Day: March 20, 2024

ISTANBUL: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno reiterated on Wednesday the urgency of a swift and lasting cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks since last October have killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and more than half of the population is facing catastrophic levels of hunger. 'We expressed the need for an immediate and permanent cease-fire. We said that unconditional humanitarian aid must reach Gaza,'' Albares told a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara. Albares highlighted Spain's significant increase in humanitarian aid since the conflict's onset, and reiterated the call for the release of all hostages. Albares paid an official visit to Trkiye for a bilateral meeting with Fidan, and discussed Trkiye-EU relations and current regional and international developments including the crisis in Gaza and other challenges in the Middle East. He said they also talked about 'what efforts they can make and how peace can be restored in the Middle East." 'Spain is strengthening its peace policy with the whole world and its partners,'' he said. Albares emphasized that 'future of peace in the region'' necessitates the 'establishment of a permanent state of Palestine.'' 'The state of Palestine must be established permanently,'' he said. Stressing the importance of enduring peace, the Spanish minister highlighted that ''security, peace, and stability'' are essential not only for Palestinians and Israelis but also ''for all nations in the Middle East.'' He also mentioned the pressing issue of hunger among Palestinians, emphasizing the need for immediate measures to ensure people receive aid across the continent and globally. 'Realistically, we want Palestine and Gaza to form a state together, with Palestine's own corridor, but also with transportation to Jerusalem. That's why we also want to organize a peace conference,'' Albares noted. He stated that Spain took the lead in imposing sanctions in this matter, saying: 'We are here against imperialism. So, we a re against the Israeli behavior and attitudes here again in violation of international law. At the same time, we are not supplying more weapons to Israel. We want peace now.'' He underscored the 'significant role Trkiye plays'' particularly in light of the 'major crisis currently facing'' the world. This crisis has been thoroughly deliberated upon in 'brainstorming sessions'' between the foreign ministers, Albares said. - 'We consistently support dialogue between Trkiye-EU' Albares underscored the robust and multifaceted relationship between Spain and Trkiye, highlighting their political, economic, and cultural ties. The minister also emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two countries, which are located at opposite ends of the Mediterranean Sea. He noted the mutual membership of both nations in the Mediterranean Union and praised their shared commitment to dialogue and cooperation. He acknowledged Trkiye's membership in NATO and its candidacy for the European Union, expressing Spain 's unwavering support for Trkiye's European aspirations. 'We consistently support the dialogue between Trkiye and the European Union and we want the candidacy to be approved,' the minister said, highlighting Trkiye's importance as a partner. Albares told reporters that he believes all EU countries should actively support Trkiye's EU membership bid. While there are established 'roadmaps' for progress, 'further efforts' are needed, especially concerning the existing 'Customs Union' between Trkiye and the EU. 'We should double our efforts in these matters. As a member state of the European Union, Spain will strive to ensure that this dynamic does not stop,' he said, adding that both Spain and Trkiye see the country's future as being in Europe. - Trkiye overcome insecurity in Black Sea The minister also emphasized Trkiye's pivotal role in regional stability, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. 'Trkiye has taken a very successful stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It overcame the ins ecurity in the Black Sea, including food insecurity, last year,' Albares said, adding that they will 'all make efforts for Ukraine to be freer, sovereign, and respected.' He also highlighted the strong relationship between Spain and Trkiye in NATO, which has resulted from collaboration on defense projects, participation in a NATO mission in Spain, and joint operations. He said they recently met at a summit in Madrid and reaffirmed the importance of all NATO allies. 'There are certain threats ahead of us. There are threats coming from the south,' he said. - Spain's investments in crucial sectors He emphasized the strong economic ties between Spain and Trkiye, noting that over '700 Spanish companies operating in Trkiye' contribute '$19 billion in trade volume. These companies invest in crucial sectors like 'infrastructure, energy, health care, and railways.' 'This visit is already one of the greatest proofs that Trkiye is a true ally and friend of Spain,' he remarked. Furthermore, the minister announced that Spain will host the next summit in 2024, highlighting the importance of this event in fostering greater collaboration and understanding between the two countries. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: At least four wildlife parks in Singapore welcomed a record number of new offspring last year, according to data released on Wednesday by a self-funded wildlife reserve organization. The Mandai Wildlife Group told Anadolu that Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders and Singapore Zoo "collectively welcomed 970 babies across 128 species in 2023." It was the "highest tally of births and hatchings here in the past decade," said the statement. The group welcomed the first baby animal in January last year at Singapore Zoo with the birth of a Celebes crested macaque, the fourth born to 18-year-old female Dewi. "The young macaque is named Adi and can be seen at Primate Kingdom with his family, playing with coconut leaves and dipping in their pool on hot days," said the group. "Found only in North Sulawesi in Indonesia, the Celebes crested macaque is among the world's 25 most endangered primates, with fewer than 6,000 individuals left in fragmented habitats today," said Mandai. Mandai supports the Indonesian-based conservation project, Selamatkan Yaki, to preserve this species. Deputy CEO and chief life sciences officer at Mandai Wildlife Group, Cheng Wen-Haur, said, "Every new addition to our wildlife family is special, as each birth and hatching contributes towards nurturing healthy, sustainable populations of species under human care." In 2022, the group had reported the birth of around 900 offspring. The group said 19 species are in internationally managed breeding programs, including the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's ex-Situ Program. "Such programs are key in saving species from extinction, and Mandai Wildlife Group currently participates in over 160 programs," it said. "We work closely with our counterparts from the international zoo community, sharing research and participating in breeding programs to achieve this goal. Many of the species we breed also significantly impact biodiversity preservation and wildlife protection," said Cheng. According to Mandai, many more crowd cha rmers and young stars were welcomed last year, including a kangaroo couple, Makaia and Nupela, who welcomed their second joey, Susu. Susu's name means "milk" in Tok Pisin, a Papua New Guinean language, and in the local Malay language. The group said Nupela is a doting mother who was "match-made" with Makaia by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Global Species Management Plan. She raised both her joeys successfully with minimal support from her keepers. "The year was also bountiful for African painted dogs, who added a litter of eight to their growing pack in September," it added. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Trkiye's EU accession process is too important to be left to the limited "political agendas of some countries," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday. "I reiterated that Trkiye's EU membership process is too important to be left to the narrow political agendas of some countries," said Fidan in a joint news conference with his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares. His remarks came after a meeting held by the two ministers in Ankara. Fidan said Spain from the beginning has been among the countries that sincerely support Trkiye's EU membership process, emphasizing that EU membership remains a strategic objective for Ankara. Concerning Gaza, which is currently under Israeli siege, the Turkish minister said, "Spain is one of the countries within the EU, that has taken a principled stance on Gaza from the very beginning and stands by the Palestinian people. Spain's commendable stance also demonstrate that the Palestinian issue is universal cause, transcending religious and ethnic i dentities." He stated that Trkiye and Spain are two important countries in the Mediterranean Basin, which is faced with challenges such as conflicts, terrorism, climate change, and irregular migration, and their surroundings. 'Trkiye and Spain, located at the eastern and western ends of the Mediterranean, feel these crises closely. As two countries that have been combating terrorism for years, we attach special importance to enhancing our security cooperation,' he added. Fidan also said that 8th Trkiye-Spain Inter-Governmental Summit will be held in June. Fidan stated that during the meeting with Spanish foreign minister, they thoroughly examined the steps that could be taken in the field of security and also revisited the strong collaboration within NATO framework. 'As a reflection of this, Spain has been deploying a Patriot battery in Adana since 2015. This behavior, in line with the spirit of alliance, is gratifying. Additionally, as two allies, we aim to further advance our defense industry cooperati on with concrete projects,' he added. Trkiye - EU relations Trkiye hoped the advancement of relations between Ankara and the EU institutions with a more 'positive agenda, independent of the results of the European Parliament elections', Fidan added. "The EU, as a higher entity separate from European countries, has a distinct legal personality. While we develop direct relationships with European countries, we have a different institutional relationship with the EU,' he said. Fidan noted that relationships developed with many European countries could be easier, while emphasizing that when developing relations with the EU, decisions that require unanimity within the EU need to be considered. Pointing out that this situation could often work against Trkiye, Fidan highlighted that with the re-election of Trkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2023, Ankara's perspective on EU membership had not changed, reiterating that its strategic intentions and vision remained the same. Fidan indicated that the key co untries within the EU were where Trkiye awaited a declaration of will, stating that these countries needed to express their will. Telling that there is a process for EU accession, Fidan underlined the necessity of political will being demonstrated beforehand. "Later on, we witnessed that this political will eroded and gradually disappeared, and a completely different political mindset and climate prevailed within the EU regarding Trkiye,' he said. Fidan stated that among the areas that need to be progressed for the benefit of both sides in relations with the EU are the updating of the customs union, visa issues, various trade privileges, and tackling migration. He underlined that these are issues that require intensive work with the EU, yet even in these areas, serious efforts have not always been made as desired. Fidan pointed out that in recent years, especially with events emerging in the region, the security perspective of Trkiye-EU and NATO relations has become even more prominent. He said that the re are serious security-related issues that need to be discussed between Trkiye and the EU, both bilaterally and within NATO. Highlighting the 'insufficient discussion' on what both sides can do, particularly regarding regional and global security, Fidan underlined the need to initiate this conversation. He noted that due to the inability to have a healthy discussion, both sides fail to see the significant benefits that could arise, and they are often unaware of the extent of the gaps and risks it exposes. Fidan expressed his belief that both sides need to initiate a high-quality, geostrategic security cooperation discussion, both within NATO and outside of it. Discussions on humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Palestine Fidan underlined that they had the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the regional and international security implications of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza with his Spanish counterpart, stressing the need for an "immediate ceasefire." He said that humanitarian aid must be delivered imme diately and uninterrupted, reiterating their belief that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved on the basis of a two-state solution. Fidan highlighted that global public opinion has been urging Israel to end the war in Gaza, yet the Israeli government continues to kill innocent Palestinians and condemn more than two million people to hunger. 'We are certain of one thing: the members of the Israeli government will be held accountable for the crimes they have committed in front of justice sooner or later,' he said. He added that this 'racist mindset, which violates international law and human conscience, will be crushed under the feet of the whole world." Fidan stated that Ankara continues to exert both unilateral and multilateral pressure for all possible measures to create pressure on Israel on all international platforms it is a member of. 'This is not only about preventing the tragedy there, but it is also about preventing larger global crises and regional wars. One would have to be extremel y narrow-minded not to see this. The whole of humanity, the relevant public opinion, really needs to see what kind of disasters the Gaza crisis and the humanitarian tragedy there are heralding,' he added. Fidan expressed full support for Spain's steps and proposals both as a state and within the EU, stating that they are completely behind them. He said that organizing a peace conference, recognizing the state of Palestine, and emerging security guarantees are indeed very important alternative proposals that have come up in the path towards a solution. 'Our aim is for this problem to be permanently and fairly resolved. Whatever steps need to be taken, whether sanctions, pressure, acting through international alliances, or resorting to international law, we will utilize all methods to stop this injustice and resolve this issue permanently. That is our goal,' he added. Discussions on Russia-Ukraine war During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war which has entered its third ye ar, said Hakan Fidan. He reiterated Trkiye's 'strong support' for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, stressing the expectation for a fair and lasting peace to be achieved as soon as possible. 'We will continue to work with a vision to develop joint initiatives with Spain that will make a difference in global issues. Drawing strength from the cultural heritage of Anatolia and the Iberian Peninsula, we initiated the Alliance of Civilizations in 2005 with our joint venture. 'We are determined to further enhance our pioneering role in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding,' he added. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: The Palestinian Agricultural Work Committees Union has accused Israel of intentionally using chemicals like white phosphorus on farmlands in the Gaza Strip, resulting in soil contamination and potential cancer risks for agricultural workers. Moayyad Bsharat, the union's lobbying director, told Anadolu that Israel deliberately attacks agricultural lands in Gaza, using white phosphorus and other chemicals sent by the US. These attacks result in the accumulation of carcinogenic substances in the soil, posing a risk of cancer for those who would work on these lands in the future. He emphasized that Israel's systematic chemical attacks on usable agricultural lands have caused Palestinians to develop respiratory diseases and skin cancer due to the chemicals used. He noted that Israel aims to restrict Gazans' access to healthy food by poisoning the soil. If the land is contaminated, all products grown on it become contaminated, posing a risk to human health. He stressed the need for international org anizations to examine the immediate effects of using banned bombs on human health and conduct soil tests after conflicts end. Agricultural lands in Gaza hit by Israel's banned weapons are rendered unusable for at least five years, with some chemicals penetrating up to 10 meters deep into the soil, he explained. Even unaffected lands witness a significant drop in productivity due to the presence of carcinogenic substances. Referring to Israel's previous use of banned phosphorus bombs and chemical weapons in Lebanon, which resulted in decreased agricultural productivity, Bsharat called for similar attention to be paid to the Gaza Strip. He warned against working directly on these lands without proper inspection because Israel uses chemicals to destroy soil fertility. Bsharat suggested that farmers' health be continuously monitored and side effects recorded for those working on these lands. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Record high temperatures in the world are causing radical changes in ocean ecosystems, according to a marine scientist. According to the Climate Reanalyzer website of the University of Maine in the US and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, March 13 was the day when the daily average sea surface water temperature broke a record with 21.2C (70.16F). The previous highest temperature, last August, was 21.1C (69.98F). February was the warmest February on record, which also had an impact on sea surface water temperatures, according to a report by Copernicus, the EU's climate change service. While the global average sea surface water temperature in February was 21.06C (69.908F), it reached 21.09C (69.962F) daily by the end of the month. The regions that warmed the most were the Atlantic Ocean and the central parts of the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean and Black Sea basin, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. NOAA marine scientist Gregory C. Johnson told Anad olu that the ocean water is on average 1 degree warmer than before the industrial revolution and that climate change is the main factor in the recorded extreme temperatures. Mentioning how ocean surface temperature increases hit record levels in 2023, Johnson said: "I think the sea surface water temperature increased by roughly 0.25 degrees in 2023 compared to 2022, so last year, temperatures increased by the equivalent of about 20 years of warming.' 'While there were some variations from year to year due to El Nino and La Nina weather events, this was one of the biggest jumps in history,' he said. 'But it's too early to say that temperatures will stay like this forever." Johnson explained that the world experienced three consecutive La Nina winters before 2023, and that La Ninas mitigated the effects of global warming by keeping the planet cool, while this cooling effect disappeared in 2023, the beginning of the El Nino year. - Other factors Stating that such periodic fluctuations can be experienced fro m time to time, Johnson said scientists are discussing how various factors besides climate change may be the cause of this. He pointed to low-sulfur diesel fuels used in maritime transportation as one of these factors because they are less harmful to the environment and human health. Although these fuels are clean, they emit aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space and this may fuel the increase in sea surface temperatures, he stressed. Sharing the view that the 2022 violent eruption of the Hunga Tonga Volcano in the Pacific Ocean could also be a cause of extreme temperatures in 2023, Johnson said: "This eruption pumped a lot of water vapor into the atmosphere. Of course, this is a small factor, but it still has a potential contribution." He stressed that the weakening of the winds blowing over the oceans and the inability of the water on the ocean surface to mix with the deep water could also be a factor in the increase in surface water temperatures. Explaining that NOAA has been measuring ocean t emperatures at depths of up to 2 kilometers (over 1.24 miles) with various robotic technologies for about 20 years, Johnson said: "These data show us that not only the surface of the oceans but also the ocean depths are warming for kilometers.' 'Even the waters around Antarctica, which are known to be quite cold and absorb the temperatures in the oceans, have warmed,' he warned, adding: 'As a result of greenhouse gases, 90% of the heat entering the climate systems mixes into the oceans." - 'Oxygen on the surface can't reach the depths' Johnson also said the temperature increase in the oceans leads to changes in the ocean ecosystem. "This warming in the oceans causes some animals in the oceans to head towards the poles, while others go deeper,' he said. 'The situation for creatures that cannot move, such as coral reefs, is different,' he said. 'Coral reefs, which are important for the entire ecosystem, are seeing a major darkening.' He noted: 'It is possible to say that harmful algae such as 'red tides' have also increased due to warming.' 'A few years ago, we saw these harmful algae proliferating in the Seattle area where I live,' on the US Pacific coast, he said. 'Many seabirds and marine mammals died. It also affected various fisheries, some shellfish fisheries,' he added. Saying that a layer forms on the surface due to the high temperatures on the ocean surface not being able to mix into the depths, Johnson underlined that because of this layer, the nutrients needed by plankton and found in the deep oceans cannot go up, and the oxygen on the surface cannot go down to the depths. "As a result, the oxygen needed by creatures living in deep waters is decreasing,' he warned. 'These creatures that want to meet their oxygen needs are trying to come to the surface, but unfortunately the water here is too hot for them." Stating that these changes in the ocean do not only remain in the ocean but affect daily life, Johnson stressed: "Sea levels are rising and this means an increase in tidal flooding in areas where sea levels are rising, known as 'sunny day flooding'.' "Warming seas are negatively affecting fisheries, and in many parts of the world, people's incomes depend on it,' he said. 'What's more, the intensity of storms is increasing because the heat on the surface of the tropical oceans provides the energy for stronger hurricanes to spin up, making them more destructive.' 'So all of this is definitely affecting people's lives." Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: At least 23 Palestinians were killed and several others injured late Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a gathering of people at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City. Witnesses reported that Israeli warplanes targeted a gathering of committees formed to facilitate the transportation of aid to Gaza City, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Local sources said a significant number of dead and injured were lying on the ground at site after being directly targeted, according to the agency. Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on Gaza since a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 which killed nearly 1,200 people. More than 31,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in the enclave, and nearly 74,000 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, in his latest regional tour that also includes Egypt and Israel. Blinken "will discuss with Saudi leaders the latest developments in Gaza and the situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," the US Embassy in Riyadh said on X, without providing further details. The US Department of State said Blinken will visit Egypt after Saudi Arabia for talks with the Egyptian leadership. The chief diplomat will arrive in Israel on Friday as part of his tour. Blinken ''will discuss efforts to reach an immediate cease-fire agreement that secures the release of all remaining hostages, intensified international efforts to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and coordination on post-conflict planning for Gaza,' it said in a statement. The State Department said Blinken's talks will include 'ensuring Hamas can no longer govern or repeat the attacks of Oct. 7, a political path for the Palestinian people with security assurances with Israel, and an architecture for lasting peace and security in the region.' He will also discuss 'the imperative of ending Houthi attacks on commercial ships and restoring stability and security to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,'' it added. Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed. Nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and more than 74,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in January issued an interim ruling ordering Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assi stance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Palestine condemned on Wednesday the killing of a Palestinian by an Israeli settler in the West Bank as a direct result of incitement by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. A 43-year-old man was shot dead by an Israeli settler in the town of Al-Tuwail, south of Nablus on Tuesday, following a settler attack on their property, according to the official news agency Wafa. 'The killing is a translation of incitement by Ben-Gvir, who brags about distributing weapons to the colonists,' the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 'This crime reflects an official Israeli disregard for Palestinian lives and for the sanctions imposed by several countries on extremists,' it added. Ben-Gvir has issued 100,000 gun licenses since the outbreak of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. 'This week, we reached a milestone at the National Security Ministry: The 100,000th citizen received their firearms license,' Ben-Gvir said on Tuesday. 'In fact, out of 299,354 applications s ubmitted since the war…more than 100,000 citizens have already been approved to arm themselves, because weapons save lives,' he added. On Monday evening, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the European Union has reached a "political agreement" to sanction extremist Israeli settlers. Since the start of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli settlers across the occupied West Bank have intensified their assaults against Palestinians and their properties under the watch of Israeli forces. According to Palestinian figures, about 725,000 settlers live in 176 Jewish-only settlements and 186 outposts in the occupied West Bank. Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Indonesia 's election commission on Wednesday declared former gen. Prabowo Subianto as the winner of last month's presidential election after completing the official counting. The General Elections Commission (KPU)'s final tally showed that Prabowo secured 58.6% of the total votes, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan received 24.9%, while former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo got 16.5%. Polls were held on Feb. 14, and outgoing President Joko Widodo's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was Subianto's running mate. Source: Anadolu Agency