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1021. Anastasiades: disagreement among EU27 centered around tactics

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades on Friday expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the European Council summit in Brussels that drew to a close after marathon talks on Thursday night and early Friday morning,...

1022. Spanish FM stresses solidarity with Cyprus, importance of dialogue

Spain’s Foreign Affairs Minister Arancha González Laya expressed her country’s solidarity and support for Cyprus in the face of tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean....

1023. Endangered bird species shot to the ground in Meneou

BirdLife Cyprus raised the alarm earlier this week after dozens of birds, such as European bee-eaters, swallows, and other endangered bird species, fell from the skies over the weekend after shots were fired from Meneou’s Lake Soros area....

1024. Woman says she received death threats

A woman in Paphos says a female friend has threatened to kill her, citing death treats she reportedly received over the phone and through text messages...

1025. Greek FM in Cyprus ahead of Brussels summit

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias is visiting Nicosia on Wednesday for talks with his Cypriot counterpart ahead of a crucial Special European Council meeting later this week...

1026. Penalties for traffic violations to spike on Thursday

On Thursday, legislation enforcing new and higher penalties for traffic violations in a bid to curb road accidents and deaths come into effect, with fines to increase for a range of violations including not wearing a seatbelt or helmet, using a mobile phone, parking in a spot reserved for disabled persons, among other things....

1027. The EU did not act in united fashion, Cyprus President tells Le Figaro

In an interview with the French daily Le Figaro published Thursday, President Nicos Anastasiades said that in responding Turkey’s actions in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU did not act in a decisive and united fashion, while refuting that Cyprus vetoed sanctions against Belarus....

1028. The four scenarios after the 'veto'

The decision on EU sanctions has been postponed for the meeting of the 27 leaders of member states, likely to take place on October 1 and 2 due to a case of coronavirus. At that meeting, it will become clear whether the case of Belarus will be linked with whether sanctions will be imposed on Turkey for its provocations in the Cyprus EEZ or not. Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides made it clear to the Council of Foreign Ministers that what was agreed in Berlin should be respected, in essence using his veto. Whether Nicosia will maintain this position until the end will be seen at the summit of the 27....

1029. Minister disfavors jail for Paralimni offenders

Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis has weighed in on reported incidents of animal abuse during a shocking Paralimni school prank, saying she is in favour of juvenile offenders doing community service at an animal shelter...

1030. Search still on for school prank instigators

Police are still trying to identify a number of suspects in an animal cruelty case in Paralimni, while at least 20 students reportedly have admitted they played a role in the school prank...

1031. Nearly 100 asylum seekers flown out of Cyprus

Fourteen unaccompanied minors have been transferred from the Republic of Cyprus to Finland, while another 84 foreign nationals were flown back to their countries in what the government described as ‘voluntary returns'...

1032. Defendants acquitted in teen’s overdose death

A Limassol criminal court has acquitted two more defendants in a teen overdose death back in 2018, saying prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence proving them guilty of manslaughter...

1033. EP adopts resolution condemning Turkey's EastMed activities

With 601 votes in favour, 57 against and 36 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution condemning Turkey’s activities in the EEZ of Greece and Cyprus, ahead of next week’s extraordinary European Council summit that will focus on the heightened tensions in the eastern Mediterranean....

1034. Berlin to take in 1,553 refugees from Greece

As Germany indicated on Tuesday that it would take in more than 1,500 refugees from Lesvos and other Greek islands, the Greek government welcomed the move, indicating however that it should not be seen as rewarding irregular immigration. ...

1035. EU solidarity to go beyond words, Michel tells Anastasiades

In a meeting with the European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday, the President of the Republic of Cyprus expressed hope that EU member states will show a united front during next week’s extraordinary European Council summit on Turkey....

1036. Multiple offences in Paralimni school prank

Police have launched an investigation into a high school prank in Paralimni where animals were abused and/or slaughtered in front of cheering teens but also teachers and shocked schoolmates who were reduced to tears...

1037. Public jittery over ‘battlefield’ school pranks

Police detained three teenagers on illegal fireworks possession in connection with back-to-school pranks, while viral videos emerged showing delinquent youths using firecrackers and smoke bombs outside high schools in different towns...

1038. Anastasiades finds sympathetic ear at MED7

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades highlighted a need for a decisive EU stance towards Turkey, while praising his French counterpart for showing “practical and stable support” towards Cyprus...

1039. EU must go beyond words, Cyprus President says

The EU must go beyond words, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said during a teleconference on Wednesday evening with European Council President Charles Michel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU member states leaders ahead of the European Council Summit that will take place in Brussels on September 24-25....

1040. Homeless Moria camp residents to be moved into boats, tents

Thousands of refugees and migrants left homeless by a fire at Greece’s biggest camp on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, will be temporarily housed in a ferry boat, two navy ships and tents, Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis told a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that no deaths or injuries have been reported as a result of the blaze....

1041. ECHR asks Cyprus to explain boat incidents

The European Court of Human Rights has asked the government of the Republic of Cyprus to answer questions concerning recent refoulement of undocumented travelers at sea, in response to a request of an interim measure from a local attorney handling another case...

1042. Fires erupt at Moria refugee camp

Thousands of migrants fled a camp under COVID-19 lockdown after multiple fires gutted much of the site on the Greek island of Lesvos, authorities said early Wednesday...

1043. EU calls on Cyprus to manage migration flows in line with EU law

The EU said Tuesday that it acknowledges the difficulties faced by the Republic of Cyprus in terms of the flow of refugees it is called to deal with, but stressed that basic principles and EU legislation must be respected....

1044. Lavrov says Russia ready to support peace

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says his country stands ready to help diffuse tensions in the region while criticizing US efforts for fueling conflict rather than promoting peaceful solutions...

1045. Passports under the watchful eye of the Commission

1046. New details emerge in Pournara arrests

New details in last week’s Pournara speedy trial suggests a foreign man and five others convicted of trespassing had gone to the camp to confront another individual over sexual harassment allegations involving the perpetrator’s female relative...

1047. Urgent meeting after weekend refugee arrivals

Cypriot Interior Minister Nicos Nouris has called for an emergency meeting following a number of arrivals of undocumented migrants over the weekend, with some of them transported back to Lebanon and others facing the prospect of crowding into an already maxed-out facility...

1048. Period for filing appeals against asylum service decisions slashed

The Cyprus Parliament on Friday amended the constitution to allow for a slashing of the time in which appeals can be filed against decisions of the asylum service from 75 days to 15 days....

1049. 22-year-old confesses to igniting seven forest fires

A 22-year-old who was arrested on August 31 in connection with a forest fire that broke out in a Nicosia suburb the same day later confessed to being behind six other forest fires....

1050. Police arrest eight ‘trespassers’ at Pournara

Police say they arrested eight trespassers at Pournara migrant camp on Tuesday night, with some of them reportedly holding edged weapons and blunt instruments...