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20 detained in Istanbul Municipality corruption probe, wildfires and more - Today's updates, July 29

Pedestrians walk in front of the Istanbul Municipality headquarters in Istanbul on March 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Pedestrians walk in front of the Istanbul Municipality headquarters in Istanbul on March 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
July 29, 2025 10:42 AM GMT+03:00

Turkish prosecutors detained 20 people in a corruption investigation targeting Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and opposition-run municipalities, with operations conducted across six provinces.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued detention orders for 25 suspects, including Istanbul Electricity, Tramway and Tunnel department (IETT) General Manager Irfan Demet, in connection with alleged bid-rigging in contracts awarded by municipal companies.

The prosecutor's office stated the suspects "served on tender committees for contracts that the Aziz Ihsan Aktas criminal organization obtained from ISFALT and IETT through bid-rigging."

Both companies operate under the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, currently run by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

So far, 20 suspects have been detained. Searches and seizures were carried out in Istanbul, Antalya, Canakkale, Trabzon, Bursa, and Giresun. Efforts to locate the five remaining suspects are ongoing.

Temperatures exceed 40°C in 23 Turkish provinces

In Türkiye, temperatures have risen above 40°C in 23 provinces by midday, with conditions remaining well above seasonal averages. 

According to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, the temperatures are ranging from 6 to 12 degrees Celsius higher than the usual norms for this time of year.

Between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, the temperature reached above 40°C in 23 provinces across the country. The highest temperature recorded was in Sirnak, where it reached 47.8°C. Mardin followed with 46.5°C, and Siirt recorded 45.7°C.

  • Adiyaman: 42.1°C
  • Amasya: 42.2°C
  • Artvin: 41.6°C
  • Batman: 42.7°C
  • Cankiri: 40.9°C
  • Corum: 40.7°C
  • Diyarbakir: 43.3°C
  • Elazig: 40.6°C
  • Eskisehir: 41.5°C
  • Gaziantep: 40.8°C
  • Gumushane: 40.2°C
  • Kahramanmaras: 40.9°C
People try to protect themselves from the scorching heat with umbrellas, hand fan and seeking shadows in Eminonu district of Istanbul, Türkiye on July 29, 2025. (AA Photo)
People try to protect themselves from the scorching heat with umbrellas, hand fan and seeking shadows in Eminonu district of Istanbul, Türkiye on July 29, 2025. (AA Photo)
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July 29, 2025 03:41 PM GMT+3
If we don't become the leading party in elections, I'll leave politics, CHP leader says

Ozgur Ozel, the leader of Türkiye's main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), announced that if his party does not emerge as the leading force in the upcoming elections, he will leave politics.

"I believe that if we do not become the first party in the elections, I will leave politics that night," Ozel stated, adding: "I also believe that we must move past the songs of a lost election. For instance, in local elections, we left behind the songs used previously." 

Ozel also emphasized his party’s ambition for better foreign policy and integration with the European Union. "We will focus on making citizens believe that 'If CHP comes, the economy will improve, and Türkiye will become a full EU member,'" he added.

CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel speaks at the opening of his party's Presidential Candidate Office in Ankara, Türkiye on 26 July, 2025. (AA Photo)
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel speaks at the opening of his party's Presidential Candidate Office in Ankara, Türkiye on 26 July, 2025. (AA Photo)
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July 29, 2025 01:50 PM GMT+3
Türkiye reports 55 wildfires in last 24 hours; most fires now contained

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı announced that Türkiye has contained 54 out of 55 wildfires reported in the past 24 hours. The only ongoing fire remains in Bursa province.

Fires in Karabuk and Usak provinces are under control, while four out of five major fires across four provinces have been fully contained, according to the minister’s statement. 

Identifying the wildfire in Harmancik in northwestern Bursa as the last fire burning, Ibrahim Yumakli told reporters: "Our efforts to completely control the fire are ongoing, with five aircraft, 30 helicopters, and 855 ground vehicles."

"Heavy fog and smoke in the mornings and strong winds in the afternoon made it difficult for our aircraft to intervene and so it took longer to bring the situation under control," he said.

"However, as soon as the weather began to improve, we stepped up our aerial response. We are already working tirelessly on the ground, day and night," he added.

Efforts continue to fully extinguish the remaining blaze and prevent further spread. 

Flames and thick smoke rise from a wildfire in the Orhaneli district of Bursa, Türkiye, July 28, 2025. (AA Photo)
Flames and thick smoke rise from a wildfire in the Orhaneli district of Bursa, Türkiye, July 28, 2025. (AA Photo)
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July 29, 2025 01:39 PM GMT+3
Türkiye's 4th mobile operator set to launch by early 2026

Turksat, a company owned by Türkiye Wealth Fund (TWF), is preparing to enter the mobile telecommunications market as the country’s fourth operator. 

The company is expected to begin operations before the end of the first quarter of 2026, joining existing providers Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom.

A legislative proposal to separate Turksat's cable and broadcasting services is expected to be submitted to Parliament in the upcoming legislative term. Following its approval, the company will move forward with final preparations for launching mobile services.

All technical and strategic groundwork for the operator’s launch is reportedly complete.

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July 29, 2025 11:32 AM GMT+3
Turkish defense firm to export ammunition production lines to 3 countries

Mediterranean Defence Technology (MDT) will establish ammunition production lines in three countries, including one Turkic republic and two Middle Eastern nations, company officials announced at the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul.

The Turkish defense company specializes in technology transfer, ammunition and weapon production line installation, technical assistance, and training services.

MDT Deputy General Manager Fatih Dogan said that the company offers turnkey factory installations for various ammunition calibers:

  • Small arms: 9x19mm, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm
  • Heavy calibers: 12.7mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm

"Our technical team is very solid and valuable. We established a factory domestically. Now we are setting up production lines in three countries abroad," Dogan said.

"When we look at old Türkiye, we see a Türkiye that imported ammunition and weapons from abroad, while today we have moved to a position of producing our own weapons and ammunition," he concluded.

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July 29, 2025 11:01 AM GMT+3
Türkiye's crude oil imports drop 10.4% in May, led by decline from Russia

Türkiye's total imports of crude oil and petroleum products declined by 10.4% year-over-year in May, falling to 3.97 million tons, according to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority’s (EMRA) monthly Petroleum Market Report.

Crude oil, which forms the bulk of imports, dropped 13.2% to 2.48 million tons. Imports of diesel-type fuels also declined by 3.5%, totaling 1.16 million tons. 

The rest of the imports consisted of fuel oil, aviation and marine fuels, and other products.

Russia remains Türkiye's top oil supplier

Russia was the leading source of Türkiye’s oil imports in May, supplying 2.51 million tons. It was followed by Saudi Arabia at 352,023 tons and Kazakhstan at 253,739 tons.

  • Domestic fuel sales rose: gasoline up 22.3%, diesel up 5.6%.
  • Petroleum product exports fell 17.5% to 1.28 million tons, despite a 28.7% jump in aviation fuel exports.
  • Refinery output slightly increased by 1.9% to 3.36 million tons.
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July 29, 2025 10:47 AM GMT+3
July 29, 2025 10:42 AM GMT+03:00
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