Istanbul's famous red and white trams, loved by both locals and tourists for over a century, are about to be replaced by modern streetcars. These historic trams have become synonymous with Istiklal Avenue, the city's most popular shopping street, which stretches 1.4 kilometres (0.9 miles) on Istanbul's European side.

First introduced in 1914, the original trams have undergone regular maintenance and updates to preserve their historical charm. Despite these updates, the trams have retained their vintage appearance.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/turkeys-economic-overhaul-earns-fitch-upgrade-amid-policy-shift-698916">Also read | Turkey's economic overhaul earns Fitch upgrade amid policy shift</a>

<h2>Modern upgrades with a nostalgic touch</h2>

The new battery-powered trams are designed to maintain the classic look of their predecessors, featuring wooden floors and reversible seats. Instead of rear-view mirrors, these trams are equipped with two cameras on each side, providing drivers with better visibility and allowing them to drive while seated.

"It’s a very good thing that they are modernising the tram. The new one hasn’t changed the nostalgic aspect of the old one," a local resident told AFP.&nbsp;

According to Istanbul’s mayoral office, the old trams will eventually be retired and displayed in a transport museum that is currently being planned. In the meantime, the new streetcar will operate alongside its century-old counterparts during its testing phase.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/turkeys-first-astronaut-launched-on-flight-to-international-space-station-681841">Also read | Turkey’s first astronaut launched on flight to International Space Station</a>

Ali Tugrul Kucukalioglu, Istanbul's director of electric transport, highlighted the energy efficiency of the new trams, saying that they can "run for two days on a single battery." This innovation will allow the city to dismantle the overhead power lines on Istiklal Avenue, which have historically caused issues during national holidays due to flags hanging from the lines.

One significant change in the new trams is the removal of external sidebars, which passengers often clung to while travelling up and down Istiklal Avenue.

Istiklal Avenue, formerly known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, was the heart of Istanbul's cosmopolitan quarter until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920s. The street remains a popular destination for tourists who enjoy travelling to Taksim Square on the historic trams.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Istanbul's famous red and white trams, loved by both locals and tourists for over a century, are about to be replaced by modern streetcars. These historic trams have become synonymous with Istiklal Avenue, the city's most popular shopping street, which stretches 1.

Istanbul's famous red and white trams, loved by both locals and tourists for over a century, are about to be replaced by modern streetcars. These historic trams have become synonymous with Istiklal Avenue, the city's most popular shopping street, which stretches 1.4 kilometres (0.9 miles) on Istanbul's European side. First introduced in 1914, the original trams have undergone regular maintenance and updates to preserve their historical charm. Despite these updates, the trams have retained their vintage appearance. Also read | Turkey's economic overhaul earns Fitch upgrade amid policy shift Modern upgrades with a nostalgic touch The new battery-powered trams are designed to maintain the classic look of their predecessors, featuring wooden floors and reversible seats. Instead of rear-view mirrors, these trams are equipped with two cameras on each side, providing drivers with better visibility and allowing them to drive while seated. "It’s a very good thing that they are modernising the tram. The new one hasn’t changed the nostalgic aspect of the old one," a local resident told AFP. According to Istanbul’s mayoral office, the old trams will eventually be retired and displayed in a transport museum that is currently being planned. In the meantime, the new streetcar will operate alongside its century-old counterparts during its testing phase. Also read | Turkey’s first astronaut launched on flight to International Space Station Ali Tugrul Kucukalioglu, Istanbul's director of electric transport, highlighted the energy efficiency of the new trams, saying that they can "run for two days on a single battery." This innovation will allow the city to dismantle the overhead power lines on Istiklal Avenue, which have historically caused issues during national holidays due to flags hanging from the lines. One significant change in the new trams is the removal of external sidebars, which passengers often clung to while travelling up and down Istiklal Avenue. Istiklal Avenue, formerly known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, was the heart of Istanbul's cosmopolitan quarter until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920s. The street remains a popular destination for tourists who enjoy travelling to Taksim Square on the historic trams. (With inputs from agencies)

Istanbul’s iconic century-old trams are all set for a modern revamp

A meeting of the working group on tourism will be held in Srinagar from May 22 to May 24. India has modified its G20 calendar to reflect this. Srinagar is located in the Indian Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

India: Major revamp in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar gets smart city treatment

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the CPC started its second plenary session in Beijing on Sunday afternoon. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee presented a work report on behalf of the political bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Except the Chinese president Xi Jinping, almost all officials at the top are expected to be replaced.

Names for top state roles, political advisers to be reviewed in the key session of CPC

As part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday Facebook aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends.

The new features were introduced in a revamped Facebook app as the embattled social network embarks on a new strategy emphasizing private communications and small groups.

"As the world gets bigger and more connected, we need that sense of intimacy more than ever," Mark Zuckerberg said as he opened the F8 developer conference for the social networking giant.

"That's why I believe the future is private."

The new app made available to US users Tuesday aims for a new direction for Facebook: it eliminates the blue background and offers a range of new ways to connect, in line with Zuckerberg's vision to move away from the "digital town square" to a "digital living room."

Facebook's shift comes response to criticism over failing to curb misinformation and manipulation of the platform used by 2.3 billion people, and missteps on handling of private user data.

"It can be hard to find your sense of purpose when you are connected to billions of people at the same time," Zuckerberg told the developers gathered in San Jose, California.

"Privacy gives us the freedom to be ourselves."

The redesigned application, to be followed by a new Facebook website, symbolizes changes in how Facebook runs its business, Zuckerberg said.

"I know we don't exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly," he said. "But I am committed to starting a new chapter for our product."

Dogs and politics

Changes announced Tuesday put groups at the centre of the experience and add dating, friend-making and events features intended to promote people getting together in real life, Facebook's new app head Fidji Simo told AFP ahead of F8.

The redesign is meant to make it easier for users to take part in communities, whether based on friendships, family ties or common interests, according to Simo.

"It's definitely part of Mark's bigger vision," she said.

The new design gives users more options for private and group connections.

While counterintuitive, Facebook sees the change as potentially bringing people with opposing political viewpoints together rather than separating them in "filter bubbles."

"We are seeing that groups can bridge people across dividing lines," Simo said.

"If you are a dog lover, you will find people who are dog lovers across all divides, political or otherwise," she added.

A "Meet New Friends" feature being gradually rolled out will let users opt into getting acquainted with others interested in fresh connections in shared communities.

An "Events" tab will expedite making real world, local plans with online friends.

Hidden crushes

Facebook also announced it is expanding its dating feature to 14 more countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Brazil and Chile.

A new feature called "Secret Crush" will let people signal which friends they are interested in romantically, but only letting the object of their fancy know it if that person makes similar interest known on a private crush list.

"We think there is a lot of potential in developing these relationships," Simo said.

"It's all built with privacy in mind, and with the goal of building meaningfully long-term relationships and not just hookups."

The ability for people in small groups to be able to communicate securely and privately is seen as essential to making the social network more intimate.

There are tens of millions of active groups on Facebook, and more than 400 million people belong to groups at the social network.

Leaner, faster Messenger

Separately, Facebook unveiled a Messenger app overhaul that makes the mobile software leaner, faster and more of an energy miser.

"We rewrote practically all of the code from scratch," Facebook head of messaging product Stan Chudnovsky told AFP.

"We made Messenger the fastest private communication hub on the planet."

Features built into the new Messenger app used by some 1.3 billion people build on the social network's broader vision of small-group-sharing in "virtual living rooms," according to Chudnovsky.

Facebook also announced it's Portal video call device would be available internationally starting with Canada in June and Europe later this year, and would allow calls over the WhatsApp messaging platform.

The Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest headsets, starting at $399, will begin shipping on May 21, expanding Facebook's move into virtual reality and gaming, the company said.

As part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday Facebook aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends. The new features were introduced in a revamped Facebook app as the embattled social network embarks on a new strategy emphasizing private communications and small groups.

As part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday Facebook aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for groups of friends. The new features were introduced in a revamped Facebook app as the embattled social network embarks on a new strategy emphasizing private communications and small groups. "As the world gets bigger and more connected, we need that sense of intimacy more than ever," Mark Zuckerberg said as he opened the F8 developer conference for the social networking giant. "That's why I believe the future is private." The new app made available to US users Tuesday aims for a new direction for Facebook: it eliminates the blue background and offers a range of new ways to connect, in line with Zuckerberg's vision to move away from the "digital town square" to a "digital living room." Facebook's shift comes response to criticism over failing to curb misinformation and manipulation of the platform used by 2.3 billion people, and missteps on handling of private user data. "It can be hard to find your sense of purpose when you are connected to billions of people at the same time," Zuckerberg told the developers gathered in San Jose, California. "Privacy gives us the freedom to be ourselves." The redesigned application, to be followed by a new Facebook website, symbolizes changes in how Facebook runs its business, Zuckerberg said. "I know we don't exactly have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly," he said. "But I am committed to starting a new chapter for our product." Dogs and politics Changes announced Tuesday put groups at the centre of the experience and add dating, friend-making and events features intended to promote people getting together in real life, Facebook's new app head Fidji Simo told AFP ahead of F8. The redesign is meant to make it easier for users to take part in communities, whether based on friendships, family ties or common interests, according to Simo. "It's definitely part of Mark's bigger vision," she said. The new design gives users more options for private and group connections. While counterintuitive, Facebook sees the change as potentially bringing people with opposing political viewpoints together rather than separating them in "filter bubbles." "We are seeing that groups can bridge people across dividing lines," Simo said. "If you are a dog lover, you will find people who are dog lovers across all divides, political or otherwise," she added. A "Meet New Friends" feature being gradually rolled out will let users opt into getting acquainted with others interested in fresh connections in shared communities. An "Events" tab will expedite making real world, local plans with online friends. Hidden crushes Facebook also announced it is expanding its dating feature to 14 more countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Brazil and Chile. A new feature called "Secret Crush" will let people signal which friends they are interested in romantically, but only letting the object of their fancy know it if that person makes similar interest known on a private crush list. "We think there is a lot of potential in developing these relationships," Simo said. "It's all built with privacy in mind, and with the goal of building meaningfully long-term relationships and not just hookups." The ability for people in small groups to be able to communicate securely and privately is seen as essential to making the social network more intimate. There are tens of millions of active groups on Facebook, and more than 400 million people belong to groups at the social network. Leaner, faster Messenger Separately, Facebook unveiled a Messenger app overhaul that makes the mobile software leaner, faster and more of an energy miser. "We rewrote practically all of the code from scratch," Facebook head of messaging product Stan Chudnovsky told AFP. "We made Messenger the fastest private communication hub on the planet." Features built into the new Messenger app used by some 1.3 billion people build on the social network's broader vision of small-group-sharing in "virtual living rooms," according to Chudnovsky. Facebook also announced it's Portal video call device would be available internationally starting with Canada in June and Europe later this year, and would allow calls over the WhatsApp messaging platform. The Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest headsets, starting at $399, will begin shipping on May 21, expanding Facebook's move into virtual reality and gaming, the company said.

Got a crush on another Facebook user? The social network will help you connect

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