Istanbul Province

Issues related to arts and culture should not be turned into "fields of tension," Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal has said, adding that he was "always open" to listening to suggestions for the future of the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul's Taksim Square.

Issues related to arts and culture should not be turned into "fields of tension," said Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal, adding that he was "always open" to listen the suggestion for the future of Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul's Taksim Square.

Gathering with Ankara-based journalists on April 27, Ünal shared his ministry's projects on agenda. 

The specially-designed Batman Batmobile has crossed Istanbul's third bridge in a new advertisement by flagship carrier Turkish Airlines, as a part of its series sponsoring the "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" movie.

The car was brought to Turkey last month and placed at the worksite of the third bridge, named the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in honor of an Ottoman sultan. 

Following Germany and the Netherlands, the Turkish government is now trying to gag freedom of expression and the press in Switzerland and Sweden!

A U.S. journalist said that he was banned entry to Turkey at Istanbul's main airport on April 25.

Journalist David Lepeska was sent back to Chicago from Istanbul's Atatürk Airport.

"Once you're denied entry to a country is all your future writing on that place seen as suspect? I don't hold it against you, Turkey," he tweeted.

Daily Hürriyet Editor-in-Chief Sedat Ergin has been awarded German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle's (DW) Freedom of Speech Award, which honors individuals who "exemplify human rights and free speech."

In his initial response, Ergin said he was "honored to receive the prize that stands for preservation of press freedom worldwide."

Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topba? announced on April 20 that eight new metro lines along with a pedestrian sub-sea tunnel are planned to be built in his third term, which he described as his "master term." 

While submitting the 2015 Action Report to the municipal council, Topba? spoke about his plans for his third term.  

Around 50,000 homes will be built on 8.7 million square meters of land that was transferred from the Defense Ministry to Istanbul's Esenler Municipality last year. 

The Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (D?SK) has insisted on holding May 1 International Workers' Day celebrations in Istanbul's Taksim Square, rejecting a suggestion from main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) Istanbul head Cemal Canpolat to refrain from "obsessing about Taksim." 

Police have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse Be?ikta? fans gathering to attend the first match at the club's long-awaited new stadium, Vodafone Arena. 

The fans waiting to see the game between Be?ikta? and Bursaspor, as well as the players working out inside the stadium were also affected by the gas, Hürriyet reported on April 11.