The 2025 Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s most prestigious Grand Tours, has been marred by repeated disruptions caused by pro-Palestinian protesters, raising serious safety concerns for riders and organizers alike. The race, which is scheduled to conclude in Madrid this Sunday, has seen multiple stages shortened or altered due to protests, with one rider forced to abandon the competition after a crash caused by demonstrators running onto the course.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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This ‘tough guy’ president says he’s tackling corruption. Rivals say he’s silencing opposition
On April 23, 2025, Istanbul was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, causing panic and injuries but no fatalities. Amid the chaos, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure, was unable to assist his city. Instead, he was incarcerated in Silivri Prison, accused of corruption charges he vehemently denies. His supporters argue that his imprisonment is politically motivated, aimed at neutralizing his potential challenge to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 elections. Imamoglu’s arrest has sparked widespread protests, particularly among the youth, who view it as an assault on democracy. Erdogan’s government has responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, detaining over 2,000 protesters and journalists. Critics accuse Erdogan of transforming Turkey into an autocracy, leveraging his geopolitical influence to avoid international scrutiny. Despite the turmoil, Erdogan remains a dominant figure, with a loyal base that credits him for economic development and the promotion of Islam in a secular republic. However, the erosion of democratic principles under his leadership has raised concerns about the future of Turkish democracy.