Category: General

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the Defense Ministry is preparing “appropriate proposals” in response to the explosion earlier in the day at the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to the Crimean Peninsula. “Of course, there will be a response from Russia. The Ministry of Defense is preparing appropriate proposals,” Putin said at a meeting with officials on the situation in the area near the Kerch Bridge. The Russian leader further said he is waiting for officials to submit specific proposals to improve the security of the bridge, which he defined as a “strategic, important transport facility.” Putin urged for reparation work on the damaged section of the bridge, while he also blamed Ukraine for “another terrorist act.” “It is necessary to comprehensively assess the damage caused (to the bridge) and start restoration work as quickly as possible,” he said. He also said that Russia’s Federal Security Service, as well as the country’s Investigative Committee and numerous other departments, were instructed to look into the incident in detail. “I have no doubt that all the circumstances will be established,” he added. Earlier on Monday, an explosion at the Kerch Bridge killed two people and injured one, resulting in the halt of traffic, according to Russian officials. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously said during a press briefing that Russia’s response to the Kerch Bridge blast will be “the achievement of all the goals of the special military operation,” claiming Ukraine was behind the blast. Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlets such as Ukrinform and RBK-Ukraine reported, citing “unknown” sources in the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), that the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy were behind the Kerch Bridge explosion. “Any illegal structures used to deliver Russian instruments of mass murder are necessarily short-lived … regardless of the reasons for the destruction,” Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukraine’s presidential adviser, said separately on Twitter. The Ukrainian government has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the blast, and independent verification of Russia’s claims is difficult due to the ongoing war.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The US envoy to the UN said Monday that Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the Black Sea grain deal is ‘another act of cruelty.’ ‘Russia has dealt another blow to the world’s most vulnerable,’ Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters.? She said that the grain deal brokered by the UN and Trkiye was ‘a beacon of hope.’? ‘This arrangement has brought stability to the global food markets, and it lowered food prices for all. But today, Russia has thrown all this progress and all of this hope to the wind,’ she added.? Russia refused to renew the grain deal beyond July 17, with the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying: ‘Unfortunately, the part relating to Russia in this Black Sea agreement has not been implemented so far.’ Russia was seeking the removal of obstacles to its fertilizer exports in order to agree to another extension of the grain deal including the inclusion of its state-owned Russian Agricultural Bank in the SWIFT international payment system.? A year ago, Trkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had been paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began that February. The deal has been renewed several times since then, and it was extended for another two months on May 18.? The deal ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports, according to the UN. ‘More than 345 million people are suffering from high levels of food insecurity,’ Thomas-Greenfield said citing the World Food Program.? ‘And we know without a shadow of doubt, that Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine has pushed millions and millions more people to the brink, especially in the Middle East and Africa,’ she said. ‘While Russia plays political games, real people will suffer: the child in the Horn of Arica who is severely malnourished, the mother who will stop producing breast milk for her baby because she doesn’t have enough to eat herself,’ she added. ‘The world needs the Black Sea Grain Initiative. And all Member States must come together and urge Russia to reverse its decision; resume negotiations; extend, expand and fully implement this initiative,’ the US envoy said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

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

Cypriot Minister of Defence, Michalis Georgallas, is in the United States, where he will sign an agreement for the integration of the National Guard of Cyprus into the State Partnership Programme (SPP). According to information obtained by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the signing ceremony, at a political level, will take place in the United States. A Statement of Intent to join the SPP was signed on March 30 at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the National Guard of the State of New Jersey, marking the integration of the National Guard into the (SPP). During the ceremony in the US, an event will also be held to commemorate the 30 years of the SPP programme, which will be organized by the State of New Jersey. The SPP is a programme of the U.S. Department of Defence that connects U.S. states with partner countries worldwide, aiming to support cooperation goals in the security sector. By connecting the U.S. with partner countries, the SPP aims, among other things, to enhance military capabilities, improve interoperability, and strengthen principles of responsible governance. The Agreement includes, among other things, personnel exchange for acquiring expertise in the field of cyberdefense, as well as technological upgrades of weapon systems, and personnel exchange for conducting military exercises within the framework of the SPP, which involves participation from other member countries. During his stay in New York, the Minister of Defence will visit the Cypriot community where he will deliver a speech on the 49th anniversary of the coup and the Turkish invasion of 1974. Furthermore, Georgallas will meet in Washington with the AHEPA Supreme President, Jimmy Kokotas, and the Executive Director of the organization, Vasilis Mosaidis. The Minister returns home on July 22.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis underlined Greece’s unwavering commitment to the efforts for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and the clear rejection of any two-state solution. In an interview with ‘Kathimerini’ newspaper, Gerapetritis said “for Greece, finding a just, viable, functional and mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus issue is a top foreign policy priority.” As he noted, Greece unwaveringly supports the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem with a bizonal, bicommunal federation based on the UN Security Council resolutions and the European acquis. “We do not accept any discussion of a two-state solution,” he stressed. As regards his recent official visit to Cyprus, Gerapetritis noted that he was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. He also referred to his meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos, with whom, he said, he maintains excellent cooperation. “Our common understanding is that the European position, as reflected in the conclusions of the last European Council, expressing the readiness of the Union to play an active supporting role at all stages of the process under the United Nations, opens an important window of opportunity,” the Greek Foreign Minister concluded. Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. 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

Minister of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, is traveling to London and Brussels for a number of engagements. In London on July 17th, he will have a series of meetings with members and organized groups of the Cypriot community, while in the evening he will attend a dinner held in his honor by the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom. According to an official press release, on Tuesday, July 18th, Dr. Kombos will be received by the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Nikitas. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will also have a series of engagements in the House of Commons, where, among others, he will meet with the Shadow Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs David Lammy, and will be received by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, Alicia Kearns. On the same day, Dr. Kombos will be the keynote speaker at the annual event for Cyprus, which is organized in the House of Commons by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus in collaboration with the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, 19 July, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will travel from London to Brussels, where on Thursday, 20 July, he will participate in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Developments in Ukraine and the external aspect of economic security will be on the Council’s agenda. In addition, the Foreign Ministers will hold a discussion on Turkey and EU-Turkey relations, following the Turkish elections. This will be followed by an informal exchange of views, via videoconference, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on issues of common interest governing transatlantic relations. Ministers will also address, under the heading of current affairs, a number of issues that are in the international spotlight. Before the opening of the Foreign Affairs Council, an informal working breakfast of foreign ministers with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk will take place.

Source: Cyprus News Agency