Day: July 20, 2023

A Palestinian was shot dead by the Israeli forces early Thursday in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Three others were injured and two of them are in serious condition, the ministry said. The incident occurred near Joseph's Tomb, a holy site and the scene of frequent clashes. Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns. Nearly 195 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of this year, according to the Health Ministry. At least 27 Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday will inaugurate the new terminal building and runway of Ercan Airport in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The expanded and renovated airport will be the TRNC's gateway to the world, said Erhan Arikli, the nation's public works and transport minister. Ercan Airport's annual passenger capacity, currently at 4 million, could double to 8 million and then even 10 million after the new terminal and runway are brought online and ticket prices fall, he added. It will also generate about pound 30 million ($33.7 million) in public revenue annually, he added. The opening ceremony also coincides with the 49th anniversary of the Turkish Peace Operation on the Eastern Mediterranean island, launched on July 20, 1974 to end ethnic violence by Greek Cypriots against the island's Turkish Cypriots. During the visit, Erdogan will also meet with TRNC President Ersin Tatar to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments on the Cyprus issue. They will also exchange views on the steps to be taken to further strengthen Trkiye-TRNC relations. Cyprus issue Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement. Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece's annexation of the island led to Trkiye's military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the TRNC was founded in 1983. It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Trkiye, Greece, and the UK. The Greek Cypriot administration entered the EU in 2004, the same year that Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute. Trkiye fully supports a two-state solution on the island of Cyprus based on sovereign equality and equal international status.

Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Iraq, billion dollar deals signed between Trkiye and the UAE, a shooting incident in New Zealand, and a warning from Russia. TOP STORIES Protesters in Iraq storm Swedish Embassy over Quran burning Protesters in Iraq stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire early Thursday over a recent burning in Stockholm of the Quran. Followers of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the embassy after an Iraqi national burned a copy of the Muslim holy book in Sweden last month. Videos circulating online showed hundreds of protesters breaching the embassy and waving flags and chanting. Smoke was rising from the embassy building, according to an Anadolu reporter in Iraq. Trkiye, UAE sign 13 deals worth $50.7B Trkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday signed a total of 13 deals worth $50.7 billion, the Turkish Communications Directorate said. Both countries have also reached an agreement to establish a High-Level Strategic Council, to be chaired by the presidents of Trkiye and the UAE. The parties also decided to advance existing cooperation in fields including energy, transportation, infrastructure, and e-commerce. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that country will ensure that relations with the UAE are addressed regularly at the highest level through the high-level strategic council mechanism. New Zealand shooting leaves 2 dead At least two people were killed and several others injured Thursday after a man opened fire at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand. ''Multiple injuries have been reported, and at this stage, we can confirm two people have died,'' the New Zealand Police said, confirming that he male offender also died, in addition to his victims. The incident comes ahead of the first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway. Police launched an investigation and urged the public to steer clear of the area. Russia to consider ships going to Ukrainian ports 'potential military cargo carriers' Russia on Wednesday said that it will consider all ships en route to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea 'potential carriers of military cargo,' after Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative earlier this week. A Russian Defense Ministry statement said that the decision went into effect as of Wednesday midnight (2100GMT), and that it was taken 'in connection with the termination of the Black Sea (Grain) Initiative and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor.' 'Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime,' the statement added. NEWS IN BRIEF The US is continuing to seek information after an American soldier unlawfully entered North Korea, the White House said Ukraine said Tuesday that its forces have advanced against Russian troops on the Kupiansk front in Kharkiv, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram. Greece struggled with raging wildfires for the third day in a row on Wednesday, with firefighting planes from France and Italy arriving to help put out the flames. A suspected gas explosion ripped apart a busy road in South Africa's biggest city of Johannesburg on Wednesday, damaging several passenger vehicles and injuring dozens of people. Thailand's parliament has delayed its next round of voting to choose the country's 30th prime minister until next week, a top lawmaker said Wednesday. Thousands of writers have urged AI companies to seek permission before incorporating copyrighted works into their technologies. Japan's crime rate rose more than 21% in the first six months of the current year compared to 2022, its first rise in 21 years on a year-on-year basis. Facebook parent company Meta's popular WhatsApp messaging service suffered a mass outage on Wednesday in the second such incident in just over a week. SPORTS Dutch midfielder Simons joins RB Leipzig Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons moved to Red Bull Leipzig on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. With 19 goals under his belt, Simons finished the Dutch top-tier Eredivisie as the top goal scorer last season with PSV Eindhoven and was part of the PSV side that won the 2022-23 Dutch Cup. He helped Paris Saint-Germain win the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title. Juan Cuadrado joins Inter Milan on free transfer Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado on Wednesday inked a contract with Inter Milan on a free transfer until June 30, 2024. "Juan's childhood was marked by difficulties, with the young Cuadrado helping his mother pack the fruit she sold at the market," Inter said in a statement. The Nerazzurri heaped praise on Cuadrado, saying, "His desire to stand out, however, led him to seek joy and happiness in the world of football." BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Eurozone inflation falls to 17-month low in June Euro area annual consumer inflation rate dropped to a 17-month low in June, mainly led by falling energy prices, according to flash estimates released on Wednesday. Consumer prices rose 5.5% year-on-year in June, the slowest hike since January 2022, according to the EU's statistical authority. Headline inflation slowed from 6.1% in May 2023 and 8.6% in June 2022. Turkish Treasury minister hails deals signed between Trkiye, UAE On new agreements signed between Trkiye and the UAE worth around $51 billion, the Turkish Treasury and finance minister said that deals further cemented ties between the two countries. "We are grateful for the UAE's continued strong support for Trkiye and their confidence in our program," Mehmet Simsek said at the UAE-Trkiye Business Forum, which was organized by Trkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in the capital Abu Dhabi.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The 21st century cannot tolerate a divided European country with an occupying army in its territory, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said, adding that "the Bi-zonal Bicommunal Federation is the only solution of a united Republic of Cyprus." In a message on Twitter marking the anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Mitsotakis wrote that "truth means refusing to submit to oblivion. Thus, 49 years after the heinous Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the slogan "Do not forget" remains relevant and active. For almost half a century, it has refused to accept the illegal faits accomplis and is the reason for new efforts." Mitsotakis also noted that the 21st century cannot tolerate a divided European country with an occupying army in its territory. "The Bi-zonal Bicommunal Federation is the only solution of a united Republic of Cyprus", he concludes. In addition, the Greek Foreign Ministry, in a statement notes that "almost half a century after the Turkish invasion, the Cyprus problem remains an international issue of illegal invasion and occupation, in violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, as is the case with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing for a year and a half,". At the same time, it stresses that for Greece, settlement of the Cyprus issue is a top national priority. "In coordination with the Republic of Cyprus, we are working systematically to create the conditions that will allow for a just, viable, functional and mutually acceptable solution. A solution that takes into account Cyprus' status as a member state of the European Union and frees it from the anachronistic system of guarantees and intervention rights," the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry says. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus participated in the 64th series of the WIPO General Assemblies that took place in Geneva, between July 6th and 14th. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for intellectual property policy, services, information and cooperation. According to a press release, during the Assemblies, various issues directly related to Intellectual Property and, in particular, developments in the areas of Patents, Trade Marks, Industrial Designs and Intellectual Property, were discussed. In addition, a text was approved for adoption on the topic of providing assistance and support to the innovation and creativity sector of Ukraine. The Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property Irene Mylona Chrysostomou, issued, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, a written General Declaration, alongside 97 other states, groups and organizations. The General Declaration included congratulations to the World Organization for the successful organization of the Assemblies, as well as a brief update regarding developments at the Cyprus Intellectual Property Office. Moreover, it was aligned with the General Declaration of the European Union and its Member States condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus' full participation in the deepening of EU - NATO cooperation is a "condition that cannot be deviated from", Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Gerapetritis noted that he and Stoltenberg exchanged views on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. "NATO should also focus more attention on developments in the Southern Neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. In this context, I referred to the deepening of EU - NATO relations, stressing that Cyprus' full participation in this cooperation is an condition that cannot be deviated from," he said, adding that this is particularly important in view of today's anniversary. The Greek Foreign Minister also noted that he and the Secretary General discussed developments at the recent Vilnius Summit, and that he stressed to Stoltenberg the importance of "ensuring that NATO equipment is not used against NATO allies when making decisions on the supply of defence equipment to NATO member states". "I particularly stressed the need to maintain a balanced approach in NATO decision-making that takes into account the sensitivities of all allies," he added.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The risk of forest fires will remain at the 'Red Alert' level on Friday, the Department of Forestry said in a press release. It notes that the lighting of fire without a permit is prohibited and constitutes an offence which, according to the Law on Forests could lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to pound 50,000 or both while the Prevention of Fires in the Countryside Law, provides for up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to pound 20,000, or both. Lighting a fire for food preparation is only allowed in the barbecue areas of picnic sites, it said. The Department has also called on the public to be especially careful during their outings, to avoid actions and activities that are likely to cause a fire, such as the use of tools or agricultural machinery that produce heat, sparks or flame, such as angle grinders, and welding. In case of smoke or fire the public is urged to immediately call 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (Fire Service).

Source: Cyprus News Agency