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1471. Migrant camps on Greek islands put on lockdown

No visitors, including members of organizations and agencies, will be allowed into the migrant reception and processing centers on the Greek islands for the next two weeks at least, the Migration Ministry said yesterday, announcing a series of measures to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in any of the facilities....

1472. Cyprus braces for student exodus from Greece

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades outlined the government's plan on Friday to manage the coronavirus pandemic, announcing travel restrictions which some critics said did not go far enough...

1473. President: Partial lockdown of airports, schools to remain closed until April 10

President Nicos Anastasiades addressed the nation on Friday night after the week saw cumulative confirmations of coronavirus cases across the divide....

1474. EU slams Trump’s Europe travel ban

The European Union has slammed the new anti-virus travel ban announced by US President Donald Trump, lashing out at an “unilateral” decision taken “without consultation.”...

1475. All schools islandwide to close their doors on Friday

All schools islandwide will be shutting their doors as of Friday for one week, as per the decision taken on Wednesday by the Education Ministry in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak, as cases spiralled to six in government-controlled areas....

1476. Health Minister issues decree banning gatherings of over 75 persons

A decree issued by the Health Minister on Wednesday solidified the government decision to ban public and private gatherings of over 75 persons....

1477. Cyprus preparing for influx of arrivals during Easter

Cyprus authorities are preparing for all possible scenarios in relation to the spread of coronavirus ahead of the Easter holidays next month, when more people are expected to travel. ...

1478. The era of asymmetric threats

Kyriakos Mitsotakis would never have expected to star in a Greek edition of the perfect storm. Yet fate and events have put the Greek prime minister in charge of the country at a very crucial moment. He has shown determination in dealing with the migration/refugee issue, which has also bolstered his political image. The public was craving for a strong leader – a notion that was largely eclipsed by a sense of humiliation over the past 10 years....

1479. Food products imported from China safe for consumers

Scientific evidence obtained so far from European bodies and the WHO show that food products imported from China do not pose a health risk to EU citizens and by extension Cypriot consumers....

1480. Official guidelines for people returning from high-risk countries

1481. Greek border crackdown amid concerns over Turkey

Greek government sources on Friday stressed that authorities are boosting security at the country’s border following reports that Turkey will no longer stop Syrian refugees from traveling to Europe....

1482. Greek islanders strike over new migrant camps, government says no alternative

Greek island residents went on strike for a second day on Thursday, stepping up protests against government plans for new migrant camps on five islands after violent clashes with police....

1483. Protesting islanders barge into Chios hotel, eight officers injured

Local residents in Chios, angered by the Greek Government's determination to go ahead with the creation of closed migrant centers on the islands, on Wednesday barged into a hotel near the construction site and attacked eight police officers who are staying there....

1484. French frigate 'Auvergne' joins Cypriot- French search and rescue drill

Cyprus and France held a joint Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise on Tuesday off the coast of Cyprus, with the participation of SAR Units and personnel of the Republic of Cyprus and France. The French frigate 'Auvergne' also took part in the drill....

1485. Greek Government to proceed with new island camps, despite reactions

The Greek government is determined to move ahead with its plan to build new holding facilities for migrants and refugees as part of a plan to accelerate asylum procedures and deportations on the five islands hosting camps, its spokesman said on Tuesday, amid reactions to the scheme from island residents....

1486.  Driver arrested in Germany after car drives into carnival crowds

Ten people have been injured after a car ploughed into a carnival parade in the western German town of Volkmarsen, police said...

1487. At least 129 detained in large police sweep after shooting in downtown Athens

At least 129 people had been detained in downtown Athens by Friday afternoon as part of an ongoing police operation to find the culprits behind a shooting that left one dead and one injured in what authorities believe is a turf war between competing criminal gangs....

1488. EDEK party shrinks as turmoil escalates over ousted MEP

After the dramatic ousting of MEP Demetris Papadakis from socialist party Edek on Monday, the party continued to shrink throughout the week with the resignation of ten party members by Friday....

1489. Syria displacement is worst since conflict began, UN says

More people have fled fighting in Syria over the past 10 weeks than at any other time in the 9-year-old conflict and the city of Idlib, where many are sheltering, could become a graveyard if hostilities continue, two U.N. agencies said on Tuesday....

1490. Greece to speed up creation of migrant holding centers to ease tension

Greece plans to accelerate the creation of detention centers on its outlying islands in the Aegean Sea after a backlash against overcrowded camps by some migrants and nearby residents....

1491. Cyprus gets yellow warning ahead of cold blast

A wind advisory and a flood warning went into effect Friday, ahead of a cold weekend, with weather officials warning of gusty winds as an incoming cold front and high pressure battle it out...

1492. Cyprus taps into Europe’s mountain know-how

Cyprus is hosting a European conference on mountain areas of large Mediterranean islands, hoping to gain valuable information and know-how from countries with a long tradition in managing mountain area policies...

1493. Turkish hackers target Cyprus government emails

Sweeping cyberattacks targeting governments and other organizations in Europe and the Middle East are believed to be the work of hackers acting in the interests of the Turkish government, three senior Western security officials said. The hackers have attacked at least 30 organizations, including government ministries, embassies and security services as well as companies and other groups, according to a Reuters review of public internet records. Victims have included Cypriot and Greek government email services and the Iraqi government’s national security advisor, the records show. ...

1494. Deadly earthquake jolts eastern Turkey

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Friday, killing at least 20 people and collapsing buildings in affected towns near the center of the tremor, which was strong enough to be felt in several neighboring countries...

1495. Greece elects first woman president

Greece’s parliament elected former Council of State head Katerina Sakellaropoulou as the country’s next president on Wednesday, a largely ceremonial role that also brings with it limited political powers...

1496. Greece has asked Germany to participate in Libya summit

Greece has asked to attend a summit in Berlin which will discuss a path to peace in Libya, government spokesman Stelios Petsas revealed on Tuesday...

1497. Diplomatic hype over eastern Mediterranean

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias attended Christmas Mass in Istanbul amid diplomatic tensions and power play between Athens and Ankara over gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean...

1498. Senate-approved EastMed on Trump’s desk

US Congress’ approval of a spending package that includes the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 signals a “new day in Greek-American relations,” said Senator Bob Menendez, one of the authors of the bipartisan legislation...

1499. EastMed bill squeezed through federal budget

US Senator Bob Menendez on Monday applauded a bipartisan deal on federal government spending that is comprised of 12 appropriations bills, including legislation shaping American strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean...

1500. Cyprus in for some nasty weather

A low barometer centered on Italy is heading east, expected to affect areas over Cyprus with showers and storms through Sunday...