Turkey News Gazette

ANKARA: South Korea on Wednesday launched its nanosatellite into orbit as part of its project to create a satellite constellation by 2027, local media reported. The Earth observation satellite lifted off aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from a spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a Ministry of Science and ICT statement. The satellite, named NEONSAT-1, was deployed into space at an altitude of 520 kilometers (323 miles), about 50 minutes after the rocket's launch, according to the report. The satellite developed by the state-run Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) for mass production, NEONSAT-1 weighs less than 100 kilograms and has a resolution of 1 meter. Seoul plans to launch five more nanosatellites into space in June 2026 and five more in September 2027 to better monitor the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding regions. Earlier, this month, South Korea also "successfully" launched its second indigenous spy satellite on a SpaceX Fal con 9 rocket. South Korea launched its first spy satellites in December last year after North Korea placed its first military spy satellite into orbit in November and vowed to launch three more spy satellites this year. *Writing by Islamuddin Sajid Source: Anadolu Agency

A blaze at the Limassol state forest which started early on Wednesday morning and subsided in the evening was caused by a flare, during a controlled combustion operation of flares and smoke canisters by the Mines and Quarries Service, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said. In statements at the firefighting coordination centre, set up, at Vasa Kellakiou local council, Panayiotou said she would ask for an administrative enquiry into the matter and the possibility of placing the Director of the Service under suspension. She urged everyone to be very careful because this is a very difficult summer and additional aerial aircraft are not expected to be delivered to Cyprus before June. The blaze, Panayiotou said, "was caused by a flare, during a controlled combustion operation to destroy flares and smoke canisters by the Mines and Quarries Service." "I have given the Permanent Secretary instructions to go ahead with an administrative enquiry and to look into the possibilit y of placing under suspension the Director of the Mines and Quarries Service," she added. About 150 fire fighting personnel from various departments, 29 various vehicles and three aircraft have been working to place the fire under control. Firefighting personnel would remain in the area overnight. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday for $1.21 billion to address the humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. 'The scars of war are seen on a massive scale in Gaza. Meanwhile, violence is increasing in the West Bank,' UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. 'It is critical to support UNRWA in providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance and development services in health and education,' he added. UNRWA said the appeal aims to respond to the most urgent needs of 1.7 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and more than 200,000 refugees in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 'The past months proved that there is no replacement or alternative to UNRWA,' Lazzarini added. Israel has launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed nearly 1,200 people. More than 34,200 Palestinians have since been killed and 77,200 others injured am id a tight siege imposed by Israel, which left the entire population, especially residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. More than six months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN. In March, the UN warned of 'imminent famine' in Gaza and appealed for swift action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the territory. UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their land. The agency provides crucial support to millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and other areas where large numbers of registered Palestinians reside. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Trkiye slammed the US' recent human rights report, calling for Washington to address its own human rights record and cease its alliances with terror organizations, said the country's foreign ministry on Wednesday. "We reiterate our call for the United States to focus on its own human rights record as well as to cease its partnerships with terrorist organizations and its double-standard policy on human rights," said the ministry in a statement. The ministry said that the report includes unfounded accusations, "erroneous information and prejudiced comments" regarding Trkiye, echoing similar patterns observed in previous years. Ankara reiterated its refusal to endorse the report which it said "was prepared on the basis of allegations of unknown origin and discourses of circles affiliated with terrorist organizations yet another year". "Trkiye remains firmly committed to the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, despite facing multifaceted and severe terrorist threats," said the statement. Trkiye's counterterrorism operations are on the basis of its right of self-defense and are completely focused on combating terrorist elements and their capabilities utilized in terrorist activities, it said. "As an ally fully aware of the scope of our just and legitimate fight against all forms of terrorism, the US' insistence on inconsistent claims that distort the facts is incomprehensible," the statement added. "We are also deeply concerned that the report does not duly reflect the ongoing inhuman attacks in Gaza, which significantly impairs not only the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people but also the common values of all humanity". "This clearly indicates that the concerned report was prepared with political motives, far from impartiality and objectivity," said the statement. Source: Anadolu Agency

The European Union is known for the undoing of borders and as a place where former enemies become partners and friends, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Georgios Iacovou, said on Wednesday during a debate in the European Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union, the biggest enlargement in the history of the European Union. Asked by Kyriakos Giallourides - one of the 10 young people born on May 1, 2004 who were in Strasbourg for the celebrations - about the expectations that Cypriots had in the run-up to Cyprus' accession to the European Union and whether he believes that these expectations have been met, Iacovou replied that "Cyprus has always recognised how exposed it was both economically and geopolitically". He added that Cypriots above all hoped for security and stability. "Today we feel we have both," he said. At the same time, he said that more practically, young Cypriots were excited about the opportunity to study, to work, to live anywhe re in the European Union and "today we are proud of the fact that the flow of European citizens is in both directions." He also noted that many Cypriots had hoped that accession would take place at the same time as the reunification of Cyprus. 'This did not happen and Cyprus joined as a country divided. But the European Union is known for the undoing of borders and where former enemies become partners and friends,' he said. Addressing Kyriakos he said 'I am an old man now and I hope in my heart that your generation will achieve what mine did not. Thank you for being here.' At her speech President von der Leyen said that 'when the clock struck midnight, on 1 May 2004, a whole continent burst into celebration, the flames of bonfires lit up the night in the Baltic states. A thousand fireworks coloured the sea around Malta and Cyprus, and the lakes of Slovenia, and the Ode to Joy resonated in the cities of Central and Eastern Europe, previously on the other side of the Iron Curtain'. She noted that European c itizens in the then new member states saw their countries transformed, saying that their economies boomed, agricultural production tripled and unemployment rates have been cut by half. She stressed also that 'the power of Europe, together with your ingenuity, has brought a true economic miracle to all your countries. In so many different ways, Europe has made you stronger. But you have made Europe so much stronger, too'. She explained that people and companies across Europe have enjoyed new opportunities to study and work, export and invest in a wider Union. 'You have empowered our response to the geopolitical challenges we face, from our Eastern Members' resolute support to Ukraine, to Cyprus' leadership in opening a maritime corridor for aid to Gaza', she said. Addressing the ceremony, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that in these past two decades, Europe has been met with unprecedented challenges. 'Together, we have managed to meet them head-on', she said. She emphasized that unity does not mean being homogenous. 'Europe does not seek to make everyone the same. We are proud of our differences. Proud of our unique traditions, our cultures, our languages and our diversity. We have proven that over the past 20 years', she mentioned. The present and former EU leaders were joined by the former European Commissioner for Enlargement Gnter Verheugen and representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. Statements were also made by the former President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi and the former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, who were in office in 2004, the year of the accession of the 10 countries. During the ceremony, the guests answered questions from a group of young people from the then-new member states and born on or around 1 May 2004 and present in Strasbourg. The ceremony ended with Beethoven's Ode to Joy, performed by the Voix de Stras' acapella choir. On May 1, 2004, Cyprus became a full EU Member State, along with the other nine acceding countries - The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. On January 1, 2008, Cyprus joined the eurozone. Cyprus assumed the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2012 and the next Cypriot Presidency is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ANKARA: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said it delivered life-saving aid to Palestinians in a 'high-risk' mission in the northern Gaza Strip amid a tight Israeli blockade. In a statement, UNRWA said the aid mission was jointly carried out with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the northern city of Jabalia. The aid mission was the first to have been announced by the UN refugee agency since it was denied entry by Israel to northern Gaza. 'UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian effort, bringing life-saving assistance to people across the Gaza Strip,' the UN agency said. On March 24, the Israeli authorities informed the UN it would no longer approve the passage of any UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza. Israel has launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed nearly 1,200 people. More than 34,200 Palestinians have since been killed and 77,200 others injured amid a tight siege imposed by Israel, which left t he entire population, especially residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. More than six months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave's population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN. In March, the UN warned of 'imminent famine' in Gaza and appealed for swift action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the territory. UNRWA was created by the UN General Assembly more than 70 years ago to assist Palestinians who were forcibly displaced from their land. The agency provides crucial support to millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and other areas where large numbers of registered Palestinians reside. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

Candidacies for the June local administration elections will be submitted on Thursday. Hopefuls for the posts of presidents of district organisations, mayors, deputy mayors, members of municipal councils, as well as the members of school boards will submit their interest officially to be included in the ballots. Every citizen of the Republic of Cyprus or another member state of the European Union, who reaches the age of 18 up to and including the date of the elections, has the right to vote, provided that he/she is registered in the electoral roll. The total number of citizens who have the right to vote in the upcoming elections reaches 706,534. The local administration elections will take place at the same day as the European elections on June 9. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Turkish building manufacturer Karmod said on Wednesday that security concerns should outweigh price considerations when purchasing prefabricated homes. "Price is an important factor, but it should not compromise the safety and durability of the home," Karmod Sales Director Ozay Kemal Karakucuk said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the structural integrity and safety features of prefabricated homes. He warned that cheaper materials could lead to serious safety risks, especially concerning the structural support systems such as steel beams used in construction. Karakucuk advised buyers to prioritize manufacturers known for their rigorous safety standards and high-quality materials. "Selecting a reputable manufacturer is crucial. A well-constructed home that adheres to safety standards offers not just shelter, but security," he added, pointing to the importance of post-sales services. Karakucuk further explained that the variation in prices among prefabricated homes often reflects diffe rences in material quality and adherence to production standards. "The low prices offered by some manufacturers can be tempting, but they may result in homes that are structurally unsound and potentially hazardous," he cautioned. He urged potential homeowners to ensure their chosen home meets structural stability standards and to scrutinize the materials used in walls, roofs, and support structures. "Features such as the electrical system, windows, and insulation should meet local and international certified safety standards set by TSE and ISO," said Karakucuk. He also highlighted the importance of considering the climatic conditions of the area where the home will be installed. "The manufacturer must possess expertise in the climatic conditions relevant to the home's location, such as snow load, humidity, rainfall, and wind, and should be equipped with the necessary technical tools," he said. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Mass graves found in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, from which the Israeli army withdrew after months of attacks and occupation, highlight Palestinians' grief. The Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis on April 7 following a four-month ground offensive. With the withdrawal, mass graves began to be found in the city and bodies were collected from the rubble of houses and roadsides. Speaking to Anadolu and stating that she lost her son Nabil Mohammed Zedan in an Israeli attack on Jan. 22, a Palestinian mother said she was there to find his body. Noting that her son was a 4th-year student in the law department at the university, she added: "I have been looking for my son for three months. During this time, I have not slept, I have not shed a tear." "I applied to the Red Cross, civil defense, the Ministry of Health, and everywhere else. I even opened the covers of the martyrs I saw on the street to see if they were my son." She said that when Iran strikes Israel with drones, Arab cou ntries are concerned about Israel's security, and asked: "What about our children? Why aren't you worried about them? I am a mother, see and hear my burning heart." They drew 'smiles' on bodies to provoke Palestinians Abdullah Abu Mustafa, another Palestinian who accompanied the work in the area, said they buried his daughter, cousin, cousin's wife, and cousin's daughter on Jan. 22. Stressing that when the Israeli army entered the city by land, it blocked the road to Khan Younis cemetery, Abu Mustafa noted that for this reason, they buried the bodies in Nasser Hospital. On Eid al-Fitr, people communicated among themselves to take the bodies out of the temporary graves and bury them in a cemetery worthy of them, he added, saying: "When we arrived, we saw that Israel had exhumed all of the approximately 1,000 martyrs we buried. They changed their clothes." "We saw the Israeli star on the martyrs' clothes. They went so far to provoke the Palestinian people that they drew smiles on the bodies of our martyrs. " Emphasizing that they found three to four mass graves in the area and that there were 30-40 bodies in each of them, Abu Mustafa underlined that the people tried to identify their dead relatives by their clothes, but 70% of the bodies could not be identified because the clothes were removed. Abu Mustafa said they found some of the bodies with their heads down and their feet up and four to five bodies stacked on top of each other. 'Working for 3 days, dug up about 150 martyrs' Raid Raid Sakr, the civil defense official who led the process of exhuming bodies from the mass grave opened by the Israeli army in the garden of Nasser Hospital, said the people informed the civil defense unit when they could not find their relatives where they were buried. Emphasizing that civil defense teams immediately came to the area and tried to locate the bodies with simple equipment, Sakr said: "We saw that Israel opened a mass grave." "According to the reports we received, there are hundreds of martyrs in the grave. It i s said that there are 300-400 martyrs. We have been working for three days. During this time, we have unearthed about 150 martyrs. There are many unidentified bodies." Sakr said the identified bodies were taken and buried by their relatives, while the unidentified ones were buried by civil defense teams. Decomposed bodies found without head and skin Ismail Al-Thawabteh, the head of Gaza's government media office, said: "Some 150 bodies have been found in two graves." He said around 700 people are still unaccounted for since the Israeli withdrawal from Khan Younis on April 7 following a four-month ground offensive, adding that this is a real crime and massacre committed by the Israeli occupation. Al-Thawabteh said they believe that there are hundreds of "martyrs" executed by Israel and buried in mass graves, highlighting that they retained a large number of half corpses, completely decomposed, with no skin or head. Pointing out that what happened in Nasser Hospital also happened in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and before that, in Kamal Adwan Hospital, he said: "The Israeli soldiers removed the bodies of martyrs and buried them in mass graves in the hospital complex." "However, government-affiliated teams are working hard to uncover this crime and identify the bodies." Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas in which some 1,200 people were killed. More than 34,100 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and around 77,000 others have been injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. *Writing by Serdar Dincel Source: Anadolu Agency