BEIRUT: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday his country would continue “intensive efforts” aimed at securing the release of 11 Lebanese taken hostage by Syrian rebels last week.
Erdogan’s comments came following a second meeting in Istanbul with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who urged his Turkish counterpart to accelerate Ankara’s efforts to resolve the hostage crisis.
More:Turkey to keep up efforts to secure hostages’ release
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Dutch Defence Minister Strengthens Ties with Turkey
Dutch Defence Minister Strengthens Ties with Turkey
14:39 GMT, May 31, 2012 Dutch Defence minister Hans Hillen had a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Dr. Ismet Yilmaz in Istanbul May 24.
The Defence ministers signed a statement aimed at enhancing the military cooperation between the two NATO allies.
More:defence.professionals | defpro.com
14:39 GMT, May 31, 2012 Dutch Defence minister Hans Hillen had a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Dr. Ismet Yilmaz in Istanbul May 24.
The Defence ministers signed a statement aimed at enhancing the military cooperation between the two NATO allies.
More:defence.professionals | defpro.com
Germans Try Integrating with Turkish Migrant Population - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Germans Learn Turkish to Promote Understanding
By Kate Katharina Ferguson in Berlin
For years, the focus of the integration debate in Germany has been on the assimilation of the Turkish migrant population into German society. But now some Germans are beginning to consider it their responsibility to integrate with their Turkish neighbors -- and are going to language schools to learn Turkish.
More:Germans Try Integrating with Turkish Migrant Population - SPIEGEL ONLINE
By Kate Katharina Ferguson in Berlin
For years, the focus of the integration debate in Germany has been on the assimilation of the Turkish migrant population into German society. But now some Germans are beginning to consider it their responsibility to integrate with their Turkish neighbors -- and are going to language schools to learn Turkish.
More:Germans Try Integrating with Turkish Migrant Population - SPIEGEL ONLINE
UPDATE 1-Turkey's trade deficit falls, below forecast | Reuters
UPDATE 1-Turkey's trade deficit falls, below forecast
ISTANBUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Turkey posted a lower-than-expected trade deficit in April, mainly on the back of a strong increase in gold exports and a sharp decline in imports, data showed on Thursday, pointing to a further improvement in the country's huge current account gap.
More:UPDATE 1-Turkey's trade deficit falls, below forecast | Reuters
ISTANBUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Turkey posted a lower-than-expected trade deficit in April, mainly on the back of a strong increase in gold exports and a sharp decline in imports, data showed on Thursday, pointing to a further improvement in the country's huge current account gap.
More:UPDATE 1-Turkey's trade deficit falls, below forecast | Reuters
Clinton’s Caucasus and Turkey Trips: What She Should Do
To-Do List for Hillary Clinton’s Upcoming Trip to the Caucasus and Turkey
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
May 31, 2012
On May 31, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will begin her tour of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. In Scandinavia, she will address several forums on climate change and green energy. While in Sweden, she will also discuss Internet freedom, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
More:Clinton’s Caucasus and Turkey Trips: What She Should Do
By Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.
May 31, 2012
On May 31, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will begin her tour of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. In Scandinavia, she will address several forums on climate change and green energy. While in Sweden, she will also discuss Internet freedom, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
More:Clinton’s Caucasus and Turkey Trips: What She Should Do
Turkey Has ‘Very Large’ Loan Demand on Cash Challenge, EBRD Says - Businessweek
Turkey Has ‘Very Large’ Loan Demand on Cash Challenge, EBRD Says
By Emre Peker on May 31, 2012
Turkish demand for loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development is “very large” amid a challenging financing environment, a bank official said.
More:Turkey Has ‘Very Large’ Loan Demand on Cash Challenge, EBRD Says - Businessweek
By Emre Peker on May 31, 2012
Turkish demand for loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development is “very large” amid a challenging financing environment, a bank official said.
More:Turkey Has ‘Very Large’ Loan Demand on Cash Challenge, EBRD Says - Businessweek
Turkey’s ostentatious symbolism
Turkey’s ostentatious symbolism
Thursday, 31 May 2012 01:37 IJN Editorial Staff
The indictment by a Turkish court this week of four Israeli military commanders for their involvement in the 2010 killing of nine Turkish activists aboard the Gaza-bound blockade-runner, the Mavi Marmara, is, on the face of it, an act of ostentatious symbolism.
Unless the four officers actually travel to Turkey, there is little chance that they will ever be arrested or tried, and the odds of Israel actually extraditing the men to Turkey are smaller than slim.
More:Turkey’s ostentatious symbolism
Thursday, 31 May 2012 01:37 IJN Editorial Staff
The indictment by a Turkish court this week of four Israeli military commanders for their involvement in the 2010 killing of nine Turkish activists aboard the Gaza-bound blockade-runner, the Mavi Marmara, is, on the face of it, an act of ostentatious symbolism.
Unless the four officers actually travel to Turkey, there is little chance that they will ever be arrested or tried, and the odds of Israel actually extraditing the men to Turkey are smaller than slim.
More:Turkey’s ostentatious symbolism
Three Kurdish women who firebombed Turkish club in Stoke Newington jailed - Court - London 24
Three Kurdish women who firebombed Turkish club in Stoke Newington jailed
Thursday, May 31, 2012
7:39 AM
Three Kurdish women were jailed last week for a potentially “catastrophic” petrol bomb attack on a Turkish club in Stoke Newington, deemed to be politically and racially motivated by the judge
More:Three Kurdish women who firebombed Turkish club in Stoke Newington jailed - Court - London 24
Thursday, May 31, 2012
7:39 AM
Three Kurdish women were jailed last week for a potentially “catastrophic” petrol bomb attack on a Turkish club in Stoke Newington, deemed to be politically and racially motivated by the judge
More:Three Kurdish women who firebombed Turkish club in Stoke Newington jailed - Court - London 24
Turkish man faces terrorism charges in Germany
Turkish man faces terrorism charges in Germany
May 31, 2012 01:10 PM
Associated Press
BERLIN: German federal prosecutors say they've charged a 46-year-old Turkish man with belonging to the banned Kurdish separatist group PKK.
The federal prosecutors' office said Thursday that Ali Ihsan K. was charged May 14 with membership in a foreign terrorist organization. His full name was not released in accordance with German privacy laws.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkish man faces terrorism charges in Germany
May 31, 2012 01:10 PM
Associated Press
BERLIN: German federal prosecutors say they've charged a 46-year-old Turkish man with belonging to the banned Kurdish separatist group PKK.
The federal prosecutors' office said Thursday that Ali Ihsan K. was charged May 14 with membership in a foreign terrorist organization. His full name was not released in accordance with German privacy laws.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkish man faces terrorism charges in Germany
Turkey Considers Expanding Sanctions Against Syria
Turkey Considers Expanding Sanctions Against Syria
BAKU (Azerbaijan), May 31 (Bernama) -- Turkey is considering expansion of sanctions against Syria in case of continued violence in the country, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
More:BERNAMA - Turkey Considers Expanding Sanctions Against Syria
BAKU (Azerbaijan), May 31 (Bernama) -- Turkey is considering expansion of sanctions against Syria in case of continued violence in the country, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
More:BERNAMA - Turkey Considers Expanding Sanctions Against Syria
Istanbul conference on Somalia opens
Istanbul conference on Somalia opens
Patients at Mogadishu airport - 6 October 2011 Turkey has been at the forefront of giving aid to Somalia and started commericial filghts to Mogadishu last year
World leaders and Somali politicians have started talks in Istanbul on how to end decades of anarchy in Somalia.
The two-day talks are hosted by the Turkish government, which has tried to raise Turkey's profile in Somalia since last year's drought there.
More:BBC News - Istanbul conference on Somalia opens
Patients at Mogadishu airport - 6 October 2011 Turkey has been at the forefront of giving aid to Somalia and started commericial filghts to Mogadishu last year
World leaders and Somali politicians have started talks in Istanbul on how to end decades of anarchy in Somalia.
The two-day talks are hosted by the Turkish government, which has tried to raise Turkey's profile in Somalia since last year's drought there.
More:BBC News - Istanbul conference on Somalia opens
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Turkey opens first particle accelerator
Turkey opens first particle accelerator
ANKARA
Turkey’s first particle accelerator facility which will serve the health sector and aims to diminish dependence on external markets opened yesterday near Ankara by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK).
More:LOCAL - Turkey opens first particle accelerator
ANKARA
Turkey’s first particle accelerator facility which will serve the health sector and aims to diminish dependence on external markets opened yesterday near Ankara by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK).
More:LOCAL - Turkey opens first particle accelerator
Turkey's Prime Minister Turns to Abortion as a Diversion From an Antiterrorism Snafu - NYTimes.com
A Politician’s Right to Choose
By ANDREW FINKEL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.Adem Altan/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
ISTANBUL — Is the prime minister of Turkey losing his grip? Normally he has one hand on the pulse of the people, the other on his opponents’ jugular. Yet in a mystifying outburst last week, he appeared to excuse the killing last year of 34 Kurdish villagers in a botched antiterrorism operation by saying that those deaths were no worse than the overuse of Cesarean sections to deliver children in Turkey and the overdependence on abortion as a form of contraception.
More:Turkey's Prime Minister Turns to Abortion as a Diversion From an Antiterrorism Snafu - NYTimes.com
By ANDREW FINKEL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.Adem Altan/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
ISTANBUL — Is the prime minister of Turkey losing his grip? Normally he has one hand on the pulse of the people, the other on his opponents’ jugular. Yet in a mystifying outburst last week, he appeared to excuse the killing last year of 34 Kurdish villagers in a botched antiterrorism operation by saying that those deaths were no worse than the overuse of Cesarean sections to deliver children in Turkey and the overdependence on abortion as a form of contraception.
More:Turkey's Prime Minister Turns to Abortion as a Diversion From an Antiterrorism Snafu - NYTimes.com
Istanbul’s controversial third Bosphorus bridge
Istanbul’s controversial third Bosphorus bridge
30/05 15:43 CET
The Turkish government has announced who is to build Istanbul’s third bridge over the Bosphorus.
A consortium formed by ICTAS of Turkey and the Italian firm Astaldi has been awarded the contract for the project.
It has been given the go-ahead despite criticism from planners and environmentalists.
The bridge will be the strait’s longest, at nearly 1.3 kilometres. It will connect with a new motorway to run through Istanbul and neighbouring provinces.
More:Istanbul’s controversial third Bosphorus bridge | euronews, world news
30/05 15:43 CET
The Turkish government has announced who is to build Istanbul’s third bridge over the Bosphorus.
A consortium formed by ICTAS of Turkey and the Italian firm Astaldi has been awarded the contract for the project.
It has been given the go-ahead despite criticism from planners and environmentalists.
The bridge will be the strait’s longest, at nearly 1.3 kilometres. It will connect with a new motorway to run through Istanbul and neighbouring provinces.
More:Istanbul’s controversial third Bosphorus bridge | euronews, world news
Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU - English pravda.ru
Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU
30.05.2012
Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU. 47222.jpeg
Turkey has resumed its attempts to join the EU. Prime Minister Erdogan has secured the support of the Italian Prime Minister, and President Gul - of the new president of France. German Foreign Minister approves accession to the EU, although a year ago, he thought otherwise. Today the European Union is very interested in strong Turkey, and Turkey aspires to become a leader of the weakening EU.
More:Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU - English pravda.ru
30.05.2012
Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU. 47222.jpeg
Turkey has resumed its attempts to join the EU. Prime Minister Erdogan has secured the support of the Italian Prime Minister, and President Gul - of the new president of France. German Foreign Minister approves accession to the EU, although a year ago, he thought otherwise. Today the European Union is very interested in strong Turkey, and Turkey aspires to become a leader of the weakening EU.
More:Turkey needs strong leadership in weakening EU - English pravda.ru
Three Turkish clubs suspended from European competitions, IBN Live News
Three Turkish clubs suspended from European competitions
Reuters | 08:00 PM,May 30,2012
By Ece Toksabay ISTANBUL (Reuters) - UEFA has banned Turkeys Besiktas, Gaziantepspor and Bursaspor from European competitions for one year due to financial problems, club officials said on Wednesday. UEFAs decisions, yet to be confirmed by European footballs ruling body, came as a fresh blow to the beleaguered Turkish league amid a court investigation into match-fixing allegations which overshadowed the whole of last season.
More:Three Turkish clubs suspended from European competitions, IBN Live News
Reuters | 08:00 PM,May 30,2012
By Ece Toksabay ISTANBUL (Reuters) - UEFA has banned Turkeys Besiktas, Gaziantepspor and Bursaspor from European competitions for one year due to financial problems, club officials said on Wednesday. UEFAs decisions, yet to be confirmed by European footballs ruling body, came as a fresh blow to the beleaguered Turkish league amid a court investigation into match-fixing allegations which overshadowed the whole of last season.
More:Three Turkish clubs suspended from European competitions, IBN Live News
Explosion halts Azeri gas flow to Turkey - Boston.com
Explosion halts Azeri gas flow to Turkey
By Selcan Hacaoglu
Associated Press / May 30, 2012
ANKARA, Turkey—Turkey's energy ministry says Azeri gas flow to Turkey has stopped following an explosion on the pipeline inside Turkey.
A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, said Wednesday the explosion took place near the eastern Turkish town of Sarikamis late Tuesday.
More:Explosion halts Azeri gas flow to Turkey - Boston.com
By Selcan Hacaoglu
Associated Press / May 30, 2012
ANKARA, Turkey—Turkey's energy ministry says Azeri gas flow to Turkey has stopped following an explosion on the pipeline inside Turkey.
A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government rules, said Wednesday the explosion took place near the eastern Turkish town of Sarikamis late Tuesday.
More:Explosion halts Azeri gas flow to Turkey - Boston.com
AEDB signs 56 MW wind project with Turkish Company
AEDB signs 56 MW wind project with Turkish Company
ISLAMABAD - In order to boost exploitation of alternative and renewable energy sources, Pakistan and Turkey have signed financial closing documents for setting up of first ever 56.4 MW wind power project, which will start generation from December 2012.
More:AEDB signs 56 MW wind project with Turkish Company | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia
ISLAMABAD - In order to boost exploitation of alternative and renewable energy sources, Pakistan and Turkey have signed financial closing documents for setting up of first ever 56.4 MW wind power project, which will start generation from December 2012.
More:AEDB signs 56 MW wind project with Turkish Company | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia
Turkish Support for EU Membership Drops Further, 30 May 2012 Wednesday 13:23
Turkish Support for EU Membership Drops Further
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Turks have grown less enthusiastic in the past six years over prospects to become the first-ever Muslim member of the European Union, data showed.
More:Turkish Support for EU Membership Drops Further, 30 May 2012 Wednesday 13:23
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Turks have grown less enthusiastic in the past six years over prospects to become the first-ever Muslim member of the European Union, data showed.
More:Turkish Support for EU Membership Drops Further, 30 May 2012 Wednesday 13:23
Turkey expels Syria’s charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours - The Washington Post
Turkey expels Syria’s charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 5:48 AM
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey expels Syria’s Charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours.
More:Turkey expels Syria’s charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours - The Washington Post
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 5:48 AM
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey expels Syria’s Charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours.
More:Turkey expels Syria’s charge d’Affaires and other diplomats in Ankara within 72 hours - The Washington Post
Soccer-UEFA suspends Besiktas from Europe for 1 year
Soccer-UEFA suspends Besiktas from Europe for 1 year - Turkish TV
ISTANBUL | Wed May 30, 2012 5:41am EDT
May 30 (Reuters) - UEFA have suspended Besiktas from European competitions for one year due to the Istanbul club's financial problems, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.
More:Soccer-UEFA suspends Besiktas from Europe for 1 year - Turkish TV | Reuters
ISTANBUL | Wed May 30, 2012 5:41am EDT
May 30 (Reuters) - UEFA have suspended Besiktas from European competitions for one year due to the Istanbul club's financial problems, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.
More:Soccer-UEFA suspends Besiktas from Europe for 1 year - Turkish TV | Reuters
Turkey Plans Giant Istanbul Mosque for All to See, Erdogan Says - Bloomberg
Turkey Plans Giant Istanbul Mosque for All to See, Erdogan Says
By Emre Peker - May 30, 2012 3:03 AM ET
Turkey commissioned a “giant mosque” to sit atop an Istanbul peak that will be visible from everywhere in the city of 15 million, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
More:Turkey Plans Giant Istanbul Mosque for All to See, Erdogan Says - Bloomberg
By Emre Peker - May 30, 2012 3:03 AM ET
Turkey commissioned a “giant mosque” to sit atop an Istanbul peak that will be visible from everywhere in the city of 15 million, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
More:Turkey Plans Giant Istanbul Mosque for All to See, Erdogan Says - Bloomberg
Turkey's Erdogan pushes into Eurasia
Turkey's Erdogan pushes into Eurasia
By Robert M Cutler
MONTREAL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has completed an economic diplomacy tour to Pakistan and Kazakhstan, signing important trade accords with both countries.
More:Asia Times Online :: Turkey's Erdogan pushes into Eurasia
By Robert M Cutler
MONTREAL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has completed an economic diplomacy tour to Pakistan and Kazakhstan, signing important trade accords with both countries.
More:Asia Times Online :: Turkey's Erdogan pushes into Eurasia
Border tensions rise as Turkey says Syria is giving PKK free rein - The National
Border tensions rise as Turkey says Syria is giving PKK free rein
Thomas Seibert
May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL // Turkish authorities say they have evidence that Kurdish militants enjoying increasingly free rein in Syria brought 40 kilograms of plastic explosives across the border into Turkey to stage a major attack last week.
More:Border tensions rise as Turkey says Syria is giving PKK free rein - The National
Thomas Seibert
May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL // Turkish authorities say they have evidence that Kurdish militants enjoying increasingly free rein in Syria brought 40 kilograms of plastic explosives across the border into Turkey to stage a major attack last week.
More:Border tensions rise as Turkey says Syria is giving PKK free rein - The National
Lira Yields Fall on Bets Basci Getting More Dovish on EU Crisis - Businessweek
Lira Yields Fall on Bets Basci Getting More Dovish on EU Crisis
By Selcuk Gokoluk on May 29, 2012
Bond yields in Turkey fell for a second day on speculation that central bank governor Erdem Basci is becoming more dovish on monetary policy amid rising concern Europe’s debt crisis is intensifying.
More:Lira Yields Fall on Bets Basci Getting More Dovish on EU Crisis - Businessweek
By Selcuk Gokoluk on May 29, 2012
Bond yields in Turkey fell for a second day on speculation that central bank governor Erdem Basci is becoming more dovish on monetary policy amid rising concern Europe’s debt crisis is intensifying.
More:Lira Yields Fall on Bets Basci Getting More Dovish on EU Crisis - Businessweek
Turkish Premier Calls for More Abortion Restrictions - NYTimes.com
Premier of Turkey Seeks Limits on Abortions
By SEBNEM ARSU
Published: May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL — Calling abortion an act of murder and an insidious plan to reduce the Turkish population, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Tuesday for legislation to restrict women’s access to the procedure.
More:Turkish Premier Calls for More Abortion Restrictions - NYTimes.com
By SEBNEM ARSU
Published: May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL — Calling abortion an act of murder and an insidious plan to reduce the Turkish population, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Tuesday for legislation to restrict women’s access to the procedure.
More:Turkish Premier Calls for More Abortion Restrictions - NYTimes.com
Turkish court remands six retired generals over 1997 coup
Turkish court remands six retired generals over 1997 coup
May 29, 2012 11:24 PM
Agence France Presse
ANKARA: A Turkish court remanded six retired generals Tuesday as part of a widening probe into the 1997 bloodless coup that toppled the country's first Islamist-led government, news agency Anatolie said.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkish court remands six retired generals over 1997 coup
May 29, 2012 11:24 PM
Agence France Presse
ANKARA: A Turkish court remanded six retired generals Tuesday as part of a widening probe into the 1997 bloodless coup that toppled the country's first Islamist-led government, news agency Anatolie said.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Turkish court remands six retired generals over 1997 coup
What Drives Turkey's New Syria Stance? A Fear of Two Kurdistans
What Drives Turkey's New Syria Stance? A Fear of Two Kurdistans
Soner Cagaptay
CNN Global Public Square
May 23, 2012
When the Syrian uprising began last spring, Turkey initially stayed behind Washington. It shied away from criticizing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, instead asking al-Assad to reform.
When Damascus refused, however, Ankara moved ahead of Washington, taking an aggressive posture against al-Assad and suggesting it was ready to take action to force him to step down.
More:What Drives Turkey's New Syria Stance? A Fear of Two Kurdistans - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Soner Cagaptay
CNN Global Public Square
May 23, 2012
When the Syrian uprising began last spring, Turkey initially stayed behind Washington. It shied away from criticizing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, instead asking al-Assad to reform.
When Damascus refused, however, Ankara moved ahead of Washington, taking an aggressive posture against al-Assad and suggesting it was ready to take action to force him to step down.
More:What Drives Turkey's New Syria Stance? A Fear of Two Kurdistans - The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
UF students to foster tourism development in Turkey-Armenia border region
UF students to foster tourism development in Turkey-Armenia border region
Filed under Announcements, InsideUF (Campus), Top Stories on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students and faculty from the University of Florida’s College of Health and Human Performance will travel to Turkey next month as part of an ongoing effort to promote peace through tourism and cultural understanding.
More:University of Florida News – UF students to foster tourism development in Turkey-Armenia border region
Filed under Announcements, InsideUF (Campus), Top Stories on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students and faculty from the University of Florida’s College of Health and Human Performance will travel to Turkey next month as part of an ongoing effort to promote peace through tourism and cultural understanding.
More:University of Florida News – UF students to foster tourism development in Turkey-Armenia border region
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Shopping the ancient markets of Istanbul - chicagotribune.com
Talking Turkey
When shopping Istanbul, you'll meet the masters of an ancient art
By Josh Noel, Tribune Newspapers
6:59 p.m. CDT, May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL, Turkey — The first rule of shopping in the centuries-old markets of Istanbul is this: The asking price is merely a suggestion. In fact, it's barely a suggestion. A price is equivalent to a declaration that a merchant is open for business. But you will not pay that number, and he — it is always a he — does not expect you to.
More:Shopping the ancient markets of Istanbul - chicagotribune.com
When shopping Istanbul, you'll meet the masters of an ancient art
By Josh Noel, Tribune Newspapers
6:59 p.m. CDT, May 29, 2012
ISTANBUL, Turkey — The first rule of shopping in the centuries-old markets of Istanbul is this: The asking price is merely a suggestion. In fact, it's barely a suggestion. A price is equivalent to a declaration that a merchant is open for business. But you will not pay that number, and he — it is always a he — does not expect you to.
More:Shopping the ancient markets of Istanbul - chicagotribune.com
Turkey signs deal with EU’s border agency
Turkey signs deal with EU’s border agency
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FRONTEX, the EU’s border management agency, to cooperate against illegal immigration, amid expectations that the EU will soon give the go-ahead for visa liberalization talks with Ankara.
More:POLITICS - Turkey signs deal with EU’s border agency
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FRONTEX, the EU’s border management agency, to cooperate against illegal immigration, amid expectations that the EU will soon give the go-ahead for visa liberalization talks with Ankara.
More:POLITICS - Turkey signs deal with EU’s border agency
Istanbul to get third bridge | beyondbrics
Istanbul to get third bridge
May 29, 2012 4:50 pm by Jonathan Wheatley
There will, after all, be a third bridge over the Bosphorus. Turkey’s transport ministry said on Tuesday a contract for the $2.5bn project had been won by a consortium formed by Ictas Insaat Sanayi Ticaret of Turkey and Astaldi of Italy, which promised to build the bridge more quickly than other bidders.
More:Istanbul to get third bridge | beyondbrics
May 29, 2012 4:50 pm by Jonathan Wheatley
There will, after all, be a third bridge over the Bosphorus. Turkey’s transport ministry said on Tuesday a contract for the $2.5bn project had been won by a consortium formed by Ictas Insaat Sanayi Ticaret of Turkey and Astaldi of Italy, which promised to build the bridge more quickly than other bidders.
More:Istanbul to get third bridge | beyondbrics
Mario Sorrenti, Carine Roitfeld, and More at the Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival
Talking Turkey
The Fashion Set Touches Down in Istanbul for Its Annual Arts and Culture Festival
Not all the action in the Mediterranean last weekend was in Cannes—some thousand miles to the east, fashion-oriented festivities were happening at the annual Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival. Instead of Champagne on the Croisette, it was sunset cocktails on a private dock, where the evening call to prayer mingled with the sounds of ferries chugging up and down the Bosphorus.
More:Mario Sorrenti, Carine Roitfeld, and More at the Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival
The Fashion Set Touches Down in Istanbul for Its Annual Arts and Culture Festival
Not all the action in the Mediterranean last weekend was in Cannes—some thousand miles to the east, fashion-oriented festivities were happening at the annual Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival. Instead of Champagne on the Croisette, it was sunset cocktails on a private dock, where the evening call to prayer mingled with the sounds of ferries chugging up and down the Bosphorus.
More:Mario Sorrenti, Carine Roitfeld, and More at the Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival
Turkish PM Branded 'Woman's Enemy' After Linking Abortion to Murder
Turkish PM Branded 'Woman's Enemy' After Linking Abortion to Murder
By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
May 29, 2012|11:53 am
A group of Turkish women angry that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared abortion to murder have branded him a "woman's enemy" and planned to protest the government on Tuesday.
More:Turkish PM Branded 'Woman's Enemy' After Linking Abortion to Murder
By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
May 29, 2012|11:53 am
A group of Turkish women angry that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared abortion to murder have branded him a "woman's enemy" and planned to protest the government on Tuesday.
More:Turkish PM Branded 'Woman's Enemy' After Linking Abortion to Murder
Turkish PM preparing anti-abortion bill
Turkish PM preparing anti-abortion bill
May 29 2012 at 08:41pm
By Jonathon Burch
Ankara - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday his government was preparing a draft bill on abortion and intended to enact it into law, a move likely to escalate a row over the practice which the Turkish leader has called “murder”.
More:Turkish PM preparing anti-abortion bill - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za
May 29 2012 at 08:41pm
By Jonathon Burch
Ankara - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday his government was preparing a draft bill on abortion and intended to enact it into law, a move likely to escalate a row over the practice which the Turkish leader has called “murder”.
More:Turkish PM preparing anti-abortion bill - World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za
Six Turkish generals remanded in custody over 1997 coup
Six Turkish generals remanded in custody over 1997 coup
By Jonathon Burch
ANKARA (Reuters) – Six retired generals, including former commanders of the land forces and air force, were remanded in custody on Tuesday over their alleged role in the 1997 toppling of Turkey’s first Islamist-led government, Turkish media reported.
More:NewsWires : euronews : the latest international news as video on demand
By Jonathon Burch
ANKARA (Reuters) – Six retired generals, including former commanders of the land forces and air force, were remanded in custody on Tuesday over their alleged role in the 1997 toppling of Turkey’s first Islamist-led government, Turkish media reported.
More:NewsWires : euronews : the latest international news as video on demand
FilmOut: Q&A with “Zenne Dancer” filmmakers Mehmet Binay and Caner Alper | VIDEO | San Diego Gay and Lesbian News
FilmOut: Q&A with “Zenne Dancer” filmmakers Mehmet Binay and Caner Alper | VIDEO
Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
May 29th, 2012
From Turkey comes “Zenne Dancer,” a remarkable film based on true stories from Istanbul that is sure to be the talk of the 14th annual FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival.
More:FilmOut: Q&A with “Zenne Dancer” filmmakers Mehmet Binay and Caner Alper | VIDEO | San Diego Gay and Lesbian News
Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
May 29th, 2012
From Turkey comes “Zenne Dancer,” a remarkable film based on true stories from Istanbul that is sure to be the talk of the 14th annual FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival.
More:FilmOut: Q&A with “Zenne Dancer” filmmakers Mehmet Binay and Caner Alper | VIDEO | San Diego Gay and Lesbian News
Turkey Ramps Up Fight Against Women's Cancers, 29 May 2012 Tuesday 17:26
Turkey Ramps Up Fight Against Women's Cancers
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Turkey hosted a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Black Sea Countries Coalition on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Istanbul on Wednesday (May 23rd). Initiated and chaired by the first lady of Georgia three years ago, the Coalition includes representatives from Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Ukraine who discussed domestic concerns and initiated potential regional co-operation in some priority areas.
More:Turkey Ramps Up Fight Against Women's Cancers, 29 May 2012 Tuesday 17:26
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Turkey hosted a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Black Sea Countries Coalition on Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Istanbul on Wednesday (May 23rd). Initiated and chaired by the first lady of Georgia three years ago, the Coalition includes representatives from Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Ukraine who discussed domestic concerns and initiated potential regional co-operation in some priority areas.
More:Turkey Ramps Up Fight Against Women's Cancers, 29 May 2012 Tuesday 17:26
Turkish director’s short film honored at Cannes
Turkish director’s short film honored at Cannes
“Sessiz” (Silent), a film by Turkish director Rezan Yesilbas, won the Palme d’Or in the short-length film category at the 65th Cannes Film Festival on May 27, the Anatolia news agency has reported.
More:Turkish director’s short film honored at Cannes
“Sessiz” (Silent), a film by Turkish director Rezan Yesilbas, won the Palme d’Or in the short-length film category at the 65th Cannes Film Festival on May 27, the Anatolia news agency has reported.
More:Turkish director’s short film honored at Cannes
Commentary: Turkey Cozies Up to the KRG | The National Interest
Turkey Cozies Up to the KRG
May 29, 2012
Turkey’s popular and outspoken prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was treated to a hero’s welcome last week when he met with Syrian refugees for the first time since Turkey opened its doors to the thousands of people fleeing Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown. Erdogan’s pledge to defend the rights of the Syrian people and his call for Assad’s removal, however, fell short of expectations. Although Erdogan’s speech drew some applause, it also was interrupted by shouts of “We want arms for the Free Syrian Army and a buffer zone inside Syria!” The Turkish prime minister’s reiteration of his previous positions seemed to dismay the refugees and some in the international community who hoped he would call for the establishment of a buffer zone or offer other more forceful support.
More:Commentary: Turkey Cozies Up to the KRG | The National Interest
May 29, 2012
Turkey’s popular and outspoken prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was treated to a hero’s welcome last week when he met with Syrian refugees for the first time since Turkey opened its doors to the thousands of people fleeing Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown. Erdogan’s pledge to defend the rights of the Syrian people and his call for Assad’s removal, however, fell short of expectations. Although Erdogan’s speech drew some applause, it also was interrupted by shouts of “We want arms for the Free Syrian Army and a buffer zone inside Syria!” The Turkish prime minister’s reiteration of his previous positions seemed to dismay the refugees and some in the international community who hoped he would call for the establishment of a buffer zone or offer other more forceful support.
More:Commentary: Turkey Cozies Up to the KRG | The National Interest
Turkish Central Bank Holds Policy Rate At Record Low
Turkish Central Bank Holds Policy Rate At
5/29/2012 7:29 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Turkey's central bank Tuesday 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 Policy Rate At Record Low
5/29/2012 7:29 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Turkey's central bank Tuesday 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 Policy Rate At Record Low
Turkish court orders six ex-generals held over 1997 coup | DAWN.COM
Turkish court orders six ex-generals held over 1997 coup
ANKARA: A Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the detention of six former generals accused of involvement in a military coup in 1997, the Anatolia news agency reported.
The detentions are part of a probe into the bloodless coup that toppled the country’s government at the time and comes amid a growing standoff between the powerful military and the current rulers.
More:Turkish court orders six ex-generals held over 1997 coup | DAWN.COM
ANKARA: A Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the detention of six former generals accused of involvement in a military coup in 1997, the Anatolia news agency reported.
The detentions are part of a probe into the bloodless coup that toppled the country’s government at the time and comes amid a growing standoff between the powerful military and the current rulers.
More:Turkish court orders six ex-generals held over 1997 coup | DAWN.COM
Turkey Asks Banks for Dollars to Raise Foreign Exchange Reserves - Bloomberg
Turkey Asks Banks for Dollars to Raise Foreign Exchange Reserves
By Aydan Eksin and Selcuk Gokoluk - May 29, 2012 7:18 AM ET
Turkey’s central bank is seeking to increase its foreign currency reserves by as much as $2.1 billion by asking banks to deposit more of their lira reserve requirements in foreign exchange.
The central bank in Ankara raised the portion of required reserves banks can keep in foreign currency to as much as 45 percent of total reserves from 40 percent, it said in statement on its website today.
More:Turkey Asks Banks for Dollars to Raise Foreign Exchange Reserves - Bloomberg
By Aydan Eksin and Selcuk Gokoluk - May 29, 2012 7:18 AM ET
Turkey’s central bank is seeking to increase its foreign currency reserves by as much as $2.1 billion by asking banks to deposit more of their lira reserve requirements in foreign exchange.
The central bank in Ankara raised the portion of required reserves banks can keep in foreign currency to as much as 45 percent of total reserves from 40 percent, it said in statement on its website today.
More:Turkey Asks Banks for Dollars to Raise Foreign Exchange Reserves - Bloomberg
Erdogan says limit to world patience over Syria | Reuters
Erdogan says limit to world patience over Syria
ANKARA | Tue May 29, 2012 6:31am EDT
(Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned the killing of more than 100 civilians in the Syrian town of Houla and said there was a limit to the world's patience over ending the bloodshed.
More:Erdogan says limit to world patience over Syria | Reuters
ANKARA | Tue May 29, 2012 6:31am EDT
(Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned the killing of more than 100 civilians in the Syrian town of Houla and said there was a limit to the world's patience over ending the bloodshed.
More:Erdogan says limit to world patience over Syria | Reuters
Turkey launches campaign for full membership in ITF | The Canadian Jewish News
Turkey launches campaign for full membership in ITF
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey has launched a quiet but concerted campaign to qualify for full membership in the Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research.
More:Turkey launches campaign for full membership in ITF | The Canadian Jewish News
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey has launched a quiet but concerted campaign to qualify for full membership in the Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research.
More:Turkey launches campaign for full membership in ITF | The Canadian Jewish News
Turkey Plans Tax Break to Help Tech Investments, Milliyet Says - Bloomberg
Turkey Plans Tax Break to Help Tech Investments, Milliyet Says
By Emre Peker - May 29, 2012 2:56 AM ET
Turkey is working on a law that would provide angel investors with tax breaks to help spur Internet and technology-related projects, Milliyet reported.
More:Turkey Plans Tax Break to Help Tech Investments, Milliyet Says - Bloomberg
By Emre Peker - May 29, 2012 2:56 AM ET
Turkey is working on a law that would provide angel investors with tax breaks to help spur Internet and technology-related projects, Milliyet reported.
More:Turkey Plans Tax Break to Help Tech Investments, Milliyet Says - Bloomberg
A Name Change for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
A Name Change for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?
By: Sefa Karahasan posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Council of Ministers of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has decided to remove the “TRNC” designation from its passports, and replace it with “Cyprus Turkish Republic” (CTR). The Council also decided to add the a “Nationality” field to national identification cards and passports, in which “Cypriot Turk” is to be inscribed.
More:A Name Change for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
By: Sefa Karahasan posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Council of Ministers of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has decided to remove the “TRNC” designation from its passports, and replace it with “Cyprus Turkish Republic” (CTR). The Council also decided to add the a “Nationality” field to national identification cards and passports, in which “Cypriot Turk” is to be inscribed.
More:A Name Change for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
Turkey under pressure over missing persons - Cyprus Mail
Turkey under pressure over missing persons
By Stefanos Evripidou Published on May 29, 2012
A BOOK narrating the memoirs of high-ranking Turkish officers during the 1974 invasion has piled further pressure on Turkey to divulge information on the whereabouts and fate of missing Greek Cypriots.
More:Turkey under pressure over missing persons - Cyprus Mail
By Stefanos Evripidou Published on May 29, 2012
A BOOK narrating the memoirs of high-ranking Turkish officers during the 1974 invasion has piled further pressure on Turkey to divulge information on the whereabouts and fate of missing Greek Cypriots.
More:Turkey under pressure over missing persons - Cyprus Mail
Pakistani student mesmerises Turkish masses by singing - thenews.com.pk
Pakistani student mesmerises Turkish masses by singing
A teenage Peshawar student Arsalan Naseer has mesmerised the entire Turkey by singing the immortal songs of legendary most popular Kurdish Turk singer Ahmet Kaya who passed away in self-imposed exile in November 2000.
More:Pakistani student mesmerises Turkish masses by singing - thenews.com.pk
A teenage Peshawar student Arsalan Naseer has mesmerised the entire Turkey by singing the immortal songs of legendary most popular Kurdish Turk singer Ahmet Kaya who passed away in self-imposed exile in November 2000.
More:Pakistani student mesmerises Turkish masses by singing - thenews.com.pk
Monday, May 28, 2012
TOURISM - Turkey welcoming Europe’s elderly as health tourism rises
Turkey welcoming Europe’s elderly as health tourism rises
DENİZLİ/İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency
The number of people receiving healthcare in Turkey reaches 130,000 annually, A rapidly aging European population is also looking to Turkey for retirement services
More:TOURISM - Turkey welcoming Europe’s elderly as health tourism rises
DENİZLİ/İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency
The number of people receiving healthcare in Turkey reaches 130,000 annually, A rapidly aging European population is also looking to Turkey for retirement services
More:TOURISM - Turkey welcoming Europe’s elderly as health tourism rises
BARÇIN YİNANÇ - European Union’s deep state settling accounts with Turkish army
European Union’s deep state settling accounts with Turkish army
Almost all of last week’s striking news pieces were reminiscent of the early 1990’s. Listening to the news about the suicide bomb attack in Kayseri, the sentencing of Kurdish deputy Leyla Zana to 10 years in prison, the controversial statements of Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, I had a clear sense of deja vu.
More:BARÇIN YİNANÇ - European Union’s deep state settling accounts with Turkish army
Almost all of last week’s striking news pieces were reminiscent of the early 1990’s. Listening to the news about the suicide bomb attack in Kayseri, the sentencing of Kurdish deputy Leyla Zana to 10 years in prison, the controversial statements of Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, I had a clear sense of deja vu.
More:BARÇIN YİNANÇ - European Union’s deep state settling accounts with Turkish army
China's Top Legislator Makes Stopover Visit to Istanbul
China's Top Legislator Makes Stopover Visit to Istanbul
2012-05-29 03:19:37
Visiting China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Turkey's Istanbul on Monday for a two-day stopover visit after wrapping up his four-nation European tour.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), met with Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu soon after his arrival, saying the two countries should take substantial measures to lift China-Turkey relationship to a higher level.
More:China's Top Legislator Makes Stopover Visit to Istanbul
2012-05-29 03:19:37
Visiting China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Turkey's Istanbul on Monday for a two-day stopover visit after wrapping up his four-nation European tour.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), met with Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu soon after his arrival, saying the two countries should take substantial measures to lift China-Turkey relationship to a higher level.
More:China's Top Legislator Makes Stopover Visit to Istanbul
Turkey’s Premier Wades Into Abortion Debate, Sparks Furor - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ
Turkey’s Premier Wades Into Abortion Debate, Sparks Furor
By Ayla Albayrak
Turkey’s prime minister this weekend waded into a politically charged debate over family planning, causing a furor by likening abortion to a botched military airstrike which in December killed Kurdish smugglers.
More:Turkey’s Premier Wades Into Abortion Debate, Sparks Furor - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ
By Ayla Albayrak
Turkey’s prime minister this weekend waded into a politically charged debate over family planning, causing a furor by likening abortion to a botched military airstrike which in December killed Kurdish smugglers.
More:Turkey’s Premier Wades Into Abortion Debate, Sparks Furor - Emerging Europe Real Time - WSJ
Artist sews Turkish hopes in modern Bayeux tapestry | Reuters
Artist sews Turkish hopes in modern "Bayeux tapestry"
By Ayla Jean Yackley
ISTANBUL | Mon May 28, 2012 12:14pm EDT
(Reuters) - Artist Kutlug Ataman wants fellow Turks to share their hopes for the country's future in a fabric mosaic that mirrors government efforts to create a more inclusive, modern constitution.
More:Artist sews Turkish hopes in modern Bayeux tapestry | Reuters
By Ayla Jean Yackley
ISTANBUL | Mon May 28, 2012 12:14pm EDT
(Reuters) - Artist Kutlug Ataman wants fellow Turks to share their hopes for the country's future in a fabric mosaic that mirrors government efforts to create a more inclusive, modern constitution.
More:Artist sews Turkish hopes in modern Bayeux tapestry | Reuters
European parliament chief slams Turkey over Cyprus boycott
European parliament chief slams Turkey over Cyprus boycott
May 28, 2012 08:50 PM
Agence France Presse
ANKARA: The European Parliament's chief criticised Turkey Monday for threatening to freeze ties with the EU when the bloc's rotating presidency shifts to Cyprus, which Ankara does not recognise as a sovereign state.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: International :: European parliament chief slams Turkey over Cyprus boycott
May 28, 2012 08:50 PM
Agence France Presse
ANKARA: The European Parliament's chief criticised Turkey Monday for threatening to freeze ties with the EU when the bloc's rotating presidency shifts to Cyprus, which Ankara does not recognise as a sovereign state.
More:THE DAILY STAR :: News :: International :: European parliament chief slams Turkey over Cyprus boycott
Lira Strengthens Most in a Month on Higher Forex Reserve Bets - Bloomberg
Lira Strengthens Most in a Month on Higher Forex Reserve Bets
By Selcuk Gokoluk - May 28, 2012 6:12 AM ET
The lira rallied the most in more than a month on bets the central bank will raise lenders’ reserve requirements to bolster its foreign-exchange holdings.
The lira appreciated 0.8 percent to 1.8351 per dollar at 12:32 P.m. in Istanbul, the biggest jump since April 24. Yields on two-year benchmark debt fell eight basis points, or 0.08 percentage point, to 9.45 percent, the lowest in almost a week.
More:Lira Strengthens Most in a Month on Higher Forex Reserve Bets - Bloomberg
By Selcuk Gokoluk - May 28, 2012 6:12 AM ET
The lira rallied the most in more than a month on bets the central bank will raise lenders’ reserve requirements to bolster its foreign-exchange holdings.
The lira appreciated 0.8 percent to 1.8351 per dollar at 12:32 P.m. in Istanbul, the biggest jump since April 24. Yields on two-year benchmark debt fell eight basis points, or 0.08 percentage point, to 9.45 percent, the lowest in almost a week.
More:Lira Strengthens Most in a Month on Higher Forex Reserve Bets - Bloomberg
Turkey invests in wind energy - Reinforced Plastics
Turkey invests in wind energy
28 May 2012
Çagri Yurddas, Marketing Chief, Cam Elyaf Sanayi AS
Turkey is investing in its wind energy industry to decrease dependency on imported energy and the government is encouraging domestic wind turbine blade manufacture.
More:Turkey invests in wind energy - Reinforced Plastics
28 May 2012
Çagri Yurddas, Marketing Chief, Cam Elyaf Sanayi AS
Turkey is investing in its wind energy industry to decrease dependency on imported energy and the government is encouraging domestic wind turbine blade manufacture.
More:Turkey invests in wind energy - Reinforced Plastics
Turkish President, government back army in raid saga
Turkish President, government back army in raid saga
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Defense Minister Yılmaz denounces reports that suggest the chief of the Air Forces gave orders for the Uludere strike while President Gül says there is no cover-up
More:POLITICS - Turkish President, government back army in raid saga
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Defense Minister Yılmaz denounces reports that suggest the chief of the Air Forces gave orders for the Uludere strike while President Gül says there is no cover-up
More:POLITICS - Turkish President, government back army in raid saga
Somalia: Puntland and Galmudug Say Turkey Conference Is 'Politically Motivated'
Somalia: Puntland and Galmudug Say Turkey Conference Is 'Politically Motivated'
27 May 2012
Istanbul — Puntland and Galmudug have withdrew from the upcoming Istanbul conference at the end of the month sighting that it is not a Somali-owned process, Garowe Online reports.
Both Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim signed a joint press statement on Sunday cancelling their participation to the Istanbul conference on May 31 saying that the conference is "politically motivated".
More:allAfrica.com: Somalia: Puntland and Galmudug Say Turkey Conference Is 'Politically Motivated'
27 May 2012
Istanbul — Puntland and Galmudug have withdrew from the upcoming Istanbul conference at the end of the month sighting that it is not a Somali-owned process, Garowe Online reports.
Both Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and Galmudug President Mohamed Ahmed Alim signed a joint press statement on Sunday cancelling their participation to the Istanbul conference on May 31 saying that the conference is "politically motivated".
More:allAfrica.com: Somalia: Puntland and Galmudug Say Turkey Conference Is 'Politically Motivated'
A Lesson About Peace from the Turks | JewishPress
A Lesson About Peace from the Turks
By: Vic Rosenthal
Published: May 28th, 2012
Photo Credit: Uri lenz/Flash90
In the early morning of May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos boarded the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, which was carrying international activists in an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza. On board the ship was a contingent of approximately 40 members of the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), who met the Israelis with ‘cold’ but deadly weapons — metal bars and pipes, knives, axes, etc.
More:A Lesson About Peace from the Turks | JewishPress
By: Vic Rosenthal
Published: May 28th, 2012
Photo Credit: Uri lenz/Flash90
In the early morning of May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos boarded the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, which was carrying international activists in an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza. On board the ship was a contingent of approximately 40 members of the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), who met the Israelis with ‘cold’ but deadly weapons — metal bars and pipes, knives, axes, etc.
More:A Lesson About Peace from the Turks | JewishPress
Spokesman: Turkey is to blame for the “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots
Spokesman: Turkey is to blame for the “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots
He criticized Turkey’s behavior against the Turkish Cypriots, saying that it is slighting their dignity and treating them as “slaves”.
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Mon, May 28, 2012
Turkey is responsible for creating conditions of “isolation” for the Turkish Cypriots, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Friday, in a response to statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
More:Spokesman: Turkey is to blame for the “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots
He criticized Turkey’s behavior against the Turkish Cypriots, saying that it is slighting their dignity and treating them as “slaves”.
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Mon, May 28, 2012
Turkey is responsible for creating conditions of “isolation” for the Turkish Cypriots, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said on Friday, in a response to statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
More:Spokesman: Turkey is to blame for the “isolation” of Turkish Cypriots
Turkey tacks new foreign policy course
Turkey tacks new foreign policy course
Abdullah Gul
Turkey has recently been at the forefront of international economic and political debates. On the one hand, despite the economic crisis engulfing neighbouring Europe, Turkey remains the world’s second-fastest growing economy, after China. On the other hand, there is almost no issue on the global agenda — from Iraq and Afghanistan to Somalia, Iran, and the Arab Spring, and from sustainable development to a dialogue among civilizations — on which Turkey is not playing a visible role.
More:Turkey tacks new foreign policy course
Abdullah Gul
Turkey has recently been at the forefront of international economic and political debates. On the one hand, despite the economic crisis engulfing neighbouring Europe, Turkey remains the world’s second-fastest growing economy, after China. On the other hand, there is almost no issue on the global agenda — from Iraq and Afghanistan to Somalia, Iran, and the Arab Spring, and from sustainable development to a dialogue among civilizations — on which Turkey is not playing a visible role.
More:Turkey tacks new foreign policy course
Somali peace foremost priority, says Turkish FM | SomalilandPress.com - Somali News in English
Somali peace foremost priority, says Turkish FM
Comments (8)
TURKEY
ANKARA — Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has emphasized that resolving the conflict situation in Somalia is one of Turkey’s highest foreign policy priorities, as peace in Somalia would mean peace in a large area covering Africa, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
More:Somali peace foremost priority, says Turkish FM | SomalilandPress.com - Somali News in English
Comments (8)
TURKEY
ANKARA — Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has emphasized that resolving the conflict situation in Somalia is one of Turkey’s highest foreign policy priorities, as peace in Somalia would mean peace in a large area covering Africa, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
More:Somali peace foremost priority, says Turkish FM | SomalilandPress.com - Somali News in English
Turkish FM: “No Peace, Stability, Unless Conflict Resolved” - International Middle East Media Center
Turkish FM: “No Peace, Stability, Unless Conflict Resolved”
author Monday May 28, 2012 07:14author by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies Report post
Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmad Davutoglu, stated Sunday that there can be no peace and stability in the Middle East without a fair solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict that ensures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian People.
More:Turkish FM: “No Peace, Stability, Unless Conflict Resolved” - International Middle East Media Center
author Monday May 28, 2012 07:14author by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies Report post
Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmad Davutoglu, stated Sunday that there can be no peace and stability in the Middle East without a fair solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict that ensures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian People.
More:Turkish FM: “No Peace, Stability, Unless Conflict Resolved” - International Middle East Media Center
Istanbul Berlin Fest kicks off
Istanbul Berlin Fest kicks off
BERLIN - Anatolia News Agency
The Berlin-Istanbul festival has begun, under the auspices of Beyoğlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan and the mayor of Berlin’s Mitte District, Christian Hanke. The festival is organized by the Foundation for Intercultural Dialogue (FID).The festival’s opening ceremony took place in one of Berlin’s most famous public squares, the Potsdamer Platz. Berlin-Istanbul festival aims to introduce the cultures of Turkey and Germany to one another. As well as Demircan and Hanke, the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, Hüseyin Avni Karslıoglu, Turkish Consul General Mustafa Pulat, and FID President Ercan Karakoyun attended the opening ceremony.
More:EXHIBITIONS - Istanbul Berlin Fest kicks off
BERLIN - Anatolia News Agency
The Berlin-Istanbul festival has begun, under the auspices of Beyoğlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan and the mayor of Berlin’s Mitte District, Christian Hanke. The festival is organized by the Foundation for Intercultural Dialogue (FID).The festival’s opening ceremony took place in one of Berlin’s most famous public squares, the Potsdamer Platz. Berlin-Istanbul festival aims to introduce the cultures of Turkey and Germany to one another. As well as Demircan and Hanke, the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, Hüseyin Avni Karslıoglu, Turkish Consul General Mustafa Pulat, and FID President Ercan Karakoyun attended the opening ceremony.
More:EXHIBITIONS - Istanbul Berlin Fest kicks off
Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
Turkish Airlines in growth push
By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul
The chief executive of Turkish Airlines has set out a goal of building the biggest network of destinations despite grumbles from some quarters about the speed with which the company is growing.
More:Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul
The chief executive of Turkish Airlines has set out a goal of building the biggest network of destinations despite grumbles from some quarters about the speed with which the company is growing.
More:Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
Istanbul among top 10 congress destinations
Istanbul among top 10 congress destinations
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Istanbul retained its place on the list of the top 10 convention destinations centers in the world last year, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) said yesterday.
More:TOURISM - Istanbul among top 10 congress destinations
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Istanbul retained its place on the list of the top 10 convention destinations centers in the world last year, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) said yesterday.
More:TOURISM - Istanbul among top 10 congress destinations
Abortion sparks raging debate in Turkey
Abortion sparks raging debate in Turkey
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Turkish Prime Minister’s recents comments condemning abortion and ceaserian birth spark debate among those who say abortion is a right within the boundaries of law and those who support Erdoğan’s words
More:RIGHTS - Abortion sparks raging debate in Turkey
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Turkish Prime Minister’s recents comments condemning abortion and ceaserian birth spark debate among those who say abortion is a right within the boundaries of law and those who support Erdoğan’s words
More:RIGHTS - Abortion sparks raging debate in Turkey
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Erdogan Siding With Generals May Signal Islamist Split - Businessweek
Erdogan Siding With Generals May Signal Islamist Split
By Emre Peker on May 27, 2012
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rare expression of sympathy for Turkish generals this month may signal a split with Turkey’s most powerful religious movement, undermining the unity of his government.
More:Erdogan Siding With Generals May Signal Islamist Split - Businessweek
By Emre Peker on May 27, 2012
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rare expression of sympathy for Turkish generals this month may signal a split with Turkey’s most powerful religious movement, undermining the unity of his government.
More:Erdogan Siding With Generals May Signal Islamist Split - Businessweek
Turkish pianist faces prisonment for anti-religious tweets
Turkish pianist faces prisonment for anti-religious tweets
ISTANBUL
Prosecutors have demanded that internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist Fazıl Say be sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for tweets that “have insulted religion,” according to the Medyatava website.
More:MUSIC - Turkish pianist faces prisonment for anti-religious tweets
ISTANBUL
Prosecutors have demanded that internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist Fazıl Say be sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for tweets that “have insulted religion,” according to the Medyatava website.
More:MUSIC - Turkish pianist faces prisonment for anti-religious tweets
Turkey and Greece unite on screen at ‘Documentarist’ fest
Turkey and Greece unite on screen at ‘Documentarist’ fest
EMRAH GÜLER ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
The recent collaborations between Greek and Turkish filmmakers are an increasing interest on the part of Turkish moviegoers in cinema. This year’s edition of Documentarist, devotes a section to Greek - Turkish relations
More:CINEMA-TV - Turkey and Greece unite on screen at ‘Documentarist’ fest
EMRAH GÜLER ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
The recent collaborations between Greek and Turkish filmmakers are an increasing interest on the part of Turkish moviegoers in cinema. This year’s edition of Documentarist, devotes a section to Greek - Turkish relations
More:CINEMA-TV - Turkey and Greece unite on screen at ‘Documentarist’ fest
Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
Turkish Airlines in growth push
By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul
The chief executive of Turkish Airlines has set out a goal of building the biggest network of destinations despite grumbles from some quarters about the speed with which the company is growing.
More:Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul
The chief executive of Turkish Airlines has set out a goal of building the biggest network of destinations despite grumbles from some quarters about the speed with which the company is growing.
More:Turkish Airlines in growth push - FT.com
Turkish gas imports from Iran unaffected by deals with Iraq -
Turkish gas imports from Iran unaffected by deals with Iraq
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Tehran Times cited Mr Taner Yildiz Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources as saying that Turkey’s imports of natural gas from Iraq will in no way affect the country’s imports of the energy source from Iran.
Mr Yildiz pointed to his country’s growing demand for energy, stressing that natural gas imports from Iraq's semi autonomous Kurdistan region will not affect the imports from Iran. Turkey’s resumption of oil imports from Iraq comes after ceasing the purchases in 2007. The country is set to buy between 48 billion cubic meters and 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas from northern Iraq annually.
More:Turkish gas imports from Iran unaffected by deals with Iraq -
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Tehran Times cited Mr Taner Yildiz Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources as saying that Turkey’s imports of natural gas from Iraq will in no way affect the country’s imports of the energy source from Iran.
Mr Yildiz pointed to his country’s growing demand for energy, stressing that natural gas imports from Iraq's semi autonomous Kurdistan region will not affect the imports from Iran. Turkey’s resumption of oil imports from Iraq comes after ceasing the purchases in 2007. The country is set to buy between 48 billion cubic meters and 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas from northern Iraq annually.
More:Turkish gas imports from Iran unaffected by deals with Iraq -
Turkish football club provides escape for women from east
Turkish football club provides escape for women from east
ISTANBUL
Adana İdman Yurdu’s women’s football team has provided a haven for women aged between 16 and 30 who migrated to the southern province to escape the difficult situations in eastern and southeastern Turkey exacerbated by the fight between the Turkish army and Kurdish militants, daily Hürriyet reported today.
More:LOCAL - Turkish football club provides escape for women from east
ISTANBUL
Adana İdman Yurdu’s women’s football team has provided a haven for women aged between 16 and 30 who migrated to the southern province to escape the difficult situations in eastern and southeastern Turkey exacerbated by the fight between the Turkish army and Kurdish militants, daily Hürriyet reported today.
More:LOCAL - Turkish football club provides escape for women from east
Family Minister backs Turkish PM on abortion, Caesarean births
Family Minister backs Turkish PM on abortion, Caesarean births
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin has expressed support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s distaste for Caesarean births and belief that “abortion is murder,” saying those who criticized the leader were "distanced from science."
More:POLITICS - Family Minister backs Turkish PM on abortion, Caesarean births
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin has expressed support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s distaste for Caesarean births and belief that “abortion is murder,” saying those who criticized the leader were "distanced from science."
More:POLITICS - Family Minister backs Turkish PM on abortion, Caesarean births
Turkey's inquiry into 22 treasures at the Cleveland Museum of Art lacks hard proof of looting | cleveland.com
Turkey's inquiry into 22 treasures at the Cleveland Museum of Art lacks hard proof of looting
Published: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 6:39 AM
Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
A large, headless, Roman-era bronze statue believed to represent Marcus Aurelius has reigned for 26 years as the resident philosopher-king of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
More:Turkey's inquiry into 22 treasures at the Cleveland Museum of Art lacks hard proof of looting | cleveland.com
Published: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 6:39 AM
Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
A large, headless, Roman-era bronze statue believed to represent Marcus Aurelius has reigned for 26 years as the resident philosopher-king of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
More:Turkey's inquiry into 22 treasures at the Cleveland Museum of Art lacks hard proof of looting | cleveland.com
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Thousands pray for Istanbul landmark to become mosque | Reuters
Thousands pray for Istanbul landmark to become mosque
By Ayla Jean Yackley
ISTANBUL | Sat May 26, 2012 7:14pm BST
(Reuters) - Thousands of devout Muslims prayed outside Turkey's historic Hagia Sophia museum on Saturday to protest a 1934 law that bars religious services at the former church and mosque.
More:Thousands pray for Istanbul landmark to become mosque | Reuters
By Ayla Jean Yackley
ISTANBUL | Sat May 26, 2012 7:14pm BST
(Reuters) - Thousands of devout Muslims prayed outside Turkey's historic Hagia Sophia museum on Saturday to protest a 1934 law that bars religious services at the former church and mosque.
More:Thousands pray for Istanbul landmark to become mosque | Reuters
PressTV - President Gul says 2011 Turkish airstrike ‘huge mistake’
President Gul says 2011 Turkish airstrike ‘huge mistake’
Sat May 26, 2012 1:9PM GMT
President Abdullah Gul says the deadly 2011 Turkish airstrike against Kurdish villagers in the south of Turkey was a “huge mistake.”
More:PressTV - President Gul says 2011 Turkish airstrike ‘huge mistake’
Sat May 26, 2012 1:9PM GMT
President Abdullah Gul says the deadly 2011 Turkish airstrike against Kurdish villagers in the south of Turkey was a “huge mistake.”
More:PressTV - President Gul says 2011 Turkish airstrike ‘huge mistake’
PKK says it carried out Turkey suicide car bomb | Reuters
PKK says it carried out Turkey suicide car bomb
ISTANBUL | Sat May 26, 2012 2:18pm EDT
(Reuters) - The militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility on Saturday for a suicide car bomb attack in central Turkey that killed one policeman, and media reports said the bombers had entered Turkey from Syria.
More:PKK says it carried out Turkey suicide car bomb | Reuters
ISTANBUL | Sat May 26, 2012 2:18pm EDT
(Reuters) - The militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed responsibility on Saturday for a suicide car bomb attack in central Turkey that killed one policeman, and media reports said the bombers had entered Turkey from Syria.
More:PKK says it carried out Turkey suicide car bomb | Reuters
Turkey's President on Egypt, Syria & Israel – Amanpour - CNN.com Blogs
Turkey's President on Egypt, Syria & Israel
May 26th, 2012
12:51 PM ET
By Lucky Gold
President Abdullah Gul of Turkey attended the NATO Summit in Chicago this week and appeared Friday on Amanpour. He was asked about the presidential elections in Egypt and whether Egypt’s military would willingly relinquish its power.
More:Turkey's President on Egypt, Syria & Israel – Amanpour - CNN.com Blogs
May 26th, 2012
12:51 PM ET
By Lucky Gold
President Abdullah Gul of Turkey attended the NATO Summit in Chicago this week and appeared Friday on Amanpour. He was asked about the presidential elections in Egypt and whether Egypt’s military would willingly relinquish its power.
More:Turkey's President on Egypt, Syria & Israel – Amanpour - CNN.com Blogs
'Istanbul': A Twisted Tale Of Foreign Espionage : NPR
'Istanbul': A Twisted Tale Of Foreign Espionage
by NPR Staff
by Joseph Kanon
Hardcover, 404 pages | purchase
May 26, 2012
The big war is over, and the Cold War has just begun. Leon Bauer, an American tobacco man, wonders how to fit into this new world.
Bauer and his wife, Anna, a German Jew, made it to Istanbul just before World War II began. With his U.S. passport and fluency in German and Turkish, the tobacco man became useful to allied intelligence.
More:'Istanbul': A Twisted Tale Of Foreign Espionage : NPR
by NPR Staff
by Joseph Kanon
Hardcover, 404 pages | purchase
May 26, 2012
The big war is over, and the Cold War has just begun. Leon Bauer, an American tobacco man, wonders how to fit into this new world.
Bauer and his wife, Anna, a German Jew, made it to Istanbul just before World War II began. With his U.S. passport and fluency in German and Turkish, the tobacco man became useful to allied intelligence.
More:'Istanbul': A Twisted Tale Of Foreign Espionage : NPR
Turkey’s growing clout | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia
Turkey’s growing clout
News Comments (0)
By:Arif Ansar
PM Erdogan’s visit came at a critical time
Tit-for-tat events have started to unfold in Pak-US relations, and if they are allowed to escalate unchecked, both nations will end up on the losing side. Since the Chicago stalemate, the US has restarted drone strikes and has curtailed Pakistan’s aid while the country has persisted in blocking Nato’s Afghan supply lines. At this juncture, third party intervention may be needed to salvage the relation.
More:Turkey’s growing clout | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia
News Comments (0)
By:Arif Ansar
PM Erdogan’s visit came at a critical time
Tit-for-tat events have started to unfold in Pak-US relations, and if they are allowed to escalate unchecked, both nations will end up on the losing side. Since the Chicago stalemate, the US has restarted drone strikes and has curtailed Pakistan’s aid while the country has persisted in blocking Nato’s Afghan supply lines. At this juncture, third party intervention may be needed to salvage the relation.
More:Turkey’s growing clout | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia
Desperate Kurd plays final asylum card | The Japan Times Online
Desperate Kurd plays final asylum card
Man hoping to escape persecution files last-minute special residency bid
By MASAMI ITO
Staff writer
The 42-year-old Kurdish asylum seeker's wife and four children fled back to Turkey more than a year ago, terrified about the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima nuclear crisis, but he stayed on, in limbo, hoping beyond hope that he would be permitted to remain in Japan.
More:Desperate Kurd plays final asylum card | The Japan Times Online
Man hoping to escape persecution files last-minute special residency bid
By MASAMI ITO
Staff writer
The 42-year-old Kurdish asylum seeker's wife and four children fled back to Turkey more than a year ago, terrified about the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima nuclear crisis, but he stayed on, in limbo, hoping beyond hope that he would be permitted to remain in Japan.
More:Desperate Kurd plays final asylum card | The Japan Times Online
AFP: Clinton to visit Turkey, Scandinavia, Georgia
Clinton to visit Turkey, Scandinavia, Georgia
WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey in a weeklong trip starting May 31, according to her spokeswoman.
More:AFP: Clinton to visit Turkey, Scandinavia, Georgia
WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey in a weeklong trip starting May 31, according to her spokeswoman.
More:AFP: Clinton to visit Turkey, Scandinavia, Georgia
Friday, May 25, 2012
Doctors carry out first successful womb transplant
Doctors carry out first successful womb transplant
By Fiona Macrae and Vanessa Allen
2:26 PM Saturday May 26, 2012
Doctors have carried out the world's first successful womb transplant in a breakthrough that could allow thousands of young women to fulfil their dream of motherhood.
Derya Sert, who was born without a womb, received a healthy organ from a woman in a complex seven-hour operation.
More:Doctors carry out first successful womb transplant - Health - NZ Herald News
By Fiona Macrae and Vanessa Allen
2:26 PM Saturday May 26, 2012
Doctors have carried out the world's first successful womb transplant in a breakthrough that could allow thousands of young women to fulfil their dream of motherhood.
Derya Sert, who was born without a womb, received a healthy organ from a woman in a complex seven-hour operation.
More:Doctors carry out first successful womb transplant - Health - NZ Herald News
Book World: ‘Istanbul Passage,’ by Joseph Kanon, is a complex spy world - The Washington Post
Book World: ‘Istanbul Passage,’ by Joseph Kanon, is a complex spy world
By Dennis Drabelle, Updated: Friday, May 25, 4:45 PM
As a setting for crime fiction, Istanbul offers a peerless set of ingredients: exotic beauty, a long and complex history, a charged location where Europe and Asia dissolve into each other. Also, thanks to its neutrality, the city became a crossroads of espionage during World War II. British writers such as Eric Ambler (“Journey Into Fear”) and Graham Greene (“Stamboul Train”) have shrewdly exploited these features. In his new thriller, “Istanbul Passage,” the American writer Joseph Kanon joins their company.
More:Book World: ‘Istanbul Passage,’ by Joseph Kanon, is a complex spy world - The Washington Post
By Dennis Drabelle, Updated: Friday, May 25, 4:45 PM
As a setting for crime fiction, Istanbul offers a peerless set of ingredients: exotic beauty, a long and complex history, a charged location where Europe and Asia dissolve into each other. Also, thanks to its neutrality, the city became a crossroads of espionage during World War II. British writers such as Eric Ambler (“Journey Into Fear”) and Graham Greene (“Stamboul Train”) have shrewdly exploited these features. In his new thriller, “Istanbul Passage,” the American writer Joseph Kanon joins their company.
More:Book World: ‘Istanbul Passage,’ by Joseph Kanon, is a complex spy world - The Washington Post
Are Turkey and Africa the keys to Europe's future?
Are Turkey and Africa the keys to Europe's future?
May 25, 2012
Robert L. Price
In 2009, I was at a symposium in Chicago given by the Urban Affairs Association. One part of the event discussed Mediterranean cities. Many lecturers and breakout sessions covered cities such as Barcelona, Naples and Athens.
More:Are Turkey and Africa the keys to Europe's future?
May 25, 2012
Robert L. Price
In 2009, I was at a symposium in Chicago given by the Urban Affairs Association. One part of the event discussed Mediterranean cities. Many lecturers and breakout sessions covered cities such as Barcelona, Naples and Athens.
More:Are Turkey and Africa the keys to Europe's future?
UPDATE 1-Turkish lira up; bank shares dip after sales | Reuters
UPDATE 1-Turkish lira up; bank shares dip after sales
REFILE-UPDATE 2-Sberbank close to buying Dexia's DenizBank
Thu, May 24 2012
By Seltem Iyigun
ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - The Turkish lira strengthened on Friday as the central bank kept liquidity costly but falls in banking shares held back the main stock index as a flurry of bank stake sales weighed on sentiment.
More:UPDATE 1-Turkish lira up; bank shares dip after sales | Reuters
REFILE-UPDATE 2-Sberbank close to buying Dexia's DenizBank
Thu, May 24 2012
By Seltem Iyigun
ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - The Turkish lira strengthened on Friday as the central bank kept liquidity costly but falls in banking shares held back the main stock index as a flurry of bank stake sales weighed on sentiment.
More:UPDATE 1-Turkish lira up; bank shares dip after sales | Reuters
Southwestern Turkey, Part I: The Fertile Crescent and the airs of antiquity - Main Line Times - Main Line Media News
Southwestern Turkey, Part I: The Fertile Crescent and the airs of antiquity
Published: Friday, May 25, 2012
By Ralph Collier
Southeastern Turkey makes up nearly one-third of the country and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers originate from its mountains and wind their way through much of this region before emptying into the Persian Gulf. The northern edge of the Fertile Crescent encompasses this area: despite its very hot climate in summer and bitter cold in winter, the land is fertile so agriculture flourishes here.
More:Southwestern Turkey, Part I: The Fertile Crescent and the airs of antiquity - Main Line Times - Main Line Media News
Published: Friday, May 25, 2012
By Ralph Collier
Southeastern Turkey makes up nearly one-third of the country and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers originate from its mountains and wind their way through much of this region before emptying into the Persian Gulf. The northern edge of the Fertile Crescent encompasses this area: despite its very hot climate in summer and bitter cold in winter, the land is fertile so agriculture flourishes here.
More:Southwestern Turkey, Part I: The Fertile Crescent and the airs of antiquity - Main Line Times - Main Line Media News
Dreams of Kurdistan - By Yigal Schleifer | Foreign Policy
Dreams of Kurdistan
In a new shift, Kurds in Turkey are gradually giving up on independence. So why is the Turkish government so worried?
BY YIGAL SCHLEIFER | MAY 25, 2012
From the outside looking in, the conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurds seems stuck in a kind of gruesome holding pattern. Articles written months and years apart are virtually indistinguishable from one another: "Three Turkish Soldiers Reported Killed In PKK Clash In Southeast" reads a headline from May 17, 2012 -- but it could just as easily have been from two decades ago.
More:Dreams of Kurdistan - By Yigal Schleifer | Foreign Policy
In a new shift, Kurds in Turkey are gradually giving up on independence. So why is the Turkish government so worried?
BY YIGAL SCHLEIFER | MAY 25, 2012
From the outside looking in, the conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurds seems stuck in a kind of gruesome holding pattern. Articles written months and years apart are virtually indistinguishable from one another: "Three Turkish Soldiers Reported Killed In PKK Clash In Southeast" reads a headline from May 17, 2012 -- but it could just as easily have been from two decades ago.
More:Dreams of Kurdistan - By Yigal Schleifer | Foreign Policy
Turkey Expects Denmark to Lead Solution on Visa Issue, 25 May 2012 Friday 15:55
Turkey Expects Denmark to Lead Solution on Visa Issue
Friday, 25 May 2012
The Turkish foreign minister has said Turkey expects the Danish rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) to play a leading role in the settlement of the visa exemption conflict before it hands over its position this July.
More:Turkey Expects Denmark to Lead Solution on Visa Issue, 25 May 2012 Friday 15:55
Friday, 25 May 2012
The Turkish foreign minister has said Turkey expects the Danish rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) to play a leading role in the settlement of the visa exemption conflict before it hands over its position this July.
More:Turkey Expects Denmark to Lead Solution on Visa Issue, 25 May 2012 Friday 15:55
Food Fight Friday: Turkish Seafood Edition | Field & Stream
Food Fight Friday: Turkish Seafood Edition
by David Draper
Fried Anchovies and Sea Bass vs. Fried Mussels
You, and all my friends, are going to be sick of hearing this, but did I mention that I recently spent a couple of weeks in Turkey? This trip is going to make up my main conversational fodder for the rest of the summer, with much of it focusing on what I ate — some of which was good and some of which was not the best decision. Of the former, the seafood stands out as highlights of the trip. I’ll say this, Turkish people know their fish, which isn’t a surprise considering that waterways like the Bosphorus Strait define their country. Here are a couple of dishes I encountered.
More:Food Fight Friday: Turkish Seafood Edition | Field & Stream
by David Draper
Fried Anchovies and Sea Bass vs. Fried Mussels
You, and all my friends, are going to be sick of hearing this, but did I mention that I recently spent a couple of weeks in Turkey? This trip is going to make up my main conversational fodder for the rest of the summer, with much of it focusing on what I ate — some of which was good and some of which was not the best decision. Of the former, the seafood stands out as highlights of the trip. I’ll say this, Turkish people know their fish, which isn’t a surprise considering that waterways like the Bosphorus Strait define their country. Here are a couple of dishes I encountered.
More:Food Fight Friday: Turkish Seafood Edition | Field & Stream
Akbank shares drop sharply after Citigroup sells stake | Reuters
Akbank shares drop sharply after Citigroup sells stake
ISTANBUL | Fri May 25, 2012 4:35am EDT
(Reuters) - Shares in major Turkish lender Akbank (AKBNK.IS) dropped sharply on Friday after Citigroup (C.N) said it had completed the sale of a 10.1 percent stake in Akbank at 5.24 lira per share, a level which analysts said offered good value.
More:Akbank shares drop sharply after Citigroup sells stake | Reuters
ISTANBUL | Fri May 25, 2012 4:35am EDT
(Reuters) - Shares in major Turkish lender Akbank (AKBNK.IS) dropped sharply on Friday after Citigroup (C.N) said it had completed the sale of a 10.1 percent stake in Akbank at 5.24 lira per share, a level which analysts said offered good value.
More:Akbank shares drop sharply after Citigroup sells stake | Reuters
Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final Two Review: Turkish Ships and Dutch Red Indians | Unreality TV
Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final Two Review: Turkish Ships and Dutch Red Indians
May 25th, 2012 by Matt D.
On Tuesday night we had the first Eurovision semi-final which ended with Jedward’s performance in which they completely soaked themselves in a fountain, however tonight I felt they were one-upped by the Swedish entry Loreen who was almost blown over by wind machines before being pelted with a torrent of fake snow. I feel with the rain and the snow already sorted this could be the precipitation themed Eurovision and somebody could come out on Saturday night to throw a bucket full of hailstones over Englbert Humperdink, sorry #TheHump, to liven up his performance slightly. The fake snow was a highlight of a very bland second semi-final which couldn’t live up to the madness of Tuesday night as there was no baking, no donkeys and no laptops however there were four Turkish men pretending to be a ship but more on that later.
More:Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final Two Review: Turkish Ships and Dutch Red Indians | Unreality TV
May 25th, 2012 by Matt D.
On Tuesday night we had the first Eurovision semi-final which ended with Jedward’s performance in which they completely soaked themselves in a fountain, however tonight I felt they were one-upped by the Swedish entry Loreen who was almost blown over by wind machines before being pelted with a torrent of fake snow. I feel with the rain and the snow already sorted this could be the precipitation themed Eurovision and somebody could come out on Saturday night to throw a bucket full of hailstones over Englbert Humperdink, sorry #TheHump, to liven up his performance slightly. The fake snow was a highlight of a very bland second semi-final which couldn’t live up to the madness of Tuesday night as there was no baking, no donkeys and no laptops however there were four Turkish men pretending to be a ship but more on that later.
More:Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final Two Review: Turkish Ships and Dutch Red Indians | Unreality TV
Belgium is ready to take initiative to resolve the Cyprus problem
Belgium is ready to take initiative to resolve the Cyprus problem
Didier Reynders
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Fri, May 25, 2012
Belgium is ready to take an initiative and host a summit meeting in a bid to resolve the Cyprus problem, reports the Anatolia News Agency.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis with Belgian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Didier Reynders in Brussels.
More:Belgium is ready to take initiative to resolve the Cyprus problem
Didier Reynders
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE
• Fri, May 25, 2012
Belgium is ready to take an initiative and host a summit meeting in a bid to resolve the Cyprus problem, reports the Anatolia News Agency.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis with Belgian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Didier Reynders in Brussels.
More:Belgium is ready to take initiative to resolve the Cyprus problem
Cultural Chit-Chat: Armenian and Turkish artists share ideas at joint Pecha Kucha in Istanbul - Arts and Culture | ArmeniaNow.com
Cultural Chit-Chat: Armenian and Turkish artists share ideas at joint Pecha Kucha in Istanbul
At the Pecha Kucha Night Istanbul Armenian and Turkish artists were presenting their works- 20 images 20 seconds each, the so-called 20x20 format.
Vahe Balulyan in charge of Pecha Kucha Armenia says it’s unique that two cities- Yerevan and Istanbul – hold the event jointly.
More:Cultural Chit-Chat: Armenian and Turkish artists share ideas at joint Pecha Kucha in Istanbul - Arts and Culture | ArmeniaNow.com
At the Pecha Kucha Night Istanbul Armenian and Turkish artists were presenting their works- 20 images 20 seconds each, the so-called 20x20 format.
Vahe Balulyan in charge of Pecha Kucha Armenia says it’s unique that two cities- Yerevan and Istanbul – hold the event jointly.
More:Cultural Chit-Chat: Armenian and Turkish artists share ideas at joint Pecha Kucha in Istanbul - Arts and Culture | ArmeniaNow.com
Turkish lira firms; bank shares lower after sales | Reuters
Turkish lira firms; bank shares lower after sales
By Seltem Iyigun
ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - The Turkish lira firmed slightly as the central bank continued to provide costlier liquidity on Friday while falls in banking shares held back the main stock index as a flurry of bank stake sales weighed on sentiment.
More:Turkish lira firms; bank shares lower after sales | Reuters
By Seltem Iyigun
ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - The Turkish lira firmed slightly as the central bank continued to provide costlier liquidity on Friday while falls in banking shares held back the main stock index as a flurry of bank stake sales weighed on sentiment.
More:Turkish lira firms; bank shares lower after sales | Reuters
Is there really a Saudi – Turkish divide?
Is there really a Saudi – Turkish divide?
By Adel al-Toraifi
Friday, 25 May 2012
Adel al-Toraifi
Dr. Meliha Altunisik, Professor at the Middle East Technical University [METU] in Ankara, published an article on the U.S. Foreign Affairs website dealing with Saudi – Turkish relations. In her article, the writer came to the conclusion that despite the rapprochement that has taken place between the two countries over the past few years, this has been hindered by a number of formidable obstacles and differences in opinion, particularly with regard to the Syrian issue. In her article “Bitter Frenemies: The Not-Quite-Alliance Between Saudi Arabia and Turkey”, Dr. Altunisik gives an account of the historical background over the course of Saudi – Turkish rapprochement, looking at the two countries’ stances on the Arab Spring. The writer portrays Turkey as a country that championed and encouraged the changes prevailing in the region, whereas Saudi Arabia is portrayed as a country that rejects this, adopting an antagonistic approach towards such changes.
More:Is there really a Saudi – Turkish divide?
By Adel al-Toraifi
Friday, 25 May 2012
Adel al-Toraifi
Dr. Meliha Altunisik, Professor at the Middle East Technical University [METU] in Ankara, published an article on the U.S. Foreign Affairs website dealing with Saudi – Turkish relations. In her article, the writer came to the conclusion that despite the rapprochement that has taken place between the two countries over the past few years, this has been hindered by a number of formidable obstacles and differences in opinion, particularly with regard to the Syrian issue. In her article “Bitter Frenemies: The Not-Quite-Alliance Between Saudi Arabia and Turkey”, Dr. Altunisik gives an account of the historical background over the course of Saudi – Turkish rapprochement, looking at the two countries’ stances on the Arab Spring. The writer portrays Turkey as a country that championed and encouraged the changes prevailing in the region, whereas Saudi Arabia is portrayed as a country that rejects this, adopting an antagonistic approach towards such changes.
More:Is there really a Saudi – Turkish divide?
Rescue of Everest climber helps Israel-Turkey thaw
Rescue of Everest climber helps Israel-Turkey thaw
Jonathan Head By Jonathan Head BBC News, Istanbul
It isn't often these days that you see two men, arms round each other, holding Israeli and Turkish flags.
But an extraordinary rescue on the world's highest mountain has bonded two climbers, one from Israel and one a Turk.
By his own account Nadav Ben-Yehuda was only 300 metres from the summit of Mount Everest, and on course to become the youngest Israeli to conquer it, when he spotted someone lying in the snow, clearly in trouble.
More:BBC News - Rescue of Everest climber helps Israel-Turkey thaw
Jonathan Head By Jonathan Head BBC News, Istanbul
It isn't often these days that you see two men, arms round each other, holding Israeli and Turkish flags.
But an extraordinary rescue on the world's highest mountain has bonded two climbers, one from Israel and one a Turk.
By his own account Nadav Ben-Yehuda was only 300 metres from the summit of Mount Everest, and on course to become the youngest Israeli to conquer it, when he spotted someone lying in the snow, clearly in trouble.
More:BBC News - Rescue of Everest climber helps Israel-Turkey thaw
Car bomb blast in Turkey kills two – media
Car bomb blast in Turkey kills two – media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A bomb exploded in a car outside a police station in the central Turkish province of Kayseri on Friday, killing one of the bombers and a police officer, broadcaster NTV and news agencies reported.
More:NewsWires : euronews : the latest international news as video on demand
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A bomb exploded in a car outside a police station in the central Turkish province of Kayseri on Friday, killing one of the bombers and a police officer, broadcaster NTV and news agencies reported.
More:NewsWires : euronews : the latest international news as video on demand
Istanbul: The original home of the tulip | Firstpost
Istanbul: The original home of the tulip
May 25, 2012
The word for Tulip in Turkish is 'Lale' a popular name for females even today, but the English word tulip was derived from ‘Tulbend’ the Turkish word for turban because of the shape of the flower.Reuters
By Kalpana Sunder
Baskets of aromatic spices, soaring minarets, the myriad waterways, mosques with exquisite domes and mystic whirling dervishes, this city has mesmerised me. But the surprise element has been the rows and rows of tulips…in varied hues and patterns adorning this photogenic city on water. A tulip festival…in Istanbul?
More:Istanbul: The original home of the tulip | Firstpost
May 25, 2012
The word for Tulip in Turkish is 'Lale' a popular name for females even today, but the English word tulip was derived from ‘Tulbend’ the Turkish word for turban because of the shape of the flower.Reuters
By Kalpana Sunder
Baskets of aromatic spices, soaring minarets, the myriad waterways, mosques with exquisite domes and mystic whirling dervishes, this city has mesmerised me. But the surprise element has been the rows and rows of tulips…in varied hues and patterns adorning this photogenic city on water. A tulip festival…in Istanbul?
More:Istanbul: The original home of the tulip | Firstpost
Turkey As A Stabilizing Force In The Middle East - Analysis
Turkey As A Stabilizing Force In The Middle East – Analysis
By: INEGMA
May 25, 2012
By Daniel Wagner and Abdul Yousef
Turkey’s relationship with the nations of the Middle East has historically vacillated between periods of ambivalence and periods of engagement. Turkey’s desire to join the EU had previously prompted it to distance itself from the Arab world, however, since the rise and consolidation of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) beginning in 2001, Turkey’s attitudes towards the region have changed dramatically. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan, the Turkish government pursued a policy of active engagement in Middle Eastern affairs, and began positioning Turkey to become a major player in the region. The Arab Awakening resulted in a strengthening of this trend, and Turkey is now well positioned to exert even greater influence throughout the Middle East.
More:Turkey As A Stabilizing Force In The Middle East - Analysis
By: INEGMA
May 25, 2012
By Daniel Wagner and Abdul Yousef
Turkey’s relationship with the nations of the Middle East has historically vacillated between periods of ambivalence and periods of engagement. Turkey’s desire to join the EU had previously prompted it to distance itself from the Arab world, however, since the rise and consolidation of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) beginning in 2001, Turkey’s attitudes towards the region have changed dramatically. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Erdogan, the Turkish government pursued a policy of active engagement in Middle Eastern affairs, and began positioning Turkey to become a major player in the region. The Arab Awakening resulted in a strengthening of this trend, and Turkey is now well positioned to exert even greater influence throughout the Middle East.
More:Turkey As A Stabilizing Force In The Middle East - Analysis
Simone Girner: The Captivating Style Of Istanbul
The Captivating Style Of Istanbul
Posted: 05/25/2012 7:00 am
In his evocative memoir Istanbul, Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk writes powerfully about the place of his birth, beautifully capturing the city's modern-day complexities and historical riches: "In Istanbul, remains of a glorious past civilization are everywhere visible. ... The great mosques and other monuments of the city, as well as the lesser detritus of empire in every side street and corner -- the little arches, fountains and neighborhood mosques -- inflict heartache on all who live among them."
More:Simone Girner: The Captivating Style Of Istanbul
Posted: 05/25/2012 7:00 am
In his evocative memoir Istanbul, Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk writes powerfully about the place of his birth, beautifully capturing the city's modern-day complexities and historical riches: "In Istanbul, remains of a glorious past civilization are everywhere visible. ... The great mosques and other monuments of the city, as well as the lesser detritus of empire in every side street and corner -- the little arches, fountains and neighborhood mosques -- inflict heartache on all who live among them."
More:Simone Girner: The Captivating Style Of Istanbul
Nine food processing companies receive \"Halal Certification\" with USAID support :: EMGplus
Nine food processing companies receive "Halal Certification" with USAID support
25. May 2012. | 07:21
The companies receiving certificates hope to replicate the success of USAID Economic Security Project partnerTurkovic, a Sjenica meat processing company, which obtained Halal certification in 2010 and has since increased export sales by 40 percent since entering the Turkish food market.
More:Nine food processing companies receive \"Halal Certification\" with USAID support :: EMGplus
25. May 2012. | 07:21
The companies receiving certificates hope to replicate the success of USAID Economic Security Project partnerTurkovic, a Sjenica meat processing company, which obtained Halal certification in 2010 and has since increased export sales by 40 percent since entering the Turkish food market.
More:Nine food processing companies receive \"Halal Certification\" with USAID support :: EMGplus
TUR - Vardarli excited about prospect of home backing | FIBA.COM
TUR - Vardarli excited about prospect of home backing
ANKARA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - In less than a month, Birsel Vardarli will take part in the most important basketball event of her career.
More:TUR - Vardarli excited about prospect of home backing | FIBA.COM
ANKARA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women) - In less than a month, Birsel Vardarli will take part in the most important basketball event of her career.
More:TUR - Vardarli excited about prospect of home backing | FIBA.COM
European Retirees Head to Turkey
European Retirees Head to Turkey
posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012
With the continuing economic crisis in Europe, Turkey is on its way towards becoming the Florida of Europe. Retired western Europeans, attracted by low real estate prices, are buying property in Turkey.
More:European Retirees Head to Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012
With the continuing economic crisis in Europe, Turkey is on its way towards becoming the Florida of Europe. Retired western Europeans, attracted by low real estate prices, are buying property in Turkey.
More:European Retirees Head to Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
Turkey Joins the Shale Gas "Revolution" - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
Turkey Joins the Shale Gas "Revolution"
By: Mehmet Nayir posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012
The US has become an exporter of gas due to its ample shale gas reserves. It now represents a threat to the globes largest natural gas exporter, Russia. Russia’s leading Sberbank warned Gazprom that with the US revolution in gas, prices are likely to decline by 50 percent over the next four years.
More:Turkey Joins the Shale Gas "Revolution" - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
By: Mehmet Nayir posted on Thursday, May 24, 2012
The US has become an exporter of gas due to its ample shale gas reserves. It now represents a threat to the globes largest natural gas exporter, Russia. Russia’s leading Sberbank warned Gazprom that with the US revolution in gas, prices are likely to decline by 50 percent over the next four years.
More:Turkey Joins the Shale Gas "Revolution" - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
Turkish April foreign arrivals down 5.33 pct yr/yr | Reuters
Turkish April foreign arrivals down 5.33 pct yr/yr
ISTANBUL | Fri May 25, 2012 4:07am EDT
May 25 (Reuters) - The number of foreign visitors to Turkey fell 5.33 percent year-on-year in April to 2.17 million people, Tourism Ministry data showed on Friday, after falling 9.72 percent the previous month.
More:Turkish April foreign arrivals down 5.33 pct yr/yr | Reuters
ISTANBUL | Fri May 25, 2012 4:07am EDT
May 25 (Reuters) - The number of foreign visitors to Turkey fell 5.33 percent year-on-year in April to 2.17 million people, Tourism Ministry data showed on Friday, after falling 9.72 percent the previous month.
More:Turkish April foreign arrivals down 5.33 pct yr/yr | Reuters
Europe's odd couple sets off on right foot -
At a closely-watched European Union summit into the wee hours Thursday, his first since a May 6 election, Hollande stole the thunder from the continent's most powerful leader.
In Berlin, news weekly Der Spiegel dubbed it "the first EU summit in years not dominated by Merkel" and said "Hollande steals the show."
After five years of "Merkozy" -- coined after the tie-up between Merkel and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy -- the EU's 27 members are anxiously watching whether the bloc's Franco-German motor morphs into a like-minded "Frangela," if not "Merkollande", or simply flies apart.
In crisis-hit Europe, Merkel is the high-priestess of austerity, Hollande the just-elected prophet of growth. The former leads the continent's powerhouse nation and paymaster, the latter the EU's second biggest economy, though one storing up a sea of trouble.
At the summit, Hollande urged peers to sign off on a new, if vague, growth pact next month, saying too much austerity is driving Europe into profound recession.
He also dared a long-taboo suggestion that countries sharing the euro borrow jointly in future to spread risk more evenly. By issuing so-called "eurobonds," countries would all borrow at median rates, lowering costs for the most indebted of the 17 euro nations, but raising the bills in Berlin.
For more: Europe's odd couple sets off on right foot - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News
In Berlin, news weekly Der Spiegel dubbed it "the first EU summit in years not dominated by Merkel" and said "Hollande steals the show."
After five years of "Merkozy" -- coined after the tie-up between Merkel and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy -- the EU's 27 members are anxiously watching whether the bloc's Franco-German motor morphs into a like-minded "Frangela," if not "Merkollande", or simply flies apart.
In crisis-hit Europe, Merkel is the high-priestess of austerity, Hollande the just-elected prophet of growth. The former leads the continent's powerhouse nation and paymaster, the latter the EU's second biggest economy, though one storing up a sea of trouble.
At the summit, Hollande urged peers to sign off on a new, if vague, growth pact next month, saying too much austerity is driving Europe into profound recession.
He also dared a long-taboo suggestion that countries sharing the euro borrow jointly in future to spread risk more evenly. By issuing so-called "eurobonds," countries would all borrow at median rates, lowering costs for the most indebted of the 17 euro nations, but raising the bills in Berlin.
For more: Europe's odd couple sets off on right foot - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News
Thursday, May 24, 2012
CINEMA-TV - Turkish film sector meets producers at Cannes
Turkish film sector meets producers at Cannes
ISTANBUL
Cannes Film Festival hosted figures from Turkish cinema industry May 22 during a cocktail party, which was held within the scope of the Producers Network
A cocktail party was held on the night of May 22 within the scope of the Producers Network, the industry section of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, which supports international co-productions.
More:CINEMA-TV - Turkish film sector meets producers at Cannes
ISTANBUL
Cannes Film Festival hosted figures from Turkish cinema industry May 22 during a cocktail party, which was held within the scope of the Producers Network
A cocktail party was held on the night of May 22 within the scope of the Producers Network, the industry section of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, which supports international co-productions.
More:CINEMA-TV - Turkish film sector meets producers at Cannes
Turkey's Bonomo: I hope for a better performance in the Eurovision finals (PHOTO) - Trend
Turkey's Bonomo: I hope for a better performance in the Eurovision finals (PHOTO)
25 May 2012, 03:35 (GMT+05:00)
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 25 /Trend/
Turkish Eurovision 2012 representative Can Bonomo noted that he hopes for a better performance at the finals.
Speaking at at the at the press conference after the voting of the second Semi-Finals of Eurovision-2012, Bonomo said he was worried Turkey would not qualify for the finals.
More:Turkey's Bonomo: I hope for a better performance in the Eurovision finals (PHOTO) - Trend
25 May 2012, 03:35 (GMT+05:00)
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 25 /Trend/
Turkish Eurovision 2012 representative Can Bonomo noted that he hopes for a better performance at the finals.
Speaking at at the at the press conference after the voting of the second Semi-Finals of Eurovision-2012, Bonomo said he was worried Turkey would not qualify for the finals.
More:Turkey's Bonomo: I hope for a better performance in the Eurovision finals (PHOTO) - Trend
BURAK BEKDİL - The world’s silliest spy network
The world’s silliest spy network
It’s Mossad!
In 2008, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s official news agency, Wafa, reported that Israel (read: Mossad) had released poison-resistant rats to drive Arab residents of Jerusalem out of their homes. Training rats so as to distinguish between Muslim, Christian and Jewish residents of a city must be a remarkable scientific achievement, but apparently “Project Mickey Mouse” must have failed, as evinced by Jerusalem’s demography today.
More:BURAK BEKDİL - The world’s silliest spy network
It’s Mossad!
In 2008, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s official news agency, Wafa, reported that Israel (read: Mossad) had released poison-resistant rats to drive Arab residents of Jerusalem out of their homes. Training rats so as to distinguish between Muslim, Christian and Jewish residents of a city must be a remarkable scientific achievement, but apparently “Project Mickey Mouse” must have failed, as evinced by Jerusalem’s demography today.
More:BURAK BEKDİL - The world’s silliest spy network
Istanbul Passage: A Trip From the Corner Office to Istanbul
A Trip From the Corner Office to Istanbul
By Steve Dougherty
Robin Straus
Joseph Kanon, author of Istanbul Passage.”
The view from his publisher’s office overlooking Rockefeller Plaza is pretty spectacular. It doesn’t quite compare to the sweeping, history laden vistas Joe Kanon describes in “Istanbul Passage,” his latest time-traveling thriller set in the ancient Ottoman imperial capital, but for Mr. Kanon, 66, his recent visit to this corner office is also a trip back in time. Before he embarked on his second career as a novelist in 1995, Mr. Kanon, who worked summers as a reader at Atlantic Monthly magazine while an undergrad at Harvard, spent much of his first three decades as an editor and publishing executive in power suites a lot like this one.
More:Istanbul Passage: A Trip From the Corner Office to Istanbul - Speakeasy - WSJ
By Steve Dougherty
Robin Straus
Joseph Kanon, author of Istanbul Passage.”
The view from his publisher’s office overlooking Rockefeller Plaza is pretty spectacular. It doesn’t quite compare to the sweeping, history laden vistas Joe Kanon describes in “Istanbul Passage,” his latest time-traveling thriller set in the ancient Ottoman imperial capital, but for Mr. Kanon, 66, his recent visit to this corner office is also a trip back in time. Before he embarked on his second career as a novelist in 1995, Mr. Kanon, who worked summers as a reader at Atlantic Monthly magazine while an undergrad at Harvard, spent much of his first three decades as an editor and publishing executive in power suites a lot like this one.
More:Istanbul Passage: A Trip From the Corner Office to Istanbul - Speakeasy - WSJ
Istanbul Immersion - Forbes
Istanbul Immersion
+ Comment now
Sprawling across the two continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a unique, gorgeous and vibrant city bursting with arts, great food, and fabulous architecture all overlaid on millennia of history.
More:Istanbul Immersion - Forbes
+ Comment now
Sprawling across the two continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a unique, gorgeous and vibrant city bursting with arts, great food, and fabulous architecture all overlaid on millennia of history.
More:Istanbul Immersion - Forbes
Gül criticizes leaders in Europe of ‘petty politics’
Gül criticizes leaders in Europe of ‘petty politics’
STANFORD, California
President Gül blames European leaders for leaning to far-right policies by engaging ‘petty politics.’ Gül also says it was risky but right decision to visit Armenian capital
More:POLITICS - Gül criticizes leaders in Europe of ‘petty politics’
STANFORD, California
President Gül blames European leaders for leaning to far-right policies by engaging ‘petty politics.’ Gül also says it was risky but right decision to visit Armenian capital
More:POLITICS - Gül criticizes leaders in Europe of ‘petty politics’
Turkey’s sweet talk: Do African leaders read between the lines?
Turkey’s sweet talk: Do African leaders read between the lines? Send to a friend
Thursday, 24 May 2012 21:41
Bakari Machumu
Exactly two weeks ago today, a batch of African media practitioners travelled to Turkey for a two-day conference dubbed the Turkey-Africa Media Forum.
Over 200 journalists from all 54 African countries were guests of Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc. Employing flattering language and addressing the delegates as “distinguished media representatives of brotherly African countries”, the deputy premier laid bare his agenda. “Africa has been subjected to massive torment throughout the centuries,” he said. “Both underground and aboveground resources were looted.”
More:Turkey’s sweet talk: Do African leaders read between the lines?
Thursday, 24 May 2012 21:41
Bakari Machumu
Exactly two weeks ago today, a batch of African media practitioners travelled to Turkey for a two-day conference dubbed the Turkey-Africa Media Forum.
Over 200 journalists from all 54 African countries were guests of Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc. Employing flattering language and addressing the delegates as “distinguished media representatives of brotherly African countries”, the deputy premier laid bare his agenda. “Africa has been subjected to massive torment throughout the centuries,” he said. “Both underground and aboveground resources were looted.”
More:Turkey’s sweet talk: Do African leaders read between the lines?
Turkish delight - JPost - Opinion - Columnists
Turkish delight
By HIRSH GOODMAN
05/24/2012 21:58
There is no contradiction between Turkish-Israeli ties and the Turkish desire to establish itself as a regional power.
I read with fascination that if some Turkish prosecutor has his way, my boss – Amos Yadlin, the immediate past head of Israeli military intelligence – could be put away for a minimum of 133 years, if not hundreds more, for his alleged part in the Mavi Marmara affair.
More:Turkish delight - JPost - Opinion - Columnists
By HIRSH GOODMAN
05/24/2012 21:58
There is no contradiction between Turkish-Israeli ties and the Turkish desire to establish itself as a regional power.
I read with fascination that if some Turkish prosecutor has his way, my boss – Amos Yadlin, the immediate past head of Israeli military intelligence – could be put away for a minimum of 133 years, if not hundreds more, for his alleged part in the Mavi Marmara affair.
More:Turkish delight - JPost - Opinion - Columnists
Israel offered $6 million to Turk raid victims: lawyer - chicagotribune.com
Israel offered $6 million to Turk raid victims: lawyer
Jonathon Burch and Tulay Karadeniz Reuters
8:21 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2012
ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish lawyer said on Thursday that Israel had offered to pay $6 million to victims of Israel's storming of a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla to settle lawsuits against the Israeli military.
More:Israel offered $6 million to Turk raid victims: lawyer - chicagotribune.com
Jonathon Burch and Tulay Karadeniz Reuters
8:21 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2012
ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish lawyer said on Thursday that Israel had offered to pay $6 million to victims of Israel's storming of a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla to settle lawsuits against the Israeli military.
More:Israel offered $6 million to Turk raid victims: lawyer - chicagotribune.com
Taking Advantage of Ankara’s Resurgence | German Marshall Fund Blog
Taking Advantage of Ankara’s Resurgence
WASHINGTON — Even more than NATO’s ongoing military operations, the so-called Arab Awakenings and eurozone crisis have reshaped its strategic operating environment and the relative capabilities of its various members. But while most European member states are grappling with austerity measures and defense cuts, one actor has increased its involvement and commitment: Turkey. The symbolism of NATO’s first Muslim-majority nation is crucial in and of itself. In many regions, Turkish soldiers face considerably less hostility and opposition than forces from other countries. Turkish businesses, hospitals, and schools dot the Afghan landscape and are only set to grow through more public-private partnerships. And the largely untapped potential of Turkish private enterprise has yet to be leveraged on the scale of Ankara’s impressive campaign in Somalia.
More:Taking Advantage of Ankara’s Resurgence | German Marshall Fund Blog
WASHINGTON — Even more than NATO’s ongoing military operations, the so-called Arab Awakenings and eurozone crisis have reshaped its strategic operating environment and the relative capabilities of its various members. But while most European member states are grappling with austerity measures and defense cuts, one actor has increased its involvement and commitment: Turkey. The symbolism of NATO’s first Muslim-majority nation is crucial in and of itself. In many regions, Turkish soldiers face considerably less hostility and opposition than forces from other countries. Turkish businesses, hospitals, and schools dot the Afghan landscape and are only set to grow through more public-private partnerships. And the largely untapped potential of Turkish private enterprise has yet to be leveraged on the scale of Ankara’s impressive campaign in Somalia.
More:Taking Advantage of Ankara’s Resurgence | German Marshall Fund Blog
Turkey: Istanbul best city to win 2020 Olympics - Boston.com
Turkey: Istanbul best city to win 2020 Olympics
May 24, 2012
ANKARA, Turkey—Head of Turkey's Olympic Committee says Istanbul has the best chance to win the 2020 Olympics after the IOC shortlisted the city along with Tokyo and Madrid.
More:Turkey: Istanbul best city to win 2020 Olympics - Boston.com
May 24, 2012
ANKARA, Turkey—Head of Turkey's Olympic Committee says Istanbul has the best chance to win the 2020 Olympics after the IOC shortlisted the city along with Tokyo and Madrid.
More:Turkey: Istanbul best city to win 2020 Olympics - Boston.com
Turkey Sentences Former Kurdish Politician « VOA Breaking News
Turkey Sentences Former Kurdish Politician
Posted Thursday, May 24th, 2012 at 11:05 am
A Turkish court has sentenced a prominent Kurdish lawmaker to 10 years in prison on charges of spreading rebel propaganda.
The court in the mainly Kurdish province of Diyarbakir Thursday convicted Leyla Zana for a series of speeches in support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
More:Turkey Sentences Former Kurdish Politician « VOA Breaking News
Posted Thursday, May 24th, 2012 at 11:05 am
A Turkish court has sentenced a prominent Kurdish lawmaker to 10 years in prison on charges of spreading rebel propaganda.
The court in the mainly Kurdish province of Diyarbakir Thursday convicted Leyla Zana for a series of speeches in support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
More:Turkey Sentences Former Kurdish Politician « VOA Breaking News
Social Media in Turkey-Circumventing Censorship - Qantara.de
Social Media in Turkey- Circumventing Censorship
A growing number of young Turks are turning to social media, complaining that mainstream media are being increasingly controlled by the government. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul
Sitting in a busy cafe in downtown Istanbul, Hale holds her Blackberry, while sipping tea, and checks the latest events in Turkey. "I am trying not to use the phone to check Twitter," says Hale, "I only check for hot news, or something urgent. But I check newspaper sites less now because I get most of my information from Twitter. You have blogs, you have news sites. So, I don't care what the mainstream media does," she says.
More:Circumventing Censorship - Qantara.de
A growing number of young Turks are turning to social media, complaining that mainstream media are being increasingly controlled by the government. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul
Sitting in a busy cafe in downtown Istanbul, Hale holds her Blackberry, while sipping tea, and checks the latest events in Turkey. "I am trying not to use the phone to check Twitter," says Hale, "I only check for hot news, or something urgent. But I check newspaper sites less now because I get most of my information from Twitter. You have blogs, you have news sites. So, I don't care what the mainstream media does," she says.
More:Circumventing Censorship - Qantara.de
Turkey-Israel: undesired problems | Vestnik Kavkaza
Turkey-Israel: undesired problems
Peter Lukimson, Israel, especially for VK
The Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Israel denies that that personal ambassador of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has recently arrived in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the 10th channel of Israeli TV - considered the most well-informed media source in Israel - insists that Erdoğan’s ambassador is in Israel and, moreover, he has already had a personal meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the possibilities of a normalization of bilateral relations between the countries with him.
More:Turkey-Israel: undesired problems | Vestnik Kavkaza
Peter Lukimson, Israel, especially for VK
The Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Israel denies that that personal ambassador of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has recently arrived in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the 10th channel of Israeli TV - considered the most well-informed media source in Israel - insists that Erdoğan’s ambassador is in Israel and, moreover, he has already had a personal meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the possibilities of a normalization of bilateral relations between the countries with him.
More:Turkey-Israel: undesired problems | Vestnik Kavkaza
Gul drops in, talks up the Turkish political model - latimes.com
Gul drops in, talks up the Turkish political model
May 24, 2012 | 9:22 am
Turkish President Abdullah Gul at NATO summit in ChicagoEgyptians voting this week in their first free presidential election face a choice between Islamist and secular candidates. To some Middle East observers, Turkey, with its constitutional boundaries on Islamist parties, provides a possible model for nations in the so-called Arab Spring movement to reconcile the values of Islam and democracy.
More:Gul drops in, talks up the Turkish political model - latimes.com
May 24, 2012 | 9:22 am
Turkish President Abdullah Gul at NATO summit in ChicagoEgyptians voting this week in their first free presidential election face a choice between Islamist and secular candidates. To some Middle East observers, Turkey, with its constitutional boundaries on Islamist parties, provides a possible model for nations in the so-called Arab Spring movement to reconcile the values of Islam and democracy.
More:Gul drops in, talks up the Turkish political model - latimes.com
Turkey: Eco-Damage Sparks Fish Fight in Istanbul
Turkey: Eco-Damage Sparks Fish Fight in Istanbul
May 24, 2012 - 1:06pm, by Alexander Christie-Miller
The dispute over how much fishing regulation is needed in waters around Istanbul recently turned violent. (Photo: Jonathan Lewis)
As Istanbul's fisheries union, among others, campaigns for more regulation in waters around Istanbul, illicit fishing has grown five-fold since 2011, by some estimates. The fight recently led to violence, with one regulations advocate losing an eye from a gunshot. (Photo: Jonathan Lewis.)
At Köksal Yılmaz’s fish stall along the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul’s Bostancı District, bream and sea bass are as popular as ever. But the days when most of his fish came from these waters are long gone.
More:Turkey: Eco-Damage Sparks Fish Fight in Istanbul | EurasiaNet.org
May 24, 2012 - 1:06pm, by Alexander Christie-Miller
The dispute over how much fishing regulation is needed in waters around Istanbul recently turned violent. (Photo: Jonathan Lewis)
As Istanbul's fisheries union, among others, campaigns for more regulation in waters around Istanbul, illicit fishing has grown five-fold since 2011, by some estimates. The fight recently led to violence, with one regulations advocate losing an eye from a gunshot. (Photo: Jonathan Lewis.)
At Köksal Yılmaz’s fish stall along the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul’s Bostancı District, bream and sea bass are as popular as ever. But the days when most of his fish came from these waters are long gone.
More:Turkey: Eco-Damage Sparks Fish Fight in Istanbul | EurasiaNet.org
gulfnews : Turkey's obsession with energy supplies
Turkey's obsession with energy supplies
Ankara hopes diversifying natural gas and oil supplies away from Russia and Iran will reduce their political leverage
By Marwan Kabalan, Special to Gulf News
Published: 00:00 May 25, 2012
Tension is increasingly in the Middle East with yet another conflict looming in the horizon. Last week, Turkey warned both Israel and the Greek-Cyprus government against proceeding with their exploratory offshore drilling in disputed areas in the eastern Mediterranean.
More:gulfnews : Turkey's obsession with energy supplies
Ankara hopes diversifying natural gas and oil supplies away from Russia and Iran will reduce their political leverage
By Marwan Kabalan, Special to Gulf News
Published: 00:00 May 25, 2012
Tension is increasingly in the Middle East with yet another conflict looming in the horizon. Last week, Turkey warned both Israel and the Greek-Cyprus government against proceeding with their exploratory offshore drilling in disputed areas in the eastern Mediterranean.
More:gulfnews : Turkey's obsession with energy supplies
Turkey risks walking off the Nato tightrope - Telegraph
Turkey risks walking off the Nato tightrope
Turkey's efforts to have Israel and the EU barred from the Chicago Nato summit risk alienating the rest of the military alliance, writes Muddassar Ahmed.
By Muddassar Ahmed
3:17PM BST 24 May 2012
As the Nato summit in Chicago edges closer, organisers are still unsure how many name badges to print out. Turkey, the Nato member with the second-largest army after the United States, is manoeuvring to bar the EU and Israel from attending the summit, while calling for the inclusion of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC). This series of last-minute demands highlights dramatic shifts, both within Nato's power structures and in terms of Turkey’s own foreign policy aspirations.
More:Turkey risks walking off the Nato tightrope - Telegraph
Turkey's efforts to have Israel and the EU barred from the Chicago Nato summit risk alienating the rest of the military alliance, writes Muddassar Ahmed.
By Muddassar Ahmed
3:17PM BST 24 May 2012
As the Nato summit in Chicago edges closer, organisers are still unsure how many name badges to print out. Turkey, the Nato member with the second-largest army after the United States, is manoeuvring to bar the EU and Israel from attending the summit, while calling for the inclusion of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC). This series of last-minute demands highlights dramatic shifts, both within Nato's power structures and in terms of Turkey’s own foreign policy aspirations.
More:Turkey risks walking off the Nato tightrope - Telegraph
Against the Criminalization of Journalism - Qantara.de
Press Freedom in TurkeyAgainst the Criminalization of Journalism
Despite some reforms and ongoing negotiations for EU membership, Turkey's ranking in the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index remains strikingly low. Qantara's Fatma Kayabal spoke to the organization's correspondent in Turkey in Istanbul
Turkey ranks 148 of 179 states in the RSF Press Freedom Index. Why?
Erol Önderoğlu: First of all I want to say that this is not a new situation. Turkey has for a long time had a low ranking, but what is new is that violations of press freedom are now taking place in a different form.
More:Against the Criminalization of Journalism - Qantara.de
Despite some reforms and ongoing negotiations for EU membership, Turkey's ranking in the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index remains strikingly low. Qantara's Fatma Kayabal spoke to the organization's correspondent in Turkey in Istanbul
Turkey ranks 148 of 179 states in the RSF Press Freedom Index. Why?
Erol Önderoğlu: First of all I want to say that this is not a new situation. Turkey has for a long time had a low ranking, but what is new is that violations of press freedom are now taking place in a different form.
More:Against the Criminalization of Journalism - Qantara.de
A Fine Balancing Act - Qantara.de
Turkey's Relations with the West and the Muslim WorldA Fine Balancing Act
Critics in the West maintained that Ankara's decision to improve its relations with its Muslim neighbours was motivated primarily by religious and ideological concerns. But Turkey's recent tense relations with Iran demonstrate this assumption's basic fallacy, writes Mohammed Ayoob
More:A Fine Balancing Act - Qantara.de
Critics in the West maintained that Ankara's decision to improve its relations with its Muslim neighbours was motivated primarily by religious and ideological concerns. But Turkey's recent tense relations with Iran demonstrate this assumption's basic fallacy, writes Mohammed Ayoob
More:A Fine Balancing Act - Qantara.de
Turkey A Good Place To Gobble Up Some Retail Stocks - Forbes
Turkey A Good Place To Gobble Up Some Retail Stocks
Frank Holmes Frank Holmes, Contributor
To add alpha, we believe investors need to continually seek pockets of strength amidst today’s mire of pessimism. One bright spot we’ve seen lies just east of Greece: Turkey.
More:Turkey A Good Place To Gobble Up Some Retail Stocks - Forbes
Frank Holmes Frank Holmes, Contributor
To add alpha, we believe investors need to continually seek pockets of strength amidst today’s mire of pessimism. One bright spot we’ve seen lies just east of Greece: Turkey.
More:Turkey A Good Place To Gobble Up Some Retail Stocks - Forbes
48 Hours in Hatay, Turkey
48 Hours in Hatay, Turkey
May 24 2012 at 01:06pm
By Jonathon Burch
REUTERS
A visitor looks at mosaics at the Antakya Archaeology museum, also known as the Antakaya Mosaic museum, in Antakya.
With thousands of refugees now taking shelter in Hatay after fleeing violence just across the border in their Syrian homeland, Turkey's panhandle province has been in the news over the past year for all the wrong reasons.
More:48 Hours in Hatay, Turkey - IOL Travel Europe | IOL.co.za
May 24 2012 at 01:06pm
By Jonathon Burch
REUTERS
A visitor looks at mosaics at the Antakya Archaeology museum, also known as the Antakaya Mosaic museum, in Antakya.
With thousands of refugees now taking shelter in Hatay after fleeing violence just across the border in their Syrian homeland, Turkey's panhandle province has been in the news over the past year for all the wrong reasons.
More:48 Hours in Hatay, Turkey - IOL Travel Europe | IOL.co.za
Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again
Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again
Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again, blocking access to Russia's largest social networking website, Vkontakte, RIA Novosti reported on May 22. The decision could have a negative impact on Russian tourism in Turkey as individuals wonder: is this necessary?
More:Balkans.com Business News : Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again
Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again, blocking access to Russia's largest social networking website, Vkontakte, RIA Novosti reported on May 22. The decision could have a negative impact on Russian tourism in Turkey as individuals wonder: is this necessary?
More:Balkans.com Business News : Turkey's Internet censorship authorities have struck again
Can Liberia Learn Something From Turkey?
Can Liberia Learn Something From Turkey?
Story by Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)
Photo Credit:
While growing up as a child, my late grandmother always told me a parable in the Kru vernacular which says that “one who walks around sees a lot than one who sits in one place the entire day.” In other words, this really relates to venturing into other areas to experience those things that do not really exist in your area, or have been improved in those areas.
More:News Display
Story by Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)
Photo Credit:
While growing up as a child, my late grandmother always told me a parable in the Kru vernacular which says that “one who walks around sees a lot than one who sits in one place the entire day.” In other words, this really relates to venturing into other areas to experience those things that do not really exist in your area, or have been improved in those areas.
More:News Display
Turkey struggles to preserve childhood cartoon | Fox News
Turkey struggles to preserve childhood cartoon
Published May 24, 2012
Associated Press
ISTANBUL – If you mess up in Turkey, a common way to laugh it off is to invoke Cin Ali, the squiggly stick figure in a cap whose benign adventures in picture books helped a generation of Turks learn to read.
More:Turkey struggles to preserve childhood cartoon | Fox News
Published May 24, 2012
Associated Press
ISTANBUL – If you mess up in Turkey, a common way to laugh it off is to invoke Cin Ali, the squiggly stick figure in a cap whose benign adventures in picture books helped a generation of Turks learn to read.
More:Turkey struggles to preserve childhood cartoon | Fox News
Turkish court convicts Kurdish politician over speeches - chicagotribune.com
Turkish court convicts Kurdish politician over speeches
6:47 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2012
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, May 24 (Reuters) - Kurdish
parliamentarian Leyla Zana, a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee,
was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Turkish court on
Thursday for spreading militant propaganda in a series of
speeches she made over four years ago, court officials said.
More:Turkish court convicts Kurdish politician over speeches - chicagotribune.com
6:47 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2012
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, May 24 (Reuters) - Kurdish
parliamentarian Leyla Zana, a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee,
was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Turkish court on
Thursday for spreading militant propaganda in a series of
speeches she made over four years ago, court officials said.
More:Turkish court convicts Kurdish politician over speeches - chicagotribune.com
Turkish hawkers are under pressure to yell more quietly | The Post and Courier | Charleston SC, News, Sports, Entertainment
Turkish hawkers are under pressure to yell more quietly
Posted: Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:01 a.m.
Greeks blame the European Union for austerity measures their government tried to impose. They’re even threatening to leave the EU as elections loom next month.
Now Turks are blaming the pervasive influence of the EU for their government cracking down on a hallowed tradition: hawkers yelling at customers in the bazaars of Istanbul.
More:Turkish hawkers are under pressure to yell more quietly | The Post and Courier | Charleston SC, News, Sports, Entertainment
Posted: Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:01 a.m.
Greeks blame the European Union for austerity measures their government tried to impose. They’re even threatening to leave the EU as elections loom next month.
Now Turks are blaming the pervasive influence of the EU for their government cracking down on a hallowed tradition: hawkers yelling at customers in the bazaars of Istanbul.
More:Turkish hawkers are under pressure to yell more quietly | The Post and Courier | Charleston SC, News, Sports, Entertainment
Afghan, Turkish SCO ties sought|Politics|chinadaily.com.cn
Afghan, Turkish SCO ties sought
Updated: 2012-05-24 07:42
Two countries with close ties to the West are keen to get closer to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as it enhances its security and economic cooperation in a changing regional environment.
More:Afghan, Turkish SCO ties sought|Politics|chinadaily.com.cn
Updated: 2012-05-24 07:42
Two countries with close ties to the West are keen to get closer to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as it enhances its security and economic cooperation in a changing regional environment.
More:Afghan, Turkish SCO ties sought|Politics|chinadaily.com.cn
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul shortlisted for 2020 Games | Fox News
Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul shortlisted for 2020 Games
Published May 23, 2012
Quebec City, QC – Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul have made the short list of cities bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, the IOC said Wednesday.
More:Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul shortlisted for 2020 Games | Fox News
Published May 23, 2012
Quebec City, QC – Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul have made the short list of cities bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, the IOC said Wednesday.
More:Tokyo, Madrid, Istanbul shortlisted for 2020 Games | Fox News
Route of Turkish tourism is changing, says Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay
Route of Turkish tourism is changing, says Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay
ANTALYA - Anatolia News Agency
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, speaking about Turkey’s new road map to diversify tourism, says Turkey was the sixth country in the world in 2011 in terms of tourism and that the goal is to make it one of the top five countries with new tourism plans
More:TRAVEL - Route of Turkish tourism is changing, says Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay
ANTALYA - Anatolia News Agency
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, speaking about Turkey’s new road map to diversify tourism, says Turkey was the sixth country in the world in 2011 in terms of tourism and that the goal is to make it one of the top five countries with new tourism plans
More:TRAVEL - Route of Turkish tourism is changing, says Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay
Süleymaniye Library holds Turkey’s treasure
Süleymaniye Library holds Turkey’s treasure
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Süleymaniye Library is home to a large collection of manuscripts, numbering about 70,000 of a total of 300,000 manuscripts in Turkish collections. It has also begun transferring the works to a digital platform
More:BOOKS - Süleymaniye Library holds Turkey’s treasure
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Süleymaniye Library is home to a large collection of manuscripts, numbering about 70,000 of a total of 300,000 manuscripts in Turkish collections. It has also begun transferring the works to a digital platform
More:BOOKS - Süleymaniye Library holds Turkey’s treasure
Belgium eager to help Turkey over Cyprus
Belgium eager to help Turkey over Cyprus
BRUSSELS - Anatolia News Agency
Belgium is ready to contribute to Turkey’s European Union accession talks and may host an international conference on the Cyprus issue to this end, the Belgian foreign minister said in Brussels May 22.
More:EUROPE - Belgium eager to help Turkey over Cyprus
BRUSSELS - Anatolia News Agency
Belgium is ready to contribute to Turkey’s European Union accession talks and may host an international conference on the Cyprus issue to this end, the Belgian foreign minister said in Brussels May 22.
More:EUROPE - Belgium eager to help Turkey over Cyprus
Turkey needs to ensure gender equality: EU
Turkey needs to ensure gender equality: EU
STRASBOURG
EU candidate Turkey needs to attain gender equality before it can enter the 27-nation bloc, according to a recent report from a Dutch European Parliament member of Turkish origin.
More:RIGHTS - Turkey needs to ensure gender equality: EU
STRASBOURG
EU candidate Turkey needs to attain gender equality before it can enter the 27-nation bloc, according to a recent report from a Dutch European Parliament member of Turkish origin.
More:RIGHTS - Turkey needs to ensure gender equality: EU
Turkey tells a lesson: Verhagen
Turkey tells a lesson: Verhagen
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
There are lessons to be learned from Turkey, Dutch deputy prime minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Maxime Verhagen has said while visiting Istanbul along with representatives from 60 companies.
More:ECONOMICS - Turkey tells a lesson: Verhagen
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
There are lessons to be learned from Turkey, Dutch deputy prime minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Maxime Verhagen has said while visiting Istanbul along with representatives from 60 companies.
More:ECONOMICS - Turkey tells a lesson: Verhagen
Don't Miss Istanbul: Joan Trip Part VIII - SmarterTravel.com
Don't Miss Istanbul: Joan Trip Part VIII
May 23, 2012 11:53 am by Ed Perkins
Istanbul's three blockbuster attractions—the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace—are world class attractions in a very real sense. They're highlighted in both the history books and the travel books, and often make those "ten best" or "top 20" lists travel magazines like to compile. That means they're almost always crowded, with long lines to get in and all too often too many people in an individual room to see the room properly. But that comes with the territory. Just try to get a good look at the Mona Lisa when you're at the Louvre. From what I saw, the best strategy is to get there just at opening time; crowds build later in the day.
More:Don't Miss Istanbul: Joan Trip Part VIII - SmarterTravel.com
May 23, 2012 11:53 am by Ed Perkins
Istanbul's three blockbuster attractions—the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace—are world class attractions in a very real sense. They're highlighted in both the history books and the travel books, and often make those "ten best" or "top 20" lists travel magazines like to compile. That means they're almost always crowded, with long lines to get in and all too often too many people in an individual room to see the room properly. But that comes with the territory. Just try to get a good look at the Mona Lisa when you're at the Louvre. From what I saw, the best strategy is to get there just at opening time; crowds build later in the day.
More:Don't Miss Istanbul: Joan Trip Part VIII - SmarterTravel.com
Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible
By Ali Berat Meric and Emre Peker - May 23, 2012 8:31 AM ET
Turkey is planning to make donations for the construction of religious buildings tax-deductible as part of a package of investment incentives.
The measure, included in a draft law submitted to parliament in Ankara today, covers all places of worship built with official permission as well as religious education facilities such as Koran schools. Donors will be able to deduct contributions of as much as 10 percent of taxable income.
More:Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
By Ali Berat Meric and Emre Peker - May 23, 2012 8:31 AM ET
Turkey is planning to make donations for the construction of religious buildings tax-deductible as part of a package of investment incentives.
The measure, included in a draft law submitted to parliament in Ankara today, covers all places of worship built with official permission as well as religious education facilities such as Koran schools. Donors will be able to deduct contributions of as much as 10 percent of taxable income.
More:Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
A study tour of Turkey – The Express Tribune
A study tour of Turkey
By Dr Tariq Rahman
Published: May 24, 2012
tariq.rahman@tribune.com.pk
The hospitality of Turkey, more precisely the Gulen Movement, started in Pakistan in the form of a call by Harun Koken who looks after the Turkish schools in Pakistan, the Rumi circle and a number of other educational activities in Pakistan. He gave me a book entitled The Gulen Movement: Civic Society Without Borders (2010) by Muhammad Cetin and later the air ticket to Istanbul. So one day when the morn had not yet dawned, I found myself with my old colleague and friend Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais on my way to Turkey.
More:A study tour of Turkey – The Express Tribune
By Dr Tariq Rahman
Published: May 24, 2012
tariq.rahman@tribune.com.pk
The hospitality of Turkey, more precisely the Gulen Movement, started in Pakistan in the form of a call by Harun Koken who looks after the Turkish schools in Pakistan, the Rumi circle and a number of other educational activities in Pakistan. He gave me a book entitled The Gulen Movement: Civic Society Without Borders (2010) by Muhammad Cetin and later the air ticket to Istanbul. So one day when the morn had not yet dawned, I found myself with my old colleague and friend Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais on my way to Turkey.
More:A study tour of Turkey – The Express Tribune
What drives Turkey's new Syria stance? A fear of two Kurdistans – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
What drives Turkey's new Syria stance? A fear of two Kurdistans
Editor's Note: Soner Cagaptay is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a GPS contributor. You can find all his blog posts here. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Soner Cagaptay.
By Soner Cagaptay, Special to CNN
When the Syrian uprising began last spring, Turkey initially stayed behind Washington. It shied away from criticizing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, instead asking al-Assad to reform.
More:What drives Turkey's new Syria stance? A fear of two Kurdistans – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
Editor's Note: Soner Cagaptay is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a GPS contributor. You can find all his blog posts here. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Soner Cagaptay.
By Soner Cagaptay, Special to CNN
When the Syrian uprising began last spring, Turkey initially stayed behind Washington. It shied away from criticizing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, instead asking al-Assad to reform.
More:What drives Turkey's new Syria stance? A fear of two Kurdistans – Global Public Square - CNN.com Blogs
Before The Deluge: The Jews Of Turkey
Before The Deluge: The Jews Of Turkey
By: Ezra James Nollet
Published: May 23rd, 2012
The Jews Of Turkey
Translator’s Note: Dr. Wischnitzer subdivided his discussion of Turkey into two sections, European Turkey and Asiatic Turkey. We’ll deal with European Turkey.
European Turkey in its present form consists of the small region around Istanbul, Adrianopolis, Kirkilisse, and Rodosto. For the history of the Jews, the cities Adrianopolis – today’s Edirne, and the capital from 1361 – 1453 – and Constantinople – today’s Istanbul, capital since 1453 – come into consideration. Both cities once had thriving Jewish communities, but show signs of going under today.
More:Before The Deluge: The Jews Of Turkey | JewishPress
By: Ezra James Nollet
Published: May 23rd, 2012
The Jews Of Turkey
Translator’s Note: Dr. Wischnitzer subdivided his discussion of Turkey into two sections, European Turkey and Asiatic Turkey. We’ll deal with European Turkey.
European Turkey in its present form consists of the small region around Istanbul, Adrianopolis, Kirkilisse, and Rodosto. For the history of the Jews, the cities Adrianopolis – today’s Edirne, and the capital from 1361 – 1453 – and Constantinople – today’s Istanbul, capital since 1453 – come into consideration. Both cities once had thriving Jewish communities, but show signs of going under today.
More:Before The Deluge: The Jews Of Turkey | JewishPress
Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible
By Ali Berat Meric and Emre Peker - May 23, 2012 8:31 AM ET
Turkey is planning to make donations for the construction of religious buildings tax-deductible as part of a package of investment incentives.
The measure, included in a draft law submitted to parliament in Ankara today, covers all places of worship built with official permission as well as religious education facilities such as Koran schools. Donors will be able to deduct contributions of as much as 10 percent of taxable income.
More:Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
By Ali Berat Meric and Emre Peker - May 23, 2012 8:31 AM ET
Turkey is planning to make donations for the construction of religious buildings tax-deductible as part of a package of investment incentives.
The measure, included in a draft law submitted to parliament in Ankara today, covers all places of worship built with official permission as well as religious education facilities such as Koran schools. Donors will be able to deduct contributions of as much as 10 percent of taxable income.
More:Turkey to Make Religious Building Donation Tax-Deductible - Bloomberg
Turkey says Syria is helping Kurdish rebels
Turkey says Syria is helping Kurdish rebels
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 7:44 a.m.
Syria is allowing Kurdish rebels who are fighting Turkish forces to establish bases in Syrian territory, as ties between the two neighboring countries deteriorate, a Turkish minister said Wednesday.
More:Turkey says Syria is helping Kurdish rebels - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 7:44 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 7:44 a.m.
Syria is allowing Kurdish rebels who are fighting Turkish forces to establish bases in Syrian territory, as ties between the two neighboring countries deteriorate, a Turkish minister said Wednesday.
More:Turkey says Syria is helping Kurdish rebels - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 7:44 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun
If Greece exits euro zone, EU leaders should consider Turkey
If Greece exits euro zone, add Turkey
May 23, 2012, 7:03 AM
Here’s a heretical thought that wouldn’t go down well in Athens.
If Greece ends up leaving the euro zone, as the nonstop flow of “Grexit” rumors suggest might just happen, Turkey should take its place.
Now, there are all sorts of historical reasons—wars and outright hatred and whatnot—for why the Aegean neighborhood would not take kindly to such musical chairs.
But on paper, at least, it’s an attractive idea.
More:If Greece exits euro zone, EU leaders should consider Turkey - The Tell - MarketWatch
May 23, 2012, 7:03 AM
Here’s a heretical thought that wouldn’t go down well in Athens.
If Greece ends up leaving the euro zone, as the nonstop flow of “Grexit” rumors suggest might just happen, Turkey should take its place.
Now, there are all sorts of historical reasons—wars and outright hatred and whatnot—for why the Aegean neighborhood would not take kindly to such musical chairs.
But on paper, at least, it’s an attractive idea.
More:If Greece exits euro zone, EU leaders should consider Turkey - The Tell - MarketWatch
BP is not going to leave Turkish energy market - Trend
BP is not going to leave Turkish energy market
23 May 2012, 19:05 (GMT+05:00)
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 23 /Trend A.Taghiyeva/
Turkey is one of the five major countries for BP, so BP does not plan to leave the Turkish energy market, the newspaper Watan reported quoting a press release of the company.
More:BP is not going to leave Turkish energy market - Trend
23 May 2012, 19:05 (GMT+05:00)
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 23 /Trend A.Taghiyeva/
Turkey is one of the five major countries for BP, so BP does not plan to leave the Turkish energy market, the newspaper Watan reported quoting a press release of the company.
More:BP is not going to leave Turkish energy market - Trend
AFM Film Rises in Istanbul After Completing Sale to Mars - Bloomberg
AFM Film Rises in Istanbul After Completing Sale to Mars
By Aydan Eksin - May 23, 2012 11:06 AM ET
AFM Uluslararasi Film Produksiyon Ticaret & Sanayi AS (AFMAS), a Turkish cinema operator, rose in Istanbul after owner Esas Holding AS completed the sale of a 40 percent stake in the unit for $39.9 million, or $7.47 a share.
More:AFM Film Rises in Istanbul After Completing Sale to Mars - Bloomberg
By Aydan Eksin - May 23, 2012 11:06 AM ET
AFM Uluslararasi Film Produksiyon Ticaret & Sanayi AS (AFMAS), a Turkish cinema operator, rose in Istanbul after owner Esas Holding AS completed the sale of a 40 percent stake in the unit for $39.9 million, or $7.47 a share.
More:AFM Film Rises in Istanbul After Completing Sale to Mars - Bloomberg
Turkish, African media to work towards progress
Turkish, African media to work towards progress
images/stories/my turkey story pix 2.jpgA Turkey-Africa Media Forum was held in Ankara, the Turkish capital from May 9-10, 2012 with broad participation of representatives from the public and private media organizations as well as scholars from Turkey and 54 African countries.
More:Turkish, African media to work towards progress
images/stories/my turkey story pix 2.jpgA Turkey-Africa Media Forum was held in Ankara, the Turkish capital from May 9-10, 2012 with broad participation of representatives from the public and private media organizations as well as scholars from Turkey and 54 African countries.
More:Turkish, African media to work towards progress
Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over ship raid
Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over ship raid
By REUTERS
05/23/2012 13:19
Ankara prosecutor prepares indictment to seek life sentences for 4 former Israeli commanders, including Ashkenazi, over flotilla.
More:Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over shi... JPost - Middle East
By REUTERS
05/23/2012 13:19
Ankara prosecutor prepares indictment to seek life sentences for 4 former Israeli commanders, including Ashkenazi, over flotilla.
More:Turkey indicts Israeli commanders over shi... JPost - Middle East
Turkish PM Threatens To Cancel S&P's Contract
Turkish PM Threatens To Cancel S&P's
5/23/2012 4:40 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Continuing his attack on Standard & Poor's for downgrading Turkey's economic outlook, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to cancel its annual contract with the global credit rating agency.
More:Turkish PM Threatens To Cancel S&P's Contract
5/23/2012 4:40 AM ET
(RTTNews) - Continuing his attack on Standard & Poor's for downgrading Turkey's economic outlook, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to cancel its annual contract with the global credit rating agency.
More:Turkish PM Threatens To Cancel S&P's Contract
Turkey Has Shot at the European Union, Thanks to Europe's Troubled Times - NYTimes.com
It’s Turkey’s Time
By ANDREW FINKEL
Murad Sezer/Associated Press
ISTANBUL — If patience is a virtue, then Turkey’s place among the angels is secure. The country’s efforts to become a member of the European Union has been dragging on for some 50 years, and while Ankara has not always been free from blame, since 2005 — when negotiations began in earnest — it has been trying hard to climb over the wall of Europe’s prejudices.
More:Turkey Has Shot at the European Union, Thanks to Europe's Troubled Times - NYTimes.com
By ANDREW FINKEL
Murad Sezer/Associated Press
ISTANBUL — If patience is a virtue, then Turkey’s place among the angels is secure. The country’s efforts to become a member of the European Union has been dragging on for some 50 years, and while Ankara has not always been free from blame, since 2005 — when negotiations began in earnest — it has been trying hard to climb over the wall of Europe’s prejudices.
More:Turkey Has Shot at the European Union, Thanks to Europe's Troubled Times - NYTimes.com
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