Month: August 2021

A total of 122 wildfires out of 129 across Turkey’s 35 provinces have been brought under control, the country’s communications director said on Monday.

In a statement, Fahrettin Altun said all the means of the state have been mobilized to put out the blazes, which have been plaguing the country since July 28.

At least eight people have been killed and as many as 271 others affected, according to agriculture and forestry minister, and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Turkish authorities are maintaining tireless efforts to extinguish the fires through both aerial and ground operations. Firefighters are at work along with locals and volunteers.

‘Fake news’

Altun called most of the information being spread on social media regarding Turkey’s forest fires as “fake news.”

“Let’s not fall into the trap of those who spread such lies. Please let’s rely on the official authorities’ statements,” he said. “Turkey is strong. Our state is standing tall,” he added, noting that the country will make up for all its losses.

The official underlined that every well-intentioned aid and contribution is a “necessity.” “However, the so-called aid campaign, which was organized from abroad … was launched with ideological motives, with the aim of showing our state as weak and weakening our state-nation unity,” he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A portable and outdoor Gym Box has changed the routine during the coronavirus pandemic for those who work out in indoor gyms.

Metehan Ozturk, a 32-year-old personal trainer in Turkey’s capital Ankara, came up with the extraordinary idea of designing and building a 2-meter (6.5-foot) container that has a multi-functional gym inside.

Ozturk said with the pandemic the perception of nature changed and stressed that people were always stuck indoors, in the office and even at coffee shops but they realized that being outdoors was more valuable.

“People started to enjoy working outdoors even more, especially after the pandemic since it’s less risky compared to an air-conditioned gym,” he said.

“Box is a portable sports unit that maintains everything a person needs for training. Professionals can also train in the unit, as well as amateurs. You attach the box to any car with a trailer and take it to a place where you want to do your workout. It takes around five minutes to set the whole thing up and then up to 15 people can do their training at the same time,” he said.

Ozturk said he was always a fan of working out in nature with his students and so he searched for ways to accomplish it outdoors and how he could carry equipment outside every time.

“It was not easy to carry all these weights every time. I needed a mechanism that would carry weights and professional sports equipment. That’s why I came up with the idea of a unit where I can take and put all the equipment with me,” he said. “There are no other portable gyms here in Turkey. There are also a few examples of this around the world but you cannot attach most of them to your car and take it anywhere anytime you want.”

“The workout is as effective as the one in a regular gym”

Ozturk emphasized that he helped his students perform High-Intensity interval training (HIIT) for 50 minutes in the box.

“The workout you do in the box is as effective as the one you do in the gym. HIIT workout is a type of cardiovascular exercise. You start burning more fat in an outdoor workout compared to indoor gyms in these exercises because you consume more energy and your body carries more oxygen and so fat burns faster,” he said.

Ozturk said the workout in the box appeals to everyone since it is time-oriented and people put maximum effort.

He said when he first came up with the idea of building the box, his colleagues did not support the idea. They said people would never get out of their comfort zone, leave air-conditioned and well-equipped gyms to train outside.

“However the coronavirus turned the tables and now people would rather be outside than be stuck indoors,” he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A Belarusian Olympic athlete who says she refused pressure by her team to return home over her criticism of its staff is safe and under the protection of Japanese police, local media reported on Monday.

Sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is currently “safe and secure” after asking for protection from police in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, refusing to board a plane home following her social media criticism of her coaches, according to Kyodo News, which cited International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman Mark Adams at a press conference.

Confirming Adams, the Japanese government’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the 24-year-old was currently in a “safe situation with the cooperation of related organizations.”

“I ask the International Olympic Committee for help. I was put under pressure and they are trying to forcibly take me out of the country without my consent. I asked the IOC to intervene,” Tsimanouskaya previously said in a video posted on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF).

The BSSF is a group created by sports officials and athletes in 2020 to support athletes repressed, sacked, or excluded for their political views.

Adams said the Olympics’ governing body was looking into the situation and had asked for clarification from the Belarusian National Olympic Committee.

He said Tsimanouskaya was in a hotel near the airport on Sunday night and made contact with police and the office of the UN high commissioner for refugees.

“The IOC and Tokyo 2020 will continue to have conversations with her and the Japanese authorities to determine the next step in the upcoming days,” Adams said, adding that the committee would support the athlete for her decision.

Tsimanouskaya ran in the Tokyo 2020 women’s 100-meter in athletics and was listed for Monday’s 200-meter competition, but did not join the race.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The international community on Monday condoled with Turkey over wildfires that have led to deaths and material damage over the past few days.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak sent a message to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, expressing his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fires, according to Yemen’s Foreign Ministry.

Mubarak also wished a speedy recovery to the injured, stressing that Yemen is on the side of the “fraternal” Turkish people in the fight against this natural disaster.

A delegation of Palestinian scholars also issued a message of condolence.

“We are deeply saddened by the wildfires that have erupted in many parts of fraternal country Turkey,” it said.

“We extend our condolences to those who lost their lives and to their families. We heartily share the pain of the fraternal Turkish people.”

The message also said that Palestine is praying for the firefighting teams and wishes them success.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Islamic world, published a statement, expressing its sorrow and conveying its condolences for the forest fire victims and their relatives as well as all the workers and volunteers trying to stem the spread of the massive fires.

Al-Azhar also wished early recovery to the injured, according to their statement on Facebook.

The statement said Al-Azhar was on the side of the Turkish people in the face of this tragic event.

On July 31, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry also sent a message of solidarity to Turkey, which is fighting the fires.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov also extended his condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the wildfires.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of life as a result of fires in several provinces of Turkey. In these difficult times, I wish the people of Turkey courage and resilience in overcoming the consequences of this natural disaster,” Japarov said in his message.

“On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and on my own behalf, I express my condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured,” the statement added.

“In an immediate response, the European Commission has already helped mobilize one Canadair plane from Croatia and two Canadairs from Spain. These firefighting planes are part of rescEU, the European reserve of civil protection assets,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“The EU stands in full solidarity with Turkey at this very difficult time. I thank all the countries which have offered help,” said EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, adding they stand ready to provide further assistance.

Croatia will send a firefighting plane to Turkey as part of the fight against the fires, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Twitter.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Cavusoglu to convey the solidarity of Spain and condolences for the victims of the fires.

“Mr. Albares has also informed Mr. Cavusoglu about the decision of the Spanish Government to send two CL 415 firefighting planes and a C-295 transport plane of the Spanish Air Force, as well as a complete team of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), to assist in the extinction of the wildfires,” said a statement by the Spanish ministry.

It added that the aircraft, personnel, and equipment would arrive later on Monday, as well as Tuesday.

During the phone call, Cavusoglu thanked Spain for its support and assistance to Turkey in its fight against forest fires as part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

Cavusoglu thanked Albares and Radman for their solidarity and support in separate Twitter posts.

Israel also extended its condolences to Turkey through a written Foreign Ministry statement.

“Following the disaster caused by forest fires in Turkey, the people of Israel are praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and sending their condolences to the families of the victims,” it said.

Separately, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat dismissed social media claims that Turkey “turned down Israel’s offer to help,” adding that Tel Aviv had contacted Ankara after the fires broke out.

“Today, I extend my condolences for the loss of lives by the deadly wildfires in Turkey. Our solidarity and thoughts are with the people of Turkey and the firefighters battling the blazes,” Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Twitter.

Qatar has sent a team to Turkey to take part in search and rescue activities amid the forest fires, local media reported Sunday.

According to Qatar’s state news agency QNA, a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Qatari Internal Security Forces departed for Turkey on the instruction of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

The governor of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region, Irina Vlah, also sent a letter of condolence to the Turkish president over the ongoing forest fires.

“It is very important to preserve national unity in the face of this great disaster and difficult time,” Vlah said, expressing condolences to the Turkish nation and to the families of those who lost their lives in the fires.

Gagauzia is an autonomous region in the Eastern European country that is home to a mostly Gagauz population – an Orthodox Christian, Turkic community.

At least eight people have lost their lives in the wildfires, which started on July 28 and were fanned by strong winds.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the areas affected by the forest fires, saying 50 million Turkish liras ($5.91 million) have been released to meet urgent needs.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey has been battling massive forest fires for the sixth day.

Blazes that broke out on July 28 have killed at least eight people, besides vast environmental and material damage.

It is unclear how many animals have died, but the Konya Metropolitan Municipality is playing its part to look after those who have survived.

A full-fledged veterinary ambulance named Canbulan by the local government is offering emergency response to injured animals in Antalya’s Manavgat district.

“Canbulan continues its emergency response and support activities for pets, wild animals, stray animals, and farm animals injured in areas hit by wildfires. It has medicines, medical supplies, and devices needed for the first aid of animals,” the municipality said in a statement on Monday.

“We are fighting in fire zones with 22 vehicles and 49 personnel with all our hearts and souls. God bless all our teams, I hope we will heal the wounds together,” said Ugur Ibrahim Altay, the city’s mayor.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The highest electricity price rate for one megawatt-hour in Turkey’s day-ahead spot market for Tuesday will be 636 Turkish liras at 00.00, 01.00, 02.00 (2100, 2200, 2300 GMT) and between 08.00 and 23.00 local times (0500 and 2000 GMT) while the lowest will be 451.26 liras at 06.00 local time (0300 GMT), according to official figures on Monday.

Turkey’s Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST) data for the trade volume on Monday’s electricity market showed an increase of 7.03% to 329.5 million liras compared to Sunday.

The arithmetical and weighted average price of electricity on the day-ahead spot market is calculated as 618.09 liras and 617.47 liras, respectively.

The highest electricity price for one megawatt-hour on the day-ahead spot market for Monday is set as 636 liras at 00.00, and between 08.00 and 23.00 local times (2100, and between 0500 and 2000 GMT) with the lowest at 394.41 liras at 06.00 local time (0300 GMT).

US$1 equals 8.36 Turkish liras at 1103 GMT on Monday.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Israeli Supreme Court on Monday delayed a final verdict on the appeal by four Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, occupied East Jerusalem, who are facing imminent expulsion to make way for Jewish settlers.

“The court heard all sides of the case but didn’t reach a verdict,” said, Sami Arshid, a lawyer for the Palestinian families, after the court session. No date for the decision has been given, he added.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said the court had proposed a compromise — protected tenancy status for the families, allowing them to stay in their homes on rent. A lower court had approved the eviction of the four families in January.

The decision had sparked 11-day-long clashes between Palestinians and Israeli occupying forces in May in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Many countries have urged Israel to reconsider its eviction plans.

The lawsuit stems from the events of 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcefully evicted from their homes and lands, a tragedy Palestinians call the “Nakba,” or “Catastrophe.”

In 1956, 28 families settled in Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli settlers and extremist Jewish associations, however, said the houses were built on the land they owned before Israel was established in 1948, a claim denied by Palestinians.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Uganda Airlines will soon make its maiden flight to Dubai in UAE, the flag carrier announced on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Uganda’s capital Kampala, Uganda Airlines’ CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki said the maiden flight to Dubai was scheduled to take place at an earlier date but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have now moved it (maiden flight) to the first week of September 2021,” Bamuturaki said.

This will be the first commercial flight of Uganda Airlines out of Africa. Since 2019, it has been operating in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, and Tanzania.

The airline company was founded in 1977 during dictator Idi Amin Dada’s regime but collapsed in 2001. Following studies and wide consultations in 2018, the Ugandan Cabinet opted to re-launch Uganda Airlines with six new jets.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s agriculture and forestry minister announced on Monday that 125 of 132 forest fires in the country are under control.

Efforts to put out the remaining blazes are underway, Bekir Pakdemirli told reporters at a fire coordination center in Milas district of southwestern Mugla province.

A total of 16 aircraft, nine drones, 51 helicopters, one unmanned helicopter, 850 water sprinklers, and 150 construction machines have been used to tackle the fires, the minister said, adding over 5,000 personnel are on duty.

At least eight people have lost their lives in the wildfires, which started on July 28 and were fanned by strong winds.

Turkey’s Communications Director Fehrettin Altun has asked people not to fall for misinformation regarding the fires on social media. “Please let’s rely on the official authorities’ statements,” he said, adding that Turkey is strong and will make up for all its losses.

Source: Anadolu Agency