Istanbul Times – Global & Local Highlights: September 15–21, 2025
Around the World
Germany’s famous Oktoberfest comes to Istanbul on September 27–28 at Life Park. The festival features Bavarian food, games, workshops, and live music from Gripin, Adamlar, Yüksek Sadakat, Can Gox, and Nova Norda, with more surprise artists to be announced. Tickets are ₺750 per person, offering a full autumn festival experience in Istanbul’s largest open-air event.
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In a first, two flying cars collided in China during a Changchun Aviation Show rehearsal. Built by Xpeng AeroHT, one caught fire while landing. Staff were safe, though one person was injured. Xpeng plans to sell its electric VTOL cars for around $300,000, with 3,000 pre-orders already. China aims to lead in low-altitude air mobility, but experts warn that infrastructure, regulations, and public acceptance remain hurdles.
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Meta Launches Smart Glasses That Could Replace Your Phone. Meta’s new AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses project messages, video calls, and AI responses into your view. Controlled by a gesture-sensing wristband and priced at $799, they aim to make smartphones optional, but can they really deliver?
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OpenAI is adding new restrictions for users under 18. ChatGPT will block flirtatious chats and suicide-related scenarios, and in serious cases, parents or local authorities may be notified. CEO Sam Altman says the focus is on safety over privacy for minors, while adults will still have wide freedom. New features include parental blackout hours and direct alerts if a young user is at risk.
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Aston Martin is taking an unexpected turn: the luxury car brand is collaborating with baby brand “egg” to produce designer strollers. The collection, featuring herringbone fabrics, leather details, and signature logos, will launch in the UK and select international markets by the end of 2025. While the official price hasn’t been announced, egg strollers usually sell for around £650 (≈36,700 TL) — your baby’s James Bond moment comes with a luxury price tag.
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The new Euro banknote design featuring Marie Curie has sparked a debate between France and Poland. Born Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw, she later married Pierre Curie in France and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics. Many Poles are upset that her maiden name is minimized or replaced with the French version, seeing it as diminishing Poland’s contribution to European history. The ECB says it is consulting historical and linguistic sources to reflect Curie’s dual identity accurately.
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In Venice, tourists are flocking to “traghetti” ferries — a cheap alternative to gondolas. While a 30-minute gondola ride costs around €90 (4,309 TL), traghetti cross the Grand Canal for just €2 (96 TL). The surge in popularity has created long queues and sparked complaints from locals, who argue the service should remain free for residents rather than becoming a tourist attraction.
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That’s all for this week! The weather is getting colder, so stay cozy, and see you next week with more exciting news!