Somali pirates released the hijacked ship MV Abdullah and its crew of 23 after a million ransom was paid. The money was divided and avoided government forces. The Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier was hijacked in March while en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. Somali pirates had been dormant until late last year when activity started to increase again.
Fact: The annual inflation rate in the northern part of Cyprus hit 94.5 per cent in March, with monthly food inflation reaching 3.4 per cent.
The latest evaluation report of the national health scheme Gesy raised concerns about overutilization of healthcare services due to them being free, leading to unnecessary tests and referrals. This has created a culture of entitlement among patients, resulting in financial strain on the system and long waiting lists. To address this, the government may need to impose higher charges for medical actions and referrals to ensure the viability of Gesy.
European stocks were on track to outperform Wall Street on Friday due to high demand for exporter shares as major currencies in the continent dropped against a strong dollar.
Chrystia Freeland is likely to raise taxes on the country’s largest companies and wealthiest citizens in the upcoming budget to increase government revenues and pay for new programs.
The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case rejected his bid to delay the scheduled trial due to pre-trial publicity. Trump argued that media coverage was biased against him and finding an impartial jury in Manhattan would be difficult. The judge ruled that an indefinite delay was not feasible, noting that Trump himself had contributed to the publicity surrounding his legal troubles. Prosecutors argued against a delay, stating that sufficient impartial jurors could be found through thorough questioning. Trump, who is running for president in an expected November election rematch, has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the hush money case.
The major projects in the Larnaca port and marina, part of a €1.2 billion investment, are facing delays with the company breaching terms of the agreement. The agreed timeline for the first phase includes various construction works in the port, marina, infrastructure, and real estate development. The company requested an extension to start construction in June 2024, but failed to renew a guarantee and requested changes in project order. A court order has temporarily prohibited the state from collecting money from other guarantees, with a hearing scheduled for April 15. The President of the Republic will meet with company officials to find a solution, as the future of the investment hangs in the balance.
Fact: The halving process in Bitcoin reduces the rate at which new coins are created, ensuring its scarcity and controlling its inflation rate.
Relief for aid-stricken Palestinians in the Gaza strip could reach about 1,500 tonnes a week once a U.S.-built jetty is operational, with international donors coming forward to finance the infrastructure, including a million donation from the United Arab Emirates to the Amaltheia Fund.
– The city of Orenburg in Russia is experiencing historic flooding after the Ural River burst its banks.
– More than 120,000 people have been evacuated in Russia’s Ural Mountains, Siberia, and Kazakhstan due to the flooding.
– The Ural River in Orenburg rose to 11.43 meters on Friday.
– Many homes have been flooded, with residents losing belongings and trying to save what they can.
– An animal shelter in the area is hosting over 350 animals, with limited assistance from authorities.