Year: 2024

As the sun sets, a ferry crosses the Golden Horn, with the Suleymaniye Mosque and the city of Istanbul, Turkey in the background. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international organization focused on combating money laundering and illicit financial activities, has decided to remove Turkey from its "gray list" of countries requiring special monitoring. The decision, taken on Friday, represents a significant vote of confidence for Turkey in its economic recovery efforts. In its latest report, the Paris-based FATF acknowledged Turkey’s significant progress in enhancing its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) measures. The report commended Turkey for…

After his State of the Union address in March, President Joe Biden appeared to allay concerns about his abilities at 81. Speaking firmly, he faced down Republican lawmakers who mocked him. However, one Democratic congressman who had shaken Biden's hand that night was troubled by his appearance, describing him as "frail and weak." Biden’s poor performance in a recent debate with Donald Trump has raised questions. Some Democratic lawmakers, who have watched Biden closely, are now questioning his ability to stay in office. They cite memory lapses and inconsistencies noted during his tenure. A significant team of aides surrounds Biden,…

Did Alicent actually believe that Viserys's final words were about her son, or was she simply interpreting them in a way that suited her own wishes? (And, more critically, should a serious drama base its central conflict on a misunderstanding more suited to a sitcom? Resolving that question at this point may be beyond the scope of this summary.) Rhaenyra's brave secret return to King's Landing, aided by Mysaria, to face her arch-enemy-friend sets the record straight. Alicent is convinced that Viserys means Aegon. Rhaenyra, for her part, truly believes that Alicent holds this belief. But when the Queen Mother…

In recent years, as Chinese athletes have been accused of doping, the Chinese government has mobilized its vast propaganda apparatus, including state-run newspapers, television commentators and social media accounts, to defend the accused and deflect criticism away from its sports system. Yet the recent revelation that 23 elite Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the 2021 Olympics has been met with an unusual response from China: near silence. While the scandal is hotly debated abroad, including in congressional sessions, Chinese media have largely limited their coverage to scant official statements. Online discussions of the controversy have…

Muriel, the Colombian club that achieved a stunning victory in the Europa League, has shown their immense talent and determination on the international stage. Although they have been able to compete in the MLS, their impact has been felt far beyond their domestic league. With a combination of skill, teamwork and sheer determination, Muriel’s journey to becoming champions has been nothing short of extraordinary. On their path to glory, Muriel faced formidable opponents, including the renowned Atalanta. With players like Falcao and Bacca leading the charge as their gunners, Muriel demonstrated his attacking prowess and ability to produce game-changing performances…