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Markets keep sliding as central bank reduces interest rates In a move that took the markets by surprise, the Turkish Central Bank decided on Wednesday night to lower interest rates.	Babacan sees more Iraqi involvement in anti-PKK fight ahead Foreign Minister Ali Babacan sounded confident yesterday that an agreement recently signed between the US and Iraq requiring Washington to withdraw its forces within three years will not have a negative impact on Turkey′s fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers′ Party (PKK), which has bases in Iraq.
TOBB, Halkbank to extend YTL 1.5 billion in loans to small firms Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu has announced that TOBB and Halkbank, a large public bank, will give low-interest loans in the amount of YTL 1.5 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).	Market closures destroy investor confidence, SPK head says Stock exchange closures in Russia and Iceland during the last few months attempting to curb major losses have damaged confidence in their economies, the head of Turkey′s Capital Markets Board (SPK) has said.

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Obama reportedly wants Holder as attorney general The first black man elected US president is poised to name Washington lawyer Eric Holder as the nation’s first black attorney general -- a historic appointment but one with some potential political problems over a 2001 pardon.	Indian navy hits pirate boat, gunmen seize more ships An Indian warship destroyed a pirate ship in the Gulf of Aden and gunmen from Somalia seized two more vessels despite a large international naval presence off their lawless country.
French MEPs advised not to deal with history A report drawn up by a committee of academics has concluded that the French legislature should not make decisions concerning historical issues or the content of history textbooks, Turkey′s NTV news channel said yesterday.	Peres: Turkey, Iran offer differing models Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Tuesday that Iran and Turkey offered different models for how the Muslim world deals with other countries.

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Iraq-Turkey-US committee meets on terror, Kurds included The Iraqi government announced on Wednesday that senior Iraqi, Turkish and US officials have decided to form a joint committee to combat the outlawed Kurdistan Workers′ Party (PKK), which has bases in Iraq.	Environmentally friendly tourism businesses to be awarded ‘green stars’ The Culture and Tourism Ministry will soon begin awarding "green stars" to environmentally friendly tourism enterprises.
Trade bridge between Turkey and Mid-Eastern Europe opens To boost trade between Turkey and countries from Central and Eastern Europe: That’s the intention of the Turkey - Mid-Eastern Europe Foreign Trade Bridge, organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON).	TUSKON trade fair offers something for everyone Businessmen representing more than 16 countries at the first-ever Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON) Mid-Eastern Europe Trade Bridge seemed to be universally in high spirits when discussing the forum with Today’s Zaman, with many describing the event as the best fair they had ever attended.