Day: May 25, 2023

Greece’s caretaker prime minister, who was appointed by the president on Wednesday after no party could form the government following the May 21 elections, took oath on Thursday, local media reported. Ioannis Sarmas, former president of the Greek Court of Audit, took the oath in the presidential palace in the capital city of Athens, the state-run AMNA news agency said. He, then, met incumbent Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his office to officially take over. Ioannis Sarmas will appoint the interim Cabinet, which will be sworn in tomorrow at noon, the agency reported. Sarmas has been president of the Court of Auditors since November 2019 and will remain as the caretaker prime minister until the general election, which is scheduled to be held on June 25. With all the votes counted on Monday, the New Democracy party won 40.79% – twice the main opposition SYRIZA’s 20.07%. Socialist PASOK came in third at 11.46%, followed by Greek Communist Party with 7.23%. The far-right, populist Greek Solution party came in fifth with 4.45%. Former Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis returned the mandate on Monday, saying he wanted fresh polls for his New Democracy to form a single-party government. On Tuesday, Alexis Tsipras, leader of the main opposition party SYRIZA, and Nikos Androulakis, leader of the social-democratic party PASOK turned down the mandates, expressing their inability to form a coalition government.

Source: Anadolu Agency

One person has been arrested in London after a car crashed gates of Downing Street, where the Prime Minister’s Office, Number 10, is located, police said on Thursday. Armed police officers arrested a person after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street at around 16:20hours (1520GMT), according to Westminster Police. The police said the incident is being handled by local officers and is “not currently being treated as terror-related.” “There are no reports of any injuries,” the police said earlier, adding that investigations are ongoing. A small cordon remains in place outside Downing Street, the police added.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Calling it “undeclared martial law,” Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday approached the top court against the deployment of armed forces in parts of the country, requesting it to term the move unconstitutional. Army was deployed in the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the capital Islamabad over violence after Khan’s controversial arrest on May 9. His brief detention, which was later declared illegal, had sparked protests by his supporters, and attacks on state and military installations. Since then, thousands of suspects, including top PTI leaders have been detained, and the army says it will try the rioters under military laws. Besides anchor person Imran Riaz Khan, his colleague and senior journalist Sami Ibrahim is also said to have been picked up and is missing since Wednesday, according to his colleagues and family members. Under pressure to denounce the violence, a number of former parliamentarians and leaders have quit Khan’s party or politics. The embattled former premier petitioned that the arrests, investigations, and trials under the Army Act 1952 “amounts to negation” of the Constitution, rule of law and independence of the judiciary. He said the arrests of members, supporters and workers of his party under the Maintenance of Public Order law are “illegal,” and all those detained should be set free. Khan, who challenged the deployment of troops in civilian areas earlier this week as well, also called for a judicial commission to probe the incidents. Since being removed from power, he has been campaigning for snap general elections, which are due later this year. Meanwhile, Gen. Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, addressing a ceremony marking Martyrs Reverence Day in Rawalpindi, said the nation will ‘neither forgive nor forget’ those involved in ‘desecrating memorials of martyrs and harming their dignity.’ Separately, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore directed police to hand over 16 suspects arrested in connection with vandalism at Lahore Corps Commander’s House to the military. Besides the escalating political uncertainty, Pakistan faces a balance of payment crisis, severely depleted foreign reserves, and increasingly grim prospects of external financing.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The African Union, a symbol of the African fight for independence against colonialism, celebrates its 60th birthday on May 25, which also marks Africa Day. The union was founded initially as the Organization of African Unity in 1963 by 32 countries. Baptized the African Union in 2002, this organization fights for its member states’ economic and political unity and plays an active role in ensuring peace and security. Its headquarters are located in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, which has never been colonized. The union has 54 members and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which Trkiye does not recognize. The African Union has implemented its 50-year-vision “Agenda 2063” in terms of political independence, democracy and active global role. It also demands a permanent membership in the UN’s Security Council and supports the efforts for UN reform. Trkiye was declared an observer state in 2005 and a strategic partner in 2008.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Decoupling the EU’s economy from China is not an option, and this is why continuous dialogue is needed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Marios Panayides said during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council held in its Ministers of Trade configuration in Brussels. In the context of a discussion on EU – China relations, Panayides acknowledged that China remains an important trading partner for the EU and stressed the need for a multi-faceted approach with China. He added that given the EU’s close economic ties with the country, “economic decoupling from China is not an option.” In this context he stressed the need for continuous dialogue and a results-oriented cooperation with the country. Regarding EU – US relations, Panayides stressed the importance of promoting a positive transatlantic agenda. Referring to the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the EU – US Trade and Technology Council which will be held in Sweden between 30 and 31 May, he underlined the need to achieve tangible and mutually beneficial results. He also welcomed the efforts being made to mitigate the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act and called for permanent and sustainable solutions to trade disputes. The Ministers were briefed by the European Commission on issues related to the World Trade Organization, ahead of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the Organization to be held in the United Arab Emirates in early 2024. During a working lunch, the 27 exchanged views on its bilateral trade relations with third countries, with a particular focus on the ongoing negotiations with Australia, India, Indonesia, Kenya and the East and Southern African countries.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus had the highest rate of new applicants for asylum compared to its population in February 2023, according to data released by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU. At the same time, however, new asylum applications have significantly reduced compared to last year. In February 2023, Germany (25,335), Spain (12,840), France (10,520), and Italy (9,840) received the highest number of first-time asylum applicants, accounting for over three-quarters (77%) of all first-time applicants in the EU. In Cyprus there were 800 new applications in the same month. In total, in the EU as a whole, there were 171 first-time asylum applicants per million people in February 2023. Compared with the population of each EU Member State (on 1 January 2022), the highest rates of registered first-time applicants in February 2023 were recorded in Cyprus (885 applicants per million people) and Croatia (649). By contrast, the lowest rate was observed in Hungary (0.2). Applications increase by 41% in the EU ———– In absolute numbers, in February there were 76,505 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in the EU countries. Compared with February 2022 (54,370), it represents a 41% increase. There were also 6,070 subsequent applicants, a 3% decrease compared with February 2022 (6,280). Cyprus recorded a significant reduction in new asylum applications, with 800 new applications in February 2023 compared to 1,805 in February 2022. As in the previous months, in February 2023, Syrians were the largest group of people seeking asylum (9,885 first-time applicants). They were followed by Afghans (9,310), ahead of Colombians (5,160) and Venezuelans (5,115). Following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, there was a significant increase in Ukrainian first-time asylum applicants (from 2,105 in February 2022 to 12,190 in March 2022), but the numbers have been decreasing monthly down to 1,110 in February 2023. This is also because people fleeing Ukraine benefit from temporary protection. In February 2023, the number of first-time asylum applicants with Russian citizenship ranked 8th among all citizenships, with 2,385 applications. Unaccompanied minors ————— In February 2023, 2,745 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU, mostly from Afghanistan (1,025) and Syria (675). The EU countries which received the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors in February 2023 were Germany (1,415), Netherlands (240), Italy (205), Spain (195) and Austria (180). Due to temporary derogations, data on subsequent applicants and unaccompanied minor asylum applicants are not available for Cyprus, France and Poland.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Firefighters from the British Bases and 84 Squadron took part in the Cyprus Fire Service’s Pyrsos exercise on Wednesday, as part of the annual joint fire safety training. According to a statement from the Bases, the exercise, which took place in Kyvides, in Limassol, simulated an agroforestry fire RoC firefighting aircraft work alongside, the British Bases and Jordan, who provided two helicopters and Slovenia as observers. It is added that Puma helicopters from 84 Squadron provided rainmaker support and members of Defence Fire and Rescue (DFR) were on the ground in a liaison capacity and offering expert advice. Speaking shortly after Fire Exercise, the DFR Episkopi Station Manager, Aristos Aristeidou said the exercise included scenarios of wildfire near a residential area and provided a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices, not only between the two fire services but with all emergency services in the RoC, and also helped to identify gaps and challenges in the current firefighting procedures and equipment, which will be addressed before the beginning of the hot season. He added that it was also a great opportunity for our new on island helicopter fleet – Puma – to work on its aerial firefighting along with all the other RoC flight units and helped strengthen the existing excellent relationship between BFC and the RoC, it enhanced our interoperability and communication skills, while promoting regional cooperation and mutual understanding. For his part, RoC Fire Service Press Officer and Public Relations Representative Andreas Kettis said that the exercise, which is under the supervision, administrative and operational coordination of the Cyprus Fire Service, is conducted within the framework of the preparation of the firefighting summer season and aims to establish the operational readiness and coordination of all ‘Repression Services, adding that this joint exercise also sees the RoC implement the IKAROS Plan, which in real-time is a multi-nation firefighting operation. He added that the goal of the exercise during which the ‘IKAROS PLAN’ is activated, is to involve all aerial forces of the Cyprus Republic, DFR and 84 Squadron of the British Bases in Cyprus, as well as the two aerial means of the neighbouring friendly country of Jordan, together with ground forces of all Services that will be involved in extinguishing fires during the firefighting season. He also said that apart from the Cyprus Fire Service and the Forest Department, Repression Services of the Cyprus Republic in such fires are the National Guard, the Police, the Civil Defence, District Administration Offices, the Game and Fauna Service, Community Councils and Volunteer Firefighting Teams, while help and support in extinguishing such fires every year is being provided by DFR from the British Bases, with the contribution of ground and especially aerial forces by 84 Squadron.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Minister of Transport, Communication and Works, Alexis Vafeades, underlined the importance of sustainability, as well as health and safety, in the construction sector, on Thursday, during the 76th General Meeting of the European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE), which is held between 24-27 of May in Hilton Park Nicosia. In his address, the Minister said he is happy that health and safety is a big issue for the Council and reassured ETEK (Scientific Technical Chamber of Cyprus) that the government stands by professionals who strive towards this direction. Vafeades spoke of the responsibility of those who venture in projects for creating a better living environment, to do so in a safe manner and make sure that they do not injure people or lose people in the process. ‘We have all witnessed what happens when engineering fails,’ he said, referring to the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and added that ‘we need to be even more aware of what goes wrong and how we lose people.’ The Minister noted that ‘engineering has always been about sustainability, respecting nature and working in harmony with nature’, pointing out that there is ‘added responsibility to pursue this further and make sure that engineers around the world are engaged in this effort.’ Concluding, he reassured the Assembly that the government of Cyprus stands by ETEK (The Scientific Technical Chamber of Cyprus) and construction professionals, who are all working to take this society forward. At his welcome speech, on behalf of the President of the Cyprus Association of Civil Engineers (CYACE), Kyriakos Tsioupanis noted that, one of the most important priorities of the Association is the health and safety in the construction industry and noted that the ECCE General Meeting will be combined with the 8th International Conference of Construction Safety and Health, entitled ‘Respect Human Rights – Everyone has a role to play’. He also congratulated the ECCE and WCCE for joining forces in a common initiative which aims to raise awareness on the need of ‘safe, sound, sustainable’ buildings. The President of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK), Constantinos Constanti, spoke of a series of critical points that require collective attention. Among those, he underlined the need to proceed with regulation of regular maintenance of buildings and infrastructures, aiming to improve energy efficiency and ensure seismic safety. Also, he noted that public procurement processes should be improved, by promoting and prioritising quality over price, something which will ensure the delivery of safe and durable infrastructure that meets the needs of citizens. Andreas Brandnen, President of the ECCE, spoke of the challenges of the profession, due to the hit at the supply chain during the pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as the earthquakes in South Turkey and Syria and developments in the EU with the Green Deal, noting that along with the challenges, there are also great opportunities. ‘To this end, it is necessary to reflect on our training, our qualifications for the access to the profession and greater mobility for engineers,’ he said. He also underlined the important initiative of a holistic approach to building safety and sustainability, expressing the conviction that it will now be successfully followed through and will have a worldwide dissemination, through the cooperation with WCCE. He concluded that ‘politics must hear the voice of the engineers,” adding that “after a disaster it is too late.’

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Directors General, editors and journalists of news agencies in the Mediterranean region gathered in Djerba, Tunisia, to discuss the role of media in promoting economic and social empowerment of women. The seminar – co-organised by Tunisia’s news agency TAP, the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung – on Wednesday, May 24, took place one day before the 31st General Assembly of AMAN, with the participation of 15 news agencies, including CNA, and concluded with the adoption of the Djerba Declaration. Tunisia’s Minister of Family, Women, Children and the Elderly Amal Belhaj Moussa addressed the opening, on Wednesday, noting, among other things, that her Ministry’s objective is to raise the percentage of women entrepreneurs in SMEs from 10% closer to 30%. She also spoke about the role of education in furthering women’s empowerment, noting that women in her country represent 65% of PhD holders and 75% of researchers. CEO of the host News Agency, TAP, Najeh Missaoui, who assumes the AMAN presidency for a one-year term spanning 2023/2024, said the theme of the conference “testifies to the indispensable role of Mediterranean women in fostering sustainability and their unwavering determination to further augment their contribution to the economic landscape.” Director General of the Croatian News Agency HINA and outgoing President of AMAN, Branka-Gabriela Vojvodic, highlighted the robust unity within AMAN. During the conference, experts and women’s rights advocates stressed that the empowerment of women can only be achieved through defending women’s rights and fighting against all forms of violence against women. On Thursday, members of AMAN adopted the Djerba Declaration, calling among others for enhanced cross-cultural exchanges, more Media training and for empowering women in journalism. AMAN members also voted unanimously in favour of accepting Slovenia’s news agency STA as a member. AMAN Secretary-General George Penintaex and TAP’s Najeh Missaoui awarded prizes to the winners of AMAN’s internal completion, Ahmed Gaddeh from TAP for the Best News Item and Aytug Can Sencar of Anadolu Agency for the Best Photo. An honorary certificate was awarded to APS’ photo entry. The next General Assembly will be held in Palermo, Italy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency