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Turkey’s leadership sees the fallout from the Iran‑U.S. confrontation as a chance to rebrand the country as a secure gateway for capital flowing from the Gulf, even as the war has pushed up local fuel costs and forced the state to tap foreign‑exchange reserves to support the lira. While Iranian missiles have battered infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Turkey—shielded by NATO air defenses—has largely escaped direct attacks, allowing Ankara to promote a narrative of security and stability for businesses. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has openly framed the regional crisis as a catalyst for Turkey’s ambition to elevate Istanbul into a premier global financial centre. In a recent social‑media statement he echoed the sentiment that, just as the pandemic opened new opportunities, the current geopolitical shock will "open new doors" for the nation. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek confirmed that the government is drafting "radical" incentive packages aimed at attracting foreign capital, though details remain under wraps. Experts say the proposed measures could include tax exemptions for firms that route commodity trades through Turkish entities without physically importing goods, offering a meaningful fiscal advantage over traditional Gulf intermediaries. "A liberal investment climate, streamlined entry procedures and comprehensive incentives could boost Turkey’s standing," said Bilal Bağış, head of economics at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University. The outlook is reinforced by the recent launch of the Istanbul Financial Center (IFC) in 2023, which promises a 100 % corporate‑tax exemption on export earnings until 2031. IFC officials report growing interest from both private firms and sovereign investors, especially from East Asian economies. "We are in close dialogue with Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom," an IFC spokesperson told Al Jazeera, highlighting Istanbul’s "triple advantage" of geography, innovation and economic depth, with a claim that the city can reach 1.3 billion people and a $30 trillion market within a four‑hour flight. Nevertheless, Istanbul still lags behind regional rivals. The latest Global Financial Centres Index places it at 101st, far behind Dubai (7), Abu Dhabi (21), Doha (48) and Riyadh (61). The gap reflects persistent challenges: double‑digit inflation, a lira that loses roughly 20 % of its value against the dollar each year, and concerns over policy predictability. Analysts warn that without addressing structural issues—such as high bureaucracy, legal uncertainty and imported inflation—Turkey’s bid to become a financial hub may remain aspirational. "The math gets complicated fast for firms earning in multiple currencies while paying salaries in a depreciating lira," noted Gulf‑based adviser Güney Yıldız. Occupancy at the IFC is still below half, though officials aim for a 75 % fill rate by year‑end. Critics argue that Istanbul lacks the "tabula rasa" appeal of Dubai, where regulatory frameworks can be more readily shaped to investor preferences. Some scholars suggest that Turkey should view its strategy as a gradual positioning rather than a direct showdown with Dubai. Finance professor Hasan Dincer emphasized that long‑term investor confidence hinges on predictability and transparent policy, noting that the success of initiatives like the IFC will depend on sustained implementation.

President Donald Trump's lawyers have filed a court document seeking a 90-day pause in a $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to explore a potential settlement. The move has sparked concerns about a conflict of interest, as Trump controls both the executive branch and the Department of Justice, which will be involved in the settlement negotiations. The lawsuit stems from the unauthorized release of Trump's tax returns in 2020, which were leaked by a former IRS contractor. Trump's lawyers claim that the release of the tax returns caused him, his businesses, and his sons "significant and irreparable harm", including reputational and financial damage. However, experts have questioned the validity of the lawsuit, citing flaws in the calculation of damages and the statute of limitations. They also argue that the lawsuit represents a conflict of interest, as Trump is essentially negotiating with his own administration for a payout. The $10bn sum sought by Trump is based on media references to his leaked tax returns, which experts say is not a valid formula for damages. Additionally, the lawsuit contends that Trump did not discover the unauthorized disclosures until January 2024, despite posting about the issue on social media in 2020. Government watchdogs have attempted to stop a settlement from unfolding, arguing that it would threaten the integrity of the justice system and the important taxpayer and privacy protections at the heart of this case. The Emoluments Clause in the US Constitution also prohibits the president from profiting off his position, apart from his salary. Trump has justified the sum by saying it would be donated to charity, but legal experts argue that this could still run afoul of the Emoluments Clause. The case has raised significant concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the integrity of the justice system.

Survivors of alleged sexual abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, are demanding justice for those they claim enabled and turned a blind eye to the abuse. A group of 50 survivors, supported by prominent figures including actor Richard Gere and women's rights advocate Gloria Allred, are seeking more than just financial compensation. “If they think the money is the important factor, they are so far off the mark,” said Jen Mills, a member of the Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group. The group claims there are “dozens of individuals who must be held to account” across various eras. The campaign group is pushing for Harrods to release the findings of an internal investigation into what staff knew about the abuse. They also want stricter regulation of HR professionals and an explanation for why the Metropolitan police and General Medical Council did not investigate complaints at the time. “It’s not just about what happened to us, it’s about making sure that this stops and that this doesn’t get to continue to the generations coming through,” Mills emphasized. Harrods recently closed a compensation scheme set up after dozens of women came forward with allegations of abuse by Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at the age of 94. Harrods states that the scheme represents only one form of redress available to survivors and was designed to provide resolution without a protracted legal process. A spokesperson for Harrods said: “We recognise differing views, however Harrods has always stated that the scheme represents only one form of redress available to survivors.” The group plans to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and is seeking a committee of MPs to help push forward an investigation into the abuse at Harrods and the lack of prosecutions.

Sixteen Polymarket accounts each earned more than $100,000 by correctly forecasting the U.S. airstrike on Iran on 27 February, while a single user, known as “Magamyman,” pocketed over $550,000 by betting on the removal of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei moments before his death in an Israeli strike.Just before former President Donald Trump announced a temporary cease‑fire on 7 April, traders placed a staggering $950 million wager that oil prices would fall – a bet that proved accurate.These synchronized bets, which also included $855,000 in contracts predicting the 27 February strike and $580 million in oil‑futures positions placed minutes before Trump’s “productive talks” comment on 23 March, have raised alarms about possible insider information being used in online prediction markets.Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi now allow contracts on virtually any news event, blurring the line between traditional sports betting and financial speculation. The ease of accessing commodity derivatives, especially oil futures, amplifies the potential for profit – and for regulatory scrutiny.Law professors Joshua Mitts (Columbia) and Andrew Verstein (UCLA) note that while the trades could be “lucky,” the timing and scale suggest “hallmarks of suspicious activity” that merit investigation. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has reportedly opened inquiries into the March 23 and April 7 oil‑futures trades, though it has not publicly confirmed the probes.Regulators face a dilemma: existing legislation may be inadequate for the technological realities of blockchain‑based prediction markets. CFTC Commissioner Michael Selig, appointed by the Trump administration, warned that “we will find you and you will face the full force of the law,” yet the agency cannot issue new rules until it has a full five‑member commission.State‑level challenges further complicate oversight. Nevada temporarily banned Kalshi for operating without a gambling license, while Arizona filed criminal charges over election‑betting contracts. Kalshi argues that the CFTC holds exclusive jurisdiction over such markets.A recent academic study screened over 200,000 “suspicious wallet‑market pairs” from February 2024 to February 2026, finding that traders in this cohort achieved a near 70% win rate, generating roughly $143 million from well‑timed bets on events ranging from the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to celebrity engagements.Congressional leaders have responded with legislation aimed at prohibiting federal employees, including members of Congress and White House staff, from participating in prediction‑market contracts tied to political or policy outcomes. However, experts caution that the legal framework for insider trading in commodity futures remains under‑developed, making enforcement challenging.As prediction markets continue to intersect with geopolitical events, the risk of market distortion grows. “When financial bets are based on classified military information, it undermines both market integrity and public trust,” warned Verstein, highlighting the broader implications for the real economy.

Gout Gout has claimed the 100m national junior title in impressive fashion, crossing the line in 10.21sec with a legal tailwind of +0.5m/s at the Australian athletics junior championships in Brisbane.The 18-year-old athlete took time to find his rhythm before settling into his stride and overtaking the early leaders to secure the win. Gout left a significant gap between himself and the rest of the field, with Zavier Peacock finishing second in 10.35sec and Uwezo Lubenda third in 10.37sec.Gout expressed his satisfaction with the performance, stating, 'I didn’t have the best start, but I came out for the W [win], and I wanted to put on a show for the rest of the people watching.' He emphasized the importance of having fun and running as fast as possible.Following his victory, Gout is set to head overseas for his first senior athletics campaign, which includes a highly anticipated meet against Letsile Tebogo, the 200m Olympic champion, in a Diamond League event in Oslo. Additionally, Gout will train with Noah Lyles, the reigning 100m Olympic champion, in America.Gout's performance comes on the heels of Lachlan Kennedy becoming the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier for the 100m on home soil. Gout, however, chose not to target this milestone in the junior final, instead easing up 30 meters from the line.The Queenslander has a personal best of 10.00sec over 100m, set in a low-key season opener in February. He and Kennedy are both eyeing the national record of 9.93sec, held by Patrick Johnson since 2003.

Fifteen people who were deported from the United States have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The deportees landed in the capital, Kinshasa, overnight Thursday to Friday as part of an agreement between the US and the DRC.The group includes nationals from Peru and Ecuador, with seven women among them, according to a diplomatic source. An official at the DRC migration agency confirmed the arrivals but did not provide details.US lawyer Alma David, who represents one of the deportees, said the deportees are all from Latin America and the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period. All the deportees have legal protection from US judges shielding them against being returned to their home countries, David told The Associated Press.The DRC Ministry of Communications announced earlier this month that it would temporarily accept migrants deported from the US. It said that Washington would cover the costs involved, and that facilities had been prepared near Kinshasa to accommodate them.The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that the DRC asked the UN agency for humanitarian assistance with the migrants. The IOM may also offer assisted voluntary return to those migrants who request it.The US policy has drawn criticism from rights groups over the legality of sending deportees to countries where they are not from and could face human rights violations. In some cases, the deportees have been later sent back to their home countries despite receiving legal protection from US courts to prevent that from happening.The Trump administration is thought to have spent at least $40m to deport about 300 migrants to third countries up to the end of January, according to a report compiled by Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Countries have received lump sums ranging from $4.7m to $7.5m to receive deportees.

Turkish doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk has decided to return to her native Turkey after a nearly yearlong legal battle with the Trump administration. Ozturk was targeted for deportation due to her pro-Palestinian advocacy, which the US government claimed was in support of Hamas.Ozturk, who received her PhD in child study and human development in February, made the announcement through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Friday. She cited the 'state-imposed violence and hostility' she faced in the United States as the reason for her decision.The controversy began when Ozturk co-signed an opinion column in her student newspaper, The Tufts Daily, calling on her university's president to acknowledge the Israeli genocide of Palestinians and divest from companies with ties to Israel. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused her of having 'engaged in activities in support of Hamas', although there is no evidence to back that assertion.Ozturk's case was one of the most high-profile instances of the Trump administration seeking to punish foreign students for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. Her arrest on March 25, 2025, was captured on surveillance video, showing six plain-clothed immigration officers surrounding her on the street outside her Massachusetts apartment.After her arrest, Ozturk was transported to New Hampshire, then to Vermont, and eventually to Louisiana, where she was held in ICE detention for 45 days. She described squalid conditions at the detention centre, including overcrowding, insufficient food, and a lack of medical care.Ozturk's legal team had submitted a habeas corpus petition, and on May 9, she was ultimately released. However, her legal proceedings continued, and this week, the ACLU announced that Ozturk's legal team had reached a settlement with the Trump administration to dismiss the deportation push.In a statement announcing her departure, Ozturk explained that countries should understand it is a 'privilege' to host international scholars. She also expressed support for other scholars fearing for their livelihoods and work, stating that she stands 'firmly in solidarity with academic communities in the US and elsewhere who live in fear for nothing more than their scholarship'.Ozturk will put her 13 years of study to use in her native Turkey, saying she is choosing to return home as planned to continue her career as a woman scholar without losing more time to the 'state-imposed violence and hostility' she experienced in the United States.

Burkina Faso’s military government announced on Wednesday the dissolution of 118 non‑governmental organisations and associations, citing compliance with existing legal provisions and imposing an immediate ban on their activities.The move, described by rights advocates as an "attack on basic freedoms", follows a series of repressive actions since the 2022 coup that brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power.All of the dissolved entities operate within Burkina Faso, many of them dedicated to defending human rights. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility, through Minister Emile Zerbo, warned that any non‑compliance with the July 2025 law governing civil‑society groups will attract penalties under current regulations.Amnesty International condemned the decision as a "flagrant attack on the right to freedom of association", noting that it contradicts both the Burkinabe constitution and the country’s international human‑rights obligations. Senior Sahel researcher Ousmane Diallo urged the authorities to rescind the decree immediately, emphasizing that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy that includes abusive legislation, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and prosecution of activists.Earlier this year, the regime forced all national and international NGOs to transfer their bank accounts to a newly created state‑controlled bank, dissolved all political parties after a three‑year suspension, and publicly urged citizens to "forget democracy."Burkina Faso continues to grapple with an insurgency linked to al‑Qaeda and ISIL affiliates; the government frequently accuses internationally funded NGOs of espionage or collusion with these armed groups, further justifying its restrictive measures.

Every year on April 17, Palestinians commemorate Prisoner’s Day to bring attention to the thousands of men, women, and children held in Israeli prisons. This year’s observance is particularly significant due to Israel’s recently enacted death penalty law, which exclusively targets Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.Rights groups have strongly criticized the law, labeling it a violation of international law and inherently discriminatory. The United Nations human rights chief has even suggested it could constitute a possible “war crime”.According to the prisoners’ rights group Addameer, nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons, both within Israel and in occupied territories. These individuals are viewed by Palestinians as political prisoners who must be freed.The historical context of Prisoner’s Day dates back to April 17, 1971, when Mahmoud Bakr Hejazi was released in the first prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestine. In 1974, the Palestinian National Council officially designated April 17 as Prisoner’s Day, which has since served as a day of national and international solidarity with the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s continued occupation.Administrative Detention and Its ImplicationsAs of early April, 9,600 Palestinians were in Israeli custody. Of these detainees:3,532 are administrative detainees – held without charge or trial.342 are children.84 are women.119 are serving life sentences.Administrative detention is a longstanding Israeli policy allowing authorities to hold Palestinians without charge or trial for six-month periods that can be renewed indefinitely. Critics argue that this system is widely abused and denies due process, with over one-third of detainees being held under administrative detention.The Plight of Palestinian ChildrenIsrael is the only country that tries children in military courts, often denying them basic rights. 342 children were being held in Israeli prisons this month, with over 12,000 Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces since the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000. These children are often subjected to physical and psychological torture, interrogated without parental or legal presence, and exploited for information or used as leverage against their families.The New Death Penalty LawThe new law allows military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in acts of “terror.” This law, approved on March 30 and set to take effect by the end of April, applies to Palestinians from the West Bank tried in Israeli military courts. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the bill as a “war crime against the Palestinian people”, citing violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.The rights group B’Tselem noted that the conviction rate for Palestinians tried in military courts is about 96 percent, often based on ‘confessions’ obtained through pressure and torture.A Legacy of DetentionSince 1967, Israeli forces have detained an estimated one million Palestinians, or about 20 percent of the Palestinian population. This systemic practice has fragmented communities, perpetuated cycles of trauma, and generated widespread resentment. For many families, arrests have become an inevitability, with freedom remaining uncertain for those currently behind bars, just as it has for generations before them.