Turkey's vaccination drive has accelerated in recent weeks and the government plans to lift all curfews and restrictions this Thursday, enabling a possible economic revival after almost 2 million people had been driven into poverty by pandemic-related lockdowns, according to a World Bank report.
Turkey has administered 50m doses in an effort to immunise 60 per cent of its 83 million people by the end of summer. Russia, Germany and France have lifted travel restrictions, boosting the crucial tourism industry, and later this week evening curfews will end as all businesses, factories, public transport and services, bars and clubs return to normal. “We are at the brink of getting rid of the pandemic," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca wrote on Twitter.
But even as Turkey opens up, its government is curbing freedom and fun for reasons seemingly unrelated to the pandemic. When the country’s long-time leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced the end of restrictions last week, he also banned music after midnight. Mr Erdogan said he meant “no offence”, but added that “no one has the right to disturb others at night”.
The Turkish Twittersphere responded with outrage, launching broadsides on Mr Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which also banned alcohol sales during its harshest lockdown, in April.
"We apologise to everyone for the disturbance we've caused over the years," singer Cem Adrian tweeted sarcastically. Pop singer Demet Akalın, widely known as an AKP supporter, seemed to share this view, tweeting out, "Sorry?????" in response to the news.
Turkish rapper Agackakan held a midnight concert in Istanbul's progressive, waterfront Kadikoy district in protest of the ban and was briefly detained by police. Academic Ayse Aydogdu referenced Turkey's falling currency and financial troubles and the viral videos of mafioso whistleblower Sedat Peker in denouncing the ban.
"The dollar is worth nine liras, the Central Bank vault is empty, unemployment is at record levels, bribes and mafia are infesting the country. The state's ports are used as drug storages and the ship is sinking – but the captain is worried about the volume of the music on deck," she said on Twitter.
Presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun responded that critics of the ban had fallen prey to manipulation rather than celebrating the new normalisation, adding that the government had supported the arts and artists during the pandemic.
In truth, live music performances have been banned in Turkey since March 2020, and the music industry, along with performing arts more broadly, has suffered the consequences – with countless artists and musicians driven into poverty and even to suicide.
The ban marks an assault on the bands and live musical acts that play around the Izmir waterfront and the back alleys of Istanbul’s main pedestrian drag, Istiklal Street, and on the thousands of folk musicians who serenade diners late into the night at the country’s countless meyhanes, or traditional restaurants. While the rest of the country returns to normality, Turkey’s already troubled musicians will face new curbs and restrictions.
As his poll numbers have dipped to record lows, Mr Erdogan’s favouring of conservatives and “pro-family” voters over liberal-minded urbanites and younger people has endangered lives and livelihoods. The day Covid-19 restrictions end, July 1, is also the day Turkey officially pulls out of the Istanbul Convention, the world’s leading global compact to combat violence against women.
The President announced the move in March in an apparent nod to conservatives and Islamists who portrayed the convention as a threat to the family. Mr Erdogan said the convention “promotes homosexuality”. Critics and women’s advocacy groups counter that pulling out will reduce protections and women’s rights in Turkey, where femicides and domestic abuse have increased sharply in recent years.
To top it off, over the weekend Mr Erdogan attended a ceremony to break ground on what is expected to be the first of six bridges crossing a planned $20 billion Istanbul canal, which will run parallel to the Bosphorus and transform central Istanbul into an island. The government says the new waterway will increase safety, reduce pollution and accident risk and generate billions in annual revenue, while critics argue that the canal will further imperil a Marmara region that is already suffering an unprecedented outbreak of sea slime.
“I can’t sleep at night when I think about this cement project,” Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) told reporters, envisioning the region’s ecological demise. “No amount of money can fix that if it is lost.”
Muharrem Ince, a former presidential candidate for the CHP who recently launched his own party, put all of these moves in one basket, pointing out the government's "mentality that attacks people's lifestyle".
His former colleague CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu again called for early elections, while another opposition politician went a step further, envisioning a lively post-vote celebration. “Don't worry,” tweeted the CHP’s deputy chair. “We're gonna have an after party of 80 million people – with lots of music.”
David Lepeska is a Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean affairs columnist for The National
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Toss: Northern Warriors, elected to field first
Bengal Tigers 130-1 (10 ov)
Roy 60 not out, Rutherford 47 not out
Northern Warriors 94-7 (10 ov)
Simmons 44; Yamin 4-4
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Honeymoonish
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Teenage%20Mutant%20Ninja%20Turtles%3A%20Shredder's%20Revenge
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
MATCH INFO
Argentina 47 (Tries: Sanchez, Tuculet (2), Mallia (2), De La Fuente, Bertranou; Cons: Sanchez 5, Urdapilleta)
United States 17 (Tries: Scully (2), Lasike; Cons: MacGinty)
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
MATCH INFO
Azerbaijan 0
Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')
