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Barcelona beat Espanyol to win first La Liga since Messi’s exit

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Barcelona has won their first Spanish league title since Lionel Messi left the club two years ago, despite facing financial difficulties. They achieved a 4-2 victory over Espanyol, although the match was marred by Espanyol fans storming the pitch at the end of the game. Robert Lewandowski played a key role, scoring two goals to secure Barcelona’s league title with four rounds remaining.

This is the first time since the 1998-99 season that Barcelona has celebrated a league title without Lionel Messi in their squad. Messi joined the team in the 2004-05 season and won the league title that same year.

The on-field celebrations were cut short when a group of Espanyol fans, particularly from the ultra section behind one of the goals, rushed towards the Barcelona players. Security guards quickly intervened, and riot police had to block the tunnel entrance to prevent the fans from entering. The fans threw chairs and other objects during the incident.

In addition to Lewandowski’s goals, Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona. This victory brings Barcelona’s total number of league titles to 27, which is eight fewer than their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid, who currently hold the third position, are 16 points behind after losing 1-0 to the last-placed team, Elche, earlier on the same day.

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Turkey’s Erdogan appears to have upper hand after tense night

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The battle for the presidency in Turkey is likely to go to a run-off, with both candidates confident of victory. After being in power for 20 years, Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his belief in winning another five-year term, while his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu seemed to have a favorable chance of winning. However, preliminary results from the first round showed Erdogan leading with 49.4% of the votes, compared to Kilicdaroglu’s 45%. Erdogan’s alliance of parties also secured a majority in parliament, providing an additional advantage in the presidential run-off.

The opposition parties in Turkey had joined forces to end Erdogan’s extended power, and the outcome of the election is closely watched by Western countries. Kilicdaroglu pledged to revive Turkish democracy and strengthen relations with NATO allies, while Erdogan’s government, with an Islamist-rooted background, accused the West of conspiring against him.

Following the announcement of the preliminary results, Kilicdaroglu remained optimistic, stating that he would win in the second round if the nation demanded it. However, there were concerns that the government was trying to obstruct the will of the people through challenges in opposition strongholds. Rising stars within Kilicdaroglu’s party reminded voters that Erdogan’s party had employed similar strategies in the past. The opposition highlighted the efforts of their volunteers in safeguarding the ballots to ensure a fair process.

Although Kilicdaroglu, who has lost several previous elections, struck a chord with his message of curbing the president’s excessive powers, Erdogan seems to have the upper hand despite the challenging circumstances. Turkey has been grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, with 44% inflation, exacerbated by Erdogan’s unorthodox economic policies. The government also faced criticism for its slow response to the earthquakes in February, which claimed many lives.

Overnight results indicated that Erdogan’s support in areas affected by the earthquakes only slightly decreased, with his backing remaining above 60% in most of the eight cities. Erdogan, speaking to his supporters, declared that he was far ahead, despite the final results not yet being available. The outcome defied pollsters’ predictions, who had suggested that Kilicdaroglu held an advantage and could potentially win without a run-off.

Unconfirmed results quoted by the state news agency Anadolu suggested that Erdogan’s AK Party, in alliance with the nationalist MHP, was heading for a parliamentary majority, with 316 seats out of 600. This result showcases the deep polarization within Turkish society, a century after the founding of the modern Turkish republic by Kemal Ataturk.

As the expected run-off approaches, it remains uncertain how close the race will be. Speculation has already emerged regarding the 5% of votes received by the third candidate, ultranationalist Sinan Ogan. Both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu will likely seek Ogan’s endorsement, but it is unclear if his supporters will follow suit.

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Turkey decides on future with or without Erdogan

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The Turkish people are currently participating in what is considered the most crucial elections in their recent history. These elections will determine whether Recep Tayyip Erdogan will continue to hold the presidency after his 20-year rule.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan’s main opponent, has pledged to revoke many of the powers acquired by Erdogan following his survival of a failed coup in 2016. Backed by a broad opposition alliance, Kilicdaroglu stands a real chance of winning the election.

Two significant issues have greatly concerned Turkey’s 64 million voters: the skyrocketing inflation and the occurrence of two earthquakes. These concerns have intensified the race, with voters lining up at polling stations even before they open.

The enthusiasm for democracy among the Turkish people is evident, as some individuals have humorously mentioned breaking the voting stamp in their eagerness to participate twice. In Antakya, a city severely affected by the earthquakes in February, over 100 buses transported displaced individuals to polling stations so they could cast their votes. The earthquakes have impacted eleven provinces across the country.

To secure an outright victory in the election, the winner must receive more than 50% of the vote. Otherwise, a runoff will take place in two weeks’ time.

Kilicdaroglu, aged 74, arrived at a crowded polling station in an Ankara school amid chants of “everything will be all right.” One voter affectionately referred to him as “grandpa,” a term used by young voters. Sima, who came to greet him along with her friend Pilay, expressed excitement at the prospect of change after more than two decades of the current regime.

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Ukraine’s Zelensky in Rome to meet Pope Francis

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently on a visit to Rome, where he is scheduled to meet with political leaders and have an audience with Pope Francis. Zelensky expressed his anticipation for the visit, calling it an important step towards Ukraine’s victory.

The visit includes meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, followed by a visit to the Vatican on Saturday. In preparation for the visit, a significant security operation has been initiated, involving the deployment of over 1,000 police officers and the establishment of a no-fly zone over Rome.

Pope Francis has consistently expressed his willingness to act as a mediator in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Just a few weeks ago, he mentioned that the Vatican was working on a peace plan to end the war, although the details have not been made public yet.

The relationship between Ukraine and the Vatican has not always been smooth, as demonstrated by the Ukrainian ambassador’s rare criticism of the Pope in August. The ambassador took issue with the Pope referring to Darya Dugina, the daughter of a Russian ultra-nationalist, who was killed by a car bomb, as an “innocent” victim of war.

This meeting between President Zelensky and Pope Francis holds particular significance as it takes place in the context of Russia’s recent air strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The attacks caused injuries and damage to critical infrastructure, residential areas, and government buildings. In response, Ukrainian forces reported progress near the city of Bakhmut.

Explosions were also reported in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk, with accusations that Kyiv used Storm Shadow missiles, which the UK claimed to have supplied to Ukraine earlier in the week. Further reports of blasts in Luhansk emerged on Saturday.

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Turkey election: Opposition dares to dream of Erdogan defeat

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Turkey’s President Erdogan is facing a strong opposition in the upcoming elections, as his main rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu has managed to unite allies from various political backgrounds. Kilicdaroglu, accompanied by his supporters, delivered a passionate speech in Ankara, promising to restore “peace and democracy.”

Erdogan, who has been in power for two decades, defended his record, claiming that he has successfully overcome numerous challenges, including the struggling economy and devastating earthquakes in February. The issues of the economy and natural disasters have been the focal points of the campaign for both the presidency and parliament.

Kilicdaroglu, aged 74, is known for his soft-spoken nature, but he delivered a strong speech that resonated with those who see him as their best chance to regain power from Erdogan, who has centralized authority and expanded his own powers significantly.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the main opposition candidate, is slightly leading in the opinion polls, and his supporters are hopeful that he might secure more than 50% of the vote, avoiding a run-off election in two weeks.

The alliance supporting Kilicdaroglu includes conservatives, nationalists, and even a pro-Islamist party, which has delighted many of his followers. Kilicdaroglu’s party maintains a strong secular stance but has made efforts to appeal to women who wear the headscarf. The six parties in the alliance have come together under the slogan “Haydi” (Come on!) and have a campaign song of the same name.

Tensions are running high in the lead-up to the election. Kilicdaroglu even wore a bullet-proof vest during his final rally in Ankara and at a previous event, highlighting the intensity of the race.

Muharrem Ince, one of the candidates for the presidency, withdrew from the race, citing targeted attacks on social media with manipulated videos aimed at swaying the electorate. The atmosphere surrounding the election has become both tense and crucial.

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Pope Francis warns pets must not replace children in Italy

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Pope Francis has expressed concern about the increasing difficulty of starting a family in Italy, stating that it has become a significant challenge that only the wealthy can afford. Speaking at a conference on Italy’s demographic crisis, he noted that pets are replacing children in many households. The country has one of the lowest fertility rates in the European Union, with births dropping to a new low of below 400,000 last year. The Pope attributed this decline to a lack of hope among younger generations, who face uncertainty, fragility, and precariousness due to difficulties in finding stable jobs, high rents, and insufficient wages.

The Pope shared an incident where a woman asked him to bless her baby, only to reveal a small dog instead. Expressing his frustration, he questioned why someone would prioritize a pet over hungry children. This remark received applause from the audience.

Italy is not the only country experiencing a decline in birth rates. Japan, South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Portugal are among the nations facing similar challenges. However, Italy’s situation is particularly worrisome due to its status as the third-largest country in the eurozone. The country could lose almost 20% of its population by 2050 while simultaneously facing a rapidly aging population, as evidenced by the tripling number of centenarians over the past two decades.

The shrinking population is a major concern, with experts warning that it could lead to the impoverishment of the nation. Italy’s Economy Minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti, predicts that the declining birth rate will result in an 18% reduction in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2042.

Several factors contribute to the declining birth rate in Italy. Young people face difficulties in finding stable employment, and the childcare support system is often inadequate, making it challenging for mothers to balance work and family life. Additionally, six out of ten mothers lack access to nurseries, and many pregnant women face resignations or dismissals from their jobs upon pregnancy.

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Russia denies claims of Ukrainian front-line gain

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There are conflicting reports about the situation on the front line of the war between Ukraine and Russia. Pro-Russia sources, including Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group fighting on the Russian side, claimed that regular Russian troops had abandoned positions around Bakhmut.

Russian military bloggers also reported Ukrainian advances and troop movements. However, the Kremlin denied that Ukraine had made any significant advances and stated that the situation was under control.

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Ukrainian forces had likely made gains in the city of Bakhmut, pushing Russian troops back by approximately two kilometers. They also noted that the Russian defense ministry’s quick denial of the Ukrainian counterattacks, despite acknowledging them, indicated increased panic.

On Friday morning, the exiled mayor of Melitopol reported a large explosion in the city, which has been occupied by Russia since the start of the war. The cause of the blast is unknown. The Ukrainian air force conducted 14 strikes on Russian forces and military equipment, while also destroying nine Russian drones and attacking multiple military targets, including artillery units, an ammunition warehouse, and air defense equipment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that it was too early to launch a counteroffensive and that they needed more time. He expressed concern about the potential loss of many lives and emphasized the need to wait.

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UK confirms supply of Storm Shadow long-range missiles in Ukraine

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The UK has confirmed its decision to supply Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which were requested by Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces. The Storm Shadow missile, with a range of over 250km (155 miles), offers a significant advantage compared to the US-supplied Himars missiles, which have a range of approximately 80km (50 miles). The UK Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, stated that these missiles would provide Ukraine with the best chance of defending itself, as they can be launched from aircraft, allowing Ukrainian pilots to operate at a safer distance from the frontlines.

The Storm Shadow missile operates by dropping to a low altitude to avoid detection by enemy radar and then uses an infrared seeker to lock onto its target. The announcement of this decision was made by Mr. Wallace in the House of Commons, following repeated requests from Ukraine for more support from Western nations. The UK’s decision to provide these missiles was prompted by Russia’s targeting of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, and the move aims to enable Ukraine to push back Russian forces from its sovereign territory.

Mr. Wallace emphasized that the donation of these missile systems was a response to Russia’s aggression and would not have been necessary if Russia had not invaded Ukraine. However, he acknowledged that the range of the Storm Shadow missiles provided by the UK is not comparable to Russia’s own missile systems, some of which have much greater reach. Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, assured that longer-range missiles would not be used to attack targets within Russia itself and offered guarantees that the weapons would not be involved in attacks on Russian territory.

The Kremlin responded to the UK’s decision by stating that it would take an appropriate military response if Ukrainian forces used the British-supplied Storm Shadow weapons. The Storm Shadow missile has previously been used by the British and French air forces in various conflicts, including the Gulf, Iraq, and Libya. It should be noted that while the British-supplied missiles can only be fired from aircraft, the French missiles can be launched from ships and submarines.

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Sanna Marin: Finnish PM to divorce as she prepares to leave office

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Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, and her husband, Markus Raikkonen, have announced their decision to divorce after 19 years of marriage.

The couple, who have a five-year-old daughter together, got married in 2020 when Marin was leading the country’s pandemic response. Marin, who became the world’s youngest prime minister in 2019, recently lost the general election, resulting in her party’s defeat.

In an Instagram post, Marin expressed gratitude for the years they spent together and stated that she and Raikkonen would remain best friends, continuing to spend time together as a family. Despite enjoying high popularity and praise for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, Marin has also faced criticism and controversy, including allegations about her personal life and partying habits.

However, she was cleared of misconduct by parliament and received support from many women in Finland during these incidents. Marin’s government has resigned but will serve on a caretaker basis until the formation of a new government, expected to be concluded by June.

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News Trending War

Ukraine war: French journalist killed near Bakhmut

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A French journalist, 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was fatally struck by rocket fire while reporting in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. He was working for the AFP news agency and was killed near Chasiv Yar, just west of Bakhmut.

Soldin was part of a group of journalists accompanying Ukrainian soldiers when they came under attack at around 16:30 local time. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and praised Soldin’s work on the front lines of the conflict. The chairman of AFP, Fabrice Fries, described the news agency as “devastated” by the journalist’s death, emphasizing the risks faced by journalists covering the Ukrainian conflict.

Soldin had been living in Ukraine since September, having joined the first AFP team to report from the country after Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year. Tributes were paid to Soldin in France’s National Assembly, and Ukraine’s defense ministry offered its condolences, acknowledging his dedication to uncovering the truth.

The Kremlin expressed sadness and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Soldin’s death. The White House also honored the journalist and acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists exposing the realities of Russia’s invasion.

Soldin, who was born in Bosnia, is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bakhmut has been a focal point of the conflict in eastern Ukraine for several months.

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