The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in an announcement expresses deep concern for the safety and well-being of approximately 31 asylum seekers, including seven children, who are trapped in the buffer zone (BZ) in Cyprus. It is noted that “Five of them entered the Pournara reception centre to apply for asylum after crossing … Read more
Voting started at 7am across Cyprus on Sunday, with 698,896 registered voters eligible for the election of six MEPs and local authority posts.Chief returning officer Elikkos Elia confirmed the timely opening of all 1,847 polling stations in the Republic, along with ten stations in Greece. Additional polling stations in Belgium and the UK opened later, … Read more
The investigation by the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) into Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State” intensified with a hearing focused on the chapter “A Spy in the Palm of My Hand.” Drousiotis presented evidence of being surveilled through electronic devices, raising questions about potential police involvement. The book details his experience of approaching the police with suspicions of being monitored through malware. The investigation also looks into the events surrounding Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce in Cyprus, alleging involvement of a law firm with ties to the former president, questionable legislative amendments, favorable court rulings, and suspicious financial transactions. Former President Nicos Anastasiades has denied all allegations. Gabrielle Louise McIntyre is leading the IAAC inspection team, with witness testimonies ongoing. Sophie in ‘t Veld warned in 2023 that individuals in public life are at risk of surveillance, emphasizing the importance of accountability in democracy.
The Kimonos Arts Centre in Paphos is hosting a series of film screenings for summer nights at the Attikon open-air cinema. The program includes ten captivating films exploring the connection between power and madness, with nine international films and one Cypriot production. Tickets are available for 5 euros, and all films will have Greek and/or English subtitles.
The government plans to create a food safety authority in Cyprus.
Larnaca’s port and marina are now under state control following the collapse of a major development project. The Port Authority has taken over operations, deploying additional staff and private machinery services. The future management of the marina is uncertain, with discussions on potentially separating the port and marina projects gaining traction. The fate of Kition Ocean Holdings’ employees remains unclear, with trade unions advocating for their rights. The government is re-evaluating the initial development plan and considering future steps for the projects.
Workers at the Larnaca port are awaiting developments after the government terminated its contract with Kition Ocean Holdings for the port’s renovation. Trade union leaders are hoping that the current port workers will continue to be employed and that the port will remain open under state management.
The government is currently dealing with disputes with big project contractors, including the potential termination of contracts for the Larnaca port/marina and Vassilikos gas terminal projects. These disputes have arisen due to major disagreements over costs, with some projects heading for costly legal battles. The government has also faced challenges with road construction projects, with disagreements over costs and delays. The government has inherited these issues from the previous administration and may be facing significant financial consequences as a result.
Akel and Disy were involved in a full day of bickering where they compared each other to Elam. The problem with the far-right is not that it steals votes and party members, but that it is a political power outside of and against democracy. Disy is the political force that pioneered and paved the way for the EU, while Akel was opposed to it then and still is today. Elam suggested that Disy and Akel have the same ideas on the Cyprus problem and together support the LGBTQ agenda.
The construction of the liquefied natural gas terminal at Vassiliko in Cyprus has been plagued with delays and cost increases, with the project not even halfway completed. The project was awarded to a consortium of Chinese, Greek, and Norwegian interests, with the hope of reducing electricity costs for citizens. However, additional costs have been incurred, such as €25 million due to steel price increases during the pandemic. The Audit Office report highlighted serious political responsibilities for the management of the project by the government. The consortium has filed a case demanding an additional €200 million due to delays. The situation is similar with the Larnaca Port and Marina project, where the company has been collecting revenues without starting the agreed-upon works. Overall, these projects have put the Cypriot citizens at risk of bearing additional costs without seeing the completion of the projects.