37 suspects arrested in İstanbul KCK operation

http://medya.todayszaman.com/todayszaman/2011/10/07/kck-suspects-referred-to-court.jpgThirty-seven of the 43 people who were referred to court on Thursday after their detention on Wednesday as part of an operation into the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella political organization for all groups related to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), were arrested early on Friday. More >

Turkish resort targeted by suicide bomber

An explosion outside a gendarme station rocked Turkey’s popular Mediterranean resort region of Antalya Friday afternoon. A local government official told CNN one man who appeared to be a suicide bomber was killed in the blast.

The official from Antalya’s Goynuk municipality, where the explosion took place, asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The official said at least one person was slightly injured in the explosion.

2nd D8 ministerial meeting to be held in Istanbul

The meeting will discuss building joint automobile, adopting special policies on energy and environment, standard of foodstuff and joint petrochemical projects.

The event will also seek to provide an opportunity for member states to exchange their experience, facilitate trade among them and promote trade of steel within the group.

The first round of the event was held in Iran two years ago.

Israel’s Maccabi booed in Istanbul before kickoff

Thousands of Turkish fans booed Maccabi Tel Aviv players as they went on the pitch to warm up ahead of their Europa League game against Besiktas on Thursday, prompting Turkish officials to start playing loud music to drown out the noise.

Security was tight at Besiktas’ Inonu stadium in Istanbul amid tensions with Israel over its refusal to apologize for a raid on a Gaza-bound ship last year that killed nine Turkish activists. More than 2,000 policemen were deployed in and around the stadium, NTV television said.

Turkish Police, Kurds Clash in Istanbul

Turkish police in Istanbul clashed with scores of stone-throwing Kurdish protesters Thursday, after a peace rally organized by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party turned violent.

Police warned the mainly youthful protestors about carrying banners supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Some of the demonstrators, many wearing scarves to cover their faces, protested when ordered to go through security checkpoints.

The protestors threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, as police fired tear gas to break up the demonstration.

Syrian opposition seeks united front in Istanbul

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/17/1310918601239/Syrian-opposition-support-007.jpgLeading Syrian opposition figures, encouraged by international support for their cause, met in Istanbul on Saturday to nominate a council that could aid in a transition of power if President Bashar al-Assad is toppled by an uprising against his rule. More >

Factors to Watch on Aug 26

Here are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Friday.

The lira stood at 1.7490 against the dollar by 0518 GMT, firming from a close of 1.7615 on Thursday.

The main Istanbul share index ended 0.16 percent lower at 52,967.67 points on Thursday.

The average compound yield on the benchmark May 15, 2013 bond <0#TRTSYSUM=IS>, closed at 7.93 percent on Thursday from 7.98 percent on Wednesday.

Syria dissidents eye unity in Istanbul

Syrian opposition plans to gather in Istanbul on Sunday in order to select a national council among all Syrian opposition committees. Ankara is not contributing to their gatherings but will be watching it closely, according to an official Members of the Syrian opposition are expected to form a national council Sunday as an alternative to embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a gathering in Istanbul, according to likely participants.

Istanbul Stocks Tumble Again,Close 5% Lower

Turkish stocks fell 5% Wednesday, extending major losses in recent days, as nervous investors shunned global risk amid rapidly deteriorating investor sentiment.

Turkey’s benchmark Istanbul stock index fell as much as 6.7% before paring some losses to close down 5.0% at 50,307.63 points. The broad-based declines were led by bank shares which sank as much as 8.2% before closing 7.3% lower.

Turkey Dials Back Plan to Expand Censorship

Turkey is stepping back from plans to toughen Internet censorship and will make it harder to ban access to websites, after the announcement of harsh new Internet laws triggered street protests and international criticism.

A plan to require Turkish Internet users to choose one of four state-mandated browsing filters starting this month has been scrapped, said Serhat Ozeren, head of the Internet Board at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in an interview on Friday.