Istanbul

The construction of Istanbul's huge new airport started as of May 1 this year, two years after the tender, under the shadow of challenges at the construction site and questions over the potential environmental effects of the project The construction of Istanbul's new airport officially started on May 1, 2015, after the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHM?) officially han

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (?BB) has approved new plans for the access roads to Istanbul's third bridge after an Istanbul court had revoked an amendment for the construction plans on June 11.

The Turkish Armenian conductor of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Theater choir, Kevork Tavityan, has been named the new director general of the theater.

Tavityan was appointed to the position when the former director, ?amil Gökberk, retired after reaching the age limit.

An Istanbul court has annulled a large number of reconstruction project plans for multiple places in Istanbul's centuries-old historical peninsula, stating that the projects will ease modern city life, but damage the peninsula's original fabric.

Turkey?s Council of State reversed its previous decision to cancel the controversial pedestrianization project around Istanbul's iconic Taksim Square, expressing support for the construction of the replica of an Ottoman artillery barracks over Gezi Park, daily Cumhuriyet reported July 15. 

The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into Istanbul's Ata?ehir District Municipality over corruption claims that have recently hit headlines.

The ministry has given permission for an investigation into graft claims against Ata?ehir Mayor Battal ?lgezdi as well as his municipality's Development Directorate, Building Inspection Directorate, and deputy mayors. 

Chinese artist Xu Hongfei's upcoming Istanbul exhibition, 'Chubby Women,' will be held under tight police measures, due to attacks against Far East tourists in Turkey With his famous fat women sculptures, Chinese state-approved artist Xu Hongfei will be in Istanbul between July 23 and 29.

The 14th Istanbul Biennial will be held between Sept 5 and Nov 1 in over 30 venues on the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus The 14th Istanbul Biennial "Saltwater: A Theory of Thought Forms," drafted by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, will open to the public from Sept. 5 to Nov. 1.

Istanbul's ISO Art Gallery is set to host a painting exhibition by Solange Greco, wife of the consul-general of Brazil in Istanbul. Titled "Remains of My Life in Istanbul and Elsewhere," the exhibition will open on July 14. 

A plan to construct a refugee camp in the Çatalca district of Istanbul has drawn opposition from several civic organizations, as well as Çatalca Mayor Cem Kara, who said he did one want the tranquility of the peaceful district to be disrupted by a refugee camp, news website Radikal reported on July 10.