PM Erdoğan messing around with minds: On Turkey’s “national drink”… and a social fabric roundup…

Turkey‘s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during the Global Alcohol Policy Symposium in Istanbul April 26, 2013. REUTERS/Murad Sezer   For a healthy generation, grandfather suggested me to drink ayran: Erdoğan from Hurriyet Daily News Turkish PM Erdoğan explained why he branded the salty beverage as the national drink.   Turkish PM vows … Read more

PKK?s withdrawal to start as of April 25… a politics roundup…

PKK?s withdrawal to start as of April 25, following statement from senior figures in Kandil: BDP deputy from Hurriyet Daily News The withdrawal of PKK militants from Turkish soil will start April 25..   PKK to ?withdraw, lay down arms soon? from Hurriyet Daily News The outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) will soon start to … Read more

Turkey, Israel content with the first round of talks.. Erdoğan upset with Kerry’s remarks on Gaza trip…

Turkey Criticizes Kerry Over Request to Postpone Visit to Gaza from NYT > Turkey by By SEBNEM ARSU A spokesman for Turkey?s government said it had been arrogant of Secretary of State John Kerry to suggest that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan postpone a trip to the Gaza Strip.   Erdoğan can go to Gaza … Read more

Israeli, Turkish delegations starts talks on compensation… Mr. Erdoğan seems to refuse Gaza trip recommendation by Kerry…

Israeli, Turkish delegations start talks on compensation for killing of 9 Turks from Hurriyet Daily News An Israeli delegation arrived in Turkey today for talks with Turkish officials concerning the compensation to be paid..   Israel, Turkey Discuss Flotilla Compensation from Yahoo news Israel, Turkey discuss compensation for flotilla raid victims in key step for … Read more

Yeni Anayasa çalışmaları: “Anayasa’nın ilk dört maddesi müzakere edilemedi…

Anayasa’da ilk 3 madde anlaşmazlığı Bugün Anayasa yazım komisyonunda, değiştirilemez maddeler konusunda uzlaşma sağlanamadı. HP, ilk 3 maddenin mevcut anayasadaki haliyle korunmasını ve bu hükümlerin değiştirilmemesini istedi. İki parti, Cumhuriyetin niteliklerinin sıralandığı maddeyi aynen   Şentop: CHP’nin Anayasa Uzlaşma Komisyonu’ndaki tavrı tam bir komedi Bugün Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AK Parti) Genel Başkan Yardımcısı ve … Read more

Andrew Finkel on Istanbul’s Tulip Trap… Istanbul news roundup…

The Tulip Trap from NYT > Turkey by By ANDREW FINKEL While Istanbul celebrates its favorite flower, it is destroying its few remaining natural habitats.   Turkish PM resents project ?ruining? Istanbul?s silhouette from Hurriyet Daily News Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has again excoriated developers..   Art Sold at Controversial Istanbul Auction Comes Partially … Read more

Politics roundup: As CHP and MHP retreats AKP allies with BDP to form a parliamentary commission to monitor peace process…

AKP to found Kurdish commission with BDP from Hurriyet Daily News Turkey?s ruling party has decided to work alone with the BDP on a commission to monitor the peace process if Parliament?s other two parties do not want to join the panel.   BDP co-leader sees no division in PKK from Hurriyet Daily News A … Read more

A report claims: 657,000 trees to be cut for Istanbul?s third airport. Istanbul news roundup…

657,000 trees to be cut for Istanbul?s third airport from Hurriyet Daily News A total of 657,000 of trees will be cut down for Istanbul?s third airport construction, according to a report.     Russian culture highlighted in Istanbul at first festival Hurriyet Daily News Istanbul is hosting the first Russian Culture Festival, starting from … Read more