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20 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Georgia Military Plane Crash

Members of emergency services work at the site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crash near the Azerbaijani border, in Sighnaghi municipality, Georgia. Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that 20 soldiers were killed when a military transport plane crashed in Georgia . The aircraft, a C-130 cargo plane, had departed from Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkey when communication was lost shortly after takeoff. Georgian emergency teams reported that 18 bodies were recovered at the crash site , with search operations continuing to locate the remaining victims. Witnesses shared footage showing the plane breaking apart mid-air before spiraling down into farmland near the Azerbaijani border. This tragedy is Turkey’s deadliest military aviation accident in recent years . Both Turkish and Georgian authorities have launched investigations, and officials confirmed that the aircraft’s black box has been recovered . President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the families...

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Venice Erupts in Protests Over Controversial €5 Tourist Entrance Fee


Venice, the picturesque Italian city known for its historic canals and narrow alleyways, was rocked by violent clashes between police and protestors. The cause? A contentious new “tourist tax” aimed at curbing overtourism during busy periods. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The Fee: The new entrance fee, set at €5 (approximately £4.30), applies to short-stay visitors and is in effect from today until May 5. On weekends, it will continue until July 14.

  • Critics’ Concerns: Demonstrators expressed their contempt towards the fee, arguing that it is unlikely to significantly reduce the approximately 30 million annual trips made to Venice. Some fear that it could tarnish the city’s public image.

  • Former Mayor’s Surprising Statement: Massimo Cacciari, a former mayor of Venice, went so far as to call the fee “absurd.” He suggested that tourists should outright refuse to pay, emphasizing that they already contribute to the city’s economy through various other expenses.

  • Business as Usual for Gondoliers: Amid the protests, gondoliers continued their usual work, ferrying tourists through the city’s iconic waterways. Tourists snapped photos of the demonstrations unfolding around them.

  • World’s First City to Charge an Entry Fee: Despite pleas from residents’ groups to reconsider the scheme, Venice became the first city globally to impose an entry fee specifically for day-tripper tourists. The goal is to manage congestion during peak times.

While the clashes highlight the tension surrounding the fee, the debate continues. Should visitors pay to experience the magic of Venice, or is this fee an unnecessary burden? Only time will tell how this unique policy shapes the city’s future.


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