İstanbul’s contribution to World Animal Day: “Tombili” cat’s sculpture… Istanbul news roundup…

Sculpture of Istanbul’s cat phenomenon ‘Tombili’ to be inaugurated on Oct 4 A sculpture created in memory of “Tombili,” the portly cat who became a social media phenomenon after being photographed posing on a sidewalk in Istanbul’s Ziverbey neighborhood, will be inaugurated on Oct. 4 on World Animal Day Tombili Returns to Its Neighborhood on World Animal … Read more

For the record; #Redhack hacks led to a high level resignation at Doğan Media Group…

A major shake-up at Doğan Media Doğan Media Group coordinator Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ announced his resignation from the post, approved by the group’s Honorary Chairman Aydın Doğan on Sept. 30 RedHack Leaks Reveal the Rise of Turkey’s Pro-Government Twitter Trolls The Daily Dot Leaked emails from the Turkish government provide new details of how Turkey’s pro-government … Read more

US 9/11 bill might have angered Erdoğan as much as Saudis as he calls on Muslim countries to united against it…

Erdoğan calls on Muslim countries to unite against US 9/11 bill Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Oct. 2 urged Islamic nations to unite in solidarity against a newly passed bill in the U.S. that allows families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for their losses. Erdoğan sends strong messages to EU, … Read more

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

Parliamentary system is dead: “Turkey extends state of emergency for additional three months”

Turkey extends state of emergency for additional three months The Turkish government has extended the state of emergency, first implemented in the aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt, for an additional three-month period, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş announced on Oct. 3 Turkey’s great purge BBC News | Europe | World Edition Public sector staff are … Read more

Because Turkey is very consistent, She “criticizes US over ‘inconsistency and disjointedness’ in Middle East (!)

Turkey criticizes US over ‘inconsistency and disjointedness’ in Middle East Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed the United States for the “inconsistency and disjointedness” of its policies on the Middle East, as one part of the Obama administration continues to insist on allying with Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD), an organization that Ankara regards as … 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

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

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

Turkey’s brain drain: Purges and fear are driving Turkish scholars out of the country

By William Armstrong The new academic year opened under dark clouds for many scholars in Turkey. The crackdown in the aftermath of July’s attempted military coup has worsened the sense of suffocation. The country now faces the real danger of a “brain drain” as many educated citizens look for a route out. Over 5,300 academics have … Read more

12 cute libraries in Istanbul… and an Istanbul news roundup…

12 Libraries piece is in Turkish but you might get some clues in any case;)  Iconic Istanbul neighborhoods are struggling Hurriyet Daily News Beyoğlu on the European side of Istanbul and Bağdat Street on the Anatolian side are sad. Morale is down for the owners of shops and those working Spotlight: Istanbul striving to be … 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