TaNeaOnline: Νοεμβρίου 2019

Σάββατο 30 Νοεμβρίου 2019

Islamic State says London Bridge attack carried out by one of its fighters

Islamic State said the London Bridge attack on Friday was carried out by one of its fighters, the group’s Amaq news agency reported on Saturday. The group did not provide any evidence.

It added that the attack was made in response to Islamic State calls to target countries that have been part of a coalition fighting the jihadist group.

British police on Friday shot dead a man wearing a fake suicide vest who stabbed two people to death in London and wounded three more before being wrestled to the ground by bystanders, in what the authorities called a terrorist attack.

REUTERS

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/islamic-state-says-london-bridge-attack-carried-out-by-one-of-its-fighters/

UK PM Johnson’s lead over Labour halved to 6 points – BMG poll

The lead for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives over the Labour Party has narrowed sharply to six points from 13 a week ago, according to a poll by BMG for the Independent newspaper conducted before the London Bridge attack.

The Conservatives were on 39%, down 2 points, compared with the last BMG poll published on Nov. 23.

Labour rose five points to 33%. The Liberal Democrats fell five points to 13% and the Brexit Party gained one point to 4%.

The poll was the latest of several surveys by various polling firms to show a tightening of the race in recent days.

BMG polled 1,630 British voters online between Nov. 27 and 29. Polling was completed before an attack on Friday by a man carrying knives who killed two people before being shot dead by police on London Bridge.

REUTERS

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/uk-pm-johnsons-lead-over-labour-halved-to-6-points-bmg-poll/

‘A Gift of Love’ appeal to help Paphos children’s home

A Paphos initiative that aims to make children’s lives better particularly at Christmas will this year focus its efforts on a children’s home in Paphos.

This year ‘A Gift of Love’ have made it their mission to ensure that the children living there will have the best Christmas possible.

The facility is state run, and although the authorities provide all of the basic needs for the children living there, a roof over their head, food and clothes and a team of dedicated staff, the initiative said ‘it’s simply not enough.’

“After three years of helping here anonymously, we have made it our mission to help to raise the standard of life for children at the home and so far so many wonderful people have responded,” said Dikla Smith from A Gift of Love.

Along with Paphos resident, Mikka Heaney, the two women have been integral to Gift of Love over the last few years.

“We intend to brighten up the home and improve their living conditions and also give them the tools that all children require to have the best chance academically, so that they will feel they have a home they want to return to each day after school and a bright future when they leave and enter the community as adults,” they said.

The children are aged 8 to 15, with no capable family members to look after them and in some cases no family at all.

The pair deeply admire the staff and all they do for the children in their care, but want to encourage the community to come together and embody the true spirit of Christmas.

Before this drive, the children had no duvets or thick blankets and very few pillows.

The property is a three-bedroom house and the women are hoping to raise 5,000 euros via a ‘go get funding’ page to purchase items on a list. Just over 900 euros has been raised so far.

Included on the list are a wide range of bedding items, furniture, a printer and rugs.

Some of these have already been bought by individuals and local companies and the response so far has been overwhelming, they said.

“There are nine children living here and they really deserve our help, it is a very sensitive situation. Any work carried out at the property by volunteers, such as painting the walls, will be done during selected mornings when the children are at school,” Smith told the Sunday Mail.

Volunteers will not meet the children face to face.

She added that only new items are being sourced, as until now, the children have only known second hand items and clothes

One kind supporter has already organised a number of presents for the children to find under a Christmas tree, she said.

“We have got them Christmas decorations and two new Christmas trees, but we still need lights to put on them,” she said.

Another company has donated paint and volunteers are required to carry out light painting duties next week, the dates and times will be announced on the Gift of Love Facebook page.

“Everything must be completed by December 18, when the children break up for the holidays.”

Yet another company has offered to tidy up the garden and make it a space for the children to enjoy.

“The response from the community has been overwhelming and in the unlikely event that there is an excess of funds, they will be used for after-school activities for the children and any of their other needs.”

Sweets and cakes may also be donated, which can be delivered by Gift of Love to the home to give the children some extra Christmas Day treats.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation, A Gift of Love has requested that only official posts from their Facebook page be shared, to ensure that the project is not compromised in any way.

A full list of necessary items can be found on their Facebook page.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/GiftOfLovePaphos/

Gift of Love 2019 Go Get Funding page:

https://gogetfunding.com/gift-of-love-2019/?fbclid=IwAR29xL84zHH2E0_gHw6V700PiaNQmHaFNF21UKNPK_wr7lX-80GIQh1-ego

The post ‘A Gift of Love’ appeal to help Paphos children’s home appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/a-gift-of-love-appeal-to-help-paphos-childrens-home/

Police are calling for help to find missing 29-year-old woman (photo)

Police are looking for Maria Armik Akopian, aged 29 who is missing from her home in Limassol since Saturday November 29.

The 29-year-old is about 1.80 metres high, has short dark hair and brown eyes. When she was last seen she was wearing black tight pants and a red short sleeved t-shirt.

Anyone who can be of assistance to the police should call 25-805057 or the Citizens Centre on 1460.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/police-are-calling-for-help-to-find-missing-29-year-old-woman-photo/

Malta court rejects suspect’s complaint over arrests in Daphne murder case

A Maltese court on Saturday rejected a complaint over his arrests by a man who has been repeatedly questioned by police over the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Yorgen Fenech, one of Malta’s wealthiest businessman, argued that the way police have been arresting him and releasing him without charge was illegal.

The police and the attorney general rejected this and a magistrate in Valetta upheld their arguments on Saturday, saying his arrests have been legally valid.

Caruana Galizia, a campaigning journalist who investigated and exposed corruption, was blown up by a car bomb in October 2017. The case has developed into a political crisis for the government of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Fenech was arrested on Nov. 22 and has since been released and re-arrested five times as police question him and seek to corroborate information he gives them. In Malta, a suspect must be charged or released within 48 hours.

Police sources have called Fenech the chief suspect in the case.

Fenech, who was re-arrested on Saturday, has not commented publicly on this. He said only when he spoke to journalists on Friday that the “truth will come out”.

Fenech’s arrest came days after the arrest of Melvin Theuma, who said he was the middleman in a plot to murder Caruana Galizia. Theuma, who has been officially pardoned after agreeing to testify about his role, named Fenech as the man who paid for the operation.

The case has put intense pressure on Muscat and the Times of Malta reported on Friday that the prime minister planned to resign.

The editor of Malta Today told Reuters on Saturday, citing sources, that Muscat planned to announce his resignation if charges were filed against Fenech. Once his resignation was announced, Muscat planned to stay on until Jan. 18, the editor, Saviour Balzan, said.

Asked about this, a spokesman for the prime minister said that Muscat “has pledged various times he wants to see this case through. He will make announcements in due course”.

During Saturday’s proceedings in Valetta, Fenech’s lawyers argued that their client’s releases from arrest had not been “manifest and effective”, as required by law, making his detention illegal. The magistrate hearing the case rejected this argument.

Fenech has also requested a pardon, saying in court papers that he can give information on the plot involving the prime minister’s former chief of staff Keith Schembri, former tourism minister Konrad Mizzi and Chris Cardona, who has suspended himself as economy minister.

Schembri and Mizzi resigned on Tuesday because of documents that suggested possible financial links between them and Fenech.

Schembri, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder but released without charge on Thursday, has not commented since his resignation or arrest. He previously denied any wrongdoing.

Mizzi on Tuesday denied any business links with Fenech and any wrongdoing.

Cardona has denied any role in the murder or any wrongdoing.

Muscat said on Thursday the government had turned down the pardon request on the advice of the attorney general and the police.

REUTERS

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/malta-court-rejects-suspects-complaint-over-arrests-in-daphne-murder-case/

Woman arrested for sham weddings

On Saturday night Larnaca police arrested a woman in connection with an ongoing investigation concerning sham weddings between third country nationals and EU nationals. The 33-year-old was arrested at Larnaca Airport and will appear before court for a remand.

On Thursday police arrested three people aged 47, 24 and 19 who have been remanded for eight days by Nicosia District Court and there are outstanding arrest warrants for another 23 suspects.

The investigation concerns a case of conspiracy to forge documents with intent to facilitate third country nationals enter the Republic of Cyprus.

In an announcement, police said that as part of their investigations, they found that in the case of 13 civil weddings between EU citizens and third country nationals carried out at one municipality, the work contracts submitted with the personal files were forged. Police did not name the municipality.

The case is being investigated by police headquarters.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/woman-arrested-for-sham-weddings/

Queen Elizabeth sends sympathies to families of London Bridge victims

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth sent her “thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones” in the London Bridge attack, PA Media reported on Saturday.

Wearing a fake suicide vest and wielding knives, attacker Usman Khan went on a rampage on Friday afternoon at a conference on criminal rehabilitation.

Two people died and three were injured, police have said.

REUTERS

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/queen-elizabeth-sends-sympathies-to-families-of-london-bridge-victims/

Drink driver remanded over road death

A 50-year-old Russian national was remanded in custody for six days on Saturday in connection with the death of 27-year-old Panayiotis Christophorou in a road crash on the motorway near Limassol.

Police said they were treating the case as manslaughter. The suspect did not object to his remand and he has so far remained silent.

Father of one Christophorou, was killed on Thursday near the exit to Moutayiaka after the 50-year-old Russian national’s SUV slammed into the rear of his vehicle, compressing it to about half its original size.

Police said they have witnesses who said the suspect was driving at breakneck speed. A breathalyser test afterwards showed that he almost five times over the legal limit of 22μg of alcohol.

Investigators will also examine the SUV’s so-called black box, which records information relating to crashes.

If he is eventually charged with manslaughter, it would be the second time the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, is brought against someone involved in a fatal road crash.

The post Drink driver remanded over road death appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/drink-driver-remanded-over-road-death/

Unions oppose privatisation of waste management in Paphos

Trade unions have condemned Paphos municipality’s decision to assign waste management to a private company, arguing the town will suffer loss of income and incur extra costs.

SEK, PEO and Deok trade unions were responding to the decision voted through on November 21.

“We sent multiple letters to the municipality where we highlighted the various problems that plagued the waste management service,” the trade unions said in a joint statement on Friday. “Unfortunately, the municipality did not take the necessary measures to resolve them and this facilitated the privatisation of the service.”

The unions said other municipalities such as Ypsonas, Peyia and Paralimni had previously moved ahead with privatising waste management services but had been forced to amend their decision because they were not satisfied with the quality of the services.

“The municipality’s income from trash collection in 2017 was €4.8 million with the net income reaching €2 million, while in 2016 the total was €4.3 million with the net income was €1.5 million,” stated the unions.

“Residents will be the ones paying the cost. We will not save any extra money and we will be paying extra.”

The two offers presented last week to change the services of waste disposal were prepared by municipality officials and a private firm. Akel, Diko and Edek along with the municipal councilor of Allileggi submitted an alternative suggestion against privatising the sector.

Their suggestions were overruled and councilors voted in favour of privatisation.

The post Unions oppose privatisation of waste management in Paphos appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/unions-oppose-privatisation-of-waste-management-in-paphos/

Limassol fatal collusion: Russian remanded for 6 days

The 50-year-old Russian involved in a violent collision which resulted in the death of 27-year-old Panayiotis Christoforou from Ypsonas, was remanded in custody for six days on Saturday. The fatal accident happened on Thursday around 1:00 am near Moutayiaka on the Nicosia-Limassol highway. His lawyer did not object to the remand.

According to what was heard in Court, the 50-year-old had initially told police that he had no recollection of the accident, but after his arrest for manslaughter he opted to exercise his right to remain silent revealing nothing concerning the events before the accident or any other relevant information.

Authorities have obtained a testimony by a witness who was driving behind the Russian and reported that he had flashed his headlights at the 50-year-old who was driving extremely fast, the witness said.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Friday showed horrific injuries from the violent collision – including a severed thoracic aorta, fractures in the neck and spine and multiple ruptures of the lungs.

The Russian driver tested five times over the alcohol limit — 111 mg rather than the legal limit of 22 mg — in an initial alco-test.

He was arrested immediately after the accident but was hospitalised for his injuries. He was arrested again soon after his release from hospital on Friday for manslaughter.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/limassol-fatal-collusion-russian-remanded-for-6-days/

Elderly woman killed in car crash

An 82-year-old woman was killed on Friday night after the car she was in with her daughter crashed into a tree in the district of Limassol.

It was the second road death in around 24 hours.

Melpo Toumazou Pilavaki was a passenger in a car driven by her daughter on the Kyvides to Pahna road at around 9.45pm.

At some point the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. Police said they were investigating the circumstances of the incident.

The two women were rushed to hospital where the 82-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival. Her daughter, 62, was admitted in serious condition.

“The conditions in which the accident happened will be fully investigated,” said Emilios Kafas, the head of the district’s traffic department. “All possibilities will be investigated, including the driver’s condition and other factors that may have contributed to his accident.”

Kafas appealed to drivers to obey the traffic rules.

“It is the only way to leave our home and return unharmed, both us and our fellow humans.”

Friday’s fatal crash followed one in which a 27-year-old was killed around 24 hours earlier.

Panayiotis Christophorou died after a vehicle driven by a 50-year-old slammed the rear of his car on the motorway near Moutayiaka.

The 50-year-old has been arrested and could be facing manslaughter charges after it emerged that he was drunk.

The post Elderly woman killed in car crash appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/elderly-woman-killed-in-car-crash/

Nicosia is in a Christmas spirit

The capital city is adopting a festive mood and a series of events by the Municipality appears to show that. The Christmas Village has already been set up in Eleftheria Square by the Nicosia Town Hall and will welcome children, families and anyone eager to feel that fuzzy feeling of the season until January 6.

An event to light up the Christmas tree will be held on December 7 with choirs singing, a fire show, orchestras, princes and princess roaming and lots of other surprises. For as long as the Christmas village is on, wooden stalls will offer sweet treats, hot beverages and food and next to them an entertainment ground is being set up.

A carousel, go-karts, a pool with little boats, flying elephants, bungee jumping trampolines and a funfair are a few of the activities. Of course, it’s no Christmas village if music isn’t a part of it. Choirs, orchestras and DJ parties will take place but also theatre performances and a chocolate weekend.

The Nicosia Municipality with its rich Christmas programme of 53 events and activities in the courtyard of the Town Hall hopes to give everyone the chance to feel the Christmas spirit. Admission to the Village and its events is free.

Christmas Village

Nicosia Municipality sets up a Christmas village with markets, a funfair, games and live performances. Until January 6. Elefetheria Square, Nicosia Town Hall courtyard, Nicosia

The post Nicosia is in a Christmas spirit appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/nicosia-is-in-a-christmas-spirit/

Cyprus a reliable partner of the Russian business community, President says

Cyprus will remain a reliable partner of the Russian Federation’s business community and will further advance its position as a significant international hub for Russian and Cypriot business and investment synergies, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has said, adding that relations between the two countries would be strengthened.

President Anastasiades was addressing the Cyprus-Russia Christmas Gala Dinner, organised in Limassol by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cyprus-Russian Business Association, in the presence of Russian Ambassador in Nicosia Stanislav Osadchiy and businesspeople, Russian in their majority.

In his speech, President Anastasiades said “our countries share a long-standing relationship at all levels and in all fields: a relationship founded on concrete and deeply-entrenched political, economic, cultural and religious ties, which is greatly valued by the Government and the people of Cyprus and one which we actively aim to qualitatively upgrade even further.”

He referred to “an important pillar of the relationship between Cyprus and Russia, which demonstrates the quality and depth of our relations: the economic cooperation, business and investments collaborations which are supported and promoted in a systematic manner, always in line with international standards and obligations and the need for transparency and accountability in all investment and business transactions.”

“On behalf of the Government, I wish to convey in the strongest terms that, contrary to unfounded rumours circulated in specific directions, the business community of the Russian Federation, either present in Cyprus or abroad, can rest assured that Cyprus will remain a reliable partner and further advance its position as a significant international hub for Russian and Cypriot business and investment synergies,” he added.

President Anastasiades expressed certainty that “Cyprus and Russia will continue to enjoy a mutually beneficial economic partnership, a vibrant partnership which, founded on a concrete basis, has a prosperous future: a partnership which I have no doubt that both countries aim at further deepening and strengthening.”

“I am also confident that the Russian community living and working in Cyprus – a community which acts as a link between Cyprus and Russia – will continue to develop business, investment, tourism and trade co-operation between our two countries, exemplifying the so often displayed in our common history solidarity between our two peoples,” he said.

Concluding his speech, President Anastasiades conveyed “our highest appreciation for your presence on the island,” noting that “your active contribution to the economy of Cyprus, as well as the cultural wealth you bring to the Cypriot social fabric, is indeed invaluable.”

CNA

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/cyprus-a-reliable-partner-of-the-russian-business-community-president-says/

Mainly fine weather, possible isolated rain

High pressure is affecting the area.

Saturday will be mainly fine with cloudy intervals and local showers. Temperatures will rise to 25 C inland, 23 C on the west coast, 24 C on the rest of the coast and 14 C in the mountains. Light rain also expected during the evening with temperatures ranging from 9 C to 5 C.

Sunday will be cloudy at intervals with local showers or thunderstorms expected, mainly during the afternoon and the evening.

On Monday and Tuesday the weather will be mostly fine with cloudy intervals, mainly on Tuesday.

Temperatures will drop by Monday and rise again on Tuesday.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/mainly-fine-weather-possible-isolated-rain/

Facebook corrects user’s post under new Singapore fake news law

Facebook said on Saturday it had issued a correction notice on a user’s post at the request of the Singapore government, but urged for a measured approach to the implementation of a new “fake news” law to protect freedom of speech.

“Facebook is legally required to tell you that the Singapore government says this post has false information,” the notice, which could be seen by some users in Singapore, said.

The correction notice was embedded at the bottom of the original post without any alterations to the text, but it could not be seen by other users inside and outside the country.

The Singapore government said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to publish a correction notice on a Nov. 23 post.

“As required by Singapore law, Facebook applied a label to these posts, which were determined by the Singapore Government to contain false information,” a spokesperson for Facebook said in an emailed statement.

“As it is early days of the law coming into effect, we hope the Singapore Government’s assurances that it will not impact free expression will lead to a measured and transparent approach to implementation.”

REUTERS

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/facebook-corrects-users-post-under-new-singapore-fake-news-law/

London attacker named, was previously convicted of terrorism offences

British police named the man who stabbed two people to death in London on Friday in what the authorities called a terrorist attack as 28-year-old Usman Khan, who had been convicted of terrorism offences and was released from prison last year.

“This individual was known to authorities, having been convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences,” Britain’s top counter-terrorism police officer, Neil Basu, said in a statement.

“He was released from prison in December 2018 on licence and clearly, a key line of enquiry now is to establish how he came to carry out this attack,” Basu said.

A person who is released on licence is subject to conditions for the duration of their sentence after leaving prison. The Times newspaper reported that Khan had agreed to wear an electronic tag.

The attacker went on the rampage just before 2 p.m., targeting people at Fishmongers’ Hall near London Bridge in the heart of the city’s financial district – the scene of a deadly attack by Islamist militants two years ago.

In addition to the man and the woman who were killed, a man and two women were injured and remain in hospital, Basu said.

Just before news broke of the suspect’s previous conviction, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is seeking re-election on Dec. 12, said criminals must be made to serve their sentences.

“It is a mistake to allow serious and violent criminals to come out of prison early, and it is very important that we get out of that habit and that we enforce the appropriate sentences for dangerous criminals, especially for terrorists,” he said.

Johnson leads opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, according to opinion polls.

During the 2017 election campaign, London Bridge was the scene of an attack when three militants drove a van into pedestrians and then attacked people in the surrounding area, killing eight and injuring at least 48. The attack focused attention on cuts to policing since the governing Conservatives took power in 2010.

“We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our police and emergency services, and the brave members of the public who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” Corbyn said late on Friday.

(Reuters)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/london-attacker-named-was-previously-convicted-of-terrorism-offences/

82 year old woman killed in new road collision

An 82 year old woman was killed in a new road collision in the Limassol district on Friday night.

The victim was named at Melpo Pilavaki, 82, from Limassol.

She was a passenger in a car driven by a 62 year old woman.

Under conditions which are being investigated, the driver lost control of the car which went off the road and collided with a tree on the Ayios Amvrosios-Pachna road.

The accident occurred at around 9.45 pm on Friday night.

The two women were taken by ambulance to Limassol Hospital where the 82 year old was pronounced dead. The driver has been hospitalised with multiple fractures. Her condition is described as serious.

The new road fatality comes less than two days after a 27 year old man was killed instantly when his car was rammed from behind on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, near the Moutayiaka exit.

Limassol: Russian driver discharged from hospital and arrested

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/82-year-old-woman-killed-in-new-road-collision/

82 year old woman killed in new road collision

An 82 year old woman was killed in a new road collision in the Limassol district on Friday night.

The victim was named at Melpo Pilavaki, 82, from Limassol.

She was a passenger in a car driven by a 62 year old woman.

Under conditions which are being investigated, the driver lost control of the car which went off the road and collided with a tree on the Ayios Amvrosios-Pachna road.

The accident occurred at around 9.45 pm on Friday night.

The two women were taken by ambulance to Limassol Hospital where the 82 year old was pronounced dead. The driver has been hospitalised with multiple fractures. Her condition is described as serious.

The new road fatality comes less than two days after a 27 year old man was killed instantly when his car was rammed from behind on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, near the Moutayiaka exit.

Limassol: Russian driver discharged from hospital and arrested

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/82-year-old-woman-killed-in-new-road-collision/

82 year old woman killed in new road collision

An 82 year old woman was killed in a new road collision in the Limassol district on Friday night.

The victim was named at Melpo Pilavaki, 82, from Limassol.

She was a passenger in a car driven by a 62 year old woman.

Under conditions which are being investigated, the driver lost control of the car which went off the road and collided with a tree on the Ayios Amvrosios-Pachna road.

The accident occurred at around 9.45 pm on Friday night.

The two women were taken by ambulance to Limassol Hospital where the 82 year old was pronounced dead. The driver has been hospitalised with multiple fractures. Her condition is described as serious.

The new road fatality comes less than two days after a 27 year old man was killed instantly when his car was rammed from behind on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, near the Moutayiaka exit.

Limassol: Russian driver discharged from hospital and arrested

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/82-year-old-woman-killed-in-new-road-collision/

UK government advice for Cyprus home buyers updated, but nothing has changed

Six years since the British government first released its advice online about buying properties in Cyprus, it has released an update but nothing has changed.

They continue to advise “extreme caution” when buying a property if the title deeds are not readily available.

People buying property in Cyprus in some cases have become “trapped buyers”.

The British High Commission’s advice page still warns that developers take out mortgages on land or property and that signing a contract under these conditions makes the buyer ultimately liable for the loan.

Lawyers are not required to check for mortgages automatically.

While efforts have been made to solve the incredibly complex issue, as of 2018 there were still as many as 70,000 trapped property buyers without title deeds.

However, member of the House interior committee Andreas Kyprianou said that “the 2015 law is working very well and many people have had their title deeds restored, the bill is being enforced.”

“The British government has been warning of this issue for a while, and perhaps there are some people with outstanding issues – but to my knowledge the bill is working well,” Kyprianou concluded.

In 2015, parliament passed a law aimed at helping thousands of owners who had paid for their properties in full but had not been issued with their title deeds because the developers had their own mortgages on the properties.

The head of the land registry had been granted the authority to exempt, eliminate, transfer and cancel mortgages and or other encumbrances, depending on the case and under certain conditions, as the state sought to sort out the title deed mess.

However, banks contested the law and won rulings that it was unconstitutional.

Courts said it violated Article 26 of the constitution, which affords individuals the right to enter freely into any contract.

But in September 2017, a Larnaca court upheld the law, allowing trapped property buyers to obtain their title deeds irrespective of the developers’ own commitments to banks.

The final say now lies with the supreme court.

“Cyprus seems to have escaped the Troika and the EU but I have heard that there are people who have got their title deeds,” said Nigel Howarth, an independent property advisor.

The problem affects thousands of Cypriots and foreign buyers who have also sought recourse in European courts.

In regards to properties in the north, the High Commission said it reiterated that the “ownership of many properties is disputed.”

They went on to say that people buying property in the north could face legal proceedings in Cyprus, as well as “attempts to enforce judgments from these courts elsewhere in the EU, including the UK.”

There has been at least one successful case to enforce rulings in the UK, putting at risk property owned in the UK.

The post UK government advice for Cyprus home buyers updated, but nothing has changed appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/uk-government-advice-for-cyprus-home-buyers-updated-but-nothing-has-changed/

Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday

The Doros Loizou bridge near OXI roundabout in central Nicosia will be closed on Sunday due to works by the Electricity and Telecommunications Authorities, Nicosia Municipality announced on Friday.

EAC and CyTA will be transferring their networks which will result in the bridge closing between 7am and 4pm.

Drivers can enter the old city through Archbishop Makarios II bridge near Kolokasi parking.

The works are being carried out as part of the reconstruction of the outer peripheral arch of the moat.

The post Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/downtown-nicosia-road-to-close-on-sunday/

Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday

The Doros Loizou bridge near OXI roundabout in central Nicosia will be closed on Sunday due to works by the Electricity and Telecommunications Authorities, Nicosia Municipality announced on Friday.

EAC and CyTA will be transferring their networks which will result in the bridge closing between 7am and 4pm.

Drivers can enter the old city through Archbishop Makarios II bridge near Kolokasi parking.

The works are being carried out as part of the reconstruction of the outer peripheral arch of the moat.

The post Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/downtown-nicosia-road-to-close-on-sunday/

Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday

The Doros Loizou bridge near OXI roundabout in central Nicosia will be closed on Sunday due to works by the Electricity and Telecommunications Authorities, Nicosia Municipality announced on Friday.

EAC and CyTA will be transferring their networks which will result in the bridge closing between 7am and 4pm.

Drivers can enter the old city through Archbishop Makarios II bridge near Kolokasi parking.

The works are being carried out as part of the reconstruction of the outer peripheral arch of the moat.

The post Downtown Nicosia road to close on Sunday appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/30/downtown-nicosia-road-to-close-on-sunday/

Plans to brand west coast as ‘Cyprus Riviera’

The deputy ministry of tourism has plans to brand the west coast so that it has a distinct recognisable name as it moves to promote the area of Argakas, Polis Chysochous and Pyrgos.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios told the House Finance Committee that the area had a comparative disadvantage in that unlike Protaras, Limassol or Paphos it did not have a distinct recognisable name.

“The area needs a separate name so as to be promoted as a riviera.. it is a disadvantage for the area not to have a name as have Paphos, Limassol and Protaras. The area must be promoted in its entirety from Stroumbi, Kathikas, Ina, Akamas even Pyrgos. Currently every community promotes its village,” he said.

He also said that the study estimating the impact of tourist development in the area on the environment will be completed within a year.

Perdios, who was presenting the deputy ministry’s 2020 budget, said tourism will not be affected by the recent collapse of British charter and scheduled airline Thomas Cook as it covered around 4% of the British market and will be replaced easily by other companies.

There is also a subsidy of €40,000 for a study to attract investment in medical tourism in Cyprus.

Two more studies to be carried out in 2020 will concern Paphos projects such as the marina and reception facilities for cruise ships, as well as the organisational structure of the deputy ministry.

He also informed the members of the Committee that next year the Deputy Ministry will start working on the promotion of Cyprus’ tourism in the US market and it will be done in cooperation with Israel, underlining that the latter is linked with the US by 50 flights per week and Cyprus could benefit from it.

“El Al will increase the number of flights from the current seven per week to 17 per week so that we can bring the Americans to Cyprus as well,” he said.

Cyprus will also join forces with Israel in the sector of cruises. “We will attend the exhibitions together to promote our cruises as other countries do,” Perdios added.

The deputy ministry is currently working on the ad campaign for the US market which will be launched in January.

He said that additional funds will be needed for marketing and promotion of Cyprus’ tourism abroad, and especially in markets where Cyprus is still relatively unknown.

Source: Philenews

Collapse of Thomas Cook Airline won’t affect Cyprus tourism-Perdios

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/plans-to-brand-west-coast-as-cyprus-riviera/

#DearYianisThisChristmas…

Christmas is all about love, family and friends, and that this why the ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation,’ has taken the initiative to ‘play’ Father Christmas and give people who live abroad and would otherwise not be able to spend the festive days with their families in Cyprus the opportunity to do so.

To help make this wish a reality, the ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ invites children and young people aged up to 18 to find the foundation’s page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YCFoundationCy/ and follow the instructions for a chance to have relatives currently in another European country join them for a family reunion this Christmas courtesy of the foundation which undertakes to cover return tickets.

The initiative is for up to two close family members of the person participating. There will be a total of five winning participations. Entries must be submitted by December 3.

The ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ and its founder Yianis Christodoulou have already supported and assisted various projects in Cyprus aiming to contribute to improving the quality of life children.

It is worth noting that children and young people in need of immediate help and support are at the focus of the foundation’s projects and actions.

With this latest initiative, the philanthropic ‘Yianis Christodoulou Foundation’ aspires to give meaning to human solidarity and love this Christmas, bringing joy to families in need in Cyprus.

The foundation is convinced that a smile on the lips of a young person is the best promise for a better, more optimistic and hopeful world and at the same time the biggest gift for the new year.

For further information on the competition Dear Yianis This Christmas and the work of the foundation more generally visit the foundation’s page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YCFoundationCy/ or its official website https://www.yianischristodouloufoundation.com/ .

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/dearyianisthischristmas/

News podcast: Bone marrow registry to be expanded

The Cyprus News Digest, in collaboration with the Cyprus Mail, brings you an in-depth analysis of some of the latest developments in local and international – in audio form.

Presented by Rosie Charalambous, this week:

- - - A campaign is under way to expand the island’s bone marrow registry
    - As part of Italian Cuisine Week, a watercolour exhibition opens on ancient fruits in Italy and Cyprus, including delicious gelato tasting

For direct download click here

For more, visit: http://cyprusmail.libsyn.com/

The post News podcast: Bone marrow registry to be expanded appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/bone-marrow-registry-to-be-expanded/

Woman arrested over sale of non-existent passports

Police on Thursday arrested a 38-year-old woman, a resident of Limassol, to facilitate investigations into a case of money laundering.

Two third-country nationals who reported the case to police said that in May 2017 they had agreed with the woman that within one year, they would obtain Cyprus passports with her help via the naturalisation programme.

They allegedly paid her €38,200 at the time but never received the passports.

Police investigations concluded that no application for naturalisation was ever filed.

The post Woman arrested over sale of non-existent passports appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/woman-arrested-over-sale-of-non-existent-passports/

Black Friday deal crush begins

People were seen rushing to big electronic shops early on Friday morning to make the most of Black Friday and its promises of special offers.

While a rush on the big shops and the malls is expected as usual, this year the concept has expanded to other areas. Smaller shops in the town centres said they too would be offering discounts, a number of them for the first time. There are also discounts on furniture, local hotel rooms and even cheaper rates for those who want to post job offers online.

Black Friday is celebrated every year on the last Friday of November, a tradition which started in the USA before spreading to Europe.

Many shops open early and close late on the day to accommodate shoppers.

Black Friday is followed by Cyber Monday, when retailers offer exclusive, website-only deals.

The post Black Friday deal crush begins appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/black-friday-deal-crush-begins/

Limassol fatal collision: Driver to be arrested for manslaughter

A 50 year old Russian involved in a violent collision which killed a 27 year old father of a small child is to be re-arrested on Friday for manslaughter, philenews reports.

Panayiotis Christoforou from Ypsonas, was killed instantly when a car driven by the Russian national rammed into him from behind near the Moutayiaka exit on the Nicosia-Limassol highway at around 1 am on Thursday. The post-mortem examination on the victim is to be held today.

The Russian driver is in Limassol Hospital with multiple injuries and a broken spine. He was reported to have been speeding and tested five times over the alcohol limit — 111 mg rather than the legal limit of 22 mg — in an initial alco-test.

Police have obtained testimony that he was driving at 200 km an hour and that other drivers had flashed their headlights at him because he was zigzagging,

A police spokesman added that they will be able to determine the exact speed from the car’s black box.

Traffic police chief Yiannakis Georgiou told Radio Active on Thursday that police would be suggesting to the attorney general that the driver be charged with manslaughter.

The arrest warrant is expected to executed within the day and the case will then pass into the hands of Limassol CID.

Limassol fatality: Police ponder manslaughter charges

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/limassol-fatal-collision-driver-to-be-arrested-for-manslaughter/

Get festive at Christmas markets

December is almost here but if you’re not feeling festive yet, these upcoming Christmas markets are sure to get you in the mood.

Today and tomorrow, Dhekelia is holding its annual Christmas Traditional Market on Forest Beach with 100 stalls offering handmade gifts, hot beverages and food. From 5pm and until 10.30pm a winter wonderland will be set up with Santa waiting to greet children along with his pal Snowy the Polar who will be giving out treats to anyone who says hello.

Mulled wine, Christmas carols and all the usual suspects will be there. Entrance costs €1 but accompanied children enter for free. Find more details at the Facebook event.

Limassol is also welcoming December with a Christmas exhibition this weekend. The Old Port’s Exhibition Hall will be turned into a festive arts and crafts exhibition on November 30 and December 1 with around 100 art creators selling their wares. Handmade jewellery, stone art, wooden creations, paper origami, handmade bags, candles, herbs, homemade playdough for children, paper art and decorative items are just a few of the items in the exhibition. So, if you want to get an early start on the season’s gifts and want to support local artists, pop down to the Old Port this weekend. Find more details at the Facebook event.

Between the island’s major cities, Nicosia wins the lottery with the amount of Christmas markets that are on this month. On December 1 two of them are expected to attract the crowds. The traditional German Christmas Fayre, organised by the Cypriot-German Cultural Association always attracts the masses and it’s easy to see why.

Traditional Christmas treats such as Lebkuchen and Stollen brought directly from Germany, juicy sausages, glühwein, traditional German ornaments and waffles are what make up this seasonal fayre at the Nicosia Municipality Multifunctional Foundation. Among the dozens of stalls with gifts, Windcraft band will also be playing festive music and what better way to enjoy it than by tasting different kinds of German beers?

“Our young visitors will have the chance to create wooden handicrafts and be photographed with Santa Claus,” say the organisers. Find more details at the Facebook event.

Also on this Sunday is the Christmas market at The Boys at Number 5. Nicosia’s popular brunch place is getting its festive mood on and RSVP events will make sure it looks the part. The team at RSVP are known for creating stunning decors whether it be a wedding venue, a garden space or a Christmas market so we are looking forward to seeing what they come up with this time. Apart from getting a cup of hot chocolate, Christmas wreaths and arrangements will also be sold at The Boys from 5pm to 10pm. Find more details at the Facebook event.

A little later on in the month, when the festive mood really does kicks in Nicosia will have two more markets in-store. The one on December 14 at Ermou street celebrates artists and creators as the neighbourhood’s artists come together each year to organise a day of fun. Stalls featuring graphic designers, jewellery, ceramic bowls and all sorts of creations will take up most of the street.

Of course, warm food will be on sale as well with options for vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters. Music and dancing will offer entertainment throughout the day and as per usual good vibes will circulate. Find all of the participating artists at the Facebook event.

The capital city’s next Christmas market, taking place at New Division the following day, is certainly a little different. Organised by online pet supply store Green Woof, this market has one type of customer in mind and that’s your pet. That’s right, all sorts of goodies will be on sale on the day so you can get your dog or cat the purrfect Christmas gift. After all, they are part of the family.

German Christmas Fayre

Event with live music, German beer and snacks and mulled wine. December 1. Municipal Multipurpose Centre, Nicosia. 1pm-8pm. More information: info@kyprogermanikos.eu

Christmas Exhibition

Arts and crafts exhibition with numerous artists. November 30-December 1. Old Port Exhibition Hall, Limassol. 12pm. Tel: 96-589077

Christmas Market by RSVP Events

Christmas market selling hot chocolate, wreaths and arrangements. December 1. The Boys at Number 5, Nicosia. 5pm-10pm

Christmas Market – The Green Woof

festive market with treats and presents for your pets. December 15. New Division, Nicosia. 9am-5pm

Christmas Celebrations at Ermou272

Market with artist stalls selling gifts, food, drinks with music and dancing. December 14. Ermou 272. 10am-7pm

The post Get festive at Christmas markets appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/get-festive-at-christmas-markets/

CM app back to normal

For the past three weeks we have been experiencing some technical issues with the Cyprus Mail (CM) mobile application, which failed to update and refresh new posts.

It has taken us longer than expected but these issues have now been resolved and the application is back to normal.

We would like to apologise to all our readers for this and the inconvenience it may have caused.

We would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that the CM application will be upgraded before the end of the year to offer you a better reading experience.

Cyprus Mail

The post CM app back to normal appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/cm-app-back-to-normal/

Foreign couple say paid woman €36,200 for Cyprus passports they never got

A 38 year old woman is under arrest in Limassol after a foreign couple filed a complaint that they had given her €36,200 for Cyprus passports they never got.

Police said they are investigating a case of securing money under false pretences and money laundering.

The investigation follows a complaint by a couple, both third country nationals. They told police that in May 2017 they had agreed with the suspect that that she would secure them Cyprus passports through the citizenship scheme within one year. In return they gave the woman €36,200 but have not obtained the passports.

Police inquiries found that no application has been submitted on behalf of the couple.

The woman was arrested as Limassol CID investigates.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/foreign-couple-say-paid-woman-e36200-for-cyprus-passports-they-never-got/

Cycle Challenge raises €22,000

The first-ever Chief Constable’s Cycle Challenge to help 10 Cypriot children in need of medical care and two schools specialising in working with children with special needs, has raised an astonishing €22,000.

The charity event took place over the past two weekends and it saw SBA Police officers led by Chief Constable Chris Eyre, cycle through the local communities in both Eastern and Western Sovereign Base Areas raising money for the worthwhile causes.

The SBA Police prides itself on the close bond forged between the force and the local community and this latest fundraising effort was another great example of that.

The first cycle, which took place in the WSBA, saw those taking part make 12 stops within the community before arriving at the Akrotiri Police Station 55 kilometres later and according to the Chief Constable, the response he received during the challenge, was an overwhelming experience.

He explained: “I was honoured to lead the Chief Constable’s charity cycle through the villages of the Western Base Area and I am thrilled that the money we raised will be put to great use.

“When we got to the M1 Police Station, six hours after we started, we had raised €7,000 to get treatment for three Cypriot children with cancer and to help two schools for children with special needs – a great achievement by everyone involved.

“Throughout the day I was humbled by the generosity and welcome we received in the villages. In some locations, there were more than a hundred-people waiting to greet us with drum bands, Greek dancing, school choirs and community leaders.

“The kindness and generosity shown by nursery groups, infant schools, scout troops, secondary schools, community councils, churches, clubs, local businesses and community groups was truly inspirational.”

In the ESBA, where the police added a further €15,000 to its total on November 23, the money will be donated to seven Cypriot children who require medical treatment.

And on top of the fundraising efforts, Chief Constable Eyre was also keen to stress that the event was also very personal for the entire police force after they lost a fellow officer in a recent road traffic collision.

He continued: “Once again this was a great honour for me to lead the charity cycle through the villages of the Eastern SBAs. This event was held under the auspices of the First Lady, Mrs Andri Anastasiades, to whom we are very grateful.

“We held this ride for three reasons. We wanted to promote our ‘step up to safer streets’ campaign to educate children on the importance of road safety and the police officers also wanted the event to be in memory of our dear colleague, Savvas Constantinou, who recently died in a road traffic collision, and we all wanted to show our enduring commitment to our communities by raising money for the benefit of local children.

“Once again, the welcome shown to us as we entered each village was humbling and the kindness shown to us was something very special indeed and it was really quite inspirational.”

The ESBA leg of the challenge saw riders cover a further 34 kilometres, making eight stops along the way and much of that was with the support of the late PC Constantinou’s family.

The chief said: “Throughout the day we were accompanied by late PC Constantinou’s wife and in the village of Xylotymbou, we were joined by his extended family and it was a privilege to show them the love and respect Savvas’ colleagues held for him.”

And in addressing the vast sum raised for the children, he said: “To see that amount of money raised by our officers and with support from local communities and businesses to help seven Cypriot children receive specialist medical treatments is an amazing result that will make a real difference to those children and their families.”

The post Cycle Challenge raises €22,000 appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/cycle-challenge-raises-e22000/

Maltese businessman accuses top govt officials in murder case

A prominent Maltese businessman has offered to testify against top government officials over the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and said the prime minister had a conflict of interest in the case.

Lawyers for the businessman, Yorgen Fenech, on Thursday deposited in court a letter to President George Vella formally asking for a pardon.

In return, Fenech promised to supply information related to former government chief of staff Keith Schembri, former Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona and other people “close to the prime minister.”

The lawyers for Fenech, who was arrested last week in connection with the killing, said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should not be involved in deciding the plea for a pardon because he was among “persons who may have a an interest for such a pardon not to be granted.”

The layers said the president alone should decide on the pardon, without any involvement from Muscat’s cabinet. The court temporarily upheld this request until it considers the case in depth on Friday.

The court hearing on the pardon request ended while an emergency cabinet meeting, led by Muscat, was still in progress. Maltese media speculated that it was discussing Fenech’s request for a pardon, but this was not confirmed.

Fenech, unshaven and clad in a black coat, left the hearing in an unmarked black Peugeot 208 escorted by single police car.

“Cabinet ministers discussing a presidential pardon in the presence of Joseph Muscat will be all complicit in perverting the course of justice,” said opposition leader Adrian Delia.

Caruana Galizia’s killing by a car bomb near her home shone a spotlight on corruption in the EU’s smallest country. Three men were charged with planting the bomb and are awaiting trial, but authorities have so far been unable to say who hired them.

Fenech, one of Malta’s richest men, has told police Schembri was the mastermind behind the murder, two people briefed on the investigation said on Thursday.

Schembri was released from custody late on Thursday, He made no statement since his arrest but had previously denied any connection to the killing of Caruana Galizia, who wrote extensively about corruption.

Fenech’s lawyers on Thursday also called for removal of chief investigator Keith Arnaud, claiming he was close to Schembri.

The two-year-old investigation accelerated dramatically this month after fresh evidence was uncovered, leading to the arrest last week of Fenech, who was stopped as he tried to leave Malta on his luxury yacht.

The president cancelled a trip to London next week because of the crisis, while the prime minister pulled out of an event on Thursday evening.

PRESSURE ON PM TO QUIT

Muscat repeatedly dismissed accusations of wrongdoing levelled at his inner circle over the past few years and is now facing growing calls to resign because of his alleged failure to hold friends and colleagues to account.

His tourism minister quit earlier this week while the economy minister suspended himself from the government as the murder probe continued. Both denied involvement in the case.

Delia, the head of the opposition Nationalist Party, met the president on Thursday to demand that Muscat stand down.

“I told the president this afternoon that with every hour of inaction, our country’s reputation is suffering irreparable harm,” Delia told reporters.

The government has already granted a pardon in the case to Melvin Theuma, the alleged middleman in the plot, who was arrested two weeks ago in a money laundering investigation and immediately offered information on the Caruana Galizia murder.

One of the men accused of planting the bomb has told investigators the three were paid 150,000 euros ($165,000) for the hit, according to a Reuters report.

Caruana Galizia had revealed the existence of a secret company owned by Fenech, who is involved in property, gambling and energy businesses. The secret company was named in emails as being a vehicle for depositing money into accounts of Panama firms owned by Mizzi and Schembri.

There is no evidence that money changed hands and Mizzi has said there are no links between him and Fenech’s company.

(Reuters)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/maltese-businessman-accuses-top-govt-officials-in-murder-case/

Road Safety Week success

Command Master Driver, Warrant Officer 1 Craig McIntyre, has said this year’s Road Safety Week has proved a huge success in raising awareness about the numerous challenges facing road users.

Running from November 19-23, BRAKE – the UK road safety charity behind the annual event – chose the tagline of ‘Step Up for Safe Streets’ for this year’s campaign and according to the Master Driver, it was embraced throughout the Bases.

Speaking this week after reflecting on the incredible support shown by military personnel, police and the civilian community, WO1 McIntyre explained how important the campaign is.

He said: “Road Safety Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of road safety as a whole and this year we looked at various aspects of it to get our message out to everyone living and working within the community.”

And targeting everyone within the community was something the Master Driver placed great emphasis on.
He explained: “From a military perspective it would be easy just to focus on our military personnel but we have to remember that we have our families out here with us, using the roads, not just on camp but in the Republic of Cyprus and the SBAs too and that is an important point.

“Wherever you go in the world, people have different driving behaviours and we must ensure that people are made aware of that and given the right type of education to deal with it.”

To ensure that message reached a wider audience, the Master Driver said he worked very closely with the Sovereign Base Area Police and he revealed that was hugely valuable.

He continued: “The police’s education programme was very useful because they went into schools to talk about the dangers surrounding improper behaviour on our roads.

“Children need to be made aware of the dangers, even if they are not driving themselves. We all walk on pavements and come into contact with vehicles daily, so we all need to be made aware.”

One aspect of Road Safety Week that WO1 McIntyre continues to highlight is the issue of speeding and the importance of eradicating this life-threatening activity.

He continued: “I accept that we will never change the behaviour of all road users because it is well understood that speeding is dangerous and can lead to serious accidents and even death on the roads – but it still happens.

“The key for me as the Master Driver is to get the message out there and ensure that people are hearing what we are saying. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes something serious to happen before some people take any notice but we will continue in our efforts to get the message through.”

The post Road Safety Week success appeared first on Cyprus Mail.

Read more → https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/11/29/road-safety-week-success/

Mainly fine with some cloud, possibility of scattered showers

High pressure is affecting the area, while weak low pressure is forecast at intervals on Sunday, the Met Office said in its early morning bulletin.

On Friday there will be intervals of mainly fine weather and intervals of cloud and isolated showers are expected in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise to 23 C inland and on the the coast and around 14 C in the mountains.

Tonight, will see the same pattern of intervals of mainly fine weather and intervals of clouds as well as scattered showers. Temperatures will drop to 11 C inland, around 16 C on the coast and 8 C in the mountains.

Over the weekend, mainly fine weather will alternate with intervals of cloud and more scattered showers are forecast. On Sunday the met office is also forecasting isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and at night. Monday will be mainly fine.

Temperatures will edge up on Saturday to above average for the time of year but will edge down to average by Monday.

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/mainly-fine-with-some-cloud-possibility-of-scattered-showers/

Cyprus in implementation stage to allow transportation of natural gas by 2021

President Nicos Anastasiades said Cyprus is finally in the implementation stage that will allow the transportation of natural gas to the island by 2021.

Presenting the Cyprus Regulatory Authority for Energy (CERA) report to the President, CERA chairman Andreas Poullikas expressed concern over the delay in the arrival of the natural gas.

Referring to the CERA reports which indicate that between 2022-2024 there will be a shortage in the contractual output of around 600 MW, Poullikas said that this shortage is expected to be covered by the licensed conventional producers to date, while they expect another 300 MW of renewable energy in the next one to two years.

The CERA annual report contains the annual report of the Cyprus Transmission System Operator of Electrical Energy. Poullikas said CERA’s purpose is to regulate the electricity and gas markets and that for 2018, work on energy reform in the European framework of the energy union continued. The reform framework for the electricity market is to fully align Cyprus with the EU target model, namely the new competitive market.

The Cyprus Regulatory Authority for Energy (CERA) in accordance with the Natural Gas Market Law Regulation, has the responsibility to promote the development of an economically robust and efficient gas market and to ensure safety, continuity in the provision, Quality and efficiency in the supply of natural gas.

Regarding electricity supply in Cyprus, Poulikkas said that 1500 MW of conventional technology and 300 MW of renewable energy have been installed. CERA, he said, has been tasked with two annual adequacy studies, which have shown that between 2022 and 2024 a contractual deficit of about 600 MW is expected. The reason, he explained, is the increase in demand that is reasonable and the withdrawal of six steam turbines from the power plant in Dhekelia.

Regarding the local electricity market, Poulikkas said that all necessary steps have been taken to harmonise Cyprus with the EU target model.

On his part, President Anastasiades expressed complete satisfaction with the work that CERA is doing. One project which – despite bureaucratic delays and delays due to procedural and other reasons, is in the process of securing market liberalization and gas flow, creating conditions so as to be more dependent on RES. and not by cost-cutting or even polluting technologies. ”

He assured that regarding the advent of gas, “we are now definitively implementing a decision that will allow us to achieve by the year 2021, at least on the basis of the offers before us” the goal.

(Cyprus News Agency)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/cyprus-in-implementation-stage-to-allow-transportation-of-natural-gas-by-2021/

Singapore tells Facebook to correct user’s post under new ‘fake news’ law

Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under a new ‘fake news’ law, after a user declined a government request to do so.

The move, coming as the Asian city-state gears up for an election, is the first real test of a measure that took effect last month, stoking fears it could stifle free speech and chill dissent. But government officials have rejected such concerns.

On Thursday, Singapore ordered blogger Alex Tan to correct his post on the States Times Review Facebook page that made accusations of the arrest of a supposed whistleblower and election rigging, calling them “false” and “scurrilous”.

Tan, who does not live in Singapore and says he is an Australian citizen, said he would not comply with the request.

On Friday, the office administering the law, known as the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), said it had directed Facebook to issue the correction after Tan’s “non-compliance”.

The office had also “commenced investigations against Tan”, it added, without giving details.

Facebook declined to comment and Tan’s post was unaltered at 12 noon (0400 GMT) on Friday.

Facebook has previously said it was “concerned with aspects of the new law which grant broad powers to the Singapore executive branch to compel us to remove content they deem to be false and to push a government notification to users”.

Rights groups such as New York-based Human Rights Watch have also warned the law could undermine internet freedoms, not just in Singapore, but elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

In the only other case under the law, which covers those both inside and out of Singapore who make false statements communicated in the country, opposition political figure Brad Bowyer swiftly complied with a correction request.

The penalties prescribed range from prison terms of as much as 10 years or fines up to S$1 million ($735,000).

Singapore, ruled by the People’s Action Party since independence in 1965, is widely expected to hold a general election within months, though no official date has been set.

(Reuters)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/singapore-tells-facebook-to-correct-users-post-under-new-fake-news-law/

Singapore tells Facebook to correct user’s post under new ‘fake news’ law

Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under a new ‘fake news’ law, after a user declined a government request to do so.

Tan, who does not live in Singapore and says he is an Australian citizen, said he would not comply with the request.

The office had also “commenced investigations against Tan”, it added, without giving details.

Facebook declined to comment and Tan’s post was unaltered at 12 noon (0400 GMT) on Friday.

Rights groups such as New York-based Human Rights Watch have also warned the law could undermine internet freedoms, not just in Singapore, but elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

The penalties prescribed range from prison terms of as much as 10 years or fines up to S$1 million ($735,000).

Singapore, ruled by the People’s Action Party since independence in 1965, is widely expected to hold a general election within months, though no official date has been set.

(Reuters)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/singapore-tells-facebook-to-correct-users-post-under-new-fake-news-law/

Singapore tells Facebook to correct user’s post under new ‘fake news’ law

Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under a new ‘fake news’ law, after a user declined a government request to do so.

Tan, who does not live in Singapore and says he is an Australian citizen, said he would not comply with the request.

The office had also “commenced investigations against Tan”, it added, without giving details.

Facebook declined to comment and Tan’s post was unaltered at 12 noon (0400 GMT) on Friday.

Rights groups such as New York-based Human Rights Watch have also warned the law could undermine internet freedoms, not just in Singapore, but elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

The penalties prescribed range from prison terms of as much as 10 years or fines up to S$1 million ($735,000).

Singapore, ruled by the People’s Action Party since independence in 1965, is widely expected to hold a general election within months, though no official date has been set.

(Reuters)

Read more → https://in-cyprus.com/singapore-tells-facebook-to-correct-users-post-under-new-fake-news-law/

Kouklia re-zoning saved developer €90m, offset against bank debt

THE re-zoning of forest and agricultural land in Kouklia, Paphos, has made millions for a certain businessman, MPs heard on Thursday.

“With these re-zoning decisions, we allowed a businessman to not only get rich but also, through the tolerance shown subsequently, we gave him the chance to transfer part of his land to the bank and in this way rid himself of a €90m debt,” Auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides said in parliament.

He was speaking at the House watchdog committee, which revisited the matter of a circumspect re-zoning decision dating back to 2007.

In May 2007 the cabinet issued a decision where private lands in the Akamas were to be swapped with state-owned land in Kouklia.

The latter consisted of agricultural land and forest, so as an incentive to the private owners in the Akamas, the state lands in Kouklia were re-zoned as commercial.

The land exchange itself never materialised and in June 2018 the cabinet revoked the 2007 swap decision.

But the zoning change in Kouklia was not likewise rescinded and it is still in effect today, meaning that commercial development is allowed there.

The re-zoning of 2007 applied not only to the state lands in Kouklia earmarked for the swap, but also to adjacent land already owned by a real estate developer.

The reason cited then for extending the re-zoning to the adjacent private tracts was to “ensure the functionality and accessibility of the forest land.”

The developer in question owned two tracts in the vicinity. The re-zoning into commercial drove up the value of his adjacent land.

A 2018 valuation by the Department of Lands and Surveys showed that the smaller private tract (1,708 donums) was worth €31m.

The larger tract (2,315 donums) was valued at €83m in 2018. In 1980 it had been worth €4m.

This second tract was transferred to the Bank of Cyprus, settling a €90m debt the developer owed the lender as part of a loan restructuring deal.

Committee chair Zacharias Koulias spoke of a “racket” that enabled a businessman to settle a €90m debt.

He also questioned the reason given for re-zoning the adjacent private lands – ostensibly to facilitate access to the general forest area.

“Then why did they not simply expropriate a road?”

Without naming names, Greens MP George Perdikis essentially identified the developer who made a killing as a result of the re-zoning decision.

He said the person in question is a known Paphos businessman who previously served as chairman of the Bank of Cyprus.

The only person fitting that description is Theodoros Aristodemou, chief executive of Aristo Developers, the island’s leading property developer.

The whole matter is the subject of an administrative probe underway by the interior ministry.

Ministry officials said the probe will be concluded on January 17. It will assign responsibilities to government officials, if any are found.

The auditor-general is advising the government that, given the original land swap itself has been revoked, the re-zoning decision for Kouklia must be invalidated too.

But should the developer’s private land now be re-zoned back to agricultural, it would impact the tract’s value, opening the government up to a lawsuit.

For this reason, the interior ministry is seeking guidance from the attorney-general on how to untangle the legal mess.

In the meantime, in 2016 the same businessman applied for plot separations on the smaller of the two tracts in order to start development.

The application to separate the plots is still pending, due to the fact that the tract borders with a protected area.

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