminating gender inequality.

More:allAfrica.com: Rwanda: Turkish Lawmakers Commend Country's Constitution On Gender

Ankara holds International Referee Candidate Course – Volleyball news | bettor.com

Ankara holds International Referee Candidate Course – Volleyball news
(0) (0)
Posted By:
RYAN HOUSY

The Capital City of Turkey, Ankara is currently holding the first referee coaching course of the season.

The Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) collaborated with Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF), in order to organise the seven-day International Referee Candidate Course (IRCC) in Ankara. The training course started off on Monday, March 19 and it will complete its run on March 25.

More:Ankara holds International Referee Candidate Course – Volleyball news | bettor.com

Turkish pride at staging UEFA Congress – UEFA.com

Turkish pride at staging UEFA Congress
Published: Thursday 22 March 2012, 10.05CET
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish Football Association president Yıldırım Demirören voiced their pride at having the UEFA Congress meeting in Istanbul.

More:Turkish pride at staging UEFA Congress – UEFA.com

The Bridge of Jewellery Trade Istanbul Jewelry Show March 2012 Opens its Doors | SYS-CON MEDIA

The Bridge of Jewellery Trade Istanbul Jewelry Show March 2012 Opens its Doors

By PR Newswire

ISTANBUL, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The jewellery industry will gather for 34th time at the region's prime event - ISTANBUL JEWELRY SHOW - at the CNR Expo, from today till 25 March 2012.

More:The Bridge of Jewellery Trade Istanbul Jewelry Show March 2012 Opens its Doors | SYS-CON MEDIA