Sunday, February 28, 2021

AP PHOTOS: Turkish vaccine teams target isolated villages - Washington Times

AP PHOTOS: Turkish vaccine teams target isolated villages ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Traveling across roads covered with ice and snow, vaccination teams have been going to Turkey‘s isolated mountain villages as the government seeks to inoculate 60% of the country’s people against coronavirus over the next three months. More:AP PHOTOS: Turkish vaccine teams target isolated villages - Washington Times

Vaccine nationalism won’t defeat the pandemic – by Sharan Burrow

Scientists are performing magnificently in developing vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus with unprecedented speed, but Big Pharma is calling the shots and governments are being left to squabble over what are, to begin with, inadequate supplies. Vaccine nationalism is rearing its ugly head, with devastating consequences for poorer countries and eventually for the whole world.

The moral and humanitarian case for fair access to vaccination is obvious and so is the public-health case: where vaccines are scarce, there will be more cases, each one an opportunity for the virus to continue to mutate, as all RNA viruses do. This means new variants could emerge which are different enough from the original virus that existing vaccines won’t work against it them. If those circulate widely, people who have been vaccinated will once again be susceptible to severe illness and death.

Read more at: Vaccine nationalism won’t defeat the pandemic – Sharan Burrow

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Turkey adopts drastic measures to restrain Covid-19 - Social News XYZ

Turkey adopts drastic measures to restrain Covid-19 Istanbul, Feb 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Turkey on Friday introduced a series of drastic measures in several provinces where the number of the Covid-19 daily cases are significantly on the rise. Local authorities in the northwestern Sakarya province banned all the activities of sports facilities for 15 days, starting from March 1, the CNN Turk broadcaster said. More:Turkey adopts drastic measures to restrain Covid-19 - Social News XYZ

Erdoğan's Turkey: a new great power?

Erdoğan's Turkey: a new great power? Anton Rovenskyy, Master of International Relations, International Political Scientist Under the rule of Reçep Taïp Erdoğan Turkey has become one of the most active geopolitical actors in the recent years. Its interests stretch throughout the whole Eurasia, and its agenda is of great interest for the states and nations in the Turkish sphere of interests. Let's focus on the main ambitions and interests of Turkey on the geopolitical chessboard. More:Erdoğan's Turkey: a new great power?

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Turkey, US maintain dialogue of the deaf - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey, US maintain dialogue of the deaf Ankara and Washington, both unwilling to budge over differences, can expect ties to get worse before they get better. More:Turkey, US maintain dialogue of the deaf - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Turkey's mobsters step out of shadows and into public sphere | World news | The Guardian

Turkey's mobsters step out of shadows and into public sphere After decades in hiding, in prison or keeping low profile, players from a bloody period in the country’s history are now seen as ‘folk idols’ by the Turkish right More:Turkey's mobsters step out of shadows and into public sphere | World news | The Guardian

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Why Turkey should stay out of Sinjar – European Council on Foreign Relations

Why Turkey should stay out of Sinjar European governments should clearly communicate their opposition to a potential Turkish military incursion into Sinjar, which would undermine the government in Baghdad while failing to remove the PKK from the area More:Why Turkey should stay out of Sinjar – European Council on Foreign Relations

How Turkey's Canan Kaftancioglu Challenged Erdogan's Power | Time

The 'Badass Chief of Staff' of Turkey's Opposition Faces Years in Jail After Challenging Erdogan's Power. She's Not Backing Down BY JOSEPH HINCKS / ISTANBUL FEBRUARY 24, 2021 5:35 AM EST Snow brings back memories for Dr. Canan Kaftancioglu. Of recess snowball fights in the Black Sea village where she grew up, of warming her hands at her elementary school’s stove before class — and of discovering a poem by Turkish writer Ataol Behramoglu, a favorite of a beloved uncle who would bring left-wing newspapers to her childhood home and discuss the articles inside. “It is about how the snow brings equality between people,” Kaftancioglu says of the poem. “In the snow, we build a new, more equal world.” More:How Turkey's Canan Kaftancioglu Challenged Erdogan's Power | Time

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Turkey's Erdogan defends plunge in reserves under ex-...

Turkey's Erdogan defends plunge in reserves under ex-minister Albayrak by Reuters Monday, 22 February 2021 13:14 GMT By Tuvan Gumrukcu ANKARA, Feb 22 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday defended a policy that oversaw a steep drop in FX reserves under former finance minister Berat Albayrak, his son-in-law, saying it helped Turkey to ride out pandemic-related shocks. More:Turkey's Erdogan defends plunge in reserves under ex-...

Friday, February 19, 2021

European bank backs women-led businesses in Turkey

European bank backs women-led businesses in Turkey European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides $100M for Denizbank to on-lend money to local businesses More:European bank backs women-led businesses in Turkey

Turkey’s failing economy, COVID vaccines and the Uighur issue : Coronavirus less dangerous than Erdogan's politics - Qantara.de

Turkey’s failing economy, COVID vaccines and the Uighur issue Coronavirus less dangerous than Erdogan's politics Turkey launched its nationwide vaccination campaign with a Chinese vaccine in January. But the public focus is more on the desolate economic situation. Turkish politicians have failed to create real awareness of the dangers posed by coronavirus, writes Marion Sendker in her report from Istanbul More:Turkey’s failing economy, COVID vaccines and the Uighur issue : Coronavirus less dangerous than Erdogan's politics - Qantara.de

Turkey's COVID-19 wage supports to run through March | Reuters

Turkey's COVID-19 wage supports to run through March By Reuters Staff ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has extended short labour payments for registered workers whose hours are cut due to coronavirus restrictions by one month until the end of March, according to a presidential decision in the country’s Official Gazette. More:Turkey's COVID-19 wage supports to run through March | Reuters

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Turkey to ease covid restrictions next month, Erdogan says – Middle East Monitor

Turkey to ease covid restrictions next month, Erdogan says February 18, 2021 at 2:05 pm Turkey will ease COVID-19 restrictions on a provincial basis in March, President Tayyib Recep Erdogan said yesterday. The risk level will be classified as "very high", "high", "medium" and "low" for every province, the premier said, with public health boards in each province able to decide whether to lift restrictions or tighten them based on those levels. More:Turkey to ease covid restrictions next month, Erdogan says – Middle East Monitor

Turkey moving to become a major player in Africa

Turkey moving to become a major player in Africa By Joséphine Dedet Posted on Thursday, 18 February 2021 14:24 When, in 2005, he first set foot on African soil, on a tour of Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had two goals: to take his country out of its almost exclusive relationship with the West and to open up previously untapped areas to Turkish trade. More:Turkey moving to become a major player in Africa

Turkish central bank stays hawkish, holds rates steady at 17% | Reuters

Turkish central bank stays hawkish, holds rates steady at 17% By Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey’s central bank held interest rates steady at 17% as expected on Thursday and kept up a hawkish tone, promising tighter policy if needed to rein in inflation that has risen to 15%. More:Turkish central bank stays hawkish, holds rates steady at 17% | Reuters

Turkey’s new political parties face struggle in battle against Erdogan | Financial Times

Turkey’s new political parties face struggle in battle against Erdogan President’s old allies complain of threats and media blackout as they seek to make themselves heard More:Turkey’s new political parties face struggle in battle against Erdogan | Financial Times

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Turkish Airlines Becomes The Leader In European Flight Volume - Simple Flying

Turkish Airlines Becomes The Leader In European Flight Volume by Pranjal Pande February 17, 2021 Turkish Airlines has become Europe’s biggest carrier by volume this week. The carrier has overtaken giants like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Ryanair to operate the most flights. The ranking comes as European airlines remain in hibernation amid strict border controls across the continent. More:Turkish Airlines Becomes The Leader In European Flight Volume - Simple Flying

US sides with Turkey, holds Kurdish terrorists responsible for 13 Turk deaths in Iraq

US sides with Turkey, holds Kurdish terrorists responsible for 13 Turk deaths in Iraq The HDP is Turkey's second-largest opposition party. It denies all formal links to the PKK but also questions Turkey's account of the 13 deaths. More:US sides with Turkey, holds Kurdish terrorists responsible for 13 Turk deaths in Iraq

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

EU keeps Turkey off tax havens black list

EU keeps Turkey off tax havens black list Tue, February 16, 2021, 5:15 AM BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - European Union financeministers kept Turkey off their list of tax havens on Tuesdaybecause of progress made with Ankara on tax cooperation, thePortugues presidency of the EU said. More:EU keeps Turkey off tax havens black list

Monday, February 15, 2021

US condemns ′PKK′ attack under pressure from Turkey | News | DW | 15.02.2021

US condemns 'PKK' attack under pressure from Turkey Washington has bowed to pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who accused the US of supporting terrorism. Ankara says Kurdish rebels killed 13 Turkish hostages. At first, the US treated this claim as unconfirmed. More:US condemns ′PKK′ attack under pressure from Turkey | News | DW | 15.02.2021

EU expresses condolences to Turkey over PKK massacre | Daily Sabah

EU expresses condolences to Turkey over PKK massacre BY DAILY SABAH WITH AA ISTANBUL DIPLOMACY FEB 15, 2021 8:49 PM GMT+3 A funeral ceremony is held for Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Mevlüt Kahveci who was executed by the PKK terrorist group in northern Iraq's Gara region, in Eskişehir, Turkey, Feb. 15, 2021. (AA Photo) The European Union on Monday expressed condolences over the brutal killing of 13 innocent Turkish civilians by the PKK terrorist group in northern Iraq More:EU expresses condolences to Turkey over PKK massacre | Daily Sabah

Turkish foreign min complains about US statements in first ...

Turkish foreign min complains about US statements in first call with Blinken by Reuters Monday, 15 February 2021 16:57 GMT ANKARA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu conveyed Ankara's unease over recent U.S. statements in his first phone call with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken since U.S. President Joe Biden's administration took office. More:Turkish foreign min complains about US statements in first ...

MPs want answers on leaked report about Erdogan's influence in NL - DutchNews.nl

MPs want answers on leaked report about Erdogan’s influence in NL Society February 15, 2021 Turkish flags hanging inside a building in The Hague. Photo: DutchNews.nl MPs are calling for more details about a leaked report by the Dutch counter terrorism unit NCTV in which officials express their concerns about the influence Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has on Dutch Turks. More:MPs want answers on leaked report about Erdogan's influence in NL - DutchNews.nl

Friday, February 12, 2021

Erdogan, Islam and alcohol: Last call for Istanbul's meyhane bar culture? - Qantara.de

Erdogan, Islam and alcohol Last call for Istanbul's meyhane bar culture? Istanbul's beloved "meyhane" are where friends traditionally meet for a glass of raki or a game of backgammon. Now, however, owners and patrons are worried that new government restrictions could spell the end for these local hangouts. By Tunca Ogreten and Daniel Bellut More:Erdogan, Islam and alcohol: Last call for Istanbul's meyhane bar culture? - Qantara.de

University challenged - Turkey’s president scapegoats gay-friendly students | Europe | The Economist

Turkey’s president scapegoats gay-friendly students Recep Tayyip Erodgan likens protesters to “terrorists” Europe Feb 13th 2021 edition Squadrons of armed policemen block the entrance. Metal barriers line the avenue leading up to the campus. Snipers occasionally emerge on nearby rooftops. Bogazici University has long been considered one of Turkey’s most prestigious. Today it resembles a besieged terrorist hideout. More:University challenged - Turkey’s president scapegoats gay-friendly students | Europe | The Economist

Thursday, February 11, 2021

U.S. calls on Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala | Reuters

U.S. calls on Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala By Reuters Staff (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday called on Turkey to immediately release philanthropist and human rights activist Osman Kavala, who has been detained for more than three years without conviction. More:U.S. calls on Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala | Reuters

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Turkey’s women need more inclusiveness and rights, not a women-only university

Turkey’s women need more inclusiveness and rights, not a women-only university Alexandra de Cramer| JournalistUpdated Feb 09, 2021 | 13:39 IST In Turkey, where women already long have had access to higher education, the belated creation of a women-only institution is a massive step backwards. More:Turkey’s women need more inclusiveness and rights, not a women-only university

Ex-presidential contender leaves Turkish opposition party | World | martinsvillebulletin.com

Ex-presidential contender leaves Turkish opposition party ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A politician who once ran as a presidential challenger to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resigned Monday from Turkey’s main opposition party to form his own political movement. More:Ex-presidential contender leaves Turkish opposition party | World | martinsvillebulletin.com

Mystery metal monolith vanishes from ancient Turkish site | The Independent

Mystery metal monolith vanishes from ancient Turkish site A mysterious metal monolith has disappeared four days after it was discovered More:Mystery metal monolith vanishes from ancient Turkish site | The Independent

Turkey’s unlikely westward turn  – EURACTIV.com

Turkey’s unlikely westward turn  DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this column reflect the views of the author(s), not of EURACTIV Media network. By Robert Ellis 12:52 (updated:  12:52) Turkey’s sudden desire to ‘turn a new page’ in its western relations comes as a surprise. But what is behind is an apparent change of heart which has to do with the country’s deteriorating economy, writes Robert Ellis. More:Turkey’s unlikely westward turn  – EURACTIV.com

Erdogan seizes on student protests to further polarize Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Erdogan seizes on student protests to further polarize Turkey The protests rocking Turkish university campuses are the biggest since the Gezi demonstrations and like them are the product of the president's stubborn refusal to consider popular sentiment. More:Erdogan seizes on student protests to further polarize Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Monday, February 08, 2021

Outbreak causing weight gain, sleep disorder: Survey - Turkey News

Outbreak causing weight gain, sleep disorder: Survey Nuray Babacan-ANKARA Nearly half of Turks have gained weight, while sleep disorder and headache have become widespread among people during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent survey has shown. Some 48 percent of females and 39 percent of males, who responded to the survey commissioned by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in January, said they put on weight during the outbreak, while only 8 percent said they lost weight. More:Outbreak causing weight gain, sleep disorder: Survey - Turkey News

Saturday, February 06, 2021

bne IntelliNews - BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Erdogan struggles to hold on to the narrative

BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Erdogan struggles to hold on to the narrative Police seal off the entrance to Istanbul’s Bogazici University. By bne IntelIiNews February 6, 2021 Simmering tensions are coming to the fore as Turkey’s Erdogan administration and the US Biden administration attempt to form a workable relationship. On the home front, meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—an authoritarian who was given an easy ride by former American president Donald Trump—is facing increasing rejection from the country’s youth, with pollsters warning that of five million young people who will become eligible to vote in the next elections, scheduled for 2023, only around a third would support his Justice and Development Party (AKP). More:bne IntelliNews - BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Erdogan struggles to hold on to the narrative

Mysterious monolith appears in Turkey

Mysterious monolith appears in Turkey Fri, February 5, 2021, 12:08 PM The three metre tall object was found on Friday (February 5) near Gobeklitepe, a 12,000 year-old temple in Turkey which recently became a UNESCO World Heritage site. More:Mysterious monolith appears in Turkey

Friday, February 05, 2021

EU, international academics condemn detention of students

EU, international academics condemn detention of students Brendan O’Malley  05 February 2021 Share The European Union has condemned the arrest of two students in Turkey over a poster promoting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) viewpoints, the detention of hundreds of students who protested against the arrests and the use of anti-LGBT hate speech by politicians and officials. More:EU, international academics condemn detention of students

Student protests grow as Turkey's young people turn against Erdoğan | World news | The Guardian

Student protests grow as Turkey's young people turn against Erdoğan President’s appointment of political ally as university rector becomes catalyst for disillusioned youth to vent frustrations More:Student protests grow as Turkey's young people turn against Erdoğan | World news | The Guardian

Thursday, February 04, 2021

Turkish inflation climbs to 15%, keeping high rates in focus | Financial Post

Turkish inflation climbs to 15%, keeping high rates in focus ISTANBUL — Turkey’s annual inflation rate climbed more than expected to 14.97% last month, data showed on Wednesday, driven by energy and food prices and pressuring the central bank to keep policy tight even after sharp interest rate hikes. More:Turkish inflation climbs to 15%, keeping high rates in focus | Financial Post

Tax injustice worsens in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Tax injustice worsens in Turkey Two-thirds of the Turkish government’s tax revenues have come from indirect taxes on consumption, adding to the burden of low- and middle-income groups. More:Tax injustice worsens in Turkey - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Why the 1,000-year-old Turkish rug industry is hanging by a thread

The 1,000-year-old Turkish rug industry is hanging by a thread — but these weavers are keeping it alive Marisa Palmer and Tam Hunt 1 hour ago   Weavers in Turkey are trying to keep the 1,000-year-old tradition of hand-weaving rugs alive. The industry has been hit hard by a dwindling economy and the pandemic. Handwoven Turkish rugs can cost thousands of dollars, and a single rug can take over a year to make. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. It can take nearly a year to hand-weave a traditional Turkish carpet, which can often cost thousands of dollars. But now, because of Turkey's stalling economy and the COVID-19 pandemic, an industry that relies heavily on tourist dollars is shrinking. More:Why the 1,000-year-old Turkish rug industry is hanging by a thread

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Turkey Arrests Scores Protesting Erdogan’s University Pick - Bloomberg

Turkey Arrests Scores Protesting Erdogan’s University Pick By Cagan Koc February 2, 2021, 9:18 AM GMT+1 Updated on February 2, 2021, 4:46 PM GMT+1 Turkey arrested more than 150 people peacefully protesting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s appointment of a loyalist to head one of the nation’s top ranking universities. Monday’s mass detentions at Bogazici University came hours before the Turkish leader went on national television to promise political reforms, including a new constitution. Erdogan Sweet Talks Markets With Return to Orthodoxy -- for Now More:Turkey Arrests Scores Protesting Erdogan’s University Pick - Bloomberg

2020 witnessed the killing of a woman every day ... "Violence against Turkish women has reached its maximum" - Asume Tech

2020 witnessed the killing of a woman every day … “Violence against Turkish women has reached its maximum” By Editorial Team February 2, 2021 Defenders of women’s rights in Turkey renewed their call and demand from the government of their country to protect women from domestic violence, as the latest statistics show that one of them was killed every day at the hands of men, during the past 2020. More:2020 witnessed the killing of a woman every day ... "Violence against Turkish women has reached its maximum" - Asume Tech

Monday, February 01, 2021

Prestigious Istanbul University Fights Erdogan’s Reach - The New York Times

Erdogan’s Reach Students and professors at Bogazici University, one of Turkey’s most well-known institutions, are protesting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s appointment of a new rector. More:Prestigious Istanbul University Fights Erdogan’s Reach - The New York Times

Turkey's Erdogan says may begin working on new constitution | Reuters

Turkey's Erdogan says may begin working on new constitution By Reuters Staff ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday his ruling AK Party and its nationalist allies may start work on drafting a new constitution, less than four years after overhauling the previous constitution to grant his office sweeping powers. More:Turkey's Erdogan says may begin working on new constitution | Reuters

A series of aftershocks jolts western Turkey minutes after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake - Doğruhaber

A series of aftershocks jolts western Turkey minutes after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake A series of aftershocks have jolted the Izmir province of western Turkey minutes after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit. More:A series of aftershocks jolts western Turkey minutes after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake - Doğruhaber