April 15, 2014

How not to lie in Brussels

Selçuk Gültaşlı

European Union Affairs Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that senior Member of European Parliament Andrew Duff had been "bought" by the "parallel structure" -- a term frequently used by government officials to describe the Hizmet movement. When Duff reminded him of his claims, Çavuşoğlu didn't stand by his remarks, but opted to accuse the Zaman daily and the Cihan news agency of spreading lies.

Turkish Olympiad finals held all around the globe in prestigious venues in a variety of cities

Though we typically only witness the Turkey leg of the Turkish Olympiad, held as a part of the International Turkish Education Association's (TÜRKÇEDER) Language and Culture Festival, the fact is that excitement over this event similarly takes place in participating countries every year as well.

AK Party politician sparks hatred against Hizmet movement

In yet another example of increasing hate speech by the government, academic and member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) Mazhar Bağlı on Sunday called for revenge to be exacted against the Hizmet movement on social media.

55 students from 30 countries captivate İzmir residents with poems of praise

A total of 55 students from 30 countries captivated hundreds of spectators with their recitations of na'ats -- poems in praise of the Prophet Muhammad -- during a ceremony held in the Aegean province of İzmir on Monday evening to celebrate Holy Birth Week.

Turkish schools help to enhance trade relations with Africa

African businessmen and ambassadors stress that they have developed trade relations with Turkey thanks to Turkish schools acting as bridges in their countries, although the ruling Justice and Development (AK Party) government is planning to shut down Turkish schools abroad that are affiliated with the movement of Islamic Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen.

The last castle under fire

Orhan Kemal Cengiz

Everything links to everything else. The government is now fiercely attacking the Constitutional Court, both for the decisions it has made and those it is highly likely to make in the near future.

Turkish Airlines blacklisting critical deputy violates Constitutional right

Turkey's flagship semi-public Turkish Airlines (THY) violated a constitutional right when it announced on Monday that it might not sell tickets to critical independent deputy Muhammet Çetin, who resigned from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in protest of the massive corruption probe that led to the resignation of four ministers in December.

Officers arrested in wiretapping probe released

Six police officers who were arrested last week as part of an investigation into claims of illegal wiretapping were released on Monday.