Turkish Digest

ANKARA, Turkey: Q&A: On Turkey's proposed alcohol restrictions

2013-05-24T14:02:00.001-04:00

Q&A: On Turkey's proposed alcohol restrictions

By SUZAN FRAZER— Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — A look at legislation passed in Turkey's parliament early Friday that would ban all alcohol advertising and tighten restrictions on the sale of such beverages, and how such a law could affect tourists and liquor companies in the mainly Muslim but secular country.

More:ANKARA, Turkey: Q&A: On Turkey's proposed alcohol restrictions | World | The Sun Herald

Ankara locals set to hold ‘kissing protest’ at metro

2013-05-24T14:00:00.001-04:00

Ankara locals set to hold ‘kissing protest’ at metro

Ankara residents have started a social media campaign against a “moral warning” in the local metro system. Residents will gather May 25 at 6:30 p.m. at a central metro station for a protest campaign called “We are kissing at the Kurtuluş metro.”

More:LOCAL - Ankara locals set to hold ‘kissing protest’ at metro

Turkey fully booked for congresses until 2019

2013-05-24T13:59:00.001-04:00

Turkey fully booked for congresses until 2019

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey has reached its full capacity for congress tourism events until the year 2019, according to Association of Turkish Travel Insurance (TURSAB) Chairman Başaran Ulusoy.

More:BUSINESS - Turkey fully booked for congresses until 2019

Turkey builds wall at Syria border crossing after bombs - chicagotribune.com

2013-05-24T13:53:00.001-04:00

Turkey builds wall at Syria border crossing after bombs

11:09 a.m. CDT, May 24, 2013

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey is constructing 2.5-km-long (1.5 mile) twin walls at a border crossing with Syria to increase security at the frontier following three deadly bombings this year.

The concrete walls will be built on either side of the road leading from the Turkish side of the crossing at Cilvegozu to the Syrian border gate and will be topped with barbed wire, the Turkish Customs Ministry said in a statement.

More:Turkey builds wall at Syria border crossing after bombs - chicagotribune.com

Smell of Turkish coffee in European streets

2013-05-24T13:52:00.001-04:00

Smell of Turkish coffee in European streets
'Mobile Turkish Coffee House' started to fill streets of Europe with the smell of Turkish coffee.

21 Mayıs 2013 Salı - 10:34

TIMETURK / News Center

After impressing its tasters in the U.S., the "Mobile Turkish Coffee House" aims to reach 10 thousand Europeans during its European tour.

In the scope of promoting the Turkish culture in the U.S., the mobile coffee house was established last year and had visited several US cities before it arrived at Holland's capital, Amsterdam.

More:Smell of Turkish coffee in European streets

Istanbul's Top Street Foods | Culinary Backstreets

2013-05-24T13:48:00.001-04:00

Istanbul’s Top Street Foods
May 24, 2013, by Istanbul Eats, Comments 0

As rapidly as Istanbul marches toward its modern destiny, street food in this city is still served the old-fashioned way, by boisterous ustas with a good pitch and, sometimes, a really good product. When the bars close, hungry Istanbulites cruise the streets looking for the gas lamp of a rice cart or listening for the call of a sucuk griller, on whom they pounce in a feeding frenzy. As informal as the dining may be, there is an irreplaceable human element – respect – at street food stalls and carts around the city. We like to celebrate these tasty Istanbul street eats and support the ustas who serve them, because, to us, there is no kebab without a real, live kebapçı serving it.

More:Istanbul's Top Street Foods | Culinary Backstreets

European energy exchanges compete for Turkish growth | Reuters

2013-05-24T10:02:00.003-04:00

European energy exchanges compete for Turkish growth

ISTANBUL | Tue May 21, 2013 12:30pm EDT

May 21 (Reuters) - European energy exchanges ICE Endex and EEX are competing for a slice of Turkey's booming power market as the country prepares to open its first electricity exchange, executives from the companies said on Tuesday.

More:European energy exchanges compete for Turkish growth | Reuters

Sukru Celik: Turkey is a crucial destination for EU scrap exports

2013-05-24T10:02:00.001-04:00

Sukru Celik: Turkey is a crucial destination for EU scrap exports

Thursday, 23 May 2013 18:03:54 (GMT+2)

Speaking at SteelOrbis Market Talks Meeting held in Istanbul on May 22, Turkey director of Belgian Scrap Terminal NV, Sukru Celik, discussed the Turkish steel industry and in particular its scrap imports in relation to Turkey's current account deficit which had hit a record level of $77 billion in 2011. Noting that the steel industry is one of the most important industrial sectors in Turkey, Mr. Celik stated that Turkish producers have to import scrap for their arc furnace steel production. Disagreeing with the idea that the country's steel industry increases Turkey's current account deficit, he said that steel scrap imports ultimately have a positive effect on the current account deficit as opposed to having to import finished steel products which would lead to a greater deficit.

More:Sukru Celik: Turkey is a crucial destination for EU scrap exports

Van Rompuy sees 'concrete steps' in Turkey's EU bid - Public Service Europe

2013-05-24T08:21:00.003-04:00

Van Rompuy sees 'concrete steps' in Turkey's EU bid

by Daniel Mason
24 May 2013

There should soon be "concrete steps" forward in Turkey's stalled application to join the European Union, the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, predicted in a speech to business leaders in Ankara yesterday. He also claimed that one of the main roadblocks in the accession process, the Cyprus dispute, could be overcome by taking inspiration from the post-war reconciliation of Germany and France.

More:Van Rompuy sees 'concrete steps' in Turkey's EU bid - Public Service Europe

Turkey April Tourist Arrivals Rise At Slower Rate

2013-05-24T08:21:00.001-04:00

Turkey April Tourist Arrivals Rise At Slower Rate
5/24/2013 6:00 AM ET

Foreign tourist arrivals in Turkey increased at a notably slower pace in April, preliminary data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed Friday.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the country increased 13.02 percent from last year to around 2.45 million in April, which was markedly slower than the 26.06 percent growth recorded in March and February's 27.15 percent.

More:Turkey April Tourist Arrivals Rise At Slower Rate

Ankara threatens to step into Turkcell standoff - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE

2013-05-24T08:20:00.003-04:00

Ankara threatens to step into Turkcell standoff

May 24, 2013

Turkey on May 23 threatened again to intervene in the long-standing ownership spat at mobile operator Turkcell. The claim from Ankara that it may step in came a day after the company failed to hold its AGM due to the standoff.

More:Ankara threatens to step into Turkcell standoff - BUSINESS NEW EUROPE

New Bridge Between Turkey and Greece | Greek Reporter Europe

2013-05-24T08:20:00.001-04:00

New Bridge Between Turkey and Greece
By A. Papapostolou on May 23, 2013 in news, Turkey

sinoraelladasAnkara and Athens have initiated efforts to build a new bridge between Turkey and Greece to ease traffic, Anatolia news agency reported quoting Turkish Deputy Minister of Customs and Trade, Fatih Metin.

More:New Bridge Between Turkey and Greece | Greek Reporter Europe

Istanbul city breaks: Cafe's restaurants and things to do in Turkey's city on the Bosphorus - Mirror Online

2013-05-24T08:19:00.001-04:00

Turkish delights: Istan-brill breaks in the city where East meets West
24 May 2013 09:30

It's Sunday morning... I’m walking down a traffic-free street in the Taksim district of Istanbul. The shops are open and the place is awash with people enjoying themselves.

Cute, old-fashioned, single-carriage trams are trundling down the middle of the road. Last night one had a live jazz band on board – “to help people feel happy” our guide told us.

More:Istanbul city breaks: Cafe's restaurants and things to do in Turkey's city on the Bosphorus - Mirror Online

Officer in custody over leaks on Reyhanlı attack

2013-05-24T08:17:00.001-04:00

Officer in custody over leaks on Reyhanlı attack

ANKARA

A gendarmerie officer suspected of leaking secret documents to a Turkish hacker group has been taken into custody, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Hüseyin Çelik has said as the prime minister called on the media to act in a sensitive manner in such issues.

More:POLITICS - Officer in custody over leaks on Reyhanlı attack

Turkish government to sign agreements for oil and gas with Kurdi

2013-05-24T08:16:00.001-04:00

Turkish government to sign agreements for oil and gas with Kurdistan
91 times viewed.
Friday, 24 May 2013

Shafaq News reported that Turkish government announced that it is about to sign commercial contracts this year with international companies operating in Kurdistan region for joint exploration of oil.

Turkish Energy Minister, Mr Taner Yildiz said in an interview after returning from the United States with Prime Minister Mr Tayyip Erdogan briefed by Shafaq News, said that his country looks forward to sign commercial contracts this year with Russian and American companies operate in northern Iraq for the joint exploration for oil and gas.

More:Turkish government to sign agreements for oil and gas with Kurdi

Chinese VP meets Turkish guests, media delegation - People's Daily Online

2013-05-24T08:15:00.001-04:00

Chinese VP meets Turkish guests, media delegation
(Xinhua)
08:35, May 24, 2013

BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao on Thursday met with a delegation of Turkish young politicians and cadres.

He also separately met with a delegation of foreign political party media.

More:Chinese VP meets Turkish guests, media delegation - People's Daily Online

Australian politician hits back at Gallipoli ban threat, says it “diminishes Turkey’s credibility and reputation” | Public Radio of Armenia

2013-05-24T08:14:00.001-04:00

Australian politician hits back at Gallipoli ban threat, says it “diminishes Turkey’s credibility and reputation”
17:33 23.05.2013

Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Marie Ficarra has condemned a statement released by the Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which suggests the country will block Australian politicians from visiting Gallipoli for the centenary of ANZAC Day in 2015, the Armenian National Committee of Australia reports.

More:Australian politician hits back at Gallipoli ban threat, says it “diminishes Turkey’s credibility and reputation” | Public Radio of Armenia

Turkish-Armenian blogger sentenced to Turkish prison for blasphemy - CNN.com

2013-05-23T20:32:00.001-04:00

Turkish-Armenian blogger sentenced to Turkish prison for blasphemy
By Ivan Watson and Gul Tuysuz, CNN
May 23, 2013 -- Updated 1401 GMT (2201 HKT)

Istanbul (CNN) -- A Turkish-Armenian blogger vowed to appeal a day after an Istanbul court sentenced him to more than a year in prison for blasphemy.

In a phone interview with CNN, Sevan Nisanyan accused Turkey's Islamic-rooted government of politically persecuting him.

More:Turkish-Armenian blogger sentenced to Turkish prison for blasphemy - CNN.com

Prosecutor seeks life sentences for Turkey generals

2013-05-23T20:31:00.001-04:00

Prosecutor seeks life sentences for Turkey generals

ANKARA: More than 100 senior Turkish army officers face prosecution demands they spend the rest of their lives in jail for their alleged role in toppling Turkey’s first Islamist-led government 16 years ago, a Turkish TV channel reported on Wednesday.

More:Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Prosecutor seeks life sentences for Turkey generals

Prominent Chechen advocate shot dead in Turkish capital | Reuters

2013-05-23T20:30:00.001-04:00

Prominent Chechen advocate shot dead in Turkish capital

ANKARA | Thu May 23, 2013 11:10am EDT

(Reuters) - A prominent figure in the Chechen diaspora in Turkey was shot at his Ankara office late on Wednesday, a North Caucasus refugee association said, the latest in a series of killings of Chechens and their sympathizers in the country in recent years.

More:Prominent Chechen advocate shot dead in Turkish capital | Reuters

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey debates alcohol sales and ad restrictions | Politics | Bradenton Herald

2013-05-23T20:28:00.001-04:00

Turkey debates alcohol sales and ad restrictions

By SUZAN FRASERANKARA, Turkey — Turkish lawmakers on Thursday began debating a bill that bans all alcohol advertising and tightens restrictions on sales of such beverages - a proposal the government insists is aimed at protecting the young from the ills of spirits but which secularists say is an example of the Islamic-based ruling party's encroachment on personal freedoms.

More:ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey debates alcohol sales and ad restrictions | Politics | Bradenton Herald

Syrian opposition meets in Istanbul to discuss peace talks plan | euronews, world news

2013-05-23T20:26:00.001-04:00

Syrian opposition meets in Istanbul to discuss peace talks plan

23/05 13:04 CET

Members of Syria’s opposition coalition are in Istanbul to decide whether they will take part in talks, which aim to bring an end to the country’s civil war.

More:Syrian opposition meets in Istanbul to discuss peace talks plan | euronews, world news

Turkey gets crucial EU messages on 5 issues

2013-05-23T20:25:00.001-04:00

Turkey gets crucial EU messages on 5 issues

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Top EU figure Herman van Rompuy comes to Ankara, outlining five key areas for Turkey’s future, including the Kurdish process and Cyprus

More:EUROPE - Turkey gets crucial EU messages on 5 issues

Turkish gov’t liberalizes oil sector despite opposition outcry

2013-05-23T20:23:00.001-04:00

Turkish gov’t liberalizes oil sector despite opposition outcry

ANKARA
Turkish Parliament will start to debate a draft of a new petroleum law next week amid opposition claims that it would weaken the state-run oil company

More:ENERGY - Turkish gov’t liberalizes oil sector despite opposition outcry

Turkish legislators debate oil law to attract foreign explorers | The Budapest Business Journal on the web | bbj.hu

2013-05-23T20:21:00.001-04:00

Turkish legislators debate oil law to attract foreign explorers

Thursday, May 23, 2013, 3:50 PM CET

Turkey, which gets almost all its energy from abroad, debated a law on Wednesday that seeks to lure foreign companies to explore for oil and gas and end the preferential treatment of state-run TPAO Turkiye Petrolleri AO (TPAO), media reported.

More:Turkish legislators debate oil law to attract foreign explorers | The Budapest Business Journal on the web | bbj.hu