Turkish Digest

Turkish Digest may be offline for a few days

2010-04-30T11:38:00.003-04:00

Dear readers,

Due to some changes made by Blogger, we are forced to migrate our site. Therefore, Turkish Digest may be off line for a few days (or not) depending how smooth the migration goes.

We hope to be back online again soon as the migration is completed.

We apologize for this inconvenience caused by circumstances beyond our control, and thank you for your understanding and continued interest in our site.

Editor, Turkish Digest

'Azerbaijan, Turkey coordinate their activity on most issues'

2010-04-30T11:11:00.000-04:00

"'Azerbaijan, Turkey coordinate their activity on most issues'

Fri 30 April 2010 | 05:00 GMT Text size:
19873

News.Az interviews Javid Veliyev, specialist of the Strategic Research Center under the Azerbaijani President, Turkic scientist."

More:News.Az - 'Azerbaijan, Turkey coordinate their activity on most issues'

Turkey to step up cooperation in environment, meteorology with neighbors

2010-04-30T11:10:00.000-04:00

"Turkey to step up cooperation in environment, meteorology with neighbors
English.news.cn 2010-04-30 08:48:21

ANKARA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will increase cooperation with its neighbors Iran, Iraq and Syria to protect the environment and improve responses to weather and climate changes, the four countries' top environment officials said here Thursday."

More:Turkey to step up cooperation in environment, meteorology with neighbors

Turkish Advice May Help Greece With Debt Crisis (Update2) - BusinessWeek

2010-04-30T11:09:00.000-04:00

"Turkish Advice May Help Greece With Debt Crisis (Update2)
April 30, 2010, 10:36 AM EDT

By Ben Holland

April 30 (Bloomberg) -- In the course of a centuries-old rivalry, many Greeks have viewed their Turkish neighbor as military occupier, religious rival or strategic threat. Financial adviser wasn’t high on the list."

More:Turkish Advice May Help Greece With Debt Crisis (Update2) - BusinessWeek

Cyprus President Urges Peaceful Solution To Cyprus Issue In Athens

2010-04-30T11:00:00.001-04:00

"Cyprus President Urges Peaceful Solution To Cyprus Issue In Athens

ATHENS, April 30 (Bernama) -- Cyprus President Demetris Christofias expressed disappointment on Thursday at the first signals sent by the newly-elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Dervis Eroglu, stressing that he still wants a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, Xinhua news agency reported."

More:BERNAMA - Cyprus President Urges Peaceful Solution To Cyprus Issue In Athens

Protocols remain on agenda of Turkish NSC

2010-04-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

"Protocols remain on agenda of Turkish NSC
10:03 / 04/30/2010

At the April 29 sitting, Turkish National Security Council (MGK) discussed the events of 1915 and prospects of Armenia-Turkey Protocols. Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of Turkish General Staff Ilker Basbug and other officials attended the 6.5 hour sitting."

More:Protocols remain on agenda of Turkish NSC | News from Armenia - NEWS.am

Tofas Q1 net profit 118.3 mln lira, exceeds f'cast | Reuters

2010-04-30T10:59:00.000-04:00

"Tofas Q1 net profit 118.3 mln lira, exceeds f'cast
Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:30am IST

ISTANBUL, April 30 (Reuters) - Turkish automaker Tofas
TOASO.IS: Quote, Profile, Research) posted first-quarter net profit of 118.3 million lira
$79.66 million), more than three times higher than the previous
year, as its markets recovered from last year's sharp decline."

More:Tofas Q1 net profit 118.3 mln lira, exceeds f'cast | Reuters

"3rd Bridge Spells Death of Istanbul"

2010-04-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

" "3rd Bridge Spells Death of Istanbul"

The Chamber of Architects warns that a third Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul would also affect Thrace and the Southern Marmara region negatively.
Tolga KORKUT

30 April 2010, Friday

Minister of Transport Binalı Yıldırım has announced details of a planned third Bosphorus bridge in Istanbul. The bridge is to span the Bosphorus between Garipçe, near Tarabya on the European side, and Poyrazköy, near Beykoz on the Asian side."

More:English :: "3rd Bridge Spells Death of Istanbul" - Bianet

Turkish Trade Deficit Doubled to $5 Billion in March (Update1) - BusinessWeek

2010-04-30T10:57:00.000-04:00

"Turkish Trade Deficit Doubled to $5 Billion in March (Update1)
April 30, 2010, 3:50 AM EDT

By Steve Bryant

April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Turkey’s trade deficit more than doubled in March from a year earlier, the fifth consecutive expansion as the economy accelerates out of recession, drawing in raw materials from abroad."

More:Turkish Trade Deficit Doubled to $5 Billion in March (Update1) - BusinessWeek

Istanbul Chamber Of Commerce to Open Exhibition in Brazil

2010-04-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

"Istanbul Chamber Of Commerce to Open Exhibition in Brazil

Friday, 30 April 2010

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) will hold the 1st Turkish Products Exhibition in Brazil between May 26 and 29."
More:Istanbul Chamber Of Commerce to Open Exhibition in Brazil

EU welcomes Baku and Ankara's gas price agreement

2010-04-30T10:54:00.000-04:00

"EU welcomes Baku and Ankara's gas price agreement
By Messenger Staff
Friday, April 30
The EU has welcomed the agreement finally achieved between Ankara and Baku on the price of the natural gas provided by Azerbaijan to Turkey. EU Commissioner on Energy Issues Guenther Oettinger hailed the agreement signed in Ankara on 27 April and reaffirmed that both countries are the EU's partners in transporting natural gas through the so-called Southern Corridor."

More:The Messenger - EU welcomes Baku and Ankara's gas price agreement

INTERVIEW: EU 'not a religious project,' Turkey welcome, says Fule | Earth Times News

2010-04-30T10:53:00.000-04:00

"INTERVIEW: EU 'not a religious project,' Turkey welcome, says Fule
Posted : Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:28:36 GMT
By : Alvise Armellini and Dorothee Junkers

Brussels - Turkey being a predominantly Muslim - albeit secular - country should not prevent it from joining the European Union, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule told the German Press Agency dpa on Friday."

More:INTERVIEW: EU 'not a religious project,' Turkey welcome, says Fule | Earth Times News

Turkish Cypriots 'cannot be victimized forever,' Ankara tells EU

2010-04-30T10:51:00.000-04:00

"Turkish Cypriots 'cannot be victimized forever,' Ankara tells EU

Turkish Cypriots cannot be victimized forever due to the deadlock on the long-divided island, Turkish officials said Thursday, urging the European Union to keep its promise to lift the embargo on northern Cyprus."

More:Turkish Cypriots 'cannot be victimized forever,' Ankara tells EU - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Istanbul to Host 2010 World Recycling Convention

2010-04-30T10:45:00.000-04:00

"Istanbul to Host 2010 World Recycling Convention

The Swissotel The Bosphorus in Istanbul, one of the world’s historic trading places, hosts the 2010 World Recycling Convention & Exhibition May 31-June 2. According to event organizer the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the beauty of Istanbul, which bridges the continents of Asia and Europe, “lies in its ability to embrace the contradictions that bless it: ancient and modern, mythical and earthly, religious and secular, East and West.”"

More:Recycling Today Media Group - Recycling Today magazine. : Current Issue BIR Report

Turkey reluctant to play West's game on Iran

2010-04-30T10:44:00.000-04:00

"Turkey reluctant to play West's game on Iran

FULYA ÖZERKAN
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
The essence of the initiative led by Turkey and Brazil to find a solution to the nuclear row with Iran is diplomacy, say sources, adding that Brazil's role is complementary to that played by Turkey, a NATO member bordering Iran

International powers should return to the negotiating table to resolve the standoff over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, according to Turkey, which fears new sanctions against the country could lead to instability and chaos."

More:Turkey reluctant to play West's game on Iran - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Turkey Unleashes New Energy Strategy Plan

2010-04-30T10:43:00.000-04:00

"Turkey Unleashes New Energy Strategy Plan
April 30, 2010

Saban Kardas

The Turkish energy ministry announced the strategic energy plan for 2010-2014, which seeks to accomplish several objectives: boosting supply security and Turkey’s influence in regional and global energy markets, protecting the environment, making greater use of domestic resources and restructuring the legal-institutional infrastructure of the national energy market (www.enerji.gov.tr, April 15)."

More:georgiandaily.com - Turkey Unleashes New Energy Strategy Plan

German, U.S. Films Win Top Prizes at Tribeca Festival - ABC News

2010-04-29T23:21:00.000-04:00

"German, U.S. Films Win Top Prizes at Tribeca Festival

By Christine Kearney
April 29, 2010

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A German film about a young woman who flees an oppressive life in Istanbul and moves to Berlin and a documentary about a Down Syndrome couple won the top prizes at the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday.

"When We Leave (Die Fremde)" by Austrian filmmaker Feo Aladag took two awards including best narrative feature and best actress for Germany's Sibel Kekilli. "Monica & David," by first-time director Alexandra Codina, won the best documentary prize for a portrait of an American Down Syndrome couple in love and preparing for their marriage."

More:German, U.S. Films Win Top Prizes at Tribeca Festival - ABC News

Turkey joins in 35 countries to mark World Wish Day

2010-04-29T20:47:00.000-04:00

"Turkey joins in 35 countries to mark World Wish Day
English.news.cn 2010-04-30 01:55:25

ISTANBUL, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Thursday joined in 35 other countries to initiate the "World Wish Day" in a bid to give hope, strength and joy to sick and life threatening children at age between 3 and 18 in the world."

More:Turkey joins in 35 countries to mark World Wish Day

Belgian parliament votes to ban wearing of veil | Reuters

2010-04-29T16:50:00.000-04:00

"Belgian parliament votes to ban wearing of veil
Philip Blenkinsop
BRUSSELS
Thu Apr 29, 2010 4:17pm EDT

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The Belgian lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill to ban wearing the full Islamic face veil in public, a move that could make Belgium the first European country to make the practice a criminal offence.
"

More:Belgian parliament votes to ban wearing of veil | Reuters

Tulay German Documentary Featured in Istanbul - SHOUTcast Blog

2010-04-29T15:01:00.000-04:00

"Tulay German Documentary Featured in Istanbul
Posted on Apr 29th 2010 2:00PM by Derek Beres
0 Comments
Tülay German's tumultuous life has made its way to the big screen with Didem Pekün and BarÄ±ÅŸ DoÄŸrusöz's new documentary film on the folk singer, 'Tülay German: The Years of Fire and Cinders.' Inspired by the woman's autobiography, the film recently premiered at the 29th International Istanbul Film Festival."

More:Tulay German Documentary Featured in Istanbul - SHOUTcast Blog

TURKEY: Government mulls green incentive scheme: Automotive News & Comment

2010-04-29T12:27:00.000-04:00

"TURKEY: Government mulls green incentive scheme

29 April 2010 | Source: just-auto.com editorial team

Turkey is mulling a range of environmentally-friendly incentives to boost its domestic auto market."

More:TURKEY: Government mulls green incentive scheme: Automotive News & Comment

Freedom of the press remains elusive in Turkey

2010-04-29T12:25:00.000-04:00

"Freedom of the press remains elusive in Turkey

Özgür ÖĞRET
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News
A US-based independent watchdog organization labels Turkey's press as 'partly free,' contrasting the continued harassment, pressure and threats against members of the media with an improved ability to publish diverse views, including criticism of the government. In its global report, the group also names 10 countries where the press is most restricted and assesses the overall improvement or decline of media freedom in nations around the world"

More:Freedom of the press remains elusive in Turkey - Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Turkey plans constitutional reform granting prime minister unrivalled power

2010-04-29T11:31:00.000-04:00

"Turkey plans constitutional reform granting prime minister unrivalled power
Turkey is preparing to hold a referendum next month on key constitutional changes that will grant its Islamist prime minister unrivalled power in a country traditionally dominated by the military."

More:Turkey plans constitutional reform granting prime minister unrivalled power - Telegraph

Abhi-Ash for "quality time" in Alaska and Istanbul | DesPardes.com | Breaking News|Latest News|India News |Pakistan News|Politics News |Bollywood News|Cinema News|Hollywood News|Cricket|Bu

2010-04-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

Giorgos Alkaios and Friends in Istanbul

2010-04-29T10:44:00.000-04:00

"Giorgos Alkaios and Friends in Istanbul

Immediately after appearing as a special guest on the live Eurovision TRT Music preview show in Istanbul, esctoday.com spoke with Giorgos Alkaios the singer who will represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010."

More:Eurovision Song Contest Oslo 2010 | News - Greece: Giorgos Alkaios and Friends in Istanbul