When I told my friends and family I was going to Turkey the overwhelming response was, “don’t go”. Granted I was staying 40 miles north of the Syrian border and 40 miles west of a civil war in an area of Turkey that all Western Governments had advised against “all but necessary travel” to, but my gumption was that Turkey is safe for tourists despite all that is going on around it. I was, however, undeniably anxious about visiting Gaziantep,...

I don't know how it happened, but it seems that almost overnight London has become a breeding ground for chalk board wankers. Every aspect of gastronomy in the capital has become completely up itself. Like there's not a punter out there who would ever dream of eating a loaf of bread if it hadn't been kneaded on the thighs of a virgin using flour blessed by Trapist monk and salt from the deepest depths of the Himalayas. Gastronomy is booming,...

Review by Leslie Byron Pitt Arabian Nights – The Restless One is the type of film in which you can easily imagine certain cliques chomping at the bit to discuss and lavish praise upon. However, if the film doesn’t hit the same sweet spot, you can easily see the same cliques instantly dismissed as some sort of Philistine. At one private joke. Almost as if they’re laughing at you. It’s hard not to think this. You just spent a good...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The Government has announced that it is willing to take up to a quarter of Tata’s UK steel assets and offer hundreds of millions of pounds to help finance their debts if a buyer can be found for the loss making plants. This part-nationalisation was unveiled after business secretary Sajid Javid said the Government would consider a “co-invest” in the British steel industry. Plans could mean the Government procuring a minority stake in various UK...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The Turkish appeals court has decided to overturn 275 convictions from 2013 involving a military chief in retirement and a host of other senior figures, accused of plotting a coup against his Government. At the time the case was seen as a chance for Erdogan to clip the wings the military and secularist establishment. This case appeared to shift the balance of power at the heart of the Turkish establishment. In 2013, ex-military chief General...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Today’s first question gave Nigel Adams, Con, a chance to fawn over the Queen on her 90th birthday and the PM was more than happy to indulge in a royal love in. It was a bit saccharine, but she is our monarch whether you like it or not. Republican Corbyn clearly doesn’t and made a half-hearted attempt at a happy bday. The same greeting you would share with an unhelpful secretary, with a 43-years-young balloon...

By Bea Patel, TLE Property Editor and Director of Shop for an Agent Her Majesty the Queen will be 90 years old today (21 April 2016). Since Queen Elizabeth II was born, in 1926, average UK house prices have risen from £619 to £291,504 (based on the latest month’s ONS figures). This implies a 47,021 per cent rise in average UK house prices. Between 1926 and the outbreak of World War II in 1939, figures by Jackson-Stops & Staff show...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Ched Evans has just had his rape conviction quashed through the Court of Appeal in London, however he faces a new trial. Evans, who played for Wales, was incarcerated in 2012 for raping a woman at a hotel in North Wales. In October 2014 he was released from prison, after serving half of his jail term. He has not been able to secure a football contract anywhere due to his jail term. The former Sheffield...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The US President Barack Obama has flown into the UK to urge Britain to remain in the EU. The PM, David Cameron, has urged voters to “listen to advice from friends and other countries.” He also said that: “I struggle to find the leader of any friendly country that thinks we should leave” Obama and his Wife Michelle are coming to our shores ahead of talks at Number 10 on Friday. Barack will take lunch...