Stories from Turkey

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has granted foreign trade capital company status to 10 additional companies. This brings the total number of such companies in the country to 103. This move follows previous regulatory actions to expand the number of entities operating under this specific trade designation.

The Turkish Ministry of Health has issued new regulations to expand the use of various therapy methods. Under the new rules, osteopathy and chiropractic practices can be performed by physicians and physiotherapists who hold certificates from GETAT training centers. Elderly care and home care technicians are also authorized to assist in these medical applications. The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry is implementing a regulation regarding food labeling. The measure targets the use of misleading terms such as 'village-made', 'natural', '100%', 'traditional', and 'medicinal' on industrial food products. This regulation aims to address issues where urban residents struggle to access genuine village products while industrial goods use these labels to mimic them. These include leech therapy, cupping, ozone therapy, and phytotherapy.

Turkish Confederation of Employee Unions (Türk-İş) President Ergun Atalay announced May Day celebrations will take place across Turkey. Programs will be held in various provinces ranging from Edirne to Çorum. This year's main event will be held in Edirne, whereas last year's event was located at Kartal Square in Istanbul. The celebrations will focus on the impact of economic conditions and income tax on workers. Labor unions in Turkey have announced programs for May Day celebrations across various provinces, including Edirne and Çorum. The Turkish Workers' Union will hold its central event in Edirne this year, moving from the Kartal Square in Istanbul where it was held last year. Turkish Workers' Union General President Ergun Atalay is scheduled to address attendees regarding the impact of economic conditions on workers.

A steel barrier fell during the controlled demolition of a 4-story building near Ulus Square. Three people were injured by the falling debris and transported to local hospitals. Emergency services, including fire and medical teams, were dispatched to the scene. The street where the building was located was closed to traffic as a precaution.

A technical failure occurred on the M7 Yıldız Mahmut Bey metro line in Istanbul. The technical failure caused delays for passengers attempting to reach hospitals. Metro stations are closed, though trains continue to pass through Taksim, Şişli, and Şişhane stops without stopping. Numerous police teams remain on standby in the surrounding areas. Metro services have been suspended in the Osman Bey, Şişli, and Taksim districts of Istanbul. Public transportation is currently unavailable across these three routes. The suspension includes the Osman Bey metro line, which has stopped all operations. Authorities have not specified when services will resume, though they may reopen in the evening or following a second announcement. Streets and main avenues in these areas are also reported as closed. Authorities in Istanbul closed all roads leading to Taksim Square due to May Day celebrations.

Teachers in Turkey are experiencing rising instances of verbal violence, threats, and insults from parents within educational environments. Experts report that educators, particularly in private schools, feel unable to exercise disciplinary authority due to fear of parental backlash. This tension is reportedly negatively impacting student development and the classroom environment. Specialists urge parents to collaborate with psychologists and teachers rather than ignoring behavioral issues in children.

Authorities have temporarily suspended two-way ship traffic in the Istanbul Strait to facilitate rescue operations. The ship drifted close to waterfront mansions before grounding. The container ship Kapva ran aground in the Istanbul Bosphorus after entering from the Black Sea. The vessel measures 147 meters in length and 23 meters in width. Coast Guard teams and divers are currently conducting rescue operations to refloat the ship. Maritime traffic in the Bosphorus has been suspended in both directions due to security concerns. Authorities confirmed there are no fuel leaks from the vessel. The vessel stopped meters away from colliding with the Yalılar pier. Authorities report no negative incidents or casualties have occurred during the grounding. The 148-meter vessel Kappa ran aground near Sarıyer due to a steering failure, narrowly avoiding villas in Yeni Köy.

The second stage of restoration work on the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has reached a milestone. The northeast minaret, which stands 65 meters tall and reached its current form during the reign of Selim II in the 16th century, has been fully renovated. The restoration process, managed by the General Directorate of Foundations, utilized scientific data to guide the partial dismantling and reconstruction of the upper sections of the minaret. The work was conducted based on scientific data and decisions from a scientific committee. Lead coatings and copper elements were renewed while preserving the original components. Workers utilized existing stone elements to prepare them for reuse during the process. New materials for the project were sourced from the Edirne Süloglu stone quarries.

A resident in the Halkalı district of Istanbul reported ongoing service disruptions and security issues at a luxury residential complex. The resident stated that water was cut off for 20 days and is currently unavailable for a fourth day. Additionally, the complex's security systems have failed to recognize vehicle license plates for seven months. The resident noted that despite paying high fees, the complex suffers from unresolved complaints and security concerns. The resident claims water services were cut for 20 days and have recently been unavailable for 4 days. Security issues include malfunctioning license plate readers that have failed to work for 7 months.

Restoration work at Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Mosque is progressing, with the completion of the North-East Minaret's restoration. This second stage of restoration is being conducted using scientific data. The minaret was last finalized in its current form during the reign of Selim II in the 16th century. The 65-meter tall minaret, which reached its current form during the Selim II period in the 16th century, was renovated after its earthquake resistance was found to be insufficient. The project, managed by the General Directorate of Foundations, involved the systematic disassembly and recording of 411 stones and 26 steps. New materials were sourced from Edirne sulfurous stone quarries, while original stones were reused where possible. Stainless steel elements were installed to strengthen the structure, and cleaning procedures were performed.