Recep Tayyip Erdo

The 2016 World Botanic EXPO, one of the largest horticultural shows in the world, kicked off with an official ceremony on April 22 in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.

An Istanbul court sent nine suspects, reportedly former employees of Islamic lender Bank Asya, to court with demands for their arrest on April 20, while it released 18 others in a probe into the financial links of Fethullah Gülen sympathizers.

Some 17 other suspects were also sent to court with demands for legal control. 

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chair Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government of "aiding and abetting" the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), while commenting on an ongoing row over a constitutional amendment to lift parliamentary immunities.

The 2016 World Press Freedom Index prepared by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) saw Turkey decline by over six points compared to last year due to "systematic censoring" of the media in addition to a sharp rise in charges of "insulting the president" and loosely defined "terrorism."

At the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul, it was proposed that a "European Muslims group" should be formed. There is an Asia group, an Arab group and an Africa group in the OIC, so why should there not be a Europe group? 

Of course, when one says "Islam" and "Europe," colossal issues and hopes come to mind. 

As the world's Muslim leaders admitted at last week's Islamic summit, the past 1,400 tumultuous years of sectarian fighting did not bring peace and happiness to Muslim lands. But, judging from the happy smiles and big speeches at the summit, the next 1,400 tumultuous years may be better. 

Hopefully, the third 1,400 years of tumultuous future may finally bring some peace.

Over the next few weeks, there might be a radical reformatting of Turkish politics. On the one hand, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an is pressing hard to achieve a miraculous wind in parliament and probably in the country to blow him to a higher, super president position by making a cosmetic or overall amendment in the constitution. 

Republican People's Party (CHP) chair Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has challenged the leaders of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to lift all immunities, including those of ministers, as a row over the topic continues with endless accusations on both sides.

All political attempts to end the three-decade-long conflict between Turkey's security forces and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) are now things of the past, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has said, vowing that ongoing joint military-police operations are the only way to "root the terrorist organization out of Turkey and the region."

The new Central Bank Governor Murat Çetinkaya's first major test in his new position is due on April 20, when the Bank will make its decision on interest rates - a controversial issue in Turkey.