Istanbul Faces Challenges as Hair Transplant Tourism Boom Slows

The world’s longest wind-powered cargo ship, the Neoliner Origin, was launched on January 31, 2025, at the Turkish port of Tuzla. Measuring 136 meters in length, the vessel is designed to carry up to 5,300 tonnes of freight using its two masts and 3,000 square meters of sails, significantly reducing carbon emissions in maritime transport. According to Jean Zanuttini, president of Nantes-based Neoline, by reducing its speed from 15 knots to 11 knots, the ship can cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional vessels. With the maritime transport sector accounting for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, this innovative design addresses environmental concerns. The ship is set to embark on its maiden journey in summer 2025 to the French Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire before initiating routes to North America, including the US port of Baltimore and Halifax in Canada. The construction received support from France's public investment bank and the shipping company CMA-CGM, with plans for additional similar ships in the future.

A devastating hotel fire in a ski resort located in Bolu, Turkey, has resulted in the deaths of 78 individuals, prompting authorities to take immediate action. Nineteen people, including the hotel owner, the manager, the local fire chief, and the deputy mayor of Bolu, have been placed in custody. A staff member from an inspection company is also being sought by authorities. The fire erupted on January 22 at a ski hotel that housed over 230 guests. Many victims attempted to escape by tying bedsheets together or jumping from windows, but tragically, many could not escape the flames. The incident has sparked widespread outrage due to alleged neglect of fire safety measures. In the aftermath of the tragedy, there has been a blame game between the Turkish central government and the opposition-led municipality of Bolu. The country has a concerning history regarding building safety standards, as evidenced by a recent building collapse in Konya, which resulted in two fatalities. In 2022, a nightclub fire in Istanbul claimed 29 lives, further highlighting ongoing safety issues in Turkey.

A devastating fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey, resulting in the deaths of at least 76 people. The blaze, believed to have originated in the hotel's restaurant area, also left over 50 individuals injured, with some in critical condition, according to officials. The fire erupted around 3:27 AM local time during the winter school holiday, causing chaos among the 238 registered guests. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic, as many attempted to escape the flames, with some resorting to jumping from the building. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that 45 of the deceased have been identified, while search efforts continue for the remaining victims. The government has appointed six prosecutors to spearhead an investigation into the incident, and nine individuals, including the hotel's owner, have been detained for questioning. In response to the tragedy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning and directed that flags at government buildings be flown at half-staff. Investigators are probing potential failures in the hotel's fire safety systems, as witnesses reported the fire alarm did not activate during the emergency. The incident has raised questions about compliance with fire safety standards, despite previous inspections reporting no issues. As investigations continue, neighboring hotels were evacuated as a precautionary measure.