Erdogan: Article 301 can not be abolished but it can be changed

Prime Minister Erdogan said Wednesday that controversial article 301 of the penal code could not be abolished but that he is open to suggestions for amendments.

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Syrian Foreign Minister arrives in Turkey

Syrian FM Walid al-Moualem arrived in Turkey Wednesday to meet with FM Gul, PM Erdogan and President Sezer. Talks are expected to focus on regional issues.

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El Al to cancel service to Istanbul

El Al, the national airline of Israel, announces it will cancel its three weekly flights to Istanbul in March 2007.

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Heavy snowfall leaves hundreds stranded in eastern Turkey

Heavy snowfall in the central and eastern Anatolia regions has made many roads impassable leaving people stranded and waiting for help on the side of the road.

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Central Bank of Turkey predicts 5.1% inflation in 2007

The Central Bank of Turkey predicts inflation for 2007 will be 5.1% and 3.4% in 2008. If correct, it will be a great improvement on the 9.65% inflation in 2006.

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46 al Qaeda suspects detained in Turkey

Turkish police detained 46 people on suspicion of links to al Qaeda. 25 people were held in Konya while 21 people were found during raids throughout Turkey.

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TUSIAD elects its first female president

The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) elects Arzuhan Yalcindag as its first female president on Thursday.

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Five charged in Hrant Dink’s murder

Istanbul’s chief prosecutor told the press on Thursday that five people have been charged in relation to Hrant Dink’s murder.

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IDO cancels sea bus service due to strong winds

Sea bus routes in Istanbul, including the Yenikap-Yalova route, were cancelled Thursday due to strong winds. Local ferryboats are still operating.

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Former FM Ismail Cem passes away

Former Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem dies of a lung infection Wednesday. He served as FM from 1997-2003 and was the longest serving FM in recent years.

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