Voices Newspaper

10/07/2025

If you wander inland to the non-tourist town of Nazilli, Thursday market prices:

Cherries: 600 TL to 800 TL per kilo
Plums: 250 - 400 TL
Peaches: 80 TL
Apricots: 70 TL
Peas: 40 TL
Beans: 150 TL
Grapes: 120 TL
Onions: 10 TL
Eggplant (aubergine): 20 TL
Watermelon: 25 TL

10/07/2025

If you are on a beach, please respect the warning flags as they are there for your own information/protection.

A yellow flag: medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents;
A red flag: High hazard, high surf and/or strong currents
Red and yellow flag: Recommended swimming area with lifeguards

The emphasis on the flags were highlighted in a news media piece about Didim's lifeguards. A post stated: "Last week alone, more than 60 potential drownings were addressed. We encounter an average of 10-15 cases daily, and this number increases when rules are not followed.

"The most challenging issues for our lifeguards are: children left unattended in the sea, sudden health problems (heart attacks, etc.), and swimming in dangerous conditions despite warnings.

"For our own safety and to ease the burden on our crews, we must absolutely obey the flags and warnings. Let's not forget, enjoying the sea becomes more beautiful with awareness, and following the rules saves lives."

10/07/2025

Images from the recent Blessing of Day at the Belediye's Didim and Akbük City Restaurants.

Ashura, falls on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar, is a significant day for Muslims worldwide. This year, Ashura was observed on July 6, 2025, a day of commemoration and remembrance,

10/07/2025

A reminder
Sports activities sponsored by the Didim Belediyesi are free of charge and take place:

Mondays and Wednesdays:8am at Akbük's Zübeyde Hanım Park
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 7:30am at Didim's İnönü Youth Park
Saturdays at 8am at Çamlık's Amphitheatre Garden.

10/07/2025

Spotted off Güzelçamlı, near Kusadasi.

10/07/2025

Spotted out off Guzelcamli, near Kusadasi.

09/07/2025

Bank savings: If you have high-interest savings accounts in Turkiye, be aware the withholding tax (the Turkish government tax charged on your interest) has just increased.

On accounts with terms of up to six months, the rate rises from 15% to 17.5%.

For deposit accounts with terms of up to one year, the rate rises from 12% to 15%.

The old withholding tax rates will apply to both unmatured and existing deposits and funds. The new withholding tax will apply to deposits with new maturity dates.

Ultimately, less liras in your pocket.

Turkiye's Central Bank will meet on July 24, 2025, to announce its new interest rate decision. Market expectations are for a 350 basis point cut. The policy rate currently stands at 46%.

https://www.ardahanhaber.com.tr/resmi-gazetede-yayimlandi-banka-ve-fonda-parasi-olanlara-kotu-haber/53144

https://yenisokegazetesi.com/haber/25475319/bankada-parasi-olanlar-dikkat-stopaj-yukseldi-getiri-dustu

08/07/2025

The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh Airport for the first time since it was introduced in 2006 following the installation of top-of-the-range security x-ray technology.

It means passengers will be able to keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each.

Edinburgh Airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, is the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule.

It comes after eight new X-rays were installed as part of a £24 million investment to transform the security process at Scotland’s busiest airport. Large electricals, such as tablets and laptops, can remain in bags, and liquids in containers up to two litres can now also be kept inside.

The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh Airport for the first time since it was introduced in 2006 following the installation of top-of-the-range security x-ray technology.

08/07/2025

Some of our readers have asked us about these rules around bars in view of recent publicity. As far as we know, the restrictions are:

12 midnight curfew on music and lights off;
12.30am, bars to be closed.

Having said that, each town, city and province may well adopt their own specific rules and regs.

Venues found to be breaking rules risk being shut for periods of three to ten days, or even permanently.

08/07/2025

These emergency hotlines, mobile apps, victim support services might be useful to keep in case you need them while in Türkiye:

112: General emergency hotline (Turkish, English, Arabic, German, Russian)

157 (YIMER): Foreigners Communication Center (Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, Farsi, German)

183: Social Support Hotline (Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, Sign Language)

UNHCR Türkiye: 444 48 68 (English, Turkish, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Turkmen, Pashtu, Urdu, Uzbek, Kurmanji, Sorani, Azeri, Fulani, Somali / Monday-Thursday: 9am–5pm, Friday: 9am– 4pm)
Vodafone Easy Rescue / KADES apps: Mobile apps for emergency alerts and reporting Gender Based Violence (GBV)

With thanks for the information from Turkiye Today.

07/07/2025

Following the loss of so many soldiers to methane gas in the last 24 hours, Didim Belediyesi has announced the Simge concert has been postponed to a later date.