Bendevi Palandöken

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has denied that Turkey has a "Kurdish problem," saying there is instead only an outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) "terror problem" that hinders development in the country's eastern and southeastern provinces.

Traditional "New Year baskets," gift packages of beverages and snacks sold at supermarkets during the last weeks of the year, will not be permitted to include alcoholic drinks this year, according to a ruling from Turkey's alcohol and tobacco regulator. 

The decision, made public in the Official Gazette on Nov. 5, has triggered contrasting reactions from the sector. 

Meat prices in Turkey have been steadily increasing in recent years due to supply problems and merchants' speculative sales moves, according to sector representatives. 

Meat prices in Turkey have begun spiraling upward, with the state-run Meat and Milk Board (ESK) being forced to import high amounts of meat amid promises of further purchases despite reaction from private businesses. 

The ESK launched a tender to buy 3,200 tons of frozen meat on Aug. 5, announcing that the purchases would continue until the Feast of Sacrifice on Sept. 24.

Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) President Bendevi Palandöken has said consumer spending for this year?s Father?s Day on June 21 is expected to be more than 1.5 billion Turkish Liras and that this amount will accelerate the Turkish economy.

Some 600,000 couples are expected to get married this wedding season and spend around 15 billion Turkish Liras, said Bendevi Palandöken, head of the Confederation of Turkish Craftsmen and Tradesmen (TESK), in a statement today.