Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

Protests in Istanbul included calls for peace and an end to genocide. Thousands of public employees gathered in Unity Square waving Turkish flags and banners. The protests also voiced opposition to war. Messages of solidarity against the Sumut Filosu raid were delivered at a rally. Workers in Ankara, led by Kesk and Dizgöncülük, gathered at Atatürk Kültür. The protests in Istanbul turned violent, leading to hundreds of arrests, and similar events occurred in London and Rome. Similar unrest was reported in Paris.

May Day celebrations took place in various cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Diyarbakır, and Çanakkale. May Day events included messages of support for Palestine, with the Palestinian cause described as the fundamental cause of justice.

May Day marches in Paris saw 575 people detained. May Day protests occurred in Berlin, Paris, and Rome, with police reporting around 50,000 participants in Berlin. Protesters clashed with police in Paris, Rome, and Istanbul. Solidarity messages were featured during the demonstrations. Authorities implemented restrictions on gatherings in some locations. Protests in Russia were also read and sung about. The specific nature of the violence or the restrictions was not detailed. Details on the extent of the confrontations and any detentions or injuries were not immediately available for all locations. The source mentioned defense industry focus and company involvement. Hundreds were detained amid confrontations in Rome. Indigenous people were shot during government unrest. Similar unrest occurred in Rome, where police detained 91 anarchists.

Protesters expressed their presence on the streets, stating they are not tired and will continue for sixty days, a year, or two years if necessary. Internal tension at CNN Turk is reportedly linked to concerns over the presentation of news related to Israel. Journalists are concerned that ideological pressure threatens the independence of newsrooms. The company denies these claims, stating it upholds corporate values and operates transparently. Springer's past statements have said Israel and Zionism, with leaked messages reportedly showing him using the phrase "Zionism is above all else." Media analysts noted this emphasis in his political views. Journalists and media analysts note that these developments have initiated a new debate in global media regarding the principle of impartiality.

A minor, under 18 years old, opened fire on a group in Istanbul's Esenler district. The incident occurred during a gathering for a military send-off celebration. The youth fired shots after being told to not disrupt the festivities. The incident occurred amidst discussions about Iran's drone and missile capabilities and calls for defense industry reform in Washington. The Borsa Istanbul (BIST) 100 index began the trading day on a positive note on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Further trading data from Thursday, March 5, 2026, and Tuesday, February 24, 2026, also indicated the BIST 100 index's performance.

Sabah newspaper reports that suspicions of murder are included in testimonies within a murder suspicion case. The case involves Hüseyin Güne, who worked for İmamoğlu during the 2019 elections. Seher Alacam, whom Güne referred to as his spiritual mother, is the subject of renewed investigation into her death. The court explained its reasoning with evidence, stating Bahtiyar claimed Narin's uncle Salim was the killer and gave him the body. The details of the original sentence and the reasons for the overturn are not specified. The court found that Bahtiyar aided in the qualified intentional homicide of a woman and child. This decision contradicts technical records, according to Haberturk Radyo.

An alarm was raised around midnight following the arrival of foreign soldiers who assaulted and beat a person in front of witnesses. The soldiers reportedly used high-pressure water cannons.

Ten individuals appeared before a judge in a decision hearing regarding a fatal shooting involving taxi driver Veysel Meşe. Investigators determined the attackers hired hitmen to kill a target but mistakenly killed Meşe instead.

A 10-year-old boy named Süleyman Taşkesen recovered his health following a successful liver transplant operation. The boy's mother had previously lost her daughter while waiting for a liver transplant. The mother wrote an emotional letter to the donor family after the successful procedure. The mother of the recipient expressed both her gratitude to the nation and her sorrow in a letter. His mother had previously lost a daughter to the same illness and feared her son would suffer the same fate. The organ was donated by the family of a 9-year-old child who had passed away. The family had agreed to donate the organs after the child's death.

At least 600 people were arrested in Istanbul during May Day celebrations. Local bar associations report that at least 550 people were detained in Istanbul, and police utilized tear gas and water cannons. Protesters attempted to march to Taksim Square, which has been a banned demonstration site since 2013. Tens of thousands of people participated in approved events in the Asian part of Istanbul. Protesters primarily demonstrated against the precarious economic situation and inflation. The arrests occurred on the margins of the festivities, according to the report. Police intervened against groups attempting to march in Istanbul, resulting in the detention of 575 people. Authorities permitted only union and professional chamber representatives to march in Taksim. Groups departed from Kazancı Hill and the Republic Monument after laying wreaths.