vote

7,500 new voters registered for June, ’s elections

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7,500 new voters registered for June, ’s elections

– 7,500 new voters have been registered for the forthcoming elections in June.
– The total number of people registered to vote in Cyprus is 569,086.
– There are 557,578 people on the permanent electoral roll.
– 11,559 EU citizens are registered to vote in local elections, and 9,190 in European parliament elections.
– A special electoral list exists for Turkish Cypriots living in the north, with 82,925 names on it.
– Eligible voters can register to vote until April 2.
– Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and EU citizens residing in Cyprus who are over 18 on election day are eligible to vote.
– Eight elections are scheduled to be held simultaneously on June 9.

Our View: Finally something positive to say about LNG plant

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Our View: Finally something positive to say about LNG plant

The government and the CPP-Metron Consortium Ltd (CMC), contracted for the construction and operation of the Vasiliko LNG terminal, have mended their relationship after previously heading towards a costly separation. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou had considered terminating the contract with CMC due to their work stoppage at Vasiliko since the end of January and a €200 million claim against Cyprus at a London arbitration court for higher costs and alleged failure by the project manager, Etyfa, to fulfill its obligations. A meeting between CMC representatives and Papanastasiou resolved differences, and President Nikos Christodoulides subsequently inspected the project site. CMC expressed gratitude for the meeting, highlighting prior unaddressed meeting requests with Etyfa. The energy ministry will now directly manage the project, sidelining Etyfa due to its inadequate response and unclear project instructions, and will establish a body for project monitoring and a group for dispute resolution. The financial disputes remain unresolved but will be addressed by Defa and Etyfa, who had signed the contracts with CMC. The project is set to proceed, with CMC bringing in 120 workers from China with the necessary expertise, aiming for completion by the end of the year.

Govt given 15 days to decide who will run marinas

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Govt given 15 days to decide who will run marinas

The House commerce committee in Cyprus has given the government a 15-day deadline to clarify which entity will oversee the country’s marinas. Committee chairman Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis highlighted internal conflicts within government departments regarding this issue and suggested that the tourism deputy ministry should take responsibility. He emphasized the importance of the marinas for maritime tourism and warned that without a government response, the committee would vote to assign oversight to the tourism deputy ministry to foster the sector’s development.

Navalnaya says Putin is not Russia, ’s legitimate president

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Navalnaya says Putin is not Russia, ’s legitimate president

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, declared that Vladimir Putin is not the legitimate president of Russia and expressed her intention to persuade world leaders not to engage in negotiations with him. She made these remarks following an election in which Putin secured 87.3% of the vote, an outcome criticized by the West as neither free nor fair, while countries like China and India congratulated him. Navalnaya’s comments were part of a video message, where she also commended the participation of thousands in protests against Putin’s rule, both within Russia and internationally. She participated in the protest from Berlin. Navalnaya has committed to continuing her late husband’s work and holds Putin responsible for his death, a claim the Kremlin denies. The election confirmed Putin’s dominance in Russian politics, despite the opposition’s fragmented state and the incarceration or exile of many opponents. Navalnaya encouraged her supporters to spend 15 minutes daily opposing the regime, aiming for a peaceful, free, and happy Russia.

China congratulates Putin on election win, says ties will strengthen

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China congratulates Putin on election win, says ties will strengthen

China congratulated Vladimir Putin on his victory in Russia’s presidential election, with President Xi Jinping sending a message of congratulations. China stated that the strategic relationship between the two countries would continue to strengthen under the leadership of Xi and Putin. China and Russia, described as comprehensive strategic partners, have deepened their ties, especially in light of Western criticism over the war in Ukraine. The two nations declared a “no limits” partnership in February 2022. Meetings between Xi and Putin are planned for this year, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

Putin wins Russia election in landslide with no serious competition

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Putin wins Russia election in landslide with no serious competition

– President Vladimir Putin won Russia’s election with 87.8% of the vote according to an exit poll by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).
– Putin’s victory marks a record post-Soviet landslide and extends his power, potentially making him Russia’s longest-serving leader in over 200 years if he completes another six-year term.
– The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other nations have criticized the election as neither free nor fair, citing the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship.
– Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov finished second with just under 4% of the vote.
– Putin plans to prioritize Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and strengthen the Russian military.
– Thousands of opponents, inspired by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, protested against Putin at polling stations inside Russia and abroad.
– Putin regards Russia’s election as democratic and claims the protests had no effect on the election’s outcome.
– Nationwide turnout was reported at 74.22% at the close of polls.
– At least 74 people were arrested on Sunday across Russia for protesting, according to OVD-Info.
– Western countries view Putin as an autocrat, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy deemed the vote illegitimate and accused Putin of wanting to rule indefinitely.
– Putin views the conflict with Ukraine as part of a historical struggle with the West, which he believes has encroached on Russia’s sphere of influence post-Cold War.

Thousands of Russians join Navalny-inspired ‘noon against Putin’ election protest

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Thousands of Russians join Navalny-inspired ‘noon against Putin’ election protest

Thousands of people across Russia participated in a protest against President Vladimir Putin’s re-election, dubbed “noon against Putin,” by either spoiling their ballot paper or voting for one of the three candidates opposing Putin. The protest was inspired by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who had endorsed the plan before his death. Navalny’s allies reported significant participation in the protest at various polling stations. Despite the protest, Putin was expected to secure a landslide victory. The Kremlin views Navalny’s political allies as extremists and claims Putin enjoys high approval ratings. The protest saw participation not only in Russia but also at Russian diplomatic missions abroad, with notable gatherings in Berlin and London.

Ukraine drones attack refinery, target Moscow, disrupt power, Russia says

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Ukraine drones attack refinery, target Moscow, disrupt power, Russia says

Ukraine launched 35 drones against Russia, causing a brief fire at an oil refinery, targeting Moscow, and disrupting electricity in border areas. The attacks occurred on the final day of Russia’s presidential vote. Russia accused Ukraine of election sabotage. President Putin vowed to punish Ukraine for the attacks. Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy thanked his military for new “long-range capabilities” without directly mentioning the attacks. The Russian defense ministry reported that 17 drones were destroyed over Krasnodar, four over Moscow, and others over six regions. One drone caused a fire at the Slavyansk refinery in Krasnodar, which was extinguished without casualties, although one person reportedly died of a heart attack. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Governor Mikhail Yevrayev of Yaroslavl reported no casualties or damage from drones shot down near Moscow and Yaroslavl, respectively. In Belgorod, drones damaged electricity and gas lines, and Russian forces shot down 12 rockets from Ukraine. Russian air attacks damaged agricultural enterprises and industrial buildings in Odesa, Ukraine.

Ukraine attacks Russian city and refinery on second day of presidential election

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Ukraine attacks Russian city and refinery on second day of presidential election

– A Ukrainian missile attack killed two people in western Russia.
– A separate drone strike set an oil refinery ablaze in Russia.
– The incidents occurred during the second day of a presidential election in Russia.
– President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of trying to disrupt the election.
– The governor of the Belgorod region reported the deaths of a man and a woman due to the missile attack.
– The Syzran refinery in the Samara region was reported to be on fire due to a drone strike.
– Russia’s Defence Ministry reported repelling attempts by Ukrainian forces to cross into the Belgorod region.
– Schools in much of the Belgorod region and shopping centers in Belgorod city were closed due to the situation.
– Russia conducted a missile attack on Odesa, Ukraine, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 70.
– President Putin is expected to win the presidential election, extending his time in office.
– Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition politician, died in an Arctic penal colony, with his death certificate stating natural causes as the cause of death.
– The election turnout was over 40% by the afternoon of the second day, with high turnout in the Belgorod region and Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine.
– United Russia reported a denial of service cyberattack on its services.
– A senior telecoms official attributed the cyberattacks against Russia to Ukraine and Western countries.
– Protests and reported cyber attacks occurred during the voting process.

Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

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Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

The ratification of a film co-production agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel is condemned by 100 individuals from the Cypriot film industry. This condemnation was organized by the network Film Workers for Palestine – Cyprus, under the call titled “No to the exploitation of cinema as an alibi for whitewashing the genocide of Palestinians.” The individuals opposing this agreement express their concern over the use of cinema to whitewash the actions of the state of Israel and its government against Palestinians.