Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

Turkey reeling under extreme, scorching temperatures

Urban regeneration ZONE

Roma neighbourhood of Sulukule awaits demolition. Sulukule situated in Fatih along the Golden Horn is one of the largest and central districts of Istanbul, in the heart of the city. Since it constitutes the old quarter of the city conquered by Mehmed II the Conqueror, even today it is also called as the "real Istanbul" or the "first Istanbul".

Human Settlement Association is an NGO which is working as volunteer legal council for the people of the Sulukule in their case against the Fatih Municipality, in regards to the proposed urban renewal and gentrification of the gypsy settlement. They are also working to organize the Festival called 40 days and 40 nights, which will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Roma people of the Sulukule with music, arts and crafts, and festivities for the months of March and April.

Zaman Today 23 April concert

On the back of continuing scare mongering related to the fear of a pending earthquake in Istanbul, Sulukule renovation is used by Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) to qualify for demolition. It could be interpreted as pressure to complete the Urban Regeneration Project for Istanbul City of Culture 2010 or simply an excuse to open the way for speculators to make a hefty profit. This situation is seen by the decision makers in black and white; Sulukule should be left as it is OR raised to the ground What is missing from this blinkered view is participatory decision making; taking into account the views and ideas of the communities that are effected. Decisions that should be made sensitively and for the benefit of the people and city.

The video below is from Sulukule online

interim security zones

Security zones could affect election in southeast, local politicians argue

On Thursday the military announced new “interim security zones" in the regions of Şırnak, Hakkari and Siirt in the face of cross-border raids by the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) that have claimed at least 10 lives this week alone. But the area also includes constituencies that will produce nine members of the next Parliament. Some locals say the security crackdown will hamper campaigning and robust political competition but elections officials at the Supreme Election Board (YSK) yesterday quickly dismissed the claim.

Iraq minister offers Turkey talks

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has told the BBC his government is ready to discuss with Turkey how to deal with the PKK Kurdish separatists.

BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul said on Friday 8 June that Turkey has sent thousands of its troops to the border...

an that although many Turks would argue such a move would be fully justified politically, most fear the military would be dragged into a quagmire. Whilst a unilateral intervention might well win votes at the general election next month, our correspondent adds, analysts warn it would spell disaster for Turkey's relations with the US and EU in particular.

This week I have heard much talk of Turkeys role in The Greater Middle East Project I found this recent article in Turkish Daily News. And here is the map