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Erdogan’s visit to an Alevi temple angered the large Sunni community

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Newsdesk
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Conflict has rocked the Alevi community, Turkey’s second-largest religious community after Sunnis, though not officially recognized. The occasion was a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Alevi temple (jemevi) “Hussein Gazi” in the Mamak district of Ankara, which is under the management of the “Hussein Gazi Art and Culture Foundation” with chairman Huseyn Yoz, called “dede” (according to Alevi terminology – leader).

For many years, this is the first visit of the Turkish president to an Alevi temple. Erdogan timed his visit to coincide with the holiday of Muharrem Aya (month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar), which also includes a 10-day fast (oruch), broken by Muslim tradition with an iftar dinner.

In all probability the visit would not have transgressed the bounds of respect for the holiday and tolerance, as it was probably intended, had not something happened which to the general public might seem strange and unimportant. It turned out that because of Erdoğan’s visit, the portrait of the Prophet Hazrat Ali (Holy Ali), nephew and son-in-law of the Sunni Prophet Muhammad (affection for the Prophet Ali was elevated to a cult at the Alevis) and Hünkyar Hadji Bektash-i Veli, considered a religious leader, and also the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The Alevi Federation (AVF), which unites the community’s associations, accused the hosts from the Hussein Ghazi Art and Culture Foundation of provoking a split and confrontation among the Alevis in favor of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the president. According to AVF President Haydar Baki Dogan, the Hussein Ghazi Art and Culture Foundation is part of the Federation. But the information about such an important visit as that of President Erdoğan was not shared with her leadership.

In an interview with T24, he said the following:

“The foundation, without our knowledge, presented the presidency with a list of seven people who hosted the event. But that’s not the main thing. More importantly, the portraits of Hazrat Ali, Hunkar Haji Bektash-i Veli and Atatürk are permanent inventory to each jamevi, without which it is not possible for it to be a temple for rituals and visits. And their removal is a deep insult and disrespect to the primal feelings of the Alevis. Moreover, in our temple it is not accepted to break the oruch (fast) in the central hall , as they did during Erdoğan’s visit. This is done in another room (the dining room). All this harms the religious feelings of our members and we consider it a deep provocation aimed at confronting and dividing the community through the Foundation. Here why did we initiate a procedure to exclude her from the Federation”.

From the Association of Democratic Alevis and the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, they also jumped against the visit, accusing the ruling AKP and the president of hypocrisy and double standards.

“Dzemevi is a place of worship, a holy place, not a place to receive official guests. There are offices for that. Is it when we ask for a meeting with the president or some responsible person, they schedule a meeting for us in their mosques. Wasn’t President Erdoğan the one who called the james “houses of fun”. What has changed that he now entered such a house?” said Ismail Atesh, secretary of the Pir Sultan Abdal Foundation.

The head of the Hussein Gazi Foundation, Dede Hussein Yoz, who hosted Erdogan’s visit, confirmed that the visit had caused a deep conflict, which he said was not justified.

Hussein Yoz told the pro-government Hurriyet newspaper that the visit was a sign of respect.

“The President was accompanied by Vice President Fuat Oktay, Minister of the Interior Suleyman Soylu, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and the Spokesman of the Presidency Ibrahim Kalan, who came to visit us out of respect. I believe that the visit is very important for the Alevi community. In the laws of our country, Jamevi temples do not appear as places of religious worship, despite the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which was not implemented by the state rulers. Maybe this visit will be an occasion to finally make it happen”.

Another scandal unfolded against the backdrop of attacks on three Alevi temples in Ankara two weeks ago. The police arrested a 30-year-old man from Izmir, who, according to his own confession, had carried out the attacks on his own. However, three other people were subsequently detained in connection with the case.

Police have determined that the attacks were planned or ordered. Certain forces are believed to be deep at the heart of the attack.

A few years ago, nationalist elements attacked opposition leader Kemal Kulçdaloğlu, a representative of the Alevi community, while he was meeting with voters. Thanks to Kulçdaroğlu’s security, the opposition leader’s life was saved.

Information also appeared that in a number of cities in Turkey, various signs were placed on the homes of Alevis.

Among the most tragic dates in the modern history of the Alevis is the arson in 1993 of a hotel in the city of Sivas, in which 37 people, prominent representatives of the intellectual elite of the Alevis, died. The arson was carried out by fanatical Sunni Islamists after prayers at the mosque.

According to various data, the Alevis in Turkey number about 12-15 million people, which represents 15 percent of the Turks. At the same time, however, many Alevis do not dare to advertise themselves for fear of being harassed by the authorities. The dominant religion in Turkey is that of the Sunnis, who are considered the only “orthodox” ones.

The Alevi community in Turkey is considered a pillar of the secular nature of the state (for this reason, the portrait of Atatürk is an invariable attribute in jamves) and of the equality between different faiths. They are among the most serious critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party.

The leader of the main opposition force – the People’s Republican Party (NRP) – Kemal Kulçdaroğlu is Turkey’s most prominent Alevi politician. Traditionally, the Alevis constitute the core of the NRP electorate.

Media close to the opposition link Erdogan’s visit to next year’s presidential and parliamentary elections. They define the visit as a tactical move by Erdoğan, who will run for president again, aiming to attract part of the community’s representatives to vote for him.

Journalist Ihsan Charalan of the opposition newspaper “Diken” wrote that “with this visit, Erdogan aims to hit three birds with one stone: to denounce the latest attacks, to reassure his supporters, namely the Sunni Islamists, that he actually visited an Alevi cultural foundation and ultimately split Alevi unity.”

And according to the commentator from the opposition newspaper Sozju Deniz Zeyrek, Erdoğan’s visit to the Alevi temple in Ankara is definitely a pre-election tactical move.

“I don’t know if the Alevis will appreciate this move by the president as a sincere gesture to vote for him, he writes, but it is clear that Erdogan is aware that in order to win a new mandate he will have to attract to his side the supporters of Atatürk, who they truly love him, those who declare themselves against corruption, lawlessness and want an active fight against them, as well as the voices of the Alevis. And at the same time, he is aware that he will not win without attracting the votes of the Kurds to his side, if, of course, he manages to overcome the resistance of his partner, the nationalist Devlet Bahceli”.

Photo by Sushil Nash on Unsplash

Now is clear why some men only have daughters

By
Gaston de Persigny
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0

Everyone knows from biology classes that the male genetic material has an influence on the determination of the sex of the fetus. In our time, science has not yet discovered all the existing genes, and there is no complete certainty about what is the predisposition of a person to form a generation – whether there will be only sons or only daughters. But still, we’ve all heard stories from our grandparents about the reasons why a man only has daughters.

Let’s look at it from a scientific point of view, based on the facts available to scientists so far: DNA and genealogy Chromosomes are responsible for hereditary information – they carry information both about the external marks of the individual and about his abilities. They are made up of a protein and a single DNA molecule. We are aware that the sex chromosomes are x and y and therefore a female and male molecule. The male hormone testosterone synthesizes both types of molecules, while female organs can only produce x-chromosomes. If we only have x – a girl will be born, and if y is also present – a boy. From a scientific point of view, it is claimed that x-spermatozoa have a longer life than y-spermatozoa, but still the individual condition of the man has an influence.

It is possible to conduct a spermographic study, thanks to which the difference in the life span of x and y molecules can be calculated as approximately as possible. In this way, advice can also be given on how many days before a woman ovulates it is advisable to have intercourse before the molecules die.

However, the procedure is not particularly affordable from a financial point of view and is rather performed in case of difficulties in conceiving, rather than to calculate the best time to conceive a son or daughter. Of course, the father’s genes also play a significant role in determining the sex of the future child. Scientists from the British University of Aberystwyth conducted a study on several couples expecting their child.

927 families were included in the study and their genealogical data were examined. Thus, the overall picture of the statistics includes about half a million people. The results of the study indicated that fathers with many brothers were more likely to expect the birth of a boy. Whereas a girl is more likely to be born to a father with more sisters and aunts in the family than brothers or uncles for example. Another interesting discovery is that girls are born most often in families where people have blood of the first or second group, and boys – with the third or fourth.

Photo by Shashank Verma on Unsplash

A ‘whole new’ type of neural communication in the brain discovered

By
Gaston de Persigny
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0

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown form of cellular communication in the brain in which proteins are directly transferred between neurons. According to them, if we take control of it, we could potentially develop new treatments for dementia and other neurological diseases.

In general, neural communication occurs through the mediation of neurotransmitters scattered across synapses (thus they transmit signals from one cell to another). However, scientists have noticed that certain proteins in the brain move in a different way. This led them to suggest that neurons may also be involved in the exchange of these mixtures.

For example, proteins including tau and synuclein move between brain cells and accumulate in plaques, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Until now, however, researchers were unsure whether this trans-neuronal transfer of proteins represented a purely pathological mode of communication or whether the same mechanism was observed in healthy brain activity.

To answer this question, the study authors used a marker molecule called biotin to label neuronal proteins in the eyes of rats. 11 days later, they found that biotin could be detected in neurons in the animals’ visual cortex. This means that some of the labeled proteins were actually transported to distant cells in the brain.

“This is a completely new way in which cells in the brain can communicate with each other that has never before been integrated into the way we think about health and disease,” said Dr. Hollins Klin, one of the study’s authors.

Using a technique called mass spectroscopy, the researchers identified approximately 200 tagged proteins that reached the visual cortex. Tau and synuclein are among them. This means that the neural transfer of these two mixtures is not limited solely to pathological conditions.

“This confirms that in healthy brains with tau and synuclein, everything is fine and their movement around the brain is normal,” says Klein. “But in people with Alzheimer’s, a toxic form of the protein is transported between neurons.”

A deeper analysis revealed that the proteins are transported from one neuron to another within membrane-bound packages called exosomes, which mediate cellular communication by transporting an array of mediator compounds between cells. The researchers also found that the proteins were normally transferred to excitatory but not inhibitory neurons.

The authors summarize that their findings “demonstrate the non-pathological transport of various endogenous proteins [between neurons]”. According to them, it is quite possible to establish control over this communication and manipulate brain activity. Of course, a lot more research will have to be done before that. However, the results of the present study open up an entirely new avenue for the study and treatment of neurological disorders.

The study is published in Cell Reports.

Source: IFLScience

Photo: nobeastsofierce / Shutterstock

For the first time in history: Erdoğan appointed a woman brigadier general to command the gendarmerie

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Newsdesk
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For the first time in the history of the Turkish armed forces, a woman – a brigadier general – was appointed to the main command of the gendarmerie on August 13.

Özlem Yılmaz was appointed by the decree of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The decree was published in the Turkish State Gazette and entered into force.

According to the decree, Yozlem Yilmaz was promoted from senior colonel to brigadier general. She will hold the position of Vice President of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy at the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command.

Before that, General Özlem Yılmaz was the head of the Directorate for Combating Domestic Violence and the Department for Children at the General Command of the Gendarmerie.

The appointment of the first woman – a brigadier general – to the country’s gendarmerie command caused a strong response in Turkey, and the topic was commented on in all the media.

Yozlem Yilmaz was born in 1968.

The Turkish Gendarmerie, to which the border troops and the coast guard are subordinate, is under the system of the Turkish Ministry of the Interior.

The Turkish Gendarmerie has about 150 thousand personnel, of which about 60 thousand are specialized personnel. The Gendarmerie has over 1,500 combat vehicles and dozens of helicopters.

The head of the Turkish gendarmerie is army general Arif Cetin.

Meanwhile, by presidential decree, a total of 69 generals and colonels have been appointed to various command positions in the gendarmerie.

Vessel to collect first humanitarian wheat shipment under Ukraine grain deal

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United Nations News
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Vessel to collect first humanitarian wheat shipment under Ukraine grain deal
A UN-chartered vessel should soon arrive at the Ukrainian port of Yuzhny, also known as Pivdennyi, to collect wheat that will help feed millions of hungry people in the Horn of Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Friday.

This will be the first shipment of humanitarian food assistance under the Black Sea Grain Initiative signed last month by Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye. 

WFP said the development marks “another important step in efforts to reintegrate Ukrainian food into global markets and get it to countries worst affected by the global food crisis through both commercial and humanitarian avenues.” 

The MV Brave Commander is expected to berth shortly at Yuzhny, located on the Black Sea. 

Supporting drought response 

The ship departed the Turkish capital, Istanbul, on Wednesday after clearing inspection by the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), the mechanism that supports implementation of the UN-brokered agreement on resuming grain exports from Ukraine. 

The JCC will monitor the movement of commercial vessels transporting grain, foodstuffs and fertilizer from Yuzhny and two other key Ukrainian ports: Odesa and Chornomorsk.    

WFP has purchased the wheat for its operations in Ethiopia, supporting drought response in the Horn of Africa where the threat of famine looms.     

The UN agency recently warned of the dire food security situation across the region, following four consecutive failed rainy seasons. 

The Horn of Africa is just one of many areas around the world where the near complete halt of Ukrainian grain and food on the global market has made life even harder for the families already struggling with rising hunger.     

A record 345 million people in 82 countries are now facing acute food insecurity, WFP said. Up to 50 million in 45 countries are at risk of being pushed into famine without humanitarian support. 

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Vessel to collect first humanitarian wheat shipment under Ukraine grain deal
UNOCHA/Levent Kulu – The M/V Fulmar S, the first commercial emtpy grain vessel from Istanbul to Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, awaits JCC authorized movement, pending inspection.

Off to a good start

The Brave Commander will discharge the wheat in Djibouti after clearing the JCC protocols in Istanbul on the outbound trip. 

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed on 22 July and so far, 12 vessels have been authorized to depart the Ukrainian ports, the senior UN official at the JCC told journalists this week. 

Frederick Kenney, UN Interim Coordinator, said while there is still much work ahead, “we are off with a very good start”. 

UN Coordinator appointed

On Friday,  Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Amir Mahmoud Abdulla as the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Mr. Abdulla is the former Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of WFP, overseeing its humanitarian operations around the world.  

He succeeds Mr. Kenney, who was on loan from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Children with disabilities disproportionately impacted by war in Ukraine 

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Newsroom
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Children with disabilities disproportionately impacted by war in Ukraine 
The current humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having “a disproportionate impact” on persons with disabilities, especially children with disabilities in institutions there, four UN-appointed independent human rights experts said on Thursday.

“The terrible tragedy of war highlights historic policy choices made in the past that badly affect children with disabilities,” the Special Rapporteurs said.

The independent experts flagged that “Ukraine faces the daunting task of reinventing many of its social and economic systems when this war is finally brought to an end”.

Raising the alarm

The experts raised the alarm over inadequate services for children with disabilities and the impact that the armed conflict is having on key services, both within Ukraine as well as the immediate region.

Highlighting that thousands of children with disabilities have been sent back to their places of origin without first determining whether the environments are safe, they warned that this practice may endanger the youth, including by instances of abuse and trafficking.

Moreover, mass returns have left many children untreated for physical and mental health conditions.

“We fully understand the exigencies of war and the immediacy of the hard choices to be made. But this is not a situation that can be allowed indefinitely,” they upheld.

Children who stayed

Citing their displacement from one facility to another, the experts observed that the chilcren who had remained in institutions are experiencing a decline in their health and well-being.

And adding to the already known problems of neglect, abuse, physical restrictions, and access to basic services – including education and healthcare – a lack of information on their whereabouts is preventing families from restoring contact.

“Cross institutionalization cannot be a strategy for the future,” warned the Special Rapporteurs.

Third country recipients

Another concern raised by the experts is that Ukraine seems to require third countries receiving children with disabilities to place them in facilities – even States that have successfully moved away from institutionalization for their own citizens.

“Third countries have a heavy responsibility to assist Ukraine imagine a better future for its citizens with disabilities which include its children,” they said.

Building forward

It is our earnest hope that Ukraine will commit itself to a better future for persons with disabilities — UN Special Rapporteurs

The UN experts expressed hope that when reconstruction and future development for Ukraine is being funded, investments will be made to build community support that will enable children with disabilities to flourish with their families and in family-like situations as opposed to institutions.

“It is our earnest hope that Ukraine will commit itself to a better future for persons with disabilities, especially children,” the experts said.

“For our part, we stand ready to provide our advice, solidarity and support to Ukraine on this matter”.

In closing the experts strongly reiterated their “many previous calls” on Russia to “immediately end its aggression against Ukraine” and pledged to assist Ukraine “build a better future for its citizens with disabilities”. 

The experts

Click here for the names of those who participated in the statement.

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not paid for their work.

The army takes care of the thirsty animals

By
Gaston de Persigny
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0

The Swiss army has stepped in to transport water to thousands of thirsty farm animals across alpine meadows. Lower rainfall this year has forced farmers to call in the army to help refresh thirsty animals. A two-week operation is underway with three Super Puma helicopters flying in to fill the near-empty tanks used by farmers for their cows, pigs and goats.

Farmer Jacques Ruffeau, whose herd of 130 cattle needs 10,000 liters of water a day, said it had been a painful year marked by a lack of rain.

Six helicopters were mobilized in an attempt to help farmers who are expecting a tough autumn with a lack of fodder. The work of the Swiss military will continue until August 19. About 400,000 liters of water will be delivered during the operation. A similar action was held during the droughts in 2015 and 2018.

Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash

‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ event celebrated in prominent monasteries in Ladakh

By
Shyamal Sinha
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0
‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ event celebrated in prominent monasteries in Ladakh

By  — Webnewsdesk

The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ event is being marked by Buddhist organisations and institutions across the Himalayan belt, including Ladakh with enthusiasm and high spirits. Some of the monasteries in Ladakh have been planning and working on the modalities to have large Tirangas placed at vantage locations.

The Spituk monastery, which is located around 8 km from Leh is a remarkable structure which forms part of the tourist circuit in the city. Built in the 11th century, and founded as a Red Hat institution, the monastery was taken over by the Yellow Hat sect in the 15th century.

It has more than 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali which is highly revered by the locals. The monastery celebrated the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ event by hoisting the national flag on August 6 at the monastery. The junior monks also formed part of the larger celebration during the day.

The Stakna monastery, which is another beautiful landmark 25 kms from Leh belongs to the Drugpa sect. The monastery is located along the banks of the Indus river. It was founded in the late 16th century by a Bhutanese scholar and saint, Chosje Modzin. The monastery is built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose.

Stakna has a residence for approximately 30 monks who celebrated the occasion hoisting the national flag on August 5 at a vantage location with the monastery in the backdrop. The gathered monks proudly sang the national anthem while waving the flag. A group of monks walked across the ramparts of the monastery as if to mark the presence of the Tiranga in all parts of the monastery.

The famous Hemis Monastery which belongs to the Drupka Lineage, and situated 45 km from Leh, also marked the occasion with flags being hoisted by young monks living in the monastery. The celebrations were marked by chanting by the monks while many of them held the flag firmly in the high windy condition. The monastery is famously known for the annual Hemis festival honouring Padmasambhava which is held in the month of June each year.

The Hemis festival takes place in the rectangular courtyard in front of the main door of the monastery. Large number of tourists who visited the monastery during the event also participated in the ‘Har Ghar Jhanda’ activity.

Another famous monastery — the Thiksey monastery also witnessed large scale celebrations of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ utsav on August 6 when a group of young monks living in this beautiful monastery emerged from the ramparts of the monastery waving large national flags.

The monastery, delicately perched on a mountain and spread over different levels, wore a mood of excitement and celebration with the junior monks having a field day portraying the relevance of the Tiranga.

The tourists and visitors were impressed by the solemn event and formed part of the activity.

The Thiksey monastery belongs to the Gelug sect and is located around 19 kms from Leh. It is known to resemble the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, and is the largest Gompa in central Ladakh.

The monastery is a twelve storey structure and hosts the Maitreya temple installed to commemorate the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to the monastery in 1970.

The event was marked by a number of other smaller monasteries in the region while some monasteries intend to host the event between August 13 and 15.

With the prominent monasteries in Ladakh celebrating the occasion, a strong message has gone across among the community of monks about the deep essence and significance of the Tiranga.

Soon after the events were held in the above mentioned monasteries the city of Leh also witnessed a spread of the Tiranga among the smaller Buddhist institutions and organisations besides the local market.

There are plans for the event to be held in some of the gompas located far from Leh where small groups of monks plan to travel through remote villages carrying the Tiranga and encouraging the locals to be part of the activity.

The International Buddhist Confederation has been supporting these activities and a representative of the IBC was present at the events held in all the above monasteries.

Source: IANS

‘Very alarming’ conditions at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,  IAEA chief warns

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United Nations News
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‘Very alarming’ conditions at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,  IAEA chief warns
The situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has deteriorated rapidly to the point of becoming “very alarming,” Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi warned the Security Council on Thursday afternoon.

“These military actions near such a large nuclear facility could lead to very serious consequences,” Mr. Grossi said at the meeting requested by Russia, which was marked by resounding calls to allow the Agency’s technical experts to visit the area amid mounting safety concerns.

IAEA has been in frequent contact with both Ukraine and Russia to ensure that it has the clearest picture possible of the evolving circumstances.

Europe’s largest nuclear plant shelled

Providing an overview, the IAEA chief said that on 5 August, the Zaporizhzhia plant – Europe’s largest – was subjected to shelling, which caused several explosions near the electrical switchboard and a power shutdown. 

One reactor unit was disconnected from the electrical grid, triggering its emergency protection system and setting generators into operation to ensure power supply. 

The senior UN official said that there was also shelling at a nitrogen oxygen station.  While firefighters had extinguished the blaze, repairs must still be examined and evaluated.

No immediate threat

He said that the preliminary assessment of IAEA experts indicate that there is no immediate threat to nuclear safety as a result of the shelling or other military actions. 

However, “this could change at any moment,” Mr. Grossi cautioned.

Overarching goal

He recalled his recent address to the ongoing Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, where he outlined seven indispensable pillars that are critical for nuclear safety and security.

These included aspects dealing with the physical integrity of the plant, off-site power supply, cooling systems, and emergency preparedness measures. 

“All these pillars have been compromised if not entirely violated at one point or another during this crisis,” flagged the IAEA chief. 

“Any nuclear catastrophe would be unacceptable and thus preventing it should be our overarching goal”.

He asked both sides to cooperate with the UN atomic agency. 

“This is a serious hour, a grave hour, and the IAEA must be allowed to conduct its mission in Zaporizhzhia as soon as possible”.

Trading Blame

Presenting his case, the Russian delegate said Ukrainian forces used heavy artillery against Zaporizhzhia on 5 August, shelling the plant during a shift change to intimidate staff – their own citizens. 

He upheld that on 6 August, those forces attacked with cluster munitions, and on 7 August, a power surge occurred, blaming. 

The Russian Ambassador blamed Kyiv for refusing to sign a trilateral document issued by IAEA, stressing that Moscow strictly complies with the IAEA Director General’s seven principles. 

In turn, Ukraine’s representative said that the withdrawal of Russian troops and return of the station to the legitimate control of Ukraine is the only way to remove the nuclear threat at Zaporizhzhia. 

The Ukrainian Ambassador insisted on the need to send a mission to the site and has negotiated modalities with the Agency. 

“Despite their public declarations, the occupiers have resorted to manipulations and unjustified conditions for the site visit,” he said. 

Given the militarization of the site by Russian armed forces, such a mission must include qualified experts in military aspects.

Read More

G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Safety at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine

Council adopts regulation on a voluntary reduction of gas demand by 15% this winter

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Council of the EU and European Council
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0
Council adopts regulation on a voluntary reduction of gas demand by 15% this winter
Photo by KWON JUNHO on Unsplash

To increase the EU’s security of energy supply, the Council today adopted a regulation on a voluntary reduction of gas demand by 15% this winter. The regulation foresees the possibility for the Council to trigger a ‘Union alert’ on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory.

The purpose of the gas demand reduction is to make savings for this winter, in order to prepare for possible disruptions of gas supplies from Russia, which is continuously using energy supplies as a weapon.

Member states agreed to reduce their gas demand by 15% compared to their average consumption in the past five years, between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023, with measures of their own choice.

Whereas all member states will deploy their best efforts to meet the reductions, the Council specified some exemptions and possibilities to apply a partial or in some cases a full derogation from the mandatory reduction target, in order to reflect the particular situations of member states and to ensure that the gas reductions are effective in increasing security of supply in the EU.

The Council agreed that member states that are not interconnected to other member states’ gas networks are exempted of mandatory gas reductions as they would not be able to free up significant volumes of gas to the benefit of other member states. Member states whose electricity grids are not synchronised with the European electricity system and are more reliant on gas for electricity production will also be exempted in case they are desynchronised from a third country’s grid, in order to avoid the risk of an electricity supply crisis.

Member states can limit their reduction target to adapt their demand reduction obligations if they have limited interconnections to other member states and they can show that their export capacities and their domestic LNG infrastructure are used to re-direct gas to other member states to the fullest.

Member states can also limit their reduction target if they have overshot their gas storage filling targets, if they are heavily dependent on gas as a feedstock for critical industries or they can use different calculation method if their gas consumption has increased by at least 8% in the past year compared to the average of the past five years.

Member states agreed to strengthen the role of the Council in triggering the ‘Union alert’. The alert would be activated by a Council implementing decision, acting on a proposal from the Commission. The Commission shall present a proposal to trigger a ‘Union alert’ in case of a substantial risk of a severe gas shortage or an exceptionally high gas demand, or if five or more member states that have declared an alert at national level request the Commission to do so.

When choosing demand reduction measures, member states agreed that they  shall consider prioritising measures that do not affect protected customers such as households and essential services for the functioning of society like critical entities, healthcare and defence. Possible measures include reducing gas consumed in the electricity sector, measures to encourage fuel switch in industry, national awareness raising campaigns, targeted obligations to reduce heating and cooling and market-based measures such as auctioning between companies.

Member states will update their national emergency plans that set out the demand reduction measures they are planning, and will regularly report to the Commission on the advancement of their plans.

The regulation was formally adopted through a written procedure. The adoption follows a political agreement reached by ministers at the Extraordinary Energy Council on 26 July. The regulation will now be published in the Official Journal and enter into force on the next day.

The regulation is an exceptional and extraordinary measure, foreseen for a limited time. It will apply for one year and the Commission will carry out a review to consider its extension in light of the general EU gas supply situation, by May 2023.

Background

The EU is facing a potential security of supply crisis with significantly reduced gas deliveries from Russia and a serious risk of a complete halt, for which member states need to prepare immediately in a coordinated fashion and a spirit of solidarity. Although not all member states are currently facing a significant risk of security of supply, severe disruptions on certain member states are bound to affect the EU’s economy as a whole.

It complements existing EU initiatives and legislation, which ensure that citizens can benefit from secure gas supplies and that customers are protected against major supply disruptions, notably Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 on the security of gas supply.

This regulation follows other initiatives already in progress to improve the EU’s resilience and security of gas supply including a gas storage regulation, the creation of an EU Energy Platform for joint purchases and initiatives listed in the REPowerEU plan.

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