Stories from Turkey

Turkey's government is actively working to ensure the operational security of a specific matter, accusing Greece of consistently generating threats. This accusation stems from a historical pattern of perceived antagonism between the two nations. An assistant to the Turkish president has made statements directed at Greece and France, according to a report from Komsomolskaya Pravda. The remarks were described as being outside the bounds of standard diplomatic language. The source characterized the statements as hooliganism and a threat to the two nations and the European Union.

The Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change announced plans to complete 15,000 rental housing units via TOKI within three years. Land collection processes are expected to begin in June or July. Construction for all units is projected to be completed within two to three years. The ministry selected Istanbul as the primary location due to the depth of the local rental crisis. Under this model, the state will act as a tenant for lower-income groups, providing housing at prices below market rates. Industry representatives are monitoring how the model will affect producers and consumers in the housing sector. The Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) will construct 15,000 homes across the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. The project targets low-income groups and individuals without existing homes who meet specific income criteria.

The Turkish government is implementing new tax incentives to attract the regional headquarters of global corporations to the country. Specifically, 95% of profits from transit trade activities conducted outside the Istanbul Financial Center will be tax-exempt. This policy aims to strengthen Turkey's position as a major international financial and commercial hub. Companies investing in Turkey will also receive tax exemptions. The tax advantages currently offered to institutions operating in the Istanbul Financial Center will be expanded. Certain commercial activities conducted within the Istanbul Financial Center are also included in the plan. Under the new plan, companies moving regional management centers to Turkey will face no tax on earnings from overseas operations for the next 20 years.

Social media platforms are rolling out new features to allow families to monitor and control digital activities. These updates enable parents to oversee communications and the types of content children access during gameplay or browsing. The move aims to increase oversight of online interactions and digital safety for minors. There is a need to hold parents responsible for addressing complex social issues, including discussions about the body and identity. The importance of open communication and dialogue is highlighted in a society that has not fully learned these skills. The approach aims to empower individuals to explore their own identities and desires. These features may allow parents to track friend requests, screenshots, and phone conversations. Under these settings, children may be restricted from opening live broadcasts on certain platforms.

Turkish authorities have announced that nearly 80% of applicants for social housing programs have been approved following a comprehensive review of cadastral data and annual income records. The selection process prioritized specific groups, including relatives of martyrs and veterans, to ensure equitable distribution. This initiative aims to address housing needs by verifying individual eligibility through detailed historical records. Turkish authorities have initiated lottery processes as of December 29 to finalize social housing allocations. Officials reported identifying 500,000 eligible beneficiaries through transparent notary-supervised procedures across 81 provinces. The process spanned locations including Ankara, Izmir, Gaziantep, Trabzon, Corum, and Hatay. The Turkish government reported producing 1,760,000 housing units in collaboration with TOKİ.

An 89-year-old woman passed away in the Fatih district of Istanbul after suffering a heart attack. Emergency responders faced significant difficulty accessing the residence due to narrow streets, delaying the ambulance's arrival. The incident highlights ongoing local concerns regarding emergency service accessibility in dense urban neighborhoods. The suspect, identified as the victim's husband's wife, was arrested following the incident. The shooting reportedly stemmed from a dispute between the couple.

The Borsa Istanbul has been officially recognized as a recognized exchange by the United Kingdom's HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This status is significant as the exchange accounts for approximately 40% of the group's revenues. The inclusion in this high-profile list follows recent market activity in Turkey. This designation includes the exchange in a prestigious global list of trading venues. The announcement follows recent market activity and updates regarding Borsa Istanbul's operational status.

The Turkish Ministry has officially granted foreign trade capital company status to ten additional firms. This move is part of ongoing efforts to reform and expand the nation's international trade capabilities.

The United Kingdom has officially recognized Borsa Istanbul as a recognized stock exchange. This international validation is expected to impact market access and trading integration for the Turkish exchange. This designation follows recent market fluctuations in the BIST 100 index. The index recently tested the 14,339 point level.

Mia Teknoloji has applied to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to merge with Lider Sistem Teknolojileri. This strategic move aims to consolidate technological capabilities within the sector.