Current Events

The people of Cyprus are very conscious of their political atmosphere, and the turnout at the latest elections only serves to prove that as true. A huge turnout at the Turkish Cypriot ‘elections’ have shown how invested its people are in who will run the country and how.

Although the elections are being contested by 8 different parties, only five are expected to actually win any seats in what will be a “parliament of 50.”

While the opinion polls are looked at with a hint of skepticism (being famous for their inaccuracies), it is believed that the winner will be either left-wing solution-supportive party or a center-right one which will stand against reuniting Cyprus.

According to analysts, the Cyprus issue has been increasing in intensity, being only second to issues such as jobs, economy, and Cyprus-Turkey relations.

In what is being considered as a surprising piece of news for many within the legislature and the executive, President Nicos Anastasiades has decided to release a total of sixty-six convicts through presidential pardon on the occasion of his re-confirmation as president.

Out of the total sixty-six convicts who are due to be released, thirty-eight are Cyprus nationals while and the rest are foreign nationals.

That is not the entire extent of the reprieve, however. In addition to the convicts being released, the jail sentences of 342 inmates will be reduced by a quarter. This figure, however, does not include criminals who have been convicted of sexual crimes and/or abuse of minors – these are ineligible for any kind of pardon whatsoever under any and all circumstances.

Nicosia is trying very hard to boost its reputation as a hub of tourism and culture, and its latest campaign only serves to affirm that fact. the Nicosia Tourist Development and Promotion Company recently launched a campaign called “Meet Nicosia. Meet Culture,” which will serve to promote Nicosia as a suitable destination for tourism and culture.

The campaign will raise the awareness of the public as regards Nicosia’s art galleries, museums, and archaeological with the help of ads, media, and other promotionals, which in turn will attract tourists.

According to Elena Tanou, President of Nicosia Tourist Development and Promotion Company, Nicosia currently attracts only a small percentage of the total number of tourists who visits Cyprus – which is unfortunate as Nicosia has a rich culture which can and should be enjoyed by the people.

In a news that has people enthralled, an unidentified “glow” that appeared over the Nicosia sky and over the Limassol motorway has scores of people wondering what its reason may be.

Filmed first at 5:50 SM, the “glow” appeared as a triangular-shaped beam of light and has since been the object of several theories from experts and laymen alike.

Surprisingly, both the Fire Department and the Police claim that they were not contacted by anyone, and that they have neither knowledge nor information of the incident.

According to Chrysanthos Fakas, an astrophysicist who spoke with Sigma (a local channel), the “glow” is not a meteorite, and in fact looks similar to a gas cone, which is often left behind by rockets.

Parallel to this, the western Russian city of Lipetsk saw a similar-looking a ball of light in its night sky, which was later seen exploding in mid-air.

In a news that causes nothing but worry and concern among locals and law enforcement alike, over €364,000 worth of valuables and cash have been stolen from a villa in Kouklia. Paphos Police is currently investigating the burglary, which took place early on Saturday.

The occupant of the villa is a Russian businessman, 44, who was also the one to report the break-in to the Paphos police. According to the investigators’ preliminary findings, the perpetrator (or perpetrators) gained access to the villa by breaching the wooden kitchen door.

It was also confirmed that none of the stolen valuables were insured.

This has not been the first time such an incident has occurred in recent times. In fact, on the very same day (Saturday), a holiday home in Kissonerga had been burgled, with items worth €6,500 having been stolen. In this case too, the incident was reported by the owner, who further added among the stolen items were his stamp, a coin, two hunting weapons, sword collection and several types of paper currency. Several electrical appliances were also missing.

According to investigators, the perpetrator (or perpetrators) in this case had entered through closed (but not locked) aluminium balcony door in the bedroom.

While the house did have an alarm, it was not operational at the time. Furthermore, none of the items were insured. The police said that even the security camera system was destroyed.

Yet another incident at Coral Bay had a hotel resident reporting that that the safe in his room was stolen, along with his credit cards, ID, wallet, two car keys, and €30 worth cash.

Honesty is indeed the best policy – and the latest incident proves that this is anything but false. Costas Tanos, the honest and brave bus driver who promptly returned an elderly man’s €10,000 after the latter has left the money in his vehicle was recently honoured by House President Demetris Syllouris.

House President Syllouris awarded the driver with a plaque and a certificate and went on to express how Tanos’ action reverberates a resounding positivity throughout a society which is riddled with people facing financial problems. His actions prove that humanity truly exists, in spite of all troubles.

Ever the modest man, Tanos claims that the did nothing more than what he thought was obvious. He extended his thanks to officials all the same.

Mr. Tanos, bus driver of age 54 living in Lakatamia, Nicosia, found the bag filled with money neat the driver’s seat after completing route two hundred from the local bus station to the hospital and stadium.

He soon remembered that an older gentleman who had earlier come on board with a very similar bag. Remembering that the man got down at the hospital, he too did the same, found the owner, and promptly returned the bag to him.

The elderly man, who was clearly very grateful, offered Tanos a reward, but the latter refused, saying that what he did was his duty, and nothing out of the ordinary.

A high-ranking court in Cyprus has ordered two asylum-seekers to be detained on suspicion that they were responsible for instigating an uprising at an immigrant reception center, which involved perpetrators setting trash bins and furniture on fire and causing massive damage to the office at large.

According to members of the Cyprus police force, the incidence of violence which took place on Friday night has over 25 people expressing their aggression at the Kofinou reception center. They added that they have arrested a third man who they suspect is also responsible.

Kypros Kyprianou, a senior official from the Cypriot Interior Ministry, was recently quoted by the government-run Cyprus News Agency. Kyprianou said on Saturday that those who were detained were among the forty Eritreans who arrived to Cyprus from Italy as part of an EU-sponsored transfer program.

According to Kyprianou, it is highly suspected that the detained carried out the actions they were accused because they were angered at having their allowances deducted after they failed to work in accordance with regulations.

In what is being considered a rather depressing news for all living in Cyprus, the meteorology department has reported that the island nation will be facing another week of unsettled cold weather, which will keep the coastal areas blustery.

The met department said that chances of showers are high, and all districts, especially the coastal ones may experience a powerful storm.

It is predicted that the weather will be chilly, with temperature highs during the daytime reaching an average of 18C and 19C in Paphos and Larnaca respectively.

Nicosia will be hit most by the harsh and cold weather, with temperatures set to drop down to less than 14C in daytime midweek, and till 6C in the night. Occasional showers can also be expected.

The Cyprus situation is a problem for all concerned, including Russia, if the words of its ambassador to the Russia are anything to go by.

Leonidas Markides, ambassador of Cyprus in Russia, who recently Mr. Kirill, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to discuss the Cyprus situation, recently expressed the latter’s concerns on the matter.

After being briefed on the latest developments in the Cyprus situation, the Patriarch called the apparent non-solution an “open wound”, which affects not just Cypriots, but all the people who belong to the Orthodox world.

According to a press release that was issued by the Cyprus PIO, the discussion that took place between Mr. Kirill and Ambassador Markides included the destruction of religious and cultural heritage in the island nation, as well as the various efforts that both the Church and Government of Cyprus are making to curb the illegal export and trade of religious heirlooms on international markets.

In what is being a considered a breath of fresh air in the Iran-Cyprus diplomatic scene, Petros T. Nacouzis, Cyprus’ new ambassador to Iran has submitted his Credentials to President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.

Forwarded warm greetings from the island country’s President Anastasiades, Ambassador Nacouzis extended his best wishes for prosperity and progress of the Iranian people, and also briefed the latter on the Cyprus issue’s latest developments.

In the post-ceremony meeting, the two exchanged their views on Iran-Cyprus bilateral relations, and after much discussion, mutually arrived at the conclusion that they must strive to further improve their relations.

During recent years, both Cyprus and Iran have placed considerable stress on expanding their bilateral relations across several fields. Both sides say that this should not be too difficult a task, given that the two countries already share a great bilateral relationship, especially in the parliament division.

Marios Demetriades, the Transport Minister of Cyprus has resigned from his post as on Monday. He made this news public on his Facebook page.

Announcing the development on his social media account, Demetriades expressed his desire to make a return to the private sector but thanked President Nicos Anastasiades for the generous offer of staying on in his new cabinet.

He added that while he had a great run as the Transport Minister, his term has come full circle and he feels that it is best for him to end things while the going is good. He went to express great gratitude to President Anastasiades for the faith he had in him when taking care of things during a time when Cyprus was going through a difficult time.

Demetriades’ resignation isn’t something entirely new, though. In fact, his is the official secondary resignation, following Ioannis Kassoulides (Foreign Minister) who recently announced that he did not want to stay on after his term.

February 28 will be the final date for the present minister’s council. Members of the new cabinet will be sworn in the next day on March 1.

The recent resignations, however, have churned a lot of speculation as to who will take up the mantle of various ministers. With 11 different ministerial posts, many things are expected and many anticipated. Many experts are of the opinion that Kassoulides may be replaced by government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides, or even by Finance Minister Harris Georgiades, who has previously expressed interest in taking the job.

Invited by His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos, Primate of Church of Cyprus, American Archbishop Demetrios made a visit to the island nation, where he received one of the most prestigious medals of the Order.

On the 11th of February, His Eminence officiated the Liturgy with His Beautitude as well as hierarchs from the Church of Cyprus. This was done in a suburb in Strovolos at the church of God’s Wisdom in Saint Sophia.

The Archbishop was accompanied by Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos and from Pittsburgh His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and Kyriacos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations.

His Eminence was awarded the Gold Medal of Saint Barnabas by the Church of Cyprus. Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus the First Lady Andri Anastasiades and several leaders from politics and academia were also present during the ceremony.

His Eminence will meet and speak with the President Nicos Anastasiades later on, and also plans to deliver a lecture at the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus on – “Modern Theological Challenges and Opportunities.”

The Mayor of Pahpos has announced that the famous Paphos carnival parade which was set to take place on Saturday has now been to Sunday.

Making the announcement on social media, Mayor Phedonas Phedonos said that the parade will be held on Sunday afternoon (instead of Saturday afternoon), due to unprecedented bad weather. The news was duly confirmed by a spokesman for the municipality.

The Paphos carnival will be held along Poseidonos Avenue in Kato Paphos on Sunday.

The Paphos environment is currently undergoing a lot of turbulence, with less-than-desirable weather conditions and pollutant levels as high as a ‘3’.

With a high volume of small-sized particles floating around the atmosphere, authorities are advising vulnerable groups like elderly, children, and pregnant women and patients to avoid going out into open spaces, especially when the pollutant levels are high.

According to the spokesman, the dust, which has originated from Africa, will remain till Friday evening and will only move away once the rain comes in.

According to several political experts in both Egypt and Nicosia, the increasing closeness and cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt as well as the maritime demarcation deal between them will raise severe concerns in Turkey, whose capital has strained relations with both Nicosia and Cairo.

As a repercussion to the ongoing cooperation, Turkey declared that it would reject a maritime border demarcation agreement from 2013 involving Cyprus and Egypt which was set to allow exploration for natural fuel sources.

Cairo responded to the rejection as Turkey’s deliberate attempt to prevent Egypt’s from entering the Eastern Mediterranean’s E.E.Z., which is in fact its maritime right.

According to Mevlut Cavusoglu, foreign minister of Turkey, their country sees the maritime border demarcation agreement as violating the continental shelf of Turkey and therefore declares it as non-active. He added that no other vessel, company or foreign country has any right to conduct any unauthorized scientific and/or hydrocarbon research activity on said continental shelf.

According to Tarek Fahmy, political science professor at Cairo University, both Cyprus and country of Turkey disagree in matters of territory, and Ankara’s pass on the Egypt-Cyprus demarcation issue shows that the country plans to make gas explorations of its own.

In a new development for the Cypriot economy, the island country is trying to win the coveted the Youth Capital Title.

The Youth Capital is a respected title which is awarded to a European city for a year-long period. During this period the city gets a chance to form a multi-faceted programme and show its social, cultural, political and economic activities that are centered around development of the youth.

Nicosia recently entered the race to win the title, which is being supervised by Cyprus’ foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, who has recently pledged the support of his ministry

to the cause.

The EYC is a unique initiative which aims to encourage cities to both continue as well as expand the implementation of novel ideas and creative that help involve the active participation of the society’s youth.

The current incumbent of the title is Cascais, a municipality in the suburbs of Lisbon, Portugal.

There is optimism and positivity in the air with the new year in Cyprus. However, the weather for the island country has not quite followed suit. The nation continues to face blustery weather, thanks to grey skies and showers being visible in various parts of the country.

The people don’t seem to have been taken aback by this, however, and plan to go through with their New Year’s Eve parties, many of which are set to be held at outdoor venues. The most anticipated party here will be in Ayia Napa, which is famous for its annual end-of-year party. As part of the celebration, the resort will be hosting several programmes, having various musical groups, entertainers and dancers set to perform on the stage.

This free and highly anticipated by thousands every year. Visitors include Scandinavian long-stayers, expats and locals, all of whom join for a night of various festivities.

Crime in Cyprus has been rising, and recent events prove that this problem is not reducing soon. In a very concerning news, Paphos police have been very busy after being alerted to three different burglaries in the Paphos district on Sunday. Two of these were done in Peyia while one was done in Tsada.

Reported by a A-year-old Peyia homeowner, the incident has unknown people entering her home in her absence (between 6.15pm and 7.30pm). They got away with €220 and with jewelry whose value has not yet been determined.

The perpetrators did not stop at this, having gone on to rob another residence that was located opposite to the former. This residence belongs to a British couple who were abroad at the time. Stolen items for this property are as of yet unknown.

It was later found the thieves also managed to break into a Tsada residence between 4.15pm and 6.30pm. They took valuables worth €4,800 and €200 in cash.

The thieves were identified by their method which in all three cases was forcing open the doors with the help of sharp objects.

The number of crimes have increased significantly in Cyprus, and recent events only prove that the situation is indeed getting worse by the day. The latest news in this regard being the fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old man outside a nightclub in Nicosia.

The victim, whose name has not been released due to security reasons, is currently in critical condition at the Nicosia general hospital where he has been recuperating after being stabbed by two men outside a night club in the early hours of Sunday.

Occurring at around 1.30am, the incident involved the man’s hands grabbed by one of the assailants, while the other was said to have stabbed him on multiple areas of his body. The police said that the two assailants fled thereafter.

The 27-year-old man was found by his friends, who transferred him to the hospital. He underwent surgery, but has been in critical condition since.

In what is being regarded as great news for Turkish Cypriots and for The European Commission, the E.C.   announced that it would offer EU Scholarships as part of the Turkish Community Program for the Cypriot Academic Years of 2018 and 2019, which will be funded under the Aid Programme.

The EU Scholarships Programme plans to grant scholarships to around 140 Turkish Cypriot graduates, professionals and students, in addition to the 1,050 individuals who have received the EU Scholarship since its inception in 2007.

This year’s edition of the Turkish Cypriot community programme will be held to fund undergraduate and postgraduate studies, language courses, short-term programmes and various internships held in countries that are members of the EU. The 2018/19 edition mentions a list of high-priority areas, which will receive extra preference during the evaluation process.

Funded entirely by the EU, the EU Scholarships Programme will be implemented by the British Council. Those applicants who are interested and eligible can apply online via the official website of EU Scholarships Programme (www.abburs.eu). Applications must be sent latest by March 15, 2018, 23:59 (Cyprus time).

For more information and/or to make enquiries, please contact the relevant authorities at euscholarships@abburs.eu

In a bid to improve the level of marine security and improve the military relations between Italy and Cyprus, the island nation’s EMERGENCY services have started a new joint exercising program along with crew from the Italian Navy.

Supervised by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Larnaca, the exercise was conducted near the Cyprus coast and had helicopters simulating a situation of emergency.

The Ministry of Defense in Nicosia says that the joint exercise was held as a part of the ongoing actions to promote cooperation development, and aims to improve upon response of Search and Rescue incidents and other emergency situations which may arise in the course of operations within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as the Cyprus’ Search and Rescue Region.

This exercise comes right after the all-important announcement in November which declared that the trilateral cooperation between Cyprus, Egypt and Greece and Egypt will expand a quadrilateral one after the inclusion of Italy – a move that has been initiated by President Anastasiades.

Cyprus has indeed been keen on furthering its foreign relations. Last month the island country had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (also known as a M.O.U.) with Israel, Greece, and Italy to help in the construction of EastMed, which is a gas pipeline that will run under the sea to Europe from the Eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea.