Category: General

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday with, including Trkiye marking the 7th anniversary of the July 15 defeated coup, the latest on Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s health condition and wildfire on the Spanish island of La Palma. TOP STORIES Nation will not allow July 15 defeated coup to be forgotten, erased from memory: Turkish President Erdogan Marking the Democracy and National Unity Day, the Turkish president said the nation will not allow the July 15, 2016, defeated coup to be forgotten and erased from memory no matter how much time passes. Attending the commemoration ceremony in Istanbul on Saturday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the coup attempt aimed to create a division between the Turkish nation and the Turkish army. Trkiye on Saturday marked the seventh anniversary of the defeated 2016 coup bid by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). Israeli Premier Netanyahu ‘doing well’ after being hospitalized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ‘doing well’ after being hospitalized on Saturday. Netanyahu thanked the public for their concern in a video message on Twitter and said he spent time in the sun without a hat and water and got sick as a result. He requested the public to ‘spend less time in the sun, drink more water’ as the country is experiencing a severe heatwave. More than 500 evacuated over wildfire on Spanish island of La Palma More than 500 people have been evacuated from their homes on the Spanish Atlantic island of La Palma on Saturday as a wildfire rages near the town of Puntagorda. On Saturday afternoon, Fernando Clavijo Batlle, president of the Canary Islands, told media that the rapidly moving fire had destroyed 11 houses. He also said that the number of evacuees could surge to around 1,000 by the evening. NEWS IN BRIEF British Defense Minister Ben Wallace on Saturday announced his decision to step down at the next reshuffle. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Malaysian counterpart Zambry Abdul Kadir on Saturday for bilateral talks. Tens of thousands of Israelis on Saturday took to the streets across the country for the 28th straight week to protest a bill that would curb the powers of the Supreme Court. The Sudanese Army on Saturday accused the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of targeting a hospital and killing five people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol paid an unexpected visit to Ukraine. At least 22 people have died while 14 others were reported missing on Saturday after torrential rains lashed South Korea, officials said. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Saturday it foiled an attempt on the life of two Russian journalists by Ukrainian saboteurs. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, Friday extended the time for the submission of suggestions over uniform civil code for the followers of all religions. SPORTS Trkiye, China to vie for 2023 women’s volleyball world title Trkiye eliminated the US 3-1 in a Saturday volleyball match, setting it up to face China in the 2023 FIVB Women’s World Championship final. The Turkish national team won the semifinal clash with sets of 25-21, 25-14, 24-26, and 27-25 in Arlington in the US state of Texas. On Sunday, the Trkiye vs. China final in Arlington will begin at 2230GMT. Vondrousova shocks Jabeur to become 2023 Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion Czech Marketa Vondrousova became the 2023 Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion by beating Tunisian Ons Jabeur with 2-0 sets on Saturday. The 24-year-old defeated the Tunisian with 6-4 and 6-4 sets. Both players were fighting for their maiden Grand Slam title in London. BUSINESS AND ECONOMY UAE, India to trade in local currencies The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India on Saturday agreed to settle trade in local currencies. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the exchange of three memoranda of understanding (MoU) between the UAE and India, the Emirati news agency, WAM, reported on Saturday. The memoranda of understanding included one on ‘trade exchange in the two local currencies (dirham/rupee) between the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Reserve Bank of India.’ Trkiye, Qatar to launch joint investment for chip production Trkiye and Qatar will launch a joint investment for semiconductor production, the Turkish industry and technology minister said on Friday.? “Qatar decided to move its investment for producing 65-nanometer chips to Trkiye. It is projected to be worth over $60 million,” Mehmet Fatih Kacir said at a news conference in the capital Ankara.? He added that Trkiye aims to attract more global investors for large-scale investments in the semiconductor industry.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The US, South Korea, and Japan held a trilateral missile defense exercise in the international waters of the East Sea on Sunday days after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week. The exercise followed the reinforcement of security coordination between the three countries amid Pyongyang’s continued saber-rattling this year, highlighted by the firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM last Wednesday, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported on Sunday. The exercise featured three Aegis-equipped destroyers — the South’s ROKS Yulgok Yi I, the U.S. USS John Finn and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Maya, according to the South Korean navy. The latest exercise marked the fourth one under the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The three countries last held a three-way missile defense exercise in April. South Korea and the US, in a show of force against the North’s ICBM launch, also staged combined air drills Thursday, involving a U.S. B-52H strategic bomber.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish organizations in London held a commemoration ceremony on Saturday to mark the seventh anniversary of the 2016 defeated coup attempt in Trkiye. Remembering the bravery and heroism displayed by Turkish citizens, the Yunus Emre Institute London and British-Turkish Association launched a conference titled “Reflection on 15th July: Coup Attempt: Trkiye, Opportunities and Challenges’ today.” The conference started with a moment of silence followed by the national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran in honor of the victims. ‘Seven years ago, I was the ambassador in Bucharest, and my son was 11 years old at that time, and I couldn’t explain this situation to my child. We couldn’t explain to an 11-year-old child what a coup means in a democratic system in this age,’ said Turkish Ambassador to the UK Osman Koray Ertas during his speech at the event. ‘We must properly explain to our youth what this organization, with its roots abroad and regular collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies, is,’ he said. ‘The place of the state has always been unique for the Turkish nation. When it comes to the state, the Turkish people put everything aside and stand by their country. These traitors failed to see that. I remember all our martyrs with deep respect,’ he underlined. FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which left 253 people dead and 2,734 injured. Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Trkiye’s Embassy in the southern African nation of Zambia on Saturday marked Democracy and National Unity Day to honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend Turkish democracy and unity from an attempted coup on July 15, 2016. Before a football match of Zambian lawmaker members of the Zambian-Turkish Friendship Group, there was a moment of silence in honor of 251 Turkish citizens who lost their lives and the thousands wounded in an attack on the Turkish parliament and other institutions. “In our history of more than 1,000 years, the Turkish nation has endured many challenges, wars, and struggles alike and overcome its darkest days by standing together and getting even stronger. To mark our democracy and national unity day, with a friendship match between the two friendly Turkish and Zambian teams, let us express our sincere wish for peace, stability, unity, and prosperity in Trkiye and Zambia,” said Istem Circiroglu, Trkiye’s ambassador to Zambia. Zambia’s Youth, Sport and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu said the occasion proved that the Turkish nation once again proved its commitment to democracy and demonstrated its unity and solidarity. Nkandu said that over the years, Trkiye had emerged as a leading country in diplomacy, aviation, transport and logistics, the defense industry, energy, technology, and education and health, among other areas. “Trkiye is also a favored destination for tourism, trade, and business contacts,” Nkandu said. The two countries continue enjoying cordial bilateral ties, with Trkiye’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, offering weekly flights between the capital Lusaka with Istanbul, Trkiye’s commercial capital and tourist hub. Turkish railway construction company Yapiiray has also partnered with Africa’s number two mineral producer on a project to improve infrastructure in the sector.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Alaska peninsula region on Sunday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The measurement of the earthquake’s magnitude by USGS was lowered from 7.4 to 7.2 and its depth was revised from 9.3 km to 32.6 km ( 20.3 miles). The US Tsunami Warning System said there is a tsunami threat after the earthquake.

Source: Anadolu Agency

In a decisive stance against planned anti-government protests across Kenya, the country’s president on Friday vowed to quell any unrest and maintain law and order nationwide.

William Ruto’s stern warning was directed at opposition leader Raila Odinga, stressing that the protests scheduled for next week will not be permitted to take place.

“These demos will not happen, Kenya is for all of us, it is not for demos,” Ruto said.

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party, led by Odinga, on Friday also announced a three-day series of demonstrations set to commence next Wednesday.

Odinga said the decision to extend the protests to Thursday and Friday was made in response to widespread public demand, as citizens rail against the soaring cost of living and new taxes on petroleum products.

“Going forward, the peaceful protests will now be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week, in line with requests from the public,” he said.

The UN Human Rights Office has called on the Kenyan police to protect protesters and urged anti-riot police officers to apply the law equally and ensure the safety of all citizens.

Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the office, expressed concern over previous incidents of violence during protests, stating: “In light of calls for further protests next week, we call on the authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Kenyan Constitution and international human rights law.’

Laurence said that reports say up to 23 people were killed and dozens injured in demonstrations over the last week.

The recent wave of protests across Kenya is taking place as citizens take to the streets to voice their discontent over tax hikes.

The demonstrations have already claimed the lives of six individuals who were killed by police, further fueling public frustration and demands for change.

President Ruto’s unequivocal rejection of the upcoming anti-government protests sets the stage for a potential showdown between the government and opposition next week.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Nearing the event’s seventh anniversary, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has condemned the July 15, 2016 coup attempt against Trkiye by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

“I once again condemn all coups carried out against human rights and freedoms, democracy, and the will of the people, regardless of which country in the world they occur in,” Ersin Tatar said on Thursday.

Tatar stressed that FETO, supported and organized by ‘external forces,’ attempted a coup with the aim of trampling on the will of the people and democracy, dividing and fragmenting Trkiye, and putting it in chains.

“However, this coup attempt was prevented by the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces loyal to the Turkish people and state, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan,’ he added.

Tatar emphasized that the Turkish Cypriot people also strongly opposed the coup attempt.

‘While commemorating with mercy those who became martyrs to foil the coup attempt carried out by FETO on July 15, and respectfully greeting the veterans, I also condemn those countries that protect, support, and try to use members of the FETO terrorist organization against Trkiye,’ he said.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 252 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Trkiye accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Since its designation in October 2016, every year Trkiye marks July 15 as Democracy and National Unity Day, with events to commemorate those who lost their lives defeating the putschists and to remember the bravery of the nation.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ineos Grenadiers’ Polish cyclist Michal Kwiatkowski on Friday won Stage 13 of the Tour de France.

Kwiatkowski, 33, completed the 137.8-kilometer (85.6-mile) stage between the French town of Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne and Mount Grand Colombier in three hours, 17 minutes, and 33 seconds.

Belgian cyclist Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny) was second in this stage and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) came in third.

Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) kept his yellow jersey to lead the general ranking of this year’s tour.

Vingegaard clocked in at 53 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds. Pogacar is now in number two of the general standings as he narrowed the gap against Vingegaard to nine seconds.

The Tour de France will resume on Saturday with a 151.8-km (94.3-mi) mountain stage between the French town of Annemasse and the Morzine Les Portes du Soleil ski area.

The world’s most prestigious cycling race will end on July 23 on Paris’ Champs-Elysees after Stage 21.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Pakistan’s military claimed TTP militants have freedom of action across the border in Afghanistan, urging Kabul not to allow its soil to be used against any country.

“The Armed Forces of Pakistan have serious concerns about the safe havens and liberty of action available to the TTP in Afghanistan,” Gen. Syed Asim Munir, the country’s army chief, said on a Friday visit to the southwestern Balochistan province following recent attacks where a dozen soldiers were killed.

The TTP is a conglomerate of several militant groups in Pakistan that Islamabad believes are currently inside Afghanistan.

“It is expected that the interim Afghan government would not allow the use of its soil to perpetrate terror against any country, in the real sense and in line with commitments made in the (2020) Doha Agreement,” he added, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

On Wednesday, at least 12 Pakistani soldiers and seven militants were killed in two attacks and operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of the Balochistan province.

Munir also visited the hospital and met with soldiers injured in the attacks.

“The involvement of Afghan nationals in acts of terrorism in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed,” he said, calling such attacks are “intolerable” and warning they would elicit an effective response from Pakistan’s security forces.

He announced that ongoing operations against terrorists will continue, saying they will not rest till the menace of terrorism is rooted out from the country.

Later Munir departed for a two-day visit to Iran where, according to the military, he will meet with Iran’s military and civilian leadership and discuss bilateral matters related to defense and security cooperation.

-Recent tense ties with Afghan Taliban

On Tuesday, Suhail Shaheen, a senior leader of the Afghan Taliban and head of its political office in Qatar, tweeted: “We are committed not to allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against any country including neighboring countries but as regards internal security of a country, it is their responsibility.’

This February, visiting Kabul, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, head of the country’s premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), warned the Taliban leadership that if terrorists involved in cross-border attacks in the country are not eliminated, Islamabad would take action against them within Afghanistan.

Taliban officials insisted the TTP has no presence in Afghanistan, with all of its leadership having relocated to Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021.

Tensions between the two neighbors rose after the Taliban removed border fencing at some points along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border last year, resulting in an increase in TTP terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Previously, Pakistan was believed to have some influence over the Afghan Taliban, and their return to power was seen as a major strategic victory for Islamabad. However, relations between the two countries have deteriorated amid rising attacks in Pakistan.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Turkish foreign minister on Saturday thanked the country’s Asian partners for their support in the fight against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated 2016 coup bid.

“I assure you the cooperation of our friends from the Asian region in the fight against FETO is recognized and appreciated. We are determined to achieve more together in eradicating the terrorism once and for all, ” Hakan Fidan said during a news conference at the ASEAN-Trkiye Sectoral Dialogue Partnership Trilateral Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Honoring those killed in the coup bid, he said they made the “greatest sacrifice” and fought to protect Turkish democracy, sovereignty, and freedom.

On July 15, 2016, FETO orchestrated a coup bid in Trkiye which left 252 people dead and over 2,734 injured.

The day is commemorated as the Democracy and National Unity Day in Trkiye.

Trkiye was granted the status of ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner in 2017. The trade and political bloc comprises 10 Southeast Asian nations.

Global challenges

Fidan said: “We are at the edge of a major transformation in the international system. All over the world, regional and civil conflicts are on the rise. Global economic recovery is weak.”

“Energy crisis is far from over. Poverty, inequality, food insecurity and climate shocks are at alarming levels. The challenge to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030 is beyond our reach,” he said, putting the spotlight on global challenges.

The enhanced cooperation between Southeast Asia and Trkiye has the potential to leave a lasting impact on the global state of affairs, Fidan said.

“Trkiye seeks peaceful solutions to today’s increasingly complex conflicts. From Ukraine to Somalia, the Philippines and Balkans, we are proud of the tangible results of mediation efforts.”

He said the Black Sea grain initiative that Trkiye brokered with Russia, Ukraine and the UN avoided an acute food shortage in the world.

ASEAN has truly been an important platform in establishing peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia, Fidan added.

“Trkiye and ASEAN together can truly present significant peaceful solutions.”

Stating that Trkiye saw exports worth $254 billion in 2022 and its GDP reported a 4% year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2023, Fidan said that Trkiye and ASEAN are major powerhouses for economic growth in their prospective regions.

“There is much to gain from deepening our relationship on common priorities.”

Asia Anew

Fidan recalled that Trkiye’s Asia Anew Initiative prioritizes cooperation in the areas of trade, investments, defense,, connectivity, green energy and digital technologies while upholding sustainable development goals.

Highlighting the importance of effective multilateralism, Fidan emphasized that today the most challenging obstacles transcend borders.

He added that irregular migration, climate change, climate-related disasters, and the critical state of waste management are some of these difficulties.

Trkiye and Southeast Asia are among the most affected by these challenges, according to Fidan.

He expressed that the solidarity shown by ASEAN members after the devastating earthquakes in Trkiye on Feb. 6 was a significant support that Trkiye will always remember.

More than 50,000 people were killed and over 107,200 injured in the powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Trkiye on Feb. 6, according to the latest official figures.

Source: Anadolu Agency