Category: General

Missing persons are a borderline issue for Cypriot literature, says the author-doctor Hari N. Spanou, whose novel “The Outpost” recently received a special mention from the pan-European committee of the European Literature Prize. Referring to this honorary distinction, Spanou tells the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that she felt “happy and a little surprised”, because she did not expect the impact of her novel in Europe. Books published in Cyprus are not widely known in Greece, while the reader can very easily find translated foreign literature, she points out. Replying to a question from CNA, Spanou states that it was not easy for her to deal with the issue of missing persons, which remains an open wound for Cyprus. She explains that it was something she hadn’t decided beforehand, adding that she originally intended to deal with the first phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. ‘My readings before writing the novel revolved around this theme,’ she points out. “The missing are a borderline issue for Cypriot literature,” she adds. “I realised that in addition to the humanitarian dimension and the fact that it constitutes a war crime, the issue of missing persons is complex and does not mainly concern those who have disappeared, but how it affects people today”, the author emphasises, underlining that in essence “The Outpost” investigates the ignorance of the living about what happened then. Asked if anything has changed in her perspective on missing persons after dealing with the issue through her novel, Hari N. Spanou answers positively, adding that, on a personal level, the book was the trigger to search for the story of a cousin of her father, who was missing, and to look for further information. On a broader level, Spanou says that relatives of the missing feel embarrassed by the fact that the reports on the missing do not mention the circumstances of these people’s deaths. “These stories are still shocking. Real reconciliation cannot be built if it is based on lies and if real justice is not delivered,” she points out. Speaking about the way the state and society are handling the issue of the missing today, Spanou tells CNA that the state has a lot of information but the investigations have escalated due to the refusal of the Turkish army to allow exhumations. On a social level, the families of the missing come together and bond over the funerals and memorial services of those found, she notes. Even several years after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the testimonies of people who want to talk about the events before they die are increasing, she indicates. Referring to her relationship with writing, Hari N. Spanou says that she has been writing since she was a child. “For the last 20-25 years, writing has been for me a way of understanding, a way of observing and reflecting on the human condition,” she tells CNA. Her engagement with writing begins with her need to understand, she adds.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday described the May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections as a “great festival of democracy’ carried out ‘in peace and calm.” The elections demonstrate Trkiye’s “democratic maturity,” said Erdogan, who is seeking reelection, in a message on Twitter. He also criticized a rush by some to announce results while votes are still being counted, saying this amounts to “usurping the national will.” “While the elections took place in such a positive democratic atmosphere, and as the votes are still being counted, rushing to announce the results would be a usurpation of the national will,” he said. “We are pleased that the favor of our nation is reflected in the ongoing vote count,” he said. He also urged members of the public who are serving at polling stations to not leave until the results are officially finalized.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Global surface temperatures have been rising at a faster rate since 1970, said a report, with the pace of human-caused warming rising from 0.8 C in the second half of the 19th century to 1.3 C in the 2010s. According to the 2023 synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global temperatures rose 1.1 C in 2011-2020 compared to 1850-1900. It said human-induced climate change triggered meteorological and climate extremes such as heat waves, heavy rainfall, droughts, and tropical cyclones. Impacts on ecosystems unleashed by these changes, such as the hydrological effects of melting of glaciers and thawing permafrost in some mountain and arctic ecosystems, are becoming irreversible, the report warned. It said nearly 50% of coastal and wetlands ecosystems have been destroyed in the past 100 years as a result of rising sea levels, rising temperatures, and extreme climate events. Climate change was also reported to be accelerating desertification and soil degradation, especially in coastal areas, river deltas, drylands, and permafrost areas. Though average agricultural production has increased, climate change has slowed growth in output globally over the past 50 years, causing millions of people to experience food insecurity and reduced water security. In cities, the report said, climate change is causing adverse effects on human health, livelihoods, and basic infrastructure, with warming causing an increase in air pollution. Climate change causes economic losses and disrupts services, especially in urban infrastructure, transportation, water, sanitation and energy systems, the report said. Global warming to continue increasing in near future The report predicts that global warming will continue to increase in the near future by all scenarios and models used in the study. On the other hand, governments are paying more attention to climate change, with the effects of international agreements and heightened national aspirations on climate action. Future warming will be driven by emissions and affect all major climate system components, the report said. In addition, most climate risks are thought to be graver than previously estimated, and the long-term effects may be many times greater than they are now. The report said combating climate change and global warming will require effective planning, political commitment, well-organized and multi-layered governance, and institutional legal, policy, and strategy frameworks. It added that clear objectives, adequate finance and instruments, coordination with various policy areas, and inclusive management processes are needed.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The European Union on Sunday hailed the new cease-fire in Gaza and urged the opening of crossings to allow humanitarian aid, fuel, and workers to the region. ‘The European Union welcomes the announced ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which should bring an end to the violence in and around Gaza,’ the EU diplomatic service announced in a statement. The bloc ‘deeply’ deplored the losses of civilian lives, including children, and stressed the importance ‘to reopen the crossings to allow especially humanitarian assistance and fuel, as well as workers, to enter and exit Gaza.’ The EU also commended Egypt’s mediation efforts in concluding the cease-fire, and urged both parties to work towards a lasting political solution. Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza on Saturday agreed to an Egyptian-mediated cease-fire set to go into effect at 10 p.m. (1900GMT). At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli army launched airstrikes as part of counter-offensive after rockets were fired from Gaza following the death of a Palestinian inmate who was on a hunger strike in an Israeli prison. Palestinian factions in Gaza retaliated by firing barrages of rockets into Israeli territories.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and European Council head Charles Michel on Sunday welcomed the resumption of the Brussels format to normalize relations between Baku and Yerevan. ‘President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to Charles Michel for his efforts in this direction,’ said a statement by the Azerbaijani presidency, following their meeting in Brussels. The statement said the meeting discussed events related to Baku-Yerevan relations in the past months, including negotiations in Washington and the current situation at the border, in addition to the agenda for the tripartite meeting involving Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later in the day. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan took part in peace talks in the US capital between April 30 and May 3, with meetings at the White House and State Department, under the mediation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Relations between the two former Soviet republics have been tense since 1991 when Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. Most of the territory was liberated by Baku during a war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement and also opened the door to normalization. Tensions between the neighboring countries increased in recent months over the Lachin corridor, the only land route giving Armenia access to Karabakh.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Palestine on Saturday appealed for international pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza amid Israeli airstrikes on the territory. In a statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for a ‘firm stance’ to force Israel to reopen Gaza crossings to allow the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel into the strip. Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s Executive Committee, urged the US and the international community ‘to intervene to stop the Israeli aggression” against the Palestinians and open its crossings with Gaza. “We call on international and humanitarian institutions to intervene quickly to open the crossings with the Gaza Strip and transfer the injured for treatment,” he added on Twitter. Israel has closed its crossings with Gaza, including the Erez and Kerem Shalom terminals, since it began its air offensive on the strip on Tuesday. At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in the attacks, which Israel says were in response to rocket fire from Gaza. Palestinian factions retaliated with firing barrages of rockets into Israeli territories. Regional and international powers have called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian factions, but no breakthrough has been made yet. According to Palestinian figures, more than 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of this year. At least 20 Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday visited Rome and met Italy’s president and prime minister.? “An important visit for approaching victory of Ukraine!” he said on Twitter as he arrived in the Italian capital. According to information obtained from the Italian presidency sources, both Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed Italy’s full support for Ukraine during their meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome. This is Zelensky’s first visit to the Italian capital since Russia’s war against Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022. He first met with Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace, where they discussed the effectiveness of economic sanctions against Russia, the situation of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, combating fake news across Europe, bombings of civilian structures, the abduction of Ukrainian children, Ukraine’s reconstruction, and its EU integration prospects. The Ukrainian president later met with Meloni at the Chigi Palace, where Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s comprehensive support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Following their bilateral and delegation-level meetings, the two leaders are expected to hold a joint press statement. Zelenskyy will also visit the Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis, the spiritual leader and head of state of the Catholic Church. Tight security measures have been implemented in Rome with 1,000 police officers deployed and the closure of Rome’s airspace. Dozens of Ukrainians gathered at Barberini Square to show their support for the Zelenskyy along his route. After concluding his visit to Italy, Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Germany’s capital Berlin.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Economist’s “misguided attempt” to dictate how Turkish voters should vote in elections came as no surprise, Trkiye’s ambassador to the UK said on Saturday in a letter to the British magazine. On its cover last week, The Economist featured images of banners with slogans such as “Erdogan must go” and “Protect democracy,” referring to Trkiye’s May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections, along with the words: “The Most Important Election of 2023: Trkiye and the Future of Democracy.” In response to this coverage, Turkish Ambassador in London Osman Koray Ertas said: “Trkiye is a democratic country that has a long-standing tradition of holding free and fair elections, where governments have been elected into office by popular vote.” “Trying to belittle and smear the democratic choice of the people, and attempting to lecture them from afar on what they ‘should’ do comes off as presumptuous to say the least,” he added. He also said The Economist’s coverage ignored the many contributions Trkiye has made to global and regional security and welfare over the years. “My country will continue to be a provider of peace in a volatile region. We deem this a responsibility to our history and people,” he concluded. Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly criticized the magazine, accusing it of maliciously intending to interfere in Turkish politics and manipulate the will of the nation. “We will not allow our domestic politics to be directed or the national will to be swayed by the covers of magazines, which are the operational apparatus of global powers,” Erdogan said on Twitter.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group saw the signing of 77 financing agreements worth $5.4 billion for 24 member countries during its annual meeting in the Saudi port city Jeddah, its chairman said on Saturday. The four-day event, starting on Wednesday, hosted dozens of agreements, panels, summits, and business-to-business meetings with the high-level participation of its member countries. The agreements aim to develop or cover operations and projects in various sectors such as health, agriculture, food security, transport, energy, small- and-mediums-sized enterprises, education, and humanitarian relief, Muhammed Al-Jasser told the event’s closing news conference. Seven different agreements were signed on Friday to improve Afghanistan’s health, childcare, education, water, sanitation, and food security infrastructure, he said. “We explored member countries and the partners in the last four days for a number of developmental issues, and we deliberated on very important issues related to the future of the IsDB group,” he stressed. He added that the bank’s Board of Governors took a number of important decision to allow the bank to pave the way for more success. “The governors discussed the influence on the impact of economic crisis on our member countries,” he said. “They gave direction and important proposals to the IsDB group to utilize partnerships to fend off crises and work on innovative new mechanisms.” The board also discussed ways to maximize ordinary as well as concessional financing utilizing the increasing liquidity of Islamic finance, he said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

At least 44 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a security operation in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, the country’s Information Ministry said on Saturday. The operation was conducted on Friday by the national intelligence and security agency backed by Somalia’s international partners on the outskirts of Kurtowarey, a small town located 208 kilometers (229 miles) southwest of the nation’s capital Mogadishu. According to Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf Adala, senior al-Shabaab commanders were among the terrorists killed in the operation. Somalia’s security forces have been conducting operations against the al-Shabaab since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an ‘all-out war’ against the terror group last year.? The group has been fighting against the Somali government and the African Union mission since 2007. Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the terror groups al-Shabaab and Daesh/ISIS being the main threats.

Source: Anadolu Agency