Eurasia is now the premier competition ground for all major international actors vying for power, influence and resources. The importance and the meaning of the magnitudes of broader Eurasia, which for the purpose of this article refers to Asia, Europe plus the Middle East put together, need no elaboration. Most of the world’s population, wealth and energy resources are there.
By state permission, Kurdish theater group Destar has performed the first Kurdish play on the stage at Van State Theater. 'State Theaters General Director Lemi Bilgin’s recent statement that theaters are open to Kurdish plays is in effect,' says playwright Berfin Zenderlioğlu.
ANKARA - A meeting to promote civil society dialogue highlights women's problems in the context of Turkish-EU ties. 'Women's elegance and motherly wisdom must touch the EU process,' says Turkey's chief EU negotiator. Women's NGOs complain of insufficient representation in decision-making processes and call for affirmative action.
According to 2009 data, the number of women in Turkey subjected to violence by their husbands stands at approximately 40 percent. What Turkey’s leaders do not understand is that the state is not taking adequate measures to protect women, and laws are not implemented properly, so there are many loopholes in them.
VIENNA - Several good practices to help eliminate gender-based violence are documented in a guide published by the OSCE. The guide also highlights ways of preventing violence against women and girls, protecting victims and prosecuting offenders. Ending violence against women requires changing cultural concepts and deep rooted attitudes
ISTANBUL - A survey conducted by Bahçeşehir University on radicalism and extremism has revealed the deep abyss of discrimination that still exists in Turkey. By interviewing 1,715 people, both men and women, in 34 cities around Turkey, the researchers collected data on the country’s outlook toward the European Union, among other topics. One of the most striking results was on the subject of gender equality.
AMRITSAR, India - Violent riots break out in several northern Indian cities to protest deadly clashes between rival groups at a Sikh temple in Austria. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India's first leader of the Sikh faith, appeals for calm, but mobs defy curfew, clash with security forces in various towns and two protesters are killed when police open fire on rioters
When I wrote last week "The rough guide to Turkey: A land of history, sunshine and lunacy" (Daily News, May 1), I did not know I was underestimating the Crescent and Star. Only a few days after that article appeared in this column, what became "international breaking news" informed us about the massacre in a Kurdish village. Did I say lunacy? I did, not realizing the limits it could reach in these lands.
ISTANBUL - Rock singer Aylin Aslım has a new album and little tolerance for nonsense. She says she’s ’still not in that accept-everything stage. I hope I never get there.’ With a concert this Wednesday in Istanbul premiering her third album in stores next month, Aslim’s songs have earned acceptance from some 200,000 listeners online
ANKARA - In an atmosphere where Turkey is being criticized for the slow pace of its EU reforms, the country refuses to sign a declaration calling all states to take steps to stop the criminalization of homosexuality, contradicting its commitments to the EU in promoting human rights
ISTANBUL - Efforts to reverse progress in women’s rights are filtering through Turkish authorities, says pioneer in Turkey’s women’s movement, Pınar İlkkaracan. She talks with the Daily News about local power and a new book she has edited on sexuality in the Middle East.