Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

A process to achieve a terrorism-free Turkey is estimated to cost the country two trillion dollars. The alliance aims to navigate this period with political party support following a commission report.

Turkish authorities have completed and delivered over 455,000 homes and workplaces to eligible owners following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes on February 6. The opposition CHP has been criticized for failing to fulfill promises made to citizens in İzmir. This construction effort follows previous disaster responses in Van, Elazığ, İzmir, forest fires, and West Black Sea floods. The project will begin in Istanbul with deliveries starting in August. Homes will be located in both European and Anatolian sides of the city, including central and outskirts areas. The initiative aims to control rental prices and provide social housing. The project aims to address earthquake preparedness in the Marmara region. Rental rates for these units will be set at 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1 ratios relative to market prices, which is described as half the market rate.

The BIST 100 index recently tested the 14,339 point level. This designation follows recent market activity and regulatory updates regarding the Turkish stock exchange. This designation includes the institution in a high-profile international list of recognized stock markets.

Hüseyin Aydın announced plans to launch initial public offerings for Tarım Kredi milk and Tarım Kredi feed within 2026. A 25 percent stake in the Tarım Kredi cooperative market, valued at over $1 billion with approximately 2,350 items, is planned for IPO in 2027.

Debtors in Turkey must apply to their banks by the end of business today to utilize a debt restructuring program. The regulation allows for the installment of consumer loan and credit card debts that were used before January 29, 2026, and are more than 30 days overdue. Eligible debtors can restructure these payments into installments of up to 48 months. Once the first installment is paid, credit risk status is addressed through new payment plans. The 'Yarısı Bizden' housing conversion campaign in Turkey is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2026. According to the report, buildings must be identified and declared as risky structures before this deadline to qualify for the program. An estimated 900,000 residential units in Istanbul require conversion. Approximately 900,000 homes in Istanbul require transformation.

Investors are moving capital from gold to the stock market due to uncertainty regarding US-Iran relations. Analysts noted that while war is not currently occurring, peace is also not established.

Akın Gürlek announced the formation of a local investigative team regarding the Rojin Kabayiş case. Gürlek stated that solving the phone records could lead to progress in the investigation.

The Halkalı Kapı Kule High-Speed Train project successfully completed its first test runs. The system is designed to reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. A dual rail system will allow for both passenger and freight transport. The project aims to reduce travel time between Edirne and Istanbul to 1.5 hours. This infrastructure is intended to modernize Turkey's rail connections with Europe. The project is not mandatory until July 2026. The 300-kilometer railway line includes segments between Çerkezköy and Kapı Kule, Çerkezköy and Isparta Kule, and Isparta Kule and Halkalı. Work on the initial Çerkezköy to Kapı Kule section is nearing completion. These segments include the 173-kilometer Kapıkule to Çerkezköy stretch, the 67-kilometer Çerkezköy to Isparta Kule stretch, and the 8.4-kilometer Isparta Kule to Halkalı stretch.

Lawyer Ali Çimen raised allegations regarding a missing six-hour camera recording in the investigation involving nine individuals in Istanbul. A family member claims that prosecutors have not yet taken statements from several individuals identified as being present in a home where a death occurred. The family alleges that digital examinations and protective measures have not been implemented despite claims of flight risk among suspects. There is currently no information regarding correspondence between individuals or whether the death was a suspicious fall or a push from above. He requested that the prosecutor examine the case under provisions of the Turkish Penal Code regarding intentional homicide and death caused by negligent behavior. Previously, the Istanbul 12th Family Court had granted custody of a surviving sibling to the father.

Muhsin Ertuğrul has died at the age of 87.