Category: General

Russia’s war on Ukraine is now on its way back to its country of origin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.

‘Gradually, the war is returning to Russia’s territory – to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable natural and fair process,’ he said on Twitter/X.

‘Russian aggression has gone bankrupt on the battlefield,’ he added.

Sunday, July 30 was the 522nd day of the ‘so-called ‘special military operation,’ he stressed, mocking Moscow’s euphemism for the war, adding that the Russian side had initially expected it to ‘last for a week or two.’

He praised his country for growing stronger as days pass.

Zelenskyy warned all Ukrainians to be ready for any possible attack by the ‘Russian terrorists’ on the country’s energy sector and facilities of critical importance after summer turns to fall and then winter.

He said ‘the current state of preparation for all possible scenarios’ was the topic A at the meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Ukraine in the Ivano-Frankivsk region held on Sunday.

With the attendances of Ukrainian ‘communities, government officials, representatives of defense and security forces, partners of Ukraine cooperating with the Congress,’ he said that the meeting had a ‘very informative conversation.’

The parties also discussed the issue of urgent reconstruction, including the energy sector, and various ways to ensure life in the communities, the Ukrainian president added.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Cyprus Department of Meteorology issued on Sunday another yellow warning for extreme high temperatures for Monday.

The warning says that the maximum temperature over the inland areas is expected to rise to around 40 degrees Celsius. The warning is valid from 11am Monday morning to 5pm Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Forests issued a warning for “extremely high” fire risk in all forest areas.

“The public is urged to be extremely careful and to completely avoid actions and activities that are likely to cause a fire,” said the Department in its warning.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The legacy of the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Makarios III, is that it is “our obligation to seek, pursue and strive for the vindication of our people’s toil and sacrifice, within a realistic framework for an achievable, sustainable and functional solution for the entire people of Cyprus,’ President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, addressing the annual memorial of Makarios III, in Kykkos Monastery.

‘Through the path of collaboration and peace, talks and assertive realism, we continue to strive to break the deadlock and a resumption of negotiations, from the point that they were interrupted in 2017,’ added the President, noting that the government seeks the liberation and reunification of Cyprus, based on UN resolutions and the principles and values of the EU.

President Christodoulides declared that the current status quo is ‘unacceptable’ and cannot be tolerated and noted that the prolonged status quo produces faits accomplis which make the possibility of a solution more distant. He added that ending the Turkish occupation and the reunification of the island is the only option. Quoting Makarios III, he said that “our struggle does not turn against the Turkish Cypriots. They too are victimized by the Turkish invasion and they are not out opponents. The invader is who we want out, so that both Greeks and Turks of Cyprus can be free.”

President Christodoulides also underlined ‘the need for a strong united internal front,” expressing at the same time his respect “for any different opinions and approaches’. He noted that this is essential, particularly in this crucial juncture. ‘We have experienced harmful consequences, due to internal division’, he said, as he called for unity.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

There is a common approach and goals with Greece, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday, referring to the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Cyprus on Monday, indicating that one of the main topics on the agenda will be Euro-Turkish relations given that progress in the issue also goes through Cypriot-Turkish and Greek-Turkish relations.

In his statement on Sunday at Throni of Panagia Kykkou, after the end of a memorial service of the first President of the Republic, Arch. Makarios, President Christodoulides emphasised that those who are anxiously trying to find differences between Athens and Nicosia will be disappointed because, as he said, “there is a common line, common approach, common goals” since “after all, the challenges are common.”

In response to a journalist’s remark that his visit with the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee of Missing Persons took place in a friendly atmosphere and asked regarding his proposal for a tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary General in New York, the President of the Republic said that he had proposed to the Turkish leader to request this meeting together and that his reaction was positive, saying that such meetings always take place.

“He (Tatar) has no objection to such a meeting,”he noted, adding that “of course what we are interested in is a result. So, we are working to make the appropriate preliminary work, so that there will be a result.”

He also said that he repeated to Tatar his invitation for a social dinner, and that the Turkish Cypriot leader told him that he did not know if he would be in Cyprus, but “it was not something he ruled out.”

“What I can say is that I am ready, and that is why I consider the meeting with the UN Secretary-General to be decisive for the next steps in relation to the Euro-Turkish issues as well, because I should remind you that the European Council has essentially decided that in October, Euro-Turkish issues will be discussed,” he pointed out, adding that in the next few weeks there will be many bilateral meetings where the Cyprus issue will also be discussed and hopefully there will be developments that will allow us to have developments in the Euro-Turkish issues.

Replying to a journalist’s remark that he is strongly criticised by some that while there is a barrage of provocative Turkish statements he remains silent, the President of the Republic said that this “is valid” and that he consciously chooses not to answer because he is not interested in the communication management of the Cyprus issue.

“The Cyprus problem will not be solved through public statements or if I enter into a daily confrontation with Tatar. You saw that during the visit (to the CMP) I consciously chose not to respond to what he had said”, he stressed.

He also added that he and Tatar had a short, private discussion, during their joint visit at CMP, where Tatar “mentioned some things to me,” adding however that he did not wish to make them public. He noted that what he told him in response was “we will see all this at the negotiating table.”

“If we don’t talk, if the talks don’t resume then we can’t see in practice whether all that is being said is true,” he stressed, adding that the second thing he told Tatar is that “as things stand today, the only ones who definitely stand to lose are the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots”.

When asked what the effort of European partners in relation to Turkey includes, President Christodoulides said that “these are countries that maintain a special relationship with Turkey due to many factors, economic interests, military interests, the need for Turkey to become again closer to the West. We see what (Turkey’s) stance is on the Ukrainian issue, we see the excellent relations it has with Russia and in this context some EU states whose leaders have already met with Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, are working so that there are developments in the Cyprus issue that will open the door for positive developments in the Euro-Turkish affairs,” he said.

Replying to a journalist’s remark that the Committee of Occupied Municipalities has asked the government, during the meeting of its delegation with the President, to take measures to put an end to the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied areas and what the government intends to do about it, President Christodoulides said that “already, before the meeting with the Union of Occupied Municipalities, both in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the Legal Service and the Ministry of the Interior, specific decisions were taken that will be announced very soon.”

Asked about reports to do with the possibility of a visit to the Turkish occupied areas by members of the American Congress and whether it would send the wrong message, the President of the Republic said that he considers the matter to be particularly important. “The visit is condemnable, that is not under discussion, I think we all agree on that,” he said.

He noted the discomfort of the American government itself and the American Embassy in Cyprus who, in cooperation with the Cypriot government, but also with the Cypriot Diaspora, did everything possible to prevent such a visit from taking place.

As CyBC reported earlier today, responding to a question about the upcoming visit of Republican Congressman Pete Sessions to the Turkish occupied areas, a representative of the US Department of State clarified that the State Department has not funded this visit and that it is an unofficial trip.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Diplomatic efforts for the immediate resumption of Cyprus reunification talks will continue, assured the Government Spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis, on Sunday.

In statements to the press after a memorial service in Yeroskipou, in Pafos district, Letymbiotis referred to the joint visit of President Christodoulides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar to the antropological laboratory of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP), saying that this was the first important step, sending, at the same time, a humanitarian message to ascertain the fate of all the missing, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Letymbiotis noted that “the President of the Republic extended an invitation to the Turkish Cypriot leader for a joint meeting with the Secretary-General of the UN, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, in September.”

“The diplomatic efforts of the President of the Republic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs will continue, so that the immediate resumption of negotiations will be possible,” he assured.

At this moment, he said, “the proposal of the President of the Republic for a more active involvement of the EU, can significantly contribute to the efforts of the UN, while the appointment of an envoy from the side of the UN will also have a high added value.”

He pointed out that “it is important to always keep in mind that the current state of affairs cannot continue, the status quo is not acceptable and as a government we are determined to continue our efforts until a sustainable, peaceful, definitive resolution of the Cyprus problem, based on the agreed framework is possible.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In the meantime, referring to the official visit of the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Cyprus on Monday, that was scheduled for last Wednesday, but had to be rescheduled due to the devastating fires in Greece, Letymbiotis said that the visit “in addition to its ceremonial character, also has an substantive aspect”, noting that Nicosia and Athens will have the opportunity “to further coordinate their actions for the coming period, to intensify their diplomatic contacts, in view of September when the UN General Assembly will be held, in order to create those conditions, so that negotiations can resume”.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Protestors shouting slogans against France attacked the French Embassy in Niger’s capital Niamey on Sunday, following the military coup in the country last week.

Video footage on social media showed several of the protestors, organized by the new military leaders, burning the French flag, pelting the embassy building with stones, and trying to break through the doors and windows before being dispersed by teargas.

Some brandished the Russian flag, and protestors yelled that they took to the street ‘to express their discontent against France’s interference in Niger’s affairs.’

‘Enough is enough with France, Niger is a sovereign country,’ one protestor said.

Protesters carrying signs saying ‘Down with France’ rallied at a public square in central Niamey before heading to the embassy, local sources said.

In a statement later, France warned that ‘anyone who attacks French nationals, the military, diplomats, or French interests will spur an immediate and uncompromising response from France.’

The statement issued by the Elysee said French President Emmanuel Macron was able to speak again to deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and Niger’s former leader Mahamadou Issoufou, ‘both of whom clearly condemned the coup and called for calm among the population.’

Call for calm

Later, on Niger’s national television, the military leaders called on the protesters to refrain from vandalism and destruction of public or private property, or foreign representations.

In a message Sunday, Issoufou said he has worked to find a negotiated way out of the country’s crisis, notably allowing the release of Bazoum and his restoration to office.

‘I take this opportunity to call for calm. I ask everyone to refrain from any violence,’ he said, speaking out for the first time since the coup.

‘I ask everyone to do everything possible to protect people and property not only with regard to Nigeriens but also foreign nationals living on our territory. Let’s not forget the values of peace, brotherhood and hospitality that have always characterized our society. Let us draw on this to avoid chaos in our country.’

Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government on Friday, two days after deposing President Bazoum.

The coup attempt has been condemned by the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States bloc (ECOWAS), whose leaders met on Sunday in Nigeria to discuss the political situation in Niger.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Pope Francis on Sunday called on Russia to reverse its decision earlier this month to abandon the Black Sea grain corridor agreement.

“I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, so that the Black Sea initiative may be resumed and grain may be transported safely,” Francis said in his Sunday Angelus address to a crowd gathered in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square.

Calling grain God’s gift to feed humanity, he said the destruction of it through war is a “a grave insult to God,” referring to recent Russia airstrikes on the Ukrainian coastal city of Odesa.

He also exhorted the crowd to keep praying for Ukraine.

On July 17, Russia unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a UN and Turkish-brokered pact that saw grain shipments depart from Ukrainian ports last summer for the first time since Moscow began its war against its eastern European neighbor in February.

The agreement helped alleviate global food insecurity by creating a safe corridor through the Black Sea for exports from three Ukrainian ports that had been blockaded by Russia since the war began. Ukraine, like Russia, is one of the world’s largest exporters of grain.

After it quit the agreement earlier this month, Russia bombed Ukraine’s port cities, particularly Odesa.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ankara expects “concrete steps” from Stockholm to prevent attacks on the Muslim holy book the Quran, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday told his Swedish counterpart.

In a phone call, Fidan and Tobias Billstrom discussed the recent spate of attacks on the Quran in Sweden, according to diplomatic sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Fidan told Billstrom that “it is unacceptable to continue these despicable acts under the guise of freedom of expression,” they added.

Recent months have seen repeated acts of Quran burning or desecration, or attempts to do so, by Islamophobic figures or groups, especially in northern European and Nordic countries.

The two also exchanged views on Sweden’s pending NATO bid, according to the sources. At a NATO summit early this month, Trkiye greenlit Sweden’s bid going to the Turkish parliament, where it will face a vote this fall. Turkish officials have made it clear they expect steps in the right direction by Sweden if they want parliament’s approval.

On Monday, Fidan will attend an online meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states’ foreign ministers concerning the repeated acts of “provocative desecration” of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark.

“The meeting will take into consideration the increasing Islamophobia in Europe and the possible concrete steps to be taken against this phenomenon and to establish a common position within in the OIC against these heinous attacks,” according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A new fire broke out on Greece’s Peloponnesian Peninsula on Saturday, even as the country is already struggling with forest fires.

State broadcaster ERT reported that the fire in the Ilia region, in the western part of the southern peninsula, spread with the help of strong winds to reach residential areas.

Some settlements were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, on the Greek island of Rhodes, off the coast of southwestern Trkiye, where fires were under control as of Friday, fire brigades remain on standby in case of new fires.

Authorities sent a cellphone message to citizens and tourists in some areas saying: “You can safely return to your homes.”

According to the Fire Risk Forecast Map published by Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, the fire risk for tomorrow is set at category 4, or “very high.”

Four people died in recent forest fires in the country.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Azerbaijan is calling on countries and international organizations that have made anti-Azerbaijani statements to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially concerning developments in Karabakh and the Lachin road.

‘We demand that countries and international organizations that are deceived by Armenia’s manipulations and which make biased statements (instead) respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, not interfere in the internal affairs of our country, and to put an end to the policy of double standards,’ Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The ministry said Azerbaijan has made proposals to meet the needs of Armenians in the region but the Armenian side has ‘opposed’ these efforts and blocked ‘access to the territory by placing concrete barriers on alternative roads.’

‘Armenian claims about the humanitarian situation are nothing than political blackmail and manipulation,’ the Ministry said.

‘The aim of Armenia is to bring third parties to the region, expand the geography of tensions, as well as to lead the peace process to a failure point,’ it added.

‘Azerbaijan will ensure the rights of Armenian residents living in its Karabagh region based on the country’s Constitution, and will resolutely prevent any step against its sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ the ministry said.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, now known as Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

In 2020, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and over 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia, and the fighting ended with a deal brokered by Russia.

Despite ongoing talks on a peace agreement, tensions between the neighboring countries rose in recent months concerning the Lachin road, a land route giving Armenia access to Karabakh, as well as Azerbaijan’s establishment of a border checkpoint on the road.

Source: Anadolu Agency