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☆ From Trump and Turkey, to Russia and Iran — Syria's regime change has huge global consequences
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

TOPSHOT - This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty ImagesThe dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle Eastern country, global alliances and markets, according to analysts. An anti-government fighter holds a weapon as he keeps position near a defaced portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the city of Hama after forces captured the central Syrian city, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images"The rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Damascus will have repercussions well beyond Syria. Russia weakenedThe other most notable "loser" from Assad's overthrow is his ally and backer Russia, which has helped prop up Assad's regime since the start of the civil war.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Omar Haj Kadour, Sham, —, Holger Schmieding, Schmieding, Donald Trump, Bill Blain, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Julien De Rosa, Blain, Piccoli, Tayyip Erdogan, Thaier, David Roche, Trump, Iran's, " Roche, Vladimir Putin, Louai Beshara Organizations: Afp, Getty, Berenberg Bank, U.S, United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, sudani, Reuters, Quantum, Russia, Russian Federation Locations: Hama's, Damascus, Russia, Syria, Iran, Syrian, U.S, Turkey, Israel, Hama, Lebanon, Europe, Elysee, Paris, Ankara, Dubai, United Arab, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Hmeimim, Syria's, Tartus

☆ A Parade of Mermaids Marches On in Brooklyn’s Coney Island
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Sean Piccoli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Dolly McDermott and her mother, Patricia McDermott, were making their way along Surf Avenue on Coney Island shortly after noon on Saturday. They were trying to get to the registration table for Brooklyn’s annual Mermaid Parade, but it was slow going — spectators kept asking them to pose for pictures. The daughter was wearing light-rimmed sunglasses, peach-colored frills, necklaces, bangles, and a foam seashell anchored to her back. Her mother struck a gothic contrast in black and white, with face paint and a full mermaid skeleton running the length of her outfit. “It’s taken us half an hour to walk this far,” the younger Ms. McDermott, an artist and a self-styled “professional eccentric,” said.

Persons: Dolly McDermott, Patricia McDermott, “ It’s, McDermott, ” Locations: Coney

☆ It's too early to write off Turkey's Erdogan, consultancy says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailIt's too early to write off Turkey's Erdogan, consultancy saysWolfango Piccoli, co-president, political risk advisory at Teneo, discusses Turkey's opposition victory across several major cities in the country's local elections Sunday, which dealt a severe blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party.

Persons: Turkey's Erdogan, Wolfango Piccoli, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's

The top appeals court, or Yargitay, took the unprecedented step of making a criminal complaint against Constitutional Court judges on Wednesday, arguing that their ruling last month in favour of releasing Atalay was unconstitutional. "The Court of Cassation (Yargitay) has committed a crime by not recognising the Constitutional Court decision. He called for compliance with the Constitutional Court ruling and said the Yargitay appeals court judges should be put under investigation. The Istanbul Bar Association said on Thursday it had filed a criminal complaint against the Yargitay judges involved in the case on the grounds of misconduct and "depriving a person of liberty". Rule of law, predictability and trust are fundamental for investors and Turkey’s record in this front was and still is miserable."

Persons: Erkan, Sera Kadigil, Ahmet Sik, Umit, Osman, Tayyip Erdogan, Ozgur Urfa, Erdogan, Mehmet Ucum, Mehmet Simsek, Central Bank Governor Hafize Gaye Erkan, Wolfango Piccoli, Daren Butler, Alex Richardson Organizations: Workers ' Party of Turkey, Turkish, REUTERS, Rights, Constitutional, Cassation, Twitter, Istanbul Bar Association, Central Bank Governor, Ece, Thomson Locations: Ankara, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Istanbul

Hundreds of protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war streamed into Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, in one of the largest protests New York City has seen since the start of the conflict three weeks ago. The demonstration, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, came as Israel ramped up its military operations inside Gaza. The protesters filled the train station, chanting, “Cease-fire now” and “Let Gaza live.” Most wore black shirts that read “not in our name.” One police officer estimated that there were as many as 1,000 protesters. Steve Auerbach, a pediatrician in the city, said he was concerned about the children caught in the middle of the conflict. “Calling for a cease-fire should be considered a mainstream, normative position.”Banners declaring “Palestinians should be free” and “Israelis demand cease-fire now” were unfurled over stairwell banisters in the terminal.

Persons: Israel ramped, ”, Steve Auerbach Organizations: Central, New, Jewish Voice, Peace, “, ” Locations: Israel, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, Gaza

☆ Fury grows in Turkey against Israel, fresh protests planned
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ece Toksabay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Palestinian officials said the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital was caused by an Israeli air strike. Israel blamed the blast on a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which denied responsibility. President Tayyip Erdogan called the blast "the latest example of Israeli attacks devoid of the most basic human values". Following the NSC's appeal, Israeli airlines said they were arranging flights from Istanbul on Wednesday for Israelis who want to leave Turkey. Political analysts said the Gaza hospital blast could have dire consequences for ties between Israel and Turkey.

Persons: Dilara, Israel, Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Mert Ozkan, Huseyin Hayatsever, Daren Butler, Steven Scheer, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Turkish, Islamic, National Security Council, Wednesday, Police, NATO, Ece Toksabay, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Al, Ahli, Gaza, Istanbul, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Arabi, Israel, Ankara, Police, Turkey's, Teneo, Jerusalem

Palestinian officials said the blast at Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital was caused by an Israeli air strike. Israel blamed the blast on a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which denied responsibility. Following the NSC's appeal, Israeli airlines arranged flights from Istanbul late on Wednesday for Israelis who want to leave Turkey. Protesters held fresh demonstrations near consulates of Israel and the United States in Istanbul on Wednesday evening. Political analysts said the Gaza hospital blast could have dire consequences for ties between Israel and Turkey.

Persons: Dilara, Israel, Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Mert Ozkan, Huseyin Hayatsever, Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen, Umit Bektas, Mehmet Emin Caliskan, Steven Scheer, Gareth Jones, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, National Security Council, Istanbul, Police, Protesters, U.S, Embassy, NATO, Ece Toksabay, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Al, Ahli, Gaza, Istanbul, Turkey, Rights ANKARA, Israel, Arabi, Ankara, Police, Turkey's, United States, U.S, Adana, Teneo, Jerusalem

☆ Problems between Russia and the West will not end with Putin, Teneo co-president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailProblems between Russia and the West will not end with Putin, Teneo co-president saysWolfango Piccoli, co-president, political risk advisory at Teneo, says a new Russian government similar to President Vladimir Putin could emerge.

Persons: Putin, Teneo, Wolfango Piccoli, Vladimir Putin Locations: Russia

☆ Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis wins repeat election, securing clear parliamentary majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Elinda Labropoulou | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece’s center-right New Democracy party, has won a second four-year term as prime minister. During his election campaign, Mitsotakis vowed to further extend a 35-kilometer fence at the Greek-Turkey border, to block migrants trying to enter Greece. Fueled by May’s initial election results, Greek bonds and stocks have rallied with optimism that a pro-investment government could prevent financial backsliding. Other fringe far-right entries to the race included the nationalist party Greek Solution and the ultra-religious, anti-abortion Niki. “But despite the populist cacophony, Mitsotakis’ strong victory provides the new government a clear mandate to govern.”

Persons: Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mitsotakis, ”, “, Syriza, “ Mitsotakis, Nick Malkoutzis, ” Mitsotakis, Alexis Tsipras –, –, Tsipras, Wolfgango Piccoli, Vassiliki Georgiadou, Ilias Kasidiaris, Niki Organizations: CNN, Democracy, New Democracy, PASOK, KKE, Panteion University, Spartans, Nazi, Freedom Locations: Greece, Pylos, Turkey, Europe, New, Athens, Golden

The central bank's first female governor, Erkan is also its fifth chief in four years, underlining the challenge she may face delivering a lasting policy turnaround after Erdogan has all but stamped out the bank's independence in recent years. Analysts now expect Turkey's central bank to hike interest rates to between 20% and 25% from 8.5% as soon as this month. ORTHODOX FINANCE MINISTERErdogan, a self-proclaimed "enemy" of interest rates, has pressed the central bank to deliver stimulus in recent years and has been quick to replace its governor. The central bank slashed its policy rate to 8.5% from 19% in 2021, leaving real rates deeply negative and the lira largely managed by dozens of regulations covering credit and foreign exchange. But the last central bank governor to raise rates, Naci Agbal, was fired in 2021 after less than five months on the job.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Hafize Gaye Erkan, Goldman Sachs, Erdogan's, Erdogan, Kavcioglu, Selva Demiralp, Mehmet Simsek, Simsek, Erkan, Naci Agbal, Marsh, Kathryn Wylde, Wylde, Ali Kucukgocment, Jonathan Spicer, Daren Butler, Cynthia Osterman, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Lira, First Republic Bank, Official Gazette, Koc University, U.S . Federal Reserve, Princeton University, First, JPMorgan, Analysts, FINANCE, Greystone, Partnership, New, Thomson Locations: ISTANBUL, United States, unorthodoxy, Erkan, U.S, New York City

☆ Erdogan considering Erkan as Turkey cenbank chief, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Orhan Coskun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Erkan met with Mehmet Simsek, Turkey's newly-appointed treasury and finance minister, in Ankara on Monday, one of the sources said. The two sources told Reuters she is set to meet Erdogan soon to discuss the possible role. Turkey's policy rate was cut to 8.5% from 19% in 2021, setting off a historic currency crash in late 2021. Erkan would be the country's fifth central bank chief in four years. The central bank has been the linchpin of Erdogan's programme of monetary stimulus and targeted credit to boost economic growth, exports and investments.

Persons: Erdogan, Tayyip Erdogan, Hafize Gaye Erkan, Erkan, Mehmet Simsek, Sahap Kavcioglu, Goldman Sachs, Simsek, Kathryn Wylde, Wylde, Naci Agbal, Marsh, Jonathan Spicer, Daren Butler, Angus MacSwan, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, First Republic Bank, Treasury, Ivy League, Princeton, New, First, JPMorgan, Greystone, Thomson Locations: Turkey, ANKARA, United States, Ankara, New York City, U.S

☆ Turkish lira teeters near record low as Erdogan secures victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A U.S. one dollar banknote is seen next to Turkish lira banknotes in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Turkey November 23, 2021. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/IllustrationLONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira wobbled near record lows against the dollar as President Tayyip Erdogan secured victory in the country's presidential election on Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade. The currency was at 20.05 to the dollar during Asian hours, just shy of the 20.06 record low hit on Friday. "Only the most optimistic would hope that Erdogan now feels sufficiently secure politically to revert to orthodox economic policy." "Erdogan is unlikely to embrace an outright economic orthodox approach," Wolfango Piccoli, co-president at advisory firm Teneo said in emailed comments.

☆ Turkish lira slips as Erdogan claims victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A U.S. one dollar banknote is seen next to Turkish lira banknotes in this illustration taken in Istanbul, Turkey November 23, 2021. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/IllustrationLONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira slipped towards a fresh record low against the dollar as President Tayyip Erdogan claimed victory in the country's presidential election on Sunday, a win that would steer his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade. The currency opened at 20.05 to the dollar as the new trading week got underway, not far off the 20.06 record low hit on Friday. Trading is expected to be thin on Monday, with many markets in Europe, as well as the United States closed for holidays. Reporting by Karin Strohecker and Ezgi Erkoyun, editing by Alexander Smith and Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

A new electoral system means New Democracy fell just shy of an absolute majority, paving the way for coalition talks this week though a second vote in June is more likely. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emerged stronger despite a wiretapping scandal, the COVID pandemic, a cost of living crisis and a deadly rail crash in February which triggered public outrage. "I think what Syriza missed was the willingness of the electorate to move away from the crisis politics era. That is what Mitsotakis understood whereas Syriza didn't," said Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of political risk advisory at Teneo. Another leftist party, MeRA25, led by Varoufakis, used a similarly cryptic slogan "Alliance for the Rupture".

☆ Political stability, reforms and Covid recovery fund behind Greece's growth, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPolitical stability, reforms and Covid recovery fund behind Greece's growth, analyst saysWolfango Piccoli, co-president at Teneo, discusses the Greek election and the country's economic outlook.

☆ Greek elections: Ruling conservatives take lead but fail to secure majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Elinda Labropoulou | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If he fails to form a coalition, a caretaker government will be sworn in and a second vote will take place in late June or early July. “Neither of the two main parties are new to the scene. The turmoil, which one political party referred to as “Greek Watergate,” forced a number of high-profile departures. The most likely scenario is that a caretaker government will be sworn in and a second vote will take place, most likely, in early July. They are expected to rally behind the main parties in a second election where they will want to see a strong government emerge.

☆ Turkey's lira sinks to two-month low in post-election trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira slipped to a fresh two-month low as financial markets kicked off trading in the wake of the country's Sunday presidential and parliamentary election with the race for presidency appearing headed for a runoff. The currency weakened to 19.70 to the dollar before retracing some of its losses to 19.66, on track for its worst session since early November. "It is hard to foresee a market-positive scenario emerging from today’s double vote in Turkey," Wolfgango Piccoli at Teneo wrote in a note to clients. Analysts expect the lira to face sharp adjustments in the wake of the elections following years of economic imbalances and unorthodox monetary policy. The lira, which is prone to sharp swings before regular trading hours, has weakened 5% since the start of the year.

A New York Times analysis of about 30 false business records cases brought by Mr. Bragg and his predecessor — based on court records, interviews and information the office provided — shows that in this respect, the case against Mr. Trump stands apart. In all but two of the indictments reviewed by The Times, the defendant was charged with an additional crime on top of the false records charge. The decision to charge Mr. Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records — and no other crimes — highlights the unique nature of the case, the first indictment of a former American president. Mr. Bragg, a Democrat, has drawn criticism from Mr. Trump’s allies, who say that he bumped up the charges to a felony for political reasons. Mr. Bragg also said, at a news conference on the day of Mr. Trump’s arraignment, that an option for the second crime could be a federal election law violation, under the theory that the hush money illegally aided Mr. Trump’s candidacy.

☆ The Obscure G.O.P. Bookkeeper at the Center of the George Santos Mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Grace Ashford | Nicholas Fandos | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The degree to which Ms. Marks was aware of Mr. Santos’s numerous biographical deceptions is not clear. In May 2021, Red Strategies USA was born. The placements cost $3,800, though Mr. Hafizi paid Red Strategies $12,000, according to a person with direct knowledge of the arrangement. Red Strategies was not the only company Mr. Hafizi patronized that was tied to Ms. Marks, who was also his treasurer. By then, Ms. Marks and Mr. Santos were just a few weeks from an unlikely upset victory that would alter the course of their careers.

The polls also show the opposition bloc, called the Nation Alliance, leading the parliamentary race, at least six points ahead of Erdogan's AK Party (AKP) and its allies. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) remains comfortably above 10%. A poll conducted on March 6-7 by Alf Research showed Kilicdaroglu at 55.1% and Erdogan on 44.9%. Piar Research showed Kilicdaroglu winning with 57.1%, with Erdogan lagging on 42.9%. ORC Research showed Kilicdaroglu ahead with 56.8% and Erdogan on 43.2%, according to a poll conducted on March 4-6, before Kilicdaroglu was officially announced as the opposition candidate.

Speaking at party headquarters in Ankara, the leader of Turkey's right-wing IYI Party, Meral Aksener, said the other five parties in the alliance had put forward Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), as their presidential candidate. But Aksener said her party, the second biggest in the alliance, would not "bow down" to pressure to accept him. "It is no longer a platform through which potential candidates can be discussed but a table that works to rubber-stamp a single candidate," she said. "Just like over the past 20 years, the opposition turned out to be President Tayyip Erdogan’s greatest asset," Piccoli wrote. "With the main opposition bloc in disarray, Erdogan is now much better positioned to prevail on 14 May."

☆ Composition of the new Italian government a challenge, Teneo analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailComposition of the new Italian government a challenge, Teneo analyst saysWolfango Piccoli, co-president of Teneo, discusses the composition of the new Italian government, which politicians will most likely become ministers, and what it all means for Italy's recovery plan.

☆ Italy election set to crown Meloni head of most right-wing govt since WW2
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, speaks during a rally in Duomo square ahead of the Sept. 25 snap election, in Milan, Italy, September 11, 2022. "There is this idea in Italy that we have tried everyone else, so let's try her now," said Wolfango Piccoli, the co-president of political risk consultancy Teneo. But on the campaign trail she has been careful not to alienate those core supporters who associate with the far-right. Voting runs on Sunday from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. (0500-2100 GMT), with full results due by Monday morning. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Crispian Balmer Editing by Raissa KasolowskyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ The far-right is expected to win Italy's election in Rome's biggest political shift for decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Brothers of Italy party stands out from the crowd and is expected to gain the largest share of the vote for a single party. Giorgia Meloni, leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) holds a giant Italian national flag during a political rally on February 24, 2018 in Milan, Italy. The snap election follows the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi in July, after he failed to unite a fractious political coalition behind his economic policies. An election win by Fratelli d'Italia could see the party's leader, Giorgia Meloni, become Italy's first female prime minister. Fratelli d'Italia has been pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine and supports sanctions against Russia, unlike Lega which is ambivalent about those measures.

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