Latest news with #Crossrail
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Boris Johnson hails Turkey's infrastructure, urges UK to catch up
Agencies Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Türkiye's ambitious infrastructure drive during a recent panel on shifting geopolitical dynamics and their impact on the country. 'Türkiye displays a level of dynamism in infrastructure development that the U.K. sorely lacks,' Johnson said, citing Britain's failure to expand airport capacity in London and the recent cancellation of a high-speed rail project as signs of stagnation. 'And here in Türkiye, you've built colossal airports, amazing new infrastructure and high-speed rail,' he said. 'It's a lesson for us.' 'I was very proud when I was mayor of London to build all sorts of things – the Crossrail was the biggest engineering project in Europe,' he noted. 'I built lots of river crossings.' 'In the U.K., we have to accept that Türkiye's ambitions are really inspiring and leaving us behind – the scale and pace of change here since I first came to Türkiye has been extraordinary,' he added. 'Türkiye has taken on an ever more important role on the world stage, as a bridge between East and West, but more importantly, as a force for global stability.' Johnson said Türkiye has done 'some great things' as a NATO member and in its involvement with Syria. 'I hope very much that we'll have some peace and stability in that country,' he said. The former prime minister added that the U.K. and Türkiye have 'a great role together in reassuring the world about the permanence of our values and restoring some common sense where that is necessary.' Johnson said the first priority should be to end the 'miserable' war in Ukraine, while paying 'tribute to Turkish efforts' to broker peace. 'In the White House, they are finally understanding that ... Ukraine didn't start this war – Russia is the aggressor,' he said. 'I think they always understood that. It's very clear to President Trump. I think he is now going to start putting real pressure on Vladimir Putin.' Ahmet Eren, president of the Turkish Finance Accountants' Foundation (HUV), said the panel has hosted Turkish and international scientists, politicians and experts in recent years to discuss global economic shifts in 2023 and 2024. This year's edition focused on drawing international attention. 'The panel was planned before U.S. President Donald Trump's re-election, but his April 2 remarks shook the global economy, making this issue even more important,' Eren said. 'Assessing the effects of Trump's second term on the global political and economic system is more relevant today than ever,' he added.
Time Out
23-05-2025
- General
- Time Out
The City of London's biggest and oldest park has reopened after a massive makeover
Workers and residents in the City of London have been deprived of one of the area's best parks for quite some time now. But we bring you good news, because Finsbury Circus – the city's biggest green area – is finally re-open for good after more than a decade of building works and closures. The leafy oval in the heart of the City has been shut for refurbishment since November 2023. But on-and-off closures have been going on since long before then, with Finsbury Circus first being taken over by the Crossrail construction in March 2010, and not reopening until August 2020. But the park is now back to business as usual, and it's got a lovely new 'urban forest', oval-shaped footpath and islands full of bedded plants. The redesign of the two-acre garden was carried out by Hackney-based Architecture00 + Studio Weave (00SW) with ReardonSmith Landscape. One of the oldest greens in the city, Finsbury Circus Gardens has been offering Londoners a spot for peace and quiet since 1606 when it was laid out as London's first public park. The Grade II-listed spot is also home to a Grade II-listed drinking fountain dating back to 1902, which has been restored and moved to a new location under its own canopy.
