ERDOGAN FACES AN IMPORTANT COMPETITOR IN THE TURKISH LOCAL ELECTIONS

Turks began voting today in nationwide municipal elections that focus on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to regain control of Istanbul from his main rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, who aims to strengthen the opposition again as a political force after bitter defeats in the elections last year, according to Sky News Arabia. Voting centers opened their doors at seven in the morning (0400 GMT) in eastern Turkey, while voting in other places begins at eight in the morning and ends at five in the evening. Preliminary results are expected to be released by 10 p.m. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon