Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Fethiye Police inspect hookah cafes for compliance
Teams from the Fethiye District Police Department’s Public Security Bureau conducted extensive inspections of hookah cafes in the shopping mall and coastal areas of the district.
The inspections focused on verifying workplace licenses, activity permits, and adherence to hygiene standards. Compliance with legal regulations surrounding the sale of tobacco products and public order issues was also rigorously assessed.
Particular attention was paid to enforcing rules regarding smoking cigarettes and hookah in closed areas, ensuring businesses operate within the bounds of the law. Authorities emphasized their commitment to maintaining public health and safety, underscoring the importance of adhering to tobacco-related regulations.
The police plan to continue such inspections regularly to ensure ongoing compliance and to protect community well-being.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-nargile-kafelere-denetim
Turkish chef recreates 8,600-year-old Neolithic bread
Turkish chef Ulaş Tekerkaya has revived an ancient bread recipe based on an 8,600-year-old loaf discovered at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in Konya province.
Grain analysis of the artifact revealed it contained ingredients like peas, barley, and wheat.
Archaeologists unearthed the charred, spongy object two years ago during excavations in Çatalhöyük.
Tests conducted at the Science and Technology Research Center of Necmettin Erbakan University, located in the same central Turkish province, Konya, as Çatalhöyük, confirmed that the discovery was leavened bread, dating back to approximately 6,600 BC.
Inspired by the discovery, Tekerkaya sought to recreate the ancient loaf, using grains primarily grown in the region to replicate its original form.
After numerous attempts to replicate the 9,000-year-old bread, he shaped dough balls and baked them over a wood fire at the Meram City and Life Culture Museum.
“Initially, the bread was very hard and had a bitter taste,” Tekerkaya told Anadolu.
“But after a year of experimenting, I refined the recipe to achieve a delicious and nutritious product. It’s truly satisfying and flavorful.”
Source: Anadolu Agency
Istanbul tops 2024 global traffic congestion rankings
Istanbul has been named the most traffic-congested city in the world for 2024, according to Intrix’s Global Traffic Scorecard. Drivers in Türkiye’s largest metropolis spent an average of 105 hours stuck in traffic, marking a 15% increase in delays compared to 2023.
Trailing Istanbul are New York City and Chicago, both ranked second, with drivers losing 102 hours annually to congestion. London placed fourth, with 101 hours spent in traffic, while Mexico City rounded out the top five at 97 hours. Despite Istanbul’s global ranking, London remained Europe’s most congested city for the second consecutive year, accounting for nearly half of all UK traffic delays.
Efforts to combat traffic gridlock are gaining momentum worldwide. New York has introduced congestion pricing in Manhattan, charging drivers up to $9 during peak hours, set to rise to $12 by 2028 and $15 by 2031.
Istanbul is considering a similar strategy, with a pilot congestion pricing programme proposed for Eminönü, covering six square kilometres. The plan would later expand to other congested districts like Kadıköy and Beyoğlu. Charges will vary based on a vehicle’s environmental impact, with eco-friendly cars paying less and high-emission vehicles incurring higher fees.
The city is also planning low-emission zones, similar to systems in London, Stockholm, and Milan, to further curb pollution.
As urban areas grapple with congestion and pollution, cities like Istanbul and London are exploring innovative solutions to improve mobility and reduce environmental impact.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-tops-2024-global-traffic-congestion-rankings-204482
Türkiye to resume flights to Damascus, says Transport Minister
ISTANBUL, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Türkiye is set to commence flights to Damascus, Syria, in the coming days, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. Speaking on Thursday, Minister Uraloğlu outlined the government’s plans during an interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV.
“We are planning a flight from Türkiye to Damascus in the coming days. Once the connection from Damascus to Istanbul is established, we will address a significant need. Our efforts on this issue are ongoing,” Uraloğlu stated.
The initial flights will rely on visual navigation due to the absence of advanced technology at Damascus Airport. However, Minister Uraloğlu confirmed that regular flights are planned once a radar system becomes operational, enabling safer and more efficient air travel.
The move marks an important step in reestablishing direct air connectivity between Türkiye and Syria, addressing the needs of travellers while potentially fostering stronger ties between the two countries.
Further updates on the flight schedule and operational details are expected in the coming days.
Source: Reuters
2024 confirmed as warmest year on record as WMO warns about escalating climate crisis
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, with global average surface temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900). This marks the first calendar year likely to surpass the symbolic 1.5°C threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement, underscoring the urgent need to address climate change.
Based on six independent datasets, the findings reveal a decade-long trend of record-breaking temperatures, with the past ten years ranking as the warmest ever recorded. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo described the results as “climate history playing out before our eyes,” linking the extraordinary warming to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting ice driven by record greenhouse gas emissions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025” and urged world leaders to act immediately to prevent the worst impacts of climate catastrophe. He clarified that while surpassing 1.5°C in a single year does not constitute failure of the Paris Agreement’s long-term goals, it highlights the growing urgency for decisive action.
The exceptional heat in 2024 was accompanied by unprecedented climate effects, including more frequent and severe extreme weather events. Both Saulo and Guterres emphasised that even minor increases in global temperatures have tangible consequences for economies, ecosystems, and human lives, calling for transformative global efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Kars and Ardahan Freeze as Temperatures Plummet to -20°C
The provinces of Kars and Ardahan in Türkiye’s easternmost region are experiencing an extreme cold snap, with temperatures plunging to -20°C. Unprepared for such severe conditions, residents are grappling with icy roads, frost-covered buildings, and frozen vehicles.
The harsh winter has transformed the landscape, with icicles forming on rooftops and thick frost blanketing the area. The extreme cold has disrupted daily life, making travel hazardous and posing challenges to infrastructure and services.
Local authorities have urged residents to exercise caution, particularly on icy roads, and to take measures to protect themselves and their vehicles from the freezing conditions.
While winter is no stranger to the region, the intensity of this cold spell has taken many by surprise, highlighting the need for heightened preparedness as the season progresses.
Source: Euronews
SPORT
Fethiyespor
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor’s preparations are in full swing at the Antalya Camp, where the team is intensifying its training to gear up for the upcoming second half of the season.
League Matches
The second half of the season kicks off with an away match against Kastamonuspor on Sunday, 19 January 2025, which will be broadcast live on the TFF Federation’s YouTube channel. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:30.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 43.24 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 43.94 TL.
The US Dollar bought 35.40 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.37 TL.
The Euro bought 36.33 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 36.48 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
