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Hundreds of worshippers gathered in the narrow streets of Istanbul’s Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers echoing from the newly opened Kariye Mosque. Formerly known as the Chora Church, the site has been used as a museum for the past 79 years, but it is the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, following the renovation of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While many Turkish Muslims see it as a victory, the Greek Orthodox Church has denounced it as an “ill-advised decision” that “makes a mockery of the…

Honky-tonks are a staple of Nashville’s downtown scene, and whether you love them or hate them, you’ll probably be visiting one at some point soon. Honky-tonks usually come with drinks and live country music, but these 12 locations offer much more than that. Here’s Nashville Guru’s guide to the must-see honky-tonks on and around Broadway. Toothy’s Orchid Lounge Toothy’s is just as famous as the Ryman Auditorium across the street, but it’s a lot louder. Since opening in the 1960s, it’s become a popular meeting place for music lovers and now includes a trendy rooftop bar. You can also find…

‘Tis the season. The pumpkin spice lattes, turkey, and Christmas carols … the holidays can bring plenty of holiday cheer but also impending dread. This may ring especially true when you’re traveling, with the potential to miss important celebrations at Grandma’s or a coveted Caribbean vacation. We don’t have tips for surviving holiday gatherings, but we can help get you there. We’re bringing you everything we’ve got to help you manage holiday travel and have a stress-free holiday travel season this year. 21 Expert Tips for Surviving the Holiday Travel Season From travel insurance to Airtags, here’s everything you need…

Turkey on Monday unveiled a three-year austerity plan to cut public spending to curb inflation, which hit about 70 percent year-on-year in April and is expected to peak this month.Announcing the plan in Ankara, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said the wide-ranging plan included budget cuts “across public services”, some of which would require legislative changes to be submitted to parliament.”Our priority is to combat the rising cost of living. Low single-digit inflation is essential for sustainable growth,” he added.”Directing investment towards productive sectors will be crucial to the success of this plan. We will accelerate structural reforms and bring about…

Summer is just around the corner, which means memorable adventures are just around the corner. After all, the greatest gift you can give your children is time: time to create, time to discover, and time to spend together. Whether it’s an international trip, a road trip across the country, or getting out in nature at a nearby forest preserve, there’s a lot to consider when planning a getaway. As a veteran travel writer and mother of three, I’ve traveled all over the world with my kids, visiting far-flung places like Peru, Japan, and India, as well as outdoor hotspots closer…

Have you ever traveled to an insanely popular destination but found it extremely underwhelming, Pandas? For me, the Eiffel Tower seemed pretty overhyped. Perhaps I should’ve visited it at night? Still, nothing beats the disappointment one feels after a long flight and many months of expectations. Luckily, this time, we’re talking about the opposite – the travel destinations and tourist attractions that are actually worth the hype.Recently, one netizen went on to ask others: “What tourist attractions are NOT overrated?” Fellow travelers came through with answers from almost every continent. I personally have to agree with one commenter: pictures don’t…

Tatarstan flag at the parliament in Kazan (Credit: Original uploader: PetarM at Serbian Wikipedia; CC BY-SA 3.0 RS, via Wikimedia Commons) Geopolitical Report ISSN 2785-2598 Volume 42, Number 8Author: Giuliano Bifolchi executive summary The meeting between Tatarstan’s Head of State Rustam Minnikhanov and Turkey’s Director General of the Investment Bureau Burak Daglioglu in April signaled the deepening of economic ties between the two countries. The report examines the impact of the meeting on the geopolitical scenario in the region, assesses the associated risks and highlights Tatarstan’s role in strengthening Moscow’s diplomatic ties while remaining a key economic and political asset…

The recent period of tension between Russia and Türkiye appears to be over. It was only a few months ago that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was testing Moscow’s red lines by making friendly overtures to Ukraine. Currently, both the Russian and Turkish governments are responding to Middle East wars in exactly the same way. In other words, it uses war as a crutch to defeat Israel and its Western supporters. Finding themselves on the same side of the barricade, Moscow and Ankara are likely to seek to align positions on thorny regional issues and strengthen ties. But that doesn’t…

Downward angle icon An icon in the shape of a downward angle. Matteo Colombo/Getty Images Happy Saturday! If you’re going out this weekend, here are 11 things bartenders wish people would stop doing, including asking to play your favorite tunes.Today’s agenda:But first, where did Mother’s Day Brunch come from?If you were forwarded this, sign up here. Download the Insider app here. Brunch platter with mimosas, waffles, and fruit. Austin Melony Carroll/Getty Images This week’s streamMother’s Day Brunch Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, a joyous holiday for many but a difficult and emotional one for others.We suspect that those celebrating the holiday…

It was a scorching August day in 2022 and I was lounging at the pool of the Mercedes Club, my fitness center in midtown Manhattan. I had invited one of my best friends Bennett to spend the day with me.When he walked onto the pool deck and took off his hat, I nearly passed out. A year ago, he was essentially a bald headed man. But today — about eight months after he took a trip to Turkey — he had a fully restored hairline.Happiness. Jealousy. Shock. Intrigue. Fear. I was flooded with emotions. Bennett, who’s three years older than…