Latest news with #Ankara
Reuters
an hour ago
- Business
- Reuters
Turkey's economy grew 2.0% in first quarter, below forecasts
May 30 (Reuters) - Turkey's economy expanded 2.0% in the first quarter of the year, below expectations, official data showed on Friday. First-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.0% from the previous quarter on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute showed. In a Reuters poll, the economy was forecast to have expanded 2.3% in the first quarter. Turkey's economy had grown 3.0% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing full-year growth to 3.2% and exceeding forecasts despite the weight of high interest rates. Economists forecast an expansion of 3% in 2025 as a whole, slightly lower than last year, the poll showed, reflecting the effects of monetary tightening. In December, the central bank started an easing cycle after having kept the main policy rate steady at 50% for eight months. Inflation has dipped from as high as 75% last May. In April, Turkey's central bank hiked its policy rate by 350 basis points and raised the lending rate to 49% in response to market turmoil that erupted over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival.
Arab News
an hour ago
- General
- Arab News
Ukraine, Russia ‘want ceasefire,' Turkiye FM says en route to Kyiv
ANKARA: Russia and Ukraine both want a ceasefire to halt three years of war, Turkiye's top diplomat said on Friday as he headed to Kyiv after holding talks in Moscow. 'I observe that the issue is beginning to take a more optimistic turn as negotiations start. Both parties want a ceasefire. No one says they don't want it,' Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on the train taking him to Kyiv, reported news agency Anadolu.
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Turkey's Economy Expands Less Than Projected in First Quarter
Turkey's economy expanded less than projected in the first quarter despite a brief period of interest-rate cuts. Gross domestic product expanded 1% in the January-to-March period in seasonally and working-day adjusted terms, according to data published by the state statistics office on Friday. That's less than 1.7% in the previous quarter and worse than the median forecast of 1.2% in a Bloomberg survey of economists.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
Turkish foreign minister discusses ceasefire efforts with Hamas, source says
ANKARA, May 30 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday discussed the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza in a phone call with officials from Palestinian militant group Hamas' political bureau, a Turkish diplomatic source said. The source added that Fidan also spoke by phone with Qatar's prime minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss developments in Gaza and Syria, without providing further details.
Telegraph
13 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
British tourists who stand up while seatbelt sign is on face fines in Turkey
British holidaymakers in Turkey could face fines if they stand up before their plane seatbelt sign has been turned off. The Turkish civil aviation authority says new rules came into force earlier this month following a rise in complaints about passengers standing up while the sign was still on Offenders will face fines of about £50, Turkish media report, although the aviation authority has not confirmed the exact financial penalty. The fines are expected to be imposed on the spot and enforced through the submission of formal reports by airline staff. The aviation authority said there had been a 'serious increase' in complaints about passengers standing up before the seatbelt had been turned off – often while the plane is still taxiing. Under the new rules, cabin crew are required to deliver a revised version of the in-flight landing announcement. It will instruct passengers to remain seated with their seatbelt fastened until the aircraft has stopped moving and the seatbelt sign has been turned off, advising them that violations will be reported. Passengers must also refrain from opening overhead lockers or attempting to collect their belongings while the plane is in motion. The updated rules apply to all commercial flights operating in Turkey, which remains one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers, and attracts tens of millions of international visitors each year. Turkish Airlines, the country's leading carrier, has already updated its landing announcement, reports Euronews. 'Passengers who do not comply with the rules will be reported to the directorate general of civil aviation through a disruptive passenger report, and an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with the applicable legal regulations,' the airline announcement is reported to say. The Telegraph has contacted the airline for comment. Turkish authorities have reportedly instructed airlines to begin implementing the new announcement guidelines. The move places Turkey among a small number of countries seeking to formalise penalties for conduct that aviation authorities typically leave to the discretion of airlines and cabin crews. The Turkish directorate of civil aviation said: 'Despite announcements informing passengers of the rules, many are standing up before the aircraft reaches its parking positions and before the seat belt sign is turned off. 'This behaviour compromises the safety of passengers and baggage, disregards the satisfaction and exit priority of other travellers.'
