News Scan for Turkey, August 9th, 2017

Turkish airports continue to see rise in passengers, cargo traffic

More than 105 million people travelled through airports in Turkey between January and July 2017, up from 97.9 million in the same period last year. The number of passengers passing through Turkish airports surged by 7.4 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of 2017, the country’s airport authority said on Monday.

More than 105 million people travelled through airports in Turkey between January and July, up from 97.9 million in the same period last year, according to the General Directorate of State Airports Authority.

In the same period, the number of international passengers jumped by 12.4 percent to reach nearly 44.2 million. Cargo traffic was also on the rise, by 8.5 percent year-on-year to over 1.8 million tones – including overflights.

Turkey served over one million planes in the January-March 2017 period, a rise of 2.9 percent from the same period last year, including overflights.

http://www.trtworld.com/business/turkish-airports-continue-to-see-rise-in-passengers-cargo-traffic-417324

“Shame on you” President Erdoğan tells CHP leader as political rhetoric escalates

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has blasted main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for criticizing Turkey’s recent justice record.

“Shame on you for saying there is no justice or freedom in Turkey. When you walked from Ankara to Istanbul, who ensured your safety? While you were walking you victimized the people, but who ensured your security? This government did. This government gave you that opportunity,” Erdoğan said in the northeastern province of Trabzon on Aug. 8. His comments came after Kılıçdaroğlu gave an interview to German magazine Focus on Aug. 5 in which he voiced the main opposition’s criticisms about the ruling party’s coup attempt measures. Kılıçdaroğlu had walked from the capital Ankara to Istanbul over 25 days in July to publicize these criticisms, calling the march a “justice march.”

“Justice does not need emotion; it needs courage and responsibility … If you are walking to protect [the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] FETÖ, to protect the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK, or [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] DAESH, then shame on you! We know who walked with you anyway,” Erdoğan said.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/shame-on-you-president-erdogan-tells-chp-leader-as-political-rhetoric-escalates.aspx?pageID=238&nID=116496&NewsCatID=338

Tax stamp on mobile phones hiked for use of Turkish state broadcaster

The tax stamp in Turkey has been hiked on mobile phone production and imports for allocation to the state broadcaster, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), with 4 percent added to the existing 6 percent tax stamp fee.

The decision comes as part of an attempt to overcome a 47 percent loss in TRT’s revenue since July 1 due to a change in its energy sector allocations, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

According to the new regulation, published in the Official Gazette on Aug. 8, the tax stamp for an imported mobile phone worth 1,000 Turkish Liras has been increased from 38.4 Turkish Liras, special consumption taxes and value-added tax (VAT) included, to 63.9 liras.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/tax-stamp-on-mobile-phones-hiked-for-use-of-turkish-state-broadcaster.aspx?pageID=238&nID=116485&NewsCatID=345

Istanbul gets motorized: New app beats city’s dreadful traffic

For those who want to avoid Istanbul’s overwhelming traffic jams, Turkish entrepreneurs have launched a new smartphone app that enables passengers to get around on the back of a motorcycle for one-third of the cost of a taxi

When you think about the world’s most crowded metropolises, Istanbul is one of the first cities that comes to mind. Apart from its substantial historical and cultural aspects, Istanbul is undoubtedly a city bustling with modern life. The most densely populated province in Turkey, Istanbul has a population of 14 million, according to the latest data. As a result, the city’s infamous traffic jams are the biggest problem for the people living here. On a typical day, Istanbulites brave the unpredictable conditions on the roads and commute to work, often arriving late. Commuters who sit in their cars on crowded roadways, stuck in traffic, often glance at the motorcyclists weaving through the heavy traffic, with both envy and admiration. If you are one of those drivers, there is a new smartphone application in town that will make your life easier and rid you of driver’s envy: The new application called “Scotty!”

https://www.dailysabah.com/life/2017/08/09/istanbul-gets-motorized-new-app-beats-citys-dreadful-traffic

1No legal obligation to allow a polling on death penalty in Belgium”, says PM Michel

Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Michel, commented on a possible referendum in Turkey for reintroduction of death penalty. In case such referendum is held, Belgium may not allow polling to be held in his country for Turkish Diaspora, the PM said.

According to reports of Sputnik International, Michel gave statements on RTBF TV reminding that there is no legal obligation in international law for a country to allow polling regarding another country to be held on its territory.

‘Belgium does not have to allow a referendum on a regulation that contradicts its own doctrines’, PM Michel emphasized.

http://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/no-legal-obligation-to-allow-a-polling-on-death-penalty-in-belgium-says-pm-michel-173650.html

Air force hits PKK targets in southeast Turkey

The Turkish Air Force hit five targets in raids on PKK facilities in the southeastern province of Hakkari, the military said Tuesday.

A statement from the General Staff said Monday’s airstrikes were launched following intelligence that a group of terrorists were planning an attack on a security base in the area.

The destroyed targets were shelters and caves used to store weapons, equipment and other supplies.

http://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/air-force-hits-pkk-targets-in-southeast-turkey-2775691

18th Büyükçekmece Festival Hosts Folk Dancers from 64 Countries

Being organized from July 28 to August 5, 18th International Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival hosted 1,300 cultural and art envoys from 64 countries and ended with a glorious final. As Brazil comes first in the International Altınköprü Fold Dances Contest organized as part of the festival, theater actress Gülriz Sururi was granted Lifetime Honorary Award and Haldun Dormen was given Lifetime Achievement Award.

Commenting on the festival for bianet, Head of Folk Dances Federation of Turkey, Turkish Folklore Institute and International Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu said “Our goal is not only to bring the folk dances but also all cultures from around the world together”.

“I believe our festival will again be selected as the Best Festival of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts We are working for international love and peace. As the Folklore Institute we are feeling proud of being a part of this festival”.

http://bianet.org/english/culture/188956-18th-buyukcekmece-festival-hosts-folk-dancers-from-64-countries

09.08.2017
compiled by Editor BTT

This is a news-scan from major Turkish papers and internet sites. However, we do not verify above stories neither do we vouch for their accuracy.