Seven antiquities smugglers detained
The police have detained seven people following an attempt to smuggle 86 items of antiquity across the border into the South. The suspects took the antiquities from excavations that had been carried...
View ArticleSouth’s draft law gives TC’s a vote in EU parliament elections
The South Cyprus government has sent a draft-law to its parliament which will enable Turkish Cypriots to vote in the forthcoming European Parliament (EP) elections. The Council of Ministers approved...
View ArticleFule’s letters moderate Turkey’s judicial reform bill
The EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has sent two letters which have influenced Turkey’s decision to suspend part of a highly controversial bill which affects the independence of its judiciary,...
View ArticleTwo popular South Cyprus beaches disappear into the sea
South Cyprus authorities are going to ask for millions of euros from EU funding to try and save two of the South’s most popular tourist spots whose beaches completely disappeared over a two-day period...
View ArticleTRNC political parties reject South’s EU elections offer
Officials of the TRNC government have reacted unfavourably towards the South’s move to facilitate the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the European parliamentary elections. Turkish Cypriot daily...
View ArticlePlunging lira prompts Central bank strategy rethink
The Turkish lira remains on the downward slope today in its longest running decline since 1996. After eleven continuous days, the lira hit a new record low at 2.39 against the US dollar, unaffected by...
View ArticleCyprus solution could enfranchise Turkish Cypriots: Schulz
European Parliament President Martin Schulz has said that the issue of Turkish Cypriot representation at the European Parliament could be solved in a decisive and permanent way by finding a...
View ArticleTurkish Cypriot journalist to be candidate for EU elections
Sener Levent, journalist/owner of Turkish Cypriot daily ‘Afrika’ has said that he intends to be a candidate in the EU parliamentary election in May. This is the first time a Turkish Cypriot has stood...
View ArticleHike in Turkey’s interest rates on the cards
In its struggle to defend the ailing lira, Turkey’s Central bank, in a complete turnaround and contrary to the government’s wishes, appears to be about to raise interest rates. Ahead of an...
View ArticleCentral bank makes sharp increase in overnight lending rates
The Turkish central bank raised its overnight lending rate to 12 % from 7.75% and the overnight borrowing rate to 8% from 3.5% late Tuesday evening, in a surprisingly strong move to defend the...
View ArticleSouth’s agreement on British bases unrecognised by Eroglu
President Dervis Eroglu has said that the Turkish Cypriots do not recognise the agreement signed between South Cyprus and the UK for the development of property within the British Sovereign Bases. He...
View ArticleTRNC Foreign Affairs Ministry statement on British bases
The TRNC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement declaring that by making no reference to the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, the UK has shown favour to the Greek Cypriots and injustice to...
View ArticleLaw against homosexual acts repealed
The bill that repeals the law punishing homosexual acts in the TRNC, was repealed yesterday. Prior to this, lawbreakers could face up to five years jail. The bill passed with 28 votes in favour and...
View ArticleEroglu denies being left out of negotiating loop
Recent press reports have suggested that there is a renewed effort being made to break the deadlock over the joint statement, bypassing President Eroglu and being formulated by the UN, Turkey and South...
View ArticleNew reservoirs planned for Guzelyurt area
The Minister for Environment and Natural Resource, Hamit Bakirci has announced that reservoirs are to be built in the Guzelyurt region and that the first reservoir created will be in the Yedidalga area...
View ArticleThree Turkish Ministers visit to TRNC on Saturday
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bashir Atalay, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu, are to visit the TRNC tomorrow. President...
View ArticlePoll shows that TC votes for Annan plan remain the same
An opinion poll conducted by the Cyprus Social and Economic Surveys Centre (KADEM) on behalf of Turkish Cypriot daily ‘Realist-Kulis’, show that if the Annan plan was put to the vote again, 58.8% of...
View ArticleAmending Internet law another blow to Turkish democracy
The Turkish government’s recent proposal to amend a law governing access to certain website which will allow the authorities to block websites without a court order and the mass surveillance of...
View ArticleBridge the gap: Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that both communities in Cyprus are close to agreeing on the joint statement which will re-open the Cyprus negotiations. He stated: “My special advisor,...
View ArticleTurkey – Israel relations on the mend
Turkey and Israel are approaching normalisation of diplomatic relations as both countries are about to reach an agreement on compensation payment to the victims of the 2010 “Mavimara” incident. In...
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