Day: June 1, 2023

In an effort to protect and discover the hidden world of wildlife, experts in northeastern Trkiye are closely monitoring a wide range of animals, including lynxes and brown bears. With the permission of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the KuzeyDoga Association, in collaboration with Igdir University, Koc University, and UTAH University, has been conducting extensive research on wildlife conservation in the Trkiye’s provinces of Igdir, Kars, and Ardahan. These studies involve the use of satellite transmitters to track the movements and behaviors of various species, providing valuable insights into their lives. In addition to bird-ringing research, simultaneous efforts are being made to monitor other wild animals such as lynx, wolves, and bears. Since 2011, transmitters have been installed on more than 90 birds, 39 wolves, 21 lynx, and 75 brown bears as part of this ongoing research. These transmitters play a crucial role in identifying migration routes, feeding grounds, and breeding locations of these animals. Steppe falcons have been found traveling to Kazakhstan and Russia, while a lynx, named Dorlion, a brown bear, named Baloo, and a wolf, named Mezguashe, have been observed in the countryside of Kars. Polar birds, named Maya and Alp, have also been spotted around the Aras River. Baloo, which was found in the forest area of the Sarikamis district of Kars province on June 7, 2021, traveled 2,731 kilometers through the regions of Kars, Ardahan, Artvin, and Erzurum. Similarly, Mezguashe, since he was released to its natural forest habitat on July 11, 2021, traveled 6,325 kilometers across Erzurum, Agri, Ardahan, and Kars, establishing its new life by actively hunting in these regions. Since July 6, 2021, Dorlion has traveled 1,390 kilometers from Kars. The steppe falcon, which is being tracked since April 9, covered a distance of 2,832 kilometers and reached Kazakhstan after a brief stay in the Igdir region. Emrah Coban, KuzeyDoga’s science coordinator, emphasized the significance of tracking animals in studying wildlife, saying that attaching satellite transmitters to over 90 birds has proven to be one of the most effective methods for discovering their lives, particularly by enabling the tracking of their migration patterns.

Source: Anadolu Agency

US President Joe Biden fell on stage Thursday after handing out diplomas at the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony. Video of the incident that circulated on social media appears to show the president handing a final blue diploma to a graduate before taking a step to his left and immediately falling to the ground. Two Secret Service officers and an Air Force service member then help Biden, 80, to his feet before he proceeds to walk back to his seat. Biden appears to point to the ground before walking to the side of the stage. It was not immediately clear from the video what Biden pointed to, but a White House pool reporter said he was pointing to a black sandbag. Biden appeared to be okay after the fall, and continued to stand until the ceremony concluded, according to the pool.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Zimbabwean parliament has passed a “controversial” Patriotic Bill that criminalizes any citizen who meets with foreign diplomats or foreign government functionaries in terms of association, assembly, and speech. The ruling Zimbabwe Africa National Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party used its parliamentary majority to pass the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, 2022, also known as the Patriotic Bill late Wednesday evening, which many see as contradicting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise to expand freedoms. The bill will now be sent to the Senate, which is also dominated by Zanu-PF, before Mnangagwa signs it into law, which will criminalize any citizen who meets with foreign diplomats or foreign country officials in terms of association, assembly, and speech. If signed into law, the National Prosecuting Authority will be authorized to initiate criminal prosecution against anyone who, at its discretion, is undermining the country or using false statements to paint a negative picture of the country to foreign governments. Anyone found in violation of the new law, according to the bill, will be arrested and imprisoned. During a debate on the bill, before it was passed in parliament, Zanu-PF legislator Joseph Chinotimba said, “We cannot allow individuals to speak negatively about their own country. This Bill must become law.” The law comes as the Southern African country prepares to go to the general elections on Aug. 23. However, long before it was passed, analysts in the country argued that vague laws are a hallmark of authoritarian states that use them to keep people under repression.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The government will continue to propose policies beneficial for the country and its citizens and collaborate with all parties in Parliament, Government Spokesperson ?onstantinos Letymbiotis told CNA. He also referred to the issue of sanctions, energy planning, and how they intend to intervene regarding energy affordability.

In his interview with the Cyprus News Agency, the Spokesperson was asked whether the government considers closed the issue of the list of sanctions following the US Ambassador’s remarks to ‘Phileleftheros’ daily that the Americans are targeting the Russian oligarchs and Vladimir Putin and what the government intends to do if there is a new list. “What is of essence to us is that Cyprus is not the target of these lists,” he said.

Letymbiotis noted “we are pleased to see that the determination of the government, the willingness for full clarification and investigation of these issues is being acknowledged,” and at the same time shows that the Republic of Cyprus, “is a reliable country that the US, the EU, and the UK can trust. And we heard this from the most official sources.”

The Spokesperson further said that “we are at a very good point regarding Cyprus’ international reputation, the preservation of the country’s name as a financial centre”. This, he said, was the first challenge that the new government had to overcome, “to prevent any shadows from falling over Cyprus.”

Letymbiotis said that it is known that the Cypriot economy was connected to the Russian one, yet Cyprus – quite rightly – from the very moment of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, “stood on the right side of history.”

All the information provided to Cypriot authorities regarding these lists will be thoroughly investigated, the Spokesperson said, adding that they are being evaluated by the Legal Service. Letymbiotis said that circumventing European sanctions constitutes a criminal offence. He also reminded of the President’s message that if it is proven that someone bypassed these sanctions, whoever they may be, they will be brought to justice.

Regarding the possibility of another list, he stated that they do not have such information. He also said they are focusing on establishing mechanisms for implementing sanctions.

At the same time, he expressed the conviction that all political forces will demonstrate the necessary responsibility, prudence, and willingness to cooperate on major issues that concern the people and they will acknowledge the positive developments taking place.

Regarding the government’s energy planning, he said it primarily includes covering local needs and filling the gap that arises from the EU’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Additionally, it considers whether Cyprus can approach countries in the region on the issue.

The goal, he said, is to combine these three aspects as soon as possible. After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements following the President’s visit to Israel, “we can say that conditions are being created, we have more options” and we will explore which option will open up Cyprus’ horizons more directly, he added.

Letymbiotis said that natural gas is a transitional fuel for the green transition, “a significant challenge not only for Cyprus but for the entire EU”. He said the “abundant sunshine” is a positive element, which is advantageous for Cyprus due to its small size, adding the government is encouraging the development of renewables and the green bond issued around a month ago, with the proceeds being channeled into the development of such energy sources.

Natural gas and our natural resources should operate simultaneously with the development of renewable energy sources towards the great goal of the green transition, he said.

Asked if measures would be announced to reduce electricity costs, the Spokesperson reminded that the electricity subsidy will be extended until the end of June, emphasising that these measures cannot be permanent and are reassessed every two months. “If there is a need to continue them, they will continue. But these measures cannot be permanent,” he said.

He also noted that one of the government’s initial decisions was the implementation of virtual net billing, and said that the upgrading of the RES (Renewable Energy Sources) network is being planned with a specific timeline to integrate large-scale photovoltaic parks, as well as addressing the issue of storage.

Furthermore, the existing subsidy schemes for installing RES, photovoltaic systems, or replacing energy-intensive appliances and thermal insulation will be expanded. “We aim to broaden the beneficiaries, to open up opportunities so that as many households and Cypriot consumers as possible can install RES, within the state’s fiscal capabilities,” he added.

Asked to comment on a statement by the ENI representative that energy plans in the Eastern Mediterranean cannot exclude Turkey, the Government Spokesperson stated that ENI is a private company and its representative expressed an opinion on a geopolitical issue. Opinions are always respected, he noted, emphasising that a private company cannot have such a clear orientation on such a geopolitical issue.

Replying to a question about the government’s first 90 days, the Spokesman said that significant progress has been made with the tabling of bills on long-debated issues, such as energy, the zero VAT rate on certain food items, the upcoming reduced VAT rate, and the resolution of the Cost of Living Allowance matter.

Letymbiotis said a great deal of work is being done, and both the President and the government aim to be beneficial, so that in the next five years, they can look back and say, “Yes, we contributed and made this place a little better.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Deputy Minister for Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis described the shipping sector as an invaluable asset for Cyprus, stating her determination to further strengthen Cyprus’s position in global shipping.

According to a press release, Hadjimanolis welcomed the special Cyprus-India Working Meeting took place on Monday 29 May, at the Parklane Hotel, in Limassol, held in the framework of the Best Invest Congress.

Thanking the High Commissioner of India to Cyprus, Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat for the invitation, Hadjimanolis pointed out the excellent opportunity that this meeting offers to the participants to be informed about the latest developments in the business and investment sector, with a substantial exchange of views on a number of issues of common interest, as well as to explore the opportunities offered by the two countries.

“Such prestigious events,” she said, “are extremely important and are supported by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, as they reinforce Cyprus’s position as a modern, efficient and leading business centre.”

Noting that “shipping is a business sector we are proud of” she went on to say that it is an invaluable asset for Cyprus with significant political and economic advantages. Hadjimanolis added that the Cyprus Register ranks 11th among international fleets and 3rd within the European Union.

She also referred to the friendly and close relations between Cyprus and India, which as Commonwealth countries, have always had long-standing cooperation in various fields.

Furthermore, she stressed that the shipping sector is no exception and the strong ties between Cyprus and India were further strengthened, following the signing of the Merchant Shipping Agreements, recalling that the first Agreement was concluded in 1997 followed by a new modernised Merchant Shipping Agreement, which was signed in New Delhi in 2017.

“As the competent maritime authority of Cyprus, we have an ambitious and clear vision and clear objectives for Cyprus shipping and we are determined to further strengthen Cyprus’s position in global shipping. It is important that Cyprus and India continue to work together to achieve our common goals in both domestic and international matters,” the Deputy Minister concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency