Latest news with #UmitBektas
The Star
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trendyol, Baykar CEO, ADQ and Ant International to develop fintech platform in Turkey
FILE PHOTO: Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Turkish drone-maker Baykar, poses before an interview with Reuters at SAHA EXPO Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, October 27, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey's Trendyol Group, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, Abu Dhabi's sovereign fund ADQ and Ant International have agreed to explore a potential joint fintech venture offering digital financial services in Turkey, the companies said on Wednesday. The four parties signed a memorandum of understanding to form a platform that would provide services including digital payments, loans, deposits, investments and insurance. The launch would be subject to regulatory approvals. The companies said the platform would target individuals and small businesses, with a particular focus on Trendyol's network of sellers. "The project aims to combine Trendyol's e-commerce infrastructure, Baykar's AI and cybersecurity tools and Ant's experience in financial technology," a statement said. Bayraktar, best known for leading Turkey's top drone manufacturer, said the initiative would rely on domestic infrastructure and aim for high security standards. Alibaba Group President Michael Evans, representing Trendyol's main investor, said the partnership reflected interest in Turkey's digital economy while ADQ's deputy CEO, Mansour AlMulla, cited the country's growth potential in the sector. Ant International said Turkey's large and digitally active population made it a significant market. The companies did not disclose an expected investment size. (Reporting by Ebru Tuncay in Ankara, Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Japan Today
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Trump arrives in Texas to survey flood damage as questions over response swirl
An image of a cracked heart is placed on a collapsed tree by the Guadalupe River, across from Camp Mystic, following deadly flooding, in Hunt, Texas, U.S., July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY By Trevor Hunnicutt and Maria Alejandra Cardona President Donald Trump arrived in Texas on Friday to survey the damage caused by flash flooding and to meet with local officials, first responders and relatives of some of the 120 people killed in the July 4 disaster. His visit comes at the end of a week of mounting questions about the government response to the deadly deluge and hopes of finding any more survivors nearly extinguished. Search teams have combed through muddy debris littering parts of the Texas Hill Country, looking for the dozens still listed as missing, but no survivors have been found since the day of flooding. Last Friday, torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the pre-dawn hours of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. The disaster is the deadliest of the Republican president's nearly six-month term in office. As sun poked through dark clouds on Friday, search crews in hard hats painstakingly walked inch-by-inch along the ruined banks of the river, marking damage and looking through wreckage. "It's a horrible thing," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House. "Nobody can even believe it, such a thing - that much water that fast." Air Force One touched down at Kelly Field air base in San Antonio at about noon. Trump was expected to travel by helicopter to Kerrville, the epicenter of the flooding in south-central Texas, where he will speak with relatives of the victims and emergency responders, according to a White House official. He will also listen to a briefing from local officials and tour sites in Kerr County, the epicenter of the damage. The county is located in what is known as "flash flood alley," a region that has seen some of the country's deadliest floods. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over its banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. Kerr County officials say more than 160 people remain unaccounted for, although experts say that the number of people reported missing in the wake of disasters is often inflated. The dead include at least 36 children, many of whom were campers at the nearly century-old Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Local and federal officials have faced scrutiny for their response, including questions about whether they could have done more to warn people of the rising floodwaters. Before the most recent flooding, the county declined to install an early-warning system after failing to secure state money to cover the cost. In an interview of NBC's "Meet the Press" on Thursday ahead of the trip, Trump appeared to support any fresh initiative to install such alarms. "After having seen this horrible event, I would imagine you'd put alarms up in some form," Trump said. The Texas state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster relief funding. The U.S. Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, on Monday asked a government watchdog to investigate whether cuts at the National Weather Service affected the forecasting agency's response. The NWS has defended its forecasting and emergency management, noting it assigned extra forecasters to two Texas offices over the holiday weekend. The Trump administration has said the agency was sufficiently staffed and responded adequately to "an act of God." On NBC, Trump described the flooding as a "once-in-every-200-year event." LOCAL CRITICISM AND PRAISE At Stripes, a gas station in Kerrville, the building was tagged in large white letters, accusing "Trump's Big Beautiful Bill" of cutting "our emergency funding." The president's massive legislative package, which cut taxes and spending, won approval from the Republican-controlled Congress last week and was signed into law by Trump on July 4, the day when the flooding struck Texas. Trump has also largely sidestepped questions about his plans to shrink or abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates the U.S. government's disaster response efforts, and reassign many of its key functions to state and local governments. "I'll tell you some other time," Trump said on Tuesday, when asked by a reporter about FEMA. Jon Moreno, 71, a longtime Kerrville resident whose property on high ground was spared, praised the government response - local and federal. He has heard the debate about what more could have been done - including sirens - but said he didn't think it would have made much difference, given people's desire to build along the flood-prone riverbanks. "It's unavoidable," he said. "All those people along the river - I wouldn't want to live there ... It's too dangerous." © Thomson Reuters 2025.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Trump to visit Texas flood site amid questions about disaster response
An image of a cracked heart is placed on a collapsed tree by the Guadalupe River, across from Camp Mystic, following deadly flooding, in Hunt, Texas, U.S., July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to central Texas on Friday to survey damage from the July 4 flash flood that killed at least 120 people and left dozens more missing. His visit comes amid intense focus on the government response a week after the storm and as thousands of first responders comb through muddy debris, with hopes diminished of finding additional survivors. Torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. The disaster is the deadliest of the Republican president's nearly six-month term in office. Trump is expected to speak with family members of the victims and emergency responders, according to a White House official. He will also receive a briefing from local elected officials and see sites in Kerr County, the center of the damage. The county is located in what is known as "flash flood alley", a region that has seen some of the country's deadliest floods. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over its banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. The dead include at least 36 children, many who were campers at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Local and federal officials have faced scrutiny for their response, including questions about whether they could have done more to warn people of the rising floodwaters. The county declined to install an early-warning system years ago after failing to secure state grant money to cover the cost. Officials have said their current focus is on rescue and recovery. The state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster relief funding. The Trump administration has supported the disaster response through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sending funds for disaster recovery, temporary housing and property losses. Trump has largely sidestepped questions about his prior plans to shrink or abolish the agency and for its key functions to be carried out by state and local government. "I'll tell you some other time," Trump said on Tuesday, when asked by a reporter about FEMA. The U.S. Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, on Monday asked a government watchdog to investigate whether cuts at the National Weather Service affected the forecasting agency's response. The NWS has defended its forecasting and emergency management, noting it assigned extra forecasters to two Texas offices over the holiday weekend. The Trump administration has said the agency was sufficiently staffed and responded adequately to "an act of God." On Sunday, Trump was asked by a reporter whether government cuts hobbled the disaster response. "It didn't," Trump responded. (Reporting by Nicole Johnson in Washington; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt and Cynthia Osterman)
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump to visit Texas flood site amid questions about disaster response
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox An image of a cracked heart is placed on a collapsed tree by the Guadalupe River, across from Camp Mystic, following deadly flooding, in Hunt, Texas, U.S., July 10, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to central Texas on Friday to survey damage from the July 4 flash flood that killed at least 120 people and left dozens more missing. His visit comes amid intense focus on the government response a week after the storm and as thousands of first responders comb through muddy debris, with hopes diminished of finding additional survivors. Torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. The disaster is the deadliest of the Republican president's nearly six-month term in office. Trump is expected to speak with family members of the victims and emergency responders, according to a White House official. He will also receive a briefing from local elected officials and see sites in Kerr County, the center of the damage. The county is located in what is known as "flash flood alley", a region that has seen some of the country's deadliest floods. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over its banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. The dead include at least 36 children, many who were campers at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Nuclear safety research gets boost with new institute, $66m funding as S'pore weighs energy viability Singapore Man who killed 5-year-old daughter gets life sentence after he appeals against 35-year jail term Singapore Judge declines to void alleged sham marriage in S'pore, says it is for Parliament to decide Singapore More than 14,300 people checked during 7-week-long anti-crime ops Business OCBC CEO Helen Wong to retire on Dec 31; Tan Teck Long named successor Singapore S'porean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times Singapore Over 150 e-bikes and other non-compliant mobility devices impounded in last 2 months: LTA Business CEO salaries: At Singapore's top companies, whose pay went up and whose saw a drop? Local and federal officials have faced scrutiny for their response, including questions about whether they could have done more to warn people of the rising floodwaters. The county declined to install an early-warning system years ago after failing to secure state grant money to cover the cost. Officials have said their current focus is on rescue and recovery. The state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster relief funding. The Trump administration has supported the disaster response through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, sending funds for disaster recovery, temporary housing and property losses. Trump has largely sidestepped questions about his prior plans to shrink or abolish the agency and for its key functions to be carried out by state and local government. "I'll tell you some other time," Trump said on Tuesday, when asked by a reporter about FEMA. The U.S. Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, on Monday asked a government watchdog to investigate whether cuts at the National Weather Service affected the forecasting agency's response. The NWS has defended its forecasting and emergency management, noting it assigned extra forecasters to two Texas offices over the holiday weekend. The Trump administration has said the agency was sufficiently staffed and responded adequately to "an act of God." On Sunday, Trump was asked by a reporter whether government cuts hobbled the disaster response. "It didn't," Trump responded. REUTERS
Japan Today
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Japan Today
Thousands of first responders search for Texas survivors against long odds
FILE PHOTO: People take part in the search and rescue operation looking for missing people by the Guadalupe River, in Hunt, Texas, U.S. July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo By Jane Ross Thousands of first responders were still combing through piles of mud-covered debris in Texas Hill Country on Thursday, hoping against long odds to find survivors six days after flash floods swept through the region, killing at least 120. A dozen states have dispatched search teams to Kerr County, where the vast majority of the victims perished when torrential rains sent a wall of water raging down the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4. At least 96 people, including 36 children, died in Kerr County, officials said at a briefing on Thursday morning. Another 161 people remain unaccounted for. The last person found alive was on Friday, according to authorities. The dead included 27 campers and staff members from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer retreat on the banks of the river. Five girls and one counselor from the camp remain missing, officials said. Kerr County sits at the heart of what is known as "flash flood alley" in central Texas, a region that has seen some of the country's deadliest floods. More than a foot of rain fell in less than an hour early on July 4. Flood gauges showed the river's height rose from about a foot to 34 feet (10.4 meters) in a matter of hours, cascading over its banks and sweeping away trees and structures in its path. Hundreds of community members gathered at a worship service at Tivy High School in Kerrville on Wednesday to remember the victims. Students and adults prayed and sang, with some hugging and holding back their tears during the memorial at the school's football stadium. The school's soccer coach, Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, a former teacher there, were among the victims. Their two children were missing as of Sunday, according to the school district. "Zunker was a really tough guy," said art teacher Marti Garcia, who attended Wednesday's event. "I just had faith that he was going to pull it out." Authorities in Kerr County have faced questions about whether more could have been done in the early hours of July 4 to alert residents about the rising floodwaters and get some of them to higher ground. The county declined to install an early-warning system years ago after failing to secure state grant money to cover the cost. Officials have vowed to review the events to determine what may have gone wrong, but have emphasized that their current focus is on rescue and recovery. The state legislature will convene in a special session later this month to investigate the flooding and provide disaster relief funding. Meanwhile, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told reporters on Thursday that after talks with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, federal authorities had pledged $15 million in disaster relief for the mountain village of Ruidoso, where flash flooding on Tuesday killed three people, including two children, and damaged hundreds of homes. Some $12 million of the federal disaster funding is money previously pledged, but never paid, to build levees to protect the community from flash floods after wildfires last year, Lujan Grisham said. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
