Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

The Turkish Competition Authority announced that its investigation into private schools will deepen. The probe follows complaints regarding high prices for ancillary services such as food and stationery. The authority head stated that the investigation aims to produce regulatory results for the market. Over 1.2 million applications were processed, with 1,235,169 coming from Istanbul alone. Additionally, work has begun on a rental housing model designed to address high rent issues, which is expected to benefit approximately 300 sectors ranging from construction to furniture. The head of the Competition Authority told Turkish television that the agency aims to implement regulations to establish competitive conditions after detecting violations. Experts are currently working on the investigation, which may be a long-term process.

A Turkish-flagged container ship experienced a malfunction and lost control near the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul in the early hours of April 28. The ship grounded just meters from the shore, preventing a major accident. The vessel's grounding follows a previous mechanical failure in the same waterway four years ago. Bosphorus traffic has since returned to normal levels. The vessel was towed to an anchorage area by the Coast Guard. The same ship previously experienced engine failure in the Istanbul Strait in 2022. The incident was captured in a photo, though the exact nature of the proximity remains unclear. The vessel was reportedly heading toward Russia. Local authorities are monitoring the situation near the Bosphorus. A large container ship ran aground near a mansion owned by businessman Bianca Somertürk in the Istanbul Bosphorus after a steering failure.

Two secret witnesses testified in the Aziz İhsan Aktaş organized crime trial at the Marmara Prison courtroom. The number of individuals who have not filed complaints in the case has reportedly risen to 14. One witness, identified as XZD, provided testimony regarding the municipal tender allegations. Witnesses testified they had no direct knowledge of the crimes and had not personally witnessed the events. The defense has characterized the use of these witnesses as a fiasco. Witnesses testified in court that they were bribed and threatened to amend their statements. The testimony highlighted a state of affairs in the ministry where dates were allegedly changed carelessly. Witnesses stated that those who opposed a specific individual would face severe punishment and share the fate of Vazal Shah. During a court hearing, Soytekin denied allegations of involvement in a bribery network.

MIA Teknoloji has applied to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to merge with Lider Sistem Teknolojileri A.Ş.

Fenerbahçe management decided to part ways with Terezko and Sporting Director Devinozek following a 3-0 defeat against Galatasaray. The club also announced the departure of football coordinator Belkeçere. These decisions were made during critical board meetings held throughout the day.

A 147-meter cargo ship ran aground near the Yeniköy location in Sarıyer, Istanbul. It is traveling to the port of Constanta in Romania for a series of studies. Stranded crew members were evacuated from the ship using a rope system. An evacuation line was established from the sea to the shore. Eight individuals with good health were taken to an ambulance as a precaution. Efforts will be made to rescue the vessel. A ship was observed to be leaning slightly to one side. Steps are also being taken to strengthen the family and population structure. The cargo ship Minova ran aground near Istanbul early Saturday morning due to strong winds and adverse weather conditions. The ship has a crew of 8, consisting of 7 Azerbaijani nationals and 1 Turkish national. A collision warning was issued in the port area during transit from the Marmara to the Caribbean.

Oil prices remain high due to war uncertainty and potential disruptions to shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. Spokesperson Figueiredo stated these values may counteract the previous upward trend. The Middle East provides approximately 50% of the United Kingdom's aviation fuel imports. This fuel accounts for between 20% and 25% of airline operating costs. Previously, prices were recorded between $50 and $90 per barrel. Petrol prices in South Africa have increased by approximately five rand per liter. Diesel prices are expected to rise cumulatively by about 11 rand per liter next week. The price hike is described as a shock to the economy. There is a possibility that these increases could trigger widespread upward adjustments. Oil prices rose above $120 a barrel on Wednesday, marking the highest level since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

United Nations and World Economic Forum analyses indicate women's employment faces high risk due to AI-driven automation. Youth also face challenges entering the labor market. Speaker Özgür Burak Akkol noted that digital and green transformations are redefining necessary skills. These shifts impact the broader Turkish workforce landscape. A new report indicates that women in Turkey are more vulnerable to AI-driven job automation than men. Specifically, 47.8% of women work in roles susceptible to automation, compared to less than 23% of men. This disparity persists across all age groups. The report also introduced an AI automation vulnerability index for various professions.

A vessel with a broken rudder drifted toward the shore in the Bosphorus near Yenikoy during the night.

A vessel traveling from Russia toward Kocaeli nearly struck land near the Yeni Köy area of the Bosphorus. The ship managed to stop meters before impact. Rescue operations are currently underway with teams from the Directorate General of Coastal Safety deployed to the region. No negative casualties or immediate damage have been reported following the incident. The 147-meter cargo ship KAPPA ran aground near Yeniköy in Istanbul's Sarıyer district following a steering failure. The vessel was en route from Russia to Kocaelı when it drifted toward the shore. Maritime authorities have suspended two-way ship traffic in the strait due to security concerns. No fuel leaks have been reported from the vessel at this time. Coast Guard officials announced the situation before the ship could complete its passage through the Bosphorus. The vessel's rudder failed, causing it to drift near Yeni Köyü.