Day: April 29, 2024

ANKARA: Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including the killing of 66 more Palestinians in Gaza, the resumption of World Central Kitchen’s operations in the enclave and a phone call between the US president and Israeli premier on Rafah.

TOP STORIES

66 more Palestinians killed in Gaza as Israeli onslaught continues: Health Ministry

At least 66 more Palestinians were killed and 138 others injured over the last 24 hours as Israel continued its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, the territory’s Health Ministry said on Sunday.

“The Israeli occupation (forces) committed seven massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 66 martyrs and 138 injured during the past 24 hours,” a ministry statement said.

World Central Kitchen to resume operations in Gaza

World Central Kitchen (WCK) will resume its operations in the Gaza Strip after seven of its aid workers were killed in an Israeli strike earlier this month.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We are r
estarting our operation with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible,” the charity’s chief executive officer, Erin Gore, said Sunday in a statement.

US president, Israeli premier discuss Rafah

US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the southern Gaza city of Rafah in a phone call Sunday, the White House said.

‘The President and the Prime Minister also discussed increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including through preparations to open new northern crossings starting this week.

“The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations. The leaders discussed Rafah and the President reiterated his clear position,” a White House statement said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

At least two Palestinian children have lost their lives due to a heat wave in the Gaza Strip, said the UN refugee agency UNRWA.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s govern
ment ‘will not have the right to continue to exist’ if it blocks a proposed hostage swap with Hamas, said war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.

At least 30 Israeli paratrooper reservists have refused to answer their call-up to participate in a planned ground attack in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.

A pro-Israeli supporter hurled angry comments at University of California student protesters, who continued demonstrations in support of Palestine.

US Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein was detained at a pro-Palestinian rally at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, according to her spokesperson.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a ‘political animal’ who can ‘sense fear,’ as he urged Kyiv’s partners to believe in his country’s ‘victory.’

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced her candidacy for the European Parliament’s elections in June, in a bid to boost support for her Brothers of Italy party.

Demonstr
ations were held outside McDonald’s branches in the Netherlands against Israel’s offensive on Palestine.

The American Film Institute (AFI) awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to actress Nicole Kidman.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with his counterparts from Norway, Jordan and Yemen as well as the EU foreign policy chief in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara announced his resignation following a recent reshuffle in the Cabinet, state media reported.

At least six people were killed in a roadside bomb explosion that targeted a vehicle carrying telecom workers in Somalia, officials said.

Zambia marked the centenary birthday of the country’s founding President Kenneth Kaunda.

SPORTS

Paris Saint-Germain crowned Ligue 1 champions after Monaco’s defeat

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) were crowned Ligue 1 champions for the third year in a row with three games remaining on Sunday.

The Parisians sealed their record-extending 12th Ligue 1 title in club his
tory after Olympique Lyon defeated Monaco 3-2 at Parc OL.

Manchester City take 5th Premier League win in row

Manchester City took their fifth English Premier League win in a row when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday.

Playing at City Ground, Manchester City found the goals with Josko Gvardiol in the 32nd minute and Erling Haaland in the 71st minute on matchday 35.

BUSINESS and ECONOMY

Islamic finance not replacement for traditional finance, says Saudi banker

Islamic finance is not a replacement for traditional finance, a top Saudi banker said.

“We are a finance (model) that is socially responsible. We care about the borrower as much as our shareholders and make sure people benefit from the process,” said Mutlaq Al-Morished, a board member of Saudi Arabia based SME Bank.

Elon Musk meets Chinese Premier Li amid hopes to boost electric vehicle sales

Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang, who promised that his country would always be open to foreign firms and will provide a
“better business environment,’ state media reported.

‘China’s very large-scale market will always be open to foreign-funded firms,’ Li told Musk, who landed in Beijing earlier in the day amid hopes that he will bring his company’s autonomous driving technology to China, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Cabinet reviewed the progress of the 88 actions the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, had announced at the beginning of 2024, on Monday afternoon.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: In the Saudi capital Riyadh, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday attended a meeting organized by the Contact Group on Gaza formed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, in Riyadh, attended the meeting of the Contact Group on Gaza mandated by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on X.

Fidan held a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh and separately with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s foreign minister.

The Gaza Contact Group, formed by members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, convened on Sunday to discuss steps to boost recognition of a state of Palestine and increase pressure on Israel and its supporters.

Diplomatic sources said the meeting has come to an end, with representatives also discussing decisions to be taken at the upcoming OIC Summit in Banjul, Gambia on Saturday

The contact group was established at a joint OIC-Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia last November to stop the conflict in Gaza and help achieve lasting peace.

Source: Anadolu Agency

An event to mark the 20th Anniversary of Green Line Regulation took place on Monday at Ledra Palace, in the buffer zone which included speeches by the Head of the EC representation in Cyprus and representatives of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot chamber of commerce.

Panel discussions followed with distinguished speakers from the EC, the trade and industry sector and activists from both communities who shared their experiences, highlighted the benefits of the regulation and spoke about the challenges of the future.

Regulation is the unwavering EU commitment to the people of Cyprus, says Zambarta

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Myrto Zambarta, Head of European Commision Representation in Cyprus said that in the past two decades, the Green Line Regulation has shown that it is more than just a piece of legislation but it constitutes the unwavering commitment of the EU to the people of Cyprus and their peaceful coexistence and reconciliation.

‘As with any legislation, it has come with
its challenges, and its implementation is a daily act of commitment to reconciliation. Gradually, it has helped foster a degree of trust, both in the people-to-people interaction and trading between the two communities, introducing a common language that focuses on rules, quality and standards’, she noted.

Zambarta said that twenty years in, we have common product quality and health standards that enable free trade of certain goods across the Green Line without undermining EU-wide standards relating to the protection of human, animal and plant health. It is a start. She added that there is still a long way to go in fully implementing the Green Line Regulation, pointing out that the Regulation alone cannot be the catalyst for resolving the Cyprus issue.

“In parallel, the EU is supporting various projects to enhance prosperity across all communities on the island, both with Cohesion Funds as well as dedicated support to the Turkish Cypriot community. And we, as the European Commission remain committed in supp
orting Cyprus in its journey towards peace and unity for the benefit of all its people,” she noted.

Regulation helped us in difficult times, says Mavrommatis

—————–

Manthos Mavrommatis, former Head of the CCCI said that the regulation allowed the two communities to develop their commercial relations and through this the interaction and the common benefit from the economic activity became apparent.

He added that the regulation went through various difficulties but we should not forget that it helped both communities at times when there were huge problems.

Mavrommatis recalled that in 2011, with the destruction of the power plant in Mari, the Greek Cypriot community was able to buy electricity from the Turkish Cypriot community, on a temporary basis and prevent the collapse of our economy. He also said that in 2013, when an oil spill occurred in the Gulf in Turkish occupied Trikomo, the Turkish Cypriots were able to buy cleaning material from the Greek Cypriots in order to deal with the catastro
phe.

Both actions, he said, were possible through the Green Line regulation.

He stated that CCCI’s priority is to increase the Greek Cypriot sales to the Turkish Cypriot community to prove in practice that the regulation works for the economic benefit of both communities. He also said that they are in consultation with the government to find a way to deal with the problem of VAT being levied on our sales and the amount that cannot be recovered.

Mavrommatis expressed the hope that soon the regulation will not be necessary and that the Cyprus issue will be resolved which will lead to the normalization of trade between the two communities and will increase economic activity between them.

We are making efforts to enable the trade of Hellim say the Turkish Cypriots

On behalf of the Turkish chamber of commerce Turgay Deniz said that since 2004, ‘we have witnessed over 140 million Euros in trade from the North to the South, while trade initially started modestly and averaged around 5 million Euros annually, we
have seen significant growth in recent years, with figures reaching 14 million Euros in 2022 and an encouraging 15.5 million Euros in 2023’.

He added that the Commission and Turkish Cypriot stakeholders, are making significant efforts to enable the trade of Hellim/Halloumi PDO, to the EU market. According to Deniz, they advocate for an expansion of the rules to include all goods that meet EU standards, ensuring broader market access.

‘We should also expand our horizons beyond goods and enhance the trade of services, which is already provided for in the Green Line trade. This will diversify our economic interactions and enhance our offerings,” he said.

Moreover, Deniz added, “the Chamber strongly supports the opening of new crossing points, recognizing them as crucial avenues to enhance trade and foster deeper economic integration across the communities.’

He described the Green Line trade as a commercial venture, adding that it is clear that it also serves as a bridge of reconciliation across the island, a
iming to contribute not only to our economic development but also to build the foundations for lasting reconciliation.

A streetball tournament took place in the framework of the event with teams from both communities.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

It joined the EU in May 2004. The whole of Cyprus is part of the EU, however, in the northern occupied part of the island, where the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, EU legislation is suspended. The ceasefire line (referred to as the ‘Green Line’) is separating the two parts of the island.

The Green Line Regulation was adopted in April 2004. It sets out special rules for goods, services, and persons crossing the Green Line from the Turkish Cypriot community, which is outside the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus and where the EU acquis is suspended, to the areas which are under the effective control of the government and where the acquis
applies.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Saudi Arabia hosted an Arab-European meeting on Monday to discuss the recognition of a Palestinian state.

The meeting, held in the capital Riyadh, was attended by representatives of 20 countries, the Saudi Al-Ekhbariya news channel reported.

‘We renew our commitment to finding a final solution to this conflict, recognizing the State of Palestine and drawing support for a two-state solution,’ Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the meeting.

He warned that a planned Israeli ground attack on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip ‘will lead to a catastrophe.’

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, for his part, called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, aid access to the enclave, and for a two-state solution to the conflict.

The meeting followed a six-way Arab meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday on the first leg of a regional tour that will also take him t
o Israel and Jordan.

Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people.

Nearly 34,500 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 77,600 others injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities.

More than six months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, 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.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar

Source: Anadolu Agency