Lais Fulgencio, Editor (South America) Two of the 30 Greenpeace activists, Brazilian biologist Ana Paula Maciel and a British cameraman, were formally charged on September 2 this week for piracy, according to Greenpeace lawyer Mikhail Kreindlin. The two activists were detained in Russia for organising a protest at a Russian oil platform in the Arctic and are the only two accused of piracy by the Russian authorities for now. If convicted, they face up to 15 […]
Kitty Busz, Correspondent (Travel) With airfare pretty much at the lowest it’s ever been, and rail fare determinedly on the up, one may start to question whether there is still a place in the world of travel, for jumping on and off trains any more. The simple answer: yes! Although, a two hour journey on a train in the UK can cost up to £50, it’s still possible to travel Europe without paying these […]
Ben Pitman, Correspondent (Politics) The Ergenekon case has become the largest and most controversial judicial investigation in Turkish history. A recent court ruling, which charged former armed forces Chief Ilker Basbug and three parliamentarians with allegations of conspiracy to overthrow the government, has added to growing concern that the courts and the government are colluding together to purge political rivals. This has led to a clash between some 10,000 protesters and the police outside the […]
Viktor Tsvetanov, Correspondent (Asia: Middle East & Central) Democracy is not a desired outcome by the West regarding the recent series of events taking place in Turkey, claims Noam Chomsky, a leading American linguist, philosopher and political activist in a telephone interview for Darik radio. “Look at the Arab states. For instance, what would have happened if there was democracy in Egypt? After all, Egypt is one of the main powers in the Arabic world. […]
Diksha Dwivedi, Correspondent (Politics) It all started with the Arab Spring in recent times — Jasmine revolution in Tunisia in 2011 followed by Egypt revolution and so this story continues in the rest of the world. There is sudden realisation among citizens, of the rights they have been deprived of by their respective governments for many centuries. Moreover, there has been a sudden outburst of courage among the weaker sections of society — common people […]
Ingrida Kurlinkute, Editor (Travel) Imagine you are walking in a place which resembles some high quality sci-fi film more than it does our planet Earth. Just instead of sham sets, everything is absolutely real, even though it is difficult to believe. Let me welcome you to Cappadocia, a historical region in Central Anatolia, Turkey, better known as the land of ‘fairy chimneys’ — formations of conical rock topped with a hat, albeit the real […]
Ingrida Kurlinkute, Editor (Travel) Just one hour away from Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara, there are nine lovely islands called Princes’ Islands. The name is given by the Byzantine Emperor Justin II who had built a palace and monastery on one of the islands and who was known as a ‘prince’. The four largest islands are blanketed with summer mansions and famed for their beaches. You will find them noisy between May and […]
Victoria Pease, Correspondent (Politics) ISTANBUL – The Turkish government continues to send discordant messages to its people. While Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has now met with a group of protest organisers from the Taksim Solidarity Platform, a coalition of protesters, at the same time he continues to threaten with an ultimatum to evacuate Gezi Park. On Thursday night Prime Minister Erdogan invited protest group leaders to his home in Ankara to negotiate […]
Dasha Zhelnina, Correspondent (Asia – South) ISTANBUL − “We are working for creating the public climate. It is significant that the government would take concrete steps for public requests. We’ll continue our struggle”, − this was one of the statements made by members of Taksim Solidarity Platform after their parley with Vice-Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. Members indicated that they delivered the common requests to Arınç and added that all the events will take shape by the […]
Ingrida Kurlinkute, Editor (Travel) The ruins of Hierapolis, located in the southwestern part of Turkey on hot springs, compose a wonderful example of vault type architecture. Nowadays it is a World Heritage Site and a popular place for tourism. In addition to the interesting classical ruins of the Street and Byzantine Gate, the Apollo Temple, the Theatre and the Necropolis, there is also a wonderful museum and from the top you can have an […]
