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Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Germany reach NL semis over Italy despite blowing three-goal lead
Germany flirted with disaster after scoring three first-half goals as they allowed Italy back to a 3-3 draw on Sunday, which was just enough for a place in the Nations League Final Four mini tournament they will host in June. Germany escaped the stunning Azzurri fightback by virtue of their 2-1 comeback victory in the first leg on Thursday in Milan as they prevailed 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-final tie. Three goals between the 30th and 45th seemed to set the Germans on course over the Euro 2020 champions who were completely outplayed in that period. Captain Joshua Kimmich converted a 30th minute penalty, quickly executed a corner kick in the 36th for Jamal Musiala against still arguing Italians, and set up Tim Kleindienst to head the third in the 45th. But the hosts completely lost control of the match after the break as Italy were reborn from Moise Kean's brace in the 48th and 69th. Italy had a penalty nullified upon review in a huge let-off for Germany but then got one in stoppage time after another review after a Maximilian Mittelstädt handball which Giacomo Raspadori converted but it was too late. Germany will host the June 4-8 Final Four event in Stuttgart and Munich, while Italy will start qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after failing to reach the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. {microsoft_credit="" caption="Germany's Tim Kleindienst (L) scores his side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg soccer match between Germany and Italy at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa"}
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany calls Istanbul mayor's arrest a setback for democracy
{microsoft_credit="" caption="Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Party gather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa"} The German Foreign Office has called the formal arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Sunday a setback for democracy in Turkey, as it urged a fair trial and respect for the rule of law going forward. "Political competition must not be conducted through courts and prisons," a Foreign Office spokesman said in Berlin. "We expect the allegations to be transparently investigated as quickly as possible and for proceedings to be conducted on the basis of the rule of law,' the spokesman said. The same applies to detained demonstrators, he added. İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2028 election, was taken into custody on Wednesday. He faces charges of terrorism and corruption, with the pre-trial detention ordered by a court on Saturday linked to the corruption case. İmamoğlu has rejected the allegations. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across Turkey for days to protest his detention, defying a ban on demonstrations. Hundreds have been arrested. The Foreign Office spokesman stressed that respect for democracy and the rule of law remains central to Germany's relationship with Turkey, both bilaterally and within EU-Turkey relations.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu arrested on corruption charges amid protests
{microsoft_credit="" caption="Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Party gather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa"} Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been formally arrested after a court ordered his pre-trial detention on corruption charges. İmamoğlu was first taken into custody on Wednesday, days before he was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for Turkey's largest opposition party, the CHP. The move has sparked nightly nationwide demonstrations, with up to 300,000 rallying in Istanbul on Friday night alone according to CHP figures. The popular opposition politician is facing accusations of terrorism and corruption in two separate proceedings against 106 people, including the mayor's advisers and many others. Critics see his arrest as an attempt to eliminate a potential rival to Erdoğan - a charge strongly rejected by the long-standing leader's government. The judge's order for pre-trial detention on Sunday came in connection with the corruption charge, with İmamoğlu being accused of membership in a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, fraud and bid rigging. The mayor is also accused of supporting the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in the terrorism investigation. The state-run Anadolu news agency said the charge was linked to cooperation between the CHP and the pro-Kurdish DEM party in the local elections. Public prosecutors argue that the cooperation helped to extend the influence of the banned PKK. İmamoğlu has vehemently denied the allegations and said on Saturday that they are based on "fabricated" reports. CHP leader Özgür Özel said that there were indications that İmamoğlu would be taken to Marmara Prison in Istanbul's Silivri district. Protests against the mayor's arrest continued across Turkey on Saturday despite bans on demonstrations, with the Interior Ministry saying on X that 323 people were detained. CHP holds primary despite İmamoğlu's arrest Also on Sunday, the CHP went ahead with plans to nominate İmamoğlu as its presidential candidate in a primary vote on Sunday. In the nationwide ballot, the party's 1.7 million members are called upon to back İmamoğlu for the 2028 presidential election. Broadcaster Halk TV showed images of queues outside polling stations in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman on Sunday morning. In addition to the 4,000 party ballot boxes set up in the country, as many symbolic "solidarity ballot boxes" are to be set up in which all citizens can cast a vote. İmamoğlu's victory in Istanbul in 2019 - and re-election in 2024 - were seen as bitter defeats for Erdoğan's AKP party, which had previously governed the city. Istanbul is Turkey's most populous metropolis and is of major importance to the country's politics and economics. Control of the mayor's office is also highly symbolic, as the position was formerly held by Erdoğan from 1994.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkey detains dozens of social media users after İmamoğlu detention
{microsoft_credit="" caption="Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Party gather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa"} Turkish police have detained 37 people over social media posts following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, authorities said on Thursday. A total of 261 accounts were under investigation for "provocative posts," including incitement to hatred and encouraging criminal acts, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on the social media platform X. He said 62 of the accounts are based abroad. İmamoğlu's detention on Wednesday sparked outrage, occurring only a few days before his secular Republican People's Party (CHP) was set to nominate him as its presidential candidate. He is accused of corruption and terrorism charges. Over 18 million posts related to his detention were identified on X, Yerlikaya said. The CHP accused the government of being behind the detention orders for İmamoğlu and 105 others, and of trying to eliminate a political rival. The government contends the detentions are part of independent investigations. Social media access in Turkey remained restricted, with users and media reporting slow or blocked platforms. The governor's office of the Istanbul province imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations, gatherings and news coverage until Sunday, the day of İmamoğlu's nomination. Despite the ban, hundreds gathered in front of the city administration building to protest İmamoğlu's arrest on Wednesday. Students at Istanbul University protested for a second day on Thursday, local media reported. University student groups called for wider protests on X. Meanwhile, the CHP said it would proceed with Sunday's vote. In addition to the official vote by party members, the CHP called on people in Turkey to symbolically vote in solidarity with İmamoğlu at boxes that would be set up nationwide. It was not immediately clear if and when İmamoğlu, currently held at the Istanbul police headquarters, would face trial. If he is convicted on terrorism charges, the Turkish government could replace him with a government-affiliated official. In 2019, for the first time in 25 years, Islamic conservatives in Turkey lost control of the capital Ankara and Istanbul. İmamoğlu was re-elected as Istanbul mayor in the 2024 polls. The loss of Turkey's economic powerhouse Istanbul was a major setback for Erdoğan.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany reopens embassy in Damascus after 13-year hiatus
{microsoft_credit="" caption="A German security officer stands in the destroyed Jobar district of Damascus. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is in Syria for the second time since the overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad three months ago. Hannes P. Albert/dpa"} Germany on Thursday reopened its embassy in Damascus, more than three months after the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The embassy - which closed in 2012 after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war - was formally opened by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a visit to the Syrian capital. The move represents a significant step in the restoration of relations between Damascus and Berlin. Germany has a large population of more than 1 million Syrian residents, many of whom fled their homeland during the bloody civil war. The conflict finally ended late last year with the overthrow of the dictator al-Assad, who fled to Russia as his regime collapsed following a lightning offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. A transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa has since been working to restore security and revive the country's shattered economy after more than a decade of conflict. Baerbock was set to meet al-Sharaa and representatives of civil society organizations on Thursday in her second visit to Syria since al-Assad's regime fell. The country remains highly divided, with Baerbock's trip coming just two weeks after violent clashes in north-western Syria left hundreds dead. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitor, has recorded more than 1,500 people killed in the violence, most of them civilians from the Alawite religious minority - the sect to which al-Assad belongs. Speaking from Beirut before her flight to Syria, Baerbock condemned the "targeted killing of civilians," calling it a "terrible crime" that had caused significant damage to trust. The foreign minister reaffirmed Germany's commitment to providing continued humanitarian aid to Syria, while also signalling a potential easing of sanctions - but only under certain conditions. "A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," said Baerbock, adding that this would require clear commitments to ensure freedom, security and equal opportunities for all Syrians, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion. A small number of German diplomats are set to resume activities in Damascus, but consular work such as issuing visas will continue to be carried out in Beirut, Baerbock confirmed.
