The Cyprus Institute (CyI) won a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Award for its research and educational activities addressing the climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.
The Green Agenda Cyprus Summit highlighted the vision and actions necessary for the green transition of the Cypriot economy. Hellenic Bank is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and has set clear goals and indicators to reduce its environmental footprint. The bank offers specialized green products to combat climate change and improve energy efficiency. Cyprus Agriculture Minister introduced a pilot program for green roofs, and the Energy Minister expressed caution regarding hydrogen usage. European Commissioner for Climate Action emphasized Cyprus’ potential in renewable energy and the importance of investments in sustainable transport. European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety highlighted the health impacts of the climate crisis, including heatwaves and air pollution.
Julian Assange has been granted permission to appeal against extradition to the U.S. by arguing that he might not have free speech rights in a U.S. court. The appeal is based on concerns that he could be discriminated against as a foreign national. Assange is wanted in the U.S. on 18 charges related to WikiLeaks’ release of secret U.S. documents. The appeal was welcomed by his supporters, who gathered outside the court. If the ruling had gone against him, Assange could have been extradited to the U.S. within 24 hours. U.S. assurances that Assange could rely on First Amendment protections were deemed inadequate by his legal team. The appeal will now cover all 18 charges against him.
Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, was imprisoned by Israel for 23 years before rising to a leadership role in the militant group. He made a speech in December 2022 promising a fierce strike against Israel, which was carried out less than a year later in an assault that killed 1,200 people. Sinwar had a history of punishing collaborators with Israel and has been devoted to the destruction of Israel and killing Jews.
Julian Assange was given permission to have a full appeal over his extradition to the United States after arguing at London’s High Court that he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a trial.
Fact: The Turkish Cypriot administration is working on legal amendments to limit the number of properties that foreigners can purchase in the northern part of Cyprus.
Cyprus was given a score of 34 per cent for the human rights situation and living standards of its LGBT population.
Fact: Donald Trump falsely claimed that he won the 2020 presidential election in Minnesota and stated he would win this year in a state that has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate in over 50 years.
Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party, outlined six priorities for his party if they win the upcoming national election.
The graffiti on a Limassol mosque was not related to racist or religious hate speech but to a football rivalry, according to Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis. He emphasized the Republic of Cyprus’s commitment to religious respect and cultural heritage, with measures in place to facilitate the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots, including access to Muslim monuments. Letymbiotis reassured that no Muslim religious monument has been abandoned or repurposed.