UK’s Labour Party Studies Land Reforms to Cut Cost of House-Building
The UK’s main opposition Labour Party is considering making it cheaper for councils to forcibly purchase land for
2023-05-30 06:49
Taiwan Rushes to Prevent China From Cutting Off Internet, Phones
Buffeted by earthquakes and the potential of conflict with China, Taiwan’s leaders want to accelerate plans to make
2023-05-30 05:21
Spain’s Embattled Prime Minister Gambles Again on Snap Election
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is betting that he can exploit the quirks of Spain’s fractured political landscape to
2023-05-30 03:57
Turkey’s Erdogan Meets Former Finance Minister in Cabinet Planning
Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Mehmet Simsek, a market-friendly former finance minister, in the capital Ankara on Monday
2023-05-30 02:51
Saudi Investment Enclaves Take Shape With Top Steelmaker’s Entry
Saudi Arabia has unveiled a flurry of new investment projects led by the world’s biggest steelmaker as the
2023-05-30 01:19
Erdogan rants against ‘LGBT forces’ as Biden congratulates him on Turkey election win
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrated his presidential run-off victory on Monday after an election that stretched his rule into a third decade, lashing out at “LGBT+ forces” in the country. In his victory speech in the Istanbul district of Uskudar three hours after the polls had closed, Mr Erdogan claimed to have achieved “a victory where nobody is left behind”. However, he went on to hit out at LGBT+ people and said the opposition was promoting gay rights, an appeal to his ultra-conservative religious base. “In our culture, family is sacred. No one can interfere. We will strangle anyone who dares to touch it,” he told supporters, according to a report by The Times. His victory had opened the door to the “century for Turkey”, he added. The election had been seen as Erdogan’s biggest political challenge for years, with opinion polls making opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu the favourite to unseat him. Yet Mr Erdogan was ahead by four percentage points in the first round, and prevailed in the run-off with 52.2 per cent of the vote to Mr Kilicdaroglu’s 47.8 per cent. Mr Kilicadaroglu said it was “the most unfair election in years” but did not dispute the outcome. He had promised to set Turkey on a more democratic and collaborative path during the election, yet also lurched towards the right with anti-immigrant rhetoric in the final stretch of the campaign. The victory extends Mr Erdogan’s tenure as the longest-serving leader since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk established modern Turkey following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire a century ago. Following Sunday night’s results, US president Joe Biden wrote on Twitter of Mr Erdogan: “I look forward to continuing to work together as Nato Allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges.” Mr Erdogan is set to speak with Mr Biden over the phone later on Monday, broadcaster NTV reported citing a presidential spokesperson. Relations between US and Turkey have suffered in recent months due to Mr Erdogan’s objections to Sweden joining Nato as well as Ankara’s relationship with Moscow. While Mr Erdogan now has the mandate to rule Turkey till 2028, he has to confront skyrocketing inflation that has fuelled a cost-of-living crisis. He also has to oversee rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in February. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Only Erdogan knows his plans for Turkey’s future. That is the problem Erdogan declared winner of Turkey presidential run-off – extending his 20 years in power Why Turkey’s presidential run-off matters for the world Turkey's Erdogan turns away reform-minded challenger to win another term What the papers say – May 29 Analysis: Only Erdogan knows his plans for Turkey’s future. That is the problem
2023-05-30 00:59
Four dead after boat full of tourists ‘celebrating birthday’ sinks in Italy
Four people have died after a tourist boat capsized during a storm in Italy. Authorities confirmed on Monday that four bodies had been recovered from Lake Maggiore in the north’s Lombardy region after divers searched overnight. The victims included an Israeli tourist, two Italians and the Russian wife of the skipper, according to Italian newspaper La Reppublica. The boat had reportedly departed from a shipyard in Sesto Calende as part of a birthday outing. Sky Italia has reported that British nationals were among the 20 passengers on board. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with local authorities in Italy after a boat accident and are ready to provide consular assistance to any British nationals involved.” A sudden whirlwind upturned the boat on Sunday evening. Rescue efforts managed to save 19 people from the water, with many reportedly either swimming to the shore or being picked up by neighbouring boats. The boat overturned between the towns of Sesto Calende and Arona, Italian media say. Five people are reported to have been taken to hospital, say reports, and the boat is now lies wrecked 15 metres below the surface of the lake. The whirlwind was part of a storm system that arrived in Lombardy on Sunday evening that had seen delays at Milan Malpensa airport in the region’s capital. A video released on Sunday shows pieces of wood floating on top of the lake whilst a helicopter flew overhead. The president of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, confirmed in a Facebook post that the boat, which had more than 20 passengers on board, as well as crew, was 16 metres long and had been hired by tourists. He said the “very serious incident” had been “caused by a whirlwind”. According to La Reppublica, Claudio Carminati, 53, lived on the boat, which resembled a houseboat, along with his Russian partner, Anya Bozhkova, 50, who is among the reported dead. The mayor of Sesto Calende, which lies at the Southern tip of Lake Maggiore, said that there had been “no weather alert” prior to the storm, according to the paper. A large lake located on the southern side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. The lake is divided – both the lake and its shoreline - between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino. Read More Three dead, one still missing after capsize of tourist boat in storm on Italian lake Tourist boat overturns on Italian lake, at least 1 dead; several missing More than two dozen Pakistan citizens among dead in Italy migrant boat disaster British millionaire owner of Covid mask firm killed in yacht crash in Italy Severe flooding in Italy kills 2; drought persists Kosovo Serbs gather to take over municipality buildings in the north UK police to ‘help’ crackdown on people trafficking gangs in North Africa Pope Francis resumes regular appointments after canceling schedule with a fever
2023-05-29 23:24
Erdogan Overcomes Economic Woes to Extend Record Turkey Rule
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sealed an election victory in a runoff vote, raising the prospect of more
2023-05-29 21:50
Why Erdogan's victory matters for the West
Turkey's global strategic role has starkly increased following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2023-05-29 19:17
Binance Taps Teng to Run All Regional Markets in Swift Ascension
Binance tapped Richard Teng to head all its regional markets outside of the US, a swift and steady
2023-05-29 18:20
Ukraine Recap: Russia Strikes Air Base in Heavy New Bombardment
A Russian bombardment hit an airbase in western Ukraine, damaging five aircraft and the runway in the second
2023-05-29 18:15
Russian Barrage Hits Air Base in Western Ukraine, Targets Kyiv
Russia hit an airbase in western Ukraine, damaging five aircraft and the runway, and targeted the nation’s capital
2023-05-29 17:47