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The House of Representatives unequivocally condemns the inconceivable crime committed against the Armenian people, said President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou on Wednesday evening. Addressing an event on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held at the Armenian Church in Nicosia, Demetriou said that the Armenian genocide is one of the darkest moments in the history of the 20th century, starting with the mass massacres and violent persecution of the Armenians of Constantinople on that fateful day of April 1915, marking the history of the Armenian people, for centuries of displacement, migrations, struggles and sacrifices in the path of the conquerors, with the most unhealed trauma in its modern history. She added that the position of the Republic of Cyprus was and is clear, whether it concerns Cyprus, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Kosovo, Ukraine or any flagrant violation of international law, which must be treated as such. In her address she said that thousands of Armenian ref ugees fled to Cyprus, where they found a second home, strengthening the ever-growing Armenian element of the island, consolidating with their hard work, patience and ingenuity. She further said the House of Representatives through a resolution established April 24 as the National Day of Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, adding the the preservation of the memory of this tragic anniversary and the consistent support of Armenia's just demand for historical cleansing constitutes for the Cypriot Parliament a maximum priority and a minimum tribute to the proud Armenian people, while recognising the long-standing contribution of thousands of Armenians to the political, economic, social and cultural life of the country. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Works of European Council of Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) General Secretaries and Directors meeting hosted by the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus, completed yesterday in Nicosia. According to a press release, the meeting took place on April 23 and 24 in the Municipal Council's hall at Nicosia City Hall. As noted the conference takes place every six months in a different member state of CEMR and is primarily technocratic in nature. A total of 30 delegates participated in physical presence, while 7 more members attended online. The delegates were welcomed by the member of the Executive Committee of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus and Nicosia Municipal Councilor Loukaidou. Secretary of the Union of Municipalities, Michalis Sokratous, said in his statement that "cooperation at the European and international level can only be beneficial. It is important to learn and share both our good practices and our bad experiences, so that we can all collectively become better at the work we have to do, which is to improve the everyday lives of the people we serve." The European Council of Municipalities and Regions was founded in Geneva in 1951. Today, it is the largest organization of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe. Its members are National Associations of Local Authorities from more than 35 countries. All together these Associations represent around 100,000 local and regional authorities. The Union of Cyprus Municipalities has been an active member of the Council since 1990 and has hosted several of its events on our island. The Council works to promote a united Europe, based on local democracy. To achieve this goal it strives to shape the future of Europe by strengthening Local Authorities, influencing relevant European legislation and policy, sharing experience at local and regional level and collaborating with partners in other parts of the world. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry announced implementation of Regulations 112/2024 on exports, brokering and technical assistance of military equipment. According to a press release the aforementioned Regulations amend Regulations 2 and 4 of Regulations 522/2011 and were issued on the basis of article 2.1 of 'Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of the Council of the European Union of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering, pursuant to Article 21 of Law 1(I)/2011. As noted, the purpose of the amendment of the Regulations is to place brokering activities involving arms and military equipment transferred from a third country to another third country (a country that is not a member state of the European Union), under a licensing regime, even if the broker arranges the transfer while he/she is outside the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Moreover, it is clarified that all brokering activities carried out by legal persons, even if they do not have staff in Cyprus, as well as by cooperatives, are als o subject to a licensing regime. As the Ministry notes, all such licenses are issued by the Strategic Items Export Licensing Section of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. Applications are submitted through the Stratlink electronic system https://stratlink.meci.gov.cy/, which can be found on the website of the Ministry's Trade Service. A broker who carries out brokering activities without the necessary license is deemed guilty of an offense in accordance with articles 14-20 of Part IV (Sanctions-Criminal Provisions) of Law 1(I)/2011. More specifically, in the event of a violation of the Law and/or the Regulations, a natural or legal person is deemed guilty of an offense and in case of conviction, is subject to imprisonment not exceeding three (3) years and/or a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand euro (pound 100,000) or both of these penalties. Source: Cyprus News Agency

The number one problem which Cyprus is facing in relation to is future is to address the challenges arising from energy, in relation to the great goal of strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the Cypriot economy, said President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides. Addressing an event on Wednesday evening of HELLENiQ ENERGY where the opening of EKO Energy Cyprus was announced, President Christodoulides said "as a Government we approach the wider energy sector as a top priority, it is the number one internal challenge we have to face today, taking into account the many other challenges, among others, in the functioning of the state and businesses as well as households". The challenges, he said, naturally affect the state, Cypriot businesses and Cypriot households. Noting that the expansion of HELLENiQ ENERGY's operations in Cyprus and its new investments in the Cypriot market constitute for the Government "one of the most important votes of confidence for the Cypriot economy", the President o f the Republic assured that "as the Government we approach you as partners, as fellow travellers in this great challenge that we have before us to achieve the green transition, not only because we have to do so because of the facts, the debates, our obligations as an EU member state, as a state of the international community, but because we owe it to our own citizens". Regarding the energy sector, President Christodoulides said that "our actions, as well as our related commitments, have a long-term goal of a green transition" and added that "promoting the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency have been our central strategic objective since the first moment we took office". "We are developing the National Strategy for Hydrogen, while through special financial instruments we support the energy upgrade of our businesses," he said, adding that "the number one problem that businesses have concerns the energy sector. " The President of the Republic said that "for the first time in the R epublic of Cyprus, a sponsorship scheme has been announced for the energy upgrade and strengthening the competitiveness of large enterprises". He also said that at the same time, in the conventional fuels sector, as a transitional solution, "we are aiming to complete the necessary infrastructure to bring in natural gas - natural gas is not the solution, natural gas is still a 'bridge' to achieve our goals - it is for electricity generation, as well as for the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with neighbouring countries". "The Republic of Cyprus is the only EU member state that is energy isolated. So, it's another huge challenge in the energy sector that we are working to address," he added. The promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, according to the President of the Republic, "is a central strategic objective of our governance". He also said that "the EU's very ambitious targets - and we are constantly discussing this in Brussels, even the big countries consider the targets set a s ambitious and difficult - for a climate-neutral continent by 2050, leave little room for complacency, and prescribe a rapidly changing business environment for every party in the energy supply chain, including the oil industry". Source: Cyprus News Agency

Moldova's European path was discussed at a telephone conversation held between Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs and Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for European integration. According to an official press release, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna held on Wednesday a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for European integration and Chief Negotiator with the European Union Cristina Gherasimov, during which they confirmed the friendly relations between the two countries, and referred to the mutual will to further strengthen them, in the context, among other things, of promoting Moldova's European path. Gherasimov expressed satisfaction with the European Council's December 2023 decision to start accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and informed about the actions of the Government of Moldova to promote the reform process, based on the relevant recommendations of the European Commission. She also expressed the hope that the cons ultations in the Council on the Negotiating Framework are concluded rapidly, with the aim of holding an Intergovernmental Conference for the official start of accession negotiations with the EU. Raouna said that Cyprus supports the EU's enlargement policy, which is a geopolitical necessity and commended the Moldovan side for the progress it has achieved in promoting reforms, stressing the importance of continued progress in implementing the necessary reforms. Moreover, she conveyed the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus to provide, if necessary, technocratic and other support to the Government of Moldova. Gherasimov thanked Cyprus for its support and reaffirmed her country's commitment to its reform path, the press release says. Source: Cyprus News Agency

The number one problem which Cyprus is facing in relation to is future is to address the challenges arising from energy, in relation to the great goal of strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the Cypriot economy, said President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides. Addressing an event on Wednesday evening of HELLENiQ ENERGY where the opening of EKO Energy Cyprus was announced, President Christodoulides said "as a Government we approach the wider energy sector as a top priority, it is the number one internal challenge we have to face today, taking into account the many other challenges, among others, in the functioning of the state and businesses as well as households". The challenges, he said, naturally affect the state, Cypriot businesses and Cypriot households. Noting that the expansion of HELLENiQ ENERGY's operations in Cyprus and its new investments in the Cypriot market constitute for the Government "one of the most important votes of confidence for the Cypriot economy", the President o f the Republic assured that "as the Government we approach you as partners, as fellow travellers in this great challenge that we have before us to achieve the green transition, not only because we have to do so because of the facts, the debates, our obligations as an EU member state, as a state of the international community, but because we owe it to our own citizens". Regarding the energy sector, President Christodoulides said that "our actions, as well as our related commitments, have a long-term goal of a green transition" and added that "promoting the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency have been our central strategic objective since the first moment we took office". "We are developing the National Strategy for Hydrogen, while through special financial instruments we support the energy upgrade of our businesses," he said, adding that "the number one problem that businesses have concerns the energy sector. " The President of the Republic said that "for the first time in the R epublic of Cyprus, a sponsorship scheme has been announced for the energy upgrade and strengthening the competitiveness of large enterprises". He also said that at the same time, in the conventional fuels sector, as a transitional solution, "we are aiming to complete the necessary infrastructure to bring in natural gas - natural gas is not the solution, natural gas is still a 'bridge' to achieve our goals - it is for electricity generation, as well as for the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with neighbouring countries". "The Republic of Cyprus is the only EU member state that is energy isolated. So, it's another huge challenge in the energy sector that we are working to address," he added. The promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, according to the President of the Republic, "is a central strategic objective of our governance". He also said that "the EU's very ambitious targets - and we are constantly discussing this in Brussels, even the big countries consider the targets set a s ambitious and difficult - for a climate-neutral continent by 2050, leave little room for complacency, and prescribe a rapidly changing business environment for every party in the energy supply chain, including the oil industry". Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Germany resuming UNRWA funding, more bodies being discovered in a mass grave at Gaza's Nasser Hospital, and the Israeli army's abduction of doctors from the Nasser Medical Complex. TOP STORIES Germany to resume funding of UN agency for Palestinian refugees Germany will resume funding of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, the Foreign Ministry and Development Aid Ministry announced on Wednesday. "By continuing the acute cooperation, we are supporting UNRWA's vital and currently irreplaceable role in providing care for the people in Gaza, because other international aid organizations are also currently dependent on UNRWA's operational structures in Gaza," the ministries said in a joint statement. A strong ally of Israel, Germany had joined several countries including the US and Britain and suspended their funding to UNRWA after accusations by Israel that a dozen of the agency's 13,000 staff in Gaz a took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Palestinians dig up 51 more bodies from mass grave in Gaza's Khan Younis Palestinians uncovered 51 more bodies on Wednesday from a mass grave at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip. 'Some 30 victims have been identified, while efforts are still underway to identify the others,' Ismail al-Thawabta, the director-general of Gaza's government media office, told Anadolu. He said at least 334 bodies have so far been found in the mass grave since Saturday. The bodies were discovered after the Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis on April 7 following a four-month ground offensive in the city. Israeli army abducted 9 doctors from Nasser Hospital, executed hundreds inside: Gaza Media Office The Israeli army executed hundreds of displaced, sick and injured people during its raid on the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip during a ground operation that lasted for four months, the Gaza Media Office sa id Wednesday. 'The depth of the mass graves we found (in Nasser Hospital) confirms that they were dug using large machinery such as Israeli occupation bulldozers and other vehicles,' the head of the Gaza Media Office, Ismail Al-Thawabteh, told Anadolu. 'The Israeli army abducted nine doctors from the Nasser Medical Complex to an unknown location and committed the crime of enforced disappearance against them,' added Al-Thawabteh. NEWS IN BRIEF US President Joe Biden signed a sweeping $95 billion spending bill into law on Wednesday that funds his top-line national security priorities, including more military assistance for Israel and Ukraine. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that he may leave office concerning allegations about his wife. Trkiye on Wednesday rejected 'one-sided' statements on the events of 1915 "that have been made to satisfy certain radical circles," the Foreign Ministry said. Saim Cakmak, one of the so-called leaders of the terrorist PKK in Germany, was captured in Is tanbul in an operation by Turkish intelligence and security forces, security sources said Wednesday. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday for $1.21 billion to address the humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Trkiye slammed the US' recent human rights report, calling for Washington to address its own human rights record and cease its alliances with terror organizations, said the country's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. At least 79 more Palestinians were killed and 86 others injured over the last 24 hours as Israel continues its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, the territory's Health Ministry said Wednesday. Incumbent President Stevo Pendarovski and main opposition candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova will compete in a second round in North Macedonia's presidential election following the first round held on Wednesday, according to unofficial results announced by the State Election Commission. SPORTS Liverpool lose at Evert on in derby, hurting their English Premier League title hopes Liverpool's English Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow after a 2-0 loss at Everton in Wednesday's Merseyside derby. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite scored the opener in the 27th minute at Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, an Everton forward, scored a header after a corner kick to double the gap in the second half and cement the derby win. Former Argentina forward Carlos Tevez admitted to hospital with chest pains Former Argentina forward Carlos Tevez was admitted to a hospital with chest pains, the Argentine football club Independiente announced Wednesday. "Our coach, Carlos Tevez, was admitted to Sanatorio La Trinidad de San Isidro with chest pains. He underwent the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory. Tomorrow he will continue with a series of examinations scheduled in advance within the framework of a general check-up that he usually undergoes," the club wrote on X. Independiente later added that Tevez will remain hospitalized as a precaution until tests are completed. BUSINESS and ECONOMY US mortgage rates hit highest since last November US mortgage applications decreased last week, while mortgage rates hit their highest level since November 2023, according to a Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report released Wednesday. The market composite index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, fell 2.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending April 19. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 2% compared with the previous week. "Mortgage rates continued to move higher last week, reaching their highest levels since late 2023 and putting a damper on applications activity," Joel Kan, MBA's vice president and deputy chief economist, said in a statement. Riyadh to host Islamic Development Bank's annual meeting, golden jubilee this week The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group will organize its annual meeting and golden jubilee in the Saudi capital Riyadh this week. Starting on Saturday, the four-day event will be held under the main theme Cherishing our Past, Charting our Future: Originality, Solidarity and Prosperity, marking the bank's 50 years of fostering socio-economic development. Economy and finance ministers from member countries will participate in the event. Source: Anadolu Agency

The House of Representatives unequivocally condemns the inconceivable crime committed against the Armenian people, said President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou on Wednesday evening. Addressing an event on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held at the Armenian Church in Nicosia, Demetriou said that the Armenian genocide is one of the darkest moments in the history of the 20th century, starting with the mass massacres and violent persecution of the Armenians of Constantinople on that fateful day of April 1915, marking the history of the Armenian people, for centuries of displacement, migrations, struggles and sacrifices in the path of the conquerors, with the most unhealed trauma in its modern history. She added that the position of the Republic of Cyprus was and is clear, whether it concerns Cyprus, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Kosovo, Ukraine or any flagrant violation of international law, which must be treated as such. In her address she said that thousands of Armenian ref ugees fled to Cyprus, where they found a second home, strengthening the ever-growing Armenian element of the island, consolidating with their hard work, patience and ingenuity. She further said the House of Representatives through a resolution established April 24 as the National Day of Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, adding the the preservation of the memory of this tragic anniversary and the consistent support of Armenia's just demand for historical cleansing constitutes for the Cypriot Parliament a maximum priority and a minimum tribute to the proud Armenian people, while recognising the long-standing contribution of thousands of Armenians to the political, economic, social and cultural life of the country. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Electricity and gas bills decreased in the second half of 2023 in the EU, as well as Cyprus, after the increase which started before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued increasing rapidly through 2022, according to data released by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU. In the second half of 2023, average household electricity prices in the EU decreased (28.5 euro per 100 kWh) when compared with the first half (29.4 euro per 100 kWh), and increased slightly compared with the second half in 2022 (28.4 euro per 100 kWh). The cost of energy, supply and network, stabilised in the first semester of 2023, show a decrease in the second, still remaining at high levels, compared to cost before the price peak in 2022. In Cyprus, average household electricity prices decreased (34.5 euro per 100 kWh) during the second half of 2023 compared with the first half (37.3 euro per 100 kWh), but remained increased compared to the second half in 2022 (32.6 euro per 100 kWh). Average gas prices for households i n the EU in the second half of 2023 decreased (11.3 euro per 100 kWh) when compared with the first half of 2023 (11.9 euro per 100 kWh) and the second half of 2022 (11.4 euro per 100 kWh). Energy, supply and network cost decrease, started already in the first semester of 2023, continued its downward course. For non-household consumers this decrease is more pronounced, showing better conditions for the industry. Electricity prices dropped in 13 EU countries Data also show that household electricity prices decreased in 13 EU countries and increased in the rest of the countries in the second half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022. For non-household consumers the prices during the second semester 2023, decreased in 17 countries, resulting in a -4.6% drop in the EU. Price decreases resulted from market dynamics, but were partly offset by reducing or removing consumer alleviation measures at national level. In national currency, the largest increase (+86%) was reported in the Netherlands. Large inc reases in national currency were also registered in Czechia (+83%), Poland (+35%) and Germany (+20%). Large decreases in national currency were registered in Denmark (-39%), Spain (-30%) and Sweden (-20%). Expressed in euro, average household electricity prices in the second half of 2023 were lowest in Hungary (11.3 euro per 100 kWh), Bulgaria (11.9) and Malta (12.8) and highest in Germany (40.2), Ireland (37.9) and Belgium (437.8). Gas prices decrease, largest decrease in Greece Gas prices for the household consumers decreased in the second half of 2023, resulting mostly from lower energy cost and to a lesser extent from taxes, which are gradually returning to pre-crisis levels after generous reductions in 2022. For the non-household consumers, reductions in gas prices were more evident in the second half of 2023. Between the second half of 2022 and the second half of 2023, gas prices (in national currencies) increased the most in Lithuania (+68%) and decreased the most in Denmark (-39%). For househol d consumers, in total, 12 countries reported increases, while the other 12 using gas, reported price decreases. In the industry sector, all but three countries reported decreases, indicating a clear downward trend of gas price levels. Poland (+32%), Slovakia and Germany (both +22%) followed with the highest surges in prices, while Greece (-42%), Denmark (-41%) and Bulgaria (-40%) had the highest decreases. Expressed in euro, average household gas prices in the first half of 2023 were lowest in Hungary (3.3 euro per 100 kWh), Croatia (4.6 euro) and Romania (5.6 euro) and highest in Sweden (20.7 euro), Ireland (16.4 euro) and the Netherlands (24.8 euro). Source: Cyprus News Agency