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☆ Mother and baby reunited in Turkey nearly two months after earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ISTANBUL, April 3 (Reuters) - A mother has been reunited with her baby in southern Turkey after a DNA test confirmed it was her daughter, almost two months after a devastating earthquake ripped through the region, the country's family ministry said. The minister handed her over to her mother Yasemin Begdas at a hospital in the city of Adana 54 days after the disaster. Earthquake survivor mother Yasemin Begdas reunites with her baby girl Vetin as Derya Yanik, Minister of Family and Social Services, looks on at a hospital in Adana, Turkey March 31, 2023. A DNA test revealed that Yasemin was her mother and the baby was flown back to Adana, where the reunion took place at the hospital treating her. More than 56,000 people were killed by the Feb. 6 earthquake and subsequent tremors, with 50,000 of those in Turkey and the remainder in Syria.

☆ Saudi money is flowing to US media and entertainment, from Live Nation to LIV Golf, 5 years after Jamal Khashoggi's murder: 'The ice has thawed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment. Insider identified some key people connecting Middle East investors with American companies. Saudi Arabia is trying to pitch itself to the world as a cultural and economic reformer and spur tourism. Vince McMahon's WWE has a long-term partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a major live WWE event there slated for May. Vince McMahon's WWE was one of the first US companies to create unique events in Saudi Arabia.

☆ San Diego State Beats Florida Atlantic at the Buzzer to Advance to NCAA Title Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Laine Higgins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lamont Butler of the San Diego State Aztecs hit a game-winning shot as the clock expired to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls, 72-71, in the Final Four. HOUSTON—San Diego State was almost out of time. With the clock ticking down from nine seconds and Florida Atlantic’s defenders charging down the court, junior Lamont Butler ran to the corner of the court, dribbled inside the arc and launched a shot. The lights on the backboard turned red as the buzzer sounded, then his shot fell. The Aztecs were going to the NCAA title game.

☆ San Diego State Beats Florida Atlantic, While UConn Crushes Miami to Advance to NCAA Title Game
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Laine Higgins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Lamont Butler of the San Diego State Aztecs hit a game-winning shot as the clock expired to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls, 72-71, in the Final Four. HOUSTON—San Diego State was almost out of time. The lights on the backboard turned red as the buzzer sounded, then his shot fell. The Aztecs were going to the NCAA title game thanks to a classic buzzer beater. Their opponent in Monday night’s title game will be Connecticut, which has been deep into celebration mode by the time the final buzzer sounded in each of their five tournament games so far.

☆ 'Free doobie on your pillow!': Weed-themed vacations are going viral online as the cannabis tourism industry booms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cannabis tourism is now a $17 billion industry, according to recent data from Forbes. BudandBreakfast.com is a site for travelers to search for stays offering a cannabis friendly experience. The cannabis industry is expected to hit $42 billion in legal sales in the next five years, reports say. Thanks to legal recreational use in 19 states, cannabis tourism is a $17 billion industry, according to data from Forbes. "I've really just tried to give people what they're used to, just with the added element of cannabis," Butler told CNBC.

☆ S&P changes Turkey's outlook to 'negative'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 31 (Reuters) - S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook for Turkey to "negative" from "stable" on Friday, citing vulnerabilities from the country's low policy rates, directed lending and regulatory control on its foreign currency positions and interest rates. And a devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier in February is expected to keep inflation elevated in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14. Turkey's central bank, on Feb. 23, cut its main interest rate to 8.5% to cushion the impact of the earthquake on its economy. "Given Turkey's elevated current account deficits, limited usable reserves, high inflation and reliance on occasional capital inflows, the outlook for the exchange rate remains, at best, uncertain," S&P said in a statement. Reporting by Saikeerthi in Bengaluru, Darren Butler in Ankara; Editing by Shilpi MajumdarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Factbox: Steps in Finnish, Swedish path to NATO membership
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Hungary's parliament approved a bill this week to allow Finland to join NATO after Erdogan declared Turkey was ready to approve that bid. Turkey's parliament is expected to follow through on Erdogan's commitment with a vote this week, clearing the way for Finland to join NATO within weeks. Here are the key steps in Finland's and Sweden's path towards NATO membership so far:FINLAND AND SWEDEN SUBMIT MEMBERSHIP REQUESTThe applications, letters signed by the countries' foreign ministers, were formally handed in by Finland's and Sweden's NATO ambassadors on May 18, 2022. FINLAND FORGES AHEADAll NATO countries must ratify a would-be member's application before it can join the alliance. But NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said getting Sweden's application over the line is a top priority.

☆ Car companies and dealers are so desperate to demystify electric cars that they'll let you drive one for a month before buying
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hyundai launched Evolve+ in February, a program that lets the "EV curious" try driving an electric car for a flat monthly rate. Brad Sowers, president at Jim Butler Auto Group in Fenton, Missouri, offers DriveBLACKTIE, a way to help customers try an EV without a major commitment. But automakers and dealers are desperate to speed up EV adoption, as they spend trillions of dollars to develop and launch new electric cars. EV adoption in the US has been slower than elsewhere across the globe due to a lack of public charging infrastructure, inventory availability, cost, and more. Allowing drivers to take home EVs and try them out could help increase education and familiarity with electric cars, with relatively little effort on the part of automakers and dealers.

☆ Alcaraz dominates Lajovic, Andreescu breezes past Kenin in Miami
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Mar 26, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) hits a forehand against Dusan Lajovic (SRB) (not pictured) on day seven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsMarch 26 (Reuters) - Carlos Alcaraz swatted aside Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-0 7-6(5)to keep his title defense on track at the Miami Open on Sunday, as Canadian Bianca Andreescu cruised past American Sofia Kenin in straight sets. "Everything was under control," said Alcaraz, who greeted the Miami Heat's six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler courtside after the match. Former U.S. Open champion Andreescu harnessed her mighty serve to topple Kenin 6-4 6-4, sending over seven aces as the 2020 Australian Open winner failed to mount much of a defense after an early exit from Indian Wells. Later on Sunday, second-seeded Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka plays 31st seed Marie Bouzkova and last year's twice Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud, seeded third, plays the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp.

No-penalty CD vs. savings account: At a glanceIf you're deciding between a no-penalty CD and a savings account, there are two distinctions you'll want to pay close attention to: the interest rate and when you can deposit or withdraw money. Savings accounts generally offer more flexibility for deposits and withdrawals than a no-penalty CD. If you decide to open a no-penalty CD, you'll also want to pay attention to the CD maturity date. Savings accounts allow more accessibility to your money than a no-penalty CD since you can deposit money into a savings account at any time. You'll likely prefer a savings account over a no-penalty CD if you want more accessibility to your money.

The HDP, parliament's third-biggest party, wants the opposition to back demands for Kurdish rights and other issues. The Kurdish party held talks with Kilicdaroglu on Monday and is expected to announce this week whether it will back him. HDP lawmaker Imam Tascier said Kilicdaroglu had acknowledged the "Kurdish problem", terms reminiscent of language used by Erdogan in earlier years when he was seeking Kurdish support. Now, he said, Erdogan "pushed freedoms, democracy, human rights and the Kurdish problem away with the back of his hand". Yet, legal challenges could derail the role of HDP, which also won almost 12% of the national vote in 2018.

☆ NBA roundup: Spurs overcome 24-point deficit, down Hawks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 22 points in his return to San Antonio after being traded by the Spurs in the offseason. Onyeka Okongwu added 17 points, with Clint Capela racking up 15 points and 12 rebounds. Bam Adebayo supplied 22 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks for Miami. Tyler Herro had 19 points and six rebounds, Caleb Martin tossed in 13 points and Kevin Love added 12 points and eight rebounds. Fred VanVleet's 23 points led four Raptors scoring at least 18.

[1/3] Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto shake hands during their meeting in Ankara, Turkey March 17, 2023. The parliaments of all 30 NATO members must ratify newcomers. "We have decided to initiate the ratification of Finland's accession process to NATO in our parliament," Erdogan told reporters after meeting with Niinisto, adding he hoped parliament would endorse the bid before May 14 elections. Washington and other NATO members had hoped the two Nordic countries would join the alliance at a NATO summit set for July 11 in Vilnius. Turkey's parliament is expected to ratify Finland before it closes in mid-April ahead of the parliamentary and presidential votes scheduled for May 14.

[1/3] Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto shake hands during their meeting in Ankara, Turkey March 17, 2023. The parliaments of all 30 NATO members must ratify newcomers. "We have decided to initiate the ratification of Finland's accession process to NATO in our parliament," Erdogan told reporters after meeting with Niinisto, adding he hoped parliament would endorse the bid before May 14 elections. Amid simmering tensions with Sweden, Erdogan signalled in January that Turkey could endorse Helsinki ahead of Stockholm. Washington and other NATO members had hoped the two Nordic countries would join the alliance at a NATO summit set for July 11 in Vilnius.

☆ Erdogan's party pivots back to orthodox economic policies in draft manifesto -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Orhan Coskun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

ANKARA, March 16 (Reuters) - The draft election manifesto of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party marks a return to more orthodox, free market economic policies, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. According to the sources familiar with the draft, the AK's manifesto for the upcoming election will make no reference to Ankara's more recent economic policies but instead to return to his party's prior, more orthodox approach. "The approach to the economy is very similar to that of the 2002 AK Party election manifesto. He said Erdogan's final approval of the manifesto would be required and so far he had not conveyed any dissenting opinion. If he takes office, a radical change is inevitable in economic policies, the bureaucracy and cabinet members to work in harmony with him," the AKP official said.

☆ Erdogan's AKP party signals return to more orthodox economic policies in draft election manifesto -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Orhan Coskun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

☆ Turkey plans to ratify Finland's NATO bid ahead of May polls -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Orhan Coskun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Amid growing tensions with Sweden, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signalled for the first time in January that Ankara could give a green light to Helsinki ahead of Stockholm. "It is highly likely that the necessary step for Finland's NATO membership will be completed before (parliament) closes and the election is held," the official said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan indicated that he would send ratification of Finland's NATO membership to parliament soon, saying that he would "keep his promise". After that, we will fulfil our promise," Erdogan told reporters on Wednesday, when asked whether he would send ratification of Finland's NATO bid to Turkish parliament next week. "Positive messages will be given to Finland's president during his visit," the second official said.

☆ Turkey plans to ratify Finland's NATO bid ahead of May polls, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Orhan Coskun | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A senior Turkish official told Reuters that Finland's bid would be approved independently from that of Sweden. Niinisto, who will visit Turkey on March 16-17, said he believed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will give his blessing to Finland's NATO bid when the two meet. Erdogan indicated that he would send ratification of Finland's NATO membership to parliament soon, saying that he would "keep his promise". After that, we will fulfil our promise," Erdogan told reporters on Wednesday, when asked whether he would send ratification of Finland's NATO bid to Turkish parliament next week. "Positive messages will be given to Finland's president during his visit," the second official said.

☆ Saudi money is pouring into Hollywood and media, 5 years after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Here's who's cashing in and how.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment. Saudi Arabia is trying to pitch itself to the world as a cultural and economic reformer and spur tourism. Even those media players that are comfortable with invetment from the Middle East may not find funds flowing, one Hollywood veteran said. A major live WWE event in Saudi Arabia is slated for May. Of the growing ties between US entertainment and media and Middle East investors, this person added, "Presumably media organizations got into this to help society make better decisions."

[1/5] A general view of Highclere Castle, the stately home known around the world as the venue for "Downton Abbey", in Highclere, Britain, March 10, 2023. Highclere Castle in southern England, where the early 20th century period drama about the lives of aristocrats and their servants was filmed, is facing a serious staffing crunch. "We have stopped being able to offer any weddings of any substantial size because of Brexit," Carnarvon, a countess who owns Highclere with her husband, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, said. Since leaving the European Union, Britain has faced worker shortages at various stages in areas such as manufacturing, construction and logistics. 'WRAPPED IN RED TAPE'Just outside Highclere Castle, in the grounds designed by 18th century landscape architect Capability Brown, dozens of chairs and a few tables lie stacked and unused.

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.

☆ Champagne carpet and crisis team ready for Oscars celebration on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In case of an unexpected twist, a crisis response team will be on hand at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Several of 2022's biggest hits at the multiplex landed in the best picture race, from "Top Gun" and "Everything Everywhere" to "Elvis" and "Avatar: The Way of Water." To change up the look, organizers swapped out the traditional red carpet for the first time since 1961, opting instead for a champagne color. "Everything Everywhere All at Once," an offbeat story about a Chinese-American laundromat owner struggling to finish her taxes, comes in as the favorite to win best picture. The dimension-hopping kung fu adventure has swept the major Hollywood awards in the weeks leading up to the Oscars.

☆ Jeffrey Epstein said he stopped hanging out with Trump 'when he realized Trump was a crook,' according to his brother
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jeffrey Epstein hinted at his fallout with Donald Trump in an unaired interview, according to his brother. "He stopped hanging out with Trump when he realized Trump was a crook," Mark Epstein told Insider. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were friends for years, and the nature of their fallout remains hazy. "And in that interview, Jeffrey said he stopped hanging out with Trump when he realized Trump was a crook." Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on sex-trafficking charges and died in jail several weeks later while awaiting trial.

☆ Australia drops COVID testing requirements for travellers arriving from China
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Alasdair Pal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, March 9 (Reuters) - Australia will drop the requirement for travellers arriving from China to test for COVID-19 before departure from midnight on March 11, the country's health minister said in a statement on Thursday. The measures also apply to travellers from Hong Kong and Macau. “This is a sensible, measured decision based on decreasing COVID-19 case numbers in China, regular data updates from China on case numbers, and the fact that we have strengthened our capacity to detect and respond to emerging variants of concern within Australia of international origin,” Health Minister Mark Butler said. Several other countries that implemented similar measures such as the United States, South Korea and Japan have recently either repealed their arrangements or announced an intention to repeal them, he added. Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ NBA roundup: Joel Embiid (42) guides Sixers past Pacers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Mar 6, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tyrese Maxey made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points for Philadelphia, and James Harden contributed 14 points, 20 assists and nine rebounds. Boston got 32 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists from Jaylen Brown. Trail Blazers 110, Pistons 104Damian Lillard recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as visiting Portland handed Detroit its eighth consecutive loss. Cory Joseph had 14 points, Jaden Ivey contributed 13 points and 13 assists and Alec Burks also scored 13 points.

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