Day: April 8, 2023

Nearly one million children in three central Sahel countries will face severe acute malnutrition this year due to rising food prices, conflict and climate change, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday. UNICEF called on the governments of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso "to place child nutrition at the top of national priorities" and "increase national investments in the prevention, early detection and treatment of malnutrition." "Approximately 970,000 children" will face severe wasting in the three countries, the UN agency said, adding: 'Niger faces the highest severe wasting burden in the central Sahel, with a forecast of 430,000 children this year.' This number represents "60,000" fewer children than in 2022 while "in Mali, severe wasting is expected to increase by 18.4 percent to 367,000 girls and boys, up from 309,000 last year," UNICEF said. It said in nine Sahelian countries - Burkina Faso, northern Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, northern Nigeria, and Senegal - admissions to health facilities for severe wasting last year increased by 31%, equivalent to 1.9 million children compared to 2021 and compared to the average of the previous three years. "Increasing insecurity and conflict means that vulnerability is increasing in the region," said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF's regional director for West and Central Africa. According to her, it is "increasingly difficult to help communities in remote areas." In a March statement, Poirier said that 10 million children in the central Sahel are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Russia and Belarus are starting work on a common security policy as soon as possible, the Kremlin announced on Friday. Commenting on a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two countries had decided to outline a common security policy in the face of growing tensions on their borders with other nations, sanctions, and an "information war" against them, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they would work out the exact terms of such a draft "in the shortest possible terms." Referring to a recent proposal by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to destroy all nuclear weapons in the world, Peskov said such a move would be unrealistic. "This would demand a consensus, and we do not see readiness from certain countries for any consensuses," he said. Peskov said Russian military chiefs would take into account recent remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said he expects Ukraine to launch a counter-offensive soon. "They (military chiefs) carefully monitor all relevant information and take this into account when planning the continuation of the special military operation," he said. The official also said he was aware of reports claiming that Pope Francis had suggested an Easter cease-fire but did not know of any such proposal voiced directly by the pontiff. "We have not heard any statements from the Vatican in this regard, so we do not consider it necessary and possible to comment," he noted. The Kremlin also took note of a visit by the French president to China, Peskov said, dubbing Emmanuel Macron's talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping "an important contact." Asked if Beijing could change its position on Ukraine following Macron's visit, Peskov said: "China is a very serious, very big power from its sovereign position. And this is a very serious position that is being seriously formed. And this is not a country that changes its positions so quickly under external influence."

Source: Anadolu Agency

France on Friday accused Russia of disinformation about its role in Ukraine and past peace efforts. Responding to a question from Anadolu, the French Foreign Ministry's deputy spokesperson Francois Delmas said at a news conference that recent remarks on France by Moscow were "out of the subject." He was referring to accusations of "blackmail" by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday, aimed at French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that anyone helping Moscow in the Ukraine war would become an "accomplice." Zakharova noted that as French head of state, Macron knew how much effort Russia putting into solving the Ukraine crisis by implementing the 2014 Minsk agreement, which Paris mediated. As president of a NATO member country, Macron also knows how much the alliance did to destabilize the situation there, she added. "If he knows all that and still says such things, then it's just a substitution of concepts, hypocrisy, and the spread of untruth," she said. Delmas said Russia is the aggressor against Ukraine in the war, and that Kyiv was defending "its sovereignty and its territorial integrity." He added that during the latest phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Macron reiterated France's support to Kyiv "to put an end to the Russian aggression."

Source: Anadolu Agency

A happy face, which breaks into panic, and then sorrow. The life-size painting by 30 Rohingya artists depicts three stages of their life: before persecution in Myanmar, the genocide and then displacement to congested tents in neighboring Bangladesh. The artists in Bangladesh's refugee camps in the southern border district of Cox's Bazar completed the painting in two weeks Twenty such life-size paintings and 100 smaller ones by Rohingya artists were exhibited at a mall in the capital Dhaka. The 3-day event was organized by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in collaboration with Artolution Bangladesh, an international community-based public arts organization. 'We are human beings and we have creativity like other people and we have a dream to peacefully live and serve our motherland,' Rohingya youth Anwar Faruk, one of the 30 artists, told Anadolu. He said that through arts and paintings, they want to keep alive their dreams and show the world their talents. 'We no longer want to be a burden for Bangladesh and depend on relief foods. We have the merits and strengths to serve our nation if our citizenship rights are restored and we can be repatriated to our homeland with the safety guarantee,' Faruk said. 'The exhibition is aimed at shedding light on the life and culture of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,' A S M Suza Uddin, country director at Artolution Bangladesh, told Anadolu while describing the backgrounds of different paintings. Claiming the exhibition as the first time in the country's biggest shopping complex and such an open public gathering, he added that the artworks are inspired by the lives of refugees in the world's largest refugee camp, and they represent an attempt to promote resilience and healing through the arts. 'I am really impressed by such nice creative works by the persecuted Rohingya,' Moni Rani Das, one of the visitors at the exhibition, told Anadolu. A Bangladeshi artist, Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, who was at the exhibition, said that such creative works of Rohingya artists will strengthen the bondage between the persecuted people and the rest of the world. 'Every painting I see here has a heart-touching tale of Rohingya people. It's really amazing how a deprived nation can picture its dreams through the arts and paintings. Earlier, in a letter to the media, the UNHCR said: 'Painting allows them (Rohingya) to reflect and find inner peace. Through these works, the Rohingya artists hope to share stories about their past traumas, present challenges, future aspirations, and Rohingya identity.'

Source: Anadolu Agency

With last year's landmark grain corridor deal continuing, Ankara and Moscow have agreed to work to lift obstacles to Russian fertilizer and grain exports, the Turkish foreign minister said Friday. "The grain corridor is proof that dialogue and negotiation are working. We attach importance to continuation of the agreement. This is also important in terms of reducing the world food crisis," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in the capital Ankara. "We agree that the barriers to Russian grain and exports should also be removed. We support efforts to remove these barriers.' Cavusoglu said it is important to ensure shipments of Russian ammonia and fertilizers as well. He added that more than 27 million tons of grain have been carried by 866 ships via the Black Sea grain corridor deal, which Trkiye helped broker last year in a bid to avert a potential food crisis amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Last July, Trkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports after they were paused due to Russia's war on Ukraine, which had threatened a world food crisis. "The war, which has been going on for more than a year, continues to harm the whole world. We once again emphasized our expectation that the war will end on the basis of international law and through negotiations. We are trying to solve problem by negotiating with both parties," Cavusoglu stressed. Trkiye, internationally praised for its mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly urged Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations. Quadrilateral meeting on Syria Cavusoglu said he had also discussed with Lavrov an upcoming quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting including Iran and Syria. On the recent prelude meeting in Moscow of the countries' deputy foreign ministers, Cavusoglu said each country had openly expressed its stance and views. "We want this process to continue in a transparent manner. The dialogue needs to continue, and it would be beneficial to continue consultations (in an) intensified (way)," he added. Last December, defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Trkiye, Russia, and the Syrian regime met in Moscow and agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the wider region. Iran was also included into the talks, with Trkiye previously saying that Ankara would be "pleased if Iran is involved in this process." Although no date or location has yet been announced, the foreign ministers' meeting would continue restarting high-level talks between Trkiye and its neighbor Syria since that country's civil war began in 2011. Israeli attacks on Palestine On recent Israeli attacks on Palestine, Cavusoglu called on Israel to permanently stop both attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and airstrikes. His remarks came after the Israeli army launched air attacks on Gaza and southern Lebanon early Friday. The escalation comes after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and forcibly removed Palestinian worshippers for two nights in a row. "The treatment of the Israeli police especially of Muslims who were praying here is unacceptable. It is inhuman," Cavusoglu stressed. "Palestine, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem are our red line. We will never compromise on these issues," Cavusoglu said. Cavusoglu said he might have a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen later Friday to raise concerns over the recent Israeli attacks on Palestine. Stressing how attacks on Islam and its sacred places and objects have recently crossed the line, he said: "We are against attacks on values, regardless of religion or belief." He added that if the Israeli side shares this understanding and sincerity, Trkiye can help reduce and solve the problem and tension. Ankara backs a two-state solution to the conflict including the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Cavusoglu reiterated. Talks with Lavrov During talks with Lavrov, Cavusoglu said they also discussed regional and international issues, including the situation in Libya. On Libya, Cavusoglu said: "We believe that the country should be prepared for a democratic and transparent election as soon as possible." He added that Trkiye will continue efforts to unify the country in every sense, and Ankara will also cooperate closely with Russia and other actors on this issue. Turning to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Cavusoglu said: "Our desire is to sign a comprehensive peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia as soon as possible. These steps need to be taken for permanent stability and peace in the South Caucasus." The Cyprus issue and bilateral economic, trade, energy and tourism ties were among other issues the top diplomats exchanged views on. On the investigation of last September's Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions in the Baltic Sea, Cavusoglu said the explosions triggered the current energy crisis even more. Calling the attacks serious, Cavusoglu said a body of independent experts should do an "open and transparent" investigation of the attack.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Demonstrators taking part in traditional Easter peace rallies in Germany on Saturday called for peace in Ukraine. Thousands gathered in Berlin's central Mitte district under the slogan 'Let's Win the Peace, not the War.' Demonstrators carried banners saying "Whoever wants peace must negotiate," "This is not our war - we do not want war," "Neither NATO nor Putin," "Let's achieve peace without weapons," and "Stop the war.' They also called on the German government to not give any more weapons to Ukraine and to make diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Leipzig, Lower Saxony, and Bremen saw similar marches calling for an end to the war, which is over a year old.

Source: Anadolu Agency

North Korea carried out another test of an underwater nuclear attack drone earlier this week, according to a report Friday. The Haeil-2 drone began its test April 4 in Kajin Port, located in Kumya County, South Hamgyong Province, said the Korean Central News Agency. It said the drone traveled a simulated distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) in elliptical and "8" patterns, set in the East Sea of Korea, for 71 hours and six minutes. The drone arrived April 7 at Ryongdae Port, situated in Tanchon City, South Hamgyong Province, the designated location for the simulated target, according to the agency. The test warhead accurately exploded underwater at the location. North Korea tested a new underwater nuclear weapon capable of creating a super-scale radioactive tsunami during three-day military exercises that concluded in late March. The secret weapon, "Unmanned Underwater Nuclear Attack Craft 'Haeil,'" was tested during the drill from March 21 to 23 off the coast of Riwon County, South Hamgyong Province, and reached the target point in waters off Hongwon Bay.

Source: Anadolu Agency