İzmir

Homes being developed for the victims of the devastating earthquake that took place in October last year in the western province of İzmir will start to be delivered to their owners at the end of next month.

The government launched the large-scale housing project for those whose homes were totally destroyed or heavily damaged in the tremor.

Officials at the Treasury and Finance Ministry are studying a proposal to launch a scheme that would allow private companies to build homes and lease them out to boost dwelling unit supply and to curb excessive rent increases.

The Turkish Coast Guard rescued a total of 172 asylum seekers off İzmir province since Aug. 30. 

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On Aug. 29, 72 asylum seekers were rescued near Menderes district in İzmir after being pushed back by Greek coastal authorities.

New COVID-19 cases among children between the ages of five and 17 have been increasing after a period of stability during the summer, according to a prominent health professional.

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The life story of Turkish folk music legend Neşet Ertaş, who is fondly remembered as the "Bozkırın Tezenesi" (Voice of Prairie) in the country and was declared as a living human treasure by UNESCO before he died, will be made into a biopic.

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The famed ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey's picturesque Aegean region attracts millions of tourists and history buffs every year. Ephesus was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2015. 

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At least 782 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, local authorities said on Aug. 20. 

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Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter that 436 irregular migrants, including 170 Afghan nationals, were held in 16 districts on Thursday.

They were handed over to the local migration office for deportation procedures, he added.

Turkey's iconic Ephesus Theatre will reopen its doors for art-lovers following a three-year break due to restoration works and coronavirus.

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The ancient theatre will host the 4th International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival.

The journey in Turkey of the 3.5-meter-tall puppet "Little Amal," which was designed to highlight the difficulties of Syrian refugee children to the world, ended on Aug. 9. 

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At least 23 people were killed and 28 others injured in two separate accidents on Aug. 8 in western Turkey involving
passenger buses, officials said.

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Eight people died and 11 others were injured in Izmir province when a passenger bus veered off an embankment and plunged to the ground in Kemalpaşa district, Izmir Governor Yavuz Selim Köşger said on Twitter.