List of All Articles with Tag 'person'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled Monday that his country is not ready to ratify Sweden's membership in NATO, saying Stockholm had to work harder on the “homework” it needs to complete. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan also renewed his condemnation of a Quran-burning protest that took place in Sweden last week, describing the action as a hate crime against Muslims. “We have made it clear that the determined fight against terrorist organizations and Islamophobia are our red line," Erdogan said. “Everyone must accept that Turkey’s friendship cannot be won by supporting terrorism or by making space for terrorists.” Turkey has delayed giving its final approval to Sweden’s membership in the military alliance, accusing the country of being too lenient toward anti-Islamic demonstrations and groups that Ankara regards as security threats. These include militant Kurdish groups that have waged a deadly, decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has waged a 38-year insurgency against Turkey that has left tens of thousands dead. It is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S and the European Union. NATO wants to bring Sweden into the fold by the time NATO leaders meet in Lithuania on July 11-12 but Erdogan said Stockholm still had obligations to fulfill. NATO requires the unanimous approval of all existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that have not yet ratified Sweden’s bid. “Instead of wasting time with distraction tactics, we believe that keeping to the promises will be a more rational, more beneficial method,” Erdogan said. “We advise them to scrutinize themselves and do their homework better." He was referring to a memorandum that Sweden and Finland signed with Turkey last year under which they agreed to address Ankara's concerns. Fighting Islamophobia was not included in the memorandum. Last week, Swedish police allowed a protest outside a mosque in central Stockholm citing freedom of speech after a court overturned a ban on a similar Quran-burning. “The vile attack on our holy book, the Holy Quran, in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, enraged us all,” Erdogan said. “This perverted disregard for the feelings of 2 billion Muslims cannot be compatible with the most basic human values, let alone freedom of thought.” Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATO’s security umbrella, fearing they might be targeted by Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Finland joined the alliance earlier this year after Turkey’s parliament ratified the Nordic country’s bid. Sweden changed its anti-terror legislation since applying for NATO membership, but Turkey argues supporters of militant groups can freely organize demonstrations, recruit and procure financial resources in the country. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg last week called a meeting of senior officials from Turkey, Sweden and Finland for July 6 to try to overcome Turkish objections to Sweden joining the military alliance. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Jordan's foreign minister calls for investment into war-torn Syria to speed up refugee returns Q&A: Violinist and singer Sudan Archives brings 'fiddle soft punk' to Glastonbury debut Biden will host Sweden's prime minister at the White House as the Nordic nation seeks to join NATO

Novak Djokovic literally took matters into his own hands on the wet Wimbledon grass by using his towel and some elbow grease to help dry the surface

Thousands of people will gather at Coney Island on Tuesday to watch competitive eaters scarf down mountains of sausages and buns during the annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The PGA Tour is sending two leading figures to next week's Senate panel reviewing its surprise business agreement with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has lost in the first round of her 24th appearance at the All England Club

Chris Christie has stepped up his verbal attacks on Donald Trump as the former president faces fresh scrutiny over his handling of classified documents. The former New Jersey governor told the New York Times that Mr Trump was likely to become increasingly erratic as he tried to avoid being sent to prison. “He’s scared,” Mr Christie told the Times. “Look, a guy like him, the last place you ever want to be in life is in jail because you give up all control, and he’s a complete control freak.” Mr Christie spoke out after the ex-president was heard in a leaked tape bragging that he had kept documents about a military strike on Iran after leaving office that he knew were classified. Mr Trump has since rolled out several excuses about the audio, including that he was referring to plans for a golf course, and that he had merely engaged in “bravado”. “For Donald Trump, it is better to be called a liar than to go to jail,” Mr Christie added. “If what it buys him is a get-out-of-jail-free card, he’ll take that trade every day.” Mr Christie, who was among the first Republicans to endorse Mr Trump in 2016, is using his candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination to publicly flog his former ally at every opportunity. He told the Times that he expected Mr Trump would show up for presidential primary debates, despite his insistence that he would skip them. “His ego won’t permit him not to. He can’t have a big TV show that he’s not on,” Mr Christie said. Mr Trump is polling at 52 per cent in an average of GOP primary polls over the past six months by FiveThirtyEight.com. In a crowded field, Mr Christie has struggled to attract support and is seventh on 2.7 per cent. On Sunday, former Trump White House spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told MSNBC her former boss would regularly show classified documents to guests at the Mar-a-Lago dining room patio. “He has no respect for classified information [and] never did,” she said. Read More Trump news – live: Ex-Trump press secretary says she saw him show documents to Mar-a-Lago guests Trump’s own words about an indicted president come back to haunt him Ex-Trump spokesperson claims she saw him show off documents on Mar-a-Lago dining patio What's 'Bidenomics'? The president hopes a dubious nation embraces his ideas condensed into the term Chris Christie says McCarthy spoke correctly about Trump the first time Chris Christie attacks Trump for diverting campaign funds to legal battles Chris Christie tells ‘Adonis’ Trump to ‘look in the mirror’ after weight attacks

The US embassy says its ambassador to Russia was allowed to visit Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerhkovich, who has been behind bars in Russia since March on charges of espionage

Novak Djokovic launched his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and 24th Grand Slam triumph on Monday with his 40th successive win on Centre Court as Russian players defiantly marked...

New U.S. legislation would ban imported products containing critical green transition minerals mined by child labor in Congo

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made it clear

The head of Slovakia’s central bank — a member of the European Central Bank committee that decides monetary policy for 20 countries — says he won't step down despite bribery charges against him

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said last month’s attempted mutiny by Wagner mercenaries failed because the country’s armed