Turkish prosecutors target 63 members of the military over ties to a 2016 coup attempt

Turkish prosecutors target 63 members of the military over ties to a 2016 coup attempt

ISTANBUL (AP) — Prosecutors in Turkey issued arrest warrants for 63 active-duty military personnel Friday over links to a group accused ofattempting a coup in 2016. Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the suspects included four colonels and came from the army, navy, air force and gendarmerie. Early morning raids across the country resulted in 56 suspects being detained. They are allegedly tied to an outlawed group that Turkey refers to as the Fethullahist Terror Organization, or FETO. Its leader, Fethullah Gulen,died in October last yearin the United States, where he had lived since 1999 in self-imposed exile. Some 290 people were killed in July 2016 when rogue military units took to the streets of Ankara and Istanbul in a bid to depose the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Jet fighters bombed the parliament building and presidential palace while Erdogan narrowly escaped assassination or capture while vacationing on the west coast. Asubsequent purgeof the military, police, judiciary and other state agencies saw tens of thousands arrested. Schools, businesses and media organizations tied to Gulen were closed down. The prosecutor's statement said those targeted Friday were identified through telephone communications and said FETO still posed the "greatest threat to the constitutional order and survival of the state." Since the failed coup, 25,801 military suspects have been detained, it added. The statement did not specify the exact charges against the suspects. Gulen, a former cleric, amassed a worldwide following over decades and aided Erdogan's rise to power in 2003. The alliance broke down after the government closed some Gulen-run educational establishments and Gulenists in the police and judiciary pursued corruption allegations against Erdogan's government. Gulen always denied any involvement in the failed coup. He was wanted in Turkey, which repeatedly demanded his extradition from the U.S. The coup attempt contributed to the acceleration of authoritarian tendencies in Turkey, with Erdogan's government implementing measures that consolidated his powers.

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May 23, 2025

Turkish prosecutors target 63 members of the military over ties to a 2016 coup attempt

Turkish prosecutors target 63 members of the military over ties to a 2016 coup attempt ISTANBUL (AP) — Prosecutors in Turkey issued arrest w...

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Germany's economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. That's double the initial estimate

Germany's economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. That's double the initial estimate

BERLIN (AP) — TheGerman economy, Europe's biggest, grew by 0.4% in the first quarter thanks to stronger-than-expected exports and manufacturing, official data showed Friday. That was double the growth initially estimated. The Federal Statistical Office had reported at the end of last month that the economy expanded by 0.2% in the January-March period compared with the previous quarter. The head of the office, Ruth Brandt, said that "the surprisingly good economic development seen in March" led to the revision. The last time Germany saw stronger growth was in the third quarter of 2022, when gross domestic product expanded by 0.6%. Germany has struggled to generate significant growth for years and the economy shrank in each ofthe last two years. In last year's fourth quarter, it contracted by 0.2%. In its first forecast since newChancellor Friedrich Merz'sgovernment took office earlier this month, the government's panel of independent economic advisers predicted on Wednesday that GDP will stagnate this year and grow by 1% next year. It pointed to headwinds from U.S. PresidentDonald Trump'stariffsand trade threats, but said a huge infrastructureinvestment packageput together by Merz's coalition offers opportunities for an improvement next year. Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macro at ING bank, said the improved first-quarter showing looks set to be "a positive one-off" at least in the short term, fueled by businesses trying to get ahead of Trump's tariffs. "As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of 'Liberation Day,' German industrial production and exports surged in March," Brzeski said in a research note.

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May 23, 2025

Germany's economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. That's double the initial estimate

Germany's economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. That's double the initial estimate BERLIN (AP) — TheGerman economy, Europe's ...

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Eagles' Saquon Barkley defends 'tush push' play, calls for NFL guaranteed contracts

Eagles' Saquon Barkley defends 'tush push' play, calls for NFL guaranteed contracts

Saquon Barkleyhas a love-hate relationship with the "tush push" play. TheNFL owners failed to pass a banon thePhiladelphia Eagles' controversial quarterback-sneak, falling two votes shy of passing the rule change on Wednesday. It ensures that the play will live for at least another season, something the Eagles have been celebrating ever since. Barkley, on the other hand, appears to understand that it's good for the team but bad for his season stats. The running back routinely lost out on touchdown-scoring opportunities toJalen Hurtsand the "tush push" when the Eagles were at the one-yard line. During an appearance on the "Exciting Mics" podcast with teammatesCooper DeJeanandReed Blankenship, Barkley discussed that and also offered his thoughts on the play. The episode released Thursday was recorded before the owners' voted. "I think it's soft, to be honest," Barkley said. "Everybody can do it. It's not a play that we only can do. We happen to have one of the best and biggest O-lines, and Jalen Hurts can squat 600 pounds. That's not our fault." The reigning offensive player of the year turned his attention to the other teams across the league that have tried, and failed, to replicate the Eagles' success. "Josh Allen is super big, they're not successful with it," Barkley continued. "Lamar Jackson is one of the best running quarterbacks of all-time, they're not successful with it. So it's not something that everyone can't do. Them trying to eliminate it, I think that's kind of lame." There were10 teams that voted to keep the "tush push"– nine if you exclude the Eagles. Of those nine teams, seven play in the AFC. Barkley acknowledged that the biggest push for a ban came from teams that Philadelphia has to compete against more often. "And the teams that want to get rid of it are the teams that gotta see us two or three times a year," he said. Barkley pointed out that he could understand passing a ban if there was a health risk for players. He suggested the league would have to ban the quarterback sneak in general if that were the case, since the "tush push" is another version of the play. DeJean and Blankenship presented Barkley with the idea of crafting an elevator pitch for NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell. The running back, like he would during a game, took that opportunity to change directions and focus on a bigger issue, in his mind. "Everybody can do it, there's no health issue and why we talking about the tush push, let's make sure everybody's contract is guaranteed," Barkley said. He added that baseball and basketball players have guaranteed deals, something the NFL doesn't. "We play the hardest sport of all of them," Barkley said. "Not saying like technical wise, but physicality wise. There's no reason why we put our bodies on the line, our minds, our brains on the line. It should be fully guaranteed, in my opinion." The trio proceeded to talk about the scheduling side of things, with games taking place on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday throughout the season which leads to short weeks and limited recovery time. As the NFL eyes an 18-game schedule and16 international gamesacross the league each year, the discussion surrounding player safety and contract value figure should only ramp up over time. The current NFL collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire in March 2031. If and when the players decide to take that fight to the owners, it should be an explosive battle. Especially now that a star player like Barkley is on the record endorsing the change. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Saquon Barkley talks failed 'tush push' ban, NFL guaranteed contracts

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May 22, 2025

Eagles' Saquon Barkley defends 'tush push' play, calls for NFL guaranteed contracts

Eagles' Saquon Barkley defends 'tush push' play, calls for NFL guaranteed contracts Saquon Barkleyhas a love-hate relationship w...

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Mauricio Pochettino sends clear message with latest USMNT roster: 'What we want ... is people desperate to perform'

Mauricio Pochettino sends clear message with latest USMNT roster: 'What we want ... is people desperate to perform'

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has a clear message for members of the national team's core: Get ready for a challenge. On Thursday, U.S. Soccerannouncedthe USMNT roster for the final set of friendlies before the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Like previous rosters, the squad includes a number of new names as Pochettino extends more opportunities to uncapped players. However, this roster is missing an unusually large number of big names: Christian Pulisic will be out after requesting time to rest. Other core players like Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and more are also absent, due to a mixture of injuries, coach's decisions and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Those excused absences or coach's decisions might seem reasonable enough. But then Pochettino seemed to clearly outline a hard reset on the USMNT's culture. In a news conference on Thursday, Pochettino mentioned that it was "exciting" to bring in different players, including players who are making their USMNT debuts — and players who can try to "challenge" playerswho would otherwise be a lock for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "I think it's important to create this challenge," he said. Pochettino's short tenure with the USMNT has had its rough patches, with back-to-backlosses in the CONCACAF Nations Leaguein March. While sounding clearly unsatisfied with some of the team's recent results, Pochettino seemed to open up the possibility that any member of the team's core could lose out on a spot in the next year. "I think (even) with all the names, I think that everyone would agree with us, we didn't perform," Pochettino said. "But I think the important thing is to provide to the new player the possibility to challenge, and to challenge the possibility to take a place. Players will arrive at camp on June 1, where Pochettino says that they'll start off with a conversation about "the possibility to defend your place." "When you are, now, in the national team is not because you are here to try to replace people that (are) sure that (they are) going to be here. No, you have the possibility to defend your place," Pochettino said of the players coming to this camp. "How you are going to defend your place, that is the important thing for us. You need to fight, you need to show attitude, the right attitude, but not only that, perform, and be brave, and follow the rules that we set in the group.' "I think it is really important for us," he continued. "They are going to compete in a fair way with different people that maybe are not involved today in this squad. Since taking over the national team, Pochettino has been notably open to providing opportunities for players who are not part of the USMNT core. The June roster includes a couple of notable first-time call-ups, including Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan, FC Köln forward Damion Downs and (ironically) Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, who Pochettino replaced. "It's about not (losing) the possibility when you have the chance," Pochettino said. "My feeling in all these camps, from October, November, January and March, I think many players, they took the chance and deserve to again to come back because (they) not only perform and behave well in the camp, if not after they keep performing in their teams." But then the head coach continued with a lengthy, eyebrow-raising commentary on whether this roster is meant to give the current USMNT core a jolt. "(In) a previous question you say to me, is (this roster) to punish or to say 'pay attention' to some players? What we want to create in our national team is people desperate to come, but desperate to come, toperform. To perform means (to) follow the rule, create good atmosphere, be part of the team, be able, in every single aspect, (to meet) our (federation's) demand," Pochettino said, "and understand that it's possible (for it to) be the last possibility to be with us. "Because we only have time to maybe train one, two, three times, then play. One, two recovery sessions and then play. And then go home and maybe wait two months to be all together (again). If you arrive to the camp and you want to spend a nice time, play golf, go for a dinner, visit my family, visit my friend. Is that the culture that we want to create? No, no, no, no, no. "What we want to do is to go to the national team, arrive and be focused. And spend all my focus and energy on the national team. Because we need to create this culture about winning," he continued. "If we want to be good in one year's time, we need to think that today is the most important day, because we need to build from today our way to arrive. It's not to say, 'OK, I wait, I wait, I wait. No, the World Cup is in one year. It's in six months. It's in one month.' And then it's (too) late. "That is why I think it's important to have (a) different approach," Pochettino concluded. Pochettino is making it clear: No spot is safe for the 2026 World Cup. The current roster will have a chance to prove itself at two friendlies before the Gold Cup, with a friendly against Turkey on June 7 and one against Switzerland on June 10. After that, the U.S. will move on to the Gold Cup, with the first group stage match on June 15. (Team, caps, goals listed in parentheses.) GOALKEEPERS (4): Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 51/0) DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes; 10/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 68/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 24/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 32/3), MIDFIELDERS (10): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 24/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 17/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0) FORWARDS (5): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5); Damion Downs (FC Köln/GER; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 15/4)

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May 22, 2025

Mauricio Pochettino sends clear message with latest USMNT roster: 'What we want ... is people desperate to perform'

Mauricio Pochettino sends clear message with latest USMNT roster: 'What we want ... is people desperate to perform' USMNT head coach...

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Ex-Los Angeles deputy mayor agrees to plead guilty in City Hall bomb threat case

Ex-Los Angeles deputy mayor agrees to plead guilty in City Hall bomb threat case

A former Los Angeles deputy mayor has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge after falsely reporting a bomb threat at City Hall to law enforcement in 2024, federal prosecutors said. Brian K. Williams, 61, of Pasadena, California, was charged with one felony count of making a fire and explosives threat, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said in anews releaseon May 22. The charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said Williams made the bomb threat against City Hall in October 2024 while he was in office. At the time of the incident, he was the deputy mayor for public safety. In December 2024, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office saidFBI agents searched the home of Williamsas part of an investigation into the bomb threat. The Los Angeles Police Department said the "source of the threat was likely" from Williams. Police said the investigation was referred to the FBI due to the department's working relationship with Williams. Following the search, a spokesperson for Bass said Williams was immediately placed on administrative leave. "Mr. Williams, the former deputy mayor of Public Safety for Los Angeles, not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles, but responding officers, and the integrity of the office itself, by fabricating a bomb threat," said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city. I'm relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions." Williams is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. San Diego airport threat:Military member arrested after bomb threat at San Diego International Airport Prosecutors did not provide a motive for the false bomb threat, but detailed Williams' process to conceal the origin of the threat. Williams was in a virtual meeting on Oct. 3, 2024, when he used a voice application on his cellphone to call his city-issued phone, according to the plea agreement. He then left the virtual meeting and called the chief of staff of the Los Angeles Police Department. Williams reported to police that he had received a call from an unknown man who threatened to bomb Los Angeles City Hall, the plea agreement states. About 10 minutes later, Williams texted Bass and several other high-ranking city officials that he received the threat at about 10:48 a.m. local time. "The male caller stated that 'He was tired of the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda,'" the text message reads. "I immediately contacted the chief of staff of LAPD, they are going to send a number of officers over to do a search of the building and to determine if anyone else received a threat." Police officers then searched City Hall but did not find any suspicious packages or devices, according to the plea agreement. Prosecutors said Williams later described the alleged call to police and showed them a record of the incoming call on his city phone, which appeared as a blocked number. "In fact, Williams received no such call and had made the bomb threat himself," prosecutors said. "In fact, that incoming call record was the call Williams had placed to himself from the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone." Prosecutors noted that there was no point in time at which Williams intended to carry out the threat. Bass announced Williams' appointment in February 2023,according to a news release. He assumed the role after a stint as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Commission. He also previously served as the deputy mayor under former Mayor James Hahn and worked in the Office of the City Attorney as a special assistant city attorney. Contributing: Michael Loria, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former Los Angeles deputy mayor will plead guilty in bomb threat case

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May 22, 2025

Ex-Los Angeles deputy mayor agrees to plead guilty in City Hall bomb threat case

Ex-Los Angeles deputy mayor agrees to plead guilty in City Hall bomb threat case A former Los Angeles deputy mayor has agreed to plead guilt...

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