Emre Deliveli

A professional swimmer has managed to fulfill her greatest dream by becoming the fifth Turkish woman to successfully cross the English Channel.

On July 20, national swimmer Deniz Kayadelen set off from the shores of Samphire Hoe in Dover at midnight to cross the English Channel between England and France.

The volatility of the Turkish Lira is the major factor in the low levels of consumer confidence in Turkey, according to economists speaking to Anadolu Agency.

In 2010, the Turkish Statistical Institute?s Index of Consumer Confidence was at about 80. The index runs from 1 to 200, with readings below 100 indicating relative pessimism.

The political race for the June 7 general elections in Turkey is turning into an auction of populism, which looks increasingly dangerous for the already-strained economy.