Stories from Turkey

Turkish food inflation increased by 5.47 percent in April 2026. The report analyzed market price changes for the month of April. Retail prices in Istanbul increased by 3.74% in April according to data from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. Wholesale prices in the city rose by 4.32% during the same period. The highest increase in consumer prices was recorded in the clothing and footwear category at 11.09%. Housing costs saw an 8.8% increase while other sectors showed lower growth. The Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers released the results of its April grocery market research. The largest price discrepancy between producers and markets was observed in apples at 393.7 percent. Green onions followed with a price difference of 245.3 percent. Prices for green onions and eggplants were noted as having fluctuations in the market.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy reported a 6 percent increase in tourism figures for the first quarter of the year. Turkey recorded 64 million visitors and 65.2 billion dollars in total revenue for 2025. The Director General of Security, Mahmut Demirtaş, has been recalled to the center. Ali Fidangeç, the governor of Nevşehir, has been appointed as his replacement. Fidangeç was previously awarded the rank of general. Ersoy noted an increase in tourism revenue despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The announcement detailed visitor trends for the period. Per capita nightly spending rose to 102 USD from 99 USD the previous year. Mothers who have already used previous leave entitlements can access up to 8 additional weeks under the new regulation.

Seismic activity has increased in Eastern Anatolia, with recent earthquakes measuring 4.4 in Muş and Malatya and 4.1 in another location. The tremors have occurred in Ağrı, Bingöl, Muş, and Malatya. Experts are monitoring the increased seismic movement in the region.

AK Party Tokat deputy Yusuf Beyazıt has been elected as the chair of a 22-member commission. The commission is scheduled to hold its second meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at 14:00. This meeting will determine the commission's work program and the individuals to be heard.

Turkey has increased the domestic production rate of specialized anti-drone rifles to over 80 percent. These rifles are developed specifically as drone killers and utilize specialized ammunition. The development aims to enhance national defense by countering drone-based threats. The development is described as a advancement for Turkish tools and technology. This move is reportedly a response to regional dynamics involving Israel and Iran's ballistic missile capabilities. Visuals of new missile technology were presented during the broadcast.

Former Minister Süleyman Soylu reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with NOW TV reporter Beril Ötkan. The incident occurred while the journalist was attempting to ask questions regarding the Gülistan Doku case.

BirGün reporter İsmail Arı faces a new lawsuit while in detention for allegedly spreading misleading information. Areux continues to write daily from his cell through his lawyers and his public journal. A prosecutor has requested a prison sentence of up to three years for singer Fatih Karaca, known as Mabel Matiz. The prosecution alleges that lyrics in his songs containing content contrary to general morality were published on platforms accessible to children. The court has granted a request from Matiz's lawyer for extra time to prepare a defense. The trial has been adjourned until May 8. The judge granted a request for an extension from Karaca's lawyer to prepare a defense. Defense lawyers attended the criminal court hearing and requested an extension to prepare a defense. A court in Istanbul has sentenced former Büyükçekmece Mayor Akbül to between 68 and 183 years in prison.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced the start of the application period for the Rural Development Investment Program. The program includes a 10 billion lira budget for rural development initiatives.

A retaining wall collapsed in the Çayrova district, causing soil to slide and a parked car to be swept into the courtyard of Neylana Primary School. The collapse also knocked down an electricity pole in the area.

Turkey became the second-largest country in Europe for annual wind energy plant installations in 2025, following Germany. Ibrahim Erden, President of the Wind Energy Association of Turkey, stated that the country achieved this position through improvements in capacity assessments and investment processes. The country installed over 2 gigawatts of capacity last year. Turkey currently has an installed capacity of over 126,000 megawatts. This includes more than 16,000 megawatts of mechanical power from wind power plants in operation, according to Ibrahim Erden, President of the Turkish Wind Energy Association. Erden spoke ahead of the Turkish Wind Energy Congress scheduled for May 12-15. The congress aims to address Turkey's clean energy transition and sustainable growth vision.