Hezbollah, a heavily armed non-state group in Lebanon, is a key player in the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance” alliance against Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Hezbollah possesses a vast arsenal of over 150,000 missiles and rockets, including precision weapons, anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-ship missiles. The group also has around 45,000 fighters and has used drones in hostilities with Israel.
An order was issued by the District Court of Larnaca to freeze six plots of land, which were unlawfully transferred from deceased Turkish Cypriots to natural and legal persons. The freezing order represents a significant step in the ongoing investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Larnaca. The case involves alleged falsification of documents by a group of Greek Cypriots to appropriate the frozen property, with potential involvement of officials from the Larnaca Land Registry. The investigation also looks into the role of a former lawyer who has been removed from the Pan-Cypriot Bar Association register. The alleged crimes took place in February and were discovered when an individual tried to secure a payment certificate from the community authority of Pyrga. The police are currently investigating the case.
– Revenues from betting activity in Cyprus showed a steady growth, with the gross betting revenue of Class A and Class B recipients reaching €325,601,464 in Q4 of 2023, marking a 10% increase compared to the same quarter in 2022.
– The total gross betting revenue for the year 2023 exceeded one billion euros, reaching €1,109,209,082, which is a 16% increase compared to 2022.
– Class A recipient gross revenue increased by 8% in Q4 of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022, while Class B gross recipient revenue was up by 11%.
– The profits of Class A and B players also increased by 10% in Q4 of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, reaching €291,754,064.
– The total number of Class A properties in Cyprus increased slightly by 2% in Q4 of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022, with a total of 490 licensed properties in the country.
The European Parliament has passed new legislation on migration and asylum, after more than ten years in the making. The legislation aims to provide a consistent framework across all Member States, secure borders, protect human rights, and combat trafficking. The package also addresses issues like secondary movements, external borders, and crises. While it won’t solve all issues overnight, it represents a significant step forward. The focus now is on implementing the agreements and improving returns for those who do not qualify for protection.
Britain’s Special Boat Service has been assisting Ukrainian forces in operations against Russian forces in Ukraine, according to Russia’s Federal Security Service.
Fact: Intermittent clouds are expected to come and go across the island on Thursday, with isolated rains and storms forecasted for the afternoon.
Aid shipments to Gaza from Cyprus are expected to resume soon following a pause in the project due to the killing of seven aid workers by Israel. The U.S. plans to set up a dock in Gaza for pre-screened aid deliveries with Israeli oversight. The devastated Palestinian enclave faces famine and disease after six months of conflict. The aid stored in Cyprus will be held until World Central Kitchen decides on next steps.
Floods engulfed cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan after major rivers burst their banks, forcing about 110,000 people to evacuate and swamping parts of Orenburg in Russia.
The Cyprus real estate market had a strong performance in 2023, with 25,400 transactions worth €5.6 billion. Residential transactions were the main driver, representing 61% of the total market value. Limassol led in district-level performance, while Larnaca saw a remarkable 28% increase in sales value. Industry professionals expect minimal changes in the real estate landscape in 2024, with apartments remaining the preferred investment choice. George Martides from Deloitte Cyprus emphasized the sector’s resilience and the need to address future challenges such as sustainable development and affordable housing through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
President Nikos Christodoulides visited Lebanon to address the increased flow of Syrian refugees to Cyprus, with over 15 boats carrying 800 migrants arriving in the last week. The president discussed ways to stop the influx with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and agreed on messages to convey to the Lebanese government. Cyprus would push for a bigger EU assistance package for Lebanon if the flow of migrants stopped, implying that lack of action from Lebanon could affect the aid. Lebanon, home to two million Syrian refugees, has received minimal EU support compared to other countries like Turkey and Egypt. The effectiveness of Lebanon’s government in tackling trafficking networks remains uncertain.