Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

Wildfires spreading between Beikoz and Şile were brought under control following intensive firefighting efforts. Three firefighting helicopters and ground crews worked for approximately 2.5 hours to contain the initial blaze. The fire subsequently spread to the Kara Kiraz neighborhood in Şile during the night. Local residents in the affected villages provided support using tractors to assist the response. The fire was contained in the forested areas between the Kılıçlı neighborhood of Beikoz and the Kara Kiraz neighborhood of Şile. Firefighters have brought wildfires under control in the Kirazlı neighborhoods near Istanbul. Approximately 50 decares of oak and pine forest, equivalent to seven football pitches, were destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the forest fire remains unknown at this time.

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans to transform Istanbul into a global attraction center. Additionally, corporate tax rates for manufacturers and exporters will be reduced to nine percent. These measures were discussed during a speech at the Istanbul Finance Center. President Erdoğan announced new tax incentives to strengthen the investment environment and support international direct investment. The plan includes increasing the deduction rate for certain earnings from 50% to 100%. Erdoğan stated that corporate tax will not be collected on earnings from specific activities to increase competitiveness. A comprehensive regulation is expected to be presented to the parliament soon. The plan aims to lower the tax burden from 20 percent to 9 percent for companies that both manufacture and export products.

Turkish authorities will reopen 638 unsolved murder files, prioritizing cases involving women and children. The Ministry of Interior issued a circular to all 81 provincial governorships to implement these investigations. New security measures will also be deployed around schools and their surroundings to enhance student safety. These measures include strengthening school security systems and increasing environmental inspections.

A fisherman received a 5,000 lira fine after catching a rare fish species. The individual shared the catch on social media, which was subsequently viewed by coast guard teams. Authorities stated the fish is a rare species for the region and requires specific criteria for harvesting. The fisherman expressed initial excitement before the administrative penalty was applied.

A new proposal in Turkey aims to prevent arbitrary increases in residential site maintenance fees. The measure would limit the authority of site management boards to raise dues. Under the proposal, all expenditure items must be submitted to residents for approval. If expenses are not within the approved budget, fee increases would be restricted to the revaluation rate. This follows the February 6 earthquakes in the region. The proposal also addresses the use of HBB credits for eligible owners in these earthquake-affected areas.

Turkey is experiencing a decrease in electricity production from hydroelectric sources, specifically dams. Natural gas remains a major component of the national energy mix, accounting for 35 percent of production. The idle labor rate rose by 1.6 percentage points to reach 31.5%. Experts said the need to carefully monitor and examine the idle labor rate. The decline indicates a reduction in economic confidence during the month. The process of achieving a terrorism-free Turkey is described as a locomotive for economic growth and increasing competitiveness. The speaker said that the current path is intended to address issues involving corruption and state-level interference. The number of unionized workers in Turkey is decreasing, with only 14 out of every 100 workers currently unionized. This represents a decline of 100,000 unionized workers compared to the previous year.

Street gangs in Turkey are increasingly recruiting minors under the age of 18 to act as hitmen. Criminal groups use social media platforms to lure children with promises of easy money. These recruits are provided with weapons and motorcycles to carry out crimes. The trend is described as a sign of social collapse linked to educational disconnection and excessive social media use. The Gülistan 9 investigation has reopened several unsolved cold cases in Turkey. Authorities are specifically re-examining the 26-year-old disappearance of Silem Özdemir, who went missing at age 5. The family of the missing child is awaiting the results of this renewed inquiry. The investigation is part of a broader effort to shed light on unsolved 'Gülistan 9' files.

Turkish authorities seized 84 fishing vessels, 2,394 hunting tools, and 550 tons of aquatic products to protect marine ecosystems. Last year, officials released 83,746,240 juvenile fish into seas and inland waters to support biodiversity. In 2025, authorities conducted 207,371 inspections aimed at preserving aquatic life. Professor Mustafa Sarıya noted that seagrass meadows hold 35 times more carbon than tropical forests per unit area. These meadows serve as a critical foundation for the marine ecosystem.

Turkey has initiated a project to clean abandoned or lost fishing gear, known as 'ghost nets,' from marine and inland waters. The initiative aims to protect aquatic ecosystems by removing these hazardous tools. Over the past eleven years, approximately 3 million square meters of ghost nets have been removed from the seas. The project has already scanned 805 million square meters of marine area. This effort targets the environmental damage caused by discarded fishing equipment. The initiative prevented the deaths of 8,448 aquatic animals and supported the release of over 83.7 million juvenile fish into marine and inland waters last year. In 2025, authorities conducted 207,371 inspections, resulting in the seizure of 550 tons of seafood, 2,394 fishing tools, and 84 fishing vessels.