If you’re waking up in Kadıköy or Fatih today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the vibe is a weird mix of megastar fever and the very practical annoyance of flickering lights. Everyone is talking about Tarkan. Honestly, it’s all you hear in the kahves. The "Megastar" finally hit the stage at the Haliç Congress Center last night for his first Istanbul show in seven years, and the city is still buzzing from it. But while half the city is huming "Şımarık," the other half is frantically checking their phone charge.
Why? Because BEDAS (Boğaziçi Electricity Distribution Company) has pulled the plug on a massive chunk of the European side.
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Basically, if you live in Avcılar, Bağcılar, or Esenyurt, you’ve probably noticed the silence of your refrigerator. It’s not a grid failure, though it feels like it. It’s a massive, coordinated maintenance push. We’re talking about dozens of districts—Sarıyer, Fatih, Zeytinburnu, even the far-out spots like Silivri.
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BEDAS says it’s all about "infrastructure renewal" and safety. They’ve been at it since yesterday, and the cuts are expected to last until late afternoon or early evening today. It’s a total pain for small business owners in districts like Gaziosmanpaşa who are trying to run shops without juice. Most people get this wrong—they think it’s a fuel crisis. It isn't. It's just Istanbul’s aging infrastructure finally getting a very loud, very dark makeover.
Tarkan’s Emotional Comeback
Meanwhile, the cultural scene is basically on fire. Tarkan’s first show last night was... intense. He actually apologized to the crowd for being away so long. You’ve got to realize, for Turks, Tarkan isn't just a singer; he’s a national landmark. The fact that the first four shows sold out in 45 minutes flat says everything you need to know. He’s playing again tonight, Jan 17, so expect the traffic around the Golden Horn to be an absolute nightmare.
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Speaking of nightmares, the Governor’s office just dropped some numbers that are actually pretty surprising. Crime against persons in the city is down 16%. Drug operations? Up 44%. There's a massive crackdown happening behind the scenes that most tourists don't even notice. Just yesterday, a former national volleyball player, Derya Çayırgan, was put under house arrest. It’s part of this sprawling investigation into the municipality that’s been dragging on since the mayor’s arrest last year.
Politics and the "Year of Reform"
You can’t talk about today news in istanbul turkey without mentioning the heavy political air. President Erdoğan is calling 2026 the "Year of Reform." We’re seeing a big push for new internet and social media limits for kids, which is sparking a lot of debate in the city's tech hubs.
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On the diplomatic front, the Libyan Turkish Business Forum just wrapped up here. Forty companies were huddled together talking construction and building materials. Istanbul is clearly positioning itself as the reconstruction hub for the region, especially with the news of the new defense pact being drafted between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. It’s a "bulwark" move. People on the street are skeptical, but the business hotels in Levent are packed with suits negotiating these deals.
What Most People Are Missing
There’s a silent threat lurking in the background that isn't making the front-page headlines but is definitely hurting families. Doctors are warning about "bocavirus." It’s a respiratory thing hitting kids hard across the city right now. If you've got little ones, the hospitals in Şişli and Bakırköy are seeing a spike.
Also, keep an eye on the sky. The meteorological service is sounding the alarm for disruptive weather. We’re talking potential heavy snowfall in the next 48 hours. If you haven't switched to winter tires yet, today is the day. Seriously. Once the snow hits the hills of Beşiktaş, the city grinds to a halt.
Today News in Istanbul Turkey: Actionable Insights for Residents and Visitors
- Check the BEDAS Schedule: If you’re on the European side, don't assume the power is staying on. Check the official BEDAS app for your specific street's restoration time.
- Health Precautions: With the bocavirus uptick, keep kids out of crowded indoor play areas in malls like Cevahir or Mall of Istanbul for a few days.
- Transport Alert: If you don't have a ticket for Tarkan tonight, stay far away from the Haliç area. The road closures and "Megastar" traffic will be brutal.
- Weather Prep: Stock up on basic groceries today. If the forecast for heavy snow holds, the delivery apps (Getir, Yemeksepeti) usually struggle or shut down entirely when the slopes get icy.
Istanbul is a city that never really sleeps, even when the power is out. Whether it's the high-stakes defense deals at the Hilton or the local bakeries in Fatih wondering when the ovens will kick back on, there's always a layer of chaos under the surface. Stay charged, stay warm, and maybe keep a Tarkan playlist ready for when the lights go out.