Reuters, Istanbul
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said the state of emergency that has been in place since July 2016 will be lifted if he is elected in June 24 elections, but suggested it would be reinstated if the country faces further threats.
“Should I continue this task after June 24, the first thing we’ll do is, God willing, lift the state of emergency,” Erdogan said in an interview with 24 TV on Wednesday night.
“Lifting the state of emergency does not mean abolishing it completely not to come back. We’ll take whatever the toughest precaution is again when we see terror.”
France, Italy leaders meet today
AP, Paris
The French president’s office has confirmed the visit to France of Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. The Elysee said in a statement Thursday that Macron and Conte spoke by phone on Wednesday amid an escalating clash between the two countries over migration.
Italy demanded an apology after the French president accused the new Italian government of irresponsible behavior for refusing entry to a rescue ship with 629 migrants aboard.
Two killed in South Africa mosque attack
AFP, Malmesbury
A man stabbed two people to death and wounded two others in an attack Thursday at a mosque in South Africa before being shot dead by police, officers said.
Police have surrounded the building in Malmesbury near Cape Town outside which a body lay under a tree and a penknife had been discarded nearby, said an AFP correspondent at the scene. The attacker’s motive remains unclear.
Russian oppon leader released from custody
AP, Moscow
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been released from custody after serving a 30-day jail sentence for staging an unsanctioned protest in Moscow.
Navalny called a series of rallies in the Russian capital and other cities on May 5, just before President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a new term. Demonstrations under the slogan “He is not our czar” took place throughout the country.
Nicaragua prepares for national strike
AFP, Managua
Nicaragua’s influential bishops announced Wednesday they would convene opposing government and civil representatives this week in a bid to revive talks aimed at ending a violent political crisis that has left at least 152 dead.
The announcement came as the country prepared for a “peaceful” nationwide strike to protest the government’s deadly crackdown on a two-month long popular uprising against President Daniel Ortega.
