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2461. Nicosia walls literally coming down

A conservation group has slammed authorities in the north over the partial collapse of the Guerini Bastion, saying it had warned about the conditions of the Nicosia medieval walls but nobody took them seriously...

2462. Britain begins escorting all UK vessels through Hormuz Strait

Britain has started sending a warship to accompany all British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a change in policy announced on Thursday after the government previously said it did not have resources to do so. ...

2463. Varosha in the spotlight

The government closely follows developments and the Turkish Cypriot side’s actions with regard to the closed off area of Turkish occupied Famagusta, known as Varosha, a government source has told CNA, noting that representations have been made where they ought to be made. ...

2464. UNFICYP mandate renewal sends message of urgency for resumption of Cyprus talks, US diplomat says

US Mission’s to the UN Political Coordinator Rodney Hunter has said that his country believes UNFICYP’s new mandate sends a message that the two leaders, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci "must work with a sense of urgency" to resume reunification talks. He also expressed disappointment with the lack of progress since the Conference on Cyprus in 2017 but expressed the belief that a settlement "remains achievable." ...

2465. Greek, Cypriot, Israeli officials meet in Washington to discuss 3+1 partnership

Officials from Greece, Cyprus and Israel met in Washington on Thursday to discuss economic engagement as part of an ongoing US-backed regional cooperation initiative dubbed 3+1. ...

2466. Lacroix-Anastasiades discuss UNFICYP’s mandate

Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on Wednesday that President Anastasiades had the opportunity to raise the matter of Turkey’s provocations within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as well as his efforts for the resumption of reunification talks during a meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. ...

2467. President Anastasiades congratulates UK’s new Prime Minister

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has sent a letter of congratulations to the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, noting that he counts on the British government’s support towards the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and efforts to address the continuing aggressive actions on behalf of Turkey. ...

2468. Stepping into power, Johnson seeks more diverse cabinet

Taking over as prime minister on Wednesday, Boris Johnson is expected to unveil a more diverse top team in a government to be tasked with delivering Brexit by the end of October, with or without a deal. ...

2469. Pyatt calls for stronger defense cooperation

“The United States has spoken very clearly on the question of the S400 and the F-35. We’ve spoken very clearly on the provocative nature of the drilling activities that Turkey has engaged in in waters off of Cyprus. But none of that changes the fact that we, like you, need to find a way to make this work,” Pyatt added....

2470. UN not convinced sides committed to solution

The United Nations' position is that there must be an agreement between the two leaders in Cyprus on how to proceed before they turn to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. ...

2471. US removes Turkey from F-35 program after Russian missile purchase

The United States said on Wednesday that it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet programme, a move long threatened and expected after Ankara began accepting delivery of an advanced Russian missile defence system last week. ...

2472. Anastasiades ready to meet Akinci

In a statement government spokesperson Prodromou said that President Anastasiades ''is pleased that Mr. Mustafa Akinci, contrary to his proposal on the issue of hydrocarbons on 13 July, in his letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations dated July 10, suggests the convening of an informal conference on the Crans Montana model, basically adopting one of the proposals that the President of the Republic has written in his letter to the Secretary General in his letter of 14 June.''...

2473. No time for mixed signals

We are entering a very thorny patch in Greek-Turkish relations. Turkey’s activities within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), combined with the standoff with the United States over Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system are increasing the tension further in Greece’s wider region. ...

2474. Israeli teens head to court in gang rape case

Twelve young Israelis, all males in their late teens, are heading to court on Thursday following accusations by a young British woman who says she was a victim of gang rape at a hotel in Ayia Napa...

2475. US to participate in East Med energy summit

At an Economist conference in Greece it was announced that United States Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Frances Fannon will participate in the East Med energy summit in Athens which will be held on the 29th of July along with the the Ministers of Energy from Cyprus Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, Greece's Kostis Hatzidakis and Israel's Dr. Yuval Steinitz....

2476. Ayia Napa tourist says she was gang raped

Police are investigating allegations of gang rape, following a complaint filed by a female tourist in Ayia Napa...

2477. Trump says 'not fair' that U.S. can't sell F-35s to Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday it is “not fair” to either Turkey or the United States that Washington cannot sell Ankara billions of dollars worth of F-35 fighter jets after it bought a Russian air defense system...

2478. EY: Renewable energy is taking strides towards a subsidy-free era

The renewable energy sector is entering a new phase of subsidy-free growth across the world, according to the 53rd EY Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI). Mainland China and the US remain at first and second positions respectively on the top 40 ranking, while France moves up two positions to third from fifth, led by a new focus on floating offshore wind capacity and doubling of its annual targets for onshore wind capacity additions...

2479. Turkey rejects EU sanctions, vows to continue drilling

EU Foreign affairs ministers who met in Brussels on Monday endorsed a decision to curb diplomatic contacts and funding for Turkey. In response the Turkish MFA issued a statement signalling that the conclusions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council ‘’will in no way affect Turkey's determination to continue its hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean’’...

2480. David Harris: US closer to Greece, Cyprus, Israel

Washington recognizes Greece’s strategic value and reliability as an ally, attributes that only grow stronger as doubts deepen over Turkey’s stance, American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO David Harris tells Kathimerini in an interview...

2481. The new government, image and symbolism

The first indications from the new government are sending out all the right signals. Tuesday’s handover ceremonies at the ministries confirmed a return to normalcy, after a decade-long crisis that painfully divided the country. Both sides should be given credit for the civilized political discourse that prevailed during the change of guard. It is hoped that this spirit will continue during the debates that are expected to take place in Parliament, not only in the sense of a more sophisticated rhetoric, but also, hopefully, in the approval of some government bills by the new main opposition....

2482. First parts of Russian S-400 system delivered to Turkey

Turkey’s purchase of the Russian defense systems, which Washington says are not compatible with NATO’s defense network, is one of a series of issues which have put the allies at odds. ...

2483. Mobile phones now work across divided Cyprus

The United Nations has lauded the news that mobile phone coverage has been extended to both sides of the divide on the east Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus. ...

2484. Britain says Iran attempted to block its oil tanker

Three Iranian vessels tried to block the passage of a British ship through the Strait of Hormuz but withdrew after warnings from a British warship, the British government said on Thursday. ...

2485. UNFICYP mandate extended for another six months

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has recommended that the Security Council extends UNFICYP’s mandate until January 31, 2020 in recognition of its continued contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability. ...

2486. Trump congratulates Mitsotakis, pledges to maintain close cooperation

The two leaders expressed their mutual interest in working together and continuing strong cooperation between the United States and Greece, the White House said. ...

2487. US urges Turkey to halt drilling operations off Cyprus

The United States has said that Turkey's most recent dispatch of the drillship Yavuz to conduct drilling operations off the Karpas Peninsula of Cyprus is a "provocative step" and has urged Turkish authorities to halt these operations. ...

2488. Deutsche Bank axes 18,000 jobs

2489. F35 back to UK after Cyprus mission

Four F-35 fighter jets have just returned to the UK after a two-month exercise in Cyprus, where they also flew reconnaissance missions over Iraq and Syria...

2490. Two women at the top of EU decision making

Under the deal, Ursula von der Leyen, a close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will replace Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm...