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Levels of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia have all climbed to a dangerous breaking point, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Tuesday.

"Racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia, which spread like a virus especially in developed countries, have reached intolerable levels," Erdogan said in his address at the annual UN General Assembly in New York.

Signs of xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia spiraling into a new crisis have reached alarming proportions in the last year, he said.

Stating that hate speech, polarization, and discrimination against innocent people hurt the public conscience in all corners of the world, the Turkish leader lamented that populist politicians in many countries continue to play with fire by encouraging these dangerous trends.

"The mentality which encourages heinous attacks against the holy Quran in Europe by allowing them under the guise of freedom of expression is in fact darkening its own future," said the president.

He stressed that Trkiye will continue to support initiatives to combat Islamophobia on all platforms, in particular the UN, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The president also called on world leaders who he said reject such attacks on sacred values to instead support Trkiye's struggle.

Erdogans speech followed a rash of attacks on the Quran such as burnings and other desecrations, particularly in northern European countries, and often committed with police protection.

The attacks have drawn widespread outrage and condemnation.

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Xenophobia, Islamophobia have reached 'intolerable levels ... - Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL

The status quo established by the first and second world wars no longer serves the world, and a new era is needed, and Trkiye is aiming to be among the leaders of this era, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

Trkiye may achieve successful results in the world by benefiting from every development at the global scale, Erdogan said at the opening ceremony of the World Turkish Business Council's (DTIK) 10th Congress, held in Istanbul on Friday and Saturday.

Touching on the Turkish diaspora, he said the number of Turkish nationals living, working, and studying in other countries reaches 8 million.

Turkic states and members and observers of the Organization of Turkic States, Caucasus, Balkans and Islamic world should also be added to this figure, he said.

He said Trkiye is working to improve economic, social and political ties through institutions such as DTIK.

"Thus, we will open a new era together for both our homeland and our brothers and sisters in the diaspora," he noted.

He also said Trkiye has not sufficiently marshalled the power of its diaspora especially in Western countries, adding that weaker diasporas have had more power on the policy side.

Trkiye continuing to develop

Omer Bolat, the Turkish trade minister, said despite devastating earthquakes this year, Trkiye is keeping sustainability and continuing to develop.

While world trade is in a slowdown period, Bolat said Trkiye aims to reach $255 billion in goods and $110 billion in services exports by the end of this year.

He said Trkiye became a hub in trade, investments, and tourism.

Trkiye continues to diversify its trade products and destinations by reaching more trade agreements, he added.

On Thursday, Trkiye signed a memorandum of understanding for easing trade and increasing investments with the Organization of Turkic States, he said.

Nail Olpak, chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), said DTIK has two main missions: supporting Turkish people living abroad economically and politically to empower both them and Trkiye, and benefiting from diaspora representatives to promote Trkiye worldwide.

Stressing that the DTIK has six main regional directorates and sub managing offices, he said participants from over 130 countries will elect directors and managers on Saturday in Istanbul.

As part of the ceremony a cooperation deal was signed by Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the secretary general of the Organization of Turkic States, and Olpak, who is also the chair of DTIK, signed a cooperation deal.

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Trkiye aims to be among leaders of new era: President Erdogan - Anadolu Agency

Former President Obama backed the United Auto Workers strike on Saturday, telling automakers that it’s time to “do right” by workers.

“Fourteen years ago, when the big three automakers were struggling to stay afloat, my administration and the American people stepped in to support them,” Obama said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “So did the auto workers in the UAW who sacrificed pay and benefits to help get the companies back on their feet.” 

“Now that our carmakers are enjoying robust profits, it’s time to do right by those same workers so the industry can emerge more united and competitive than ever,” he added.

UAW began a strike against the “Big Three” automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — early Friday morning, a first in the union’s history, after negotiations failed before reaching the end of the workers’ contracts. The union is demanding increased wages, shorter work weeks and better retirement benefits.

Profits at the Big Three firms increased by 92 percent in the last decade and CEO pay increased by 40 percent in the same period, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute.

“We are committed to winning an agreement with the Big Three that reflects the incredible sacrifice and contributions UAW members have made to these companies,” UAW President Shawn Fain said in an address Thursday.

In late 2008, weeks after Obama’s first election, the Bush administration announced a nearly $18 billion bailout for major automakers wrecked by the recession. Congress later invested about $80 billion of federal funds into Detroit automakers during the Obama administration, losing about $11 billion on its GM investment alone by the time the government sold the shares in 2013.

The Biden administration has also backed the UAW strike and President Biden encouraged automakers to return to the bargaining table with an increased offer on Friday.

“I believe they should go further… Record corporate profits, which they have, should be shared by record contracts for the UAW,” Biden said.

Strikes are limited to a small number of specific plants chosen by union leadership hours before they begin. The pop-up strike tactic is meant to “keep the companies guessing,” Fain said.

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Obama on UAW strike: Time to do right by workers that keep companies on their feet - The Hill

When Alejandra Campoverdi was 13-years-old, her debut play was praised by Angela Bassett.

Campoverdi, who is now known for her extensive roles in politics and women's health advocacy, wrote the script as part of the arts nonprofit program The Virginia Project. On the show's opening night, the Academy Award-winning Bassett, who had just filmed Whats Love Got to Do with It, was in the community center audience.

Bassett, who was friends with the actress who starred in the play, was struck by its relatability. Campoverdi writes that she recalls Bassett approaching her to say, "I want you to know how much I personally related to what you wrote. Thank you for your courage and honesty."

[That experience] showed me that vulnerability and sharing and creativity could actually be connective tissue between individuals, Campoverdi tells PEOPLE. So that not only helped kick off my love of writing, but it also changed the way that I live my life.

That defining moment is just one included in Campoverdis memoir, First Gen, out now from Grand Central Publishing. The author details the ups and downs of her life and career, which encapsulates everything from acting to modeling to serving as a special assistant during the Obama administration, and how she navigated it all as a first-generation Mexican-American.

Courtesy of Grand Central Publishing

I feel like I grew into this book, Campoverdi says. I couldn't have written this book five years ago. A lot of it had to do with my own healing journey and my own excavating of these wounds.

Campoverdi was raised in Los Angeles by her single mother, grandparents and aunts. She details her familys struggles over the years with financial insecurity, domestic abuse and loss, and how she felt pressure to keep the peace from a young age. These feelings of anxiety would follow her into adulthood as a First and Only, a term that she uses to describe first-generation individuals and others who are breaking barriers within their communities.

There's millions of us, she says. So let's start talking to each other in a real way.

Campoverdi does, and with candor. While she took on ahandful of small acting gigs, including the 2005 Keanu Reeves flick Constantine, and waited tables in high-end L.A. restaurants, Campoverdi also faced immense imposter syndrome amongst her University of Southern California classmates. She was accepted into Harvards Kennedy School of Government for graduate school, but instead of giving an immediate, resounding "yes," had to seriously consider the financial and emotional risks of moving cross-country and leaving her family.

Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer

As much as First Gen is a memoir, it is also a resource for other First and Onlys. Campoverdi isnt afraid to share the emotional toll of being a groundbreaker, as well as the nuances of the Latino and immigrant experience. She breaks down her story into categories, like the Bicultural Balancing Act, where one must navigate multiple cultures at once, and Blindfolded Cliff Jumping, which refers to the feeling of navigating new fields without any previous connections.

I had embarked on my career really trying to find a way to merge my love of my culture and what that identity meant to me with my passion and the issues that were important to me, Campoverdi says. Her work, which had included serving as the White Houses first Deputy Director of Hispanic Media, and running for Californias 34th Congressional District in 2017, doesnt come without challenges.

I still face all these pieces, Campoverdi says. The breakaway guilt, all of this, is still very active. And this book is how I'm also dealing with it in real time.

The author is only furthering her advocacy for her fellow First and Onlys. Campoverdi, who has benefited from therapy, provides pages of mental health resources in the book. She also launched the First Gen Fellowship, which will award ten grants to first-generation college students, per its website.

Alejandra Campoverdi

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More than anything, Campoverdi hopes that her readers feel seen and understand they are not alone. One of her own personal reckonings with this occurred when she introduced her mother and sister to President Obama during her time at the White House; an experience that Campoverdi says was bigger than all of them.

It was one of the moments that you can see all of the sacrifices and the debt and the hardship and the isolation and the loneliness and everything come together, she says. And you understand that your story and your experience as someone who's first-gen is so much bigger than who you are.

First Gen is now available wherever books are sold.

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Former Obama White House Aide Alejandra Campoverdi Releases New Memoir - PEOPLE

Entering the 2010s was yet another remarkable decade for ESSENCE. Weve elected the nations first Black president, and were at the forefront of covering what Black excellence truly is. The new decade meant hope for a better tomorrow, with Barack and Michelle Obama leading the charge.

In March 2010, the magazine placed the Obamas on the cover of the magazine. At this point, President Barack Obama had already served two years in office, during which he had embarked on a transformative journey for the nation. His historic election as the first African American president in 2008 had resonated deeply with the American public, and his policies and actions during those initial years were marked by a commitment to positive change. Notably, the passage of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, was among his significant achievements during this period. ESSENCEs decision to spotlight the Obama family in 2010 was a testament to the enduring impact of his presidency and the hopeful spirit he had brought to the nation, particularly for African Americans who saw him as a symbol of progress and possibility.

In August of the following year, the spotlight in Hollywood shone brightly on the incomparable Viola Davis. ESSENCE magazines decision to feature her on their cover during this pivotal moment was both timely and profound. Viola Davis had already established herself as a formidable talent, captivating audiences with her exceptional performances on stage and screen. Her appearance on the cover underscored her status as a rising star and a symbol of empowerment for the Black community and beyond. Furthermore, this feature aligned perfectly with the release of The Help, a critically acclaimed film in which Viola Davis delivered a breathtaking performance as Aibileen Clark, a character that resonated deeply with viewers and earned her deserved acclaim. In this way, Viola Daviss ESSENCE cover was not just a celebration of her remarkable career but also a testament to the power of storytelling in addressing important societal issues, particularly those related to race and social justice.

Fast-forwarding to July 2014, ESSENCE magazine released a highly anticipated collectors issue that had a special and unique appeal to both its female and male readership. This particular issue was dedicated to the cast of Think Like A Man, a film adaptation of Steve Harveys popular book, and it celebrated entertainment, romance, and humor in a big way. The decision to create dual covers for this issue was a clever and strategic move, showcasing the films ensemble cast and how big of a cultural moment the film was.

The ladies cover featured some of the most talented and beloved actresses in Hollywood, including Megan Good, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Lala Anthony, and Regina Hall. These women were celebrated not only for their beauty but also for their incredible acting skills and contributions to the entertainment industry. Their presence on the cover reinforced ESSENCEs commitment to showcasing strong and accomplished Black women in the world of entertainment.

On the flip side, the mens cover featured a lineup of charismatic and accomplished actors, including Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Terrance J, Romany Malco, and Will Packer. These men were not only celebrated for their on-screen charisma but also for their involvement in bringing the film to life. Kevin Hart, in particular, was a comedic powerhouse and a rising star in the comedy world, and his presence on the cover added an element of humor and relatability to the issue.

This ESSENCE collectors issue was a reflection of the magazines ability to capture the essence (pun intended) of cultural moments in the African American community and the broader world of entertainment. By featuring dual covers with the talented and charismatic cast of Think Like A Man, ESSENCE recognized and celebrated the films significance as a cultural touchstone, as well as the star power of its ensemble cast. It demonstrated the magazines commitment to showcasing Black excellence in the entertainment industry and its ability to resonate with both female and male readers.

Three years later, in 2017, ESSENCE magazine featured the multi-talented and highly decorated singer-songwriter, Kandi Burruss-Tucker, on its cover. Burruss-Tucker had already carved a niche for herself in the music industry as a member of the popular girl group Xscape and as a prolific songwriter. However, her appearance on the cover of ESSENCE marked a pivotal moment in her career and personal life.

Burruss-Tucker was widely recognized for her appearances on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, a reality TV show that showcased the lives and aspirations of affluent women in Atlanta. Her time on the show has allowed viewers to witness her dynamic personality, business acumen, and her ability to balance multiple roles and responsibilities. Moreover, the year prior, she had opened her first family restaurant, Old Lady Gang in 2016.

The timing of this feature was even sweeter as it coincided with talks of the highly anticipated Xscape reunion. The news of their potential reunion generated considerable excitement and nostalgia among fans.

In 2018, as the end of the decade approached, ESSENCE magazine created a poignant full-circle moment by featuring the iconic former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, on its cover, this time in a solo spotlight. Although the Obama administration had concluded two years earlier, the impact of the first family continued to resonate deeply with the American public, and their mission to inspire hope in the nation remained undeterred even under a new president. Michelle Obamas presence on the cover symbolized not only her enduring influence but also her commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

In this feature, Michelle Obama opened up about her experiences during her time in the White House, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into her life as the First Lady. Her candid insights and reflections offered a unique perspective on the responsibilities, challenges, and triumphs associated with that high-profile role. Moreover, Michelle Obama shared wisdom about what it takes to find ones own Barack, emphasizing the importance of partnership, mutual support, and shared values in a successful and fulfilling relationship.

What made this ESSENCE cover even more remarkable was the exclusive first look at her newly released book at the time, Becoming. The book, a deeply personal memoir, delved into Michelle Obamas life journey, her experiences in the White House, and her thoughts on identity, family, and leadership. Becoming would go on to become a literary sensation, resonating with readers around the world and inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on their communities.

ESSENCEs decision to feature Michelle Obama once again on its cover in 2018 encapsulated her role as a source of inspiration and empowerment for women and individuals of all backgrounds, reaffirming ESSENCEs commitment to showcasing influential and trailblazing figures within the African American community and beyond.

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'Time Of Essence': 2010s Obama Administration, Social Justice, And ... - Essence