Day: March 30, 2024

Vessels carrying a second shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza were given the "green light" to set sail from Larnaca port at 5 pm (local time) on Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, told CNA. This is the second aid shipment via the Cyprus Maritime Corridor "Amalthea" to Gaza. NGO "World Central Kitchen" is supporting the operation. Open Arms, the ship that participated in the first shipment on March 11, is now accompanied by general cargo vessel Jennifer, tug boat Ledra Dynamic, and by floating platform ARIS. The Minister said that 332 tons of humanitarian aid are being shipped. The cargo also contains machinery, including a crane to assist offloading as well as staff to operate the machinery. Kombos noted that the duration of the trip for the second shipment is expected to take exactly as long as the first one, in order to reach its destination. He also said that preparations for the next shipment are already underway. Asked about the estimated time for the completion of a floati ng platform that is being constructed off Gaza shore, Kombos said that it may be completed sooner than initially anticipated. NGO World Central Kitchen posted on X that the second maritime aid shipment set sail from Cyprus to Gaza 'with hundreds of tons of food and machinery to expedite offloading.' Aid includes shelf stable and ready-to-eat food, as well as a special delivery of dates provided by the UAE for Palestinians observing Ramadan, it is added. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Istanbul: A massive fire broke out in an Indonesian military compound On Saturday, with some media outlets reporting explosions heard by residents. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the military, the Detik news website said. However, there have been no reports of casualties or damage to the military compound. The news outlet also said that military forces, with the assistance of relevant agencies, are currently evacuating residents in the area and relocating them to safer places. The warehouse belongs to the Jayakarta Regional Military Command (Kodam Jayakarta), which covers the area of the capital Jakarta, the news website said. Source: Anadolu Agency

Chief of the National Guard Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, and Brigadier General Lisa J. Hou, Commander of the New Jersey National Guard, took stock of the progress in implementing the Joint Action Program of Military Cooperation between Cyprus' National Guard and the United States of America. The meeting was held last Thursday at the General Staff Headquarters of the National Guard, in Nicosia, with the two sides discussing issues of mutual interest, while exploring prospects for further collaboration in specialised domains. According to a National Guard press release, the meeting between the Chief of the National Guard and Brigadier General Hou confirmed the excellent relations and the multi-level strategic cooperation that has been developed between the Armed Forces of the Republic of Cyprus and the USA, which is continuously evolving and contributes to enhancing operational readiness and interoperability between the armies of the two countries, the announcement notes. Source: Cyprus News Ag ency

KARACHI: Turkiye's state-run aid agency Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) hosted an Iftar dinner and distributed Eid gifts among orphans and special children at a ceremony in Pakistan's port city of Karachi. Around 150 children and representatives from 20 local NGOs were invited to the ceremony, which was attended by Kamran Tessori, the governor of Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Turkish Consul General Cemal Sangu, and TIKA's Karachi Coordinator Halil Ibrahim Basaran, according to a statement issued by the Turkish aid agency on Saturday. Tessori spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of caring for orphans and special needs children and appreciating the NGOs that work in this regard. He thanked TIKA for bringing together special children at the Iftar dinner program. Chief Minister Shah said in his remarks that his government is focusing on educational and other programs to improve the well-being of special children acros s the province. Turkish Consul General Sangu expressed his pleasure in hosting the Iftar dinner program for what he referred to as the "most beautiful children of Karachi." 'This sacred month challenges us to live by the highest moral standards, to speak truthfully, act justly, and extend compassion, love, tolerance and help to those in need,' he added. Basaran said in his remarks that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in social development and that development would be incomplete without them. The program ended with the distribution of Eid gifts by the Sindh chief minister and governor. Meanwhile, a similar Iftar dinner program was also held for special children in Islamabad. TIKA provided Ramadan food packages to 2,000 families in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, Kotli, Karachi, and Dadu during the holy Islamic month. TIKA, in collaboration with Pakistan Baitulmal, organizes daily Iftar dinners for around 1,000 needy people in Karachi. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: An association linked to the Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate has published a book in honor of a 3-year-old girl who died as the result of Israel's months-long onslaught on the Gaza Strip. The book from the Diyanet Foundation (TDV), named Gaza, Rim and Palestine, tells of Halid Nebhan, the grandfather who movingly bid farewell to 3-year-old Rim during Israel's attacks. Rukiye Oklan, the book's editor, told Anadolu that Gaza has been going through a genocide, with nearly 14,000 children killed, or about half of all the deaths in Gaza due to Israel's offensive since Oct. 7. Oklan underscored the heartbreaking reality of Muslim and global indifference to the events, and voiced hope that the violence and oppression will someday end. She explained the group's efforts to convey the suffering of the Palestinians and raise awareness. When they were planning to publish a book about Gaza, she explained, the young girl Rim 'was martyred. The book was written with the intent of creating awareness of Gaz a through Rim. Rim represents all the martyred children.' 'Rim became a symbolic character' Describing how Rim, who was only 3 years old and had a special bond with her grandfather, became the main character of the book, Oklan said the farewell scene with her grandfather, who said, 'The soul of my soul, the life of my life,' deeply affected readers. "In fact, Rim's grandfather said what other children's mothers, fathers, and grandfathers could not. In that sense, Rim became a symbolic character," she said. Oklan stressed that the author and the group's publishing arm created the book with a purpose. "Rim's character sprang from the heart of our writer. There are symbols representing Palestine in the book to create awareness of Palestine among children.' She explained: 'For example, there are olives, the colors of the Palestinian flag, and Palestinian-style stuffed grape leaves in the book. In this way, we hope to prevent our children from forgetting Palestine.' Oklan stressed the tragedy of Rim's death just before her birthday last Dec. 23, over two months into Israel's offensive, which continues to this day, despite international calls for a cease-fire and a UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to the onslaught. She highlighted their primary objective of conveying the story to children in a sensitive way without unduly upsetting them, in line with the principles of children's literature. The book carefully avoids explicit mentions of Rim's death but subtly implies her passing toward the end, ensuring that children can understand the message without distress. 'I wanted Palestine to take root in children's hearts' Author Merve Kahraman Ozturk said her intention in writing the book was to ensure that Gaza and Palestine hold a meaningful place in the hearts and minds of children. She felt the need to apologize to children for any shortcomings in their presentation. She said she hopes the book will resonate with children who read it, raising their awareness and understanding of important issues . Source: Anadolu Agency

The ship 'Jennifer' is set to sail for Gaza from Larnaca port on Saturday afternoon, carrying 500 tons of humanitarian assistance, announced Cyprus' Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou. As Antoniou told CNA, 'everything is ready for the departure of the ship Jennifer to Gaza, which has been docked at Larnaca port for days, loaded with 500 tons of humanitarian aid." He noted that the 'weather conditions have improved, and this seems to allow the ship's departure' and added that "if everything goes smoothly, the ship is expected to depart today shortly after noon." Responding to a question, Antoniou said, that the cargo had already been inspected by the competent authorities of the Republic, and necessary inspections had been carried out by the Israelis. 'Generally, inspections have been conducted within the framework of the agreement reached with all involved parties," he said. The Deputy Government Spokesman also said that the Republic of Cyprus would proceed with the full implementation of the 'Amalthea' plan, to ship aid from Cyprus to Gaza via a maritime corridor. Regarding the visit of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to Cyprus, Antoniou said that she was expected to arrive on Monday evening and it was planned to have a meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and to attend a working dinner. Antoniou provided details about Metsola's visit to Larnaca port to inspect the humanitarian aid mission to Gaza. On Tuesday afternoon, April 2, Metsola will visit Larnaca port with the President of the Republic, where she will be briefed on the 'Amalthea' plan supported by European institutions. She will then visit the 'Zenon' Coordination Center, where she will be guided and observe the 'Amalthea' operation, the way the process is carried out, and the involvement of various states and organizations. Source: Cyprus News Agency

_: The author is deputy chair of the UN secretary-general's Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste - As we commemorate International Zero Waste Day, we are reminded of critical role that each individual and community plays in mitigating the environmental crises - Our work focuses on showcasing successful zero-waste initiatives, raising awareness about the importance of waste reduction, and encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices at local and national levels - The establishment of Zero Waste Foundation enriches our capacity to undertake deep, impactful work, setting a solid foundation for future endeavors ISTANBUL March 30 is recognized as International Zero Waste Day, marking a pivotal moment in our collective journey toward sustainability and environmental stewardship. This day underscores the importance of reevaluating our consumption habits, advocating for sustainable waste management practices, and fostering a global culture of resource conservation. As we commemorate International Zero Waste Day, we are reminded of the critical role that each individual and community plays in mitigating the environmental crises that threaten our planet. Collective effort: Zero waste The establishment of the secretary-general's Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste is a testament to the global commitment to this cause. Announced during the General Assembly on March 30, 2023, the board was created to catalyze global action towards achieving zero waste, an initiative that aligns with the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the leadership of Emine Erdogan, the first lady of Trkiye and chair of the board, and with the support of the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) serving as the secretariat, this distinguished council has embarked on a mission to promote, support, and implement zero waste practices worldwide. As deputy chair of this esteemed board, I am honored to contribute to our collective efforts to a ddress the pressing environmental challenges of our time. Our work focuses on showcasing successful zero-waste initiatives, raising awareness about the importance of waste reduction, and encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices at local and national levels. Following the establishment of the council, significant progress has been made, including the convening of 2 sessions, with the 2nd session taking place in Istanbul. These gatherings have been instrumental in defining our strategic direction. One of the first outcomes is the Zero Waste Thematic Briefs; these documents provide a targeted exploration of specific issues within the zero-waste spectrum, such as managing plastic pollution, construction, and electronic waste, and promoting just transition and reuse and refill systems. In addition to our dedicated efforts within the Advisory Board, the leadership of Emine Erdogan has led to the founding of the Zero Waste Foundation. This initiative aims to extend the work of the Advisory Board, establis hing a long-term platform for the development of comprehensive zero-waste projects, including the creation of a Zero Waste Institute, a Zero Waste Fund, and a Zero Waste Business Coalition. This visionary approach underscores the depth of commitment and the broad scope of action required to advance our zero-waste agenda. Sustainable development goals Transitioning to the broader objectives that our zero-waste initiatives support, it becomes clear that this endeavor is intrinsically linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Zero waste principles are fundamental to achieving several key SDGs, including responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), and land (SDG 15). By addressing waste management, we also contribute to goals focused on health (SDG 3), sustainable cities (SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). The path to achieving all 17 SDGs by 2030 demands a comprehensive and integrated approach. Key strategies include: Enhanced Global Cooperation: Strengthening international collaboration to share knowledge, resources, and best practices across borders, Inclusive Economic Growth: Promoting policies and practices that ensure economic development is both sustainable and inclusive, providing opportunities for all, Sustainable Innovation: Encouraging the development and adoption of innovative solutions that harmoniously address environmental, social, and economic challenges, Education and Awareness: Investing in education and awareness campaigns to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge to make sustainable choices, Strengthened Policy Frameworks: Advocating for robust policy frameworks that support the implementation of sustainable practices across all sectors. As we move forward, the board's commitment to publicizing best practices, advocating for zero-waste initiatives, and raising global awareness remains paramount. The establishment of the Zero Waste Foundation further enriches our capacity to undertake deep, impac tful work, setting a solid foundation for future endeavors. In conclusion, the synergy between zero-waste initiatives and the broader spectrum of SDGs highlights the interconnected nature of our environmental, economic, and social challenges. Achieving the 17 objectives by 2030 requires an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. Through our concerted efforts, we can pave the way for a more sustainable world in which zero waste is not just a goal but a reality. *Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu Agency Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: The death toll from Cyclone Gamane in Madagascar on Saturday rose to 18, according to official figures. Among the 13 districts in the northern part of the island nation hit by the cyclone, nearly 50,000 people were affected, 8,958 houses flooded, and 2,013 buildings destroyed, the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management reported. Three regions of the island nation off East Africa have been affected, including Sava, Diana, and Analanjirofo, and most of the victims died by drowning, being hit by falling trees, or being washed away by running water. Local daily Tribune Madagascar reported that the floods damaged roads and bridges, making travel from one region to another impossible. President Andry Rajoelina toured the damage firsthand and pitched in to help. 'Evacuation and humanitarian aid operations are underway, with measures taken to deliver aid by air within the next 24 hours, subject to favorable weather conditions,' the daily reported. It said armed forces, as well as Interior Min istry and disaster agency teams, have been mobilized to rescue trapped people, relocate them to safer locations, and restore communication lines. According to USAID, Madagascar is one of the top 10 most disaster-prone countries, as well as the most cyclone-prone country in Africa. Source: Anadolu Agency