Some recent news that came across my way:
1. When my "Post-1945 Diplomatic History of the World" teacher asked me to pick a final-paper subject for the end of the term, I was growing interest in the events that took place in the 1968-early 1970's era. Diplomatic history suggested that I research some politician from the scene. That was around the same time when I got the chance to see Oliver Stone's (Born on the 4th of July; JFK; Comandante...) "Nixon" movie. Manic Street Preachers had also published their latest album which included the single "The Love of Richard Nixon". At a time when Turkey went through financial crises and had a local Che Guevara in Deniz Gezmis, when Ecevit faced US pressure on banning poppy seeds production, when Vietnam War was taking a twist, and etc.. Richard Nixon's input to US Foreign Policy seemed like a good subject to study. I wrote my longest essay of University years (only recently beaten by Master's Dissertation), touching upon the infamous Watergate Scandal.
Nowadays, a neotechnic, small-scale Watergate appeared at the expense of Republican vice-pres. candidate Palin's e-mail account. Here's the news, without furthet comment:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/08/uselections2008.sarahpalin
2. Long-running friend of mine, Deniz Gozler has started her own blog website (in Turkish) and I ran into a news article about an Iranian car company, Khodro, producing cars 'suitable for female drivers'. I am hoping that the Turkish Government will contribute to this great idea (!) and support companies that introduce suitable cars for 'dolmus drivers'. In fact, if they really want to help the Turkish citizens, they may as well introduce 'roads for non-taksi, non-dolmus drivers' with 2 separate lanes for 'bicycle users' (because at least 1 of those lanes will be abused). Here's the Iranian genius:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7657810.stm
3. Greece has always been a source of envy for young rebellious minds of Turkey. We have spent university years reading about how the Greek students revolted against the government trying to introduce a law that would allow students of private schools (non-university) to be considered as equal-chance candidates on the job market. Since Greek universities are all public (except for these public schools subsituting as universities), this debate can be discussed in the terms of "buying yourself a diploma in the business-market" against a "democratic freedom of market-opportunities for some students who did not choose the 'public' way". Public-private sphere has been contested with greater action and youthful energy in Greece, thanks to powerful workers' sydnicates and organised student groups, whereas in Turkey, talking and yawning dominated action. Nowadays, a new strike is in place in the debate of closing down the Olympic Airlines in a move to privatisation. The following link includes a news-video. Watch for the young French guy, who does not seem to be particularly interested in what some of his revolutionary Sorbonne mates find comradeship in Mediterranean friends:
http://www.euronews.net/en/article/08/10/2008/olympic-strike-paralyses-greek-flights/
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