* Six employees at the Sur Municipality have lost half of their salary to their wives for alleged domestic violence in Turkey's southeastern province of DiyarbakIr, daily Haberturk reported Wednesday.
  The collective labor agreement signed between the Sur Provincial Municipality and Municipality-Labor Union for 2010 includes an article on the protection of women.
  According to the agreement, protecting women and families, employees who use violence against their wife and children or marry a second wife lose half of their salary.
  Sur District Deputy Mayor Gulbahar Ornek said they aim to halt family violence with this policy. "We've garnished the wages of six employees under this agreement. If they continue their bad practices, we will unilaterally annul their employment contracts.
  "We will punish husbands who take a second wife, too. We also reward our employees; for example, we currently give 100 Turkish Liras to 57 employees who have sent their daughters to university for education," added Ornek.

* Five people died in flood and landslide which occurred following the torrential rains in GundoGdu hamlet in Turkey's Black Sea province of Rize.
  Communication with the hamlet is cut off and it is feared that death toll may rise.

* The "Freedom Fellowship Neighborhood" campaign set up by the Turkish daily Hurriyet to aid Pakistani flood victims is sending 195 more pre-fabricated houses to help the South Asian country's destitute citizens.
  The 195 houses are part of a 55-vehicle convoy that is transporting 651 total pre-fabricated houses for flood survivors. Already, 120 Pakistanis have been placed in 30 houses sent recently to flood-hit regions.
  Deputy Prime Minister Cemil cicek thanked daily Hurriyet for its initiative, saying it was a good example for all.
  The minister further added Wednesday that the aid efforts would continue at a fast pace in the following days.
  The Turkish government has already mobilized a $10 million contribution to the natural disaster relief.
  The Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate has dispatched two cargo aircraft containing two tons of medications and health supplies, two fully equipped mobile hospitals, an ambulance and a 4x4 National Medical Rescue Team vehicle. A 42-person medical team has also accompanied the supplies.
  Cargo planes carrying up to 100 tons of food, 176 tents, 3,000 sleeping bags and 1,125 blankets have already landed, with the aid now in the hands of the Pakistani Red Crescent.
  Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey, Tarik Azizuddin, expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government and media for the help provided.

* Hundreds of thousands of Turkish schoolchildren risk not having a teacher on their first day of classes as education officials try to sort out allegations of cheating on the placement exam for civil servants, also taken by teachers.
  Though the country's top educational authority has not yet concluded its own inquiry into the accusations that some test-takers had access to the questions before taking the Public Personnel Selection Examination, it has said the claims might have merit.
  "The questions might have leaked out," the Higher Education Board Board of Auditors said in a declaration Thursday.

* It is currently illegal for women who cover their heads to comply with what they say are Islamic requirements to work for the government or attend schools and colleges in Turkey.
  The ruling islamist Justice and Development party has been unsuccessful to change this. The main opposition party has been opposing any lifting of this ban but they seemed to have changed their view.
  A suggestion by the main opposition Republican People's Party that the headscarf issue could be solved with "social consensus" has been met with suspicion by conservative women's associations, which call it a political ploy ahead of the constitutional referendum on September 12.
  A representative of the ruling party, however, says it is a good – if belated – development for the opposition to seek compromise on the matter.
  The Constitutional Court annulled the government-backed constitutional changes in 2008 in line with the opposition Republican People's Party's application.

* An international art academy established in the village of Yaka, 25 kilometers from Datca, in MuGla, in southwestern Turkey and five kilometers from the ancient city of Knidos, has started teaching local kids free of charge, reports the Dogan News Ageny.
  The school is teaching ceramics, sculpture and painting. The school happens to be based in a region whose historical influence over art practices at one time made it one of the cultural centers of the world.
  The International Knidos Culture and Arts Academy was jointly established by Nevzat Metin, director of an art gallery in Istanbul, and leading names in the business and art communities.
  After a four week course, 12 children between the ages of eight and 14 recently produced the first works of the new school. Ceramic artist umit Can Goren, a teacher at the academy, said the children, using ceramics for the first time in their lives, created works that are really worth seeing. "I believe that each of these children will be among the leading names in the world of ceramics in the future", she added.
  The academy offers art education for adults as well. German citizens Claudia Pfeitfer, 51, and Uscu Alev, 57, who live in Datca, have successfully completed a course. Saying they had never been interested in ceramics before, Pfeitfer said they planned to open an exhibition at the academy at the end of the course.
  Four students from Istanbul's Marmara University's Ceramics department have also begun a collaborative project at the academy. Using pebbles and ceramics, which have been used to decorate outer facades in the Mediterranean region for years, the group has been working on a different type of sculpture style in the academy.
  Mr. Metin spoke of the importance of the ancient city of Knidos, which has a history spanning 3000 years, and said that they will also promotes the city.
  Full story: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ 

  

* In excavations at an ancient city in Turkey's Mediterranean province of Antalya archeologists unearthed dye-production facilities dating back 1,500 years.
  The Byzantine era facilities are located in the ancient city of Myra-Andriake in the Demre town.
  "The dye produced in integrated facilities indicates that Andriake port was not only an international trade center, but also a center of the dye industry," said Professor Nevzat cevik, head of the excavation team.
  Myra is an ancient town in Lycia, where the small town of Kale (Demre) is situated today in present day Antalya province of Turkey.
  It was located on the river Myros (modern Demre cayI) in pre-modern times.
  Andriake was the harbor of Myra in classical times, but silted up later on. The main structure there surviving to the present day is a granary built during the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE).
  Beside this granary is a large heap of Murex shells, evidence that Andriake was a major center for the production of purple dye.
  Full story: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/

* According to the Anatolia News Agency, a bath belonging to Roman period, and the head of a statue dating back to 2nd century A.D. were unearthed during excavations in Smyrna ancient city in the Aegean region of Turkey. Turkey's Dokuz Eylul University and Culture & Tourism Ministry are conducting the excavations.
  The ancient city is located at two sites within Izmir. While the first site, likely to have started by the locals , rose to prominence during the Archaic Period as one of the principal ancient Greek settlements in western Anatolia.
  The second, whose settlement is associated with Alexander the Great, reached metropolitan proportions especially during the period of the Roman Empire. Most of the present-day remains date from this Roman times and particularly from after a 2nd century AD earthquake.

* According to the Anatolia News Agency, excavations revealed new inscriptions in the ancient city of Pompeipolis in the central Black Sea region of Turkey.
  Prof. Dr. Christian Marek, who has been examining inscriptions uncovered in Pompeipolis, told the Anatolia News Agency correspondent that inscriptions were about festivals of Roman era. Dr. Marek said that according to inscriptions, Roman emperors also participated in these festivals, most of which were religious. Marek said several competitions, shows and plays had been held within the scope of these festivals which had been started by Roman Emperor Alexander Severus.
  The antique city of Pompeipolis is situated in the county of Taskopru of the province of Kastamonu. According to the historical records, the Romans after winning the battle against Mitridates Pontus Pilate and his army in the northern valley of Gokirmak in 64 B.C. settled in this region. The Roman commander Pompeius built a city out of scratch on Zimbilli Hill and called the city Pompeipolis.
  It is claimed by the American and European archaeologists that the antique city of Pompeipolis is wealthier and bigger than the world-renowned antique city of Ephesus in Izmir.
  See more at   http://en.cumhuriyet.com/
 

* Administrators at the Princes' Islands of Istanbul Municipality said that the Heybeliada Greek seminary would open its doors for the first time in 30 years for 20 days for an exhibition titled "Tracing Istanbul".
  The seminary was closed when private universities were shut down in Turkey in 1970's.
  The Greek church is asking the Turkish government to allow the opening of the seminary. Turkish government is saying that it will allow it if it is incorporated into the Istanbul University system.
  The event is sponsored by the Consulate General of Greece in Istanbul and the cultural organization of the municipality of Athens.
  Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew will inaugurate the exhibition on Sunday. Also, another part of the exhibition will be opened at the Greek Consulate General in Istanbul by Consul General Vasilios Bornovas on Saturday.
  With compass history, myths and legends, focusing on images, colors, smells, sounds, traces and symbols of Istanbul, the 101 participating artists highlight mythological, historical and everyday-life pictures.
   See more at http://en.cumhuriyet.com/

* Turkish capital's Ankara State Opera & Ballet will take stage in Dortmund city of Germany. The group will perform "Harem" musical in Dortmund Opera House (Opernhaus) on October 18, 2010, reports the Anatolia News Agency.
  Meanwhile, Dortmund Ballet will participate in a dancing festival in Bodrum town of Turkey's western province of Mugla in 2011.

* Anatolia News Ageny reports that thriller writer Agatha Christie will be commemorated in Istanbul on September 15, the 120th anniversary of her birthday.
  Altin Kitaplar Bookstore, publisher of Ms. Christie in Turkey, will host the event. Mathew Prichard, the grandson of Christie will also attend the event.
  The Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul is said to be where Agatha Christie got the inspiration for her famous novel "Murder on the Orient Express" and a small key, probably the key to her diary was found in her favourite room 411.
  The Pera Palace Hotel has been under restoration for two and a half years. The renovation cost $30 million.
  Ernest Hemingway and Greta Garbo were also among the guests of the Istanbul hotel.

* According to the Anatolia News Agency, one of the oldest cities in the world that has the oldest palace and graves of royalty, Malatya in southeastern Turkey will be the venue of an international film festival for the first time in its history.
  The festival, to run between November 16 and December 2, will begin with two separate film competitions. People will have the opportunity to watch almost 100 films, including 65 full-length films, documentaries and short films. Twelve films will compete to win "Golden Apricot Award" in the international competition section of the festival.
  Malatya produces hundreds of thousands of apricots each year. Most of the dried golden colored Turkish apricots you find here in the U.S. are from this province of Turkey. Turkey currently supplies 80 percent of the world's apricot demand through exports from Malatya.
  Malatya was established by the ancient Hittites. In their language it was named "maldiya" which by one account, meant "fruit grove", by another account "the land of honey".
  See more at http://en.cumhuriyet.com/

* Istanbul is again hosting another design exhibition at the Istanbul Modern. "Istanbul Contrast," a clothing exhibition by Dice Kayek, opened Aug. 25 at the famous gallery.
  The exhibition is a quick introduction to understanding the immense world of designer Dice Kayek and reflects the significance of the designs of the creators of the illustrious brand created by Ece and Ay$e Ege.
  Inspired by symbolic edifices, Dice Kayek's collection transcribes Istanbul city's mix of modernity and tradition.
  Through translating the city's life, each dress is inspired by spices, sweet delights, tastes, scents, and the fascinating lights of the Bosphorus' embracing the city at night. One feels in the rich lace embroidery the magical beauty of the winter garden at the Dolmabahce Palace, while metallic embroidery suggests the Galata Bridge, a symbol of contrast that links the Egyptian Spice Bazaar in the old city with Galata's comparative modernity, luxury and opulence.
  The exhibition was originally displayed within the scope of festivities celebrating "Paris Fashion Week," and the "Season of Turkey in France."

* Providing documentation of Turkey's Ottoman architectural heritage while bringing such riches to the attention to an international public, Turkish professor DoGan Kuban's seminal work, "OsmanlI Mimarisi" (Ottoman Architecture), has now been published in English.
  Providing comprehensive detail on the subject not seen in past works in the genre, "OsmanlI Mimarisi" is being hailed as one of the most extensive studies ever undertaken on the Ottomans' architecture. The book is of interest not only to those interested in architecture and its history, but also to everyone interested in history, culture and art.
  The book features original photographs of the foremost examples of Ottoman architecture from the early Ottoman period up to the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, together with Kuban's comments, which are based on knowledge drawn from over half a century of research.
  The text also includes a general overview of the history of Turkish and Islamic architecture, a panorama of the Ottoman urban environment and architecture compared with world architecture, as well as the latest findings and studies carried out in the field.
  The book is divided into two main parts devoted to the architecture prior to and following the 16th-century architect Sinan and consists of 57 chapters in all. It is illustrated by photographs of almost 200 buildings and plans and cross-sections of 300 buildings redrawn from original sources.
  Since it was published, the Turkish edition has aroused considerable public interest, focusing the spotlight on the subject of Ottoman architecture and sparking off discussions of numerous related issues. In 2007 an exhibition relating to the material in the book was held at TopkapI Palace, and the book was featured in an exhibition held at the 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair, at which Turkey was guest of honor.

* An ancient wall has been found as part of excavation work that started after an illegal excavation around the Apollo Temple in the Didim township in  Turkey's Aegean province of AydIn. The wall is thought to be part of the Temple of Artemis, the twin of Apollo.
  Didyma's Culture and Tourism Ministry representative Ferhan Buyukyoruk said that during work this year the excavation team searched for the continuation of the wall and another structure around it. "We believe that the wall may be the wall of the Temple of Artemis, but it is too early to say so definitely. We need one or two years to understand it completely. The material inside the wall should be examined thoroughly," she said.
  Didyma excavation restoration head and German archaeologist Christoph Kronewirth complained about the preservation conditions of the Temple of Apollo, saying that the temple had been exposed to hard natural conditions like earthquakes as well as looters and tourists over time. He said there were two officials at the entrance to the temple but no watchman inside. "The lack of control in the temple is a big deficit in the preservation there."
  Excavation head Andreas Furtwangler said the first excavations around the Temple of Apollo started 104 years ago, adding that this year's season would continue for two months.

* Almost 3000 pieces of historical artifacts have been seized in police operations around Turkey within last two years, including precious pieces from the Croesus Treasures, daily Star reported Tuesday. Seized artifacts include Persian and Ancient Greek sculptures and Hittite icons.
  In the operations, 2,772 historical artifacts were seized, while 155 suspected smugglers were detained. The operations prevented smugglers taking the artifacts out of the country illegally, the daily reported. The police officers also broke a smuggling ring, operating in Greece and Belgium, accused of stealing artifacts from churches.
  Icons were found in the baggage of a Bulgarian smuggler during the operation, while an Iranian smuggler who claimed to be a restaurant owner in Kazakhstan was detained while he was trying to sell camel figures. After the operation, which was conducted in the Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul, a gold necklace weighing 42 grams and thought to have been made by 3rd century B.C. Lydians was found.

* Brushing aside fears that holding Christian religious ceremonies in former churches would undermine Turkey's Islamic character, the country's top religious official has expressed openness about allowing such rites in Istanbul's famous Hagia Sophia.
  Earlier this week, Dr. Ali BardakoGlu, the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate, called for the reopening of the Saint Paul Church in Tarsus, a town in Turkey's southern province of Mersin, "I find it more correct if the Saint Paul Church in Tarsus serves as a church than in its current role as a museum," he said, echoing Christian's similar demands from around the world.
  In response to a journalist's question during the meal on whether the Hagia Sophia could be a center for religious ceremonies, Dr. BardakoGlu said the issue is not on the directorate's agenda yet, but that the body is taking a stand for freedom and every person's right to worship in their own way.
  The top religious official added that the body is supporting freedom not only for Christians in Turkey but also for Muslims in Western Thrace, Albania and Macedonia and Christians who live in other places.
  The Hagia Sophia, originally a church, was transformed into a mosque after Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror laid siege to Istanbul in 1453 as part of the Ottomans' attempt to convert the city to Islam. It was opened as a museum in 1935.

* Anna Kournikova, who shifted from the tennis courts to the catwalk, was the guest of honor at Istanbul Fashion Week, which will took place between Aug. 24 and 28.
  The Russian tennis player stayed at CIraGan Palace, watched a fashion show and held a press conference in return for 20,000 euros.
 

* Turkey's Prime Ministry's General Directorate for Foundations has signed an agreement with several couintries where Ottoman historical structures are located to collaborate on renovation work, daily Haberturk reported Monday.
  The directorate will renovate Ottoman artifacts located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, northern Cyprus, Syria and Kosovo.
  The directorate is also expected to sign an agreement with Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for the project.
  So far the directorate renovated 3,484 structures. It says that these were accomplished with revenues from foundations, not with Public Treasury funds.

* According to the Anatolia News Agency, Nike will be opening ten basketball courts in Turkey.
  The statement released by Nike says that renowned basketball players will be present at the inauguration ceremonies.

* Speaking of basketball, FIBA 2010 World Basketball Championship, the largest basketball event of the planet, was officially inaugurated with a spectacular ceremony in Istanbul on Friday, reports the Anatolia News Agency.
  Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin, State Minister Faruk Nafiz Ozak, FIBA President Bob Elphinston and thousands of audience attended the ceremony held at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.
  During the ceremony, world-wide known dance and show group Cirque du Soleil displayed a special performance, followed by concerts by Turkish musicians Fatih Erkoc, Muslum Gurses and Sezen Aksu, as well as Italian tenor Alessandro Safina and Greek singer Haris Alexiou. Turkish dance group Fire of Anatolia also staged its major production "Troia" as part of the ceremony.
  A total of 24 teams are qualified for the event, while the draw on December 15 divided them into four groups of six.
  The team winning the FIBA World Championship 2010 will qualify automatically for the London 2012 Olympics.
  See more at http://en.cumhuriyet.com/

* 100,000 tourists are expected to visit Turkey for the 2010 World Basketball Championship, which started today and will last until Sept. 12.
  The basketball championship, sponsored by Turkcell, is expected to contribute 160 million euros to the Turkish economy.
  All hotels in Istanbul, Izmir, Kayseri and Ankara, where the games will be played, are fully booked.
  In first day's action today, host Turkey beat Ivory Coast 86-47.

* According to the Anatolia News Agency, European Athletics Association conducted a survey and Nevin Yanit of Turkey was chosen as the most successful woman athlete of July.
  Nevin Yanit won gold medal in women's 100-meter hurdles with a Turkish-best sprint of 12.63 seconds at the European Championships.

* Besiktas defeated Finland's HJK Helsinki 4-0 in an away game in the second leg of play-off round in UEFA Europa League. 
  Besiktas had beaten Helsinki in the first match 2-0 too. Thus, Besiktas qualified for the group stage of soccer’s Europa League.
  Turkey's other three representatives in the competition were a disappointment. Trabzonspor was defeated by Liverpool 2-1 in Trabzon, Fenerbahce drew 1-1 with Greek side PAOK in Istanbul, and Galatasaray also drew 1-1 with Ukraine's Karpaty in an away game, and they were all eliminated.