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Sunday, May 31, 2015

Turkish leftist leader gambles in poll bid to thwart Erdogan - FT.com

Turkish leftist leader gambles in poll bid to thwart Erdogan

Daniel Dombey in Istanbul

If the voters who back his party next weekend look like the attendees of his rallies, Selahattin Demirtas’s gamble to oust the Turkish government could well pay off.

More:Turkish leftist leader gambles in poll bid to thwart Erdogan - FT.com

Turkey objects to 1915, PKK points in EU progress report | Fulton News

Turkey objects to 1915, PKK points in EU progress report

By Drew Parker on May 31, 2015No Comment

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkir has warned the European Parliament against approving its latest annual progress report on the country with references to the 1915 events and the PKK terrorist group.

More:Turkey objects to 1915, PKK points in EU progress report | Fulton News

Police beat journalist as Istanbul put under lockdown for Gezi anniversary

Police beat journalist as Istanbul put under lockdown for Gezi anniversary

Dozens of roads were blocked off and police occupied Istanbul’s Gezi park on Sunday in anticipation of the second anniversary of the start of the nationwide Gezi protests. Journalists covering the park for the anniversary are being subject to harsh police action.

More:Police beat journalist as Istanbul put under lockdown for Gezi anniversary

Turkey marks 562nd anniversary of Istanbul's Ottoman conquest — RT In motion

Turkey marks 562nd anniversary of Istanbul's Ottoman conquest

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

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to celebrate the 562nd anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. The massive ceremony on Saturday, believed to be "the biggest ever celebration in modern Turkey's history," was attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Turkish Air Forces' aerobatics team and the Ottoman military band performed during the event. Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was conquered by the Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453.

More:Turkey marks 562nd anniversary of Istanbul's Ottoman conquest — RT In motion

Turkish mural helps keep park protest spirit alive | Daily Mail Online

Turkish mural helps keep park protest spirit alive

By Reuters

Published: 16:25 GMT, 30 May 2015 | Updated: 16:25 GMT, 30 May 2015

By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL, May 30 (Reuters) - A Turkish artist on Saturday unveiled a two-storey-high mural featuring those killed in protests two years ago over an Istanbul park that spiralled into nationwide demonstrations against the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Turkish mural helps keep park protest spirit alive | Daily Mail Online

Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria - POLITICS

Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria

ISTANBUL

Turkey's three leading opposition parties slammed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over what they portrayed as a weakened democracy, worsened economy and botched Syria policy during their May 30 rallies.

More:Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria - POLITICS

Islam centre stage as Turkish election campaign enters final week - Yahoo7

Islam centre stage as Turkish election campaign enters final week

By Daren Butler and Humeyra Pamuk

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Evoking the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople and vowing the Muslim call to prayer would forever ring out, President Tayyip Erdogan put religion centre stage on Saturday as campaigning for Turkey's parliamentary election entered its final week.

More:Islam centre stage as Turkish election campaign enters final week - Yahoo7

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Hundreds of thousands celebrate Ottoman conquest of Istanbul - Al Arabiya News

Hundreds of thousands celebrate Ottoman conquest of Istanbul

By AFP | Istanbul
Saturday, 30 May 2015

Hundreds of thousands of people on Saturday turned out in Istanbul to mark the 562nd anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of the city.

More:Hundreds of thousands celebrate Ottoman conquest of Istanbul - Al Arabiya News

Turkey: Erdogan-Davutoglu poster breaks Guinness record

Turkey: Erdogan-Davutoglu poster breaks Guinness record

by Mustafa Pazarlı - May 29, 2015

4,709 square meter poster featuring Turkish president and PM enters Guinness Book of World Records as largest in history

ISTANBUL – A giant poster showing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu side by side has entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

More:Turkey: Erdogan-Davutoglu poster breaks Guinness record

US considers airport preclearance centers in nine countries including Turkey - INTERNATIONAL

US considers airport preclearance centers in nine countries including Turkey

WASHINGTON / ISTANBUL

The Department of Homeland Security said on May 29 it is considering expanding airline preclearance operations to 10 new foreign airports in nine countries, most of them in Europe.

More:US considers airport preclearance centers in nine countries including Turkey - INTERNATIONAL

Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria - POLITICS

Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria

ISTANBUL

Turkey's three leading opposition parties slammed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over what they portrayed as a weakened democracy, worsened economy and botched Syria policy during their May 30 rallies.

More:Opposition parties slam ruling AKP over democracy, economy, Syria - POLITICS

Who are Turkey’s Jews? | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Who are Turkey’s Jews?
SIDEBAR
By Cnaan LiphshizMay 29, 2015 4:11pm

ISTANBUL (JTA) – For centuries, Turkey served as a safe haven for Jews fleeing anti-Semitism.

The earliest records of Jews in Turkey date back to 220 B.C.E., but the area saw a major Jewish influx in the early 14th century, when Jews expelled from Hungary, France, Sicily and elsewhere migrated here. Their positive impact on trade convinced the land’s Ottoman rulers to welcome more Jews.

More:Who are Turkey’s Jews? | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

How Turkey's economy went from flying to flagging - and could get worse - Telegraph

How Turkey's economy went from flying to flagging - and could get worse

Ahead of the general election on June 7, the nation once hailed as one of the world's next economic giants is enduring a reversal in fortunes

More:How Turkey's economy went from flying to flagging - and could get worse - Telegraph

News.Az - Gold sales to Switzerland cut Turkey’s trade gap

Gold sales to Switzerland cut Turkey’s trade gap

Sat 30 May 2015 04:53 GMT | 7:53 Local Time

Gold sales to Switzerland have once again helped Turkey narrow its trade gap, this time dramatically to $4.96 billion in April from $7.3 billion for the same month the previous year, according to figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on May 29.

More:News.Az - Gold sales to Switzerland cut Turkey’s trade gap

Turkish Jews staying put but eyeing exit amid president’s hostile rhetoric | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Turkish Jews staying put but eyeing exit amid president’s hostile rhetoric
By Cnaan LiphshizMay 29, 2015 2:33pm

ISTANBUL (JTA) — In the backyard of the Etz Ahayim synagogue in Turkey’s largest city, congregant Yusuf Arslan hollers pleasantries as he mingles with other members of the small congregation.

More:Turkish Jews staying put but eyeing exit amid president’s hostile rhetoric | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Turkey′s elections force maturity test on ′Spirit of Gezi′ protest movement | Europe | DW.DE | 30.05.2015

Turkey's elections force maturity test on 'Spirit of Gezi' protest movement

Protests in favor of preservation of Istanbul's Gezi Park snowballed into a movement of resistance against Prime Minister Erdogan in 2013. The "spirit of Gezi" could play a key role in Turkey's parliamentary elections.

More:Turkey′s elections force maturity test on ′Spirit of Gezi′ protest movement | Europe | DW.DE | 30.05.2015

The report card of 4 leaders, plus Erdoğan - SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ

The report card of 4 leaders, plus Erdoğan

Leaders of the political parties that will run in the June 7 elections have geared up their elections campaigns with consecutive public rallies, as well as media interviews, in order to reach more people and garner more votes, with less than 10 days to go until polls.

More:The report card of 4 leaders, plus Erdoğan - SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ

Turkey on the brink - Opinion - The Boston Globe

Turkey on the brink

By Robert Ellis May 29, 2015

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s vindictive assault on Boston Globe contributing columnist Stephen Kinzer, canceling his honorary citizienship of the city of Gaziantep and declaring him “an enemy of our government and our country,” is yet another example of the paranoia of an increasingly despotic leader.

More:Turkey on the brink - Opinion - The Boston Globe

Turkey's Quasi-Dictator Takes on The New York Times | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

Turkey’s Quasi-Dictator Takes on The New York Times and Democracy
May 29, 2015 5:21 pm 2 comments

For 13 years, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has worked to impose his Islamist vision on Turkey’s proud secular democracy, reshaping the country into a neo-Ottoman republic. His success can be credited in no small measure to his manipulation and intimidation of the press, and the occasional censorship of social media and the Internet overall. Now, in a gesture that betrays either Islamist imperialism, sheer ignorance of Western democracy, or both, Turkey’s president and former prime minister is expanding his reach, raising his fist – and, he hopes, his influence – at the West, using the New York Times as his target.

More:Turkey's Quasi-Dictator Takes on The New York Times | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

Erdogan tries to rewrite history - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan tries to rewrite history

Scores of thick-mustached Istanbul municipality laborers dressed in historic Ottoman army uniforms, marching amid rush hour crowds in modern-day central Istanbul, some pulling replicas of 15th-century galleys by thick ropes, may not look out of place to certain eyes.

More:Erdogan tries to rewrite history - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

UPDATE: Turkish foreign trade deficit drops 32 percent in April

UPDATE: Turkish foreign trade deficit drops 32 percent in April

May 29, 2015

Deficit falls to $4.96 billion from $7.3 billion for the same month in the previous year.

ANKARA – Turkey’s foreign trade deficit decreased sharply in April, the Turkish Statistical Institute said in a report released on Friday.

More:UPDATE: Turkish foreign trade deficit drops 32 percent in April

Friday, May 29, 2015

Why Turks should vote Kurd | The Economist

Why Turks should vote Kurd
It is the best way of stopping their country’s drift towards autocracy
May 30th 2015 | From the print edition

Timekeeper

THE man who dominates Turkish politics, and has done so for 12 years, is not running in the general election on June 7th. As president since August, Recep Tayyip Erdogan is meant to stay above the fray. Yet the vote is still all about him. He is campaigning for the Justice and Development (AK) party that he founded to win a majority large enough to change the constitution into one with a strong executive presidency. It is to be hoped that he fails.

More:Why Turks should vote Kurd | The Economist

Turkey at the Crossroads: a turning point for democracy | Katoikos.eu

Turkey at the Crossroads: a turning point for democracy

EurOpinion 28 May, 2015

By Deniz Torcu

For many people, seeing the president of a democratic republic, obliged to be “non-partisan” according to his country’s constitution, publicly bashing the main political opposition parties in government while waving a religious text in his hand is something that comes as a shock and is difficult to comprehend.

More:Turkey at the Crossroads: a turning point for democracy | Katoikos.eu

Turkish civic society mobilizes against election fraud - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish civic society mobilizes against election fraud

As Turkey’s June 7 general elections draw near, the fate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinges on whether the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), an offshoot of the Kurdish movement, will overcome the 10% national vote threshold to enter parliament.

More:Turkish civic society mobilizes against election fraud - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey Makes Way for Tayyipism - Bloomberg View

Turkey Makes Way for Tayyipism
46 May 29, 2015 12:01 AM EDT
By Marc Champion

There's a new "ism" to add to the pantheon of Putinism, Chavezism, Kemalism (after Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk) and others. Now we have Tayyipism.

More:Turkey Makes Way for Tayyipism - Bloomberg View

Capital markets are the ‘second wing’ of the Turkish economy

Capital markets are the ‘second wing’ of the Turkish economy

Comprehensive reforms in Turkey’s capital markets over recent years have exceeded EU standards and bred confidence among investors, says the Chairman of the Capital Markets Board Vahdettin Ertaş

More:Capital markets are the ‘second wing’ of the Turkish economy

Istanbul gets ready to mark 1453 conquest

Istanbul gets ready to mark 1453 conquest

by Enver Faruk GÜNEY - May 28, 2015

– Massive coastal Yenikapi meeting area will host conquest celebrations for the first time

ISTANBUL – ‘Rise and revival’ are the themes which will mark Istanbul’s upcoming celebration of the 562nd anniversary of its conquest by the Ottomans.

More:Istanbul gets ready to mark 1453 conquest

Top court ruling on religious marriages sparks debate in Turkey - LOCAL

Top court ruling on religious marriages sparks debate in Turkey

ANKARA

Turkey’s Constitutional Court has legalized the right to be religiously married without obtaining a civil marriage, sparking debate over the decision’s impact on women and children.

More:Top court ruling on religious marriages sparks debate in Turkey - LOCAL

ING and BNP Paribas among bidders for HSBC Turkey -source | Reuters

ING and BNP Paribas among bidders for HSBC Turkey -source
ISTANBUL | By Asli Kandemir

ING Group NV (ING.AS), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corp (ABC) ABCB.BH have submitted bids to buy HSBC's (HSBA.L) Turkish business, a source familiar with the process said on Friday.

More:ING and BNP Paribas among bidders for HSBC Turkey -source | Reuters

Turkey’s Game-Changing Election - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Turkey’s Game-Changing Election
Source: Getty
Marc Pierini, Sinan Ülgen Q&A May 29, 2015

The outcome of Turkey’s parliamentary election on June 7, 2015, will mark a pivotal moment for the country’s future. Postelection scenarios include, at one extreme, a move by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to centralize power in the presidency and, at the other, the possibility of a coalition government after twelve years of single-party rule.

More:Turkey’s Game-Changing Election - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Cyprus leaders agree on new crossings on divided island - Yahoo News

Cyprus leaders agree on new crossings on divided island
AFP By Charlie Charalambous
May 28, 2015 1:44 PM

Nicosia (AFP) - The Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed Thursday to open more crossing points and link the mobile phone and electricity networks to help restore trust between their estranged communities on divided Cyprus.

More:Cyprus leaders agree on new crossings on divided island - Yahoo News

Ottoman-era boats return to Istanbul's waters

Ottoman-era boats return to Istanbul’s waters

May 29, 2015

$1m project sees classic craft return for tourism and transport on the Golden Horn

ISTANBUL – An almost $1-million dollar project has seen a fleet of Venice-style Ottoman-era historic boats take to the waters of Istanbul’s iconic Golden Horn.

More:Ottoman-era boats return to Istanbul's waters

Pera Palace: Where Progress Stayed in Istanbul | TravelPulse

Pera Palace: Where Progress Stayed in Istanbul

Thirty-three years ago yesterday, the Orient Express brand returned to the rails, connecting Paris to Istanbul on a 26-hour journey. Today, Belmond’s Venice-Simplon Orient Express only occasionally rides that legendary route. Many things changed between 1888, when the original train launched, and 1982 when the successor sporting the same name came roaring out of Paris’ Gare de l'Est.

More:Pera Palace: Where Progress Stayed in Istanbul | TravelPulse

Modern Turkish baths not just for scrubbing - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Modern Turkish baths not just for scrubbing

The Turkish media reported May 23 that Madonna is having a Turkish bath, or hamam, built at her new estate. She is not alone in having discovered the hamam. The hamam is the retro-hip hang-out among Turkey's urban and trendy crowds. Turkish hamams have changed quite a bit in the last decade with the revival of all things Ottoman. Most of them are cleaned up and renovated, staying true to the unique traditional hamam architecture and environment.

More:Modern Turkish baths not just for scrubbing - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Istanbul shows ferries have a future | Cities | The Guardian

Istanbul shows ferries have a future

Critics say they are expensive, slow and can only reach selected parts of a city but – with New York and London planning expansions – ferry traffic is on the rise

More:Istanbul shows ferries have a future | Cities | The Guardian

Turkey’s economic centre continues to shine - Business - News - The Independent

Turkey’s economic centre continues to shine
Thursday 28 May 2015

As the only city in the world that straddles two continents, perhaps it’s no surprise that Istanbul is filled with contrasts. While its opulent palaces and ancient domes pay homage to the bygone Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the Turkish capital is a cosmopolitan hub with design-driven hotels, a lively nightlife and a strong contemporary arts scene. The city was thrust into the spotlight in 2010 when it was named European Culture Capital.

More:Turkey’s economic centre continues to shine - Business - News - The Independent

Canadian Solar Supplies Modules to Turkey's Largest PV Plant

Canadian Solar Supplies Modules to Turkey's Largest PV Plant
PR Newswire
May 28, 2015: 05:00 AM ET

GUELPH, Ontario, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar power companies, today announced that it has supplied modules to Turkey's largest PV project, the Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone PV Plant.

More:Canadian Solar Supplies Modules to Turkey's Largest PV Plant

It's the Economy, Turkey: President Wages War of Big Promises - Bloomberg Business

It's the Economy, Turkey: President Wages War of Big Promises

The issue has helped Erdogan win every election since 2002 and will now help determine whether he gets the power to remake the nation

More:It's the Economy, Turkey: President Wages War of Big Promises - Bloomberg Business

Erdogan Seeks a New Turkish Sultanate | Al Jazeera America

Erdogan seeks a new Turkish sultanate
In June 7 election, the Kurdish People’s Democratic Party could play the role of spoiler
May 28, 2015 2:00AM ET
by Stephen Kinzer @stephenkinzer

Sultans ruled the Turks for 470 years until Kemal Ataturk proclaimed a republic in 1923. “Away with dreams and shadows!” he exulted. “I have banished the rottenness of the Ottoman Empire!”

A crucial election on June 7 may determine whether Turkey falls back under a form of sultanic rule, led by a supreme leader empowered to control every aspect of national life.

More:Erdogan Seeks a New Turkish Sultanate | Al Jazeera America

Chinese traditional painting show making a stir in Turkey | Shanghai Daily

Chinese traditional painting show making a stir in Turkey
May 28,2015

ANKARA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese traditional painting exhibition was held Wednesday in the Turkish capital of Ankara, as part of cultural exchange between the two countries.

More:Chinese traditional painting show making a stir in Turkey | Shanghai Daily

Turkey Pushes Out Syrian Refugees to Save Tourism

Turkey Pushes Out Syrian Refugees to Save Tourism

The Associated Press

by Mary Chastain27 May 20156

Turkish authorities in the Muğla province kicked out 40 Syrians after business owners and tourism companies complained about the massive hordes of people in the park.

More:Turkey Pushes Out Syrian Refugees to Save Tourism

Turkish imams to be trained on sexual health matters - HEALTH

Turkish imams to be trained on sexual health matters

In an attempt to increase knowledge and awareness of health issues in society, the Turkish Health Ministry has launched an initiative to educate imams so they can teach and inform the people who come to their mosque for prayers on a variety of health-related topics, including sexual health.

More:Turkish imams to be trained on sexual health matters - HEALTH

Europe wants Turkey to enact personal data protection law - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Europe wants Turkey to enact personal data protection law

The debate on the issues pertaining to Syria and foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) is like a medallion that has two sides.

More:Europe wants Turkey to enact personal data protection law - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

New project seeks to prolong tourist visits to Istanbul - Daily Sabah

New project seeks to prolong tourist visits to Istanbul
ZEYNEL YAMAN
ISTANBUL
Published May 27, 2015

New project seeks to prolong tourist visits to Istanbul
As one of the world's top cities in terms of tourism, Istanbul fails to compete with Barcelona, London and Paris regarding tourists' visit time. To remedy the situation, new regulations will enable more space to be provided for tourist facilities

More:New project seeks to prolong tourist visits to Istanbul - Daily Sabah

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey and the Islamic State: Clash of interests feeds suspicions | Syria | McClatchy DC

Turkey and the Islamic State: Clash of interests feeds suspicions

By Roy Gutman

McClatchy Foreign StaffMay 27, 2015

ANKARA, Turkey — Governments throughout the Middle East and well beyond look with suspicion on Turkey’s role in the war against the Islamic State.

More:ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey and the Islamic State: Clash of interests feeds suspicions | Syria | McClatchy DC

Off The Ballot But With Much At Stake, Turkey's President Fights For More Power

Off The Ballot But With Much At Stake, Turkey's President Fights For More Power
Posted: 05/29/2015 12:51 pm EDT Updated: 5 minutes ago
TURKEY ELECTION

ISTANBUL -- Turkey's June 7 election will elect 550 members of parliament, but it's really all about one man who isn't even on the ballot: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

More:Off The Ballot But With Much At Stake, Turkey's President Fights For More Power

Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah celebrates Agatha Christie’s 125th Birthday

Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah celebrates Agatha Christie’s 125th Birthday

Thursday, 28 May 2015 08:49
Published by Ozgur Tore

Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul’s most iconic hotel, has announced a week long crime fiction themed festival called Black Week to mark the 125th birthday of Agatha Christie. Guests of the hotel can gain access to an exciting programme of panel discussions and ‘whodunnit’ nights, as world famous detective and mystery novel writers gather at the hotel to celebrate the literary genre.

More:Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah celebrates Agatha Christie’s 125th Birthday

The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan - FT.com

The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan

David Gardner David Gardner

Many millions of voters hope the national poll will show the president his limits

More:The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan - FT.com

Can the Kurds Stop Erdogan’s Bid for Total Power? | Foreign Policy

Can the Kurds Stop Erdogan’s Bid for Total Power?

The ruling AKP and Turkey’s increasingly authoritarian president are pulling out all the stops for victory in high-stakes elections.

More:Can the Kurds Stop Erdogan’s Bid for Total Power? | Foreign Policy

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Erdogan’s presidential dreams hang by thread - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan’s presidential dreams hang by thread

For the last 12 years, Turkey’s Islamists led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seemed invincible. His Justice and Development Party (AKP) romped from one electoral victory to the other, each time snatching a bigger part of the vote. But with less than a fortnight left to go before the June 7 legislative polls, the AKP is looking fragile for the first time.

More:Erdogan’s presidential dreams hang by thread - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley will curate 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial | News | Archinect

Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley will curate 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial

In a press release issued today, the Istanbul Design Biennial announced that powerhouse architectural historians, theorists and educators Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley will curate the 3rd Biennial, taking place in 2016. Both are based in New York City (and happen to be married) – Colomina teaches and is a curator at Princeton University, and Wigley recently stepped down from his deanship at Columbia University's GSAPP.

More:Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley will curate 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial | News | Archinect

"Secular" Turkey

"Secular" Turkey

by Uzay Bulut
May 27, 2015 at 5:00 am

A deeper look into the history of Turkey reveals that, unfortunately, Turkey has never been either truly secular or democratic. In Turkey, freedom of conscience and religion is respected -- but only if you are a practicing Sunni Muslim.

More:"Secular" Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey: Erdogan promises private jet for top Muslim cleric | World | The News Tribune

Erdogan promises private jet for top Muslim cleric

The Associated PressMay 27, 2015 Updated 9 hours ago

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he will ask the government to provide a private jet to the country's top Muslim cleric, ignoring criticism caused by his earlier promise to give the cleric a Mercedes.

More:ANKARA, Turkey: Erdogan promises private jet for top Muslim cleric | World | The News Tribune

Turkey’s Best Election Campaigner Isn’t Even Running for Office - Bloomberg Business

Turkey’s Best Election Campaigner Isn’t Even Running for Office

The most prominent person in the campaign for Turkey’s June 7 parliamentary elections isn’t on the ballot, but the vote is all about him.

More:Turkey’s Best Election Campaigner Isn’t Even Running for Office - Bloomberg Business

Lira Bear-Market Trade Back On for Citigroup After Turkish Polls - Bloomberg Business

Lira Bear-Market Trade Back On for Citigroup After Turkish Polls

The prospect of a coalition government in Turkey is reviving one of the biggest bear-market trades this year.

More:Lira Bear-Market Trade Back On for Citigroup After Turkish Polls - Bloomberg Business

Erdogan aims to turn Turkey into major defense industry power | Reuters

Erdogan aims to turn Turkey into major defense industry power
ANKARA | By Jonny Hogg and Can Sezer

For years Turkey has boasted NATO's largest army, bar only the United States, and now President Tayyip Erdogan wants a defense industry to match.

More:Erdogan aims to turn Turkey into major defense industry power | Reuters

Cyprus slams US envoy over Turkish invasion comment | Zee News

Cyprus slams US envoy over Turkish invasion comment
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - 19:47

Nicosia: The Cyprus government on Wednesday denounced as "unacceptable" a comment by the American ambassador that it said hampered the resumed UN-backed peace process aimed at reunifying the divided island.

More:Cyprus slams US envoy over Turkish invasion comment | Zee News

Turkish markets battered from all angles - fastFT: Market-moving news and views, 24 hours a day - FT.com

Turkish markets battered from all angles
2 hours ago

Turkey's currency, equities and bonds are all clucking under pressure ahead of the country's election on June 7.

More:Turkish markets battered from all angles - fastFT: Market-moving news and views, 24 hours a day - FT.com

Ankara University faculty to shut down for 2 days due to student tensions

Ankara University faculty to shut down for 2 days due to student tensions

May 27, 2015, Wednesday/ 17:51:16/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ISTANBUL

Ankara University's faculty of language, history and geography announced on Wednesday that it would close for two days due to growing tension among students with different ideologies.

More:Ankara University faculty to shut down for 2 days due to student tensions

Turkey's Dogan banned from state tenders amid dispute with Erdogan | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Turkey's Dogan banned from state tenders amid dispute with Erdogan
Wed May 27, 2015 2:15pm GMT

By Ece Toksabay

ANKARA May 27 (Reuters) - A major Turkish conglomerate has been suspended from state tenders, the government said on Wednesday, days after President Tayyip Erdogan accused its head of being a "coup lover" and described columnists for its media arm as charlatans.

More:Turkey's Dogan banned from state tenders amid dispute with Erdogan | Energy & Oil | Reuters

Dutch politician calls for Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest | Al Bawaba

Dutch politician calls for Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest

Published May 27th, 2015 - 14:00 GMT via SyndiGate.info

Representatives of Muslim communities in the Netherlands told Anadolu Agency that Geert Wilders' request for a cartoon exhibition depicting Prophet Muhammad is a 'provocation'.

More:Dutch politician calls for Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest | Al Bawaba

Rapporteur says EU to monitor Turkey elections closely

Rapporteur says EU to monitor Turkey elections closely

The European Parliament's (EP) rapporteur for Turkey, Kati Piri, who met with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and other party officials on Wednesday, said the EU will closely monitor the June 7 elections in Turkey, in what seems to be confirming widely held concerns over election security.

More:Rapporteur says EU to monitor Turkey elections closely

‘Trust is the key to a Cyprus solution’ - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail

‘Trust is the key to a Cyprus solution’

May 27th, 2015 featured 92 Comments

By Angelos Anastasiou

OUTGOING US ambassador John Koenig does not see the Cyprus problem as one of invasion and occupation, he said last night while being quizzed during an open discussion at the University of Cyprus.

More:‘Trust is the key to a Cyprus solution’ - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail

The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan - FT.com

The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan

David Gardner David Gardner

Turkey’s future is at stake in the general election on June 7. There is little doubt the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) will win. The question is whether Recep Tayyip Erdogan, three times prime minister and now president, will get the supermajority through which he plans to subordinate Turkey’s parliamentary system to an executive presidency. But there are signs that Mr Erdogan, who already interferes with any challenge to his growing concentration of power, from the judiciary to the media, may not get his own way.

More:The general election in Turkey will test President Erdogan - FT.com

A Game That's Become A Political Battleground

A Game That's Become A Political Battleground
31,546

Agar.io is a fun, free multiplayer game you can play right now. It’s also become a political battlefield.

More:A Game That's Become A Political Battleground

An honor revoked in Turkey, but free press perseveres - Opinion - The Boston Globe

An honor revoked in Turkey, but free press perseveres

By Stephen Kinzer May 27, 2015

GAZIANTEP, Turkey — This was to be an extraordinary week in my career and life. It has turned out to be just that — but hardly in the way I expected.

I arrived here Tuesday morning to receive a great honor. The mayor and city council decided several months ago to make me an honorary citizen in recognition of reporting I did years ago that resulted in saving exquisite Roman mosaics about to be lost to flooding.

More:An honor revoked in Turkey, but free press perseveres - Opinion - The Boston Globe

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Kurds Vow to Push Erdogan Back, in Parliament or on the Streets - Bloomberg Business

Kurds Vow to Push Erdogan Back, in Parliament or on the Streets

The stage is set for a showdown between Turkey’s most powerful man and a political party that’s never won a seat in parliament.

More:Kurds Vow to Push Erdogan Back, in Parliament or on the Streets - Bloomberg Business

Turkey launches its 55th airport in Hakkari

Turkey launches its 55th airport in Hakkari

Tuesday, 26 May 2015 23:51

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have inaugurated the country's 55th airport in Yuksekova district of southeastern border province of Hakkari. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Prime Minister Davutoglu said they agreed with President Erdogan to name Yuksekova Airport as Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport, after Saladin of the Ayyubids, the Kurdish-origin Muslim conqueror of al-Quds, or Jerusalem.

More:Turkey launches its 55th airport in Hakkari

Turkey's religious heartland enjoys AKP prosperity - BBC News

Turkey's religious heartland enjoys AKP prosperity
By Mark Lowen BBC Turkey correspondent, Konya

It zips through the Turkish countryside at 250 kilometres an hour: fast, efficient - and a vote-winner for the governing AK Party (AKP).

We've boarded Turkey's high-speed train as we continue our election trip across the country. It's still new - this is only the second line, connecting Ankara to once sleepy Konya. It's cut what was a 16-hour train ride via another town down to just 1 hour 45 minutes.

More:Turkey's religious heartland enjoys AKP prosperity - BBC News

Turkey’s Kurdish party at the threshold - The Washington Post

Turkey’s Kurdish party at the threshold
By A.Kadir Yildirim May 26 at 3:00 PM

Turkey’s voters head to the polls June 7 in a critical test of the future of the country’s democratic system. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seems to be on course to win a fourth consecutive victory though, if polls are to be believed, without a supermajority in the parliament. What makes this election different from others in Turkish history is the critical role of a Kurdish party contesting elections for the first time, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). The traditional leading opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has long positioned itself as the bulwark of secularism in Turkish politics, with an electoral ceiling of roughly 20 to 25 percent. Previous Kurdish parties have solely focused on Kurdish ethnic identity and long-standing grievances and have routinely been banned by Turkish courts, with independents rarely winning more than 5 percent.

More:Turkey’s Kurdish party at the threshold - The Washington Post

Turkey's Black Sea coast: The road to Sinop is paved with good intentions - Europe - Travel - The Independent

Turkey's Black Sea coast: The road to Sinop is paved with good intentions

An ambitious project to complete a major new highway persuaded Adrian Mourby to turn his wheel away from the Med

More:Turkey's Black Sea coast: The road to Sinop is paved with good intentions - Europe - Travel - The Independent

Turkish Election Outcome Could Shape Syria Policy

Turkish Election Outcome Could Shape Syria Policy

Dorian Jones

May 26, 2015 1:13 PM
ISTANBUL—

The latest opinion polls in Turkey are predicting that the ruling AK Party could lose its majority in parliament in the June 7 election. Analysts warn a significant change in foreign policy could be looming regarding Syria and the influx of refugees into the country.

More:Turkish Election Outcome Could Shape Syria Policy

Turkish Eastern Black Sea: The Other Alps (Part One) - Forbes

Turkish Eastern Black Sea: The Other Alps (Part One)

This is the first of two posts on Turkey’s up-and-coming Eastern Black Sea region.

In a mountain village not long ago, I was balancing on a tiny stool in the grass, savoring delicious lunch goodies that were spread before me on a communal tray. Locals had invited me to share gooey fondue with chunks of peasant bread torn from loaves the size of small tires. We ate fresh tomatoes and plump grapes, and sipped sweet tea. With cowbells tinkling in the background, tractors hauled hay in the meadows above. A waterfall plunged down the slopes across a steep valley. I could have sworn that I was in the Alps.

More:Turkish Eastern Black Sea: The Other Alps (Part One) - Forbes

Bahrain tourists to Turkey numbers grow by 700% | GulfNews.com

Bahrain tourists to Turkey numbers grow by 700%

Ambassador sees wide opportunities for tourism cooperation
Published: 15:35 May 26, 2015
Gulf News
By Habib Toumi Bureau Chief

Manama: The number of Bahraini tourists opting to visit Turkey has increased by more than 700 per cent over the last ten years, the Turkish ambassador to Bahrain has said.

More:Bahrain tourists to Turkey numbers grow by 700% | GulfNews.com

JOOST LAGENDIJK - Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (2)

Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (2)

In my previous column, I wondered why in this election campaign no party attacks the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) about its current and planned energy policy based on the use of fossil fuels, especially coal. There are several good reasons to do so but two stand out.

More:JOOST LAGENDIJK - Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (2)

International election monitoring in Turkey: too little too late - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

International election monitoring in Turkey: too little too late

Every time Turkey stumbles on its path towards a fully functioning democracy, critical voices rising from Europe talk about suspending the country’s accession talks with the European Union.

More:International election monitoring in Turkey: too little too late - BARÇIN YİNANÇ

Turkey to send 80 students to Russia for nuclear education - ENERGY

Turkey to send 80 students to Russia for nuclear education

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant has completed the selection process of 80 Turkish students to study nuclear engineering in Russia from among 6,300 candidates.

More:Turkey to send 80 students to Russia for nuclear education - ENERGY

Turkey’s economy tsar signals China as target market for Turkish banks

Turkey’s economy tsar signals China as target market for Turkish banks

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan indicated on Tuesday that there are Turkish Banks interested in operations in China.

More:Turkey’s economy tsar signals China as target market for Turkish banks

Turkey’s June elections: The last chance to save democracy?

Turkey’s June elections: The last chance to save democracy?

President Erdogan plans to rewrite the Constitution and concentrate yet more power in his hands, writes Maria Margaronis.

More:.:Middle East Online:::.

Fenerbahçe draw hands Galatasaray the title - UEFA.com

Fenerbahçe draw hands Galatasaray the title

Published: Monday 25 May 2015, 23.27CET
Galatasaray AŞ have landed a 20th Turkish title after Fenerbahçe SK failed to record a win at İstanbul Başakşehir FK, ending the 2-2 draw with just seven men on Monday.

More:Fenerbahçe draw hands Galatasaray the title - UEFA.com

Erdogan's ambition heralds turbulence after Turks vote - Yahoo News

Erdogan's ambition heralds turbulence after Turks vote
Reuters By Nick Tattersall and Orhan Coskun

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's general election looks likely to push Tayyip Erdogan's dream of an all-powerful presidency further from his reach, and usher in a period of turbulence as its most divisive modern leader jockeys to maintain his dominance.

More:Erdogan's ambition heralds turbulence after Turks vote - Yahoo News

Turkish water pipe to Cyprus on course for completion

Turkish water pipe to Cyprus on course for completion
He said pipes are laid daily, except the occasional delays due to weather conditions.
CYPRUS - FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE•
Tuesday, 26 May, 2015
TURKISH WATER pipe lines stretching from the mainland to occupied Cyprus have reached the halfway stage.

According to Birol Cinar - the Project Manager of Turkey’s State Water Affairs Department, 53 percent of the water pipe lines have been completed.

More:Turkish water pipe to Cyprus on course for completion

Who Can Attack Turkish Ships? - Breaking Israel News

Who Can Attack Turkish Ships?
By Burak Bekdil May 26, 2015 , 8:00 am

This time, there was no request for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council; no talks with the EU, NATO, Obama or Merkel. Instead, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a weak protest note.

More:Who Can Attack Turkish Ships? - Breaking Israel News

Media mogul declares his 'masculine love' to Erdogan - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Media mogul declares his 'masculine love' to Erdogan

The Turkish media were rocked on May 15 by the words of the media mogul Ethem Sancak, who bluntly declared his love for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a TV interview. Sancak said, “While working on his campaign to get him elected prime minister, from my hometown Siirt, I met him. I saw his honesty and courage. I saw his opposition to oppression, his ability to protect the victim. The more I saw him, I feel in love [with him]. To be honest, during my days as a leftist, I could not understand the love between Mevlana [Jelaluddin Rumi, the poet] and [his companion and spiritual guide] Shams al-Tabrizi. As I got to know Erdogan, I realized that such a kind of divine love between two men is possible. When I [first] declared my love to him, I was already among the top 20 on the Forbes’ list. I did not need to wait for any favors by holding on to Erdogan’s coattails.”

More:Media mogul declares his 'masculine love' to Erdogan - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey can’t part with currency zeroes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey can’t part with currency zeroes

A March 2014 post from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s verified Twitter account read, “We’ve invested 6 quadrillion Turkish lira in Batman over the past 12 years.”

More:Turkey can’t part with currency zeroes - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan′s palace declared illegal by Turkish court | News | DW.DE | 26.05.2015

Erdogan's palace declared illegal by Turkish court

The Turkish Supreme Court has ruled that the construction of an 1,100-room palace by President Erdogan was illegal. The palace was constructed on protected land.

More:Erdogan′s palace declared illegal by Turkish court | News | DW.DE | 26.05.2015

Monday, May 25, 2015

Turkey’s Kurdish party sees election as 'turning point' Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s Kurdish party sees election as 'turning point'

25 May 2015 15:35 (Last updated 25 May 2015 15:39)

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s general election will be “a turning point” according to a senior pro-Kurdish opposition figure speaking ahead of a planned major Istanbul rally.

More:Turkey’s Kurdish party sees election as 'turning point' Anadolu Agency

Istanbul hosts global energy forum

Istanbul hosts global energy forum

Monday, 25 May 2015 09:34
Published by Ozgur Tore

wfer2015The sixth World Forum on Energy Regulation starts today (Monday) at Lutfi Kirdar International Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC) in Istanbul. The four-day forum, hosted by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) and organized under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, is aimed at developing a common approach to energy regulation by bringing together regulatory heads and representatives. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and EMRA head Mustafa Yilmaz make opening speeches of the forum.

More:Istanbul hosts global energy forum

INSIGHT-Stalling economy hurts Turkey's AK Party ahead of election | Reuters


INSIGHT-Stalling economy hurts Turkey's AK Party ahead of election

By David Dolan and Asli Kandemir

ISTANBUL, May 25 (Reuters) - Murat Dalga stands in a shop filled with everything but customers and swears he won't be voting for Turkey's ruling AK Party this time around.

More:INSIGHT-Stalling economy hurts Turkey's AK Party ahead of election | Reuters

Turkey: Left party takes centre stage with bold campaign | Green Left Weekly

Turkey: Left party takes centre stage with bold campaign
Monday, May 25, 2015
By Dave Holmes

The June 7 elections to Turkey’s Grand National Assembly are shaping up to be the most important in a long time. The bold decision of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) to run as a party and strive to exceed the grossly undemocratic 10% threshold needed to win representation in parliament has put the group at the political centre stage.

More:Turkey: Left party takes centre stage with bold campaign | Green Left Weekly

Sunday, May 24, 2015

CHP leader vows to end poverty in Istanbul rally - POLITICS

CHP leader vows to end poverty in Istanbul rally

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has vowed to end poverty in the country, while speaking at a rally in Istanbul’s Bakırköy district on May 24.

More:CHP leader vows to end poverty in Istanbul rally - POLITICS

Turkey offers up many surprises

Turkey offers up many surprises

The author in front of the Blue mosque, one of the biggest tourist attractions. This mosque shares the same compound as the palace and Hagia Sophia.

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey, to the uninitiated, is a name that brings to thought people with red hats (phez), large moustaches and decidedly Islamic mannerisms and behavior.

More:Turkey offers up many surprises

Turks are making cat memes out of political parties and it's fantastic | Al Bawaba

Turks are making cat memes out of political parties and it's fantastic

Published May 24th, 2015 - 19:09 GMT via SyndiGate.info

It's election time next month in Turkey, and you know what that means. Cat memes!

Yeah, so we didn't know that either, but apparently the Turks are way ahead here.

Let's back up a little.

More:Turks are making cat memes out of political parties and it's fantastic | Al Bawaba

DESPITE CHALLENGES TURKEY REPORTS AN INCREASE IN TOURISM REVENUE

DESPITE CHALLENGES TURKEY REPORTS AN INCREASE IN TOURISM REVENUE

Despite challenges presented by the recent plummet in tourist arrivals from Russia, and by the violence that permeates many parts of the region, the tourism industry in Turkey is fighting to hold onto growth.

More:Turkey Faces Serious Challenges Regarding Tourism | .TR

Turkey Elections: Gay, Transsexual Candidates Spotlight LGBT Rights - NBC News.com

Turkey Elections: Gay, Transsexual Candidates Spotlight LGBT Rights
By Alastair Jamieson and Aziz Akyavas

Turkey appears poised to elect its first openly gay member of parliament in next month's elections, despite a rising tide of social conservativism in the Muslim-majority country.

More:Turkey Elections: Gay, Transsexual Candidates Spotlight LGBT Rights - NBC News.com

Kamp Armen donated to Armenians, demolition plan shelved - LOCAL

Kamp Armen donated to Armenians, demolition plan shelved

Aziz Özen - ISTANBUL

Delighted Armenians have celebrated victory after a controversial demolition plan for Kamp Armen was shelved, as the land owner of the building donated it to an Armenian foundation.

More:Kamp Armen donated to Armenians, demolition plan shelved - LOCAL

Cyprus' rival leaders take stroll through divided capital - Yahoo News

Cyprus' rival leaders take stroll through divided capital
Associated Press By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS
May 23, 2015 8:13 AM

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders took a stroll together on both sides of the divided capital's medieval center on Saturday to raise the feel-good factor as talks aimed at reunifying the ethnically split island kick into gear.

More:Cyprus' rival leaders take stroll through divided capital - Yahoo News

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Turkish electoral outcome hinges on pro-Kurdish party | Europe | DW.DE | 23.05.2015

Turkish electoral outcome hinges on pro-Kurdish party

Turkey's ruling AK Party will face its toughest electoral challenge next month. The key factor in the AKP's success will be whether a pro-Kurdish party will make it into parliament. Jacob Resneck reports from Turkey.

More:Turkish electoral outcome hinges on pro-Kurdish party | Europe | DW.DE | 23.05.2015

“Addressing the EU Affairs”: The Admission of Turkey

“Addressing the EU Affairs”: The Admission of Turkey
Anant Mishra 05.22.15

The European Union has been able to sustain itself for decades because of its long term commitment to peace and international stability. The willingness of member nations to come together on a single platform and cooperate for the greater good has strengthened the organization extensively. The EU has been extremely cautious, more or less, when it comes to adding new members as it does not want to risk losing cooperation and balance, which it has worked hard to maintain. Turkey’s application for membership to the EU poses a great concern for the EU as it exposes questions on its current membership policies, questions to which none of the member nations will respond. The EU has been quite clear about its membership policies, however, when it comes to the admission of Turkey, the path becomes murkier.

More:“Addressing the EU Affairs”: The Admission of Turkey

Turkey and the limits of urbanization - GÜVEN SAK

Turkey and the limits of urbanization

We in Turkey compare ourselves to Europe. It is too often a heartbreaking exercise, which is why our persistence in the practice is so telling. I think that, deep down in our hearts, we know that Turkey belongs to the West in general, and to Europe in particular. Turkish history, starting from the Central Asian steppes, could be summed up as a centuries-old, constant movement toward the West.

More:Turkey and the limits of urbanization - GÜVEN SAK

World SME Forum opens in İstanbul

World SME Forum opens in İstanbul

by Erol Ersoy - May 23, 2015

– Turkish Deputy PM Ali Babacan, responsible for the economy, attends opening of forum for small- and medium-sized companies.

ANKARA – The World small- and medium-sized enterprises Forum opened its doors in Istanbul on Saturday.

More:World SME Forum opens in İstanbul

New US-EU partnership expected to cost Turkey billions of dollars - AzerNews

New US-EU partnership expected to cost Turkey billions of dollars
22 May 2015, 19:06 (GMT+05:00)
0
inShare

By Elena Kosolapova

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and EU in its current form is expected to adversely affect the Turkish economy, Amanda Paul, policy analyst at the European Policy Centre told Trend.

More:New US-EU partnership expected to cost Turkey billions of dollars - AzerNews

Apathetic in Ankara

Apathetic in Ankara
Comment Now Follow Comments

We’re only a few weeks away from the one year anniversary of the US launching military attacks against ISIS, and it continues to dominate the headlines. Just this week ISIS took control of Ramadi, only a 1.5 hour drive from Baghdad (according to Google Maps), while a team of Delta Force soldiers killed ISIS’s “CFO” in Syria. What has gone unmentioned is Turkey’s apathetic efforts to combat instability in the region, even though it shares a border with both Syria and Iraq. Instead, President Erdogan spends his time silencing the media and “purging” political opponents.

More:Apathetic in Ankara

Turkey's ISIS problem keeps getting worse - Business Insider

This border post shows how Turkey's ISIS problem keeps getting worse

Natasha Bertrand

May 22, 2015, 5:09 PM 3,817

Pipes, ammonium nitrate, and other bomb-making materials are being transported across Turkey's border into Syria by agents of ISIS while Turkish border guards look the other way, Jamie Dettmer of The Daily Beast reports.

More:Turkey's ISIS problem keeps getting worse - Business Insider

Europe's first airport on artificial island opens in Black Sea - TOURISM

Europe's first airport on artificial island opens in Black Sea

ORDU - Anadolu Agency

Europe's first airport on an artificial island opened on May 22, as a morning Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul carrying 136 passengers touched down on its runway, the first of its kind outside the Far East.

More:Europe's first airport on artificial island opens in Black Sea - TOURISM

Izmir, the ancient town vying to become global destination - Tourism - ANSAMed.it

Izmir, the ancient town vying to become global destination
The “pearl of the Aegean” bets on multi-faceted tour

22 May, 18:30

SMIRNE (TURKEY) - Tourists come out in droves from the coaches that loaded them in the port of Izmir as soon as they disembarked from their cruisers.

It is a scorchingly hot day of May but the programme both this season and during the winter months is always the same: Ephesus and its unbelievable archaeological area. Some tourists venture further, until Pergamon, north of the city, but few choose not to return to the liner and opt to remain in Izmir, a city of almost 4 million people, a cosmopolitan centre with a an ancient history (the first humanan settlements date back to 8,500 years ago). However, 'the pearl of the Aegean' as the Turks call it has lots to offer: history, gastronomy, a wealth of events, night-life, archaeology, beaches and even wines which are steadily gaining ground.

More:Izmir, the ancient town vying to become global destination - Tourism - ANSAMed.it

Hotel revenues hit as tourists eschew Antalya - TOURISM

Hotel revenues hit as tourists eschew Antalya

ANTALYA - Doğan News Agency

The number of tourists arriving in Antalya by air decreased by 11 percent to 1.2 million in the first four months of 2015 in comparison to the same period of the previous year, according to official data compiled by the Doğan New Agency.

More:Hotel revenues hit as tourists eschew Antalya - TOURISM

Turkish women speak with ‘single voice’ - RIGHTS

Turkish women speak with ‘single voice’

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s leading women in politics and the economy have met for the “Single Voice for Women” event in Istanbul, stressing the importance of gender equality for the development of democracy and economy.

More:Turkish women speak with ‘single voice’ - RIGHTS

JOOST LAGENDIJK - Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (1)

Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (1)

It is election time and that should mean, normally speaking, that all major issues of concern to Turkish citizens are being discussed by the parties running for Parliament. That is, to put it mildly, not always what we are witnessing these days.

More:JOOST LAGENDIJK - Turkey’s energy policy is expensive and lethal (1)

EU Readmission Agreement at stake if visas not lifted: Turkeys EU Minister - Daily Sabah

EU Readmission Agreement at stake if visas not lifted: Turkey's EU Minister
DAILY SABAH
ANKARA

Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır warned EU governments that the 2013 readmission deal signed would be terminated if the EU continues to procrastinate and raise superfluous excuses not to lift visa requirements on Turkish citizens

More:EU Readmission Agreement at stake if visas not lifted: Turkeys EU Minister - Daily Sabah

Dark Clouds Over Turkey - NYTimes.com

Dark Clouds Over Turkey

By THE EDITORIAL BOARDMAY 22, 2015

With two weeks to go before a crucial parliamentary election in Turkey, tensions are rising and some critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fear a new crackdown is starting to ensure that his Justice and Development Party wins. That kind of brute manipulation of the political process would be a serious mistake, further weakening the country’s battered democracy and tainting whatever victory might emerge.

More:Dark Clouds Over Turkey - NYTimes.com

Friday, May 22, 2015

Turkish ruling party may lose majority in June election - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail

Turkish ruling party may lose majority in June election

May 22nd, 2015 International 2 Comments

By Nevzat Devranoglu

Turkey’s ruling AK Party may lose its parliamentary majority in a June 7 election and be forced to form either a coalition or a minority government, according to a poll privately commissioned by Turkish business and cited in newspapers on Friday.

More:Turkish ruling party may lose majority in June election - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail

Syriac Village in Turkey Finds Its Voice | Al Jazeera America

Reclaiming Syriac heritage: A village in Turkey finds its voice
Returning from Europe decades after fleeing war, ancient community asserts new multicultural identity in Aramaic, German
May 22, 2015 7:00PM ET
by Dalia Mortada @dalia_mortada
Kafro

KAFRO, Turkey — Standing on the roof of a 1,500-year-old church, gazing over the village of Kafro, 54-year-old Saliba Alptekin reflected on the past few decades. As the sun set, it cast a warm light over the ancient deteriorated stone houses covered in vegetation, like the one Alptekin once lived in.

More:Syriac Village in Turkey Finds Its Voice | Al Jazeera America

Syriac Village in Turkey Finds Its Voice | Al Jazeera America

Reclaiming Syriac heritage: A village in Turkey finds its voice
Returning from Europe decades after fleeing war, ancient community asserts new multicultural identity in Aramaic, German
May 22, 2015 7:00PM ET
by Dalia Mortada @dalia_mortada
Kafro

KAFRO, Turkey — Standing on the roof of a 1,500-year-old church, gazing over the village of Kafro, 54-year-old Saliba Alptekin reflected on the past few decades. As the sun set, it cast a warm light over the ancient deteriorated stone houses covered in vegetation, like the one Alptekin once lived in.

More:Syriac Village in Turkey Finds Its Voice | Al Jazeera America

Russia and EU underestimate Turkey - AzerNews

Russia and EU underestimate Turkey
22 May 2015, 12:22 (GMT+05:00)

By Rufiz Hafizoglu

Turkey in the last 12 years has been pursuing an active energy policy in the region. Ankara’s goal is to become a regional energy hub.

To do this, many projects, have been realized in recent years, and a number of other projects are today under implementation. And among those that are currently being implemented, the project for the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) is important. TANAP will ensure the energy security of Europe, and will also contribute to the region’s development.

More:Russia and EU underestimate Turkey - AzerNews

Turkey election trip: Izmir looks West amid growing conservatism - BBC News

Turkey election trip: Izmir looks West amid growing conservatism
By Mark Lowen BBC Turkey correspondent

22 May 2015

The guitar riff builds, the lyrics boom out - and Izmir's music-loving fans roar.

The alcohol is flowing, the skirts short: this is the epitome of Turkey's most liberal, Westernised city - and my first stop as I travel across the country ahead of Turkey's upcoming election.

More:Turkey election trip: Izmir looks West amid growing conservatism - BBC News

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Turkey: a new ground zero for human trafficking

Turkey: a new ground zero for human trafficking

Hosam Hamada is somewhere on the open Mediterranean Sea, the hope of a new life and the black water below for company. He and his fellow migrants – fleeing war zones and oppression in Syria, Iraq and even as far away as Burma – expect to arrive at the Sicilian coast sometime this weekend, if all goes well.

More:Turkey: a new ground zero for human trafficking

Turkish-Japanese relations depicted over sunken Ottoman frigate ‘Ertuğrul’ | Sillyid.com - Internet Daily Magazine

Turkish-Japanese relations depicted over sunken Ottoman frigate ‘Ertuğrul’

Antalya is currently hosting a film set on the Ertuğrul frigate that sank in 1890 as a token of goodwill between Turkey and Japan. Relations strenghtened when Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal ordered the rescue of Japanese people during the Iran-Iraq War

More:Turkish-Japanese relations depicted over sunken Ottoman frigate ‘Ertuğrul’ | Sillyid.com - Internet Daily Magazine

New metro line to connect Istanbuls Mecidiyeköy and Kabataş - Daily Sabah

New metro line to connect Istanbul's Mecidiyeköy and Kabataş

ISTANBUL

Istanbul will have a new metro line between Mecidiyeköy and Kabataş, two districts on the European side, whose construction was inaugurated yesterday in the latest drive to expand the city's metro network

More:New metro line to connect Istanbuls Mecidiyeköy and Kabataş - Daily Sabah

EBRD: Turkish growth is 'subdued' given country's potential

EBRD: Turkish growth is ‘subdued’ given country’s potential

by Mustafa Pazarlı - May 20, 2015

EBRD director responsible for Turkey says Turkish companies need better integration in global economy.

ANKARA – Turkey’s economic growth of 3 percent is “subdued” given the country’s potential, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) new director for Turkey Jean-Patrick Marquet said.

More:EBRD: Turkish growth is 'subdued' given country's potential

Turkey: A flagging growth story | GulfNews.com

Turkey: A flagging growth story

Osman Yildirim remembers life before the wave of foreign money came to the heart of Turkey.

More:Turkey: A flagging growth story | GulfNews.com

No room for looser Turkish economic policy post-election - AK candidate | Reuters

No room for looser Turkish economic policy post-election - AK candidate
ANKARA | By Orhan Coskun

A Turkish parliamentary candidate tipped as a key member of the next government's economic team said on Thursday that Turkey could ill afford to loosen monetary or fiscal policy while the global economy remains fragile.

More:No room for looser Turkish economic policy post-election - AK candidate | Reuters

Top Turkish newspaper fined for insulting Erdogan - Law - Panorama | Armenian news

Top Turkish newspaper fined for insulting Erdogan

An Ankara court Thursday fined one of Turkey's top newspapers for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a column, as tensions between government and media grow ahead of June 7 elections, AFP reports.

More:Top Turkish newspaper fined for insulting Erdogan - Law - Panorama | Armenian news

The EU and Turkey must overcome a decade-long impasse in negotiations | EurActiv

The EU and Turkey must overcome a decade-long impasse in negotiations

In light of the slow, almost non-existent, progress of in Turkey's EU accession talks, some political groups in the European Parliament have called for a reassessment of the relationship. It would be a terrible mistake, write Ernest Maragall and Laura Batalla.

More:The EU and Turkey must overcome a decade-long impasse in negotiations | EurActiv

Turkish central bank holds key interest rates, 20 May 2015

Turkish central bank holds key interest rates

20 May 2015

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey announced in a statement on Wednesday that key interest rates will remain at current levels. The marginal funding rate used for overnight borrowing by banks will remain at 10.75 percent.

More:Turkish central bank holds key interest rates, 20 May 2015

Exclusive: Turkish intelligence helped ship arms to Syrian Islamist rebel areas | Reuters

Exclusive: Turkish intelligence helped ship arms to Syrian Islamist rebel areas
ADANA, Turkey | By Humeyra Pamuk and Nick Tattersall

Turkey's state intelligence agency helped deliver arms to parts of Syria under Islamist rebel control during late 2013 and early 2014, according to a prosecutor and court testimony from gendarmerie officers seen by Reuters.

More:Exclusive: Turkish intelligence helped ship arms to Syrian Islamist rebel areas | Reuters

EU postpones Turkey report vote Anadolu Agency

EU postpones Turkey report vote

21 May 2015 15:32 (Last updated 21 May 2015 15:45)
European Parliament blames large number of recent amendments to Turkey 2014 Progress Report.

More:EU postpones Turkey report vote Anadolu Agency

Turkey seeks to strengthen tourism despite challenges | Shanghai Daily

Turkey seeks to strengthen tourism despite challenges
May 21,2015

ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's tourism industry is trying to maintain growth despite challenges such as violence gripping parts of the region and a major drop in Russian tourist arrivals.

More:Turkey seeks to strengthen tourism despite challenges | Shanghai Daily

New design event in Istanbul - ARTS

New design event in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Architectural firm Atelier187 presents the first edition of Design Scene Istanbul in the historical building of Cezayir Restaurant in the Beyoğlu neighborhood. The event is a four day exhibition, showcasing the works of four designers from four fields: furniture, fashion, photography and sculpture.

More:New design event in Istanbul - ARTS

Turkey: Consumer confidence falls on concerns over income Anadolu Agency

Turkey: Consumer confidence falls on concerns over income

21 May 2015 12:09 (Last updated 21 May 2015 12:12)
Probability of savings index plunges by 11.6 percent in May.

ANKARA

Consumers were less confident about their economic future in May, according to a report from the Turkish Statistical Institute released on Thursday.

More:Turkey: Consumer confidence falls on concerns over income Anadolu Agency

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Attacks on Syrians in Turkey increasing - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Attacks on Syrians in Turkey increasing

The government of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu continues to maintain Ankara’s open door policy for Syria refugees and to allocate state monies to support them. Although the government remains welcoming toward the refugees, it is hard to say the same for ordinary Turks, who believe their government's resources should be spent to alleviate poverty among themselves. The increase in the number of demonstrations against the refugees and attacks on them across the country, in cities as socially diverse as Istanbul and Gaziantep and Izmir and Urfa, attest to this.

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Erdogan Dragging Turkey into an Islamist Path - The New Indian Express

Erdogan Dragging Turkey into an Islamist Path

By Tufail Ahmad

On April 24, Armenians organised events in the memory of the 1.5 million people killed by the Ottoman Turkey a century ago. The massacre, occurring through the World War I and till 1922, is dubbed as the 20th century’s first genocide. The Christian Armenia was ruled by the Ottomans. The scale of the massacre can be gauged from the fact that 10 million Armenians, more than three times the current population of Armenia, live abroad as their grandparents had to flee for their lives. Turkey was heading the Islamic caliphate. From 1915 onwards, the Ottomans had implemented a policy of expulsions and killings of Armenians, much as Pakistan kills Baloch intellectuals today. Images from the time show Ottoman soldiers rounding up Armenians and marching them to deserts and prisons. Recently, Turkey criticised Western nations for recognising the Armenian genocide.

More:Erdogan Dragging Turkey into an Islamist Path - The New Indian Express

Turkey world’s top host for refugees; many want to stay | euronews, world news

Turkey world’s top host for refugees; many want to stay

20/05 15:41 CET

Turkey has broken the dire record of the country hosting the largest number of refugees in the world, now an estimated two million, mostly Syrian, also Iraqi, according to the UN Development Programme.

Euronews went to the Oncupinar Refugee Camp in the city of Kilis on the Syrian border, where nearly 13,000 Syrians shelter.

More:Turkey world’s top host for refugees; many want to stay | euronews, world news

Ahead of Turkey's Crucial Election, Citizens Take Action to Protect Their Vote | Karabekir Akkoyunlu

Ahead of Turkey's Crucial Election, Citizens Take Action to Protect Their Vote

Many things are at stake in Turkey's upcoming parliamentary poll on June 7: Will the Kurds overcome the world's highest election threshold of 10% to enter the parliament as a party for the first time? Or will the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) win enough seats to change the constitution and introduce the system of strong presidentialism that President Tayyip Erdoğan has long wanted?

More:Ahead of Turkey's Crucial Election, Citizens Take Action to Protect Their Vote | Karabekir Akkoyunlu

PKK threatens locals in southeast Turkey, urges them to vote for HDP - Daily Sabah

PKK threatens locals in southeast Turkey, urges them to vote for HDP
AYŞE ŞAHIN
ISTANBUL

A group of PKK members are seen on a road near the border with northern Iraq. A group of PKK members are seen on a road near the border with northern Iraq.
While ignoring its leader's call to disarm, the PKK is reportedly sending letters to homes in predominantly Kurdish populated regions in southeast Turkey, threatening people to cast their votes for the pro-Kurdish HDP, which regularly sends delegations to meet senior PKK members in northern Iraq

More:PKK threatens locals in southeast Turkey, urges them to vote for HDP - Daily Sabah

EU Rapporteur concerned over freedoms in Turkey Anadolu Agency

EU Rapporteur concerned over freedoms in Turkey

20 May 2015 20:57 (Last updated 20 May 2015 20:58)
European parliament’s rapporteur for Turkey Kati Piri worried about 'independence of judiciary, freedom of expression and the freedom of press' in the country.

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ANKARA, Turkey: Turkish adviser has 'guns and bullets' to protect Erdogan | World News | Bradenton Herald

Turkish adviser has 'guns and bullets' to protect Erdogan

The Associated PressMay 20, 2015

ANKARA, Turkey — An economics adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has two guns and hundreds of bullets and is prepared to use them to protect his boss.

Yigit Bulut told state television TRT late Tuesday: "Nobody can touch the elected president of this country before I am killed, shot or hanged."

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İstanbul Biennial to expand to 30 venues across city in September

İstanbul Biennial to expand to 30 venues across city in September

The upcoming edition of the İstanbul Biennial will expand its exhibitions to over 30 venues on both sides of the Bosporus.

The 2015 biennial, put together by Bulgarian-Italian curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, will offer a selection of new work by over 60 artists from Turkey and abroad under the conceptual framework “saltwater: a Theory of Thought Forms.”

More:İstanbul Biennial to expand to 30 venues across city in September

Turkey holds rates on uncertain markets, volatile energy :: CountingPips Forex Trading

Turkey holds rates on uncertain markets, volatile energy
May 20, 2015

By CentralBankNews.info
Turkey’s central bank maintained its policy rates, including the one-week repurchase rate at 7.50 percent, repeating its statement from recent months that its ongoing “cautious” monetary policy is having a favorable impact on inflation but uncertainty in global markets and volatile energy and food prices “makes it necessary to maintain the cautious stance in monetary policy.”

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European Union blocks entry to Turkish watermelons and tomatoes

European Union blocks entry to Turkish watermelons and tomatoes

The European Parliament (EP) and the Council of the European Union (EU) have issued a regulation whereby two import quotas from Turkey will be suspended, one for 14,000 tonnes/year of fresh watermelons and another for 30,000 tonnes/year of processed or preserved tomatoes.

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Turkey: 7,000 workers resigned from unions in auto strike - Economy - ANSAMed.it

Turkey: 7,000 workers resigned from unions in auto strike
As the protest against working conditions intensifies

20 May, 13:44

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MAY 20 - As a protest against working conditions intensifies, 7,000 Turkish automobile production workers have left the labor unions with which they were registered as daily Today's Zaman reported. The protest started on Thursday of last week at Turkey's largest car factory, a plant in the northwestern city of Bursa run by Oyak Renault. The factory is a joint venture between France's Renault and the Turkish army pension fund.

More:Turkey: 7,000 workers resigned from unions in auto strike - Economy - ANSAMed.it

Turkey opposition accuses government of sending arms to Syria | News , World | THE DAILY STAR

Turkey opposition accuses government of sending arms to Syria

ANKARA: Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu Wednesday accused the government of delivering arms to Islamist rebels in Syria, pledging to seal the border to such traffic if he came to power.

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Ford Otosan Halts Production as Labor Issues Hit Supply Lines - NASDAQ.com

Ford Otosan Halts Production as Labor Issues Hit Supply Lines
By Dow Jones Business News, May 20, 2015, 05:13:00 AM EDT

By Emre Peker

ISTANBUL--Ford Otomotiv Sanayi AS, the Turkish unit of Ford Motor Co. (F) in partnership with Koc Holding AS (KCHOL), said Wednesday that it has halted production at two plants as a labor protest hit its supply lines, triggering a shortage of parts.

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Turkey to double coal capacity in four years | EurActiv

Turkey to double coal capacity in four years

Turkey is planning to double its coal power capacity in four years, the third largest investment in the polluting fossil fuel in the world, health campaigners have warned.

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Kurds in Germany enraged over AKP phone text messages

Kurds in Germany enraged over AKP phone text messages
By Polla Garmiany 8 hours ago

MAINZ, Germany – Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has sent phone text messages calling on citizens living Germany to vote in next month’s Turkish elections, enraging many Kurds who are complaining about a loss of privacy.

More:Kurds in Germany enraged over AKP phone text messages

Turkish Opposition: It's the Economy Stupid

Turkish Opposition: It’s the Economy Stupid

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Abdennour Toumi

photo(75) Ankara, Turkey — Turkish parliamentary elections on June 7th are fast approaching, the streets are decorated with parties’ banners, and daily candidate caravans furrow the districts with blaring loud speakers, seeking the vote for their constituency. The operation has already begun in Turkish communities abroad. It’s a “sports” contest on a national scale, yet this pastime is escalating political tension in the country and increasing predictions about expected scenarios on Monday, June 8th.

More:Turkish Opposition: It's the Economy Stupid

Economist warns land development corruption has hindered economy

Economist warns land development corruption has hindered economy

Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) candidate and economy expert Erhan Usta explains how the AK Party’s corrupt land distribution policy has hindered manufacturing, and thus economic growth.

More:Economist warns land development corruption has hindered economy

World outraged over allegations Turkey will silence critical media

World outraged over allegations Turkey will silence critical media

Criticism has been pouring in from international politicians and press institutes regarding allegations that the Turkish government is moving to cancel broadcast of TV stations, radio stations, websites and printed publications critical of the government.

More:World outraged over allegations Turkey will silence critical media

Turkey's military says PKK abducts two people, including a soldier | EUROPE ONLINE

Turkey's military says PKK abducts two people, including a soldier
Europe
20.05.2015
By our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online auf Facebook posten Auf Twitter posten
Istanbul (dpa) - Turkey‘s armed forces alleged Wednesday that the armed Kurdistan Workers‘ Party (PKK) has abducted two people, including a soldier, in eastern Turkey.

More:Turkey's military says PKK abducts two people, including a soldier | EUROPE ONLINE

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

What do the attacks on Turkey's pro-Kurdish party mean? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

What do the attacks on Turkey's pro-Kurdish party mean?

As Turkey's fateful June 7 election approaches, harassment of the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) — the “wild card” in the elections — has escalated. At the end of last week, social media reported that 122 attacks had targeted HDP election offices and bureaus in 60 of Turkey's 81 provinces, or three-fourths of the country.

More:What do the attacks on Turkey's pro-Kurdish party mean? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is there a potato conspiracy in Turkey? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Is there a potato conspiracy in Turkey?

Potatoes are not to be taken lightly. In the 1840s, the history of a nation was swayed when disease ravaged Ireland’s potato crops and the resulting famine reduced the country’s population by some 25%, as a million people perished and at least another million emigrated during the seven years now known as the Great Famine, the Potato Famine or Gorta Mor in Irish.

More:Is there a potato conspiracy in Turkey? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkish Airlines pilot crashes into passenger jet bridge

Turkish Airlines pilot crashes into passenger jet bridge

Tuesday, 19 May 2015 11:47

Passengers on board a Turkish Airlines flight at Helsinki Airport were given a shock when their plane crashed into the passenger jet bridge. Flight TK1425 from Istanbul to Helsinki landed the airport at 11.45pm local time in Finland and headed to the gate crashed into the passenger jet bridge.

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Turkey Delighted with Tourism Performance | TravelPulse

Turkey Delighted with Tourism Performance

In 2013 Turkish tourism ascended to some rather lofty heights as it reached the status of being the sixth most visited country in the world. The flow of visitors, 41 million in 2014, has not abated despite the fact that Turkey’s eastern borders are connected to some of the scariest pages in the newspaper. Apparently, Turkey has better stories to tell potential visitors than newspapers do about its rich history and archeology, its cuisine, its ancient spa traditions, its seashore, Istanbul and a dollar that is particularly strong right now against the Turkish Lira.

More:Turkey Delighted with Tourism Performance | TravelPulse

A generation ago, Turkey sighed with relief – what now? | The National

A generation ago, Turkey sighed with relief – what now?

Caleb Lauer

May 19, 2015 Updated: May 19, 2015 05:14 PM

On Mother’s Day, Turkey heard of the death of Kenan Evren (1917-2015), the Turkish general who led the 1980 coup and became president. The coincidence was used in some of the harshest appraisals of Evren’s life. Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, said attending Evren’s funeral would “disrespect the mothers whose children were lost during the coup”.

More:A generation ago, Turkey sighed with relief – what now? | The National

Turkey on EU membership path, again - New Europe

Turkey on EU membership path, again

Turkey’s bid to join the European Union is back on the cards, according to a report by the country’s state-run Anadolu Agency.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn told a press conference in Brussels on May 18 that Turkey’s bid could move forward “very soon”.

More:Turkey on EU membership path, again - New Europe

Ankara aiming high at Regions' Cup finals - Regions' Cup - News - UEFA.com

Ankara aiming high at Regions' Cup finals

Published: Tuesday 19 May 2015, 9.15CET
"I am hung up on this trophy," said Ankara coach Mustafa Özer as he prepared to lead his side to the UEFA Regions' Cup finals. "We need to bring it home to Turkey."

More:Ankara aiming high at Regions' Cup finals - Regions' Cup - News - UEFA.com

Police raid 100 addresses in İstanbul in export fraud operation

Police raid 100 addresses in İstanbul in export fraud operation

The İstanbul Police Department Financial Crimes unit conducted raids on 100 addresses, including luxury house complexes, early on Tuesday morning, as part of a criminal investigation into groups involved in fraudulent exports.

More:Police raid 100 addresses in İstanbul in export fraud operation

Garanti's 'Experimental Banking' is Challenging Itself on Social Media -- ISTANBUL, May 19, 2015 /PR Newswire UK/ --

Garanti's "Experimental Banking" is Challenging Itself on Social Media

ISTANBUL, May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Garanti's "Experimental Banking" breathes new life into the banking sector. The campaign, created as an indirect marketing project, focuses on the antics of a man enraged at his brother's new-found job with Garanti Bank. Determined to undermine both, he invents new products, technologies and services on his own terms; such as "Full Body Bank", "Artificial Intelligence", "Organic Gold Account", and even builds a new branch, but his efforts all inevitably fail, and rather reinforce Garanti's stature than detract from it.

More:Garanti's 'Experimental Banking' is Challenging Itself on Social Media -- ISTANBUL, May 19, 2015 /PR Newswire UK/ --

Monday, May 18, 2015

Turkish FM slams prosecutor's attempt to block opposition press broadcasts

Turkish FM slams prosecutor's attempt to block opposition press broadcasts

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu becomes the highest ranking official from the government to condemn an Ankara prosecutor who had called for a satellite block on opposition press.

More:Turkish FM slams prosecutor's attempt to block opposition press broadcasts

Turkish teen wins gold at World Taekwondo Championship Anadolu Agency

Turkish teen wins gold at World Taekwondo Championship

18 May 2015 20:58 (Last updated 18 May 2015 21:00)

A Turkish athlete won the gold medal in the women’s 62 kg category at the World Taekwondo Championship after beating her Spanish rival Calvo Gomez in the final game.

More:Turkish teen wins gold at World Taekwondo Championship Anadolu Agency

Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir to referee Champions League Final Anadolu Agency

Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir to referee Champions League Final

18 May 2015 21:08 (Last updated 18 May 2015 21:10)
UEFA releases statement on Monday evening saying the 38-year-old was chosen as the referee of the final in Berlin

More:Turkey's Cuneyt Cakir to referee Champions League Final Anadolu Agency

Football: Besiktas' title dreams end in Ankara Anadolu Agency

Football: Besiktas' title dreams end in Ankara

18 May 2015 23:21 (Last updated 18 May 2015 23:50)

Besiktas lost against Torku Konyaspor 1-0 in the Spor Toto Super League match on Monday in Ankara and their title hopes came to an end since they are now seven points behind the leaders Galatasaray with two matches to spare.

More:Football: Besiktas' title dreams end in Ankara Anadolu Agency

Turkish talent show singer 'shot in head' | World news | The Guardian

Turkish talent show singer 'shot in head'

Mutlu Kaya, 19, who reportedly received death threats after appearing on Sesi Çok Güzel, remains in critical condition

More:Turkish talent show singer 'shot in head' | World news | The Guardian

Renault, Fiat workers on strike in Turkey wage dispute - Economy - Business - Ahram Online

Renault, Fiat workers on strike in Turkey wage dispute
AFP , Monday 18 May 2015

Fiat shares jump on Chrysler merger deal but worries remain
Thousands of workers from factories of European car giants Fiat and Renault in western Turkey were on strike Monday in a rare wage dispute to hit the flourishing Turkish car sector.

More:Renault, Fiat workers on strike in Turkey wage dispute - Economy - Business - Ahram Online

Turkey marks 71st anniversary of Crimean Tatar exile Anadolu Agency

Turkey marks 71st anniversary of Crimean Tatar exile

18 May 2015 16:48 (Last updated 18 May 2015 22:36)
Turkish President Erdogan says exile was a 'shameful black stain in history'

ANKARA / KIEV

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday the Crimean Tatars' forced exile under Soviet leader Josef Stalin in 1944 from Crimea to Central Asia was a "shameful black stain in history".

More:Turkey marks 71st anniversary of Crimean Tatar exile Anadolu Agency

Turkish Heritage Organization Announces Three New Advisory Board Members -- WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Turkish Heritage Organization Announces Three New Advisory Board Members

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Turkish Heritage Organization (THO) announced today the launch of its Advisory Board, further deepening its pool of experts on Turkey and topics related to the U.S.-Turkey relationship. These leading researchers will aid the THO in better fostering an understanding of the complex security, trade, energy and humanitarian issues impacting the region. Joining the THO Advisory Board are Dmitri Trenin of the Carnegie Moscow Center; Frederick Starr of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS); and Stephen Larrabee of the RAND Corporation.

More:Turkish Heritage Organization Announces Three New Advisory Board Members -- WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

GCR - Sectors - Turkey’s mega PPP hospital set to lure health tourists of the world

Turkey’s mega PPP hospital set to lure health tourists of the world
18 May 2015 | By Rod Sweet

Nearly two years after construction began, financial close has been reached on what is claimed to be the biggest greenfield hospital project in the world, and one of the biggest healthcare public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Europe.

More:GCR - Sectors - Turkey’s mega PPP hospital set to lure health tourists of the world

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Turkey names veteran Islamic banker as top financial regulator

Turkey names veteran Islamic banker as top financial regulator
By Reuters Staff
May 17, 2015

Turkey has appointed a veteran Islamic banker to oversee its $820 billion banking industry, reflecting Ankara’s drive to bolster Islamic finance and potentially raising further concern about political influence over the sector.

More:Turkey names veteran Islamic banker as top financial regulator

Pro-AKP TV shows face dwindling audiences - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Pro-AKP TV shows face dwindling audiences

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has so far won many political battles against all odds, but it keeps losing on the public relations front, particularly in cinema and TV, in spite of vigorous and costly efforts.

More:Pro-AKP TV shows face dwindling audiences - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East