Mass protests in Turkiye over arrest of Istanbul mayor
Thousands of people in Turkiye are protesting the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
In Yemen’s Sanaa, fear and defiance after US bombs
Yemenis have already lived through years of war but are worried things will get worse if US intensifies its campaign.
1-year-old among victims of Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza
Video shows a Palestinian father’s last moments with his child after his pregnant wife and 1-year-old son were killed.
‘This is about injustice’: crowds defy ban to protest over Istanbul mayor’s detention
People gather at city hall and students march in anger at arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a likely opposition candidate for presidency
Outside Istanbul’s city hall on Wednesday night a mass of protesters gathered in the freezing air to defy a city-wide ban on gatherings. A banner bearing a portrait of the Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, giving a speech alongside the words “sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation” covered part of the facade of his now vacant office.
In dawn raids that morning police had detained İmamoğlu, the only contender seen as capable of defeating Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in presidential elections. For many residents of Turkey’s largest city, the arrest symbolised how far the state was willing to go to remove a perceived threat to the incumbent president.
Continue reading...Ethiopia rules out conflict with Eritrea over Red Sea access
Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed vows peaceful approach via dialogue amid recent fears about possible war between the neighbours.
Australia thrash Indonesia in AFC World Cup qualifiers
The win boosts Australia's chance of finishing second in Group C to qualify for the World Cup next year.
Why Canada should not cancel – for now – the American-made F35 warplanes
Mark Carney should not tip his hand while fighting a trade war with Trump.
Government debt costs in richest nations at highest since 2007
Payments by OECD countries outstrip amount spent on defence, police services and housing, report finds
The cost of government debt payments in the world’s richest nations last year reached its highest level since 2007, outstripping the amount spent on defence, police services and housing, a report has found.
Across the 38 members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), debt service costs as a percentage of national income rose to 3.3% in 2024, from 2.4% in 2021.
Continue reading...Russia, Ukraine ramp up drone attacks despite truce talks
Kyiv strikes a strategic bomber base in Engels while Russia launches a series of drone strikes in eastern Ukraine.
Reassurance, not peacekeeping: What Ukraine coalition force will and won’t do
The force would focus on providing Ukraine with air cover to keep its skies safe and a naval presence in the Black Sea to encourage trade.
Eddie Jordan: Former F1 Jordan team boss dies aged 76
The charismatic Irish businessman-turned-Formula One Jordan Grand Prix team owner and TV commentator dies of cancer.
‘Don’t trust anyone’: Have Syria’s Alawites lost faith in new government?
Syria's Alawites fear they may never be safe after hundreds were killed in sectarian-motivated violence.
Guatemala scraps compulsory car insurance plan after protests
Guatemalan motorists blockaded streets and clashed with police after the new rule was announced.
Four key takeaways from release of JFK files
Experts praised a move towards transparency, but there are no major revelations in the documents - and some still have yet to be released.
Indonesia parliament passes contentious amendments to military law – Reuters
- Indonesia parliament passes contentious amendments to military law Reuters
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- Indonesian Parliament Passes Bill That Critics Say Evokes Authoritarian Past The New York Times
- Indonesia passes law allowing greater military role in government Al Jazeera English
Turkey detains 37 in escalating crackdown on opposition to Erdoğan – Financial Times
- Turkey detains 37 in escalating crackdown on opposition to Erdoğan Financial Times
- Thousands rally outside Istanbul city hall for 2nd night over mayor’s arrest The Associated Press
- Ekrem Imamoglu: Protests erupt in Turkey after Erdogan rival arrested BBC.com
- Turks protest, opposition defiant over Istanbul mayor's detention Reuters
- Jailing Erdogan’s main rival is another blow for Turkish democracy The Economist
Finland named as happiest country for eighth year
Access to nature and a strong welfare system are cited as factors as Nordic nations dominate the rankings.
Israeli strikes on Gaza add to soaring child death toll
Hospitals say high proportion of women and children among dead in latest strikes
At least 91 Palestinians have been killed and many more injured in a third day of Israeli strikes across Gaza, according to medical officials in the strip, who said a high proportion of the dead were women and children.
The timing of the strikes in the new Israeli offensive appears to have increased the proportion of women and children among the victims, with many sleeping when the missiles struck overnight or very early in the morning. Among those pulled alive from rubble on Thursday was a month-old baby girl, but her parents and brother were killed.
Continue reading...Second person in two days dies trying to cross Channel in small boat
Deaths occur after eight-day gap in crossings between, bringing death toll this year to at least 10
One person has died trying to cross the Channel in an overloaded boat, after another person died earlier attempting the same journey, according to the French authorities.
In the latest incident, 15 people were rescued after a boat containing 40 people picked up more migrants on the coast of Gravelines, in northern France, at around 3am on Thursday.
Continue reading...Madrid plans to limit computer and tablet use in primary schools to two hours a week
Teachers will be banned from setting homework involving screens in effort to tackle ‘risks’ of intensive use of IT at young age
The regional government of Madrid has unveiled plans to limit the use of computers and tablets in primary schools to a maximum of two hours a week in an effort to tackle “the risks associated with the early, intensive and inappropriate use of information technology”.
Under the proposals, to be enacted in September, teachers will also be banned from setting homework involving screen use.
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