Latest Istanbul News

Turkey's high-stakes mayoral races are expected to be close. Volunteer monitors will be key

Mar. 28, 2024 01:19 AM EDT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — With local elections across Turkey days away, legal experts are coaching thousands of volunteer election monitors on the rules they'll need to watch for fraud and ensure a fair vote. The vote across Turkey’s 81 provinces Sunday will determine who controls...

AP PHOTOS: Voters to turn a new page in the history of Istanbul, guardian of the Bosphorus

Mar. 27, 2024 01:15 AM EDT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Istanbul, the city nestled along the Bosphorus strait for more than 2,500 years, takes another small step on its journey through history this week as voters decide who will lead the metropolis for the next five years. Local elections will be held across Turkey on...

Trabzonspor fans invade pitch, attack Fenerbahce players in Turkey. Police have detained 12 people

Mar. 18, 2024 04:44 AM EDT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish police have detained 12 people after fans of top tier soccer club Trabzonspor invaded the pitch following a home loss against Fenerbahce, touching off violent scuffles between the fans and visiting players. The Trabzonspor fans charged onto the pitch...

A Turkish artisan has kept the Istanbul skyline lit during Ramadan for decades. He may be the last

Mar. 11, 2024 01:41 AM EDT

ISTANBUL (AP) — In the heart of Istanbul, on top of the towering minarets that dot the city’s skyline, 68-year-old Kahraman Yildiz toils away at a craft that has illuminated the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for generations. Yildiz, a master of Mahya, the unique Turkish tradition...

Turkish police detain 33 people accused of plotting attacks ahead of local elections, official says

Mar. 10, 2024 03:44 AM EDT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish police detained 33 people suspected of ties to the Islamic State group who were allegedly preparing attacks ahead of the country’s local elections later this month, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Sunday. The suspects were “preparing and searching...

Turkey's Erdogan offers to host a peace summit with Russia during a visit from Ukraine's Zelenskyy

Mar. 08, 2024 15:27 PM EST

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose NATO-member country has sought to balance its close relations with both Ukraine and Russia, offered during a visit Friday from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to host a peace summit between the two countries. ...

Turkey and Somalia strike an oil and gas cooperation deal for the Horn of Africa nation

Mar. 07, 2024 11:22 AM EST

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Somalia reached an oil and gas cooperation agreement for the Horn of Africa nation in Istanbul on Thursday, the Turkish energy minister said, the latest step in strengthening ties between the two countries. The agreement comes against the backdrop...

Turkey detains 7 more people for allegedly selling information to Israel's spy agency

Mar. 05, 2024 05:32 AM EST

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish police on Tuesday detained seven more people suspected of selling information to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, authorities said, the latest in a wave of such arrests in Turkey. The suspects were taken into custody during simultaneous raids in...

Turkey dispatches rescue boats after cargo ship with 6 crew sinks in Marmara Sea

Feb. 15, 2024 05:14 AM EST

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey launched a search and rescue mission after a cargo ship with six crew members on board sank on Thursday in the Turkish inland Sea of Marmara, off Istanbul, amid high waves, officials said. The 69-meter-long (226 feet) Turkish cargo ship, Batuhan A, was...

17 people detained after attack at Istanbul election campaign event, official says

Feb. 11, 2024 12:11 PM EST

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish authorities detained 17 people in connection with an attack at an Istanbul campaign event for upcoming municipal elections, Turkey 's interior minister said Sunday. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided no details on the assailants' affiliation or motive...