Fethiye Times pick of the news from the local area and around Turkey.
News
Plastic bag use decreases by 80% after new regulation
Plastic bag usage in supermarket chains in Turkey has decreased by 80% in the three months since the regulation to impose a TL 0.25 charge for plastic carrier bags.
Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment and Urbanization, told Anadolu Agency (AA) in an interview on Wednesday that use of plastic bags in supermarket chains decreased to about 80 percent. He said“Chains gave away 294 million bags last January and this number was 82 million in January 2019. Similarly, the number of plastic bags distributed this February, dropped to 150 million from 605 million in the same month of 2018”
Plastic bag use per person is 440 annually in Turkey and about 30-35 billion plastic bags are used in the country yearly. An estimated 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year, and they mainly contribute to maritime pollution as some 8 million tons of plastic including bags are dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to a United Nations report on the issue.
The minister said that the new regulation found nationwide support and they would expand it to other materials. “We will launch deposit bottle recycling regulations in 2021 and consumers will be able to exchange discarded bottles for products like chocolate, bus tickets or phone credits.”
Though low, the price on plastic bags has led consumers to seek other means to carry the goods they purchased, with some municipalities distributing free canvas bags for shoppers. A recent survey conducted by the Turkish e-commerce giant hepsiburada.com revealed that the demand in the market net bags increased by 154 percent.
Source: Daily Sabah
Fethiye’s youth raise awareness of substance abuse
Fethiye District Muğla Youth Services and Sports Provincial Directorate International Youth Centers organized activities to raise awareness on substance abuse on Saturday.
At the event held at the Beşkaza Town Square, volunteer youth services staged a scenario demonstrating the effects of substance abuse on young people.
Youth leader Ayse Karanlık said “the scenario discourages substance abuse by showing what can happen to a young person if he uses the substance.”
Source: SonDakika
Europe’s Biggest Theme Park – Wonderland Eurasia opens in Ankara, Turkey
Europe’s biggest theme park – Wonderland Eurasia is now open in the Turkish capital. The park was built by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and covers an area of 1.3 million square meters.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday inaugurated Wonderland Eurasia, which is formerly known as Ankapark.
The 1.3-million-square-meter park is home to 26 large rides, including 14 roller coasters, 2,117 smaller rides, a five-km rail system, stages for concerts, and the Digital Dark Ride – a multidimensional theatre with hologram shows and interactive animations. The park also boasts more than 2 million plants and hosts the world’s second-biggest fountain, which can reach 120 meters [around 394 feet] in height.
The park is expected to generate an income of 50 million Turkish lira per year, with around 5 million visitors expected to visit annually.
Source: ftnNEWS
Turkish lira slumps in echoes of last year’s meltdown
Turkey’s lira plunged more than 4 percent against the U.S. dollar on Friday, its biggest one-day fall since a currency crisis took hold in August, raising concerns that Turks are buying more foreign cash as ties with Washington deteriorate.
The 2018 crisis, which tipped the economy into recession, was echoed across Turkish financial markets on Friday, with stocks hitting their lowest levels since January.
There have been warning signs the past few years about the state of Turkey’s economy. A series of government efforts to stimulate the economy following the 2016 coup attempt is said to have overheated the economy. The past year has seen the Turkish lira lose approximately one-third of its value against the US dollar.
The lira hit a record low of 7.24 against the dollar in August, when its steep decline put other emerging markets on edge. The crisis boosted inflation to a 15-year high and prompted the central bank to hike its key interest rate to 24 percent, where it remains.
Political strains with the United States have not helped Turkey, which was widely regarded for its economic performance over the past decade. More…
Sources: Reuters/Arab Weekly
Turkey local elections
The local elections in Turkey take place next Sunday (31 March). Fethiye Mayor Behçet Saatcı resined his seat in Fethiye to stand as an independent candidate for the Muğla Mayor.
Have a look at this promotional video that shows some interesting footage of the difference between Fethiye in 1999 and to 2019…
Source: Muğlatürk
Sport
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the sport updates.
Fethiyespor
Fethiyespor lost their away match against Zonguldak Kömürspor yesterday. The final score was 1-0.
Fethiyespor stay at 14th position on the league table.
The next league matches are:
Wednesday 3rd April at home to Kirklarelispor. Kick off is at 15:00.
Sunday 7th April away against Bugsaş Spor. Kick off is at 15:00.
For more information about Fethiyespor please visit Fethiyespor Yabancilar on Facebook.
Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor Basketbol
Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor won their home match against Mavişehir on Saturday. The final score was 72-51.
This was the final match of the season and the team finished top of the league.
For more information about Lokman Hekim Fethiye Belediyespor please visit them on Facebook.
Turkey beats Albania in EURO 2020 qualifiers
The Turkish National Football team beat Albania in its first match on Friday in the European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2020.
The 2-0 victory was in an away match at Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder.
Turkey’s Burak Yilmaz gave visitors an early lead as he scored the opening goal at the 21st minute. Hakan Calhanoglu scored an insurance goal at the start of the second half in the 55th minute.
Turkey is in Group H with France, Iceland, Albania, Moldova and Andorra.
On March 25, Turkey will play against Moldova at home in Eskisehir in the second group matches. More…
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 7.61 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 7.25 TL.
The US Dollar bought 5.76 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 5.44 TL.
The Euro bought 6.52 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.17 TL.
ISource: FxexchangeRate.com
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
The post Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 23 March 2019 appeared first on Fethiye Times.