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☆ Boeing cargo plane lands without front nose gear in Istanbul; investigation launched
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A general view of a FedEx Airlines Boeing 767 BA.N cargo plane, that landed at Istanbul Airport on Wednesday without deploying its front landing gear but managed to stay on the runway and avoid casualties, on a runway in Istanbul, Turkey, May 8, 2024. An investigation is underway after a FedEx Airlines Boeing 767 cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing without its front landing gear at Istanbul Airport, after the aircraft's nose gear failed to deploy. The plane managed to stay on the runway, and there were no casualties, according to Turkey's Ministry of Transport. The ministry said that the cargo jet, flying from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport, alerted the Istanbul Airport control tower that its landing gear was not opening and was able to land with guidance from the tower, according to reporting from Reuters. The ministry also said that its teams were carrying out examinations at the scene, while the U.S. National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) announced it will send its own investigators to Istanbul.

Persons: Charles de Gaulle Organizations: FedEx Airlines Boeing, Istanbul Airport, Turkey's Ministry of Transport, Reuters, U.S . National Transport Safety Board Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, Paris, U.S

☆ Boeing cargo plane lands with no front wheels at Istanbul airport
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Samantha Lindell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Hamas says it accepts cease-fire proposal from Egyptian, Qatari mediators, as U.S. and Israel review details of plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hamas said it told Egyptian and Qatari negotiators that it has approved a cease-fire proposal to halt the war in Gaza. Israel is examining the proposal that Hamas approved and has not confirmed whether it would accept or reject it, an Israeli official told NBC News. Hostage release negotiations intensified over the weekend, with facilitation from U.S. CIA Director William Burns, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned Israel against an offensive in Rafah, where millions of civilians have taken refuge. President Joe Biden reiterated that stance on a half-hour Monday call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which took place before Hamas had announced its approval of a cease-fire proposal.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Ashraf Amra, Daniel Hagari, Matthew Miller, William Burns, Burns, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Hamas, Anadolu, Egyptian, Qatari, NBC, Israel Defense Forces, Department, NBC News, CIA, Israeli Locations: Palestinian, Sakura, Istanbul, Turkiye, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Arab, Gaza's, Rafah

☆ I took a 20-minute ferry ride from Europe to Asia for $1. I was shocked I didn't see more tourists on board.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Jamie Davis Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I wanted to set foot on the European and Asian side of Istanbul during a recent visit with my kids. A $1 commuter ferry was the cheapest option for us to go from the European side to the Asian side. The ride was only 20 minutes each way, and I was surprised not to see more tourists on the ferry. Plus, although they technically go through Asia, none of the cruises I found let passengers disembark in Asia. Instead of sitting inside, we made our way to the second level of the ferry and took seats on the rooftop deck.

Persons: —, Jamie Davis Smith, I'm, We'd, we'd Organizations: Service, Cruises Locations: Istanbul, Asia, Europe, Eminonu, Istanbul's, Galata, Blue, Kadiköy, Istabul's

☆ Middle East Crisis Turkey Severs Trade With Israel, Citing Conditions in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Gulsin Harman | Ben Hubbard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey said late Thursday that it had halted all trade with Israel until “uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza,” signaling further deterioration in relations between the two countries. Turkey’s Trade Ministry said in a statement that exports and imports “for all products” would pause. Mr. Katz also said he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries. Turkey reported $5.4 billion in exports to Israel in 2023 and $1.64 billion in imports, according to United Nations figures. The Turkish leader has also forcefully defended Hamas and recently met with Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s political leader, and other Hamas officials in Istanbul on April 20.

Persons: Israel Katz, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr, Katz, Erdogan, Ismail Haniyeh, “, “ Israel, Hakan Fidan Organizations: Turkey’s Trade Ministry, Bloomberg, Foreign Ministry, United Nations, Ministry, Trade Ministry, Israel, International Court of Justice Locations: Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Istanbul, “ Israel, Palestine

☆ Turkey's inflation accelerates to nearly 70% in April
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Turkey's inflation accelerated to 69.8% annually for the month of April, the Turkish Statistical Institute reported Friday. On a monthly basis, Turkey's inflation increased 3.18%, led by price rises in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and hotels, cafes and restaurants. April's inflation rate marks the highest annual increase since November 2022, when inflation was around 85%. But any hopes of interest rate cuts are a long way off, economists said. Turkey's central bank has hiked its key interest rate to 50%, citing the continuing need to counter climbing inflation in the country.

Persons: Kemal Ataturk, April's, Liam Peach Organizations: Turkish, Turkish Statistical Institute, Economics Locations: Turkish, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey, London

☆ Embattled grocery startup Getir exits the U.S. and Europe, will refocus on Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Companies such as Getir and Gorillas promise to deliver items to shoppers' doors in as little as 10 minutes. Grocery delivery startup Getir announced on Monday that it is quitting international markets including the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S., marking a major setback for the once hyped online grocery industry. The Istanbul, Turkey-based firm said in a statement that it was withdrawing from its U.S. and European markets and would now refocus its financial resources on Turkey. The company said it raised a new investment round led by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and venture capital firm G Squared "to bolster its competitive position in its core food and grocery delivery businesses in Turkey." Getir said it generates 7% of its revenues from the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S."Getir expresses its sincere appreciation for the dedication and hard work of all its employees in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S.," the company said.

Persons: Abu, Getir Locations: Germany, Netherlands, U.S, Istanbul, Turkey, Abu Dhabi

☆ Hamas officials say group willing to disarm if Palestinian state is established
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Abbas Allawati | Abbas Al Lawati | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The Palestinian militant group has long called for the Jewish state to be destroyed. Basem Naim, an Istanbul-based member of Hamas’ political bureau, told CNN on Thursday that the group would agree to disarm if an independent Palestinian state was established. Hamas has traditionally rejected a two-state solution that would see a Palestinian state established alongside Israel and has instead advocated the creation of a Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine that today encompasses Israel, the occupied West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza. Barghouti said Hamas indicated as far back as 2007, when it led a Palestinian national unity government, that it is willing to accept a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference in the Qatari capital Doha that Hamas is willing to function solely as a political party once a Palestinian state is created, citing meetings between the group and Turkish officials.

Persons: Basem Naim, Al Qassam, ”, Mustafa Barghouti, Efraim Inbar, Israel ”, Israel “, Netanyahu, Khalil al, Hayya, ” Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hayyah, Barghouti, Naim, Hakan Fidan, “ Organizations: CNN, Palestinian, Hamas, Israel, West Bank, Palestinian National Initiative, Jerusalem Institute for Strategy, Security, Associated Press, AP, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Oslo Accords, Turkish, Qatari Locations: Israel, Gaza, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Palestinian, Palestine, East Jerusalem, United States, Israeli, Oslo, Doha, Turkish

☆ The extraordinary ancient secret places hidden under Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Lisa Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Less obviously visible but equally impressive are the historical treasures, some more than 12,000 years old, that can be found underground. Unlike the Basilica, this underground chamber was completely forgotten about until less than 15 years ago. Other than locals herding their livestock through the ruins of a garrison city dating to the 6th century, few people went there. Now, the site has given up numerous treasures including rock-cut tombs, an olive processing workshop and a series of underground cisterns. Yeraltı, literally meaning underground, was originally a dungeon in the basement of a fort built by the Byzantines in the 8th century CE.

Persons: James Bond, Theodosius II, Theodosius, Derinkuyu, tufa, émigrés, Han, Rümeli Han, Sarıcazade Ragıp Pasha, Sultan Abdülhamid II’s, Sancaklar, Göbeklitepe, Yeraltı, –, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Grand Vizier Bahir Mustafa Paşa, dervish Organizations: CNN, Love, UNESCO, Şanlıurfa Archaeology Locations: Turkey, Europe, Asia, Russia, Faith, Istanbul, Constantinople, Fatih, Belgrade Forest, Valens, Dara, Mardin, Nevşehir, Cappadocia, Derinkuyu, Taksim, stairwells, Sancaklar, Büyükçekmece, Mecca, Göbeklitepe, everyone’s, Şanlıurfa, Karaköy, Yeraltı, Ottoman, Grand

☆ Airlines That Offer 'Stopover' Programs, Some With Free Hotels
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Airlines capitalize on this trend with "stopover" programs, some even offering free hotels and food. Airlines have jumped on this growing trend with built-in "stopover" programs, which can come with free or discounted hotels, excursions, transportation, and food at the layover destination. Essentially, you can't intentionally book a longer layover to quality for the free stopover hotel. Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImagesSingapore Airlines' stopover program is available via the multi-city tool, similar to other carriers, where travelers can add hotels, transfers, and activities. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesTurkish Airlines' stopover program gives economy travelers a one-night free hotel stay and business flyers a two-night free stay if the period between their connecting flights in Istanbul exceeds 20 hours.

Persons: —, Robert Smith, Markus Mainka, Liang Xu, Nicolas Economou, Thomas Mukoya, Suparat, Finnair, Shutterstock Icelandair, Marcio Rodrigo Machado, Bauer, Griffin, Alexi Rosenfeld, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Massimo Insabato, It's, Matheus Organizations: Service, Airlines, Travelers, An Air Canada Boeing, Getty Images Air, Air France, KLM Air France, KLM, Air, China Southern Airlines, China Southern Airlines Airbus, Getty Images China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines AP Copa Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Emirates Airbus, Getty Images Emirates, Dubai Connect, Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Airlines, Reuters Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Airbus, Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways Fiji Airways, Shutterstock Fiji Airways, Iberia Airbus, Japan, Japan Airlines Boeing, Japan Airlines, Latam Airlines Boeing, Latam Airlines, Hotels, An Oman Air, Getty Images Oman Air, Qantas, Getty, JAL, Oneworld, Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Boeing, Getty Images Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines Royal Jordanian Airlines Boeing, Getty Images Royal Jordanian Airlines, Air Lines, Swiss International Air Lines Airbus, Getty Images Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Airbus, Getty Images Singapore Airlines, Portugal, TAP Air Portugal Airbus, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines Airbus, Getty Images Turkish Airlines Locations: Getty Images Air Canada, Canada, Air France, Xinhua, Panama, Panama City, Emirates, Dubai, UAE, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, Helsinki, Iberia, Iberia Airbus Iberia, Madrid, Icelandair, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, São Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Manaus, Curitiba, Belem, Oman, Muscat, layover, Bangkok, San Francisco, AFP, Switzerland, Singapore, Lisbon, Porto, Portuguese, Azores, Madeira, Istanbul

☆ Mohammad Faris: ‘Armstrong of the Arab World’ and Syria’s first astronaut dies in exile
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Eyad Kourdi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In 1987, Faris, a pilot in the Syrian Air Force, spent eight days in space with the Soviet Union’s Interkosmos spaceflight program. Faris flew with a Soviet crew to Mir space station becoming the first and only Syrian astronaut and second Arab to make it to space. Upon his return to Syria, Faris was celebrated as a national hero by tens of thousands of Syrians. Faris decided in 2012 to defect and publicly oppose the Syrian regime, putting his family and himself in life-threatening danger. In 2020, Faris was granted Turkish citizenship, as reported by the Turkish state broadcaster TRT.

Persons: CNN — Mohammad Faris, Armstrong, Faris, Hafez al, Assad, Bashar, “, Jazeera, Assad, Faris –, Hafez al - Assad, Prince Sultan bin Salman, Allah, “ let’s, ” Faris, Bashar al, Al Jazeera, Moscow propping Organizations: CNN, Syrian Air Force, Saudi, Free Syrian Army, Turkish, TRT, Star City, AP Locations: Turkish, Gaziantep, Soviet, Syria, ”, Aleppo, Turkey, Istanbul, Russia, Moscow, Soviet Union

☆ These are the world's 10 best airports for 2024, according to passengers. None are in the US.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Mikhail Markovskiy/ShutterstockCountry: Germany2023 Ranking: 7AdvertisementSkytrax Awards: Best Airport Staff in Europe, Best Airport in Central Europe, Best Airport Hotel in Europe (Hilton Munich Airport)7. Kazzure Gonzalez/Shutterstock.comCountry: JapanAdvertisement2023 Ranking: 9Skytrax Awards: World's Best Airport Staff, Best Airport Staff in Asia, Best Airport: 30-40 million passengers4. Sean Pavone / iStockCountry: Japan2023 Ranking: 3AdvertisementSkytrax Awards: World's Cleanest Airport, World's Best Domestic Airport, Best PRM and Accessible Facilities, Best Airport: 70+ million passengers, The Cleanest Airport in Asia3. Taylor Rains/Business InsiderCountry: Singapore2023 Ranking: 1Skytrax Awards: Best Airport in Asia, Best Airport Immigration Service, Best Airport: 50-60 million passengers, Best Airport Hotel in the World and Asia (Crowne Plaza Changi Airport)1. Thomas Pallini/Business InsiderCountry: QatarAdvertisement2023 Ranking: 2Skytrax Awards: World's Best Airport, Best Airport in the Middle East, World's Best Airport Shopping, Best Airport: 40-50 million passengers, The Cleanest Airport in the Middle East

☆ The world’s best airports for 2024, according to Skytrax
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For the last decade, Singapore’s Changi International Airport and Doha’s Hamad International Airport have been going back and forth, battling over the title of ‘world’s best’. European airports dominateNine of the top 20 best airports are in Europe, including Vienna, Madrid and Istanbul. Kansai International Airport (KIX), which serves the Osaka area, scored the award for the world’s best airport baggage delivery. El Dorado International Airport (BOG), which serves Bogota, Colombia, was voted the best airport in South America, while Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) won the honor of best airport for Latin America and the Caribbean. The world’s best airports for 20241.

Persons: CNN — Ali, Frazier, ‘, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, It’s, Charles de Gaulle, ORY, Indira, Skytrax, Paris Charles de Gaulle Organizations: CNN, The Red Sox, Yankees, Doha, Singapore, Singapore’s, Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Doha’s Hamad International, Hamad International, Airport, ” Qatar Airways Group’s, Oryx, Paris, Paris ’, Rome Fiumicino Airport, Zurich, Vantaa, Haneda, New, Chubu Centrair International, Kansai International, Vancouver International, Melbourne Airport, MEL, Australia, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Cape Town Airport, King Shaka International, El Dorado International, Panama Tocumen, TWA, New York JFK, Hyatt Regency Shenzhen, Hilton Munich Airport, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Doha Hamad, Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita, Dubai, Munich, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Rome Fiumicino, Vienna, Madrid, Barajas, Vancouver, Kansai, Melbourne, Copenhagen Locations: Singapore’s Changi, Doha’s, Qatar’s, Singapore, Doha, “, Frankfurt, Germany, Europe, Vienna, Madrid, Istanbul, Paris, Skytrax, Rome, Helsinki, HEL, Japan, Asia, Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, North America, Down, Pacific, India, Cape, Africa, Durban, Bogota, Colombia, South America, Panama, America, Caribbean, New York, China, Tokyo, Vantaa

☆ ‘Peasants vs. Marie Antoinette’: What the Premier League does with its billions of dollars is riling 72 other soccer clubs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

DisparityThanks to its multi-billion-dollar TV deals, the Premier League is often celebrated as a UK Inc. success story. Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesBy targeting talents from lower-league academies, Premier League clubs don’t have to pay inflated transfer fees. The mooted introduction of an independent regulator comes against the backdrop of some Premier League clubs falling foul of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Earlier this month, Everton were handed a further two-point deduction for allegedly breaching Premier League financial rules. Relegated from the Premier League in 2023, Leicester denies any wrongdoing and opened legal proceedings against the Premier League and the EFL, but could face a points deduction if found guilty.

Persons: Abu, –, Kieran Maguire, Marie Antoinette ”, Marie Antoinette, – James McConnell –, Gabriele Biancheri, James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Andrew Powell, Caroline Dinenage, Maguire, Richard Masters, ” Maguire, ”, “, ” Masters, Phil Noble, we’ve, It’s, Mike Egerton, they’ve Organizations: CNN —, Manchester City, League, Reading FC –, Reading, English Football League, CNN, British, Premier League, Inc, Sunderland, Manchester United, Cardiff City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Liverpool FC, Getty, Premier League clubs, Culture , Media, Sport Committee, Premier League clubs “, Premier League’s, ” CNN, The Times, European Super League, National League, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City –, Reuters, Nottingham, “ Premier League, Leicester City, Leicester Locations: Istanbul, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, France, Europe, England’s, Britain's

☆ World’s busiest airports: There’s a new No. 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Globe-trotters are on the move again in a big way, boosting the rankings of a handful of international aviation hubs on the list of the world’s busiest airports. With 104.7 million passengers in 2023, Dubai’s not nipping at its heels just yet. Tokyo International Airport, commonly known as Haneda Airport, leapt up from No. Tokyo Haneda, Japan (HND): 78.7 million passengers; up 55.1% from 20226. Los Angeles, California (LAX): 75.1 million passengers; up 13.8% from 20229.

Persons: Atlanta’s, ”, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, de Oliveira, Dubai’s, Kamran Jebreili, Issei Kato, Indira, ” de Oliveira Organizations: CNN — Globe, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson International, “, ACI, Asia Pacific, Atlanta, Chicago, London Heathrow, Tokyo International Airport, Haneda Airport, Reuters, Indira Gandhi International, Air India, IndiGo, Boeing, Aircraft, Hartsfield, Jackson, United Arab Emirates, London, Tokyo, Chicago O’Hare Locations: Dubai, “ Dubai, East, Asia, Atlanta, United States, Dallas, Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Japan, Haneda, Reuters Istanbul’s, New Delhi, India, Jackson Atlanta , Georgia, United Arab, Fort Worth , Texas, DFW, London Heathrow, United Kingdom, Tokyo Haneda, Denver , Colorado, Istanbul, Turkey, Los Angeles , California, Chicago O’Hare , Illinois, ORD, Delhi

☆ Turkey restricts exports to Israel, saying its request to airdrop aid to Gaza was denied
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Scott Mclean | Caitlin Danaher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Istanbul/London CNN —Turkey has announced restrictions on exports to Israel after the Turkish foreign minister accused Israel of denying a request to airdrop aid to Gaza. Speaking at a press conference in Ankara late Monday, the Turkish foreign minister said Turkey was taking “a series of new measures against Israel” after Israel had denied its request to join a Jordanian aid operation. “Today we learned that our request, which was welcomed by the Jordanian authorities, was rejected by Israel,” Hakan Fidan said. Along with the United Arab Emirates, Turkey is the biggest donor of aid to Gaza, according to Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. In a statement Tuesday, the CHP criticized the Turkish government for continuing to trade with Israel despite publicly condemning its attacks on Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Israel ”, ” Hakan Fidan, Gazans, ”, Israel Katz, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “, ” Katz, ” “, ” Volkan Demir, Lauren Izso, Anna Cooban Organizations: London CNN, Turkish Ministry of Trade, Israel, United Arab, Republican People’s Party, CHP Locations: Istanbul, London, Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Ankara, Jordanian, Territories, United States, ” “ Israel, United Arab Emirates, CHP’s, Tel Aviv

☆ Fenerbahçe players walk out of Super Cup final after a minute of play as club calls for ‘reset of Turkish football’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | Tanem Zaman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Turkish soccer club Fenerbahçe called for a “reset of Turkish football” before staging a walkout one minute into the Super Cup final against Galatasaray on Sunday, conceding the trophy. “It is time for a ‘reset’ for Turkish football. According to state news agency TRT, a decision about the abandoned Super Cup match will be made by the TFF. Turkish football has been engulfed in chaos recently with several high-profile incidents. Trabzonspor, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have previously called for the resignation of TFF president Mehmet Büyükekşi and the current board.

Persons: Fenerbahçe, Mauro Icardi, Ali Koç, ”, Erden Timur, Stringer, Faruk Koca, Mehmet Büyükekşi Organizations: CNN, Turkish, Fenerbahçe, Super, Galatasaray, Sunday, Galatasaray’s Argentine, ” Galatasaray, Reuters CNN, Turkish Football Federation, TRT, TFF, Trabzonspor, Turkish Lira, Lig, club Ankaragücü, FIFA Locations: Istanbul, Turkish, Turkey

☆ Russ Cook completes epic odyssey after running the entire length of Africa in just under a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —After setting off from South Africa just under a year ago, Russ Cook finally reached the Tunisian coast on Sunday to bring his epic odyssey to an end. Supported by a loyal skeleton crew throughout the run, Cook has amassed a huge social media following and has raised over $965,000 for a number of charities. Starting at the most southerly point in South Africa, Cook ran all the way to Tunisia. The ‘why’ behind the runBefore setting off, Cook had aimed to have the mission finished by Christmas, targeting running 360 marathons in 240 days. “When I’m an old man, sitting in my rocking chair, with 18 grandchildren running around, I’ll have a few stories to knock back.

Persons: Russ Cook, ’, Cook, – Cook, Guus Van Veen Cook, hasn’t, ’ ”, “, ” Organizations: CNN, YouTube, CNN Sport, Christmas, Africa Locations: South Africa, Tunisian, Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Istanbul, London

☆ Trump recently spoke to his old 'friend,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former President Donald Trump recently spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, per the NYT. Trump once called the Saudi ruler "a friend of mine" whom he'd protected from congressional scrutiny. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump recently spoke to his old "friend" and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Related storiesThat Trump has carried on his relationship with the Saudi ruler isn't too surprising. AdvertisementTrump also claimed that he'd protected the Saudi Crown Prince from congressional scrutiny following the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Persons: Donald Trump, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump, —, Trump's, isn't, Jared Kushner, Jamal Khashoggi, Bob Woodward Organizations: MBS, Saudi Consulate, Service, The New York Times, White, The Times, Times, Representatives, Trump, Saudi, Trump Organization, Reuters, Business Insider Locations: Saudi, American, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Istanbul

☆ Turkey's inflation climbs to 68.5% despite continued rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cagla Gurdogan | ReutersTurkey's annual inflation rose to 68.5% for the month of March, an increase on February's 67.1% inflation read, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute's report released Wednesday. Turkey has launched a concerted effort to tackle soaring inflation with interest rate hikes, most recently raising the country's key rate from 45% to 50% in late March. watch nowMuch of the inflation in recent months stems from a significant increase to the minimum wage that Turkey's government mandated for 2024. Economists expect further rate hikes from the central bank will be necessary. Turkey's central bank implemented eight consecutive interest rate hikes from June 2023 to January 2024, totaling a cumulative 3,650 basis points.

Persons: Cagla Gurdogan, Nicholas Farr, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Umit Bektas Organizations: Reuters, Economics, Istanbul Mayor, Republican People's Party Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Europe, London, Istanbul Metropolitan, Istanbul

☆ Opinion: Despite ISIS threat, Putin’s only concern is the politics of terrorism
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Opinion Douglas London | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Russia knows it has a terrorist problem, despite its deflection and spin to preserve Putin’s image, but his priorities are elsewhere. Russian intelligence also suffers from systemic failings in recognizing, penetrating and dismantling terrorist cells, failings that stem from doctrine and a deliberately stovepiped structure that obstructs information sharing and agility. FSB officers will coerce, threaten and intimidate potential sources with diminishing returns that will only fuel ISIS-K recruitment and fundraising, which is no doubt seeing a surge from its Moscow attack. Russian intelligence will be left to depend on the unwilling, ill-informed or duplicitous. At the Islamic State’s height, Tajik Gulmurod Khalimov commanded its Iraqi capital of Mosul.

Persons: Douglas London, ”, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Bortnikov, Douglas, Mike Pompeo, Russia’s, Sergey Naryshkin, Igor Korobov, Donald Trump, Pompeo, Russia Michael McFaul, Barack Obama, Trump, Putin, Gulmurod Khalimov, Khalimov, “ Omar al, “ Omar, ” Batirashvili, Washington, Sergei Skripal, Yulia Organizations: CIA, of American Intelligence, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Global National Security Institutes, CNN, Federal Security Service, CBC, Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Russian Military Intelligence, Trump, White, ISIS, Central, Former, Terrorism, Embassy, K’s, Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry, Islamic Locations: South, Southwest Asia, London, Khorasan, United States, Afghanistan, Islamic State, Great Britain, Russia, Washington, State, Moscow, Syria, Iraq, Russian, US, Ukraine, St . Petersburg, Central Asia, Central Asian, Central, East, Turkey, Turkish, Istanbul, Mosul, Chechen, Georgian, Georgia, Iran, Kerman, Salisbury, England

☆ Fire at Istanbul nightclub kills dozens during renovation work, state media says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Tanem Zaman | Hande Atay Alam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —At least 29 people have died in a blaze which started during daytime repair work at a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, state media reported Tuesday. A further eight people were injured, with seven of those in serious condition, the Istanbul governor’s office said. ET), state media reported, at a 16-story block on Gundogdu Street, a busy part of Istanbul’s Gayrettepe neighborhood. The blaze started during renovations at the site, which is located underground, says Anadolu, the Turkish news state agency. Arrest warrants for five people have been issued, including three people who managed the nightclub and one responsible for the renovation, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc wrote on X.

Persons: Yilmaz Tunc, ” Organizations: CNN, Besiktas, Turkish Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul’s Gayrettepe, Anadolu, Turkish

☆ 29 Killed in Fire at Istanbul Nightclub
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Safak Timur | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A fire Tuesday at a popular Istanbul nightclub that was undergoing renovations killed 29 people and injured one, the governor’s office said. The authorities said the renovation work at the club, Masquerade, may have caused the fire, which took place while the club was closed to the public. The dead and injured included construction workers, the governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul, said in televised remarks. The police arrested six people in connection with the fire, including two partners of the club, two managers, a person who was in charge of renovation work and an accountant, the governor’s office said, but no charges were immediately disclosed. The nightclub is on the two basement floors of a 16-story residential building in downtown Istanbul, raising questions about whether it was following fire regulations including those requiring proper evacuation routes and the use of fire-retardant material.

Persons: Davut Gul Locations: Istanbul

☆ Turkey's opposition party just won the local elections. It could prompt a change in the country's relationship with Russia.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Turkey's President's AK Party lost major local elections in Istanbul and Ankara. AdvertisementThe Turkish party led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suffered big losses in local elections held on Sunday. But an opposition victory in the majority of the largest Turkish cities would have "a dampening effect on President Erdoğan's prestige at home," they wrote. Advertisement"The extent to which President Erdoğan can exercise his personal power at home will be a crucial factor that determines Turkey's international behavior," they added. To be sure, the elections on Sunday were local — Erdoğan already won the presidential election in May, securing another term for five years.

Persons: Turkey's, —, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ekrem Imamoğlu, Erdoğan, Vladimir Putin —, Putin, Marc Pierieni, Francesco Siccardi, Erdoğan's, Russia —, Hakan Akbas, Albright, Erdogan Organizations: Turkey's President's AK Party, Service, CHP, Reuters, AK Party, AFP, NATO, Erdoğan's AK Party, Turkish, Carnegie, West, Sunday, AK, Group, AK Party's Locations: Istanbul, Ankara, Russia, Turkey, Carnegie Europe, Ukraine, Moscow, Europe, —

☆ Turkey’s main opposition party wins major cities in elections blow to Erdogan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Scott Mclean | Mohammed Tawfeeq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Istanbul CNN —Turkey’s local elections on Sunday marked a major defeat for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, as the main opposition party claimed victory in key cities including Istanbul and Ankara. After his presidential victory, Erdogan had his sights on reclaiming cities lost to the opposition in 2019. Preliminary official results showed the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) had won 49 out of 81 municipalities including 14 out of 30 urban areas in the country, Turkey’s High Electoral Council said. The AK Party lost 10 Istanbul districts to rivals in the latest election. “Unfortunately, we could not get the result we wanted and hoped for in the local election test,” Erdogan said in a speech delivered Monday at AK Party headquarters in Ankara.

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Ekrem, Mansur Yavas, Tugay, ” Imamoglu, ”, Beyoglu, ” Erdogan Organizations: Istanbul CNN —, Development, Party, Republican People’s Party, Electoral, CHP, TRT, Nationwide, “, Erdogan, Welfare Party, AK Party –, AK Party Locations: Istanbul, Ankara, Turkey, Izmir, “ Istanbul, Sunday’s

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