Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

Public transportation services will be free in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir during the upcoming holiday. Free services include Marmaray and metro lines in Ankara and Istanbul, as well as Izban in Izmir. Specific lines in Istanbul such as Sirkeci-Kazlıçeşme and Gayrettepe are also included in the free service period. Other municipal metro lines in these cities will also operate free of charge. Istanbul will offer free Marmaray, Sirkeci-Kazlıçeşme, and Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport metro lines. Authorities retain the power to adjust rates by up to 50 percent.

The Borsa Istanbul index reached a peak of 14,339 points during early trading. This designation facilitates smoother cross-border financial operations and regulatory alignment between the Turkish market and UK authorities. This designation includes the BIST 100 index and places the exchange on a prestigious international list. This status follows regulatory assessments of the Turkish stock market.

Argentine footballer Alberes has become the fastest player to reach 25 goals in the Champions League. He achieved this milestone in 41 matches, surpassing Lionel Messi's previous record of 42 matches. The achievement occurred during a match involving Galatasaray.

A Turkish source reported that vessels were harassed using laser lights and received radio threats to turn back. The speaker stated that the vessels intend to continue their course despite the threats. The incident occurred in the context of maritime blockade tensions.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced the formation of a domestic team to analyze mobile phone data in the investigation of Rojin Ceylan. The body was discovered 18 days after she went missing. A previous team had sent video data from the mobile phone abroad for analysis. Minister Tunç stated that the local team's work is expected to lead to a stage in the investigation. Turkey's Ministry of Justice has formed a new team to examine mobile phone data related to the investigation of Rojin Kabayiş. Authorities aim to identify individuals who may have tampered with evidence.

Turkey has criticized an intervention by the Israeli Navy, stating it risks the lives of many civilians from various nations. The intervention is alleged to violate international law.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has issued instructions to the global maritime fleet to ensure the protection of Italian citizens following actions by Israeli forces. The move comes in response to recent incidents involving Israeli naval intervention.

The Halkali-Kapikule High Speed Rail Project in Turkey has reached its final stages. The project consists of three main sections and will reduce travel time between Edirne and Istanbul to 1.5 hours. Trains are expected to reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. The dual-track system will allow for both passenger and freight transport. The project aims to bring Turkey's land transport to modern standards. The 3-kilometer railway line consists of three main sections: Kapikule to Çerkezköy at 173 kilometers, Çerkezköy to Isparta Kule at 67 kilometers, and Isparta Kule to Halkali at 8.4 kilometers. Work on the first stage between Çerkezköy and Kapikule is nearly finished. Test drives have already begun on the three sections. Once finished, the line will provide a direct connection between Edirne and Istanbul. Passenger travel time is expected to decrease from 4 hours to 1.5 hours.

Turkish activists are calling for an end to the use of airports for bombing Gaza and Palestine. The group is addressing the HBD Army in their appeal. The call comes amid international reactions to Israeli military interventions.

Chief Prosecutor Ali Eldan conducted an investigation at the scene of a truck accident in Arnavutköy, Istanbul. The accident involved a truck that struck nine vehicles after allegedly running a red light.