Istanbul
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Animal welfare in TurkeyWhat fate for Turkey's stray dogs?
The Turkish government's draft bill seeking euthanasia for stray dogs en masse has raised concerns among animal rights activists and many in the country. But some say attacks by dogs are increasingly alarming and that such danger must be removed from the streets.
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The animals of Istanbul – a literary homageA dog barks, a seagull mews
Istanbul's kings and queens are its seagulls, the cats and dogs in its alleyways, the pigeons on Taksim Square. The city's animals are also an essential component of its literature. A new anthology of short stories by Turkish-language authors offers up a narrative tribute to the city's non-human inhabitants
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Medical tourism trendTurkey's plastic surgery boom
Ever more people are visiting Turkey from abroad for nose jobs, hair transplants and similar procedures. Prices are low, but what are the risks?
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Local elections in TurkeyHow the opposition won
Turkey's economic woes are the reason why so many voters turned against long-sitting President Erdoğan, experts say.
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Turkish literature in translationHakan Bicakci's disintegrating self
At the heart of Hakan Bicakci's novel "Schlaftrunken" – literally 'half-asleep' – lies an Istanbul torn apart by the gentrifying diggers and a protagonist plagued by sleeplessness and nightmares, watching his life slip through his fingers
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Organised crime in TurkeyA haven for international criminals
Lax laws on money laundering, easy access to citizenship, insufficient prosecution – Turkey has grown more attractive for international criminal networks in recent years. In response, the new interior minister has declared a crackdown
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Turkey's 2024 local electionsHow to win against Erdogan's AKP?
While Turkey's opposition has been in deadlock since losing the elections, many of its supporters are suffering from post-election stress. As Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AKP turn their attentions to the 2024 local elections, their rivals remain preoccupied with infighting. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
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Istanbul's 42nd Film FestivalBetween two quakes
Other high-profile film festivals would be hard pushed to match the intensity with which cinematic art collides with reality at the Istanbul Film Festival. Stefan Weidner attended for Qantara.de
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Syrian refugees in TurkeyA hot button election issue, now more than ever
Turkey has taken in about 5.5 million refugees, many of them Syrians. Ahead of the May 14 parliamentary and presidential elections, almost all parties say they would send Syrians back if elected. By Elmas Topcu
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Islam in PakistanThe land of the Sufis
No country in the Islamic world is influenced as strongly by the traditions of Sufi culture as Pakistan. Yet the Sufis there have been under attack from Islamic hardliners for years. By Marian Brehmer
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Turkey earthquakeWhatever happened to Turkey's earthquake tax?
As countless Turks shiver in the cold, mourning their dead, many are asking why Erdogan's government has failed to instigate effective earthquake mitigation plans in a region so at risk from tectonic instability
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Istanbul's migrant cultureTurkey's megacity is no melting pot
Istanbulites take pride in being the world’s melting pot and its natural outcome: having a bustling abundance of international cuisine. Visiting restaurants opened by recent migrants is often, however, a step too far. Ayse Karabat reports