Turkish News Digest

Turkish woman breaks free-dive record

Wednesday, July 18 @ 11:58:03 GMT 1 reads in News

Yasemin Dalkilic, 22, from Ankara, broke her previous best in the limited variable ballast category 16.5 feet.

Dive organizer Abou Bakr Ahmed, from the Divers Lodge dive center in in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, said the dive took 2 minutes 38 seconds to complete.

The limited variable ballast category involves the diver descending on a weighted sled and returning to the surface under their own power.

Turkey cheers loan resumption

Saturday, July 14 @ 17:46:20 GMT 2 reads in News

Turkish financial markets have rallied strongly, after the International Monetary Fund IMF and World Bank agreed to resume their lending programmes.

Turkish stocks have taken a battering, and the lira has plumbed a series of record lows, since the IMF suspended an economic rescue package two weeks ago, citing government foot-dragging over vital reforms.

Press Scans: HISTORICAL STEP

Friday, July 13 @ 17:20:42 GMT 2 reads in News

A committee set up of ten Turkish and Armenian persons started peace talks between Turks, Armenians living in Armenia and Armenians living in the world. The Turkish group including former Foreign Minister Ilter Turmen, former ambassadors and a retired general met with Armenians secretly in Vienna three months ago. The committee issued a statement for the first time. Elie Wiesel, a writer who won the Nobel Prize said that this was a very important development, adding that if Turks and Armenians could come together, so could others.

IMF decides on Turkey loan

Friday, July 13 @ 17:15:55 GMT 0 reads in Economy

The International Monetary Fund is expected to agree to resume lending to Turkey at a meeting of its board on Thursday.

The IMF suspended payments on a $16bn emergency stabilisation package last week, amid concern about the pace of economic reform.

Turkish officials are confident that enough has been done to persuade the IMF to release a $1.6bn dollar tranche of loans due under the stabilisation programme.

Turkey's Blue Cruise

Friday, July 13 @ 17:11:27 GMT 1 reads in News

[Forbes] - Say the words Blue Cruise to many travelers today and they will instantly conjure up images of sailing and swimming in beautiful clear waters, narrow coves with ancient ruins silhouetted against the sky, and long, lazy days spent under a Mediterranean sun.

For decades adventurous travelers have taken a Blue Cruise, the term used for renting a sailboat and crew and drifting down the south coast of Turkey, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. What makes it so extraordinary? Simply put, it's the synthesis of nature and antique culture, as if one had transplanted the Caribbean into the ancient world.

Press Scans: Letter Which Brings Oksuz Into Line

Friday, July 13 @ 03:14:50 GMT 3 reads in News

Horst Kohler, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund IMF , sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, ''we are putting 300 U.S. dollars to each of your citizens.'' Kohler's letter which brought Transport Minister Enis Oksuz into line said, ''Telekom is a symbol for the countries which give support to us and which provide international credits.''

The letter said, ''procedures are still slow in Banking Regulatory and Supervisory Board BRSB . The rate of interests are still high. There are banks which hesitate in increasing capital. The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund SDIF did not give us information immediately.''

Dozens injured in quake

Friday, July 13 @ 03:05:43 GMT 2 reads in News

At least 46 people are reported to have been injured in the quake, which struck on Wednesday morning, although the Reuters news agency said the casualty figure was nearer 120. A statement from the governor's office said 17 village houses were damaged in the quake.

Officials told The Associated Press most of the injuries were caused by people throwing themselves from windows or balconies in panic.

German industrialists to visit Turkey

Friday, July 13 @ 03:03:30 GMT 1 reads in News

Turkish Research Center TAM headquartered in Essen, Germany, plans to visit Turkey soon and will bring with them a comittee, consists German industrialists, bankers and representatives of holding companies.

The committee will also include members of the German Near and Middle East Business Association in which 300 German companies such as Commerzbank, Ferrostahl and Siemens participate. TAM Director Faruk Sen and Deputy Director Cigdem Akkaya will represent TAM on the committee.

Press Scans: IMF: ''WE'LL SOLVE THE PROBLEM SOON''

Thursday, July 12 @ 06:05:40 GMT 12 reads in News

IMF Spokesman Conny Lotze said they hoped that a solution would be brought to the credit problem with Turkey in a short time. ''We believe that the remaining problems will be solved in a short time and we said this several times,'' Lotze said. Lotze also remarked that IMF Chairman Horst Kohler explained the IMF's stance in a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. State Minister Kemal Dervis, prior to his departure from Washington, said he believed the problem would be solved on Monday.

Government to review tobacco law

Thursday, July 12 @ 05:52:55 GMT 6 reads in News

A Turkish official yesterday said the government would review a law to liberalize the tobacco sector, which was vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer last Friday.

State minister responsible for privatization Yilmaz Karakoyunlu said he would present the tobacco law to Cabinet on Thursday and brief the ministers on the president's rationale.