No injuries from firecrackers were reported during the Easter holidays. Approximately 5,500 firecrackers were confiscated island wide and 12 people were charged in writing for illegal possession of fireworks and other explosives.
Fact: A task force is being established in Cyprus to carry out inspections on behalf of the environment department in an effort to combat environmental crime.
The Home for Cooperation marked 13 years since its opening on Monday. They transformed an empty space designed to keep people apart into a melting pot where first steps to come closer can be taken. They hope to continue walking together, transforming physical and mental barriers along the way towards the united Cyprus they dream of.
Four persons, all minors aged 14 to 16, were arrested by the Police today based on court warrants. They are being held in custody to aid in the investigation of several offenses including causing malicious damage, conspiracy to commit a felony, and illegal possession of explosives. The Kiti Police Station is working with the Larnaca Police Station on the ongoing investigations.
United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin is set to arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday and begin her latest round of meetings. The EU has expressed full support for her efforts and those of the UN to find a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has withdrawn consent for a compromise on a federal basis and is working on a roadmap with the OIC to end isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.
Students at Trinity College Dublin and Lausanne University in Switzerland staged occupations to protest against Israel’s war in Gaza, joining demonstrations at U.S. campuses. In Dublin, students built an encampment that led the university to restrict campus access and close the Book of Kells exhibition. The protesters demanded Trinity cut academic ties with Israel and divest from companies with ties to Israel. In Lausanne, around 100 students occupied a building to support demands, including an end to scientific cooperation with Israel. The university said the occupation could continue until Monday as long as it did not disrupt campus work.
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar met with Gambian President Adama Barrow. Tatar asked for Barrow’s support regarding the Cyprus problem and the embargoes placed on Turkish Cypriots. Barrow expressed awareness of the Turkish Cypriot people’s struggle and willingness to work together. Tatar is in the Gambia for the OIC’s 15th Islamic summit. He also met with Banjul mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, known for empowering women in politics.
The showdown between Tornaritis and Prountzos in the capital city is significant for the party leaderships of the collaborating parties. DIPA has a strong interest in the election because the new Municipality of the capital is a key region for them. The leaderships of DIKO and DIPA were not enthusiastic about Andreas Konstantinou as a candidate, leading to the emergence of Nikos Tornaritis as a candidate. Charalambos Prountzos is an independent candidate who is seen as a lifeline to AKEL. Panagiotis Mentzis, supported by the Green Movement, is also a candidate in the race. Konstantinos Demetriades, son of the historic Mayor of Nicosia, is another candidate.
The European Union unveiled a €1 billion economic aid package for Lebanon in exchange for the country slowing migration flows, especially amid a sharp rise in Syrian refugees headed to Cyprus and Italy.
Two Turkish Cypriot political parties, the YDP and the Milletin Partisi, are set to formally merge. Bertan Zaroglu, initially a founding member of the YDP, will unite with the YDP for the sake of the country.