• Supporters chant slogans and wave flags as they listen to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a campaign rally in Istanbul. Getty
    Supporters chant slogans and wave flags as they listen to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a campaign rally in Istanbul. Getty
  • Mr Erdogan faces Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party in a presidential run-off vote on Sunday. AP
    Mr Erdogan faces Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party in a presidential run-off vote on Sunday. AP
  • None of the three candidates in the May 14 election received more than 50 per cent of the vote, forcing a run-off. AP
    None of the three candidates in the May 14 election received more than 50 per cent of the vote, forcing a run-off. AP
  • The third candidate, Sinan Ogan, has since declared his support for Mr Erdogan. AP
    The third candidate, Sinan Ogan, has since declared his support for Mr Erdogan. AP
  • One of the most significant differences between Mr Erdogan and Mr Kilicdaroglu is their stance on the Syrian refugee issue. AP
    One of the most significant differences between Mr Erdogan and Mr Kilicdaroglu is their stance on the Syrian refugee issue. AP
  • Turkey has nearly four million refugees who have fled the war in Syria since it began in 2011. AP
    Turkey has nearly four million refugees who have fled the war in Syria since it began in 2011. AP
  • Mr Erdogan has stood out from his rival by promising not to repatriate Syrian refugees unless they voluntarily choose to return. AP
    Mr Erdogan has stood out from his rival by promising not to repatriate Syrian refugees unless they voluntarily choose to return. AP
  • Analysts expect Mr Erdogan to win the run-off vote. Getty
    Analysts expect Mr Erdogan to win the run-off vote. Getty

Turkish election rivals make final push for votes before run-off


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

Turkey's presidential election rivals have made a final push for votes on the last day of campaigning before a pivotal run-off election on Sunday to choose the country's president.

Long-time leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the mausoleum of Adnan Menderes, the former Turkish leader who was executed a year after the military staged a coup in 1960.

“The era of coups and juntas is over,” Mr Erdogan said.

“I once again call on you to go to the ballot boxes. Tomorrow is a special day for us all.”

Mr Erdogan made references to the majority of ballots his party and its allies obtained in parliamentary elections on May 14. He urged voters to ensure that support was shown “much more strongly" in the run-off.

In the first round of voting two weeks ago, Mr Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), fell short of the 50 per cent threshold needed to secure the presidency.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), has put on the most successful opposition campaign during Mr Erdogan's 20 years in charge.

But in the first round he was still about five percentage points behind the president.

"If you really want it, we'll all get out of this dark pit together," he said on social media on Saturday. "I am calling to all our people regardless of their view or lifestyle. This is the last exit. Everyone who loves their country should go to the ballot box!"

Mr Kilicdaroglu has promised to improve equality in Turkey, accusing Mr Erdogan and the AKP of engaging in autocratic practices. But in a bid to make up the gap and attract new supporters, the CHP leader has also criticised the country's hosting of Syrian refugees.

On the eastern side of the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, the CHP staged a rally with the city's Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, who is seen as the deputy to Mr Kilicdaroglu in the six-party coalition backing his candidacy.

“I am voting for Kilicdaroglu – and I also love Imamoglu – because during the 20-year period of AKP rule, they destroyed the economy and inflation is too high. People can't by bread for their children,” said Aytan Aydemir, 58.

The Turkish economy is under pressure, with inflation soaring and the value of the lira continuing to plummet. That in part has been blamed on economic policies imposed by Mr Erdogan and described by some as unorthodox.

  • People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
    People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
  • A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
    A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
  • People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
    People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
  • The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
    The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
  • People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
    People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
  • People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
    People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
  • The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
    The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
  • A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
    A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
  • Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
    Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
  • A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
    A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
  • A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
    A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
  • Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
    Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
  • Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
    Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
  • Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
    Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
  • Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
    Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
  • Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
    Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
  • Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
    Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
  • Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
    Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
  • People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
    People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
  • A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
  • A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
    A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
  • Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
    Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
  • A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
  • Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
    Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
  • Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
    Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
  • A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
    A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
  • Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
    Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
  • Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
    Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
  • An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters

Inflation surged to 85 per cent last year, with Mr Erdogan forcing the central bank to follow through on his interest rate policies.

“In the economy there is high inflation, but I am sure [Mr Erdogan] will make it recover and be strong again,” Berkey Seker said at a pro-Erdogan rally in the Istanbul district of Haskoy on Saturday.

“If the people don’t appreciate him, it’s not the fault of Erdogan, it's their problem.”

The candidates and their supporters have sought to secure the votes of young people in Turkey.

“He did a lot good things for our country. He strengthened our infrastructure, like tunnels, motorways, drones and ships,” Mr Seker, 24, said of Mr Erdogan.

“I don't want him to be replaced by Kilicdaroglu, because Erdogan is doing the best for our country. I want to continue with him."

Talha Coktu, 18, also announced his support for the President at the rally.

“I am supporting Erdogan. I was born with Erdogan, and I want to continue with Erdogan,” he said.

“In my opinion Erdogan is a leader and he can manage the country. The country needs a powerful leader.

"I am voting for Erdogan because of the future of my country, because he can bring wealth to the country.

“The priorities for a country, first is law, second is economy, and third is justice. Erdogan is doing this well. I think he will do good things to the economy.”

At the pro-CHP rally, Arzu Cevik, 50, emphasised why Mr Kilicdaroglu was able to build support.

“My hope is that tomorrow he will win because Turkey can shift from the authority of one man, to plural rule," Ms Cevik said.

"There are six parties from six ideologies who can come together to manage the country democratically. It will help develop women's rights.

"On the other side, in Erdogan's coalition, they want to destroy women's rights.”

Her daughter, Lilay Cevik, said: “There is no worse a situation that we are in now. If Kilicdaroglu wins, there is no way the situation can be worse than now.”

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where to buy art books in the UAE

There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.

In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show. 

In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.

In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
​​​​​​​

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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
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UAE v Ireland

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

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Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

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Sri Lanka's T20I squad

Thisara Perera (captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.

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Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Rainbow

Kesha

(Kemosabe)

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

Updated: May 27, 2023, 8:12 PM