ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on January 1st, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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TURKS HOPEFUL ABOUT FUTURE
A survey conducted in 11 countries worldwide have shown that Turks are hopeful about their future. 59.1 percent of all Turks participating in the survey expressed that 2008 will be a happier year compared to 2007. 46.6 percent of all Turks believe that their living standards will improve in 2008.
TURKS FORGET 108.5 MILLION YTL IN PAST DECADE
Turkish National Lottery Administration announced that prizes worth 108.5 million new Turkish lira have not been claimed in the past decade. While many Turks forget about their lottery tickets, some others lose lottery tickets and a considerable number of Turks forget to look at numbers and thus can not claim their prizes.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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GUL: TURKEY SUCCESSFUL IN OVERCOMING DEBATES
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey has been successful in overcoming debates in 2007. "Turkey has shown to the whole world that it can solve its problems with maturity in a democratic system," Gul noted.
Turkish daily Milliyet has chosen the best in Turkish sports in 2007. Accordingly, Fenerbahce soccer club is the team of the year. Aziz Yildirim, President of Fenerbahce, is the administrator of the year. Bulent Uygun, Coach of Sivasspor, is the coach of the year. Mehmet Aurelio of Fenerbahce soccer club is the player of the year.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ASSAILANTS TRY TO SET ABLAZE 11 VEHICLES IN ISTANBUL
Assailants tried to set ablaze 11 vehicles in Halkali, Istanbul police residences on Monday. The assailants were successful in burning three vehicles, including a vehicle that belonged to Bayrampasa Deputy Police Chief. One person has been detained in connection with the incident. In the past month, 59 vehicles have been set ablaze in Istanbul.
777 PKK TERRORISTS RENDERED INEFFECTIVE IN 2007
Turkish General Staff announced that 777 PKK terrorists have been rendered ineffective in military operations conducted in 2007.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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TOGUC: INTEREST RATES MUST BE BROUGHT DOWN
Nurhan Toguc, Chief Economist at Ata Investments, said that there are three factors that will have an impact on Turkey in 2008: growth, inflation and credit problems. We expect Turkey to grow by 5.5-5.7 percent in 2008, Toguc noted. Inflation in Turkey in 2008 is expected to be around 6 percent, Toguc indicated. Turkish Central Bank must bring down interest rates in 2008, Toguc stressed.
TRNC: WE WILL BEGIN USING EURO
The Greek Cypriot administration begins to use Euro as of January 1st, 2008. Many businessmen in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) indicated that the TRNC will also begin using Euro in the new year.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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IRAN TO DOMINATE GUL-BUSH TALKS
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will pay an official visit to the United States between January 7th and 11th upon an invitation by the U.S. President George Bush. The topic of Iran will dominate Gul-Bush talks. The U.S. does not wish to see warm relations between Turkey and Iran. The U.S. is against a natural gas agreement between Turkey and Iran.
HIKE IN TRANSPORTATION FARES IN ANKARA
Transportation fares in capital Ankara will be hiked as of January 1st, 2008. A statement released by Ankara Municipality said that fare of one-way ticket of EGO buses and subways would be 1.5 YTL instead of 1.3 YTL. This fare will be reduced to 1.2 YTL for holders of multiple-trip tickets (one dollar equals 1.17 YTL). Fare to be paid by students would be hiked from 0.90 YTL to 1.15 YTL.
On the other hand, ticket fare in privately owned city buses and minibuses would increase to 1.5 YTL per person as of Tuesday.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SMOKING TO BE BANNED IN BARS
A draft law at the Turkish Parliament bans smoking in bars all across Turkey. If the new law gets adopted, Turks will no longer be able to smoke in bars and night clubs.
TRNC PRESIDENT TALAT TO BE ANKARA`S FIRST GUEST IN 2008
Mehmet Ali Talat, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), will be Ankara`s first guest in 2008. Talat will arrive in Ankara on January 3rd. Talat will meet his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on January 4th.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HELLO TO NEW YEAR IN -27 DEGREE CELSIUS
Turkish Armed Forces continue to serve the nation in freezing temperatures. Troops welcomed the new year in south-eastern Turkey on Monday night in temperatures reaching -27 degree Celsius. Border operations continue despite freezing temperatures.
HEALTH REPORT CARDS ARE HISTORY
Retired Turks will no longer need health report cards to receive medical treatment. As of January 1st, 2008, 4.5 million retired Turks will receive medical care by presenting their National ID numbers.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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VAT GOES DOWN
As of Tuesday, January 1st, Value Added Taxes (VAT) in the food and tourism sectors went down to 8 percent from a former 18 percent in Turkey.
SECURITY FORCES CONFISCATE 355 KG OF HEROIN IN EDIRNE
Turkish security forces confiscated 355 kg of heroin hidden in a truck at the Edirne Kapikule Border Pass on Monday. The heroin was hidden in the truck that was on its way to Europe.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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CITIZENSHIP WILL NOT BE LOST FOR FAILING TO FULFILL MILITARY SERVICE
Turkish men will not lose their citizenship for failing to fulfill mandatory military service and becoming a citizen of another country. Those Turks who lost citizenship for failing to fulfill military service in the past may re-apply with the Turkish Government and demand citizenship.
THY TO BEGIN FLYING TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
One of the world`s most prominent business and travel magazines, Business World indicated that the Turkish Airlines (THY) is competing successfully with world`s giant air companies. Temel Kotil, Director General of THY, said that the THY will begin direct flights to Washington, D.C. in 2008.
GENE GUN AGAINST ILLNESSES
Researchers at the Middle East Technical University (METU) produced a "gene gun" that can change genes in plants and convert them into vaccinations. For example, children eating bananas with hepatitis inoculation will be automatically vaccinated against the disease.