For the record, “Turkish economy shrinks for first time since 2009

  Turkish economy shrinks for first time since 2009  Hurriyet Daily News   Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a bigger than expected 1.8 percent in the third quarter of 2016 on weak consumer spending and exports, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) showed on Dec. 12 Charter amendment draft submitted to Turkey’s parliament  Hurriyet … Read more

Buddies again. Putin meets Erdoğan in Istanbul Energy Summit…

Putin in Turkey to push energy deals  EurActiv.com by Georgi Gotev Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Turkey today (10 October) for talks with counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, pushing forward ambitious joint energy projects as the two sides try to overcome a crisis in ties. Three Turkish diplomats seeking asylum in Germany after coup attempt: Report At least … Read more

Neo-Ottomanism doesn’t help; Topkapı Palace kiosk in danger… Istanbul news roundup…

Large cracks detected in Topkapı Palace basement, prompting evacuation Parts of Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace are slated to undergo a major restoration worth around 10 million Turkish Liras after deep crevices were found in the treasury room of the Ottoman-era palace in July, causing its closure to tourists Demo in Istanbul over assault of woman who wore … Read more

“International organisations condemn crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey…

International organisations condemn crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey A delegation of international civil society organisations visited Istanbul to demonstrate solidarity with writers, journalists and media outlets in Turkey. The failed coup of 15 July, in which at least 265 people were killed, has traumatised the Turkish population and the government must bring those responsible … Read more

Even Erdoğan complains about labelling people as Gülenists…

Erdoğan warns media to avoid labelling people as Gülenists President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned media to be more sensitive regarding the probes into the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), saying the media should avoid labelling people as Gülenists Some assholes even labelled me as a Gülenist. A wave of witch-hunt even some hardcore AKP fans began … Read more

After 9 years, new footage that proves some state officials’ involvement in Hrant Dink Assassination leaked…

The day Hrant Dink was assassinated, this blog turned to be a critical one, we always knew state was involved in one way or another, but only after the political fratricide, we can get a little bit of documentation. There is  possibly more footage that might be leaked soon… Footage reveals further evidence in Dink probe against … Read more

Turkish PM rejects a re-launch of PKK peace process but…

…but you never know. Things seem bleak now but what I have gradually learnt that statements like these maybe reversed in near future. Think of Turkey’s relations with Israel, Egypt and Russia. After such hostilities, Turkey try to normalize relations… No re-launch of PKK peace process but normalization with Syria, Egypt on agenda: Turkish PM Prime … Read more

Efkan Ala abruptly Resigns, Süleyman Soylu, who was claimed to be the boss of Aktrolls once, becomes the Minister of Interior…

But I don’t believe he is the boss now- if there was ever one… Minister of Interior Efkan Ala Resigns Bianet :: English The Minister of Interior Ala has resigned, Minister of Labor and Social Security Trabzon MP Süleyman Soylu has been appointed to the post. Welcome to demokrasi: how Erdogan got more popular than ever | … Read more

As Turkey’s @EuphratesShield continues, “Turkey’s cabinet, businesspeople to launch international PR campaign in bid to improve country’s image…

Turkey’s cabinet, businesspeople to launch international PR campaign in bid to improve country’s image Turkey’s economy ministries and a number of top businesspeople have decided to launch a comprehensive PR campaign to try to improve the country’s image abroad, following a series of negative recent events Exclusive footage shows retaken IS stronghold Jarablus  BBC News | Europe … Read more

Istanbul’s Third Bosphorus Bridge- Construction over a year by the Sentinel-2A satellite… Istanbul news roundup…

Istanbul’s Third Bosphorus Bridge opens today! Construction over a year by the Sentinel-2A satelliteNon-Political (esa.int)   Third bridge over Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait opens A third bridge over the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul was opened on Aug. 26 with a ceremony attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and other top officials, including … Read more

Facetime, Whatsapp… Not much encryption in Turkey’s coup games

Erdoğan initially used Facetime in last night coup attempt to talk to media. Erdogan resorts to iPhone’s FaceTime after coup attempt Aljazeera.com–10 hours ago Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s first appearance after an attempted coup came through a FaceTime app on an Apple iPhone, held . In the mean time, State news agency Anadolu Ajansı claimed that … Read more

“Significant Digits For The Istanbul Attacks

Significant Digits For The Istanbul Attacks  FiveThirtyEight » Features by Walt Hickey You’re reading Significant Digits, a daily digest of the telling numbers tucked inside the news. Turkey Did Nothing About the Jihadists in Its Midst – Until It Was Too Late foreignpolicy.com – Paul McLeary – May 29, 2014, 5:16 PM The Islamic State has … Read more

EU was ‘unsure’ what Davutoğlu exit means for Turkey migrant deal BUT Erdoğan was CLEAR: “We Go Our Way, You Go Yours

Erdoğan to EU: We Go Our Way, You Go Yours Bianet :: English In his speech held in Eyüp, President Erdoğan has made statements as to EU visa liberalisation, Prime Minister Davutoğlu, rising tension in parliament and the presidential system. EU ‘unsure’ what Davutoğlu exit means for Turkey migrant deal Hurriyet Daily News The European Union is … Read more

Suggestion of Turkey’s PM to lift all immunities for Deputies MEANS abrogating the Parliament…

Turkish PM suggests lifting all immunities The immunities of all parliamentarians subject to criminal summaries of proceedings should be lifted regardless of their party, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said Davutoğlu: Let Us Bring 506 Summary of Proceedings to Parliament Bianet :: English Prime Minister Davutoğlu in response to opposition’s proposal to lift all parliamentary immunities … Read more

EU- Turkey Summit- Turkey [of course] Makes [more] Demands

EU to lift visa regime by June, double financial aid to Turkey: Draft agreement Turkey and the European Union apparently reach a deal on refugees under which Ankara will receive 3 billion more euros in aid Resettling Syrians, aid and visa changes on table at EU-Turkey migration summit World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk by Jennifer Rankin in … Read more