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Donald Tusk, leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), speaks after the exit poll results are announced in Warsaw, Poland, October 15, 2023. A late Ipsos exit poll published early on Monday gave PiS 36.6% of the vote, which would translate into 198 lawmakers in the 460-seat lower house of parliament. RECORD TURNOUTThe late exit poll had been delayed, and some commentators linked this to a record turnout of nearly 73%, the highest since the fall of communism in 1989. Tusk, 66, was jubilant following the announcement of the first exit poll results on Sunday. This is the end of the PiS government," he told party members.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Kacper, Tusk, Donald Tusk's, Cezary Tomczyk, Andrzej Duda, Duda, Mateusz Morawiecki, Joachim Brudzinski, Brudzinski, Wladysław Kosiniak, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Lidia Kelly, Alan Charlish, Shri Navaratnam, Gareth Jones Organizations: Civic Coalition, REUTERS, EU WARSAW, European Union, Law, Justice, European, EU, TVN, Polish Peasants's Party, Local, Democracy, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, Brussels, Europe, Wrocław, Gdansk, Melbourne

"Public media are paid for with our taxes in order to give citizens access to fair information. And that's particularly important at... election time," said Joanna Krawczyk from the German Marshall Fund, a think-tank. PiS says private media outlets such as Warner Bros' (WBD.O) TVN often distort public debate by representing foreign interests. This perceived bias in public broadcasting has exacerbated political divisions in Polish society. "When she watches TVP, he goes to the kitchen."

Persons: Kacper, TVP, Szalai, RSF, Joanna Krawczyk, KRRiT, PiS, Grzegorz Lewandowski, Donald Tusk, Alan Charlish, Gareth Jones Organizations: Telewizja Polska SA, REUTERS, Sunday Government, WARSAW, Law and Justice, Media, German Marshall Fund, European Union, Civic Coalition, Reuters, Warner Bros, TVN, European Centre for Press, Media Freedom, Thomson Locations: Warsaw, Poland, TVP, Sochaczew, Hungary, Turkey, Russia

☆ Poland's elections this weekend could mark a crossroad for EU solidarity — and Ukraine support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Leader of Civic Coalition Party, Donald Tusk delivers a speech during the Women for Elections Campaign rally on October 10, 2023 in Lodz, Poland. EU tiesLaw and Justice's leadership has seen Poland's relationship with the EU and its various institutions become increasingly strained. It resulted in Morawiecki saying last month that his country would no longer supply weapons to Ukraine as it was "now arming Poland." Poland's vote follows elections in neighbor Slovakia which saw populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico return to power. Hungary's firebrand rightwing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has persistently used inflammatory language regarding the EU, attacking it repeatedly on social media.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Omar Marques, Tusk, —, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Mateusz Morawiecki, Morawiecki, Robert Fico, Fico, Viktor Orbán Organizations: Civic Coalition Party, Women, Elections, Getty, European Union —, rightwing Law, Justice, Civic Coalition, European, Law, EU, Nurphoto, Consultancy Eurasia Group, Eurasia Group, Confederation, Ukraine, ING, U.S, NATO, rightwing, European Union Locations: Lodz, Poland, Ukraine, Krakow, Berlin, Brussels, Slovakia, Russia, rightwing, Hungary, Germany

☆ Poland will vote in a pivotal election next week. Its outcome will reverberate in Europe, Ukraine and the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Nonetheless, Poland remains in a powerful position in Europe, and this month’s vote could dramatically flip those dynamics. “Poland is a major player in Europe; it borders Ukraine, it has a major land army, substantial military spending, and is the key hub for supporting Ukraine,” Stola said. Poland pushed European partners to send Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine earlier this year. “One likely outcome is a coalition between PiS and Confederation, and that would be very bad news for Polish-Ukrainian relations,” Kucharczyk said. “Poland has very deep interests in supporting Ukraine,” Kucharczyk added.

Persons: White, Donald Tusk, Poland’s, –, ”, Tusk, ” Jacek Kucharczyk, ” Kucharczyk, Mateusz Morawiecki, Kacper Pempel, Piotr Buras, PiS, ” Buras, ” Dariusz Stola, Poland's, Omar Marques, ” Stola, “, Wojtek Radwanski Organizations: CNN, Justice, European, Tusk’s Civic Coalition, stoke, Public, Warsaw’s Institute of Public Affairs, European Council, Foreign Relations, Communist, EU, Warsaw, Institute of Political, Polish Academy of Sciences, Getty, ”, NATO, PiS, “ Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Brussels, Berlin, Polish, Warsaw, Hungary, Europe, Germany, Russia, ” Kyiv, Washington, Kyiv, AFP, “, Ukrainian, “ Poland

☆ EU accession: List of countries to join the bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

CANDIDATE COUNTRY STATUSTURKEY (candidate since 1999). While still officially a candidate country, Turkey's accession talks with the EU have long been frozen, largely over human rights and governance concerns. It was given the green light for accession talks in 2020 after changing its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia to satisfy Greek sensitivities. The small Balkan country applied for EU membership in 2008. Since 2016, the EU has had a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo that serves as a basis for its accession path.

Persons: Viktor Yanukovych, Jan Strupczewski, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Union, EU, NORTH, European Commission, Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Granada, TURKEY, NORTH MACEDONIA, Macedonia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, MONTENEGRO, SERBIA, ALBANIA, EU, Albania, MOLDOVA, Moldova, UKRAINE, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, BOSNIA, HERZEGOVINA, Bosnia, GEORGIA, Georgia, Tbilisi, KOSOVO, Brussels, Kosovo, Serbia

BRUSSELS, Oct 3 (Reuters) - EU lawmakers on Tuesday voted for draft rules targeting Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O), Meta Platforms (META.O) and other large online platforms' content moderation restrictions after some media outlets complained about arbitrary decisions removing their content. The draft rules require online platforms to carry news content for 24 hours before taking it down if this breaches their content moderation rules. Known as Article 17 of the Media Freedom Act the European Commission proposed last year to ensure media plurality and safeguard editorial independence, the clause has raised alarm bells among online platforms. Media should "be notified of the platform's intention to delete or restrict their content alongside a 24-hour window for the media to respond", lawmakers said in a statement. Lawmakers voted to ban using spyware against journalists unless it can be justified as a last resort measure and also require media to be transparent about their ownership.

Persons: CCIA, Mathilde Adjutor, Foo Yun Chee, Josie Kao Organizations: Google, Media, European Commission, Tech, European, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Europe, Poland

☆ Son of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai says it's in Hong Kong's interest to free him
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sebastien Lai, son of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, holds a sign calling for the release of his father on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, September 27, 2023. Sebastien Lai, who was in Geneva to take part in a British-organised event on media freedom in Hong Kong, has not seen his 75-year-old father in three years. This week he marked his 1,000th day in a Hong Kong prison on charges related to a law on national security that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 after months of anti-government protests. He fears," Sebastien Lai said. Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber in Geneva; Additional reporting by Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Andrea RicciOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai, Gabrielle Tetrault, Farber, he's, Xi Jinping, Rebecca Vincent, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farah Master, Andrea Ricci Organizations: United Nations Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, Apple Daily, China's Communist Party, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hong, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, Geneva, Switzerland, British, Beijing, United Kingdom, United States, China

☆ China urges countries to boycott Hong Kong media freedom event - document
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Emma Farge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The flag alley at the United Nations European headquarters is seen during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, September 11, 2023. The event on Wednesday titled 'Media Freedom in Hong Kong' is being held on the sidelines of the five-week meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council. Britain released a report this month saying that Hong Kong authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law "beyond genuine national security concerns". China, one of the 47 members of the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and seeking re-election next month, has in the past sought to counter criticism of its human rights record. Reporting by Emma Farge; Additional reporting by Greg Torode and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai, China's, Jimmy Lai's, Michelle Bachelet, Emma Farge, Greg Torode, Jessie Pang, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: United Nations, Human Rights, REUTERS, Rights, British, Reuters, Rights Council, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, China, British, Hong Kong, United States, France, Germany, Britain, Beijing, Xinjiang

☆ Head of Hong Kong journalists' group sentenced to jail for obstructing police
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) arrives the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts after been charged with obstructing police, in Hong Kong, China September 22, 2022. Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was detained and handcuffed by two plainclothes officers while covering a story after he failed to hand over his personal identity card. The journalist cannot leave Hong Kong and had to surrender his travel documents. The Hong Kong Journalists Association is one of the last major professional groups in Hong Kong advocating fundamental rights and press freedoms, following the enactment in June 2020 of a national security law by Chinese authorities. ($1 = 7.8156 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting By Jessie Pang; writing by Greg Torode; editing by Mark Heinrich and Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ronson Chan, Tyrone Siu, Hong Kong's, Chan, Leung Ka, Leung, Jessie Pang, Greg Torode, Mark Heinrich, Toby Chopra Organizations: Hong Kong Journalists Association, REUTERS, Tyrone, Chan HK, Thomson Locations: Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Britain, Beijing

☆ South Korea opposition leader ends 24-day hunger strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, speaks at campaign rally while campaigning for the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Korea's opposition leader ended a 24-day hunger strike on Saturday, a party spokesperson said, two days after parliament voted to let prosecutors serve an arrest warrant against him for alleged bribery. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will maintain a schedule including court attendance while hospitalised for the time being, the spokesman told reporters. Lee, who lost South Korea's presidential election to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol last year, has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations "fiction" and a "political conspiracy". South Korea is to hold parliamentary elections in April.

Persons: Lee Jae, myung, Kim Hong, Lee, . Lee, Yoon Suk Yeol, Joyce Lee, William Mallard Organizations: South Korea's Democratic Party, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Party of Korea, Prosecutors, South, Police, Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Gyeonggi Province, Seongnam, ., Lee's

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — In the first Asian Games since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, two teams of athletes are arriving in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, looking very different. The games official opening ceremony is on Saturday. They have barred women from most areas of public life such as parks, gyms and work and cracked down on media freedoms. They have banned girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade, and prohibited Afghan women from working at local and non-governmental organizations. Rahimi said that the previous government had been working hard to increase women's participation in sport since the previous Taliban regime, and that it had increased to 20%.

Persons: Atel, Hafizullah Wali Rahimi, ”, Rahimi, they'll Organizations: —, Asian Games, Olympic, Associated Press, Afghanistan's National Olympic, NATO, United Nations Locations: HANGZHOU, China, Afghanistan, Hangzhou, Taliban, Afghan, Iran, Italy, Australia

☆ S. Korea opposition leader hospitalised after hunger strike, prosecutors seek arrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, speaks at campaign rally while campaigning for the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 18 (Reuters) - South Korea's main opposition leader was hospitalised on Monday, days into a hunger strike in protest against government policies, while prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for him over corruption allegations. Hours after Lee was transferred to a hospital, prosecutors said they had requested an arrest warrant for him as part of an investigation into a development project and bribery allegations. Prosecutors also accused Lee of bribery in connection with a company suspected of $8 million in illegal money transfers to North Korea. Parliament rejected their previous request for an arrest warrant in February.

Persons: Lee Jae, myung, Kim Hong, Kim Gi, Lee, Prosecutors, Yoon Suk, 1,327.4000, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyonhee Shin, Gerry Doyle Organizations: South Korea's Democratic Party, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Party of Korea, National Assembly, Power Party, Seongnam Development Corporation, Thomson Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, Seongnam, North Korea

☆ S. Korea Opposition Leader Hospitalised After Hunger Strike, Prosecutors Seek Arrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Soo-hyang ChoiSEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's main opposition leader was hospitalised on Monday, days into a hunger strike in protest against government policies, while prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for him over corruption allegations. Hours after Lee was transferred to a hospital, prosecutors said they had requested an arrest warrant for him as part of an investigation into a development project and bribery allegations. Prosecutors also accused Lee of bribery in connection with a company suspected of $8 million in illegal money transfers to North Korea. A Seoul court needs the 300-member parliament, where the Democrats hold a majority, to waive Lee's immunity from arrest to review the prosecution's request. Parliament rejected their previous request for an arrest warrant in February.

Persons: hyang Choi SEOUL, Lee Jae, myung, Kim Gi, Lee, Prosecutors, Yoon Suk, 1,327.4000, Soo, hyang Choi, Hyonhee Shin, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Democratic Party of Korea, National Assembly, Power Party, Seongnam Development Corporation Locations: Seoul, Seongnam, North Korea

☆ Lachlan Murdoch pays over $800,000 in legal fees to Australian publisher after abandoning defamation suit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Lachlan Murdoch, Fox Corporation’s chief executive, paid substantial legal fees to Private Media, which publishes the scrappy Australia-based news outlet Crikey, after abandoning his defamation lawsuit against the outlet. So, $1,306,739 Australian ($839,207.39 US) to cover Private Media’s legal costs, more than the $1.1 million Australian ($705,000 US) that had been sought by the outlet. Private Media, which had crowdfunded its legal defense against Murdoch, pledged to donate $588,735 Australian ($377,555 US) — all of the money it had raised — to the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom. Will Hayward, the chief executive of Private Media, said he was “delighted” to be able to donate the funds. “This includes campaigning for a Media Freedom Act, supported by a voluntary membership that will recognize quality journalism.”

Persons: Lachlan Murdoch, Fox, John Churchill, Murdoch, Crikey, unindicted, ”, doesn’t, Donald Trump, “, “ Crikey, Mr Murdoch, Churchill, Will Hayward, ” Hayward, Peter Greste Organizations: CNN, Fox Corporation’s, Private Media, Capitol, Fox Corp ., Fox News, Dominion, Systems, Alliance for Journalists ’ Locations: Australia

A Baidu search for the question "should China be more responsible for climate change? ", or variations of it, did not produce any articles critical of China's climate policy in the first few dozen results. Instead, the results, many from state media outlets, focused on China's leadership in the fight against climate change and calls for developed countries to take more responsibility. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story, but government spokespeople have long defended China's record on climate change and press freedom. Despite the extreme weather, China has reinforced its message about energy security rather than climate change in recent months, said CREA's lead analyst, Lauri Myllyvirta.

Persons: Doksuri, Tingshu Wang, Li Shuo, We're, Su, Fang Kecheng, Pan Zhongdang, Xi Jinping, Li, Lauri Myllyvirta, David Stanway, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Greenpeace, Weibo, Baidu, Chinese University of Hong, Communications, University of Wisconsin, Environmental Studies, New, Centre for Research, Energy, Clean, Thomson Locations: Zhuozhou, Hebei province, China, BEIJING, Beijing, Hebei, Chinese University of Hong Kong, United States, Madison, New York, Shanghai Campus, Shanghai

☆ What Zelensky wanted from NATO – and what he got
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —At last year’s NATO summit in Madrid, the alliance formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its ranks. But NATO membership is far more significant than military hardware, and it may be some time before Kyiv’s final wish is granted. “This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. However, the ultimate goal of NATO membership looks likely to elude Zelensky for some time. Wallace reminded reporters Wednesday that before the summit the question of Ukraine’s NATO membership was still an “if.” Now, it’s a “when.”

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Zaporizhzhia –, Putin’s, ” Zelensky, Pavel Golovkin, Joe Biden, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden, ” “ We’re, We’re, ”, Ben Wallace, Wallace, ” Biden, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Dmytro Kuleba, “, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: CNN, NATO, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sweden’s, AP, Sunday, UK, Getty, Foreign, Twitter Locations: Madrid, Sweden, Finland, Vilnius, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Vilnius ’, Lithuania’s, United States, Russia, NATO, Zelensky, AFP, Kyiv, Vilnius –, Germany, France

☆ Hong Kong pro-democracy radio closes in face of "dangerous" pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, June 30 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's pro-democracy online Citizens' Radio station will cease operations on Friday owing to what its founder described as a "dangerous" political situation and the freezing of its bank account. Tsang also said his radio station's bank account had been frozen, without giving specifics. Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly said that media freedoms are respected and enshrined in city laws. In 2019, four masked men wielding bats and hammers barged in to the radio station after smashing through its glass door. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" agreement aimed a preserving its freedoms for 50 years.

Persons: Kong's, Tsang Kin, Tsang, Hong, Cédric Alviani, OFCA, Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong, Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: Citizens, Apple Daily, Radio, Media, Hong Kong, Communications Authority, Reuters, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, China, Hong Kong, East Asia

☆ UN rights chief urges Tunisian leader to stop curbing media freedoms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS, June 23 (Reuters) - United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk on Friday called on Tunisia to stop restricting media freedoms and said it was criminalizing independent journalism since President Kais Saied seized wide powers in 2021. But activists and journalists say freedom of speech faces a serious threat under Saied's rule. Dozens of journalists and activists protested last month against restrictions of freedoms and trials targeting journalists and bloggers. Turk said that since July 2021, the U.N. Human Rights Office in Tunisia has documented 21 cases of alleged human rights violations against journalists. Saied rejects accusations that is targeting freedoms.

Persons: Volker Turk, Kais Saied, El, Ben Ali, Turk, Saied, Tarek Amara, Mark Heinrich, Angus MacSwan Organizations: United Nations, Tunisians, Human, National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists, Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia

☆ EU countries back draft media rules, publishers want easier merger provisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 21 (Reuters) - EU countries on Wednesday agreed to draft media rules aimed at safeguarding editorial independence, prompting publishers to complain that governments did not do enough to boost consolidation so media companies could compete with Big Tech. EU countries and EU lawmakers are due to negotiate the act with the commission in the coming months before it can become final legislation. EU countries met on Wednesday to agree a common position. Trade body News Media Europe criticised this stand, saying it did not facilitate mergers and acquisitions that would help media outlets compete against big technology companies. "We see dangerous loopholes that refer to national security, which can put journalists and their sources at risk," the EBU said in a statement.

Persons: –, Foo Yun Chee, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Big Tech, European Commission, Media, European Broadcasting Union, EU, News Media Europe, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ Poland slams vote questioning Hungary holding EU presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WARSAW, June 1 (Reuters) - Poland rebuked on Thursday the European Parliament backing a resolution that questions Hungary's ability to hold the European Union presidency next year due to concerns about judicial independence. According to a calendar agreed by all EU governments in 2016, Hungary is to hold the presidency of the bloc between July and December 2024. Hungary and Poland have long been at odds with the EU over multiple issues, such as the rule of law, media freedoms and LGBTQ rights. The EU has frozen billions of euros in funds for Budapest and Warsaw due to its concerns. Hungary has refused to provide any military equipment to its neighbour to help it fight off a Russian invasion, and Hungary has criticised EU sanctions against Moscow.

Persons: Mateusz Morawiecki, Viktor Orban's, Balazs Orban, Alan Charlish, Anna Wlodarczak, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: WARSAW, Parliament, Union, EU, European Union, European Commission, . State Department, Twitter, Moscow, Thomson Locations: Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Brussels, Moldova, Budapest, Warsaw

☆ Opposition Turkish TV probed for 'insulting' election coverage
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Election officials count votes during the second round of the presidential election, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, May 28, 2023. President Tayyip Erdogan extended his two-decade rule in the second round of the election on Sunday. His rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said it was "the most unfair election in years" but did not dispute the outcome. RTUK penalised four television stations in March for their election coverage. International rights groups and Turkish opposition parties have accused the RTUK of attempting to silence opposition media as a tool of the government.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, RTUK, Gurkan Ozturan, Burcu Karakas, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Radio, Television Supreme, Borders, Media, European Centre for Press, Toksabay, Thomson Locations: Diyarbakir, Turkey, Sertac, ANKARA, Turkish, Istanbul, Ankara

☆ Serbia's President Vucic steps down as head of ruling party
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stepped down as leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) at a party congress on Saturday, saying a new approach was needed to unite the country, but said he would remain head of state. Another anti-government protest is scheduled for later on Saturday. Leaders of the SNS accepted Vucic's resignation offer at the party congress in Kragujevac, central Serbia, and appointed defense minister Milos Vucevic to replace him, as Vucic had proposed. Opposition parties and rights watchdogs have long accused Vucic and the SNS of autocracy, stifling media freedoms, violence against political opponents, corruption and ties with organized crime. Vucic and his allies deny the accusations.

[1/5] People attend a protest "Serbia against violence" in reaction to the two mass shootings in the same week, that have shaken the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, May 27, 2023. REUTERS/Marko DjuricaBELGRADE, May 27 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands braved rain and wind in Belgrade on Saturday in an anti-government protest over two mass shootings that killed 18 people, blaming the deaths on a culture of violence that critics say authorities have allowed to permeate society. On May 3 a teenage boy killed nine pupils and a security guard in Belgrade in the first school mass shooting in Serbia, and a day later a 21-year-old man killed eight outside the city. It was the fourth such protest in as many weeks, with demonstrators turning up in similar numbers to the previous three rallies despite bad weather. On Friday, tens of thousands of people bussed-in from across Serbia, neighbouring Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and North Macedonia rallied in the centre of Belgrade in a show of support for Vucic.

BRUSSELS, May 12 (Reuters) - Turkey's elections on Sunday are a key moment not just for the country itself but also for its European neighbours. Its internationally recognised government, composed of Greek Cypriots, is an EU member, while the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state is recognised only by Ankara. However, EU officials see little sign that Kilicdaroglu would change much on Cyprus. EU leaders designated Turkey as a candidate to join the bloc in 2004 but the talks ground to a halt years ago. There is already a lot of European money that has made its way to Turkey," said a European diplomat.

[1/5] People attend a protest "Serbia against violence" in reaction to recent mass shootings that have shaken the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, May 8, 2023. Crowds in numbers not seen in the Balkan country for years, solemnly marched through the city centre behind a banner reading "Serbia Against Violence". Opposition parties and some rights groups accuse President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of autocracy, oppressing media freedoms, violence against political opponents, cronyism, corruption, and ties with organised crime. In response to the shootings, Serbia's police on Monday started a one-month amnesty for surrendering illegal weapons. In addition to existing gun laws, Vucic announced police checks of registered gun owners.

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