Day: April 6, 2023

Ajax's Serbian winger Dusan Tadic is coming under fire for making religiously-bigoted provocation against Feyenoord's Turkish midfielder Orkun Kokcu during their Wednesday night match in Rotterdam.

The incident was only one of many scenes during Ajax's 2-1 victory match against its bitter rival, Feyenoord.

The episode began when Feyenoord's Muslim players, including team captain Kokcu and Oussama Idrissi from Morocco, came to the touchline to replenish themselves by eating snacks to break their fasts nearly 30 minutes after the kickoff.

As the game was paused, other Feyenoord players also drank water.

In the second half of the match, Tadic brought down Kokcu after a tackle, stepping on the Turkish player's foot to lock horns with him.

Following the tense confrontation between the duo, Tadic made a hand gesture, which was seen as mocking Kokcu's mid-game breaking of his Ramadan fast, turning up the heat in the field.

Kokcu, 22, a Feyenoord regular, also represents Türkiye.

Ajax was visiting Feyenoord on Wednesday, beating the hometown team 2-1 in the Dutch Cup semifinal at Rotterdam's De Kuip Stadium.

With the victory, Ajax booked its spot for the Dutch Cup finals, but not without drawing the ire of Feyenoord and the hometown crowd.

Tadic refused solidarity armband

An Ajax player since 2018, Tadic, 34, earlier refused to wear "Pray for Türkiye and Syria" armband for a Dutch Eredivisie match.

Under fire, he later offered his condolences to the victims on Twitter.

"The earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have shocked me deeply. My thoughts are with the people who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and everyone affected in any way," Tadic said on February 14, a week after the major earthquakes.

Tadic, a former Southampton winger, is a Serbian national football team regular who represented his nation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In a previous match between Ajax and Feyenoord in March called "De Klassieker" (The Classic), Kokcu had refused to shake hands with Tadic, ignoring the Serbian player before the kickoff in Amsterdam.

"De Klassieker" is one of the biggest football rivalries in the Netherlands between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord of Rotterdam.

Source: TRTworld.com

Accusing the US of 'crossing the line' over one-China principle, Beijing Thursday warned Washington against 'containing' China by 'exploiting the Taiwan question.'

'The United States has been crossing the line and acting provocatively on issues such as US-Taiwan official exchanges, arms sales to and military dealings with Taiwan and creating chances for Taiwan to expand its so-called 'international space,' and kept fudging and hollowing out the one-China principle,' said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Beijing's angry response came after US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday in the state of California amid threats from China.

McCarthy tweeted a picture from the meeting and said: 'The friendship between America and the people of Taiwan has never been stronger.'

'Despite serious representations and repeated warnings,' said China, 'the United States deliberately greenlighted the transit of Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of the Taiwan region, through the United States.'

Tsai, 66, is on a 10-day trip to Central America since last week.

She made her first stopover in New York before flying to Guatemala and Belize in Central America, two of only 13 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

On her return, she met McCarthy in California.

Ahead of her meeting with the US House speaker, China on Wednesday began what it called a 'special inspection operation' in the Taiwan Strait which will feature a joint patrol by Chinese armed forces.

The special inspection operation, being livestreamed by Chinese media, led by Haixun 06 -- China's the largest maritime patrol ship -- are sailing 'in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Straits' on Thursday.

China's Fujian Maritime Safety Administration had said its inspectors "will conduct on-site checks" on ships including those for cargo, ferrying passengers, and fishing, as well as key construction sites to "make sure the ships sail safely and construction projects operate smoothly."

According to reports from Taiwan, home to around 24 million people, the authorities on the island nation have asked locally-flagged vessels 'to not cooperate with Chinese maritime police attempting to make on-board inspections of commercial ships.'

Taiwan's Maritime and Port Bureau said late Wednesday it 'asked crews to reject any attempts at boarding and contact the Coast Guard Administration for protection,' Focus Taiwan news website reported.

The unannounced trip to Taiwan by McCarthy's predecessor Nancy Pelosi last August had triggered an unprecedented military operation by China around the island nation, home to around 24 million people.

- Beijing takes a jibe at Taiwan president

Stressing that the US House Speaker is 'number three in the US government,' who 'had a high-profile meeting with Tsai,' the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said: 'This is essentially the United States acting with Taiwan to connive at 'Taiwan independence' separatists' political activities in the United States, conduct official contact with Taiwan and upgrade the substantive relations with Taiwan, and frame it as a 'transit'.'

'This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques,' the statement added.

'It seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and sends an egregiously wrong signal to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces,' Beijing said, 'firmly' opposing and condemning the move.

The one-China principle, recalled Beijing, 'is prerequisite and basis for the establishment and development of China-US diplomatic relations.'

'In the three China-US joint communiques, the United States made a clear commitment of maintaining only unofficial relations with Taiwan,' it added.

However, it regretted that the US over the years 'has obdurately attempted to contain China by exploiting the Taiwan question and betrayed its commitments.'

Beijing also took a jibe at Tsai, the president of Taiwan, which China considers as its 'breakaway province.'

'Since taking office, Tsai has refused to recognize the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle.

'Instead of reining in separatist rhetoric and activities in Taiwan for 'Taiwan independence,' Tsai has supported and encouraged them, and sought to push for 'incremental independence' under various pretenses,' the statement said.

'This has put cross-Strait relations in serious difficulty,' said Beijing.

'The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. 'Taiwan independence' and cross-Strait peace and stability are as irreconcilable as fire and water,' it said, adding: 'the pursuit of 'Taiwan independence' will lead nowhere.'

Calling Washington's move as 'egregiously wrong action,' Beijing said it 'will take strong and resolute measures to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Israeli army set off raid sirens Wednesday in settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip following reports of rockets launching from the enclave, according to officials.

The army said two projectiles were fired from Gaza late Wednesday.

It added, however, that one failed to cross into Israel and the other landed in an open area near the fence with Gaza.

There were no reports of property damage or human injuries.

The development came as Israeli forces stormed the Al-Qibli Prayer Hall in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and forcibly removed Palestinian worshippers.

Israeli warplanes struck Gaza early Wednesday in what it said was a response to at least 10 rockets launched from Gaza.

The Israeli police detained around 350 worshippers from inside the flashpoint site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex amid rising tensions with Palestinians.

Source: Anadolu Agency

France on Thursday woke up to a new day of mass mobilizations against the government's pension reform.

The government and President Emmanuel Macron are not willing to back-pedal on the pension reform, and the meeting between Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and trade unions on Wednesday did not give a positive result.

Trade unions and workers remain determined in their objection as this will be the 11th day of mobilization since January, with severe walkouts and nationwide protests.

The national railway company SNCF and Paris regional transportation company RATP said their traffic would be slightly disrupted, according to media reports.

Primary school teachers, energy workers, and those from other sectors walked out while students blocked entry to universities in many cities, including Lyon and Nice.

Violence during protests

Acts of violence stained the protests over the past weeks, when lawbreaker groups set fire to street furniture, various buildings, dumpsters, and trash, and threw projectiles at police.

Police officers arrested hundreds of suspects, and were criticized for disproportionate use of force and arbitrary arrests.

French authorities on Thursday expect up to 800,000 protesters, including 90,000 in Paris, broadcaster BFMTV reported.

A total of 11,500 police officers will be deployed in the country to intervene in possible troubles, including 4,200 in Paris, interior ministry said, according to the daily Le Figaro.

Row between unions, government

Borne on Wednesday received the trade unions' representatives at her office to discuss the pension reform bill.

The trade union French Democratic Confederation of Labor (CFDT) Secretary-General Laurent Berger told journalists after the meeting: "We are living a democratic crisis. The social crisis is becoming a democratic crisis."

Borne admitted the disagreement with the unions and described the meeting as a "respectful discussion."

Berger's remarks, however, visibly angered the government, according to media reports.

Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt told broadcaster BFMTV that "there is a social crisis, a social conflict, not a democratic crisis."

Government spokesperson Olivier Veran told the broadcaster France Inter: "We disagree but we talk. Contact resumed, dialogue exists, and we are intending to work with the unions."

Pension reform plan, source of popular furor

The government revealed the reform project in January and parliament started examining and debating the draft bill the following month.

Workers and trade unions have since expressed growing outrage by holding demonstrations and walkouts against the reform which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, requiring at least 43 years of work to be eligible for a full pension.

Political and social tension rose when Macron and Borne decided to use special constitutional powers - Article 49.3 - on March 16 to force the plan through without parliamentary approval.

The decision was driven by fear that lawmakers would be able to block the reforms as the government does not hold an absolute majority in the legislature.

Protests then turned violent when violent groups infiltrated the parades across the country, and police were criticized for arbitrary arrests and disproportionate use of force.

Source: Anadolu Agency

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday in the state of California amid threats from China.

McCarthy tweeted a picture from the meeting and said: "The friendship between America and the people of Taiwan has never been stronger."

During a news conference alongside the Taiwanese leader, McCarthy said: "Taiwan is a successful democracy, a thriving economy, and a global leader in health and science."

US relations with Taiwan continue to "expand through dialogue and exchange," he said. "The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world, and it is critical to maintain economic freedom, peace and regional stability."

"Today was a bipartisan meeting of Republicans and Democrats united together in a place that symbolizes the freedom and the commitment and the bond, that it's only become stronger with the president with us today," he added.

Tsai thanked McCarthy in a tweet for "the warm welcome," and said it was a "pleasure" to be back at the Ronald Reagan Library "enjoying the California sunshine as we work to strengthen the bond between Taiwan and the US."

"It is especially fitting for us to meet here to pay tribute to a distinguished American president and world leader. A man who also played a crucial role in partnership with the US Congress in protecting and fortifying US-Taiwan relations at a time of changing diplomatic realities," said Tsai.

"I reiterated Taiwan's commitment to defending the peaceful status quo where the people of Taiwan may continue to thrive in a free and open society," she said.

Highlighting Regan's efforts on the US-Taiwanese relationship, she said: "We are stronger when we are together."

"Taiwan strives to be a reliable partner to the world, a cornerstone for stability in the region and a force for good," she said.

"As we confront the unique challenges of our time, let us be mindful of the principles that have forged our great partnerships and bear in mind the lessons of President Reagan's enduring legacy," she added.

The meeting marked the first time that a Taiwanese leader met a senior US official on American soil since 1979 when Washington broke ties with Taipei and officially established diplomatic relations with Beijing.

China said Tuesday that it is opposed to the meeting and indicated Beijing will 'resolutely defend' its territorial integrity.

Hours before the meeting Beijing began what it called a 'special inspection operation' in the Taiwan Strait which features a joint patrol by Chinese armed forces.

Asked about China's reaction, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: 'There's no reason for the Chinese to overreact in any way"

'We'll watch this as closely as we can," he added.

Source: Anadolu Agency

As Pakistan grapples with one of the worst economic crises, millions of the countrymen struggle to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan amid skyrocketing inflation. Decades-high inflation and a massive devaluation of the local currency have drastically reduced the already dwindling buying power of millions of Pakistanis, making it next to impossible for them to make ends meet. The government and the local charities, nonetheless, have come up with several measures to mitigate the impact of inflation at least during Ramadan. Standing in the middle of a queue, Gulzar Ahmad was waiting for his turn to buy groceries at a makeshift Ramadan bazaar, where he could get a significant discount compared to the market. Located in a middle-income neighborhood in the central district of the country's commercial capital and the most populous city, Karachi, this "discount bazaar" is one of the dozens of makeshift facilities where citizens can buy essential food items at 30% to 50% discount during the holy month of Ramadan. Piles of fruits and vegetables could be spotted in the rear side of the bazaar, while stalls of staples covered the front rows. A price list showing the difference between market and discounted rates were placed at the entrance of the bazaar. "I have been buying groceries from here since the advent of Ramadan as it is the only place where I can get stuff at significantly discounted rates,' said Ahmad, a retired government employee, who relies entirely on a pension. "I could buy at least limited items from the market during last Ramadan, but this year, it's unthinkable due to a massive price-hike and rupee devaluation," he told Anadolu. "Thank God, there are still some places that we can afford (to buy staples), at least during Ramadan," he maintained. These bazaars have been set up by Al-Khidmat Foundation, one of the country's largest charities, Sailani Welfare Trust, Baitussalam Welfare Trust, and other organizations, across the city. The charities, which otherwise would arrange street iftars (sunset meal breaking the fast) for commuters and the poor, have changed plans this year. "Things are altogether different and difficult this year, not only for the poor but also for the citizens from middle-income bracket due to grinding inflation and unemployment," said Rashid Qureshi, a director of Al-Khidmat Foundation. Speaking to Anadolu, Qureshi said the foundation has shifted its resources from street iftars to discount bazaars so that ordinary citizens can feel relief to an extent. Pakistan is one of the top philanthropist nations in the world. Besides voluntary donations, the government has made it mandatory to pay Zakat, one of the few Muslim nations where it is mandatory on the government level. The Arabic word 'Zakat', which translates to 'that which purifies', is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. This mandatory alms-giving is calculated at 2.5% of a person's annual excess wealth that he or she possesses at the end of a year. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which Muslims across the globe observe as the month of fasting. A video going viral on social media last week showed a crowd of desperate citizens breaking into and looting a makeshift camp set up by local youths to sell staples at subsidized rates in the eastern district of Karachi. The desperation reflects the sentiments of the nation, which is reeling from an acute financial crisis, compounded by an escalating balance of payments crisis, seeking to secure external financing, with foreign reserves falling to slightly more than $4 billion. Following the sharp depreciation in the rupee, Pakistan's consumer price inflation jumped to 35.4% in March, its highest since June 1974. The rupee, in recent months, has hit an all-time low at 286 rupees against the dollar, becoming one of Asia's weakest currencies. It was Rs188 against a dollar until April 2022. The federal and the four provincial governments, for their part, have launched a free-of-cost or subsidized flour scheme for the poor and low-income populations across the country. Although hundreds of thousands have benefited from the scheme, nearly two dozens of citizens, half of them in Karachi alone, have so far lost their lives over the past few weeks in stampedes during the distribution of flour and rations in different parts of the country. The federal government has also increased the quarterly stipend for some 0.4 million households from Rs7,000 ($25) to Rs9,000 ($31.5) under an income support program named after the two-time former Premier Benazir Bhutto. 'Discounted' bread project The South Asian nuclear country has seen an exorbitant surge in the prices of flour and rice, primarily because of the inundation of huge swaths of farmlands in southern Sindh and southwestern Balochistan provinces by super floods last year, and disruption of imports from Ukraine following its war against Russia. Agro-based Pakistan annually produces an average of 20 to 24 million tons of wheat annually against its actual requirement of 30 million tons. Islamabad imports the remaining quantity of wheat from different countries, mainly from Ukraine. The flour price has shot up to Rs140 ($0.5) per kilogram from Rs72 ($0.25) per kg over the past few months, making it difficult for over 20% of the country's total 220 million population, which lives below the poverty line, to procure enough grains to fill their stomachs. According to the World Bank, as of 2023, the country's poverty ratio is expected to reach 37.2%. Baitussalam Trust, a Karachi-based charity, has launched a project to provide bread to the needy at a discounted rate during Ramadan. The foundation has set up dozens of ovens in different parts of the country, primarily in Karachi to cook and provide bread to the poor at a nominal rate of Rs5 ($0.017) every day. "The motive behind the idea is to provide bread to the families that cannot afford (buying) enough bread to eat at sehri (pre-dawn meal) and iftar," Huzaifa Rafiq, an official of Baitussalam Welfare Trust, told Anadolu. The charity is considering continuing the project even after Ramadan, he added. Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is known for grand iftars at main markets, parks, and mosques. However, this Ramadan, a new trend has been added to the already-established culture. 'A majority of people have been badly affected by the fresh wave of inflation, and unemployment in the country. Therefore, this year, we are delivering food packages, enough for a month, to 2,000 poor families across the city,' a local businessman, Haji Shahabullah Khan, told Anadolu. While in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders neighboring Afghanistan, the iftar custom is a bit different as most villagers break their fast at mosques. 'This is a centuries-old custom (to break the fast at mosques). It's kind of a one-dish party," Abdullah Yousafzai, a resident of the remote Dir district, told Anadolu Every villager brings a single dish along with dates to the mosque for iftar, he said. While in the capital Islamabad, locals arrange grand iftars, mainly in low-income areas. Some others distribute cooked food outside mosques in several impoverished neighborhoods, primarily in the capital's suburbs. Al Khidmat Foundation said it is distributing rations among thousands of needy people in Lahore, the capital of northeastern Punjab province, and other provincial districts, who are already registered with the foundation. The foundation is also running over 30 orphanages across the country under its "Aghosh (embrace) project'. *Islamuddin Sajid in Islamabad and Kiran Butt in Lahore also contributed to this report

Source: Anadolu Agency