fire

Israel approves plan to attack Rafah but keeps truce hopes alive

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Israel approves plan to attack Rafah but keeps truce hopes alive

Israel approved a potential assault on Rafah in Gaza but also plans to send a delegation to Qatar for talks on a possible hostage deal with Hamas. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the attack plan, citing Hamas’ stronghold in Rafah and the intention to evacuate residents. The U.S. expressed cautious optimism about a ceasefire-for-hostages proposal by Hamas, which includes releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Despite global concerns over civilian casualties, Israel aims to eliminate Hamas fighters. A recent Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed or wounded several people. Hamas has offered a counter-proposal for a truce, involving the release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but gaps remain between the Israeli and Hamas positions. The war began with a Hamas attack on October 7, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages, leading to an Israeli assault that has killed over 31,000 and displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population. The first aid ship, Open Arms, arrived in Gaza, bringing food and water, amidst warnings of famine and malnutrition in the region.

WTI steady at $80.60, below YTD peak

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WTI steady at $80.60, below YTD peak

– West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices are fluctuating just above the mid-.00s in Asian trading on a Friday.
– Prices are close to the highest level since November 6, as observed the previous day.
– The US Producer Price Index (PPI) was higher than expected, suggesting the Federal Reserve might maintain high interest rates to combat inflation, potentially reducing economic activity and fuel demand.
– Concerns about a slowdown in China also negatively impact crude oil prices.
– Factors supporting oil prices include a significant drop in US inventories, drone strikes on Russian refineries, and increased energy demand forecasts.
– The US Energy Information Administration reported a decrease of about 1.5 million barrels in US crude stockpiles for the week ending March 8.
– A drone attack attributed to Ukraine caused a fire at Rosneft’s largest refinery in Russia.
– The International Energy Agency has raised its 2024 oil demand growth forecast for the fourth time since November due to supply disruptions from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
– OPEC+ members have agreed to extend production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day through the second quarter, supporting higher crude oil prices.
– Crude oil is on track for strong weekly gains, with market focus shifting to the upcoming FOMC monetary policy meeting.

Wildfire resilience project completed

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Wildfire resilience project completed

The PyrΑnankampsi/Alevlerden Gelecege Project, established under the Laona Foundation with Greek and Turkish Cypriot collaboration, has been completed after two years. It aimed at enhancing civic action in fire-affected communities across Cyprus, training over 650 participants in fire prevention and recovery techniques. The project, which received funding from the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus program supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, as well as the A.G Leventis Foundation, involved around 470 Greek Cypriots and 180 Turkish Cypriots. It focused on rural areas in Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, and the Pentadaktylos range, teaching participants SWOT analysis, and the construction of dry stone walls to prevent erosion. The project also involved tree planting with a focus on using heat-resistant trees and plants.

Police deny delays over monk scandal

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Police deny delays over monk scandal

The police have been criticized for their handling of a scandal involving monks, with accusations of special treatment due to the church’s influence being denied by the police. Videos have surfaced showing a monk assaulting a woman and staging a fake miracle, but lawyers claim these videos are doctored and have criticized the police’s approach, suggesting evidence may have been tampered with. The police spokesman, Christos Andreou, stated that there is insufficient evidence for arrests and mentioned the possibility of issuing European arrest warrants to prevent implicated parties from fleeing the country. He confirmed that no police action would be taken until after a Holy Synod meeting, as agreed upon by the attorney general, police chief, and archbishop. Andreou also revealed that police leadership was unaware of officers in civilian clothes being present at the Osiou Avakoum monastery during an incident involving hooded individuals. This operation, ordered by Tamassos Bishop Isaias for transferring valuable items, unexpectedly included €800,000 in cash, which the police did not intervene to secure, leading to criticism from MPs. The presence of plainclothes officers and the far-right party leader, Christos Christou, at the scene has sparked further controversy. The involvement of the secret service has been rumored but not confirmed. The police have investigated the monastery multiple times but not the bishopric, and it is unclear when the money was taken into police custody for investigation.

Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

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Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

– Turgay Avci resigned as chairman of the north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) on Friday.
– Avci resigned after a scandal involving alleged forgery of diplomas and bribes in the north’s higher education sector.
– Avci and former Yodak board member Mehmet Hasguler are accused of taking under-the-table payments during the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU)’s medicine school’s application for Yodak accreditation.
– Both Avci and Hasguler were released on bail.
– Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar had called for Avci’s resignation and instructed the north’s supreme court to fire him.
– Yodak’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, took temporary charge of the authority amid the criminal proceedings against Avci.

TV shows we love: Crashing

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TV shows we love: Crashing

The text discusses the concept of property guardianship as portrayed in the Netflix original series “Crashing.” Property guardianship is presented as an effective solution to the issues of high rents, housing crises, and squatters prevalent in Britain. It involves individuals, known as property guardians, living in empty buildings such as abandoned housing complexes, condemned factories, and old malls for a minimal fee. This arrangement helps in legally occupying and protecting the property from vagrants while it awaits refurbishment or demolition. The series “Crashing” features a variety of characters living as property guardians in a condemned London hospital, exploring their communal living situation, relationships, and sexual tensions. The text suggests that property guardianship could be a viable housing solution in Cyprus, particularly for those unable to afford the country’s rising rents.

Oil prices edge lower but set to end week over 3 per cent higher

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Oil prices edge lower but set to end week over 3 per cent higher

Oil prices were lower on Friday but expected to gain over 3% for the week due to the International Energy Agency raising its 2024 oil demand forecasts and a decline in US stockpiles. Brent crude futures were down to .83 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate crude was at .70. The IEA increased its 2024 oil demand forecast by 110,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a rise of 1.3 million bpd, citing disruptions from Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and forecasting a slight supply deficit if OPEC+ maintains output cuts. US crude stockpiles fell unexpectedly as refineries increased processing and gasoline demand rose. China’s central bank kept a key policy rate unchanged, focusing on currency stability, while signs of slowing economic activity in the US were observed, with no expected Federal Reserve interest rate cuts before June.

Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

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Aid ship reaches Gaza as Israel rejects Hamas truce offer [VIDEO]

– The first ship carrying food aid, the Open Arms vessel with 200 tonnes of food, reached the coast of the Gaza Strip.
– The charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) aims to deliver the aid on a temporary jetty.
– The aid is intended to ease the hunger crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands face malnourishment.
– The war began with an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages in Israel.
– An Israeli assault has killed more than 31,000 people and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza.
– Hamas’s latest ceasefire counter-proposal, which includes the release of hostages and talks to end the war, was rejected by Israel.
– Israel demands only temporary pauses in fighting and refuses to discuss ending the war until Hamas is eradicated.
– Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, criticized Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal.
– Efforts for a ceasefire continue, with mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar involved.
– The United Nations reports all 2.3 million people in Gaza are suffering from a food crisis.
– Israel denies blame for the hunger crisis and calls for better food distribution by aid agencies.
– At least 21 people were killed and 150 wounded by Israeli forces during a food distribution event.
– U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Israelis to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing his approach to the conflict.

All four Kalogeropoulos murder suspects plead not guilty

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All four Kalogeropoulos murder suspects plead not guilty

All four men suspected of killing Thanasis Kalogeropoulos pleaded not guilty to charges including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession and transportation of a firearm and ammunition, and vehicle theft and arson. The 22-year-old suspect is also charged with aiding and abetting a murder. An appeal has been lodged at the Supreme Court to annul the order allowing investigators to access telecommunications data from the suspects’ phones. The trial’s next hearing is set for June 11, and the defendants will remain under remand until then. Kalogeropoulos was shot 10 times at close range from a vehicle by two people with a pistol and a Kalashnikov. The 22-year-old is believed to be the mastermind, the 41-year-old is suspected of firing the shots, the 44-year-old owns the house where the murder was planned, and the 21-year-old was allegedly riding the motorcycle used in the getaway.

Union welcomes extension of forest fire season

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Union welcomes extension of forest fire season

The trade union Oekdy-Sek expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision to extend the forest firefighting season from six to eight months. This decision will also result in several stations being staffed with forest firefighters throughout the year, starting from April 1. During the four months outside the forest firefighting season, firefighting shifts will operate at 50% strength at six to eight stations to cover the island’s forested areas. The shift work during these months will be voluntary, and interested firefighters must express their wish in writing. The working hours in the shift system will be distributed equally among those who opt in. This agreement was reached after several months of discussion and at the request of forest firefighters who are members of trade unions. The early staffing of the forest fire brigade has improved response times, coordination, equipment troubleshooting, and training.