Tokat Municipality continues its urban transformation works, which it initiated in order to renew the earthquake-risk building stock, without slowing down. Within the scope of the 1st Stage Urban Transformation Project, centered in Kaleardı District, both demolition and new housing construction continue simultaneously. In his statement regarding the works, Tokat Mayor Mehmet Kemal Yazıcıoğlu said, “While we are rapidly continuing the construction of 114 houses within the scope of the 1st stage of our Urban Transformation Project, we have started the demolition of 71 houses with which we reached an agreement.”

RISKY BUILDINGS ARE BEING DEMOLISHED AND SAFE HOUSES ARE RISING IN THEIR PLACE.

In Tokat, located on the Anatolian Fault Line, the construction of structures resistant to possible earthquakes is of great importance. In this context, while the first mortar was poured for the new residences to be built on Melik Ahmet Gazi Street in Kaleardı District, the demolition of risky buildings was also accelerated.

With the project, not only housing production but also environmental regulations that will change the face of the region are implemented. It is aimed to increase green areas, create alternative transportation routes and provide social living spaces.

TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES IN 6 NEIGHBORHOODS

Urban transformation works carried out under the coordination of Tokat Municipality continue in a total of 6 neighborhoods. In this context, it is planned to transform the region into a recreation area, following the demolition of the Kaleardı District, which has touristic importance.

Within the scope of the project, a total of 264 houses are expected to be built in Kaleardı District. With the new residences, it is aimed for citizens to have safer and more modern living spaces.

“WE WILL MAKE TOKAT BREATHE”

Mayor Yazıcıoğlu pointed out that the process is progressing quickly and said, “By demolishing 71 of our houses quickly, we will get rid of this bad appearance at the foot of the castle and provide healthier homes for our citizens. New houses are also rising in other neighborhoods undergoing urban transformation. This process is progressing very quickly, our citizens see this as well. Now the process of the second stage will begin, we will give Tokat a breath of fresh air.”

Within the scope of the urban transformation project, it is planned to build social reinforcement areas as well as residences. Thus, it is aimed to increase not only building safety but also the quality of life in Tokat.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan made a statement at the closing of the Antalya Diploma Forum…

The highlights of Minister Fidan’s statements are as follows:

For 3 days, the pulse of global diplomacy beat in Antalya. 23 heads of state and government, 13 deputy heads of state and government and 50 ministers were hosted. We had the opportunity to take stock of the current crises in 52 sessions. We had the opportunity to listen to leaders and experts from all over the world at the same time. 6,400 participants from 150 countries and 66 international organizations attended our forum. This is a huge number when compared to its peers. We discussed joint plans and evaluated concrete steps through which we can establish lasting peace in our region.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY THE MEDIATOR ROLE

We discussed the phases of the Gaza Peace Plan. At the meeting where 6 Muslim countries came together, we discussed the Gaza Peace Plan and confirmed our common will regarding the process. The Gaza Peace Plan has an implementation process. Mechanisms such as the Peace Board began to be implemented. We mainly discussed where the vision to stop and reverse the Gaza Genocide brought us. We see diplomacy as the key to peace. We will continue to act as a mediator between the parties.

“WE ARE CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE STRAIT OF HORmuz”

We held the 3rd Pakistan-Türkiye-Saudi Arabia-Egypt meeting. From the beginning, we held consultations so that the four countries could continue on their path realistically by addressing all issues. There is a region around these 4 countries. We want to bring concrete issues to life. Our concern is “how to extinguish the conflicts in our region and how to bring stability to life”.

“THE PERIOD OF THE CEASE MUST BE EXTENDED”

There is a confused situation in minds regarding the Strait of Hormuz. We also follow the application closely. We will continue to inform the public as developments occur. The ceasefire period needs to be extended. It is not easy for the USA and Iran to solve the problems in two weeks. Türkiye continues its diplomatic traffic to extend the ceasefire between the USA and Iran.

Following the school attacks, the Ministry of Family and Social Services continues its work to protect children from the influence of the digital world. Action will be taken to increase digital awareness among children and families and to make necessary legislative arrangements. Within the scope of the “Action Plan 2026-2030 for the Empowerment of Children in the Digital World” prepared by the Ministry of Family, in which many institutions such as the Ministries of National Education, Health, Transport and Infrastructure are stakeholders, content will be created for parents, caregivers and educators about digital games appropriate to the age and development of children and the issues to be considered in the selection of these games. Both families and children will be informed about digital security, conscious use and protection from online risks. Artistic, sports and cultural activities will be held to encourage children to spend time outside of the digital environment.

UPDATE IS ON THE AGENDA
Awareness and response training programs for digital risks will be developed and implemented for educators and school staff. All personnel working in the field of addiction in healthy life centers will be trained on early diagnosis, intervention and guidance in children. Within the scope of the Law No. 5651 on the Regulation of Publications Made on the Internet and Combating Crimes Committed through These Publications, legislative updates will be made for social network providers and digital game providers/distributors, taking into account international regulations. Family and child-friendly productions will be encouraged in the context of supporting the integrity and continuity of the family and the physical, mental and moral development of children and young people.

While the school attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa shocked the society, President of Religious Affairs Safi Arpaguş and Religious Affairs officials evaluated the dragging of children into crime. Arpaguş, who came together with the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Research Commission on Children Driven to Crime, noted that family separations, which become widespread due to divorce, are the most important factor in children being dragged into crime. Arpaguş said, “We used to have a large family structure; if the parents did not take care of their children, the family and the adults would take care of them. Now, with the nuclear family, the children are left homeless in the slightest disturbance or thing. Therefore, whoever is in their hands is pushed into crime. Since everyone acts with the principle of ‘Everyone hangs on his own legs’, when the parents first stumble or stumble in society, the children are left homeless and exposed to great dangers. These children are the biggest danger I see in the family structure.” “disinformation and the children left homeless as a result,” he said.

Referring to the importance of the environment in which the child is pushed to commit crime, Arpaguş argued that while the child gains self-confidence, the upbringing methods are destroyed. Arpaguş noted the following: “For example, when we say ‘Let the child gain self-confidence and develop personality’, we seem to have renounced our traditional education methods. The child sees a movie figure who fires the gun he draws without thinking. He sees another argument that stabs the knife he has taken without any fear, and he comes face to face with great examples of this in a digital media that is so open to violence. After a while, he sees this as something in the flow of normal life. So, the fear of God, okay ‘He does not fear God, he does not fear the servant. We have the expression ‘shameless’, but we have gone beyond that, we have come to a point as a society, we have missed that aspect of personal development and discipline that modern life offers us, and after that we cannot control it. When an official says to his child, ‘My child, there is worship being done here, be quiet for a bit’, that mother or father says ‘How can you say such a thing to my child?’ We encounter things that he approaches with his attitude. It seems that there is serious wear and tear in our social structure, as if we have been surrounded by such selfishness. Then, gradually, after the test is broken, we try to put the pieces together.”

WE MISSED TRAINING
While Arpaguş stated that preventive mechanisms should be developed, he emphasized that, as Diyanet, they are trying to make progress with guidance activities, Friday sermons and other projects, and said, “But the destruction is so fast and large that it is not possible for us to keep up with it alone. This is an issue that must be addressed together with all our stakeholders as a state policy.”

EMPHASIS ON STRUGGLE TOGETHER
Arpaguş continued as follows: “Now, if a crying child is given a phone, if the television is turned on in front of the misbehaving child, and if the misbehaving child is exposed to this bombardment, neither the Religious Affairs Directorate nor theology can cope with this. We do not have preventive measures, we need to take preventive measures. In other words, we need to stop the destruction so that we can start repairing it.” On the other hand, other religious authorities also presented their findings on the solution of the problem in the Turkish Grand National Assembly Commission.”

The dissenting opinion added to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) 2025 Audit Report brought to the agenda the large increase in car rental expenses in the municipality. According to the report, vehicle rental expenditures increased by 153.25% compared to 2024 and reached 4 billion 854 million 233 thousand TL at the end of 2025. The Audit Commission stated that these expenditures were used inefficiently under the name of “service tools” and contradicted the concept of savings. The report also stated that advertising, concert and organization expenditures continued. It was noted that despite the circular stating that representation, hosting and promotion expenses should be limited, tenders for these items continue and resources are directed to these areas instead of priority services.

THEY DID NOT LISTEN TO THE WARNINGS
Another striking factor was that, in some tenders, although the IMM Preliminary Financial Control Unit expressed a “negative opinion”, the expenditures were carried out on the instructions of the relevant unit heads. It was stated that this situation became concrete especially in the purchase of equipment for the AKOM building. In the dissenting opinion, it was concluded that the municipal administration made high-budget expenditures despite the financial crisis discourses and that public resources were not used effectively and efficiently.

The ‘land title’ tension between Uzundere Urban Transformation Platform Spokesperson Eray Uslu and Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay continues. The response to Mayor Tugay’s statement made at the Metropolitan Municipality council session the other day, “Some people who do not even have rights, say ‘I am a platform representative’ and make statements such as we have been evicted from our homes for 15 years. People who do not have rights themselves make provocative statements in a way that we do not know on whose behalf or for what purpose. They make shows on social media. Rights holders are the crown of our hearts.” Uslu said, “Cemil Tugay gives the image of a mayor who has lost control with his statements. Mr. Mayor is trying to mislead the public by saying ‘He doesn’t even have the right’ from the parliamentary rostrum. Yes, my name may not be written on that title deed; that deed is my father’s deed! I am the child of a father who wasted his life in rent corners, waiting for my demolished house to be built. I act as the spokesperson of this platform upon the request of my neighbours, uncles and aunts. A son’s right to his father’s rights.” Since when did his defense become provocateur? In our culture, defending his father’s rights is not ‘pollution’, it is honor!” he said.

DELIVER THE HOUSES
Uslu said, “We are not making a show on social media; we are trying to make our voices heard in front of the endless constructions. As for Mr. President’s curse of ‘May God protect us from these’, we say ‘May God protect Izmir from the mentality that points fingers at its citizens, does not tolerate criticism and seeks the solution in insults!’ This is our call to the Brigade: Stop messing with me personally and questioning my or my father’s land registry. You’re not a detective, you’re the Mayor! “Your duty is not to argue with the citizens, but to complete the construction in Uzundere and hand it over to the citizens,” he said.

“THAT SEAT WAS NOT ENOUGHD TO YOU SO THAT YOU COULD CURSE”
Following the tension in the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Council, AK Party Izmir Deputy Ceyda Bölünmez Çankırı made harsh criticism towards Mayor Cemil Tugay. Çankırı, who targeted Tugay’s style and management approach with the statement he made on his social media account, reminded the negligence and the work accident in Izmir and expressed his reaction by saying, “The nation entrusted you with that seat, not to swear, but to serve.” Çankırı said, “First of all, we are not going to ask anyone’s permission to account for a life lost in Izmir. It is necessary to ask Tugay, who called me “bad-tempered”: Is our “bad habit” to stand by a grieving family who lost their child? Or is your “good habit” to cause a life to be lost through a chain of negligence and then describe the cry of that family as a “show”? We came to that house, expressed from your disgusting perspective. We went there not for the “camera show” you made, but to announce the cry of a family you left unattended. While you were making word games on your couch by saying “sensitive issues”, we saw the fire in those people’s hearts. “What was that work truck doing where it shouldn’t have been?” He reacted by saying. Çankırı, you cannot escape responsibility by saying “There is no instruction”! “If your workers die where you have no instructions, this is the biggest proof of your managerial incompetence,” he said.