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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Five dead as boat carrying immigrants sinks off Turkey

Five dead as boat carrying immigrants sinks off Turkey

November 30, 2013
AFP

ISTANBUL - At least five people, including a child, drowned on Friday after a boat carrying illegal immigrants trying to reach Greece capsized off western Turkey, the coastguard said. “Acting on a tip-off at 2:30 am (0030 GMT) the coastguard seized the boat and recovered five bodies,” coastguard safety official Arslan Dede told AFP. Eight people were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital after the sinking in the Aegean Sea, he said, adding that a search was continuing for one missing person. The nationalities of those on the boat were not immediately known but media reports said they were believed to be Syrians.

More:Five dead as boat carrying immigrants sinks off Turkey

Turkey, Iran set to boost economic ties following partial sanctions lifting | JPost | Israel News

Turkey, Iran set to boost economic ties following partial sanctions lifting
By JPOST.COM STAFF
11/30/2013 13:36

Turkey and Iran are set to boost their economic ties following the signing of an interim deal between Tehran and world powers that led to the lifting of some sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Alireza Bikdeli said on Friday, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

More:Turkey, Iran set to boost economic ties following partial sanctions lifting | JPost | Israel News

Turkey says energy deals with Iraqi Kurdistan not yet finalized | Reuters

Turkey says energy deals with Iraqi Kurdistan not yet finalized

ISTANBUL Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:46pm EST

Credit: Reuters/Umit Bektas

(Reuters) - Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan have yet to completely finalize a package of energy deals, and Ankara will seek Baghdad's cooperation on the issue, the Turkish foreign ministry said on Saturday after sources said the contracts had been signed.

More:Turkey says energy deals with Iraqi Kurdistan not yet finalized | Reuters

Turkey and the European Union: Mixed Signals

Turkey and the European Union: Mixed Signals
Posted GMT 11-30-2013 18:53:40

Theme: Turkey's EU accession process is back on track, with the opening this month of the first chapter, or policy area, in more than three years, but the Islamist-rooted government continues to send out mixed signals over the country's direction.

Summary: Turkey is re-engaging with the EU in its sluggish accession process. The first chapter, or policy area, was opened on 5 November since the end of the Spanish EU presidency in June 2010. Fourteen of the 35 chapters have now been opened since October 2005, but only one has been temporarily closed. The rest of the chapters are either blocked because of French and Cypriot objections or frozen by Brussels because of Ankara's failure to implement the 2005 Ankara Protocol and open its ports and airports to Greek-Cypriot traffic and hence extend its customs union with the EU (since 1996) and recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU country since 2004.

More:Turkey and the European Union: Mixed Signals

Turkey detains 1,080 illegal migrants | GlobalPost

Turkey detains 1,080 illegal migrants

ISTANBUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish police detained 1,080 illegal migrants in 11 simultaneous operations against human trafficking networks in its western coasts on Friday.

More:Turkey detains 1,080 illegal migrants | GlobalPost

One million landmines 'still buried in Turkey' - The Times of India

One million landmines 'still buried in Turkey'
AFP | Nov 29, 2013, 09.44 PM IST

ISTANBUL: Turkey is littered with more than one million landmines that kill or severely injure one person every three days, a local lobby group said on Friday.

More:One million landmines 'still buried in Turkey' - The Times of India

Turkey’s D-Smart scores MGM movies deal » Digital TV Europe

Turkey’s D-Smart scores MGM movies deal
November 29, 2013

Turkish digital TV platform D-Smart has secured a multi-year movie programming agreement with US studio MGM.

The deal gives the Dogan TV Holding-owned D-Smart, which offers frew and pay TV services, exclusive pay TV rights to feature films such as Carrie upcoming sequel The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

More:Turkey’s D-Smart scores MGM movies deal » Digital TV Europe

Friday, November 29, 2013

Turkey's 'sultan' seen losing his swing ahead of elections - DAWN.COM

Turkey's 'sultan' seen losing his swing ahead of elections

ANKARA: Turkey's once all-powerful prime minister is battling problems both domestic and international that threaten to diminish his popularity ahead of an election cycle next year, analysts say.

More:Turkey's 'sultan' seen losing his swing ahead of elections - DAWN.COM

Syrian refugees in Turkey survive on 29 euros per month - General news - ANSAMed.it

Syrian refugees in Turkey survive on 29 euros per month
Unregistered refugees in the street, children forced to beg

29 November, 15:47

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 29 - The approximately 200,000 Syrians living in the camps set up in Turkey along the border have to make do with 80 Turkish liras per month, the equivalent of about 29 euros, said Ankara's parliamentary human rights inquiry committee.

More:Syrian refugees in Turkey survive on 29 euros per month - General news - ANSAMed.it

Turkey : Turkish textile exports touch $6.92bn in Jan-Oct’13 - Textile News Turkey

Turkish textile exports touch $6.92bn in Jan-Oct’13
November 29, 2013 (Turkey)

Turkey’s textile exports during the first ten months of 2013 touched US$ 6.92 billion, indicating an increase of 7.3 percent year-on-year, as per the data released by the Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters' Association (ITKIB) and Turkey Exporters Assembly (TIM).

More:Turkey : Turkish textile exports touch $6.92bn in Jan-Oct’13 - Textile News Turkey

Turkey court brands swimming goggles 'weapons' | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Turkey court brands swimming goggles 'weapons'
November 29, 2013 02:16 PM

ISTANBUL: A Turkish court has ruled that swimming goggles and other protective equipment used by protesters during this year's mass street demonstrations were "weapons", local media reported on Friday.

More:Turkey court brands swimming goggles 'weapons' | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Turkish website chief wins human rights award | Media | theguardian.com

Turkish website chief wins human rights award

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) has named Bülent Mumay, editor-in-chief of Hürriyet.com.tr, as the winner of its 2013 human rights award.

More:Turkish website chief wins human rights award | Media | theguardian.com

Turkish Discovery On The ROTTERDAM: Part Two | MaritimeMatters | Cruise ship news and ocean liner history

Turkish Discovery On The ROTTERDAM: Part Two

Posted on Thursday, November 28, 2013 by Martin Cox

by Kalle Id

Join MaritimeMatters’ Kalle Id for the second part of a ten-day cruise Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline onboard Holland America Line’s 1997-built ROTTERDAM, this time with a day at Istanbul followed by the quaint Turkish town of Dikili.

More:Turkish Discovery On The ROTTERDAM: Part Two | MaritimeMatters | Cruise ship news and ocean liner history

Baghdad glad Ankara did not sign illegal Kurd oil deal | Reuters

Baghdad glad Ankara did not sign "illegal" Kurd oil deal

BAGHDAD Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:59am IST

Nov 28 (Reuters) - Baghdad appreciates Turkey's decision not to sign any oil export deal with Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, after meetings between the two this week, as such exports would be illegal, it said on Thursday.

More:Baghdad glad Ankara did not sign illegal Kurd oil deal | Reuters

The Turkey’s Turkey Connection - NYTimes.com

The Turkey’s Turkey Connection
By MARK FORSYTH
Published: November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving is the all-American holiday. Turkey is the all-American bird. It was here long before Columbus or the Pilgrims. Early explorers reported vast flocks of turkeys nesting in the magnolia forest. Turkeys are a lot more American than apple pie. But they’re named after a country 4,429 miles away.

More:The Turkey’s Turkey Connection - NYTimes.com

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Turkish lira firms after IMF backs tighter monetary policy stance

Turkish lira firms after IMF backs tighter monetary policy stance
Thursday, 28 November 2013 22:05

ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira firmed on Thursday after the IMF backed the central bank's moves to signal more tightening of day-to-day monetary policy but called for more steps to guard against capital outflows.

More:Turkish lira firms after IMF backs tighter monetary policy stance

Istanbul Design Week opens

Istanbul Design Week opens

ISTANBUL
Istanbul Design Week is held once again, this time at Maçka Küçükçiftlik Park rather than on the Galata Bridge. Designers from around the world meet at the event, which has been organized since 2005

More:EXHIBITIONS - Istanbul Design Week opens

Joan Miró’s exhibition in Istanbul’s Tophane-i Amire

Joan Miró’s exhibition in Istanbul’s Tophane-i Amire

ISTANBUL

An exhibition of 60 works by Joan Miró, considered one of the 20th century’s most important artists, is being held at Istanbul’s Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Tophane-i Amire Culture and Arts Center until Jan. 19.

More:EXHIBITIONS - Joan Miró’s exhibition in Istanbul’s Tophane-i Amire

Turkey looks east, after failed attempts to join EU - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey looks east, after failed attempts to join EU

During his visit to Russia, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his desire for Turkey to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The first time he uttered that desire it was largely played down. But its repetition suggests that the matter is serious and that the prime minister is genuinely yearning to join this particular club.

More:Turkey looks east, after failed attempts to join EU - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

News Analysis: Turkey set to reap political, economic benefits from Iran nuclear deal - Xinhua | English.news.cn

News Analysis: Turkey set to reap political, economic benefits from Iran nuclear deal

ANKARA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkey, a neighbor and trading partner of Iran, hopes to benefit economically and diplomatically from the latter's recent deal with some world powers on its nuclear program, which will ease the economic sanctions it faces, analysts say. "Turkey will benefit economically from a deal that, in the short run, diminishes tensions and helps revive trade in the region, and also promises a future boom in the Turkish-Iranian economic relations," Joost lagendijk, a senior advisor at the Istanbul Policy Center, said.

More:News Analysis: Turkey set to reap political, economic benefits from Iran nuclear deal - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Istanbul sets off Twitter storm after jailing Internet ‘troll’

Istanbul sets off Twitter storm after jailing Internet ‘troll’
Cihat Akbel convicted after he launched a hashtag campaign against singer Aylin Aslim.
Middle East Online

Outspoken critic of the government

ISTANBUL - An Istanbul court set off a Twitter storm Thursday after it handed a five-month suspended jail term to an Internet "troll" for threatening a popular Turkish rock singer.

More:.:Middle East Online:::.

Turkey to increase gold export to Iran if sanctions lifted - AzerNews

Turkey to increase gold export to Iran if sanctions lifted
28 November 2013, 13:53 (GMT+04:00)

By Sara Rajabova

A Turkish official said Turkey's gold exports to Iran may increase if western sanctions against Iran are lifted.

Turkey can dramatically increase gold exports to Iran if sanctions are lifted, Hurriyet Daily News quoted Head of Turkey's Jewelry Exporters Association Ayhan Güner as saying.

More:Turkey to increase gold export to Iran if sanctions lifted - AzerNews

Essay: A Thanksgiving in Istanbul | WUWM

Essay: A Thanksgiving in Istanbul

Lake Effect essayist Rob Bundy recalls a memorable Thanksgiving.

Around Thanksgiving, I always recall the time my wife and I were in Istanbul near the end of the festival of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a period of prayer, reflection, charity and good deeds that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

More:Essay: A Thanksgiving in Istanbul | WUWM

UPDATE 1-Turkish banks to be able to make Iran transactions -minister | Reuters

UPDATE 1-Turkish banks to be able to make Iran transactions -minister

Thu Nov 28, 2013 6:29am EST

Nov 28 (Reuters) - All Turkish banks will be able to make Iranian transactions as sanctions on Iran are eased in the wake of a deal between Tehran and six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, Turkey's economy minister said on Thursday.

More:UPDATE 1-Turkish banks to be able to make Iran transactions -minister | Reuters

Bulgaria builds fence on border with Turkey - Las Vegas Sun News

Bulgaria builds fence on border with Turkey

The Associated Press

Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 | 8:08 a.m.

Bulgarian authorities say they are constructing a fence on a 30-kilometer (19-mile) stretch of the country's 274-kilometer (171-mile) border with Turkey in an effort to stop illegal immigration.

More:Bulgaria builds fence on border with Turkey - Las Vegas Sun News

Conviction decision illegally erased from Turkish judiciary network

Conviction decision illegally erased from Turkish judiciary network

ANKARA – Hürriyet

A conviction decision emerged to be erased from the Justice Ministry’s information system by anonymous people who accessed the network illegally.

More:LOCAL - Conviction decision illegally erased from Turkish judiciary network

Row between Turkish government and Gülen heats up with new document

Row between Turkish government and Gülen heats up with new document

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

The row between followers of the Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s movement of and the Turkish government took another dimension after a daily revealed Nov. 28 that a decision from the National Security Council (MGK) recommending an action plan against the Gülen movement be signed by the government in 2004.

More:POLITICS - Row between Turkish government and Gülen heats up with new document

Kurdish slang word becomes Germany’s ‘Youth Word of the Year’

Kurdish slang word becomes Germany’s ‘Youth Word of the Year’

ISTANBUL

This year’s “Youth Word of the Year” in Germany is the Kurdish word “babo,” which means boss or chief, according to a poll organized by the country’s dictionary publisher Langenscheidt.

More:EUROPE - Kurdish slang word becomes Germany’s ‘Youth Word of the Year’

Turkey : ‘Turkish textile sector employment rate better than EU’ - Textile News Turkey

‘Turkish textile sector employment rate better than EU’
November 28, 2013 (Turkey)

Turkey’s employment rate in the textile industry during the 2005 and 2009 crisis period has been better than the countries in the European Union (EU), said Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ITHIB) president Ismail Gulle, at the recently concluded International Textiles Summit, held in the southeastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras.

More:Turkey : ‘Turkish textile sector employment rate better than EU’ - Textile News Turkey

Erdogan, the man who divides the Turkish nation - FT.com

Erdogan, the man who divides the Turkish nation

By Leyla Boulton

Turks are in the grip of admiration or dismay at one man: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, who appears to have morphed from courageous reformer to irritable authoritarian.

More:Erdogan, the man who divides the Turkish nation - FT.com

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Turkey: Foreign direct investment: Uncertainty gives pause for thought - FT.com

Turkey: Foreign direct investment: Uncertainty gives pause for thought

By David Edgerley

Panoramic overview: with a large and youthful population, increasing purchasing power and a well­trained labour force, the country, which has a customs union with the EU, is well located to serve Europe and the Middle East

Viewed from afar, Turkey is an obvious target for long-term foreign investment. The country has a large, young population, increasing purchasing power, a well trained work force, and low penetration rates for many consumer and industrial products. On top of this, it has a customs union with the EU and is well located to serve the Middle East as well as Europe.

More:Turkey: Foreign direct investment: Uncertainty gives pause for thought - FT.com

Austrian, Lufthansa drop codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines - ch-aviation.ch

Austrian, Lufthansa drop codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines

26NOV2013
Austrian Airlines (OS, Vienna) and parent Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt Int'l) will end their codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Atatürk) effective March 29, 2014.

More:Austrian, Lufthansa drop codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines - ch-aviation.ch

Turkey loses bid for Expo 2020 - Economy - ANSAMed.it

Turkey loses bid for Expo 2020
After being passed over for Olympic Games

27 November, 19:13

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, NOVEMBER 27 - Turkey lost its bid Wednesday to have Smyrna host the Expo 2020. The country's third largest city after Istanbul and Ankara, the metropolis on the Aegean Sea was eliminated in the second round this afternoon for the World Expo, which Milan will be hosting in 2015. Smyrna garnered only 36 votes compared with the Russian city of Yekaterinburg's 41 and Dubai's 87, reports Hurriyet Online.

More:Turkey loses bid for Expo 2020 - Economy - ANSAMed.it

Turkish police seize guns in Hatay | GlobalPost

Turkish police seize guns in Hatay

ANKARA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police detained a suspect after seizing 10 handguns in a minibus in the southern province of Hatay, local Today's Zaman reported Wednesday.

More:Turkish police seize guns in Hatay | GlobalPost

Turkish assets pressured by credit card rules, U.S. data | Reuters

Turkish assets pressured by credit card rules, U.S. data

ISTANBUL Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:30pm IST

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Turkish assets slipped on Wednesday as positive U.S. economic data stoked fears of a cut in stimulus, while draft credit card regulations aimed at cooling demand for imported goods put pressure on stocks.

More:Turkish assets pressured by credit card rules, U.S. data | Reuters

Artists protest draft law targeting state institutions in Turkey

Artists protest draft law targeting state institutions in Turkey

ANKARA

A group of artists have protested the government’s plans to change the status of their colleagues working at state institutions. Around 250 members of the Turkey Artist Initiative gathered at Ankara’s Ulus Square, in front of the former Parliament and marched to the Culture and Tourism Ministry on Nov. 27.

More:RIGHTS - Artists protest draft law targeting state institutions in Turkey

Borsa Istanbul seeks Nasdaq investment - FT.com

Borsa Istanbul seeks Nasdaq investment

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

The head of the Istanbul exchange says he wants Nasdaq OMX to take an equity stake in his bourse of between 5 and 20 per cent as the two exchanges seek to deepen an alliance they hope will extend their presence throughout southeast Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

More:Borsa Istanbul seeks Nasdaq investment - FT.com

Gambia: Turkey to Double Scholarship Package for Gambia in 2014

Gambia: Turkey to Double Scholarship Package for Gambia in 2014
By Amadou Jallow, 27 November 2013

The government of Turkey plans to double the higher education scholarship package it offers to Gambian students by next year, its ambassador in Banjul disclosed Tuesday.

More:allAfrica.com: Gambia: Turkey to Double Scholarship Package for Gambia in 2014

Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC » Banking Technology

Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC
27 November, 2013 Written by Elliott Holley

Istanbul is hoping to become the world’s next major financial centre

Most people have no idea how good Turkish wine is, according to Martin Spurling, chief executive of HSBC Turkey. With over 1.5 million acres of land devoted to vines, it is a little-known fact that the country is the world’s fourth producer of grapes. The same can be said for Turkey’s ambitious plans to develop Istanbul as a major international financial centre.

More:Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC » Banking Technology

Pile-up crash paralyzes traffic in Istanbul

Pile-up crash paralyzes traffic in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

A pile-up of trucks, in which three people have been injured, has blocked traffic on one of Istanbul’s main arteries.

The collision of two trucks and one cargo truck occurred at around 2 p.m. today, leading to massive congestion on the TEM highway.

More:LOCAL - Pile-up crash paralyzes traffic in Istanbul

Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC » Banking Technology

Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC
27 November, 2013 Written by Elliott Holley

Most people have no idea how good Turkish wine is, according to Martin Spurling, chief executive of HSBC Turkey. With over 1.5 million acres of land devoted to vines, it is a little-known fact that the country is the world’s fourth producer of grapes. The same can be said for Turkey’s ambitious plans to develop Istanbul as a major international financial centre.

More:Don’t underestimate Turkey says HSBC » Banking Technology

The Shadow Politics of Shadow Education - NYTimes.com

The Shadow Politics of Shadow Education
By ANDREW FINKEL

ISTANBUL — “Shadow education” is academic jargon for the way ordinary people bypass the failings of the formal school system by enlisting their children in special programs on the side. In Turkey, the practice is so widespread it has spawned a multibillion-dollar industry of private tutorial colleges that help students cram for highly competitive high-school and university entrance exams. Nearly 1.3 million children in Turkey are enrolled in more than 3,800 tutorial colleges.

More:The Shadow Politics of Shadow Education - NYTimes.com

500 Turks join Qaeda fighters in Syria: ministry | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

500 Turks join Qaeda fighters in Syria: ministry
November 27, 2013 12:42 PM

ISTANBUL: Hundreds of Turks have crossed the border into Syria to fight with Al-Qaeda linked jihadists against the Damascus regime, according to a Turkish interior ministry report.

More:500 Turks join Qaeda fighters in Syria: ministry | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

EU urged to take action on Interpol abuse

EU urged to take action on Interpol abuse

Today @ 10:03

By Andrew Rettman
Andrew email

BRUSSELS - MEPs have urged the European Commission and the EU foreign service to take action on Interpol abuse, after a damning report.

More:EUobserver.com / Justice & Home Affairs / EU urged to take action on Interpol abuse

World press on Turkey's foreign policy (November 26, 2013) | Vestnik Kavkaza

World press on Turkey's foreign policy (November 26, 2013)
26 November 2013 - 9:25pm

Hurriyet Daily News published an article by Murat Yetkin entitled "Turkey loses ground in the Middle East and East Mediterranean."

"It is obvious that Ankara has to enhance its relations with other capitals in the Middle East and East Mediterranean for its national interests; especially for economic and strategic reasons. In a new atmosphere where Iran, as one of the main oil and gas players in the region and the main pole of Shiite, rather non-Sunni Islamic politics has come to an agreement with P5+1 countries over its nuclear program, better political relations between its region and Europe becomes more vital for Turkey," the article reads.

More:World press on Turkey's foreign policy (November 26, 2013) | Vestnik Kavkaza

Europe and Turkey: In search of a new world | EurActiv

Europe and Turkey: In search of a new world

Published 18 September 2013, updated 19 September 2013

AKP CHP Erdogan EU-Turkey relations Gezi Park Turkey

Some EU governments act in contradiction with a strategic vision for the common European values and interest when they block Turkey’s accession talks, writes Kader Sevinç.

More:Europe and Turkey: In search of a new world | EurActiv

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy

The nuclear accord reached between the P5+1 states and Iran in Geneva during the early hours of Nov. 24 was a heartwarming sign that the international system can still produce diplomatic solutions. It is a success story for Iranian President Rouhani as much it is for the Barack Obama administration. If former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinajad’s extremism and irrationalism had not been replaced by Rouhani’s realism and rationalism — in other words, if Iran’s foreign policy had not truly been "reset"—the world would not feel as at ease as it does right now.

More:Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey rebuilds ties to Russia on regional issues - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey rebuilds ties to Russia on regional issues

Turkey and Russia have had their political differences in the past. This has been most apparent over Syria where the two countries have backed opposing factions in the country’s civil war. Ankara and Moscow have even gone so far as to accuse each other — albeit diplomatically — of prolonging the suffering in Syria.

More:Turkey rebuilds ties to Russia on regional issues - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish Airlines to launch Montréal-Istanbul

Turkish Airlines to launch Montréal-Istanbul
News Tuesday, 26 November 2013 17:35 Written by Caroline Cook

Turkish Airlines will begin operating out of Montréal-Trudeau International Airport from June 3, 2014.

The Star Alliance member will operate the flights to Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using an A330-300.

More:Routes News - Turkish Airlines to launch Montréal-Istanbul

Another Critical Barrier Down Between Turks and Armenians | Yavuz Baydar

Another Critical Barrier Down Between Turks and Armenians

I was handed by the postman some weeks ago a mid-size package.

It contained the Turkish translation of a monumental work titled A Reference Guide to Modern Armenian Literature 1500-1920, by Professor Kevork Bardakjian, who I had the pleasure of meeting years ago at the University of Michigan.

More:Another Critical Barrier Down Between Turks and Armenians | Yavuz Baydar

Turkish Employers See Losing Women as Erdogan Plans More Births - Bloomberg

Turkish Employers See Losing Women as Erdogan Plans More Births
By Selcan Hacaoglu Nov 26, 2013 5:01 PM ET

Handan Yorulmaz has a new rule at her plastics manufacturing company in Ankara: She’ll only hire women if they have children older than 10, or none at all.

More:Turkish Employers See Losing Women as Erdogan Plans More Births - Bloomberg

Historic Greece consulate building in Istanbul returned to Greek community

Historic Greece consulate building in Istanbul returned to Greek community

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Vercihan Ziflioğlu Vercihan Ziflioğlu vercihan.ziflioglu@hurriyet.com.tr

A historical building belonging to the Greek Consulate in Istanbul was returned to the Greek community, Turkey’s foundation’s authority said.

Turkey’s Directorate General of Foundations, which shared the building’s rights along with the Balıklı Greek Foundation returned its 50 percent to the Fener Greek Patriarchate.

More:LOCAL - Historic Greece consulate building in Istanbul returned to Greek community

UPDATE 1-Turkey plans more curbs on credit card use to stem outflows | Reuters

UPDATE 1-Turkey plans more curbs on credit card use to stem outflows

Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:22pm EST

Nov 26 (Reuters) - Turkey's banking watchdog has proposed curbing consumers' use of credit cards to pay for goods by monthly instalments, the latest attempt by authorities to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign capital.

More:UPDATE 1-Turkey plans more curbs on credit card use to stem outflows | Reuters

Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey - Las Vegas Sun News

Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey

The Associated Press

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 | 4:04 a.m.

The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner has blasted Turkish authorities for widespread human rights abuses, in a stark review of the anti-government protests in Turkey earlier this year.

More:Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey - Las Vegas Sun News

Court Rejects Istanbul Mayor’s Lawsuit Against Journalists - Bianet

Court Rejects Istanbul Mayor’s Lawsuit Against Journalists

Bakırköy 8th District Court rejected a lawsuit by Istanbul mayor Kadir Topbaş regarding two news articles revealing the commercial relations of his family.

More:Court Rejects Istanbul Mayor’s Lawsuit Against Journalists - Bianet

Taliban's actions threaten Turkey, Europe with polio outbreak (SETimes.com)

Taliban's actions threaten Turkey, Europe with polio outbreak

26/11/2013

Experts blame the Taliban for a polio outbreak in Syria that now threatens to spread as refugees flee the civil war.

By Menekse Tokyay for Southeast European Times in Istanbul -- 26/11/13

The United Nations and the World Health Organisation are warning the international community against the spread of polio virus in northern Syria and urging surrounding countries to take up vaccination campaigns.

More:Taliban's actions threaten Turkey, Europe with polio outbreak (SETimes.com)

German media group mulls Turkish channel for ethno-marketing | Business | DW.DE | 26.11.2013

German media group mulls Turkish channel for ethno-marketing

German media group Pro7Sat1 has said it's looking into the feasibility of launching a Turkish-language channel. It's investigating the chances of ethno-marketing tailored to the needs of residents with Turkish roots.

More:German media group mulls Turkish channel for ethno-marketing | Business | DW.DE | 26.11.2013

Turkish lira slips as oil prices make up lost ground

Turkish lira slips as oil prices make up lost ground
Tuesday, 26 November 2013 17:45
Posted by Imaduddin

ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira slipped on Tuesday as oil prices made up some of the ground lost the previous day after world powers reached a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear programme.

More:Turkish lira slips as oil prices make up lost ground

Turkey: new call for bids for Anatolia railway - Transport - ANSAMed.it

Turkey: new call for bids for Anatolia railway

26 November, 13:10

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 26 - The Baskentray project for the modernization of the Sincan-Ankara-Kayas railway in central Anatolia will see a new tender call by next December, the Italian institute for foreign trade ICE in Istanbul said Tuesday.

More:Turkey: new call for bids for Anatolia railway - Transport - ANSAMed.it

Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey - The Washington Post

Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, November 26, 9:13 AM

ISTANBUL — The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner has blasted Turkish authorities for widespread human rights abuses in a stark review of the anti-government protests in Turkey earlier this year.

More:Council on Europe cites rights abuses in Turkey - The Washington Post

SEMİH İDİZ - Erdoğan’s stance on Egypt backfires

Erdoğan’s stance on Egypt backfires

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan enjoys the admiration of his Islamist grassroots followers because of his unwavering support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and his harsh remarks about the coup that ousted democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi. It was his latest remarks which prompted the military installed government in Cairo to expel the Turkish ambassador, and downgrade diplomatic ties with Ankara.

More:SEMİH İDİZ - Erdoğan’s stance on Egypt backfires

Some in Pakistan threatened by Turkish TV invasion

Some in Pakistan threatened by Turkish TV invasion

Ottoman Turks never expanded their empire as far as today's Pakistan, but some here fear their descendants are now launching a cultural invasion _ via popular soap operas that Pakistani artists and politicians say threaten the local TV industry and the country's conservative Islamic values.

More:Some in Pakistan threatened by Turkish TV invasion

Turkey : 2,500 trainees graduated from MICROSOFT ISTANBUL'S ACADEMY - HispanicBusiness.com

Turkey : 2,500 trainees graduated from MICROSOFT ISTANBUL'S ACADEMY
November 25, 2013

Microsoft Turkey s chief says, Microsoft pays for efforts to make Turkey a leading software exporter in the world."

In the last eighteen months, a total of 2,500 trainees graduated from Microsoft Istanbul's academy for software developers to make Turkey a technology developer rather than just a consumer. In the first half of 2013 explaining that some 800 applications were made at the academy, Tamer Ozdem, Microsoft Turkey s CEO noted 130,000 people attended the academy. There are about 50 million Internet users in Turkey, and over 67.2 million use mobile Internet.

More:Turkey : 2,500 trainees graduated from MICROSOFT ISTANBUL'S ACADEMY - HispanicBusiness.com

Over 30 Million Tourist Arrivals To Turkey In 10 Months

Over 30 Million Tourist Arrivals To Turkey In 10 Months
BAKU (Azerbaijan) Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Tourist arrivals to Turkey reached 31 million in ten months, an increase of 11.5 percent over the same period last year.

About 14.6 percent of overseas visitors came from Germany, 13.01 percent from Russia, 7.6 percent from UK, 4.79 percent from Georgia and the rest from other countries, Azerbaijan news agency Trend quotes CNN Turk TV as saying on Monday.

More:BERNAMA - Over 30 Million Tourist Arrivals To Turkey In 10 Months

Turkey Looks to the Future Part Three: Infrastructure and Energy Plans

Turkey Towards 2023 Part Three: Infrastructure and Energy Plans

Read Part Two of Turkey Towards 2023 here.
Infrastructure projects

Turkey has been investing heavily in improving its infrastructure in recent years, and the government is keen to continue the momentum for at least the next decade. As an example, look at the announcement by the Defence Minister, Ismet Yilmaz, in July of this year regarding the military security zones: “These are set to be replaced by new housing, education and transport projects, to cater for the country’s rapidly growing population.” The military sites located in the affluent western part of the country will be moved to the east, while many of Istanbul’s military sites (over 50 000 acres) are likely to be redeveloped. Such schemes are essential in a country that has experienced one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. Three quarters of the population now resides in urban areas compared to 25% in 1960.

More:Turkey Looks to the Future Part Three: Infrastructure and Energy Plans

Jailed cartoons of Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Jailed cartoons of Turkey

If you have been following the Turkey Pulse of Al-Monitor you must know that Turkey’s ruling party Justice and Development Party (AKP) should be applauded for their resistance to any and every form of political opposition. One must give credit where credit is due, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his crew deserve kudos for competing in every field from fashion to media, with the "establishment," the "secular," "white Turks," whoever you would like to name — that is, anyone who is not an AKP partisan.

More:Jailed cartoons of Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish media deal finalised

Turkish media deal finalised
November 26, 2013 09.41 Europe/London By Chris Dziadul

Turkey’s Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund (TMSF) has sold some of the media assets of the Çukurova conglomerate to the local entrepreneur Ethem Sancak.

Local reports that this follows successful negotiations between Çukurova and Sancak on the assets.

More:Turkish media deal finalised

Kemal Kilicdaroglu: The Threat to Turkish Freedom - WSJ.com

The Threat to Turkish Freedom
The government in Ankara is democratic in name only.

By
Kemal Kilicdaroglu
Updated Nov. 25, 2013 5:22 p.m. ET

Despite all the bumps along the road since its inception in 1946, democracy in Turkey has now managed to survive for more than half a century. In a Muslim setting, this democracy has owed its longevity to its secular underpinnings—the separation of state and religion. Today, though, this system faces its most serious challenge yet from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its leadership. Our country is quickly drifting away from a functioning democratic regime toward a manifestly authoritarian and intrusive one built around the whims of a single individual in power.

More:Kemal Kilicdaroglu: The Threat to Turkish Freedom - WSJ.com

Monday, November 25, 2013

In U.S.-Iran Deal, Turkey Fears a Shiite Alliance - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

Turkey Fears a Shiite Alliance
Soner Cagaptay

Updated November 25, 2013, 6:42 PM

Ankara will view a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, coupled with a negotiated settlement in Syria, as Washington turning a blind eye to Iran creating a Shiite axis along Turkey’s southern border.

More:In U.S.-Iran Deal, Turkey Fears a Shiite Alliance - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

Women gamers aged over 35 outnumber men - Telegraph

Women gamers aged over 35 outnumber men
Gaming is no longer the preserve of lone teenagers hunched over consoles while locked in their bedrooms
Sugar rush: the game uses cash incentives to allow participants to keep playing
Women over 35 are enthusiastic gamers, according to the report Photo: Getty Images

By Sophie Curtis

Although online gaming is still extremely popular with men aged 15-24, women aged 35 and over regularly outnumber their male counterparts, according to a new report from casual gaming company Spil Games.

In Turkey, Brazil, Netherlands, US, UK, and France, there are more women over 35 gaming than men, and the report states that 73 per cent of Turkish women aged 35-44 play online games.

More:Women gamers aged over 35 outnumber men - Telegraph

Istanbul monastery to become mosque

Istanbul monastery to become mosque

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Vercihan Ziflioğlu Vercihan Ziflioğlu vercihan.ziflioglu@hurriyet.com.tr

The largest Byzantium monastery in Istanbul will be converted into a mosque after its restoration next year.

More:LOCAL - Istanbul monastery to become mosque

GİLA BENMAYOR - Turkish-Japanese partnership in the food sector

Turkish-Japanese partnership in the food sector

The Chinese have brought a copper mine in Arguvan, a district in the eastern province Malatya. It is an enigma how the Chinese found out about this cute district, which is famous for its folk songs. Yet the locals seem quiet frightened about the environmental pollution of the copper mine. Some nature lovers I have come across in the village have established the Arguvan Foundation to protect nature.

More:GİLA BENMAYOR - Turkish-Japanese partnership in the food sector

GİLA BENMAYOR - Kitchen bridge from Istanbul to Brooklyn

Kitchen bridge from Istanbul to Brooklyn

The Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED) has issued two important reports on how to exit the “middle-income trap” that threatens developing countries like Turkey.

More:GİLA BENMAYOR - Kitchen bridge from Istanbul to Brooklyn

Barzani set to visit Ankara to seal deal

Barzani set to visit Ankara to seal deal

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Sevil Erkuş Sevil Erkuş sevil.kucukkosum@hdn.com.tr

Turkey’s willingness to maintain strong relations with the Iraqi central government in Baghdad and its eagerness to do so while finalizing energy deals with the regional government in Iraqi Kurdistan will be best reflected this week in two key visits.

more:MIDEAST - Barzani set to visit Ankara to seal deal

If you can't beat 'em, flash mob 'em! | Public Radio International

If you can't beat 'em, flash mob 'em!

PRI's The World

November 25, 2013 · 3:00 PM EST

Flash mob protesters perform near an outdoor concert, just outside one of Istanbul's heavily used ferry stations.

You’ve probably seen videos of flash mobs: people going about their business, say in a train station, like this one in Antwerp a few years ago, when suddenly, the music starts. Then folks in the crowd start dancing in sync, and, eventually, they’re singing.

More:If you can't beat 'em, flash mob 'em! | Public Radio International

Dutchman ‘forgotten’ in Turkish prison

Dutchman ‘forgotten’ in Turkish prison

İsmail Saymaz ISTANBUL - Radikal

A Dutch citizen has been under arrest in Turkey for two and a half years and is awaiting a bureaucratic decision.

Jamal Sahami was detained at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport in 2011, after an arrest warrant had been issued on his name due to an offense he allegedly committed at the age of 17. Sahami, who was on his way to return to the Netherlands back then, was “temporarily” kept in Turkey before being deported to the Netherlands, but is in Istanbul’s Maltepe Prison because the decision is yet to be signed by the Cabinet.

More:LOCAL - Dutchman ‘forgotten’ in Turkish prison

Women at the forefront of Turkish uprising | The Times

Women at the forefront of Turkish uprising
Half of the 5,523 people arrested were women

Suna Erdem

Half of all those arrested in anti-government protests in Turkey in the summer were women, while two thirds were university students or graduates, according to a police report that lays bare the urban, middle-class nature of the uprising.

More:Women at the forefront of Turkish uprising | The Times

Turkey: women want bigger role in politics - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Turkey: women want bigger role in politics
New campaign for more female candidates at local elections

25 November, 12:34

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 25 - As the deadline for the finalization of Turkey's local election electoral lists draws closer, an association of women's groups has launched a campaign to entice political party leaders to nominate more women as candidates in 2014 elections.

More:Turkey: women want bigger role in politics - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Turkey : Fashion brand Prada opens new store in Istanbul - Fashion News Turkey

Fashion brand Prada opens new store in Istanbul
November 25, 2013 (Turkey)

Prada opens a new store in Istanbul, in the prestigious Zorlu Center mall. Designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, the new space occupies a total surface of 1020 square metres on one level and is dedicated to women's and men's collection sof ready-to-wear, bags, accessories and footwear.

More:Turkey : Fashion brand Prada opens new store in Istanbul - Fashion News Turkey

Turkish auto sales to fall marginally in 2014 -Renault Mais CEO | Reuters

Turkish auto sales to fall marginally in 2014 -Renault Mais CEO

ISTANBUL Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:02pm IST

Nov 25 (Reuters) - Turkish auto sales are set to fall 2 percent to 800,000 vehicles next year as a weakening currency makes imported cars more expensive and as the government tries to slow auto loans, the chief executive officer of Renault's Turkish sales unit said.

More:Turkish auto sales to fall marginally in 2014 -Renault Mais CEO | Reuters

Time to act against rape: Use the Istanbul Convention!- Malta seminar - Gozo News.Com

Time to act against rape: Use the Istanbul Convention!- Malta seminar
Published on Monday, 25, November, 2013 at 11:35 in Malta News

Time to act against rape: Use the Istanbul Convention!- Malta seminarThe Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO) is organising a seminar which will take place on Tuesday morning, the 26th of November 2013 at Europa House in St Paul’s Street Valletta.

More:Time to act against rape: Use the Istanbul Convention!- Malta seminar - Gozo News.Com

32mln tourists visit Turkey in 1st 10 months of 2013 - FOCUS Information Agency

32mln tourists visit Turkey in 1st 10 months of 2013
24 November 2013 | 14:28 | FOCUS News Agency
Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans
Ankara. Around 32 million tourists have visited Turkey in the first ten months of the year. Turkish Minister of Culture Omer Celik announced the figures in an official statement. The exact number is 31,757,624. Compared to 2012, this is some 10.24% increase.

More:32mln tourists visit Turkey in 1st 10 months of 2013 - FOCUS Information Agency

Prosecutor interrogate suspected members of RedHack, including Turkish actor

Prosecutor interrogate suspected members of RedHack, including Turkish actor

ANKARA

Fourteen people, including actor Barış Atay, were brought before an Ankara court today after being detained last week on accusations of links to the socialist hacking group RedHack.

More:LOCAL - Prosecutor interrogate suspected members of RedHack, including Turkish actor

BearingPoint and ARETE grow together in Turkey - Press Release - Digital Journal

BearingPoint and ARETE grow together in Turkey

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 25 November 2013

European management and technology consultancy BearingPoint and Istanbul based ARETE Consulting today announced a strategic alliance for the Turkish market. ARETE is one of Turkey's largest SAP consulting companies and one of the fastest growing consulting companies in the Middle East. BearingPoint is one of the leading business consultancies in Europe.

More:BearingPoint and ARETE grow together in Turkey - Press Release - Digital Journal

Turkish Beermaker Efes No Match for Putin Faces Downgrade - Businessweek

Turkish Beermaker Efes No Match for Putin Faces Downgrade
By Ercan Ersoy November 25, 2013

Turkey’s biggest brewer risks losing an investment-grade rating as government officials at home and in Russia, its two largest markets, clamp down on alcohol sales and consumption.

More:Turkish Beermaker Efes No Match for Putin Faces Downgrade - Businessweek

Turkey : 50 brands partake at Turkish textile cooperation meet - Textile News Turkey

50 brands partake at Turkish textile cooperation meet
November 25, 2013 (Turkey)

Nearly 50 major textile brands and 150 suppliers were brought together under the same platform at the recently held ‘Textile Sector Cooperation Meeting’, organized by the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

More:Turkey : 50 brands partake at Turkish textile cooperation meet - Textile News Turkey

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Turkish soap operas helping to liberate women across Muslim world | The National

Turkish soap operas helping to liberate women across Muslim world

Vesela Todorova
November 24, 2013 Updated: November 24, 2013 20:20:00

Turkish soap operas are having an effect on women across the Muslim world, says the director of a documentary filmed partly in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

Nina-Maria Paschalidou’s film Kismet, which is showing at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam ahead of a planned broadcast on Al Jazeera TV, examines the reasons behind the explosion in popularity of the soaps in countries from the UAE to Bulgaria and Greece.

More:Turkish soap operas helping to liberate women across Muslim world | The National

NURAY MERT - Turkey, the West and the rest

Turkey, the West and the rest

I have never been an enthusiastic supporter of Turkey’s EU membership due to various reasons, but if I knew that we would one day end up striving to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), I would have changed my mind. In his latest visit to Russia, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan jokingly repeated his wish to join the SCO. Indeed, unfortunately, the political climate, political norms and values in Turkey make it resemble more an SCO country than an EU member.

More:NURAY MERT - Turkey, the West and the rest

Turkey Submits Proposals On Cyprus Issue | Greek Reporter Europe

Turkey Submits Proposals on Cyprus Issue
By Abed Alloush on November 22, 2013 in Cyprus, EU, news, Politics, Turkey

The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, submitted proposals to the United Nations for a peaceful solution for the Cyprus issue.

More:Turkey Submits Proposals On Cyprus Issue | Greek Reporter Europe

Turkey mending ties with Shiite powers as regional clout wanes | The Japan Times

Turkey mending ties with Shiite powers as regional clout wanes
by Fulya Ozerkan

AFP-JIJI

Nov 24, 2013

ANKARA – Turkey’s ambitions to become a regional leader with a “zero-problem” foreign policy have been left in tatters by the Syrian civil war, rising sectarian tensions and a fresh diplomatic fallout with Egypt.

More:Turkey mending ties with Shiite powers as regional clout wanes | The Japan Times

Turkish steel exporters strengthen trade relations with Kenyan m

Turkish steel exporters strengthen trade relations with Kenyan market
150 times viewed.
Sunday, 24 Nov 2013

The Turkish Steel Exporters' Association and the Turkish Ministry of Economy organized a meeting in Istanbul on November 15 with Kenya's 10 biggest steel producing companies, including Doshi Group. At the event, the Kenyan guests were informed by Turkish representatives about Turkish steel products and about the steel sector in Turkey. After wide-ranging talks in Istanbul, the Kenyan delegation then visited the facilities of leading Turkish steel producers including Isdemir, Ekinciler Demir Çelik, Yolbulan Metalurji, Yücel Boru, İlhanlar Demir Çelik and MMK Metalurji.

More:Turkish steel exporters strengthen trade relations with Kenyan m

Al-Qaeda banner turns protest violent in Istanbul

Al-Qaeda banner turns protest violent in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

The Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) meeting in Istanbul’s Asian side district of Kadıköy in support of Syria’s Kurdish region Rojava turned violent on Nov. 24 because of the police’s move against a banner on a building.

More:LOCAL - Al-Qaeda banner turns protest violent in Istanbul

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Turkish police clash with teachers in Ankara

Turkish police clash with teachers in Ankara
Sun Nov 24, 2013 1:24AM GMT

Turkish police forces have clashed with teachers staging a protest in the capital Ankara against the government's education policies.

More:PressTV - Turkish police clash with teachers in Ankara

GNTO Branch to Open in Istanbul | Greek Reporter Europe

GNTO Branch to Open in Istanbul
By Maria Papathanasiou on November 22, 2013 in news, Tourism, Turkey

Tistanbul_agia_sofiaDuring her speech yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 29th International Tourism Exhibition “Philoxenia,”–which takes place from 21 to 24 November at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center–Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni announced the establishment of a Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) branch in Istanbul.

More:GNTO Branch to Open in Istanbul | Greek Reporter Europe

Turkey, Greece feud over Hagia Sophia landmark

Turkey, Greece feud over Hagia Sophia landmark
Tweet

Turkey and Greece were locked this week in a war of words over the possible conversion of Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most stunning landmarks, into a mosque.
The feud over the 1,476-year-old World Heritage site is the latest to erupt between the two neighbours over religion.
Greece reacted furiously to remarks by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc that he hoped to change the status of Hagia Sophia, which is now a museum.

More:Turkey, Greece feud over Hagia Sophia landmark

Turkey and Egypt at odds over fate of Morsi | The Australian

Turkey and Egypt at odds over fate of Morsi

AFP
November 24, 2013 5:07AM

AS tension rose between military-ruled Egypt and democratic Turkey, the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said yesterday his government would never respect military-installed rulers, in remarks made after Egypt's expulsion of Ankara's ambassador.

More:Turkey and Egypt at odds over fate of Morsi | The Australian

US hails Turkey-Iraq oil dialogue: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

US hails Turkey-Iraq oil dialogue: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Erdem Güneş Erdem Güneş erdem.gunes@hdn.com.tr

Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) increasing dialogue on the distribution of Iraqi oil to world markets through Turkey pleases Washington, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said.

More:ECONOMICS - US hails Turkey-Iraq oil dialogue: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz

Turkey to act accordingly against Egypt's move

Turkey to act accordingly against Egypt's move

Ankara, Nov 23 (IANS): Turkey will take steps in line with the principle of reciprocity after Egypt expelled Ankara's ambassador in Cairo Saturday, according to the Turkish foreign ministry.

The ministry will hold a meeting about measures to respond to Egypt's move of expelling its ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali and declaring him "persona non grata", reports Xinhua.

More:Turkey to act accordingly against Egypt's move

Egypt expels Turkish envoy amid rising tensions - EGYPT - FRANCE 24

Egypt expels Turkish envoy amid rising tensions

Egypt expelled Turkey’s ambassador to Cairo on Saturday after Ankara renewed criticism of the Egyptian regime’s crackdown on Islamists. Turkey then declared the Egyptian ambassador ‘persona non grata’.

More:Egypt expels Turkish envoy amid rising tensions - EGYPT - FRANCE 24

Egypt Recalls Ambassador to Turkey

Egypt Recalls Ambassador to Turkey
2013-11-23 20:12:43

Egypt has decided to recall its ambassador in Ankara and expel the Turkish ambassador here, state- run Ahram online quoted Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying on Saturday.

"We decided to withdraw our ambassador from Turkey and summon the Turkish ambassador in Cairo to inform him he is persona non grata and ask him to leave," Badr Abdel Aaty said.

More:Egypt Recalls Ambassador to Turkey

EU to allocate Turkey 236 million euros for democratic reforms | Vestnik Kavkaza

EU to allocate Turkey 236 million euros for democratic reforms
23 November 2013 - 2:54pm

The European Union is going to allocate 236 million euros to Turkey so that the country is able to conduct reforms in the spheres of justice, human rights, migration policy, the energy industry, environmental protection and agriculture, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle is quoted as saying.

More:EU to allocate Turkey 236 million euros for democratic reforms | Vestnik Kavkaza

Postal service among the Ottomans

Postal service among the Ottomans

Niki GAMM ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News
The first Ottoman postal service was established in the sixteenth century for the government’s use. Over the course of a three-hundred-year period it developed into a modern postal system under the influence of European-inspired systems

More:TASTE OF THE PAST - Postal service among the Ottomans

Friday, November 22, 2013

Zonguldak, Turkey, coal miners protest working conditions - UPI.com

Turkish coal miners protest working conditions
Nov. 22, 2013 at 2:57 PM

ZONGULDAK, Turkey, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- About 300 mine workers barricaded themselves inside a Turkish coal mine Friday to protest safety measures and poor working conditions, they said.

More:Zonguldak, Turkey, coal miners protest working conditions - UPI.com

Turkey October Tourist Arrivals Rise At Faster Pace

Turkey October Tourist Arrivals Rise At Faster Pace
11/22/2013 6:17 AM ET

Tourist arrivals in Turkey increased at a faster pace in October than in the previous month, data published by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed Friday.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the country increased 11.52 percent year-on-year to around 3.4 million in October. This followed a 6.88 percent growth in September and a 10.64 percent rise in August. As much as 10.08 percent of all the visitors was excursionists.

More:Turkey October Tourist Arrivals Rise At Faster Pace

Turkish actor detained over hacker group link suspicion

Turkish actor detained over hacker group link suspicion

ISTANBUL

Twelve people, including actor Barış Atay, have been detained as part of an operation launched against the Turkish hacker group Redhack.

More:LOCAL - Turkish actor detained over hacker group link suspicion

Turkish lira ends week stronger on central bank tightening

Turkish lira ends week stronger on central bank tightening
Friday, 22 November 2013 21:39
Posted by Shoaib-ur-Rehman Siddiqui

ISTANBUL: Turkey's lira hovered around three week highs on Friday, after markets welcomed the central bank's decision to tighten policy to rein in inflation.

More:Turkish lira ends week stronger on central bank tightening

Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system

Despite all the warnings from the United States and NATO, Turkey looks determined to go ahead with the deal it reached with China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corp. (CPMIEC) to acquire a long-range anti-missile system. The Vatan daily today, Nov. 21, quoted officials from the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries who asked to remain anonymous as saying they faced no technical problems in the negotiations with the Chinese side, and predicted that the actual signatures on this potential agreement would be put in place earlier than the projected 6- to 12-month interval.

More:Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Turkish opposition wants to know if war crimes were committed with aid sent to Al Qaida fighters in Syria | World Tribune

Turkish opposition wants to know if war crimes were committed with aid sent to Al Qaida fighters in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has been questioned over Turkey’s links to Al Qaida in Syria.

The parliamentary opposition has formally submitted a request for the Erdogan government to detail alleged links with Al Qaida-aligned militias in Syria.

More:Turkish opposition wants to know if war crimes were committed with aid sent to Al Qaida fighters in Syria | World Tribune

Murder at wedding exposes Kurdish divisions in Turkey

Murder at wedding exposes Kurdish divisions in Turkey
Last updated: Thursday, November 21, 2013 7:14 PM

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey – When gunmen stormed a wedding and shot dead a guest in southeastern Turkey, they stirred fears of a new outbreak of bloodshed in a region increasingly destabilised by Syria’s civil war.

More:Saudi Gazette - Murder at wedding exposes Kurdish divisions in Turkey

Erdogan-Barzani 'Diyarbakir encounter' milestone - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan-Barzani 'Diyarbakir encounter' milestone

Last weekend Turkey lived through many "firsts" at Diyarbakir, which is seen by all Kurds — not only the ones in Turkey — as their "spiritual center."

Author Cengiz Çandar Posted November 20, 2013

The weekend meeting, labeled as the "Diyarbakir encounter," bringing together Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani, was choreographed by Erdogan. It was, above all, a phenomenal public relations achievement for the prime minister.

More:Erdogan-Barzani 'Diyarbakir encounter' milestone - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey's father of ice hockey grew up loving the game in Jackson, Michigan | MLive.com

Turkey's father of ice hockey grew up loving the game in Jackson, Michigan

on November 21, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated November 21, 2013 at 7:26 AM

JACKSON, MI – Nearly 26 years ago, one veteran and six rookie hockey players took to a miniature ice rink half the size a basketball court in Ankara, Turkey.

Opposing the inexperienced Ankara team on Jan. 9, 1988, at Kurtluge Park was a team of players from Istanbul, mostly international businessmen who grew up playing the sport out of the country. The teams played 3-on-3 with unattended, miniature nets in what would become the first Turkish hockey game.

More:Turkey's father of ice hockey grew up loving the game in Jackson, Michigan | MLive.com

Iraq Kurds to Pump Oil to Turkey in Truce With Baghdad - Bloomberg

Iraq Kurds to Pump Oil to Turkey in Truce With Baghdad
By Selcan Hacaoglu & Onur Ant - Nov 20, 2013 3:28 AM ET

Iraq’s Kurds plan to start pumping oil to Turkey next month via a pipeline controlled by the central government in Baghdad, signaling an easing of their dispute over resources, according to two people familiar with the plan.

More:Iraq Kurds to Pump Oil to Turkey in Truce With Baghdad - Bloomberg

Splits among Turkey’s Islamists could prove Erdogan’s undoing - FT.com

Splits among Turkey’s Islamists could prove Erdogan’s undoing

By Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

Turkey is heading for a jolting transition of power next year and the fighting has begun, including within the ranks of the religious conservatives who stormed to power over a decade ago.

More:Splits among Turkey’s Islamists could prove Erdogan’s undoing - FT.com

500 Nigerians to participate in business congress in Turkey | Nigerian Bulletin - Latest News, Politics, Business, Sports in Nigeria

500 Nigerians to participate in business congress in Turkey

More than 500 Nigerian businessmen are to attend a business congress in Istanbul, Turkey, to strengthen business relations and tourism between the two countries.

The Chairman, Twins Travel and Tours Ltd., Mr Abdulhameed Sogbesan, the coordinator of the trip, disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria,

More:Nigeria Business - 500 Nigerians to participate in business congress in Turkey | Nigerian Bulletin - Latest News, Politics, Business, Sports in Nigeria

Main opposition CHP rules out forming election alliance with HDP

Main opposition CHP rules out forming election alliance with HDP

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Hüseyin Hayatsever Hüseyin Hayatsever huseyin.hayatsever@hdn.com.tr

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul provincial head Oğuz Kaan Salıcı has strictly ruled out any prospective alliance with the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in the upcoming local elections.

More:POLITICS - Main opposition CHP rules out forming election alliance with HDP

Turkey's private sector switching rails in loaning - HispanicBusiness.com

Turkey's private sector switching rails in loaning
November 21, 2013

In the last three years, Turkey's private sector rapidly decreased its need for credit loan, and issued more bonds ISTANBUL Private sector in Turkey shifted its borrowing instrument and issued bore bonds after 2010. Bonds issued in the first 9 months of 2013 reached nearly 18 billion dollars , which is a massive increase comparing to the 1.2 billion issued in the same period of 2010.

More:Turkey's private sector switching rails in loaning - HispanicBusiness.com

Turkish official stirs up furore over co-ed schools | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Turkish official stirs up furore over co-ed schools
November 21, 2013 11:44 AM

ISTANBUL: A senior member of Turkey's ruling party stirred up a new furore on Thursday over the imposition of Islamic values in the country, saying it was a "big mistake" to allow boys and girls to study together.

More:Turkish official stirs up furore over co-ed schools | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

Half of houses bought with loans in Turkey

Half of houses bought with loans in Turkey

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

While approximately 860,000 houses were sold in Turkey in the first nine months of this year, almost half of them were bought by using a home loan.

More:ECONOMICS - Half of houses bought with loans in Turkey

Turkey: Ankara to tackle violence against women - General news - ANSAMed.it

Turkey: Ankara to tackle violence against women

20 November, 11:36

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, NOVEMBER 20 - The Turkish government has cooperated with the EU to launch a project called the "Prevention of Domestic Violence against Women" with the aim of training rural security forces on the issue. The project, as Anadolu Agency reports, will be carried out by Turkey's Ministry of Family and Social Policies and Gendarmerie General Command in coordination with Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of European Union.

More:Turkey: Ankara to tackle violence against women - General news - ANSAMed.it

Rep. Steve Cohen Presses Turks on Antisemitism

Rep. Steve Cohen Presses Turks on Antisemitism
By: JTA
Published: November 20th, 2013

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), a co-chairman of the Congressional caucus on Turkey, pressed the Turkish foreign minister on reports of Antisemitism and human rights abuses in his country.

More:The Jewish Press » » Rep. Steve Cohen Presses Turks on Antisemitism

Feud between Turkey's Erdogan and influential cleric goes public | Reuters

Feud between Turkey's Erdogan and influential cleric goes public

By Seda Sezer

ISTANBUL Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:59pm GMT

(Reuters) - A feud between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and an influential Islamic cleric has spilled into the open months ahead of elections, highlighting fractures in the religiously conservative support base underpinning his decade in power.

More:Feud between Turkey's Erdogan and influential cleric goes public | Reuters

Turkey, Its Allies Floundering, Tempers Its Ambitions to Lead Region - NYTimes.com

Turkey, Its Allies Floundering, Tempers Its Ambitions to Lead Region
Ahmad Mousa/Reuters

By TIM ARANGO
Published: November 21, 2013

ANKARA, Turkey — As Egypt’s Islamist demonstrators faced an imminent confrontation with security forces in Cairo last summer, the advice they received from Turkish officials was adamant: stand your ground.

More:Turkey, Its Allies Floundering, Tempers Its Ambitions to Lead Region - NYTimes.com

5 free things to do in bustling Istanbul, former seat of Byzantine and Ottoman empires

5 free things to do in bustling Istanbul, former seat of Byzantine and Ottoman empires

ISTANBUL - Last summer, Istanbul's Taksim Square was the scene of confrontations between police and protesters. But protests have faded, and contrary to some lingering perceptions, it's calm now — except for the normal hustle and bustle found in this vibrant city. And it's as safe for tourists as it ever was.

More:5 free things to do in bustling Istanbul, former seat of Byzantine and Ottoman empires

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Kismet: How Soap Operas Changed the World - Witness - Al Jazeera English

Kismet: How Soap Operas Changed the World
An inspirational film that uncovers the impact of Turkish soap operas on women across the Arab world and beyond.

Turkish soap operas have taken the world by storm, breaking taboos and conquering the hearts of millions of viewers.

With unprecedented access to the industry's most glamorous actors and creative talent, this film travels from North Africa to the Middle East, Turkey and the Balkans to discover the secret of their phenomenal success and powerful impact on women across the region.

More:Kismet: How Soap Operas Changed the World - Witness - Al Jazeera English

Turkey's Alevi Question

Turkey's Alevi Question
Posted GMT 11-20-2013 1:38:17

Like the Kurdish problem, predominantly Sunni Turkey has had an age-old Alevi problem. Like the Kurdish problem, there are efforts today by the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to solve this problem, too. These efforts also tie in with Ankara's steps aimed at appeasing the Shiites in the Middle East.

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Can Sarigul, the hope of Turkey's left, unseat Erdogan? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Can Sarigul, the hope of Turkey's left, unseat Erdogan?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s opponents have pinned their hopes on Mustafa Sarigul, Turkey’s most popular center-left politician and the mayor of Sisli district, the “Manhattan” of Istanbul. Most anti-Erdogan media believe that Sarigul is the only person who could unseat Erdogan.

More:Can Sarigul, the hope of Turkey's left, unseat Erdogan? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey: Assad exploiting delays to Syria peace talks | JPost | Israel News

Turkey: Assad exploiting delays to Syria peace talks
By REUTERS
11/20/2013 16:42

ISTANBUL - Turkey accused Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday of exploiting delays to planned US and Russian-backed peace talks by stepping up attacks on the opposition and said the conference must take place quickly if it was to be of use.

More:Turkey: Assad exploiting delays to Syria peace talks | JPost | Israel News

Turkish gendarmerie to be trained against domestic violence

Turkish gendarmerie to be trained against domestic violence

ANKARA
The EU and Turkey launch a joint training project for gendarmerie staff to combat domestic violence, aiming to reach some 10,000 officers with ‘zero tolerence for violence’ motto

More:LOCAL - Turkish gendarmerie to be trained against domestic violence

13 PKK Rebels Surrender to Turkish Security Forces

13 PKK Rebels Surrender to Turkish Security Forces

November 20, 2013 - 15:04
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Thirteen members of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) surrendered to the Turkish security forces in southeastern Turkey, media sources reported on Wednesday.

More:13 PKK Rebels Surrender to Turkish Security Forces

Two ships with 13 Ukrainian crewmembers waiting in Turkey to be paid wage arrears, says Foreign Ministry

Two ships with 13 Ukrainian crewmembers waiting in Turkey to be paid wage arrears, says Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has reported that two Italian ships are anchored in Turkey, while their crew members are waiting for the payment of wage arrears.

More:Two ships with 13 Ukrainian crewmembers waiting in Turkey to be paid wage arrears, says Foreign Ministry

Turkish Diagnostic Imaging System Market Will Fluctuate, While Russian Market Will Grow Moderately Through 2022 - Press Release - Digital Journal

Turkish Diagnostic Imaging System Market Will

Fluctuate, While Russian Market Will Grow Moderately Through 2022
Both Countries Will Benefit From Increasing Investment in Health Care but Will Face Considerable Pricing Pressures, According to Millennium Research Group

More:Turkish Diagnostic Imaging System Market Will Fluctuate, While Russian Market Will Grow Moderately Through 2022 - Press Release - Digital Journal

Turkish theater actor Nejat Uygur’s funeral held in Istanbul

Turkish theater actor Nejat Uygur’s funeral held in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s prominent theater actor Nejat Uygur’s funeral held Nov. 20 at Cemal Reşit Rey Saloon in Istanbul and was attended by many people, including Istanbul Governer Kadir Topbaş and Şişli mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, attended the funeral.

More:CINEMA-TV - Turkish theater actor Nejat Uygur’s funeral held in Istanbul

Ankara denies inciting Cairo clashes - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online

Ankara denies inciting Cairo clashes

Turkish foreign ministry rejects media claims it plotted with Muslim Brotherhood to provoke clashes on Mohamed Mahmoud anniversary

More:Ankara denies inciting Cairo clashes - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online

10th AAMDC air defense soldiers scheduled to deploy to Turkey

10th AAMDC air defense soldiers scheduled to deploy to Turkey

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – U.S. Army soldiers with the Kaiserslautern-based 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command will deploy as part of a NATO-led operation providing missile defense support for Turkey. The soldiers will be replacing the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery, which has been in Turkey since last December augmenting the air defense capabilities of the NATO ally, according to a Department of Defense release from Nov. 18.

More:DVIDS - News - 10th AAMDC air defense soldiers scheduled to deploy to Turkey

Will Turkey Ever Join The EU? | Economy Watch

Will Turkey Ever Join The EU?
By: QFinance Date: 20 November 2013

The EU – whose most powerful members manifestly do not want to extend EU membership to Turkey – is once again going through the ritual of reconsidering the country's application for membership. There are huge pluses and glaring minuses involved in any future Turkish membership; this dance still has a long way to run, it seems.

More:Will Turkey Ever Join The EU? | Economy Watch

Kurds: separatism or right to statehood?

Kurds: separatism or right to statehood?

Wars in Iraq and Syria and a revolutionary upswing triggered by the "Arab spring" have inspired the Kurds to redouble their push for sovereignty. Do the Kurds have any chance or historical right to acquire political and economic independence or a surge in separatist moods will lead to a new wave of violence in the region?

More:Kurds: separatism or right to statehood? - News - World - The Voice of Russia: News, Breaking news, Politics, Economics, Business, Russia, International current events, Expert opinion, podcasts, Video

SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ - Erdoğan-Putin alliance vs. Greenpeace-Gezi activists

Erdoğan-Putin alliance vs. Greenpeace-Gezi activists

Accompanied by a large delegation composed of ministers, high-level bureaucrats and journalists, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay a two-day visit to St. Petersburg on Nov. 21 and 22 on the occasion of the fourth High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council’s annual meeting.

More:SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ - Erdoğan-Putin alliance vs. Greenpeace-Gezi activists

Sectarianism Brings Turkey, Iran Closer

Sectarianism Brings Turkey, Iran Closer

Dorian Jones

November 19, 2013
ISTANBUL — Turkey's foreign minister is due to visit Tehran on November 26, the latest step in rapprochement efforts between the former close allies. Relations soured over the Syrian civil war, but with rising sectarian tensions across the region, the two countries have committed to rebuild their relationship.

More:Sectarianism Brings Turkey, Iran Closer

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Anatolian culture goes on display in Shanghai

Anatolian culture goes on display in Shanghai

SHANGHAI - Anadolu Agency

Shanghai is getting a little taste of Turkey as part of a year of events celebrating the latter in the Far Eastern giant, with a new exhibition, “Anatolian Civilizations: From Neolithic Age to the Ottoman Empire,” opening Nov. 18 in the Pacific city.

More:EXHIBITIONS - Anatolian culture goes on display in Shanghai

Turkey’s Alevi question - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey’s Alevi question

Like the Kurdish problem, predominantly Sunni Turkey has had an age-old Alevi problem. Like the Kurdish problem, there are efforts today by the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to solve this problem, too. These efforts also tie in with Ankara’s steps aimed at appeasing the Shiites in the Middle East.

More:Turkey’s Alevi question - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

A Violent Year in the Life of the Syria-Turkey Border - WSJ.com

A Violent Year in the Life of the Syria-Turkey Border
War Disrupts Lives in Ways Large and Small
By
Joe Parkinson, Nour Malas and Ayla Albayrak

Nov. 19, 2013 6:03 p.m. ET

HATAY, Turkey—Along this porous frontier, Syria's conflict is increasingly migrating onto Turkish soil, reshaping communities and feeding fears that Ankara's support for rebel groups could backfire, igniting fresh violence on this side of the border.

More:A Violent Year in the Life of the Syria-Turkey Border - WSJ.com

Cruising: Turkey's Izmir hosts 500,000 ship tourists - Tourism - ANSAMed.it

Cruising: Turkey's Izmir hosts 500,000 ship tourists

19 November, 13:13

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 19 - The Aegean Turkish city of Izmir will reach over 500,000 cruise passengers by the end of the year, Anadolu Agency reports quoting a statement from the head of Turkey Cruise Platform, Ekrem Demirtas. The city hosted some 2.6 million cruise tourists between 2004 and 2012, and annually aims to reach 2 million cruise tourists.

More:Cruising: Turkey's Izmir hosts 500,000 ship tourists - Tourism - ANSAMed.it

E-visas to Turkey only accepted at 3 airports: MOFA | Politics | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

E-visas to Turkey only accepted at 3 airports: MOFA
2013/11/19 17:50:35
A photo of the Yedigoller national park in northern Turkey

Taipei, Nov. 19 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded Taiwanese passport holders Tuesday that while they can apply for visas to Turkey online, the e-visas can be used to enter the country only at three of its airports.

More:E-visas to Turkey only accepted at 3 airports: MOFA | Politics | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Kate Moss Stuns in Designer Dresses in Istanbul for the December Issue of Vogue—See the Pics! | E! Online

Kate Moss Stuns in Designer Dresses in Istanbul for the December Issue of Vogue—See the Pics!

by Jennifer Chan Today 10:23 AM PST

The gorgeous model graces the December issue of Vogue, looking more elegant than ever, and we're completed captivated by the stunning editorial images seen in the glossy publication.

More:Kate Moss Stuns in Designer Dresses in Istanbul for the December Issue of Vogue—See the Pics! | E! Online

British foreign secretary to visit Turkey - Trend.Az

British foreign secretary to visit Turkey
inShare
Photo: British foreign secretary to visit Turkey / Europe
19 November 2013, 22:21 (GMT+04:00)

British Foreign Secretary William Hague will arrive in Turkey on Tuesday evening, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to a statement by Turkish Foreign Ministry, Hague will pay a two-day visit on November 19 and 20 for the tenth year commemoration of the terrorist attack on British Consulate General and HSBC bank building in Istanbul on November 20, 2013.

More:British foreign secretary to visit Turkey - Trend.Az

The Turkish connection - The Hindu

The Turkish connection
Rooms To Go Furniture - Affordable Prices & Fast Delivery. No Interest Until 2016.
Neeraja Murthy

Enter the first floor of Learnium School on Road No. 44, Jubilee Hills and you’ll find a slice of Turkey in Hyderabad. On the walls is a Turkish Corner that displays photographs of ‘Turk folklor’, a Turkish bride, ‘Turk Lokumu’ among other things. Move around and there is a Indo-Turk Corner and photographs of famous Turkish palaces. As we soak in the pictures, we hear the booming voice of Sevim Kayaogolu calling out “Bir, iki, uch, dort… “(one, two, three four… in Turkish). She is teaching a Turkish dance to a group of young girls who are dancing to the beats of Yeni bir dunya, dressed in their traditional Turkish dresses.

More:The Turkish connection - The Hindu

Shimano Europe Starts Company in Turkey

Shimano Europe Starts Company in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Shimano Europe announced the establishment of a new subsidiary called Shimano Menat to represent the company’s interest on the Turkish market. The office will be based in Istanbul and will handle all logistics and administration.

More:Bike Europe - Shimano Europe Starts Company in Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Urges PKK Militants To Lay Down Arms

Turkish Prime Minister Urges PKK Militants To Lay Down Arms

BAKU (Azerbaijan), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to lay down arms, Azerbaijan's Trend news agency citing Turkish Sabah newspaper reported on Monday.

More:BERNAMA - Turkish Prime Minister Urges PKK Militants To Lay Down Arms

VERDA ÖZER - Barzani’s Diyarbakır visit and a renaissance for all Kurds

Barzani’s Diyarbakır visit and a renaissance for all Kurds

Some walls are being pulled down while some others are being built in the Kurdish context. A visit from the leader of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masoud Barzani, to Diyarbakır on Saturday and his joint public address with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked a breakthrough for Turkey and the Kurds in the region. Another wall was pulled down this weekend when Erdoğan made his first visit to a member of the BDP (the Peace and Democracy Party), Osman Baydemir, the mayor of Diyarbakır. This was the first time that he engaged in dialogue with politicians from Kurdish political parties.

More:VERDA ÖZER - Barzani’s Diyarbakır visit and a renaissance for all Kurds

Syrians find home-from-home in Istanbul


Syrians find home-from-home in Istanbul
By Lina Sinjab BBC News, Istanbul

The BBC's Lina Sinjab has been talking to Syrian exiles in Istanbul.

When the famous Syrian actress Azza al-Bahra fled her home, she had no idea she would be starting a new life in Istanbul.
More:BBC News - Syrians find home-from-home in Istanbul

Deep Roots for an Istanbul Delight - NYTimes.com

Deep Roots for an Istanbul Delight
By SUSANNE FOWLER
Published: November 18, 2013

ISTANBUL — Good things often come in small packages: dark Turkish coffee or freshly brewed tea, for example, served in exquisite porcelain cups or etched tulip-shaped glasses, all accompanied by a mere bite or two of lokum, the candy also known as Turkish delight.

More:Deep Roots for an Istanbul Delight - NYTimes.com

Monday, November 18, 2013

'Gate to Hell' Guardians Recovered in Turkey : Discovery News

Gate to Hell' Guardians Recovered in Turkey
Nov 18, 2013 08:20 AM ET // by Rossella Lorenzi

Archaeologists digging in Turkey have found the guardians of the "Gate to Hell" -- two unique marble statues which once warned of a deadly cave in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, near Pamukkale.

More:'Gate to Hell' Guardians Recovered in Turkey : Discovery News

Europe: Erdogan’s dilemma | The Economist

Erdogan’s dilemma
Turkey’s prime minister will try to cling to power
Nov 18th 2013 |From The World In 2014 print edition

Gul and Erdogan, on a par with Ataturk?

The past year was meant to be a quiet one for Turkey: no elections, solid economic progress, perhaps a new constitution. Nobody foresaw the protests that erupted in Gezi Park, in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, in late May. The subsequent police crackdown triggered nationwide protests, which quickly grabbed the world’s attention. As a result, the image of Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has suffered probably irreparable damage. Istanbul’s failure to win the right to hold the 2020 Olympics is just one consequence.

More:Europe: Erdogan’s dilemma | The Economist

Debate over Turkish government move on prep schools grows

Debate over Turkish government move on prep schools grows

ISTANBUL

The debate over the Turkish government’s move to shut down private prep schools is growing with a battle of words between the administration and private education representatives.

More:RIGHTS - Debate over Turkish government move on prep schools grows

Turkish artist breaks stereotypes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish artist breaks stereotypes

Kutlug Ataman, born in 1961, is a Turkish filmmaker and contemporary artist who lives in Istanbul and London and whose movies and artwork have reached international audiences. He is one of the rare Turkish artists who have had the courage of openly declaring their homosexuality. Ataman's works reflect mostly the lives of marginalized individuals, examining the ways in which people create and rewrite their identities through self-expression, blurring the line between reality and fiction. His films have been described as combining documentary-style filmmaking with the intimacy of the home-movie genre. Politically, he identifies himself as a leftist.

More:Turkish artist breaks stereotypes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

BARÇIN YİNANÇ - By abandoning conservatives AKP helps anti-Turkey bloc in EU

By abandoning conservatives AKP helps anti-Turkey bloc in EU

All right! It is a fact that Turkey’s East has been witnessing historic developments with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Diyarbakır with the Kurdistan Regional Government head Masoud Barzani.

More:BARÇIN YİNANÇ - By abandoning conservatives AKP helps anti-Turkey bloc in EU

Op-Ed: The photo that almost got me arrested in Turkey (Includes first-hand account)

Op-Ed: The photo that almost got me arrested in Turkey Special
Like this article10
By Lonna Lisa Williams
Nov 17, 2013 - 20 hours ago in World

Istanbul - Turkey is in the news again as Prime Minister Erdogan continues to limit secular democracy and push his Islamist agendas. See the photo that almost got me arrested and read why I left Turkey.

More:Op-Ed: The photo that almost got me arrested in Turkey (Includes first-hand account)

CI – how contemporary is Istanbul? - News detail - Flash Art

CI – how contemporary is Istanbul?

18.11.2013

A week ago in Istanbul, perhaps the less influenced by global economical crisis city between the USA, Europe and Asia, the eighth edition of the Contemporary Istanbul closed, one of the most attended Turkish contemporary art fairs. Its chairman Ali Gürelisaid to be satisfied with 72,000 visitors from 22 countries, 748 artists presented by 95 art galleries and 13 art spaces and foundations.

More:CI – how contemporary is Istanbul? - News detail - Flash Art

US extends Patriot missile mission in southern Turkey - News - Stripes

US extends Patriot missile mission in southern Turkey

WASHINGTON — The United States is extending its commitment of two Patriot missile batteries to guard Turkey from air attacks out of neighboring Syria, defense officials said Monday.

More:US extends Patriot missile mission in southern Turkey - News - Stripes

Hopes fade for a new Turkish constitution | Reuters

Hopes fade for a new Turkish constitution

By Gulsen Solaker

ANKARA Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:23pm EST

(Reuters) - Turkey's hopes for a new constitution, meant to enshrine democratic freedoms and further distance it from the era of military coups, suffered a setback on Monday when a cross-party commission admitted defeat in drafting a new charter.

A new constitution had been one of the key pledges of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's third term in office, meant to replace a text born of a 1980 coup which, despite numerous revisions, still bears the stamp of military tutelage.

More:Hopes fade for a new Turkish constitution | Reuters

Turkey drops a screen over Christianity - CSMonitor.com

Turkey drops a screen over Christianity

A historic Byzantine church in eastern Turkey was recently re-converted into a mosque after decades as a museum, reflecting the growing Islamic influence throughout the country.

More:Turkey drops a screen over Christianity - CSMonitor.com

French runner wins Istanbul Marathon | CanIndia NEWS

French runner wins Istanbul Marathon

November 17, 2013

Istanbul, Nov 17 (IANS) French long-distance runner Abraham Kiprotich beat rivals to win the 42km Istanbul Marathon here Sunday with a time of 2:12:28.

More:French runner wins Istanbul Marathon | CanIndia NEWS

Turkish parliament committee gives up on new constitution - chicagotribune.com

Turkish parliament committee gives up on new constitution

9:57 a.m. CST, November 18, 2013

ANKARA, Nov 18 (Reuters) - A parliamentary commission set up
to draft a new constitution for Turkey has failed and will be
dissolved, a senior ruling party official said on Monday,
scuppering one of the key pledges of Prime Minister Tayyip
Erdogan's third term in office.

More:Turkish parliament committee gives up on new constitution - chicagotribune.com