Category: General

The Russian private military company Wagner Group, which is fighting Ukrainian troops in the Donbass city of Artyomovsk (Bakhmut), has been promised enough ammunition to continue the battle, the company’s head, Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Sunday.

The statement comes after Prigozhin warned that his fighters would be forced to pull out of the city on May 10 unless ammunition shortages are addressed by Russia’s Defense Ministry.

In a voice message posted on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin said that Wagner received “a military instruction … in which we were promised as much ammunition and weapons as we need to continue our activities.”

“We were told that we can carry out activities in Artyomovsk as we deem necessary,” Prigozhin added.

He also said that Army General Sergey Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, was tasked with “making all decisions related to the military activities of Wagner PMC in coordination with the Defense Ministry.”

On Friday, Prigozhin said that Wagner personnel were suffering heavy losses because of what he described as a 70% shortage of ammunition. He later announced that the positions held by Wagner would be handed over to Akhmat, an elite unit from Russia’s Chechnya.

The fierce and bloody battle for the mining city of Artyomovsk, known to Ukrainians as Bakhmut, has been raging for several months. Prigozhin claims his forces have taken control of nearly all of the city, while the Ukrainians are holding out in a small area in the western part.

Capturing Artyomovsk, an important logistical hub, would allow Russian forces to make further advances in Donbass.

Source: Russia Today

The National Guard, along with partner countries, will carry out training activities within the Nicosia FIR, including air defence scenarios and involving air and ground assets, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence. The activities will take place between 7th and 11th May 2023, from 9am onwards. The Ministry said that there will also be overflights as well as low flights by helicopters and fighter jets of friendly forces. The activities are part of the annual military cooperation program of the Republic of Cyprus with partner countries.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Russian state-owned energy giant Rosatom has begun building a third reactor at the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Egypt, the company’s press service announced this week.

The four-reactor El-Dabaa plant is located around 300km northwest of Cairo on the Mediterranean coast. The project was launched in 2017, and construction works started in 2022. The planned four nuclear reactors for the plant are expected to operate at a full capacity of 4.8 GW by 2030.

The construction of Unit 3 commenced this week with the pouring of the first concrete, following the issuance of permits in March by the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority.

“The project is progressing in accordance with the agreed time schedules and we are here to witness … the dedication of the teams who worked towards this common goal,” the regulatory authority stated.

El-Dabaa will be Egypt’s first NPP and the first such facility on the African continent built with Russian technology. It is also the largest joint Russian-Egyptian project since the construction of the Aswan Dam, according to Rosatom.

In addition to Rosatom, major Egyptian contractors are also involved in building the plant. The project is jointly financed by Moscow and Cairo. The Russian government is providing 85% of the $30 billion cost in the form of a state loan, while the rest is being funded by Egypt. Under the terms of the deal signed by the two countries, Rosatom will supply nuclear fuel for the plant for its 60-year design lifetime and will carry out maintenance and repairs for ten years after the launch of each reactor.

Source: Russia Today

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has said that he will visit Berlin in May in a bid to promote a more active EU role in efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem. Speaking during a dinner on Saturday hosted by the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, on the occasion of his visit to London, to attend the coronation of King Charles III, Christodoulides also announced that he will appoint a Commissioner who will deal with the issues of the diaspora. Referring to efforts for a Cyprus settlement, he noted that ‘our aim is to link the EU – Turkish relations with the resumption of the negotiations for a solution on the agreed basis and a European oriented content ‘ he said. The President recalled that he had a ‘very constructive and substantive discussion’ with French President Emanuel Macron on the issue, noting that he will also travel to Berlin this month. Noting that he is aware of the difficulties and the problems stemming from the Turkish perspective over a Cyprus settlement and that the passage of time creates more difficulties as regards the prospects for reunification, Christodoulides said, however, that his efforts are focused on the undertaking of a leading role by the EU which ‘has the toolkit and incentives’ to create positive developments through a mutually beneficial situation. In his address, the President said that breaking the deadlock on the Cyprus problem and the resumption of talks for a settlement constitute a priority for the government adding that the current state of affairs is not an option. The reunification of Cyprus, he said, should be based on the agreed solution framework, with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, according to the UN resolutions, the EU principles and values the acquis Communautaire as Cyprus is an EU member-state and will continue to be one after a settlement. ‘We are working for a solution which would render Cyprus a normal state, a functional state, with no dependencies, no anachronistic guarantees and, of course, not occupation troops,’ the President added. Stating that for him there is no other way forward than the efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides noted that ‘the division of our country as a result of the invasion and occupation by Turkey is a huge anomaly at the heart of Europe and it cannot constitute under no circumstances the future of our country.’ Furthermore, Christodoulides described his election programme as ‘a social contract’ with the Cypriot people, noting that price hikes is a great challenge that needs to be addressed. While giving special attention to maintaining fiscal discipline the government has proceeded with targeted moves, such as zero VAT rate on basic goods, or the digital platform of consumer information on prices, he added. Cyprus, an EU member-state since May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Numerous UN-led efforts have failed to reunify the island under a federal roof with the latest round of talks in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana ending inconclusively in July 2017.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

An event to honour the fallen during World War II during was held on Saturday at the monument in Larnaca of Cypriot heroes who fell during WWII, in the presence of Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Murat Zyazikov. The Russian diplomat said the event was dedicated to the 78th anniversary of the Victory Day against fascist Germany. Today, he stated, ‘we stand at a monument of Cypriots, our brothers, who stood with use during WWII and lost their lives. The Cypriots showed courage and endurance in the fight against fascism and this is very important,’ he added ‘We are celebrating along with our Cypriot friends and this is very important as it shows that we share the ideas and values of peace, harmony and peaceful living in Cyprus as well as Russia.’ In the context of the celebration for Victory Day, a flame was transferred to Cyprus from the tomb of the unknown soldier in Russia. The flame will be transferred to the other towns in Cyprus as well. Zyazikov expressed his sincere gratitude to the Cypriots over the fact that they maintain the memory of the heroes of WWII. We are seeing, he said, ‘the Cypriots’ respect for glorious memorials of history. This flame is today in Cyprus and we see what joy this event brings to our Cypriot brothers because memory is valuable to them and we appreciate this very much.’

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Over 40 of the top policymakers involved in the formulation of US policy toward Cyprus, Turkey and Greece will be participating in the 38th Annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference that will take place in Washington DC on May 9-11. More than 30 Senators will be present, among them Robert Menendez, Philhellenic and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Greek-American congressmen Gus Bilirakis, John Sarbanes, Dina Titus, Chris Pappas and Nicole Malliotakis. PSEKA President Philip Christopher said among others: ‘PSEKA takes great pride in the extraordinarily high-level of Congressional leaders from the Senate and House of Representatives participating in our conference. Such access to so many top leaders give us the invaluable opportunity to make them aware of important facts about Cyprus. We look forward to making them aware that Vladimir Putin’s brutal violations of law, humanity, and civilization that these leaders are so admirably opposing are precisely the violations Turkey is imposing on America’s ally Cyprus, and that we encourage them to give it appropriate attention,’ he added. The key members of the leadership of the two branches of Congress focusing on Cyprus include US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as Deputy Leaders, Senator Dick Durbin, and Congressman Steve Scalise. This year the meeting will also feature two former Republican Chairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who will participate in a panel discussion about Cyprus. Christopher emphasized that Cyprus benefits from the rare fact that the Presidents and Ranking Minority Members of the committee of each body that leads in foreign policy will participate in the conference of the PSECA. From the Senate, in addition to Robert Menendez, the member of the minority, Jim Rees, will also participate. Christopher also expressed his disappointment regarding the progress on the Cyprus issue: ‘Although we are frustrated and disappointed with the lack of progress on Cyprus, we remain strong and united to the struggle of the Cypriot people for freedom and justice,’ he noted The President of PSEKA thanked all the organizations that coordinate with them (AHEPA, AHI, HALC, FCAO, HANC and the Cyprus-USA Chamber of Commerce).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Intense rainfall, heavy thunderstorms probably with hail are expected to affect areas of Cyprus on Sunday, according to a new yellow warning issued by the Department of Meteorology on Saturday. The warning is valid from 11:00 local time until 18:00. During this period isolated thunderstorms, probably with hail, are expected to affect mainly inland areas of the island, the Department said. ccording to the Department, precipitation rate is expected to range between 35 and 55 millimeters per hour.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Celtic on Sunday won the 2023 Scottish Premiership title with four matches to spare. The Glasgow club beat Hearts 2-0 with second-half goals scored by Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu to be the back-to-back Scottish champions, and Celtic won it for the 53rd time in history. Hearts were down to 10 men after Alex Cochrane was shown a red card in the 45th minute. Winners Celtic have 95 points in 34 matches to go 13 points clear of Rangers. Celtic’s archrivals Rangers are the record holders, winning 55 Scottish titles. In the next fixture, Celtic will visit Rangers at Ibrox Stadium on May 13, but next weekend’s derby will be irrelevant for this season’s Scottish champions.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Israeli army forces on Sunday demolished a Palestinian school in the occupied West Bank for lack of a building permit, according to a local official. Hassan Brijieh, the head of the so-called Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission in Bethlehem, said Israeli forces and bulldozers moved into the town of Jibb Al-Deeb, east of Bethlehem city, and demolished the donor-funded school. The school is located in Area C of the West Bank, which is under the Israeli army control and was first demolished by Israel in 2017. Brijieh said the school contains five classrooms and houses nearly 66 students between the first and fourth grades. The Palestinian Education Ministry condemned the school demolition and called on international and legal institutions to shoulder their responsibility towards Israeli violations. Israel widely uses the pretext of lack of construction permits to demolish Palestinian homes, especially in Area C. Under the 1995 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, was divided into three portions – Area A, B, and C.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday boycotted a weekly Cabinet meeting in protest of government policies. Ben-Gvir, along with two ministers of his hardline Jewish Strength Party, said he will not attend Cabinet meetings to protest a decision by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to return the bodies of three Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against Israeli forces, according to Yedioth Ahronoth daily. The far-right official also rejected a decision by the Israeli government to release Jordanian lawmaker Imad Adwan, who was arrested last month for allegedly attempting to smuggle weapons by his car into the West Bank. “This government is a right-wing government and the public did not give us a mandate to return the bodies of terrorists or to refrain from bombing Gaza. It is not too late to lead a powerful and offensive security policy,” Ben-Gvir said. Ben-Gvir’s absence from the government meeting was the latest development of the crisis between the far-right minister and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Thursday, Ben-Gvir announced that his party, which has six lawmakers in the 120-member Knesset, will not vote on the government decisions as a sign of protest against the Cabinet policies. Ben-Gvir was particularly angry with what he considered a weak response by the Israeli army to rocket fire from Gaza following the death of a Palestinian hunger striker in an Israeli prison last week.

Source: Anadolu Agency