Latest news with #Century
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
The future of Turkey's Kurds
Fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party have been laying down their arms in ceremonies conducted within the framework of Turkish-Kurdish peace negotiations On 11 July, a group of 30 fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – half of them women – placed their weapons in a large cauldron in front of the historic Jasana cave in northern Iraq and set them alight. The symbolic disarmament ceremony – described as historic – was conducted in the framework of the ongoing Kurdish-Turkish peace negotiations that are being conducted beneath the slogan 'a terror-free Turkey.' The ceremony came in response to a video message aired two days earlier from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to his followers. 'I believe in the power of politics and societal peace, not weapons, and I call on you to put this principle into practice,' he said. The iconic PKK leader has been held in near solitary confinement in the Imralı Prison near Istanbul since 1999. This was his first publicised video message in 26 years. It follows an earlier written message in February calling on all PKK groups to lay down their arms. 'The PKK must dissolve itself,' it read. 'Convene your congress and take the decision to integrate with the state and society.' The PKK members' symbolic gesture received a very positive response from Ankara. 'Today marks a new day, a new chapter in history. The doors to a great, strong Turkey— Century of Turkey — have been fully opened,' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on 12 July. Describing the disarmament ceremony as a victory for Turkey's 86 million citizens, Turks, Kurds and Arabs, he said, 'the Republic of Turkey is our shared home, our common roof. All 86 million of us are one, united, and brothers for eternity.' Urging the public to have confidence in the government that is working to secure a better future, he said that 'we will facilitate the process with care and urgency, without harming anyone, and closely monitor the laying down of weapons.' The PKK has been under increasing pressure to disarm. Its leader's decisions followed by its members' historic gesture of good faith cannot be viewed separately from developments in Syria following the overthrow of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in December 2024. Soon afterwards, Turkey succeeded in bringing Syria's neighbouring states together in a high-level meeting hosted by Jordan in March to forge a regional anti-terrorism coalition, primarily aiming to combat the Islamic State (IS) group and the PKK, which Turkey has designated as a terrorist organisation. Analysts believe that the PKK has come to recognise that the militant option will yield at best limited results, especially in view of regional and international developments. Part of the group's networks in Syria and Iraq have collapsed under sustained Turkish military pressure. In Syria, the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have experienced internal rifts. To the east, the PKK sustained setbacks as a consequence of the Israeli attack against Iran. Prior to this, Israel and its Western backers succeeded in neutralising segments of Iran's regional proxies, thereby reducing Tehran's support for the PKK. Another likely factor informing the PKK decision to disarm is the shift in US policy towards Syria. On 30 June, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions on Syria. Prior to this, on 5 June, the US withdrew over 500 troops from three bases in northeastern Syria, and on 17 June it withdrew forces from two additional bases in that area. The moves suggest that the Trump administration is accelerating the reduction of the US military presence in Syria and by extension US support for the SDF, which, according to some analysts, is a source of concern for the PKK. At the same time, the Trump administration is keen to support the new Syrian leadership and has echoed Interim Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's calls for national unity. Meanwhile, since the opening of the parliamentary season last autumn, when Erdogan's far-right ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli walked over to shake hands with the leader of the pro-Kurdish People's Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, Ankara has increasingly leaned into a major shift in its policy towards the Kurdish rights movement. In April, Erdogan met with a delegation from the DEM to discuss prospects for reviving the Turkish-Kurdish peace process that he had abandoned in 2015. More recently, on 24 June, Bahçeli called on all Turkish parties to support a new peace initiative that promised to make Turkey free of terrorism. The MHP and Bahçeli personally had long been fervent opponents of dialogue with the PKK. Turkey's current approach to the PKK is shaped by three key factors. The first is Erdogan's determination to secure support for a new constitution, which is currently being drafted. Secondly, he is desperate to contain the growing influence of the opposition parties, above all the People's Republican Party (CHP), which has been gaining remarkably in the polls. The third is the need to counter the Israeli threat. Tel Aviv's invective against Turkey has become increasingly strident, most recently in response to Ankara's defence of Iran's right to complete its nuclear programme. Bahçeli, perhaps reflecting the concerns of the Turkish leadership in general regarding Israeli behaviour in the region, warned that Turkey might be Israel's next target after Iran. Despite the hopes raised by the PKK arms-burning ceremony and its reception in Ankara, the road to peace and the PKK's integration into Turkish political life is unlikely to be smooth. One of the foremost obstacles is Turkish scepticism and mistrust. According to some Turkish assessments, the PKK still owns hidden arsenals of weapons. Ankara also fears that the PKK fighters in Iraq might merge with Iranian-backed militias. The mistrust is also mutual. In the long run, PKK leaders worry that their fighters will not obtain the necessary legal protections from potential witch hunts after an agreement. Turkey has never articulated a concrete vision for resolving the conflict politically and in terms of legal guarantees. In addition, the PKK is concerned by the threat of continued Turkish military operations despite ongoing negotiations. In recent months, Turkey has launched frequent strikes against PKK strongholds in Iraqi Kurdistan, claiming dozens of casualties. If, to the PKK leadership, this betrays a lack of good faith, the Turkish leadership argues that a two-pronged approach – military operations in tandem with dialogue – is needed to push effectively for a peaceful solution. Perhaps it has the PKK's more hardline nationalist wing in mind. The 'Qandil faction,' as it is called, has previously opposed unilateral disarmament and organisational dismantlement. This faction still subscribes to armed struggle as the most effective means to secure Kurdish rights in the face of what it regards the systemic Turkish antagonism to and marginalisation of the country's large Kurdish minority. It also argues that this struggle has helped focus international attention on the question of Kurdish national, political, and cultural rights. Ankara may be calculating that the military dimension of its two-pronged approach will drive a wedge between this faction and the Ocalan faction, weakening the negotiating hand of the latter. Be that as it may, any peace process will have to navigate through obstacles posed by the hardline factions on both sides, whether the Kurdish militants or the far right Turkish ethnonationalists. But perhaps more crucially, to move forward a peace process needs clarity in the form of a concrete vision or roadmap – and this, so far, remains lacking. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yomiuri Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Toyota to Continue Loan of Century Convertible for Sumo Tournament Victory Parades
Toyota Motor Corp. has said that it intends to continue having a special edition of its Century convertible used in sumo tournament victory parades. The automaker revealed the plan on Saturday ahead of the opening of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. During a general shareholder meeting on June 12, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda had mentioned the possibility of suspending the loan of the car for such victory parades. The special edition of its flagship Century was developed after former yokozuna Hakuho, who has a connection with Toyoda, proposed the development of such a car when he was the Miyagino stablemaster. The convertible is designed to prevent its body from sinking even when ridden in by heavy sumo wrestlers, such as by strengthening the suspension springs. The car has been used by the winning wrestler since the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in 2024, but the automaker has ownership of the car. At the general shareholder meeting, Toyoda referred to the Japan Sumo Association's handling of Hakuho who left the association in June, saying: 'He is a great yokozuna who has supported sumo, which is a national sport. I honestly feel that this shouldn't be how [Hakuho's career in sumo] ends.' Toyoda also expressed his desire to suspend the loan of the Century. However, Toyoda was later informed by Hakuho that active sumo wrestlers are eager to ride in the Century should they win a tournament. That led the automaker to decide to continue the loan of the car, according to sources.
France 24
11-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Bumrah's treble strike rocks England in third Test
England were reduced to 271-7 on the second morning after resuming on 251-4 as Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, made his presence felt after being rested from India's crushing 336-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston last week that levelled a five-match series at 1-1. Initial interest Friday focused on whether star batsman Root, 99 not out overnight, would go on to make a hundred. All 17 previous instances in Test cricket had led to a century the following morning and Root maintained the sequence off Friday's first ball by pushing at a wide Bumrah delivery that flew past gully for four. The fortunate boundary meant the former England captain completed his 37th Test century to go fifth on an all-time list headed by India's Sachin Tendulkar with 51 hundreds. Ben Stokes, the current England captain had been hampered by a groin problem while making 39 not out after winning the toss. But he bowled during practice ahead of Friday's play, with no evident fitness issues. Stokes, however, had added just five runs to his overnight score when he was bowled playing down the wrong line to a Bumrah delivery that jagged back and smashed into his off stump. Stokes, without a Test hundred in two years, was out for 44, with England 260-5. Fast bowler Bumrah struck again when Root, on 104, was late on a drive and inside-edged onto his middle stump. Next ball all-rounder Chris Woakes fell for a golden duck as he chased a wide delivery from Bumrah outside off stump and got a thin edge to reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, still deputising after Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury on Thursday. It needed an India review, however, to confirm the dismissal. Brydon Carse survived the hat-trick delivery but England were still struggling at 271-7. And their position would have been even worse had KL Rahul not dropped a relatively straightforward slip chance when Jamie Smith had made just five, with Mohammed Siraj the unlucky bowler. The dangerous Smith made 184 not out and 88 at Edgbaston.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bumrah bowls Brook to leave England 172-4 against India
Root makes 103rd score of 50+ in Tests; Pope caught behind off first ball after tea
Malaysian Reserve
08-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
CENTURY LITHIUM COMMENDS FIRST PHOSPHATE IN MAKING LFP BATTERY CELLS USING CENTURY LITHIUM MATERIAL
VANCOUVER, BC, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ – Century Lithium Corp. (TSXV: LCE) (OTCQX: CYDVF) (Frankfurt: C1Z) ('Century Lithium' or 'the Company') congratulates First Phosphate Corp. ('First Phosphate') (CSE: PHOS) (OTCQB: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) on successfully producing commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate ('LFP') 18650 format battery cells, as reported in First Phosphate's news release on July 7, 2025. The LFP cathode and anode materials for the First Phosphate 18650 LFP battery cells were produced using North American critical minerals, which included lithium carbonate derived from Century's Angel Island and produced at Century's Demonstration Plant in Nevada, USA, as well as high-purity phosphoric acid and iron powder from First Phosphate's Bégin-Lamarche property in Quebec, Canada. 'Century Lithium is very pleased that First Phosphate found our lithium carbonate suitable for use in producing LFP battery cells,' said Bill Willoughby, Century Lithium President and CEO. 'Century Lithium continues to advance Angel Island through permitting, engineering, and innovation at the Company's Demonstration Plant in Nevada. We see a bright future for lithium-based chemistries. We believe LFP batteries, in particular, will have an important place in the future of mobile and stationary energy storage systems. We look forward to continuing to support First Phosphate as we work together to strengthen the North American supply chain.' The LFP 18650 battery cells were assembled for First Phosphate by Ultion Technologies Inc. at their pilot facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The production process can be viewed at: ABOUT FIRST PHOSPHATE CORP. First Phosphate Corp. is a mineral development company focused on producing high purity phosphoric acid and iron powder for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ('LFP') battery industry from its properties in Quebec, Canada. First Phosphate's industry partners include American Battery Factory Inc., developer of a planned LFP battery gigafactory in Tucson, Arizona, and Ultion Technologies Inc. a battery technology company specializing in LFP battery materials and cells. First Phosphate obtained interest in financing its production of purified phosphoric acid from the Export-Import Bank of the United States ('EXIM') ( and is working towards funding from the United States Department of Defense ('DoD') Defense Industrial Base Consortium ('DIBC') ( To learn more about First Phosphate Corp., please visit ABOUT CENTURY LITHIUM CORP. Century Lithium Corp. is an advanced stage lithium company, focused on developing its wholly owned Angel Island project in Esmeralda County, Nevada, which hosts one of the largest sedimentary lithium deposits in the United States. The Company has utilized its patent-pending process for chloride leaching combined with direct lithium extraction to make battery-grade lithium carbonate product samples from Angel Island's lithium-bearing claystone on-site at its Demonstration Plant in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. Angel Island is one of the few advanced lithium projects in development in the United States to provide an end-to-end process to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for the growing electric vehicle and battery storage market. Angel Island is currently in the permitting stage for a three-phase feasibility-level production plan expected to yield an estimated life-of-mine average of 34,000 tonnes per year of carbonate over a 40-year mine-life. To learn more, please visit ON BEHALF OF CENTURY LITHIUM CORP. WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PEPresident & Chief Executive Officer NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved' and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements relate to any matters that are not historical facts and statements of our beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential development and value of the Project and benefits associated therewith, statements with respect to the expected project economics for the Project, such as estimates of life of mine, lithium prices, production and recoveries, capital and operating costs, IRR, NPV and cash flows, any projections outlined in the Feasibility Study in respect of the Project, the permitting status of the Project and the Company's future development plans. These and other forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. These risks include those described under the heading 'Risk Factors' in the Company's most recent annual information form and its other public filings, copies of which can be under the Company's profile at The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update-forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Furthermore, Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
