Top stories of 2012 chosen by HDN readers

HEADLINES OF THE YEAR

1. Syria shot down a Turkish jet with the world watching

A Turkish F-4 jet that was downed on June 22, 2012 was hit by a missile launched by Syria.

2. Turkey’s first face–off with military coups begins

An Ankara court began hearing a landmark trial against the two surviving leaders of the 1980 military coup.

3. Milestone women act was passed by Parliament

Turkish lawmakers passed unanimously a landmark bill to curb violence against women in a rare show of cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition

INTERVIEWS OF THE YEAR

1. Pakistan denies role in top Afghan spy attack

Pakistan was not involved in a recent attack on Afghan intelligence chief, says the country’s foreign minister.

2. Turk activist reveals ugly truth in Bahrain

A Turkish forensics expert sneaked into Bahrain as a tourist and conducted a secret autopsy to prove that government forces had tortured a 23-year-old Bahraini man, Yousef Mowali, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

3. Turkey needs to focus on EU more : Kemal Derviş

Ankara has a major role to play in an EU that needs to transform itself, leading economist Kemal Derviş says, encouraging the country to face west rather than east

INTERNATIONAL STORIES OF THE YEAR

1. U.S. Ambassador to Libya is killed after a mob stormed the consulate building in Benghazi

The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other embassy staff were killed in a rocket attack in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012.

2. The United States re-elects Barack Obama as president

US President Barack Obama swept to re-election on Nov. 7 2012, creating history again by defying the undertow of a slow economic recovery and high unemployment to beat Republican foe Mitt Romney.

2. Mass shooting at a Connecticut school kills 27 people, including 20 children

The residents of an idyllic Connecticut town were reeling in horror from the massacre of 20 small children and six adults in one of the worst school shootings in US history on Dec. 14, 2012.

ECONOMY STORIES OF THE YEAR

1. Turkish Parliament approved a draft that eased asset sales to foreigners

Turkey’s Parliament approved a law that eases restrictions on the sale of land and real estate to foreign citizens and firms despite harsh objections from opposition parties.

2. Eight years after its founding Facebook hit the public market with an initial public offering

Facebook's stock was set to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the day after the world's definitive online social network raised $16 billion in an initial public offering that valued the company at $104 billion.

3. The euro crisis deepened with Spain joining the bail-out club

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said he would not accept an economic rescue that dictates spending cuts or touches old-age pensions.

SPORTS STORIES OF THE YEAR

1. Lionel Messi breaks Gerd Müller's 40-year record for scoring the most goals in one calendar year

Lionel Messi polished off his record year with his 91st and final goal of 2012

2. Lance Armstrong falls from grace as he is stripped of his seven Tour de France titles

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will investigate Lance Armstrong’s 2000 Olympics bronze medal after the American was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in the biggest doping scandal to hit the sport.

3. Britain revels in joy after ‘Super Saturday’

Three British athletes winning three gold medals in the Olympic Stadium in a delirious 44-minute spell produced the signature moment of the London Games.

CULTURE STORIES OF THE YEAR

1. James Bond was set in Turkey and Daniel Craig visited Istanbul to film parts of the movie

James Bond has once again returned to Istanbul for “Skyfall”, the latest film in the longest running movie series, which celebrates half a century of legendary spy action.

2. Turkish PM dished out heavy criticism to the hit Turkish TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl,” (Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler, Süleyman

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dished out heavy criticism on the hit Turkish TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl,” (The Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman.

3. Discussions about the demolition of the historic Emek Theater in Beyoğlu

The Istanbul Chamber of Architects has initiated legal proceedings in response to the court’s recent annulment of the stay of execution of renovation of historical Emek Theater in the Cercle d’Orient building complex on İstiklal Avenue.

FEATURE STORIES OF THE YEAR

1. ‘Last Ottoman’ disputes PM Erdoğan on TV series

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent remarks criticizing a popular television series on the life of an Ottoman sultan have drawn a reaction from one of the last surviving members of the Ottoman dynasty.

2. Underground cells Ottoman Dungeons

In all fairness, the situation in which foreign prisoners found themselves in Ottoman Istanbul was little different from that which pertained in European countries about the same time.

3. Dust and water explores Istanbuls contrat and magic

Malaysian-Chinese artist Leon Leong’s portraits reflect the outer worlds of the models, while his Istanbul scenes show a new way of approaching Istanbul’s inner world and its society.

PHOTO GALLERIES OF THE YEAR