A senior İstanbul municipal official, currently jailed as part of the prosecution targeting the opposition-run city government, testified in court regarding the circumstances of their arrest. The official stated that the police forced the reenactment of a voluntary surrender to portray it as a forced capture for media purposes.
Source: Turkish Minute
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu claimed that Western intervention prevented the implementation of the 2022 Istanbul agreement between Russia and Ukraine. According to Shoygu, the framework negotiated in Turkey could have led to a peaceful resolution, but external interference disrupted the diplomatic process.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı
A report published by the Stockholm Center for Freedom indicates that vulnerable demographics among Syrian migrants in Istanbul—specifically women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals—face escalating barriers to accessing basic services. The documented challenges include reduced access to healthcare, education, and formal legal protections.
Read the full story on Stockholm Center for Freedom
The ITEA Project Outline Preparation Days 2026 event is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, between September 15 and 17, 2026. Supported by TÜBİTAK, the event is expected to gather more than 300 potential project partners, public authorities, and commercial companies to collaborate on software innovation initiatives.
Read the full story on TÜBİTAK
Construction objectives remain underway for Canal Istanbul, a planned 45-kilometer long, 275-meter wide, and 20.75-meter deep artificial waterway designed to ease maritime traffic on the Bosphorus Strait. However, the project continues to face significant scrutiny regarding its high financial costs, ecological impact, and geopolitical implications.
Read the full story on Vozpopuli
National Geographic has listed the top ten must-see ancient sites in Turkey, featuring prominent historical structures located in Istanbul. The Old City Walls of Istanbul and the Basilica Cistern were both highlighted for their historical significance alongside other national landmarks such as the Sumela Monastery and Göreme Open Air Museum.
Read the full story on National Geographic
Nearly 550 years after its establishment, Istanbul's Grand Bazaar remains a vital commercial hub. The historic site, which hosts thousands of jewelry stores, souvenir shops, handmade carpet vendors, and textile outlets, attracts up to 800,000 domestic and international visitors per day on weekends.
Read the full story on Anadolu Ajansı Read the full story on Daily Sabah
