Turkish Court Sentences Five Opposition Mayors Amid Political Controversy

 

Turkish Court Sentences Five Opposition Mayors Amid Political Controversy

A Turkish court has convicted five mayors affiliated with the country’s main opposition party on charges of corruption. The convictions, which were announced on Monday, have drawn significant scrutiny. Critics of the judicial decision have publicly denounced the trial, describing the proceedings and the subsequent verdicts as politically motivated.

Source Link: AP News - Istanbul Hub (Note: Exact article page is aggregated on the AP News hub)

Hadise Headlines Open-Air Concert at Istanbul Festival in Yenikapı

 

Hadise Headlines Open-Air Concert at Istanbul Festival in Yenikapı

Turkish pop singer Hadise headlined the Istanbul Festival at Festival Park Yenikapı as part of the city's summer cultural programming. The performance drew large audiences to the Yenikapı venue, marking one of the major open-air entertainment events in Istanbul during the August concert circuit.

• Source: Daily Sabah

MENA Arrivals to Istanbul Surge 52% Amid Shift Toward Shorter Stays

 

MENA Arrivals to Istanbul Surge 52% Amid Shift Toward Shorter Stays

Visitor arrivals to Istanbul from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region increased by 52 percent, according to industry data released by Safaryar Holidays. The figures reflect a changing travel pattern, with regional tourists increasingly using Istanbul for frequent short weekend breaks rather than extended seasonal holidays.

• Source: EIN News

Ukrainian Diaspora in Istanbul Marks Flag Day with Rally for POWs

 

Ukrainian Diaspora in Istanbul Marks Flag Day with Rally for POWs

Members of the Ukrainian community and families of service members gathered in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on August 23, 2026, to observe Ukrainian National Flag Day. Following a meeting with Ukraine's consul in Istanbul, participants held a peaceful demonstration carrying national flags and portraits of missing soldiers to appeal for international awareness regarding prisoners of war and civilian hostages.

• Source: Reuters Connect / Mezha.net

Over 2,500 Swimmers Cross the Bosphorus in 38th Intercontinental Race

 

Over 2,500 Swimmers Cross the Bosphorus in 38th Intercontinental Race

The 38th Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race took place in Istanbul on August 23, 2026. Approximately 2,500 open-water swimmers competed in the annual event, navigating the course across the Istanbul Strait to swim from the Asian shore to the European side.

• Source: TRT World

Reşat Ekrem Koçu: No Trace Found Where He Was Buried

 

Reşat Ekrem Koçu: No Trace Found Where He Was Buried

Mavi Boncuk

 

No Trace Found Where He Was Buried: 

Is the Grave of Famous Historian Reşat Ekrem Koçu Missing? 

It has been learned that the grave of Reşat Ekrem Koçu, the famous historian and writer known for his works such as "Istanbul Encyclopedia," "Strange Events from Our History," and "Ottoman Sultans," is missing. Although newspapers and books of the time stated that Koçu, who died in 1975, was buried in Sahrayıcedit Cemetery, today there are no current records regarding the grave. According to Libre Kültür writer Cihan Şimşek, who recounted his meeting with cemetery officials, it was stated that gravestones are photographed and digitized, and the registered names are added to the cemetery archive, making it possible to identify the gravestone from the photograph if it has survived to this day.

Historic Istanbul water network traces 19 centuries of engineeri

 

Historic Istanbul water network traces 19 centuries of engineering

Hurriyet Daily News /

Historic Istanbul water network traces 19 centuries of engineering

ISTANBUL

Istanbul’s ancient 55-km stone aqueduct from Belgrad Forest survives today.

An ancient 55-kilometer water network stretching from the Belgrad Forest in Istanbul’s north to the center survives as a cultural heritage site revealing 19 centuries of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman engineering.

The earliest documented water facilities took shape under Roman Emperor Hadrian in 117-138 A.D. The infrastructure expanded in the fourth century via lines, including the Bozdoğan Aqueduct, completed under Emperor Valens in 378 A.D. Constantine the Great later brought water via the Istranca mountains and Çatalca district in northwestern Türkiye.