Man arrested for starting Limassol fire
Fact: A 33-year-old man was arrested for suspected arson in the Limassol village of Ayios Therapon.
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Three Turkish Cypriot candidates in upcoming EU elections
The European Parliament elections in the Republic of Cyprus allow both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to participate on a common ballot. Three Turkish Cypriots are running as candidates under Greek Cypriot political forces for the first time since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. This development could impact party percentages and potentially determine the lead in the elections. The participation of Turkish Cypriots in the polls is seen as significant, as it signifies acceptance of seeking political representation within the Republic of Cyprus. The inclusion of Turkish Cypriot candidates in the elections may lead to greater participation by Turkish Cypriot voters and could influence the final outcome of the elections. AKEL, the Green Party, and Volt have included Turkish Cypriot candidates on their European election ballots, emphasizing shared principles, goals, and the importance of cooperation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots for the reunification of Cyprus.
Our View: Auditor-general has turned the Audit Office into its own state
The fact described in the text is that Odysseas Michaelides, the head of the Audit Office, has hired lawyers to fight against government attempts to reform and modernize the audit service.
EU to support establishment of asset management office in Cyprus
The EU will support a series of reform projects in Cyprus, including the establishment of an asset management office, the structural review of the Cypriot Presidency, and the improvement of the Cypriot deposit guarantee scheme.
Julian Assange wins temporary reprieve from extradition to US
Julian Assange can continue his fight against extradition to the United States unless the U.S. promises he will not face the death penalty.
Who you gonna call? The 80s!
– Hollywood is capitalizing on nostalgia by making comebacks of 80s movies.
– The original “Road House” movie, released in 1989, starred Patrick Swayze and has become a cult classic over the years.
– A reimaging of “Road House” stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Elwood Dalton and features UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
– “Beverly Hills Cop,” released in 1984, starred Eddie Murphy and was a significant success, leading to a trilogy.
– In 2019, Netflix acquired the rights for “Beverly Hills Cop” and contracted Eddie Murphy for a fourth film titled “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” where Murphy’s character returns to protect his daughter.
– “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a sequel to the 2021 reboot, with Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard returning, and features Kumal Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt.
– “Beetlejuice” (1988) is getting a sequel titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” with Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder returning, and Jenny Ortega joining the cast.
The Cypriots in the national uprising of 1821
Cypriot Hellenism experienced severe hardships under the first Turkish rule starting in 1821, enduring 308 years of misery, poverty, and despair. Cypriots joined the Filiki Eteria, a secret society aimed at overthrowing Ottoman rule in Greece, with Archbishop Kyprianos initiating correspondence with Alexander Ypsilantis in 1818. The Zenonos brothers from Cyprus participated in the battle of Dragatsani on June 7, 1821, and continued to fight in other battles in Greece, earning praise for their heroism. Manuscripts found in the National Archives of Athens contain accounts of Cypriot volunteers’ contributions to the Greek revolution, including financial sacrifices. Despite the massacres in Cyprus in July 1821, with casualties between 480 and 2000, Cypriot revolutionaries fought valiantly in various locations across Greece, both on land and at sea.
Macron: it would be cynical, counterproductive for Russia to pin Moscow attack on Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the attack on a concert hall near Moscow, which resulted in 137 deaths, was carried out by Islamic State. Macron advised against Russia blaming Ukraine for the attack, emphasizing it would be cynical and counterproductive. Despite the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for the attack, Russia disputed claims from the United States and other countries about the group’s involvement, suggesting a cover-up for Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin did not attribute the attack to the Islamist militant group but mentioned that the attackers had attempted to escape to Ukraine, with some assistance from the Ukrainian side. Ukraine denied any involvement in the attack, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Putin of trying to divert blame towards Ukraine. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, questioned U.S. claims about Islamic State’s involvement. Macron highlighted that the Islamic State group had also attempted attacks in France and mentioned that France had raised its terror alert to the highest level following the Moscow attack. Macron offered to increase cooperation with Russian intelligence services and partners in the region to find the culprits and combat such groups targeting multiple countries.
Russia warns Western banks of catastrophic consequences over asset confiscation
The Kremlin warned of “catastrophic consequences” if the EU proceeds with plans to confiscate Russian assets. Western banks are lobbying against EU proposals to redistribute billions of euros in interest earned on frozen Russian assets due to fears of costly litigation. EU leaders agreed to work on a plan to use up to 3 billion euros a year to supply arms to Ukraine, funded by the interest from these frozen assets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the assets belong to their owners and warned of serious consequences for banks and the European economy if such expropriations occur.
Cyprus , ‘under suffocating pressure’ from migrant arrivals
Cyprus has been described by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas as “emerging as a European champion of returns” of migrants. Schinas highlighted the complexity and difficulty of managing migration in Cyprus but affirmed the EU’s unwavering support for the country in this regard. Despite the positive outlook from Schinas, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou expressed concerns over the “suffocating pressure” from the influx of Syrian migrants arriving by sea, although he noted that the flow of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa has been largely limited. Ioannou has proposed a plan to the European Union to declare parts of Syria safe for the return of migrants, a plan that has received support from the Austrian government and, despite a misunderstanding, was initially thought to have the backing of the Swedish government. Ioannou also mentioned the challenges posed by organized trafficking rings and the steps taken to combat them, including the establishment of a special police unit. Additionally, he referred to an agreement signed between the EU and Egypt aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing legal immigration pathways. Schinas mentioned the EU’s efforts to pressure airlines involved in irregular migration and the provision of over €250 million in funding for Cyprus’ immigration infrastructure.