In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson, António Guterres reiterated “the importance of full and continued implementation” of the agreements signed last July in Istanbul, known as the Black Sea Initiative – allowing Ukrainian grain and foodstuffs safe passage to world markets – and the Memorandum of Understanding with Moscow over fertilizer exports.
Russia is still weighing up if it will continue to be a part of the deal, agreed with Ukraine and administered along with the UN and Türkiye, past a deadline of 17 July. Last May, Russia had agreed to a 60-day extension, and the UN has been leading negotiations to ensure its continuation.
A Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul with representatives from all parties administers the deal, but in recent weeks, shipping movements have declined along with vessel inspections.
The UN chief’s statement said it was vital to ensure that food and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia can keep on heading to countries in need, “smoothly, efficiently and at scale”.
“These agreements are an all-too-rare demonstration of what the world can do when it puts its mind to the great challenges of our time,” he said.
“Together, the agreements are contributing to sustained reductions in global food prices, which are now more than 23per cent below the record highs reached in March last year.”
Harvest season approaching
Earlier on Friday, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s chief economist, Maximo Torero, said the initiative to allow grain to leave Ukrainian ports had allowed the delivery of 32 million tonnes, much of it to meet the needs of developing nations, as well as food aid for the World Food Programme (WFP).
The renewal would happen on “a critical date because it’s when the harvest starts”, he said. “We hope it will be renewed, and if not, then we will observe a spike in terms of the prices of cereal commodities.”
‘Lifeline’ for food security
In a note to correspondents last week, the UN said the agreements were “a lifeline for global food security” at a time when 258 million people face hunger in 58 countries.
“The Secretary-General and his team remain fully committed to building on the progress already made and are in constant contact with a wide range of stakeholders in this regard,” the Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said in his Friday statement.
“The Secretary-General calls on all concerned to prioritize global food security,” he said.
The war began on 24 February 2022, and the UN’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has confirmed that more than 9,000 civilians, including over 500 children, have been killed since then, though the real number could be much higher.
“Today we mark another grim milestone in the war that continues to exact a horrific toll on Ukraine’s civilians,” said Noel Calhoun, deputy head of the Mission.
The HRMMU reported that overall monthly casualties decreased earlier this year when compared to 2022, but the average number rose again in May and June, with the last two weeks among some of the deadliest since fighting began.
Recent attacks include the missile strike on a busy shopping area in the eastern city of Kramatorsk on the evening of 27 June, which killed 13 people.
Among the victims was award-winning writer and human rights defender Viktoriia Amelina, who succumbed to her injuries earlier this week.
Just days after the attack, 10 civilians were killed in another missile strike in Lviv, located in western Ukraine.
Thousands of casualties
The information about civilian deaths is contained in the latest report on civilian casualties in Ukraine, published by the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, which covers the period from the start of the war through 30 June 2023.
Overall, 25,170 civilian casualties were recorded, with 9,177 killed and 15,993 injured.
Of this number, and whose sex was known, 61 per cent were men and 39 per cent were women. Boys comprised more than 57 per cent of casualties among children whose sex was known, and girls 42.8 per cent.
OHCHR also received information regarding 22 civilian casualties in Russian-occupied Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. They included five men and one woman who were killed, and 16 people who were injured – two children and 14 adults, whose sex is yet unknown.
Nuclear power plant update
Meanwhile, experts deployed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine have not observed any visible indications of mines or explosives there, Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Wednesday.
Europe’s largest nuclear plant has been in Russian hands since the early days of the war, and both sides have accused the other of shelling the facility.
The IAEA had previously indicated that it was aware of reports that mines and other explosives have been placed in and around the plant, which is located on the frontline of the conflict.
“Following our requests, our experts have gained some additional access at the site. So far, they have not seen any mines or explosives, but they still need more access, including to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4 and parts of the turbine halls,” Mr. Grossi said, expressing hope that access will be granted soon.
The experts have inspected parts of the plant in recent days and weeks, and continued to conduct regular walkdowns across the site.
On Wednesday, they were “also able to check a wider section of the perimeter of the ZNPP’s large cooling pond than previously”, the IAEA said.
Almost nine years ago, newly appointed EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was being lauded for leading the world in standing up to the junta who usurped power away from the elected government in Thailand four months prior. Alongside the accolades came a foreboding warning: Once the military has its grip on power, it will not easily let it go. Specifically, it was suggested that the military will rewrite the constitution in such a way that its own grip on power will be built into the system in perpetuity.
As expected, the new constitution was promulgated in 2017, cementing the military’s powers. Much delayed elections were finally held in 2019, seeing the junta leader shed his uniform for a suit and tie to transition into Thailand’s new ‘civilian’ PM. Unfortunately, in the nine years which have transpired, the EU and much of the Western world have dropped sanctions and abandoned principle, returning to full cooperation with Thailand’s undemocratic government, choosing to take part in the charade rather than stand up for democracy.
In May of this year, a second election was held under the new constitution. This time, nine years after the coup d’Etat which swept the military into power, a landslide victory for pro-democracy parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai and a complete sidelining of the plain-clothed military political parties. Yet, as Nikkei Asia reports, three weeks after the elections, the pro-democracy coalition’s nominated PM is still in limbo while the powers that be deliberate whether to allow him to assume his rightful office.
In contrast, earlier this year the EU adopted further restrictive measures against leaders of the junta which usurped power in Thailand’s immediate neighbour to the West, Myanmar, in February 2021. One can only hope that the EU will not buckle in Myanmar as it has in Thailand and stay steadfast in its resolve to support the Burmese people in their aspiration for a fully democratic transition.
All eyes must now turn one more country to the West, with general elections scheduled in Bangladesh for January 2024. Following a highly criticized and disputed general election in 2018, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami both demand the next elections be held under a caretaker government, at the threat of boycott. Veteran Bangladeshi PM of 15 years Sheikh Hasina has vowed never again to hand over power to an unelected body and has rejected this demand outright.
The last caretaker government was taken over by the military, extended its 90-day term and postponed elections by over two years from 2006-2008. Ironically, in full role-reversal, it was then-opposition Awami League (today’s ruling party)’s boycott of the 2006 elections which triggered the declaration of the State of Emergency and military intervention. Political leaders of all parties from across the political spectrum were jailed and indicted on various trumped-up charges by the caretaker government – a common practice by juntas designed to exclude popular political leaders from ever contesting future elections. In fact, both of BNP’s current co-leaders, Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman, are ineligible to run in the upcoming elections due to convictions which date back to the military-backed caretaker government of 2006-2008. Incumbent Sheikh Hasina too had been jailed during this period – which may play a major factor in her outright rejection of the opposition’s demands.
The caretaker government was a unique arrangement which does not exist anywhere else in the world, and in 2011 Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ruled that the system of interim administrations was unconstitutional. The Awami League government has reasoned that in the previous elections, a caretaker government was needed because the Election Commission (EC) never had a legal basis in Bangladesh. But in January 2022, the country passed a new law promulgating the formation of the EC.
In response to pressure from the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in June 2023, PM Sheikh Hasina has committed to hold free & fair elections and has welcomed international observers to monitor elections. Recent local elections in the strategic city of Gazipur in June 2023 were held peacefully and without incident, despite an independent candidate defeating the ruling party’s candidate by a narrow margin. BNP did not contest these elections – a possible harbinger of things to come. With both sides at an impasse and a likely boycott of elections by opposition, the stage is set for yet another military intervention in the region. The military seems to be chomping at the bit with anticipation. If they are to be deterred, the international community must make it clear to the generals that the consequences will be swift, harsh and personal.
The European Times, a distinguished online media platform, is thrilled to announce a significant achievement of surpassing 1 million readers in the past year and circa 14000 articles published.
Delivering High-Quality Content and Gaining Recognition from Mainstream Media Outlets
This milestone is a testament to the platform’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality news and engaging content that has made it a leading source of information across a wide range of topics, which can be read in 100 languages with the help of its integrated system of neural translation, which thanks to collaborative improvements and AI continues to get better and better.
This integrated system of neural translation not only ensures pretty much accurate translations (although not human) but also provides a seamless reading experience for users worldwide allowing more and more people from all around the world, to learn what is happening in Europe and everywhere. By constantly refining its AI capabilities, the platform remains at the forefront of delivering reliable and accessible information to a diverse global audience.
With a sharp focus on journalistic excellence, The European Times has garnered attention from numerous mainstream media outlets, which frequently reference and quote the platform’s articles in their own publications. This recognition solidifies The European Times’ position as a reliable and respected news source, not only within Europe but also on a global scale.
Among the articles referenced you have those from our editorial team but also from our Chief Editor Petar Gramatikov, as well as from our reporters and contributors such as Juan Sanchez Gil, Willy Fautre, Lahcen Hammouch, Robert Johnson, Jan Leonid Bornstein, Charlie W Grease, Jan Figel, Gaston de Persigny, and others.
The European Times Solidifies Its Position as a Leading Online Media 3
Recognition from Academic Circles and a Commitment to Unbiased Reporting
The European Times’ dedication to providing insightful articles, captivating features, and in-depth analysis has gained recognition from academic circles as well. The platform’s articles have been incorporated into university media reviews, serving as a valuable source for further research. This acknowledgement underscores The European Times’ contribution to the academic discourse and its commitment to delivering reliable and comprehensive information.
The European Times Solidifies Its Position as a Leading Online Media 4
A Multifaceted Approach to Informing and Engaging Readers from The European Times
The European Times takes pride in delivering accurate and unbiased reporting to keep readers well-informed on the latest developments across various sectors. Its coverage spans politics, business, technology, culture, religion, human rights, entertainment, and more. By catering to the diverse interests and concerns of its expanding readership, The European Times continues to engage and captivate a wide audience.
Looking Towards the Future
As an online media platform, The European Times remains steadfast in upholding journalistic integrity and ethical reporting practices. With its growing influence and reach, the platform aspires to expand its readership base to new geographic regions, granting even more individuals access to reliable and trustworthy news.
To achieve this goal, the outlet has implemented a strategic plan that involves collaborating with local journalists and experts in various fields. By forming partnerships with these professionals, the platform ensures that it delivers accurate and diverse perspectives on global events.
By constantly evolving and adapting to the changing media landscape, it remains committed to providing comprehensive news coverage that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about the world around them. With its unwavering dedication to journalistic excellence, is poised to continue expanding its readership base and solidifying its position as a trusted source of news and information worldwide.
By continuously evolving and adapting, The European Times is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of its readers and maintain its status as a leading online media platform. It has also done 3 special paper editions, which plans to continue doing as it grows.
An international conference “The oppression of Minorities in Iran: The Azeri community as an example” was organised at the European Parliament by the AZfront organization and EPP group.
The conference was attended by 6 MEPs and 5 high-level speakers including human rights organizations as well as experts and researchers in Iran from France, Belgium and Israel.
The debate was moderated by Manel Msalmi, International Affairs advisor and expert on Iran. Mrs Msalmi opened the debate by highlighting the issues faced by minorities in Iran and the fight of Ahwazis, Kurds, Baluch, Azeris and Turks for equal rights that has been going on for decades. He emphasized the need to bring this issue into the focus of European and international politicians.
The key speaker, MEP Donato, stressed the role that the EU plays in supporting democracy, gender equality and freedom in Iran and the Middle East, and the need to have an efficient dialogue with the EU parliament and the EU commission in order to guarantee the rights of women and minorities in Iran.
The participants watched a video showing an Iranian Azeri woman sharing a testimony about the discrimination she endures on a regular basis: linguistic, cultural and political, including strict rules concerning modesty (hijab is forced on all women in Iran regardless of their culture or creed).
Dr Mordechai Kedar from Israel, took the floor right after to mention the atrocities of the regime with regard to women and minorities including the Arabs, the Kurds, the Baluchs and the Turks that they have been witnessing for decades. They were denied their civil rights and subject to social, cultural and economic discrimination.
Thierry Valle, the President of CAP Liberté de Conscience discussed the situation of religious freedom in Iran, specifically the discrimination and persecution suffered by religious minorities. He mentioned the case of the Baha’i community, which has just commemorated the 40th anniversary of the execution of 10 women on June 18, 1983, for refusing to renounce their beliefs. He also mentioned the lesser-known case of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light community, which is enduring severe state-sponsored religious persecution. He concluded by urging Iran to put an end to the systematic discrimination and persecution of minorities and to comply with universal principles of respect for human rights for all Iranians.
Claude Moniquet, former journalist and former French intelligence officer and co-director of ESISC, emphasized that the Iranian regime is known for its repression of women, minorities and the execution of homosexuals. Minorities are discriminated against in terms of religion, culture, and social and economic backgrounds which led to demonstrations and violence because they are denied their basic rights. He also reminded us that Iran is effectively a terrorist regime that doesn’t hesitate to take hostages to reach its goals.
In Iran, over 350 executions are carried out annually. The victims include disproportionate numbers of ethnic and religious minorities. But these killings are not happening solely in Iran: dissidents were also killed outside Iran on European soil.
It is important to note that there is a tendency to think that the Azeri minority is privileged, which is not true. On the contrary, Azeris are viewed as one of the major threats to the regime, with a full-fledged system of oppression and propaganda rolled out against them. A video that sums up the situation of the Azeri minority included outrageous examples, such as pictures from the state media that depict Azeris as insects.
MEP De Meo, in his turn, underscored the importance with which the EU takes minority issues, and stressed that the international community should give support to Iranians, including non-Persian populations, who strive to be free and equal. The EU should offer a helping hand to everyone, regardless of their cultural or religious background.
MEP Adinolfi focused on culture and the need to stop discrimination in terms of education and culture. Minorities in Iran should have the right to learn their own language and celebrate their cultural heritage freely.
MEP Lucia Vuolo spoke about the importance of religious freedom and cultural identity, and the need to stop violence against minorities, in particular the Azeri minority in Iran. MEP Gianna Gancia, who has been working for many years to help Iranian dissidents, mainly women and minorities persecuted by the regime, said that the EU is committed to protecting vulnerable groups and helping refugees fleeing from dictatorship and prosecution.
Andy Vermaut, president of Postversa, said that “We have a role to play, a responsibility to uphold for the people of Iran who have endured so much. Let us be a beacon of hope and a force of positive change. When they look back at this dark chapter of history, let them remember not just the hardships they faced but the global coalition that stood by them, fighting for their rights, amplifying their voices, and fighting relentlessly for their rights for a just and a free Iran”.
The Director of CAP Liberté de Conscience, Christine Mirre, exposed the repression of Iranian women in Iran. She highlighted the status of women in Iran, including those of Kurdish, Arab, Baluchi, and Azeri ethnic backgrounds. Those women are facing various forms of discrimination and marginalization, including limited access to education, employment opportunities, and political representation. She also mentioned the emblematic and recent case of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, who died on September 16, 2022, three days after being arrested in Tehran by the regime’s morality police.
The death of Mahsa Amini shocked the world and demonstrated the ethnic discrimination and sexist policies characteristic of the Iranian regime.
The conference concluded with the speech of MEP host Fulvio Martusciello, who has been working for many years to support minorities in Iran. He stressed that the EU did a lot by adopting a resolution to protect women and girls.
There were some important initiatives like the conference in Vienna and the letter of 32 Israeli Knesset members. Such activities should continue to jointly pursue the cause of granting freedom and rights to the Southern Azerbaijanis and other minorities in Iran.
Trudeau government says Canada will eliminate deaths from extreme heat as it sets new goals to fight climate change
The Canadian government unveiled its new “national adaptation strategy,” reports the Toronto Star, which includes goals such as “eliminating all deaths from extreme heat by 2040 and halting and reversing the destruction of Canada’s nature within the next seven years.”
The paper continues: “The strategy also says that by 2026 the federal government will develop new rules to incorporate climate considerations into building and highway codes, by next year it will include climate resilience factors in all new federal infrastructure programs , will produce hundreds of new high-risk flood maps by 2028 and aim to create 15 new urban national parks by 2030.
In a speech to a province that has been hit by flash floods that washed out highways, a deadly heat dome that killed more than 600 people and a wildfire that burned the inland British Columbia town of Layton to ashes two years ago, Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeau said, that there is no doubt that the impacts of climate change will continue for decades to come.”
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that emissions from Canada’s wildfires have reached record highs “as smoke reaches Europe.”
The news bulletin added: “Forest fires burning across large swathes of eastern and western Canada have released a record 160 million tonnes of carbon, the EU’s Copernicus atmospheric monitoring office said on Tuesday.”
This year’s wildfire season is the worst in Canadian history, with about 76,000 sq km (29,000 sq mi) burning across eastern and western Canada. That’s more than the total area burned in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022, according to the Canadian Interagency Center for Wildfires.”
Separately, the Guardian reports that, further south, “the record heat wave that hit parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mexico has become at least five times more likely due to human-induced climate change, scientists have found [from Climate Central ], marking the latest in a series of recent extreme heat dome-type events that have scorched various parts of the world”.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-fire-68768/
Under a new law, suitcases must be carried rather than dragged through the streets of Dubrovnik’s old town in Croatia, and anyone caught rolling their luggage will be fined €265.
Anyone planning to visit Dubrovnik this summer should make sure they don’t get caught out by the new rule banning wheeled suitcases in its historic center, reports The Mirror.
The Croatian city sees a huge influx of visitors every year, which is great for the hospitality industry there, but not so fantastic for those who suffer from the sound of miniature wheels clattering on cobblestones.
Anti-luggage legislation is set to become even stricter in November, when all suitcases and bags will have to be left outside the old city walls before visitors can enter. Those laden with luggage who want to enter the old part of Dubrovnik will have to pay a courier to have their bags delivered to their accommodation by electric car.
Every year, 1.5 million people visit the city, which is almost 40 times more than the 41,000 people who live there.
Another newly introduced additional noise abatement measure will see cafes and bars with terraces where the noise level exceeds 55 decibels be fined and forced to close for seven days.
Walking shirtless, riding bicycles or electric scooters in the city center and climbing statues are behaviors that will be banned.
The city is currently trying to retain its World Heritage status six years after UNESCO warned that disrespectful hordes of tourists were ruining the city.
Photo by Luciann Photography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-a-city-and-island-3566139/
Repeated, horrific violations have been recorded by the UN human rights office, including mass killings, extra-judicial executions and beheadings, Mr. Türk said, while the military has continued to carry out atrocities in Rakhine state where the Rohingya minority are denied citizenship.
In an address to the Council he called for an end to impunity by the ruling junta who overthrew the democratically elected Government in February 2021.
“I encourage States to consider a referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We also need to ensure accountability for possible crimes committed by different armed groups.”
The High Commissioner said the country was continuing a “deadly freefall into even deeper violence and heartbreak.”
Where once there had been optimism and hopes of a more peaceful and prosperous future, civilians were now living “at the whim of a reckless military authority that relies on systematic control tactics, fear and terror.”
He said the economy was spiralling with the generals exploiting natural resources there “at dangerous rates, causing irreversible environmental harm.”
Voices of civil society and journalists have been strangled, which arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture continue.
He said credible sources indicate that 3,747 people have died at the hands of the regime since taking power with close to 24,000 arrested.
Barriers to life-saving aid
Mr. Türk’s report focuses on the systematic denial of life-saving aid for civilians and he accused the military of putting in place “a raft of legal, financial and bureaucratic barriers”.
With a third of the population in need, he said the obstruction constituted a deliberate, targeted and calculated denial of fundamental human rights.
He repeated is call for an immediate end to the “senseless violence” and for the release of over 19,000 political prisoners detained, including the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Mynt.
The Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, also advocated before the Council for less rhetoric and more action by UN Member States to support the “heroic” people of Myanmar, asking them to “deny the junta the three things that it needs to sustain its brutality and oppression – weapons, money, and legitimacy”.
He said citizens of the Caribbean nation are “trapped in a living nightmare” as armed gangs encircle the capital, Port-au-Prince, blocking roads, controlling access to food and healthcare, and undermining humanitarian support.
Mr. Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters fresh from a visit to the country and a summit of regional leaders, held in Trinidad and Tobago, during which he participated in a special session on Haiti.
He told reporters that predatory gangs there are using kidnappings and sexual violence as weapons to terrorize entire communities.
“I have heard appalling accounts of women and girls being gang-raped, and of people being burned alive,” he said.
During his one-day visit to Haiti on Saturday, Mr. Guterres met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and representatives from many sectors of society, acknowledging signs of hope and possibility.
Fund humanitarian ‘lifeline’
“But it requires action on several fronts – and a recognition of a core truth,” he said.
“There can be no sustainable security without a political solution that allows for the restoration of democratic institutions. And there can be no lasting and inclusive political solutions without a drastic improvement in the security situation.”
Mr. Guterres urged the international community to take action in what he called three essential areas, starting with addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in the country. A $720 million plan to support more than three million people there is currently only 23 per cent funded.
“I appeal to the world to extend a lifeline of support and fill that financial gap without delay,” he said.
Deploy multinational force
The Secretary-General also appealed to the UN Security Council “and all relevant potential contributing countries” to create the conditions for allowing the deployment of a multinational force to assist the Haitian National Police, which the Government had requested back in October.
“I repeat: We are not calling for a military or political mission of the United Nations,” he said. “We are calling for a robust security force deployed by Member States to work hand-in-hand with the Haitian National Police to defeat and dismantle the gangs and restore security across the country.”
He added that the police force will also need financing, training and equipment, which are all critical to restoring State authority and delivery of vital services.
Step up political efforts
Mr. Guterres also appealed for all social and political actors in Haiti to step up efforts toward a desperately needed political solution. He also expressed full support for mediation efforts by the regional bloc, CARICOM.
“Taken together, these three vital and simultaneous steps are fundamental to breaking Haiti’s cycle of suffering – by addressing dramatic humanitarian and security challenges – and forging a political pathway out of the crisis,” he said.
The UN Security Council will discuss the Secretary-General’s latest report on Haiti during a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will land in Sofia on a government plane.
There are extraordinary security measures in the center of the capital. There are police teams stationed along “Brussels” and “Tsarigradsko shose” boulevards, from where official delegations usually move.
According to NOVA and according to the data of the flightradar24 application, the Airbus A-319 government plane took off from Sofia at 7:12 a.m. and landed in the Moldovan capital Chisinau shortly after 8:00 a.m. Bulgarian time. The return flight of the machine to the Bulgarian capital has not yet started.
Zelensky’s visits are always closely watched and kept secret until the last for security reasons. It often happens that his program changes at the last minute.
This is the 17th visit of the Ukrainian president abroad since the beginning of the war. His first official visit was to the US on December 22 last year. Zelensky has been to a total of 13 countries on three continents.
Photo by Stefan Mitev: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-city-buildings-10900220/
