DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Former PM Alexander Stubb wins Finnish presidency, narrowly defeating ex-top diplomat Pekka Haavisto
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Haavisto conceded defeat after a projection by the Finnish public broadcaster YLE showing a win for Stubb was released Sunday night. "This has been a fair, great race," Stubb told Haavisto after the result was clear. Several polls indicated Stubb, who has also served as Finland's foreign, finance and European affairs minister, was the favorite to win the presidency. During the election campaign, Stubb and Haavisto largely agreed on Finland's foreign policy and security priorities. Haavisto was Finland's top diplomat in 2019-2023 and the main negotiator of its entry into NATO.

Persons: Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto, Haavisto, Stubb, Sauli Niinistö, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy Organizations: Nordic, NATO, National Coalition Party, YLE, Helsinki City Hall, Union, Washington, Kyiv, United Nations Locations: Ukraine, Finland, United States, Russia, China, Moscow, Europe

☆ Draymond Green left off Olympics list due to suspensions this season, Team USA director says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Draymond Green was left off Team USA’s provisional 41-man list for this summer’s Olympic Games due to the suspensions he’s received this season, USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill said Wednesday. Green was reinstated in the first week of January after serving a 12-game suspension. “But I think just in lieu of sort of what’s transpired this year, we made a decision to not have [Green] on this list with this particular point in time with the process. According to the NBA, Green had meetings with a counselor and has also on multiple occasions met with representatives from the league, the Warriors and the Players Association, and he will continue to do so throughout the season. Green is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, finishing atop the podium with Team USA at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Persons: Draymond Green, he’s, Grant Hill, Rudy Gobert, Green, ” Hill, ” Organizations: CNN, Team USA’s, USA Basketball, NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, ESPN, ” CNN, Warriors, Players Association, USA, Rio Locations: Tokyo

As big as the win was for Murray, it was a tough loss for Byeong Hun An and Keegan Bradley. But after Murray made his 40-footer, and Bradley missed his 18-foot birdie putt, An missed the short putt. Bradley broke out of a five-way tie with a 20-foot birdie putt on 15th hole. Yuan made his mistake on the par-3 17th, missing the green left and missing a 4-foot par putt to fall out of the lead. Murray followed with a wedge to 3 feet for birdie, and Bradley missed his potential winner from just inside 25 feet.

Persons: — Grayson Murray, Murray, —, Byeong Hun, Keegan Bradley, Bradley, Kevin Na, Korn, “, ”, ” Carl Yuan, Russell Henley, Henley, Yuan, Poston Organizations: Sony Locations: HONOLULU, Hawaii, Honolulu, J.T

☆ The Way Geert Wilders Won - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Paul Tullis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“He is a straight talker and tells it like it is,” a 23-year-old Rotterdam waitress told The Guardian. Mr. Wilders has promised to bring down housing prices by building more apartments (as has virtually every other party) and to prioritize Dutch citizens for public housing. Mr. Wilders does not have a record of working well with others; coalitions typically require smaller parties to shave off their more extreme positions, which Mr. Wilders has in the past refused to do. His Party for Freedom hasn’t been in government since 2012 — and the head of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, announced Friday morning she would not join a cabinet with Mr. Wilders. “We have to be more forward-thinking and listen to people everywhere.”Perhaps there is hope yet for the polder model.

Persons: Wilders’s, Wilders, Freedom hasn’t, Dilan, Timmermans, Rob Jetten, Harold Zoet, ”, “ Organizations: Guardian, Party, Freedom, People’s Party for Freedom and, Left, Labor, People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, statehouse Locations: Rotterdam

☆ Far-right populist Wilders sweeps Dutch parliamentary election, exit poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SCHEVENINGEN, NETHERLANDS - NOVEMBER 22: Geert Wilders (C), Dutch right-wing politician and leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV), reacts to the exit poll and early results that strongly indicate a victory for his party in the Dutch elections on November 22, 2023 in Scheveningen, Netherlands. Dutch voters have gone to the polls today in one of the most tightly contested general elections in recent years. Dutch anti-EU far-right populist Geert Wilders, who has vowed to halt all immigration to the Netherlands, was set for a major victory in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, an exit poll showed. Beating all predictions, the exit poll put Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) at 35 out of 150 seats, 10 seats ahead of the closest rival, former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans' Labour/Green Left combination. In a victory speech, Wilders vowed to bring an end to a "tsunami of asylum and immigration."

Persons: Geert Wilders, Carl Court, Wilders, Frans Timmermans, Robert Fico Organizations: Party for Freedom, Freedom Party, Labour Locations: SCHEVENINGEN, NETHERLANDS, Scheveningen , Netherlands, Dutch, EU, Netherlands, The Hague, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Tough coalition talks ahead after far right’s Dutch election win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Bart Meijer Tosterling | Bart Meijer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsAMSTERDAM, Nov 22 (Reuters) - With the Dutch election over, attention will now turn toward forming a new government. Coalition building in the fractured Dutch political landscape always takes months, and this time will likely be no exception. Wilder has also in the past said he wanted to quit the European Union and close Dutch borders. BROAD MAJORITY COALITIONYesilgoz has other options if talks to form a hard-right coalition fail. A broad coalition would be more willing to invest in the energy transition than a right-wing government would be.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Yves Herman Acquire, Mark Rutte's, Dilan Yesilgoz, Pieter Omtzigt, Wilders, Wilder, Frans Timmermans, Yesilgoz, Omtzigt, Rutte's, Bart Meijer Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Coalition, Party, European Union, Labour, Israel, NSC, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, Ukraine

☆ Praise, fear after Dutch populist Wilders' election win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party, Geert Wilders reacts to the exit poll and early results in the Dutch parliamentary elections, in The Hague, Netherlands November 22, 2023. Congratulations to Geert Wilders on winning the Dutch elections!" BELGIAN FAR-RIGHT LEADER TOM VAN GRIEKEN:"I would like to congratulate Geert Wilders on this victory. ITALIAN FAR-RIGHT LEADER MATTEO SALVINI:"Congratulations to our friend Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV and historic ally of the League, for this extraordinary electoral victory. CONSERVATIVE, PRO-BUSINESS VVD PARTY LEADER DILAN YESILGOZ:"It is up to Wilders to show he can form a majority.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Yves Herman Acquire, VIKTOR ORBAN, Geerts Wilders, TOM VAN, SANTIAGO ABASCAL, MATTEO SALVINI, HABIB, KADDOURI, Wilders, FRANS TIMMERMANS, DILAN YESILGOZ, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Bart Meijer, John Irish, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Freedom Party, MARINE, PEN, League, INTERNATIONAL, CONSERVATIVE, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, EU, Europe, BELGIAN, Flanders, Paris

☆ Geert Wilders: the anti-Islam, anti-EU populist who could be next Dutch PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Charlotte Van Campenhout | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party, Geert Wilders speaks as he reacts to the exit poll and early results in the Dutch parliamentary elections, in The Hague, Netherlands November 22, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsAMSTERDAM, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Geert Wilders, the Dutch populist whose anti-Islam comments have led to death threats, could become the next leader of the Netherlands following an election upset for his Freedom Party (PVV) on Wednesday. After 25 years in Dutch politics without holding office, Wilders was set to lead coalition government talks and has a good chance of becoming prime minister. Wilders' inflammatory views on Islam have prompted death threats and he has lived under heavy police protection for years. On a kids' TV program, Wilders last week said he enjoyed playing "Mario Kart" on his PlayStation and reading Donald Duck comics.

Persons: Geert Wilders, Yves Herman Acquire, Wilders, Frans Timmermans, Willem Post, Donald, Trump, Mohammad, Viktor Orban, Mario, Donald Duck, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Toby Sterling, Bart Meijer, Anthony Deutsch, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Freedom Party, Labour, Clingendael, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, Dutch, Islam, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Hungarian, Ukraine

☆ Dutch candidates snipe, scramble for undecided voters in race to deliver PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Major issues for Dutch voters include how to respond to climate change, the rising cost of living, and a desire to restrict immigration. Analysts said that with large numbers of undecided voters, much will depend on debate performances, including a final clash scheduled for Tuesday night. Yesilgoz, who had not ruled out a coalition with Wilders and had focused on Timmermans as her main opponent, has begun backtracking. On Tuesday she ruled out serving in a cabinet in which Wilders is prime minister. The party that wins the most seats traditionally takes a lead in negotiations and provides the prime minister -- but that is not guaranteed under the Dutch system.

Persons: Frans Timmermans, Geert Wilders, Wilders, Dilan Yesilgoz, Mark Rutte's, Yesilgoz, Timmermans, Rutte, Geert Wilders you'll, Toby Sterling, William Maclean Organizations: Party, Labour, Green Left, Research, Timmermans, Freedom Party, New, Analysts, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands

☆ Explainer: What's at stake in the Netherlands' Nov. 22 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte attends a joint news briefing with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (not pictured), amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAMSTERDAM, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The Dutch will elect a new parliament on Nov. 22 in an election that will bring the Netherlands its first new prime minister in over a decade, and determine how conservative the country's new cabinet may be. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte's centre-right government collapsed in July over differences in how to reduce the flow of asylum-seekers entering the country. Rutte, the country's longest-serving prime minister, has lost popularity and promised not to stand again. Dilan Yesilgoz, who leads Rutte's conservative VVD Party, herself a Turkish immigrant who would be the Netherlands' first woman prime minister.

Persons: Mark Rutte, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Viacheslav, Mark Rutte's, Dilan Yesilgoz, Rutte's, Frans Timmermans, Pieter Omtzigt, Geert Wilders, Rutte, Toby Sterling, Ed Osmond Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Dutch, Conservative, Union, Party, Labour and Green Left, Democrat, NOS, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Ukraine, Kyiv, Dutch, North, Rutte, Turkish

☆ EU climate chief Timmermans to run in Dutch election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Tosterling Kate Abnett | Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS, July 20 (Reuters) - EU climate chief Frans Timmermans on Thursday said he wants to become the next Dutch prime minister and will contest a parliamentary election in the Netherlands in November. The four-party coalition government of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte resigned earlier this month after failing to reach an agreement on restricting immigration, triggering a vote on Nov. 22. Timmermans had been tipped as a top candidate to lead the Dutch parties following his campaign for European social democrats in the 2019 European election, which was widely regarded as a success. Timmermans, who speaks English, German, French, Italian and Russian in addition to his native Dutch, is known as a skilled negotiator during international climate negotiations and his departure from EU politics will cause shockwaves. How well he may perform in Dutch politics is an open question, but a poll published on Thursday indicated that 39% of Dutch voters said they trusted him to lead the next government.

Persons: Frans Timmermans, Mark Rutte, Timmermans, Rutte, Toby Sterling, Kate Abnett, Bart Meijer, Andrew Cawthorne, Bernadette Baum, Alex Richardson Organizations: Dutch, Labour, Green Left, Labour and Green Left, de Volkskrant, EU, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, BRUSSELS, Netherlands, EU, Dutch, Timmermans, Rutte's, Limburg, Brussels

His case on Thursday was adjourned to Nov. 30 and the trial is set to hang over the opposition as it tries to regroup and rally disheartened voters ahead of local elections in March. At the same time, calls have grown louder for the opposition's defeated presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu to resign as chairman of Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP). Tanju Tosun, political science professor at Ege University, said the CHP's internal politics could overshadow its preparations for next year's local elections. "If the internal rifts within the CHP continues until local elections, candidates from the ruling AK Party (AKP) could defeat opposition candidates in many cities," he said. "YSP may field candidates (in Istanbul and Ankara)," Meral Danis Bestas, a senior YSP official, said.

Persons: Imamoglu, Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Kilicdaroglu, Tanju Tosun, Kemal Polat, Polat, We've, Ali Kucukgocmen, Huseyin Hayatsever, Daren Butler, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Istanbul Mayor, opposition's, Republican People's Party, Ege University, CHP, AK Party, Council of State, IYI Party, IYI, Left, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, ISTANBUL, Beylikduzu, Balikesir, Denizli, Kurdish, Ankara

☆ Erdogan survived the biggest test of his political career. What’s next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Official results showed Erdogan winning with 52.1% of the vote, while opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu emerged with 47.9%. Murat Somer, a political science professor at Koc University in Istanbul, expects a hardened approach by Erdogan towards the opposition and his critics. “[Erdogan is] likely to continue his unorthodox economic policies because these actually serve his interests,” Somer told CNN. Becky Anderson's full interview with Turkish President Erdogan 20:52 - Source: CNNKorhan Kocak, an assistant professor of political science at New York University Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, worries about Erdogan’s moves after the election. And Erdogan is the man that delivered that to them.”Cagaptay said that Erdogan’s foreign policy is unlikely to change.

Kilicdaroglu, chair of the secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), received 44.9% in what was seen as the biggest electoral challenge to Erdogan's 20-year rule. A third candidate, nationalist Sinan Ogan, obtained 5.17% and both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu are expected to seek his endorsement in negotiations this week. Turkey hosts the world's largest refugee population of around 4 million, according to official figures. Supporters of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, presidential candidate of Turkey's main opposition alliance, rally outside the Republican People's Party (CHP) headquarters on election night in Ankara, Turkey May 14, 2023. In Wednesday's video, Kilicdaroglu also accused Erdogan of cooperating with the network Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.

Erdogan got 49.5% in Sunday's vote and fell just short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff in a vote seen as a referendum on his autocratic rule. But many of his supporters, including first-time voter Asim, were gloomy about Kilicdaroglu's chances in the runoff vote. The election is being closely followed in Washington, Europe and across the region, where Erdogan has asserted Turkish power. Opinion polls had shown Erdogan trailing Kilicdaroglu, but Sunday's outcome suggested he and his Islamist-rooted AKP were able to rally conservative voters despite Turkey's economic woes. Kilicdaroglu and his alliance want to restore a parliamentary system of government and scrap the powerful executive presidency introduced by Erdogan.

[1/5] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets supporters at the AK Party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey May 15, 2023. His six-party alliance did not attract as many nationalist voters as expected, partly due to support for Kilicdaroglu's candidacy from a large pro-Kurdish party, the officials said. Both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu are expected to meet Ogan in person in the coming days. Given their conservative views, Erdogan and Ogan are seen as easier allies, even though the president's alliance includes a small Islamist Kurdish party that Ogan also opposes. "His motto will be: if you vote for Kilicdaroglu he will be a lame duck," said another senior opposition official who acknowledged a tough road ahead.

But for the next two weeks, he may become the most important figure in Turkish politics, potentially deciding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political fate. Preliminary results from the YSK showed Erdogan as having received 49.51% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu had 44.88%. Ogan, the third candidate, received 5.17%, enough to swing the runoff vote in favor of either of the candidates. But his political career began with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), where he spent six years before splitting with it, partly due to its growing closeness with Erdogan’s AK Party, according to Turkish media. Formerly in the opposition, the MHP joined the People Alliance that is led by Erdogan’s AK Party in this election.

☆ What the voters say as Turkey votes in landmark elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Deniz Uyar | Oriana Boselli | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

ISTANBUL/ANTAKYA, Turkey, May 14 (Reuters) - Here are some views from Turkish citizens as their country voted on Sunday in elections that could extend President Tayyip Erdogan's rule into a third decade or see a transfer of power to his main rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu. I don't think it will go to a runoff," said school staff member Hasibe, 40, in the school where Erdogan voted on the Asian side of the city. I chose democracy and I hope that my country chooses democracy. "Of course, there are good things (Erdogan) did, but lately, they started to look down on and insult the nation. As you can see, even in elections, votes are being cast in ballot boxes outside," said school teacher Behzat Oz.

☆ Turkey votes in pivotal elections that could end Erdogan's 20-year rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The election takes place three months after earthquakes in southeast Turkey killed more than 50,000 people. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is not part of the main opposition alliance but fiercely opposes Erdogan after a crackdown on its members in recent years. Kilicdaroglu, a 74-year-old former civil servant, promises that if he wins he will return to orthodox economic policies from Erdogan's heavy management. Human Rights Watch, in its World Report 2022, said Erdogan's government has set back Turkey's human rights record by decades. If he wins, Kilicdaroglu faces challenges keeping united an opposition alliance that includes nationalists, Islamists, secularists and liberals.

☆ Factbox: Turkey elections 2023: what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The powers of the presidency were broadened in 2017 when a referendum narrowly approved switching Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. By late on Sunday there could be a clear indication of the presidential election result. KEMAL KILICDAROGLUKilicdaroglu is the joint presidential candidate of the six-party main opposition alliance. He is chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), which was established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the founder of modern Turkey. The HDP's cooperation with the opposition in the 2019 local elections helped defeat the AKP in major cities.

☆ The Turkey candidates for president and other key figures
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Only three candidates remain in the race for president after Muharrem Ince, representing a small party, withdrew. CHP LEADER KEMAL KILICDAROGLUKilicdaroglu, 74, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was named the six-party opposition alliance's presidential candidate in March. Previously a staunch opponent of Erdogan, Bahceli's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) began to work with the president and his AKP after a 2016 attempted coup. OPPOSITION FIGURES:IYI PARTY LEADER MERAL AKSENERFormer interior minister Meral Aksener, 66, leads the second-largest party in the opposition alliance, the centrist and nationalist IYI Party. ANKARA MAYOR MANSUR YAVASNationalist politician and lawyer Mansur Yavas, 67, defeated the AKP's Ankara mayoral candidate 2019 as the CHP candidate backed by an opposition alliance.

Ahead of Sunday's elections, a cost of living crisis is now hitting Erdogan's support in the southeast as elsewhere, threatening his prospects in a tough battle to maintain power. A survey published this week by pollster Rawest showed 76.3% support for opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in Diyarbakir province, with backing for Erdogan at just 20.5%. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), deemed a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies, took up arms against the state in 1984. Those talks collapsed in 2015, unleashing a period of ferocious urban warfare in the southeast, including in the streets near Aydin's shop. CHANGE IN ERDOGANThe HDP, parliament's third largest party, has itself declared its support for Kilicdaroglu.

☆ Factbox: Key players in Turkey's election campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Turkey's longest-serving leader logged more than a dozen election victories and survived an attempted coup in 2016. CHP LEADER KEMAL KILICDAROGLUKilicdaroglu, 74, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was named the six-party opposition alliance's presidential candidate in March. HOMELAND PARTY LEADER MUHARREM INCEFormer physics teacher and headmaster Muharrem Ince, 58, is seen as having little chance of becoming president. OPPOSITION FIGURES:IYI PARTY LEADER MERAL AKSENERFormer interior minister Meral Aksener, 66, leads the second-largest party in the opposition alliance, the centrist and nationalist IYI Party. ANKARA MAYOR MANSUR YAVASNationalist politician and lawyer Mansur Yavas, 67, defeated the AKP's Ankara mayoral candidate 2019 as the CHP candidate backed by an opposition alliance.

☆ Turkey general election 2023 guide: what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

And even if Kilicdaroglu wins the election, some analysts say Erdogan may not hand over power to his successor without a struggle. Here’s what you need to know about the vote that could become a pivotal moment in Turkey’s modern history:How Turkey’s elections workTurkey holds elections every five years. Parliamentary elections take place at the same time as the presidential elections. Four candidates are running for this year’s presidential election. CHP Istanbul mayor candidate Ekrem Imamoglu then went on to win the election re-run, dealing a blow to Erdogan.

☆ An unopened first-generation iPhone from 2007 is going up for auction, and it's expected to fetch at least $50,000 — more than 80 times its original price
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Cosmetic tattoo artist Karen Green was gifted a first-generation iPhone in 2007 but never opened it. Now, she's putting it up for auction, where it's expected to fetch at least $50,000, more than 80 times its original price. Last year, another factory-sealed original iPhone auctioned for nearly $40,000. When she heard of another original, unopened iPhone listing on eBay for $10,000, she took note. The device was in fact unopened and the original iPhone.

Search resuls for: "Green Left"

25 mentions found