Archives for May, 2023

People walk past under the posters of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the presidential candidate of the Main Opposition alliance and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Taksim Square on May 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. On May 14th, Turkey’s President Erdogan will face his biggest electoral test as the country goes to the polls in the country’s general election. Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades -- first as prime minister, than as president -- but his popularity has recently taken a hit due to

Breaking | Last Updated: May 15, 2023, 12:03 pm

Turkey heads to runoff elections between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his top rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu will face each other in the runoff on May 28 after a knife-edge race on Sunday.

Children stand amidst the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli air strike in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip

Gaza truce largely holds as Palestinians, Israelis count deadly cost

Agence France-Presse

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proved pre-election polls wrong by emerging with a narrow first-round lead

Turkey braces for momentous runoff after election drama

Agence France-Presse

Iranians are forced to use homegrown apps as the authorities tighten internet restrictions for security reasons

As net tightens, Iranians pushed to take up homegrown apps

Agence France-Presse

Turkey's earthquake victims could have a crucial say in the outcome of Sunday's tight election

Wrecked by Turkey quake, Antakya prepares to vote

Agence France-Presse

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 69, led prayers, emulating a ritual that Ottoman sultans performed before they led their men off to war

Erdogan leads prayers on eve of fight for political life

Agence France-Presse

Smoke rises above buildings in Gaza City after during an Israeli air strike on May 13

Gaza ceasefire takes effect after five days of deadly fighting

Agence France-Presse

Smoke rises above buildings in Khartoum as fighting between the forces of two rival generals continues

Blasts rock Khartoum as warring sides affirm humanitarian pledge

Agence France-Presse

Turkey election

Turkey Elections: As rallies conclude, Erdogan defends Putin, slips in polls

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu are wrapping up their campaigns; Russia became an issue in Friday’s rallies.

Dubai port

Dubai’s DP World signs deals with China seaport companies in latest push

Ningbo-Zhoushan port said it will boost its Dubai station project as part of China’s Road and Belt Initiative.

United Arab Emirates

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Erdogan victory would deal big blow to Turkey's democracy, but will it be fatal?

The contest is being cast in apocalyptic terms as a fight between freedom and dictatorship, between recovery and economic ruin.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images

Russia’s Tatneft makes new oil discovery in Libya

Russia and the controversial military contractor Wagner Group have longstanding interests in Libya’s oil, but instability has hurt the ability of Russian oil companies to operate in the North African country.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein gives a joint press conference with his German counterpart at the foreign ministry headquarters in Baghdad on March 7, 2023. (Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraqi FM expects continuity in ties with Turkey, no matter who wins election

Fuad Hussein says TotalEnergies deal “would change character of Iraqi economy,” discusses relations with the United States, Iran, Syria and Arab states.

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Israel kills sixth Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza as rockets target Jerusalem

Since the beginning of the fighting on Tuesday morning, 973 rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel and 761 of them crossed the Gaza border.

Lionel Messi Argentina

FC Barcelona 'hugely confident' on Messi return despite Saudi bid

The Catalonian soccer team are in a tug-of-war with Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal to snap up the 2022 World Cup winner.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a joint press conference with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts following their summit in Tehran on July 19, 2022. (Photo by Grigory SYSOYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by GRIGORY SYSOYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli officials visited Russia, discussed Iran on rare trip

Israel is trying to have it both ways by increasing its assistance to Ukraine while preserving its security ties with Russia.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs