THE GUARDIAN: Scarlet Lady’s 2,000 passengers told of change as one of those onboard says they will ‘sparkle and spend elsewhere’
An LGBTQ+ cruise ship blocked from Turkish waters this week has been refused entry into Egypt.
The Scarlet Lady’s 2,000 passengers, including the Broadway performer Patti LuPone, woke on Thursday morning to find a note placed under their cabin doors informing them that the ship was urgently looking for alternative ports.
“Early this morning, we were informed that Scarlet Lady has been denied entry into Egyptian waters, and, as a result, will no longer be able to call in Alexandria today,” Rich Campbell, the chief executive of Atlantis Events, the tour group that chartered the Virgin Voyages ship, told passengers.
“I know how much this visit meant to so many of you. We successfully sailed a similar itinerary last year without issue. So we were surprised by this unfortunate decision,” he wrote.
The note concluded: “Please know that both the Atlantis and Virgin Voyages teams worked tirelessly to make this call in Alexandria a possibility. This news came as a surprise to all of us, and we’re just as disappointed as you are.”
The visit to Egypt was already a change to the planned tour, hastily arranged after the ship was refused entry to Turkey. No official reason has yet been given for the decision of the Egyptian government. » | Amelia Hill | Thursday, July 9, 2026
ALSO READ:
Turkey blocks cruise ship carrying 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers and a ‘furious’ Patti LuPone, citing ‘moral values’: Broadway star, who is performing on the vessel, expresses shock after authorities ban Scarlet Lady from docking in Kuşadası »
Should we be surprised? Neither Egypt nor Turkey are known for being enlightened countries. Incidentally, this is a demonstration of why Turkey should never be allowed into the European Union. A country with such retrograde values doesn’t belong in the progressive European Union. — © Mark Alexander
Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Turkey. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2026
Thursday, July 09, 2026
After Insulting Allies at NATO Summit, Trump Says They Love Him
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The meeting in Turkey featured President Trump at his most mercurial, veering from scorn to praise for European countries, including some whose patience with mollifying him has worn thin.
Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | President Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
President Trump’s head-spinning appearance at the NATO Summit in Ankara on Wednesday began with him insulting vast swaths of Europe during the morning sessions and finished just hours later with him declaring that the whole thing had been one big kumbaya session.
“I just want to say there was tremendous love in that room,” he said at a news conference not long after he had said repeatedly that “I’m not happy with NATO.”
Describing his meetings behind closed doors, he boasted: “They said, ‘Sir, we love you.’ These are grown people saying that. Isn’t that nice?”
“Maybe they’re trying to get to me, and in a way, they did,” he said. “Because there was tremendous unity in that room.” » | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh are White House correspondents. They reported from Ankara, Turkey. | Wednesday, July 8, 2026
阅读简体中文版 »
閱讀繁體中文版 »
Donnie’s dementia must surely be progressing rapidly if he truly thinks he is loved here in Europe. From what I read and observe, it is hard to find anyone who likes him still less loves him! Clearly, POTUS is living in a world of his own! 😊 — © Mark Alexander
President Trump’s head-spinning appearance at the NATO Summit in Ankara on Wednesday began with him insulting vast swaths of Europe during the morning sessions and finished just hours later with him declaring that the whole thing had been one big kumbaya session.
“I just want to say there was tremendous love in that room,” he said at a news conference not long after he had said repeatedly that “I’m not happy with NATO.”
Describing his meetings behind closed doors, he boasted: “They said, ‘Sir, we love you.’ These are grown people saying that. Isn’t that nice?”
“Maybe they’re trying to get to me, and in a way, they did,” he said. “Because there was tremendous unity in that room.” » | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh | Tyler Pager and Shawn McCreesh are White House correspondents. They reported from Ankara, Turkey. | Wednesday, July 8, 2026
阅读简体中文版 »
閱讀繁體中文版 »
Donnie’s dementia must surely be progressing rapidly if he truly thinks he is loved here in Europe. From what I read and observe, it is hard to find anyone who likes him still less loves him! Clearly, POTUS is living in a world of his own! 😊 — © Mark Alexander
Sunday, July 05, 2026
The Great Siege of Malta: The Battle That Stopped Suleiman I SLICE History | Full Documentary
July 5, 2026 | In 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent sent one of the most powerful armadas of the age against Malta, a small but strategic Christian stronghold at the center of the Mediterranean struggle between the Ottoman Empire and Habsburg Europe. Facing tens of thousands of Ottoman and Barbary troops, the island’s defenders, including the Knights Hospitaller and Maltese fighters, prepared for a siege that would test the limits of fortification, faith, and endurance.
From Fort Saint Elmo to the twin cities of Birgu and Senglea, this documentary follows the Great Siege of Malta as a clash of empires, religions, and military systems.
Documentary: Besieged Fortress EP:4 The Siege Of Malta Directed by: Marion Vaqué-Marti Production: ZED (2022)
From Fort Saint Elmo to the twin cities of Birgu and Senglea, this documentary follows the Great Siege of Malta as a clash of empires, religions, and military systems.
Documentary: Besieged Fortress EP:4 The Siege Of Malta Directed by: Marion Vaqué-Marti Production: ZED (2022)
Friday, July 03, 2026
Israel's 'Kill First' Strategy Is Now Aimed at Turkey | The David Hearst Podcast
Jul 2, 2026 | David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, says that Donald Trump has signed two contradictory agreements to end his war on Iran. One promises an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, while the other gives Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon indefinite leave to remain.
Hearst says the Lebanon framework weakens Lebanese sovereignty, creates a military coordination group run from Washington, and obliges the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah, which many in Lebanon see as the only credible deterrent against Israeli attack.
He says that Lebanon has also granted immunity to Israeli troops and generals for war crimes committed during the invasion. He says that the contradiction reflects a tug of war inside the US administration. The Iran deal reflects the thinking of Vice President JD Vance, who opposed regime change in Tehran, while the Lebanon deal bears the imprint of Marco Rubio, who remains committed to that project.
Hearst argues that Israel’s failure to dictate terms to Iran has pushed it to regain power in Lebanon and Syria. But he says Israel is already turning its attention to Turkey, now presenting it as the “new Iran” and warning of a new Sunni axis involving Turkey, Syria and Qatar.
He concludes that Israel means what it says when Netanyahu vows to change the Middle East forever. The main battle line is now shifting to Lebanon and Syria, and hard power will be needed to stop Israel’s strategy of “kill them first”.
Hearst says the Lebanon framework weakens Lebanese sovereignty, creates a military coordination group run from Washington, and obliges the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah, which many in Lebanon see as the only credible deterrent against Israeli attack.
He says that Lebanon has also granted immunity to Israeli troops and generals for war crimes committed during the invasion. He says that the contradiction reflects a tug of war inside the US administration. The Iran deal reflects the thinking of Vice President JD Vance, who opposed regime change in Tehran, while the Lebanon deal bears the imprint of Marco Rubio, who remains committed to that project.
Hearst argues that Israel’s failure to dictate terms to Iran has pushed it to regain power in Lebanon and Syria. But he says Israel is already turning its attention to Turkey, now presenting it as the “new Iran” and warning of a new Sunni axis involving Turkey, Syria and Qatar.
He concludes that Israel means what it says when Netanyahu vows to change the Middle East forever. The main battle line is now shifting to Lebanon and Syria, and hard power will be needed to stop Israel’s strategy of “kill them first”.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Protests in Turkey after Court Targets Opposition Party | DW News
Friday, February 13, 2026
Ina Garten’s Top-rated Engagement Roast Chicken 💍 | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Pope Leo in Turkey: Pontiff Visits Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Mosque
The Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo, is visiting Istanbul's Sultanahmet Mosque shortly as part of his four-day trip to Turkiye.
The pontiff is following in the footsteps of his predecessors Pope Benedict who visited the place of worship in 2006 and Francis who did the same in 2014.
Unusually, Pope Leo is not expected to visit the nearby Hagia Sophia. It was built in the sixth century and it has great significance to both Christians and Muslims.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reports.
The pontiff is following in the footsteps of his predecessors Pope Benedict who visited the place of worship in 2006 and Francis who did the same in 2014.
Unusually, Pope Leo is not expected to visit the nearby Hagia Sophia. It was built in the sixth century and it has great significance to both Christians and Muslims.
Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reports.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Pope Leo Visits Turkey on His First Trip Abroad: What Can We Expect? | DW News
Monday, November 24, 2025
Our Favourite Ina Garten Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Videos | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
Monday, July 28, 2025
Thousands in Greece and Turkey Evacuate as Winds and Heat Fan Wildfires
THE GUARDIAN: Czech firefighters and Italian aircraft join rescue effort in Greece, and firefighter among those killed in Turkey
Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate homes as firefighters in the countries battled to contain wildfires fanned by strong winds and searing heat.
As temperatures in south-eastern Europe exceeded 40C for a seventh straight day, the Greek prime minister praised rescue workers for waging “a titanic battle” to bring blazes under control.
“The state mechanism has been called to engage in a titanic battle, simultaneously responding to dozens of wildfires across the country,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement. “To those who saw their properties destroyed by the fury of fire, know that the state will stand by your side.”
Eleven regions of Greece face a “very high risk” of fire, and the government has appealed for help from EU partners to help it deal with fires burning on multiple fronts. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Sunday, July 27, 2025
Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate homes as firefighters in the countries battled to contain wildfires fanned by strong winds and searing heat.
As temperatures in south-eastern Europe exceeded 40C for a seventh straight day, the Greek prime minister praised rescue workers for waging “a titanic battle” to bring blazes under control.
“The state mechanism has been called to engage in a titanic battle, simultaneously responding to dozens of wildfires across the country,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement. “To those who saw their properties destroyed by the fury of fire, know that the state will stand by your side.”
Eleven regions of Greece face a “very high risk” of fire, and the government has appealed for help from EU partners to help it deal with fires burning on multiple fronts. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Sunday, July 27, 2025
Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Clashes and Arrests in Turkey over Magazine Cartoon Allegedly Depicting Prophet Muhammad
THE GUARDIAN: Turkey police face demonstrators after prosecutor orders arrests at LeMan magazine, whose editor-in-chief denies allegation and says image has been deliberately misinterpreted
Clashes erupted in Istanbul with police firing rubber bullets and teargas to disperse a mob on Monday after allegations that a satirical magazine had published a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.
The clashes occurred after Istanbul’s chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the editors at LeMan magazine on grounds it had published a cartoon that “publicly insulted religious values”.
The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Tuncay Akgun, said the image had been misinterpreted.
“This cartoon is not a caricature of prophet Muhammad in any way,” he told Agence France-Presse. “In this work, the name of a Muslim who was killed in the bombardments of Israel is fictionalised as Muhammad. More than 200 million people in the Islamic world are named Muhammad.
“[It] has nothing to do with prophet Muhammad. We would never take such a risk.”
As the news broke, several dozen angry protesters attacked a bar often frequented by LeMan staffers in downtown Istanbul, provoking angry scuffles with police, an AFP correspondent said.
The scuffles quickly became clashes involving between 250 to 300 people, the correspondent said. » | Agence France-Presse in Istanbul | Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Clashes erupted in Istanbul with police firing rubber bullets and teargas to disperse a mob on Monday after allegations that a satirical magazine had published a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.
The clashes occurred after Istanbul’s chief prosecutor ordered the arrest of the editors at LeMan magazine on grounds it had published a cartoon that “publicly insulted religious values”.
The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Tuncay Akgun, said the image had been misinterpreted.
“This cartoon is not a caricature of prophet Muhammad in any way,” he told Agence France-Presse. “In this work, the name of a Muslim who was killed in the bombardments of Israel is fictionalised as Muhammad. More than 200 million people in the Islamic world are named Muhammad.
“[It] has nothing to do with prophet Muhammad. We would never take such a risk.”
As the news broke, several dozen angry protesters attacked a bar often frequented by LeMan staffers in downtown Istanbul, provoking angry scuffles with police, an AFP correspondent said.
The scuffles quickly became clashes involving between 250 to 300 people, the correspondent said. » | Agence France-Presse in Istanbul | Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Wildfires Burn in Turkey and as Early Heatwave Hits Europe | DW News
Saturday, March 22, 2025
With Erdogan Rival Detained, Critics See Democracy Eroding in Turkey
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Opponents say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan manipulates the courts and the media to tighten his grip on power, and now is trying to prevent a top contender from running for president.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan entered this year facing a knot of political problems with little precedent in his two decades at the summit of power in Turkey.
Voters were angry about persistently high inflation. His political party’s popularity had sunk. And his opponents had coalesced around the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who made it clear that he was gunning for the presidency.
Then on Wednesday, just four days before the mayor was set to be designated as the political opposition’s presidential candidate, dozens of policemen arrested him at his home on accusations of corruption and terrorism.
Mr. Erdogan’s foes consider the arrest a ploy to abort Mr. Imamoglu’s presidential campaign before it even begins. At stake is not only who will be Turkey’s next president, analysts, opposition leaders and foreign officials say, but to what extent Turkey, one of the world’s 20 largest economies and a U.S. ally in NATO, can still be considered a democracy. » | Ben Hubbard and Safak Timur | Reporting from Istanbul | Saturday, March 22, 2025
Related material in English and French here.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan entered this year facing a knot of political problems with little precedent in his two decades at the summit of power in Turkey.
Voters were angry about persistently high inflation. His political party’s popularity had sunk. And his opponents had coalesced around the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who made it clear that he was gunning for the presidency.
Then on Wednesday, just four days before the mayor was set to be designated as the political opposition’s presidential candidate, dozens of policemen arrested him at his home on accusations of corruption and terrorism.
Mr. Erdogan’s foes consider the arrest a ploy to abort Mr. Imamoglu’s presidential campaign before it even begins. At stake is not only who will be Turkey’s next president, analysts, opposition leaders and foreign officials say, but to what extent Turkey, one of the world’s 20 largest economies and a U.S. ally in NATO, can still be considered a democracy. » | Ben Hubbard and Safak Timur | Reporting from Istanbul | Saturday, March 22, 2025
Related material in English and French here.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Turkey Detains President Erdogan’s Main Rival Days before Becoming Candidate | BBC News
May 19, 2025 | Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate.
Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's strongest political rivals.
Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organisation leader suspect".
Imamoglu said online "the will of the people cannot be silenced".
Vidéo connexe ici.
Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's strongest political rivals.
Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organisation leader suspect".
Imamoglu said online "the will of the people cannot be silenced".
Vidéo connexe ici.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Dozens Dead as People Jump from Windows to Escape Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel
THE GUARDIAN: Witnesses say people used bed sheets or jumped to try to get out of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel after fire broke out early in the morning
Seventy-six people have died and 51 others were injured after a fire engulfed a popular ski resort hotel in Turkey’s Bolu mountains, forcing guests to jump out of windows or attempt to use bed sheets to flee the building.
The fire broke out at about 3.30am on Tuesday in the restaurant of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, north-west Turkey.
“We are in deep pain,” Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, told reporters after inspecting the site.
Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people had been injured. » | Angela Giuffrida in Rome, and agencies | Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Seventy-six people have died and 51 others were injured after a fire engulfed a popular ski resort hotel in Turkey’s Bolu mountains, forcing guests to jump out of windows or attempt to use bed sheets to flee the building.
The fire broke out at about 3.30am on Tuesday in the restaurant of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, north-west Turkey.
“We are in deep pain,” Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, told reporters after inspecting the site.
Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people had been injured. » | Angela Giuffrida in Rome, and agencies | Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Monday, November 18, 2024
Süleyman the Magnificent, 1987 | From the Vaults | The Met
Jul 31, 2020 | Süleyman (or Süleiman) the Magnificent was the longest-reigning emperor of the Ottoman empire. Known for his military campaigns spanning three continents, as well as his religious tolerance and masterful diplomacy, he was also a poet, goldsmith, and dedicated patron of the arts.
His rule brought a golden age of artistic and literary production to the Ottoman empire, exemplified by richly patterned textiles, pottery, calligraphy, and several monumental buildings by the architect Sinan.
Shot on location in Istanbul, Edirne, and the Turkish countryside.
Narrated by Ian McKellan.
His rule brought a golden age of artistic and literary production to the Ottoman empire, exemplified by richly patterned textiles, pottery, calligraphy, and several monumental buildings by the architect Sinan.
Shot on location in Istanbul, Edirne, and the Turkish countryside.
Narrated by Ian McKellan.
Monday, October 21, 2024
Controversial Turkish Cleric Fethullah Gulen Dies Aged 83 | DW News
NYT:
Fethullah Gulen, Turkish Cleric and Erdogan Rival, Dies at 83: Mr. Gulen, who lived in self-imposed exile in the United States, was accused of plotting a failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey in 2016. »
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Turkey Parliament Descends into Chaos as Dozens of MPs Take Part in Fistfight
THE GUARDIAN: Staff were left cleaning bloodstains from the floor after brawl which started when one MP called the ruling majority ‘terrorists’
Dozens of lawmakers became embroiled in a fisticuffs brawl in Turkey’s parliament on Friday as they argued over a jailed opposition deputy stripped of his parliamentary immunity this year.
The 30-minute ruckus, which left at least two lawmakers injured, forced the suspension of the hearing. Deputies eventually returned for a vote that rejected an opposition move to restore the parliamentary mandate of lawyer and rights activist Can Atalay.
Atalay won his seat in an election last year after campaigning from his prison cell. » | Agence France-Presse | Saturday, August 17, 2024
Dozens of lawmakers became embroiled in a fisticuffs brawl in Turkey’s parliament on Friday as they argued over a jailed opposition deputy stripped of his parliamentary immunity this year.
The 30-minute ruckus, which left at least two lawmakers injured, forced the suspension of the hearing. Deputies eventually returned for a vote that rejected an opposition move to restore the parliamentary mandate of lawyer and rights activist Can Atalay.
Atalay won his seat in an election last year after campaigning from his prison cell. » | Agence France-Presse | Saturday, August 17, 2024
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Queer Life under Erdogan | DW Documentary
Jul 10, 2024 | Today, Pembe Özkan lives in Turkey. Before that she’d lived almost her entire life in Germany, where she came out and married a woman.
After divorcing her wife, Pembe returned to her home country. Now, she lives in İzmir, known as the most liberal-minded city in Turkey. That has made it something of a magnet for gay men and women, trans people and anyone else who wishes to pursue a lifestyle different from the one Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan envisions for Turkey’s people. We meet up with Pembe, who now has to brave the repressive atmosphere in Turkey. A report by Almut Röhrl.
After divorcing her wife, Pembe returned to her home country. Now, she lives in İzmir, known as the most liberal-minded city in Turkey. That has made it something of a magnet for gay men and women, trans people and anyone else who wishes to pursue a lifestyle different from the one Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan envisions for Turkey’s people. We meet up with Pembe, who now has to brave the repressive atmosphere in Turkey. A report by Almut Röhrl.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Activists Defy Ban to Stage Annual Pride March | DW News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)