Erdogan defies predictions of political demise ahead of Turkey election runoff

By Can Sezer and Jonathan Spicer ISTANBUL (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan has defied forecasts of his political demise in Turkey’s elections, rallying voters with a potent mix of religious conservatism and nationalism that looks set to propel his rule into a third decade on Sunday. Though he has yet to clinch victory – Erdogan…

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Argentina VP says IMF hinders growth in Revolution Day speech

By Lucinda Elliott and Eliana Raszewski BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner slammed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday, saying that the program agreed to with the multinational lender is holding back the country’s economy. Fernandez de Kirchner, speaking at an event commemorating Revolution Day in Buenos Aires’ historic…

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DeSantis to stump in early voting states after rocky presidential launch

By James Oliphant and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ fledgling presidential campaign was looking to push forward on Thursday after a troubled online launch event drew mockery from his rivals and renewed doubts about his viability as a national candidate. DeSantis plans to barnstorm the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire…

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Biden’s pick as top US commander could be delayed by senator’s blockade

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Republican senator’s hold on military nominations will apply to Democratic President Joe Biden’s selection of Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown as the country’s top military officer, who was chosen amid mounting U.S. concern over security threats from Russia and China. A spokesman for Senator Tommy Tuberville…

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Mexican president urges Latino voters to reject DeSantis after campaign launch

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday urged Latino voters not to back Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the next U.S. presidential election, accusing the Republican politician of trying to win votes at the expense of migrants. DeSantis said Wednesday he would seek the 2024 Republican nomination for president and…

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McCarthy says he spoke with Trump about US debt ceiling talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday he spoke briefly with former President Donald Trump about the debt ceiling negotiations in recent days, as time runs short for an agreement to avoid default. Trump, who is seeking a second term in 2024 amid multiple legal challenges, has downplayed…

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Kurds fear Erdogan win amid sharper nationalist rhetoric

By Burcu Karakas and Umit Ozdal ISTANBUL/DIYARBAKIR (Reuters) -Kurds opposed to President Tayyip Erdogan fear victory for him in Turkey’s presidential election could reinforce a crackdown the state has been waging against them for years, alarmed by a surge in nationalist rhetoric ahead of Sunday’s vote. Kurds, who make up around a fifth of Turkey’s…

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Turkey’s cenbank holds policy rate at 8.5% ahead of election runoff

By Ali Kucukgocmen and Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey’s central bank kept its policy rate at 8.5% on Thursday as expected, holding steady for a third straight month, despite a market rout after the first round of elections which indicated President Tayyip Erdogan was poised to win in the runoff. After Erdogan’s solid lead in…

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