Day: February 18, 2024

ISTANBUL: US Vice President Kamala Harris held separate talks with world leaders at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, according to a statement from the White House. Harris discussed the situation in Gaza with Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting Friday where she emphasized the need to ensure the safety of more than 1 million civilians in the region in the event of a possible attack by Israel against Rafah. In the meeting where the leaders evaluated the long-term cessation of conflicts in Gaza, the release of prisoners and plans thereafter, Harris stressed that Palestinians should not be forcibly displaced from Gaza. Harris also highlighted the importance of protecting civilians, increasing humanitarian aid and establishing an appropriate environment for a cease-fire to ensure aid reaches those in need in Gaza. Sudani and Harris discuss US-Iraq relations In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Harris reiterated her commitment to a security agreement between the US and Iraq and emphasized the importance of the High Military Commission and economic relations between the two countries. Harris underscored that attacks on US personnel will be met with a response when necessary and requested the support of the Iraqi government to stop the attacks. She reiterated US President Joe Biden's invitation to Sudani to visit the White House. Harris thanks Slovenia for its role in delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine Harris congratulated Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob for Slovenia's presence on the UN Security Council for the 2024 - 2025 term. She emphasized the importance of a NATO-EU partnership for Ukraine's independence and transatlantic security as she thanked Golob for Slovenia's cooperation in delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Source: Anadolu Agency

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stressed on Sunday the continuous efforts of the government for the resumption of talks aimed at settling the Cyprus issue. At the same time, he welcomed the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, regarding the need for building trust and pointed out that despite the fact that Holguin is not in the island right now they are in constant communication. President Christodoulides was replying to a question after a memorial service in Dali, about a media statement issued by the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, who said that it is crucial to build trust, the President of the Republic said that building trust between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey was necessary. "I welcome the fact that she issued this specific statement to everyone," he said and added that he was in constant communication with Holguin. "She may not be in Cyprus, but we are in constant communication; she will come to Cy prus to continue her efforts," he added. President Christodoulides also emphasised the importance of the announcement indicating that the entire effort stemmed from the terms of the Secretary-General's mandate, the specific framework for a solution, which is none other than the bicommunal, bizonal federation, adding that "this effort continues." He added that despite the difficulties and challenges, there was no other option but to do whatever's possible, so that talks can resume, to use what has been achieved so far, and to achieve the goal of the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Asked if there was anything from the Turkish side that could indicate a window for the resumption of dialogue, President Christodoulides said that "many contacts are being made, many meetings are taking place," and "not everything is made public," adding that "at the end of the day, everyone and everything will be judged by the final outcome." 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. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Russia's former president on Sunday said that his country's return to the borders of 1991 will lead to a global conflict between Moscow and the West. 'Attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead to only one thing. Towards a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state,' Dmitry Medvedev said on Telegram. Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy head of Russia's Security Council, argued that the West's intention to return to the borders of 1991 implies the 'direct and irreversible collapse' of present-day Russia. Questioning the West on whether they believe the Russian people will accept the division of their country, Medvedev said that Russia's collapse will have more dire consequences than the results of an ordinary, or even the most protracted war. Medvedev further said that the use of Russia's entire strategic arsenal in a war with the West will lead to strikes on Kyiv, Berlin, London and Washington, as well as other places that 'have lon g been included in the flight targets of our nuclear triad.' 'So it's better to return everything before it's too late. Or we will return it ourselves with maximum losses for the enemy. Like Avdiivka,' he added. Source: Anadolu Agency

Cyprus police take part in a European campaign in the context of which they will step up checks on lorry and bus drivers during a week of awareness and enforcement from Monday 19 February 2024 to Sunday 25 February 2024. According to a police press release, the European police network Roadpol will coordinate awareness actions and checks at European level. "The main objective is to warn of the dangers of breaking the rules and to step up checks on infringements committed by professional drivers," police said. Issues such as the technical condition of vehicles, the validity of documents, the use of speed limitation devices and tachographs and compliance with driving times will be closely monitored. There will also be a focus on offences that have been shown to contribute significantly to serious accidents, such as speeding and the use of mobile phones while driving. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: The Turkish National Defense Ministry on Sunday commemorated Trkiye's 72nd anniversary of joining NATO, underscoring the nation's steadfast commitment to its obligations and responsibilities within the alliance. 'We celebrate the 72nd anniversary of Trkiye joining the NATO alliance,' the ministry said on X. 'As the second-largest military force within the Alliance, Trkiye proudly occupies a pivotal position at its core,' the statement read. The strategic significance of Trkiye within NATO was further emphasized by its hosting of the NATO Allied Land Command and the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (3rd Corps Command), it added. 'As a formidable and dependable member of NATO, Trkiye will continue to make indispensable contributions to the Alliance, mirroring its unwavering commitment to the organization's success throughout its history,' it concluded. Source: Anadolu Agency

The Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, is scheduled to hold contacts in Jordan between February 19 to 20, a trip aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Cyprus and Jordan, in specific areas of cooperation. According to press release from the Commissioner's office, Christodoulou's visit will provide an opportunity to review the cooperation between the two countries to-date in the field of gender equality and study ways to further deepen it. The Commissioner for Gender Equality is to hold meetings, among others, with the Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) Maha Ali, the head for the Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence programme, the Jordanian Federation's head for the social integration of women who suffered violence, while she will have contacts with women working in shelters for women-victims of violence. She is also scheduled for a briefing by the Jordanian Armed Forces in relation to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the promotion of women's participation in peacekeeping missions. During her visit, Christodoulou is to visit a school, where she is to hold a meeting with the school management and students on cybersecurity and bullying issues, a programme funded by the Republic of Cyprus. It notes that, in the context of the development cooperation between the two countries, Cyprus has been funding a number of programmes in the field of women's empowerment and combating gender-based violence over the last four years. The programmes are being implemented by the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW). In addition, it said, the Republic of Cyprus has been contributing annually, since 2021, to UN Women, for the Jordanian National Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security 2022-2025. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ANKARA: At least three people were killed and another two were missing in an explosion at a factory in eastern China early Sunday, state media reported. The incident, the latest in a string of industrial accidents, took place in the city of Nantong in the eastern Jiangsu province, at 2.11 am local time (1800GMT Saturday), Beijing-based Xinhua News reported. Search and rescue efforts are underway. The explosion - whose nature is as yet unknown - took place in a workshop of the Asia-Pacific Light Alloy (Nantong) Technology Co. in the economic and technological development zone in Hai'an. This is the third incident In China involving casualties in the last month. On Jan. 24, at least 39 people were killed in a building fire in the eastern Jiangxi Province. On Jan 20, over a dozen people were killed when a fire broke out in a school dormitory in the central Henan province. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: China on Sunday said it would "strengthen" law enforcement patrols in waters near Taiwan days after a boat incident which left two nationals dead. A Chinese boat with four fishermen on board capsized on Wednesday near the Kinmen islands while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard. The chase led to all four fishermen aboard falling into the sea, two of whom died. Another two are in custody of Taiwanese authorities. The Chinese coast guard "will strengthen maritime law enforcement in the waters to help maintain the order of maritime operations," a spokesperson said in a statement. Beijing has condemned Taiwan for the incident, urging the island nation to release the two surviving members of the crew Rejecting the blame, Taipei said the boat was 'within prohibited waters' around the Kinmen islands -- a territory administered by Taiwan but located just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from China's city of Xiamen. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, whereas Taipei has insisted on its independe nce since 1949. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: China on Sunday said it would "strengthen" law enforcement patrols in waters near Taiwan days after a boat incident which left two nationals dead. A Chinese boat with four fishermen on board capsized on Wednesday near the Kinmen islands while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard. The chase led to all four fishermen aboard falling into the sea, two of whom died. Another two are in custody of Taiwanese authorities. The Chinese coast guard "will strengthen maritime law enforcement in the waters to help maintain the order of maritime operations," a spokesperson said in a statement. Beijing has condemned Taiwan for the incident, urging the island nation to release the two surviving members of the crew Rejecting the blame, Taipei said the boat was 'within prohibited waters' around the Kinmen islands -- a territory administered by Taiwan but located just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from China's city of Xiamen. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory, whereas Taipei has insisted on its independe nce since 1949. Source: Anadolu Agency