Only a few, literally, critical legacy media outlet remains in Turkey after the last raids…

I guess, Cumhuriyet, Sözcü, Halk TV are the only few media outlets that remain to be classified as critical of government… Hayatın Sesi TV Sealed Bianet :: English Regie room of Hayatın Sesi TV has been sealed, its Youtube broadcast shut down. Continuing its broadcasting on social media, channel staff said “We are here and not … Read more

Antiques Festival in Taksim Square (to boost declining Taksim area popularity)- Istanbul news roundup…

Antiques Festival to Begin on Taksim Square Still Under Construction Bianet :: English Beyoğlu Municipality has initiated a series of festivals which will continue for 50 days. The events aim at reviving İstanbul’s Beyoğlu district which has become dull and empty following the bombing and the coup attempt. However, not even the construction of Taksim Square, … Read more

For the record, despite his “insulting poetry” Boris Johnson had a good time in Turkey.

Boris Johnson lauds his Turkish washing machine on first visit to Ankara World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk British foreign secretary displays raffish style during first official trip since writing a poem about the Turkish president having sex with a goat Boris Johnson seeks to mend fences in talks with Turkish leadership  World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk by … Read more

Turkey denied entry to Lagendijk, who was one of the permanent advocate of Turkey’s EU candidacy…

Dutch politician, columnist Joost Lagendijk denied entry to Turkey Joost Lagendijk, the former co-chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee and Today’s Zaman columnist, was denied entry to Turkey on Sept. 25 after his flight from the Netherlands landed at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport In other news: Turkish markets, lira seeking recovery after Moody’s rating cut Turkey’s … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “The European Commission’s new anti-leak strategy has been leaked…

The Brief: Commission’s anti-leak strategy leaks EurActiv.com by James Crisp It’s almost too perfect. The European Commission’s new anti-leak strategy has been leaked. European refugees and Twitter open Democracy News Analysis – by Francisco Núñez, Román Martín and Aurora Labio The political parties, professions and media that were registered as the most active in the Twitter storm … Read more

Turkish experts finally resolved the controversy around Gollum (!)

Gollum Was a Victim, say Experts in Erdoğan Defamation Case  Bianet :: English Experts in the defamation case launched against Dr. Bilgin Çiftçi for juxtaposing photographs of President Erdoğan and Gollum have said that the Lord of the Rings character was oppressed, and not a bad individual. Gollum ‘not evil’ say Turkish experts, over Erdogan comparison … Read more

Despite Turkey’s objections Moody’s downgrades Turkey’s sovereign debt rating to ‘junk’ level….

Turkish officials criticize Moody’s cut Turkey’s credit rating to ‘junk’ level Senior Turkish officials have criticized the cut to Turkey’s sovereign credit rating by ratings agency Moody’s, claiming that the move is “biased” and does not reflect the realities of Turkey’s macro indicators Moody’s downgrades Turkey’s sovereign debt rating to ‘junk’ level Moody’s cut Turkey’s sovereign debt … Read more

Main opposition party believes “1 million sufferers in post-coup process

  CHP urges fair trial, cites 1 million sufferers in post-coup process The number of people who have suffered from the government’s “reckless measures” against suspected Gülenists within the civil service has hit 1 million, the main opposition leader has said Turkish schools reopen after purge of teachers suspected of coup links World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Bratislava EU meeting”

Bratislava EU meeting: Merkel says bloc in ‘critical situation’  BBC News | Europe | World Edition The EU is in a “critical situation”, the German chancellor says, as leaders meet to discuss ways to regain trust after the UK’s vote to leave the bloc. Debate: Can the Bratislava summit mend the EU? euro|topics The leaders of the … 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

My favorite minister: “Latvian minister to miss Bratislava meeting – to play chess” Eurosphere agenda…

Why the Pirate Party could end up running Iceland Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow With the Icelandic Pirates crushing it in the polls and set to form the next government of a sovereign, carbon-neutral, strategically located nation, it’s worth asking how a party whose two issues — internet freedom and copyright reform — are wonky, minority … 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

Meanwhile in the EU front; “Turkey will accept end-of-2016 delay in EU visa liberalisatio

Turkey will accept end-of-2016 delay in EU visa liberalisation  EurActiv.com by Georgi Gotev Turkey is now willing to accept the liberalisation of travel visa rules with the European Union by the end of the year instead of October, as previously targeted, the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag wrote yesterday (4 September), citing senior Turkish government sources. … Read more

International call on Turkish authorities to allow former Cumhuriyet editor’s wife to travel freely…

Int’l press organizations call on Turkish authorities to allow former Cumhuriyet editor’s wife to travel freely Two international press organizations have called on Turkish authorities to return the passport of Dilek Dündar, the wife of former daily Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Can Dündar, after she was banned from traveling abroad on Sept. 3 In the mean time, 50 Politicians … Read more