Category: General

ISTANBUL: At least 20 Palestinians, mostly children and women, were killed and dozens of others were injured as a result of an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential area at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday. Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported medical and civil defense teams recovered the bodies of at least 20 people from beneath the rubble of the targeted homes. Israel continued its brutal offensive on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 35,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and over 79,300 others injured since October following an attack by Hamas. More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine. Israel is accused of 'genocide' at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guara ntee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. *Writing by Ikram Kouachi Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday that Trkiye is closely monitoring the helicopter crash involving the Iranian president, coordinating with Iranian authorities, and is ready to provide assistance as needed. "The President of Iran, my dear brother Mr. Ibrahim Raisi, and his delegation being involved in a helicopter accident deeply saddens us," said Erdogan on X. "As the Republic of Trkiye, we want to express that we are closely monitoring the situation and are in full contact and coordination with Iranian authorities. We are ready to provide any necessary assistance," he added. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people and government of our neighbor, friend, and brother Iran on behalf of our nation. I hope to hear positive news about Mr. Raisi and his delegation as soon as possible," Erdogan stressed. The helicopter carrying Raisi reportedly made a hard landing due to weather conditions while returning from a dam inauguration ceremony on the Azerbaijan border. The Iranian Red Crescent previously announced that the "crash" occurred between Kaleybar and Varzaqan. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi emphasized that rescue teams had not yet reached the area. East Azerbaijan Deputy Governor Jabbarali Zakiri stated that two of the three helicopters in Raisi's convoy had landed, while one had crashed. Source: Anadolu Agency

The government will continue its efforts with a view to further support beekeeping, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, said on Sunday addressing a Bee Festival in Ora village, on the occasion of "World Bee Day". Panayiotou said that an important tool for the development of beekeeping in Cyprus is the Beekeeping Programme co-funded by the European Union. "With this financial tool we support our beekeepers with an annual amount of pound 340.000 for actions related to their training, replacement of damaged hives, combating bee pests, research and actions aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of bees and their products," she noted. In her address, the Minister of Agriculture said that support for beekeeping, which, in addition to benefiting the rural economy, has beneficial effects for the agro-ecosystems, is among the priorities of President Nikos Christodoulides' program of governance. She assured that the government's effort for providing even more su pport for beekeeping will be continuous, stating that "we fully understand the benefits of bees both in our natural environment and in the development of the primary sector". In her address at the same event, Commissioner for the Environment, Antonia Theodosiou, stressed that the implementation of targeted actions for the development of the beekeeping sector is high on the government's priorities and in this context, a key pillar of the policy and action for her Office is the promotion of sustainable development and horizontal cooperation with the relevant government agencies and society through awareness-raising activities. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Sadik Gardiyanoglu, labor and social security minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), highlighted the long-standing support from Trkiye in gaining international visibility, saying, "Trkiye has become the TRNC's gateway to the outside world." Speaking to Anadolu about participation as an observer state in the First Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Social Policy of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul, Gardiyanoglu highlighted that the TRNC has become an observer member of the OTS with a unanimous decision of other states in geographies where "we are historically part of." "I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Trkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the (Turkish) Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas for their contributions,' he added. Gardiyanoglu noted that as part of the Organization of Turkic States, the TRNC attaches importance to the meeting for integration in terms of social policies and believes the country will become a full member as soon as possible. Stressing that such meetings increase the recognition of the TRNC in the international arena, Gardiyanoglu said, 'We are extremely happy and proud to be a part of this big family.' 'Although the whole world does not want to see us, the reality of the TRNC is before the press and political organizations all over the world' Emphasizing that full recognition of the TRNC by Turkish states will not happen in an instant and take place in a process, he underlined that integration at the bottom must happen first. "The ministries must know each other, the systems must know each other. Stressing that the TRNC's only connection for centuries was with Trkiye. owing to its geographical location, Gardiyanoglu said: "Although other Turkic states have contact in Northern Cyprus, perhaps in an individual commercial sense, unfortunately, they have not had a political contact until today.' He underscored that due to isolation and embargoes, the TRNC could not open abroad and its recognition was weak, noting that the Azerbaijani Parliament's unanimous decision to approve the establishment of a parliamentary friendship group, Azerbaijan and the TRNC was "a very serious initiative." "Once similar initiatives in other Turkic states start at the level of parliaments and reach the level of ministerial relations and when we can fully express ourselves to all Turkic states, I think that the recognition will be realized,' Gardiyanoglu added. Emphasizing that Erdogan brought the Turkish Cypriot community and the TRNC, which is known in the geography but not wanted to be seen and has been under isolation for years, to the showcase of the world, Gardiyanoglu said, 'At the moment, although the whole world does not want to see us, the reality of the TRNC is before the press and political organizations all over the world.' TRNC accelerated social policies Noting that they have started serious work for the elderly, disabled and those in need in the TRNC, Gardiyanoglu said in this context, they will build tw o new nursing homes and two rehabilitation centers this year, as well as six nursing homes within the government's term of office. He highlighted that they have opened employment opportunities for 500 disabled people within five years and have started to realize a project regarding the participation of the disabled in social life. Underlining that they attach great importance to women within the understanding of the social state, Gardiyanoglu said: 'We organized courses on the survival of Cypriot culture, the development of hand skills and the continuation of art. "We have started to provide full social premium support and salary support to all women who have received certificates in these courses. Let's keep them in economic life and let them earn income for their homes.' Trkiye's presence gives confidence to TRNC Stressing that Ankara's presence and support since 1958 have given them confidence, he said, 'Trkiye brought peace to the island," adding that Trkiye's presence on the island gives them "stren gth and motivation." Emphasizing that Trkiye is a source of self-confidence for the TRNC, he noted: 'Having a power behind you increases your freedom. When the Israeli-Palestinian events started to intensify, the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said to the late Rauf Raif Denktas, founding president of the TRNC: 'Denktas, you are so lucky because you have a motherland behind you. "Even saying this right now makes one's heart swell. Because we know that we also have our motherland Turkey behind us. If Palestine had a motherland behind it, we would be talking about different things today. We would not be talking about the Israeli oppression and genocide. I am proud to be a Turk. I am very proud to be a member of this great family.' Since Oct. 7, after a Hamas attack killed less than 1,200 Israelis, Tel Aviv has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, where it claims Hamas fighters are hiding. More than 35,270 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and over 79, 200 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities. *Writing by Serdar Dincel Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Police on Sunday arrested at least six people following a clash between pro-Palestinians and Israeli supporters in Melbourne, Australia. About 7,000 people were in attendance across two separate rallies, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "While the organisers had confirmed separate locations and routes for their events, protesters from one group moved to … counter protest," police said in a statement. The detainees were later released and will receive a summons to appear in court. During the rallies, one person was seen burning an Israeli flag. Liberal Senator and Shadow Home Minister James Patterson was among several political figures attending the pro-Israeli demonstration. Sunday's events came after a week of protest activity throughout Melbourne, the capital of southeastern Victoria state. Pro-Palestinian encampments have been established at a number of university campuses across Australia. In Melbourne, students were this week occupying a building in the city's central business district belonging to the University of Melbourne. On Saturday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators stormed the venue of a Labor Party conference. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: The US announced Sunday that is closely monitoring developments after a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly made a "hard landing." "We are closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister. We have no further comment at this time," said a spokesperson for the US State Department. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed grave concern over the emergency landing of the helicopter, which was carrying Raisi and his delegation. "Today, after meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ibrahim Raisi, we were seriously worried by the news that the helicopter carrying the high delegation made an emergency landing in Iran. Our prayers to Almighty God are with President Ibrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. As a neighboring friendly and brotherly country, the Republic of Azerbaijan is ready to provide all kinds of support," said Aliyev on X. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Fore ign Affairs also issued a statement. 'The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern what was circulated in the media regarding the helicopter carrying His Excellency Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the delegation accompanying the President. 'At a time when we call upon God Almighty to protect His Excellency and his companions and surround them with his care, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that it stands by the Islamic Republic of Iran during these difficult circumstances and is prepared to provide any assistance the Iranian services need,' it said. Qatar's Foreign Ministry, citing its official spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, issued a statement expressing 'the State of Qatar's grave concern after a helicopter carrying HE President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and a number of other officials suffered a hard landing accident in the Dizmar forests in East Azerb aijan Province, northwest of the country.' He also expressed his country's 'wishes for the safety of HE the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and those accompanying them,' announcing Qatar's 'full readiness to provide all forms of support in the search process.' Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country is closely monitoring with concern reports regarding the Iranian helicopter incident, expressing 'best wishes for the safety of the Iranian President and his accompanying delegation.' It also affirmed its support for Iran in this 'delicate circumstance.' The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said in a statement that its General Secretariat is closely following the news regarding the Iranian president's helicopter. OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said the OIC 'is standing by the Islamic Republic of Iran in this difficult circumstance, praying to Allah Almighty to include under His care and protection the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying d elegation.' Countries such as Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka also issued statements in support of Iran after Sunday's helicopter accident. Helicopter crash in Iran The helicopter carrying Raisi reportedly made a hard landing due to bad weather while returning from a ceremony for the inauguration of a dam on the Azerbaijan border. The Iranian Red Crescent previously announced that the crash occurred between Kaleybar and Varzaqan. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stressed that rescue teams had not yet reached the area. East Azerbaijan Deputy Governor Jabbarali Zakiri said that two of the three helicopters in Raisi's convoy had landed while one had crashed. The helicopter was reportedly carrying Raisi and several officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. *Rabia Iclal Turan and Rania Abu Shamala contributed to this story Source: Anadolu Agency

BURSA: An electronics repairman from northwestern Trkiye has significantly contributed to preserving the heritage of the population exchange between Trkiye and Greece. Bayram Akinci, 69, made donations to the Gorukle exchange house to help preserve and pass down items used by those who arrived in the city and those who left during the exchange. As part of the Trkiye-Greece population exchange agreement on Jan. 30, 1923, included in the Treaty of Lausanne, approximately 34,000 people came to Bursa between 1924 and 1933. Of the number, 14,000 were settled in central Bursa and its villages, while 20,000 were settled in the districts of Orhangazi, Mustafakemalpasa, Mudanya, Karacabey and Gemlik. Those who came, who shared hardships and joys with each other and the local population, made a living and left behind fond memories. They left their children and grandchildren a legacy of memories, traditions and belongings. Located in the Gorukle neighborhood, the restored two-story building, originally belonging to Greeks, houses hundreds of items donated by the children and grandchildren of the exchangees. These include agricultural tools, kitchen utensils, clothing and household items used by Turks who came from Greece and Greeks who moved to Greece. The museum also showcases items from Bayram Akinci, a second-generation exchangee, including his mother's dough trough, kitchen utensils, wall clock, radio, his father's weapon, grandfather's shoes, and historical documents belonging to his family. Akinci, one of the museum's founders, told Anadolu that his father from the Serez region of Greece and his mother from Kavala arrived in Bursa by ship via Thessaloniki during the exchange period. Recounting his childhood filled with stories of the exchange, Akinci said, 'We grew up hearing about their hardships. We even experienced some of that scarcity ourselves. "We have a family photo where my sister, mother, father, and brother are present. My brother wore my sister's dress in the photo. Can you imagine? There was noth ing. Because we grew up with their stories, we still call that place 'homeland.' They called it 'homeland' and never saw it again,' he added. Emphasizing the importance of passing down emotions and memories to future generations, Akinci stated that he collected various items, from agricultural tools to kitchen utensils and clothing, to recreate the living environment of that time for everyone to see. Akinci added that he visited his ancestral home in Serez for the first time in 2003, where he saw his family's house and the graves of his ancestors. Source: Anadolu Agency