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Cypriot YouTuber Fidias Elected as Independent MEP

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A popular YouTuber from Cyprus, Fidias Panayiotou, has been elected as an independent Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Known for his unconventional online antics, including attempting to hug 100 celebrities and spending a week in a coffin, the 24-year-old Panayiotou has over 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube. Despite having no prior political experience, he secured 19.4% of the vote, the third-largest share.

Mr. Panayiotou expressed his surprise at the election outcome, calling it a “miracle,” and emphasized that political parties need to modernize and listen to the people. Last year, he faced backlash in Japan for a video where he dodged train fares and a hotel bill by hiding in toilets and pretending to be ill, which amassed millions of views.

Celebrating his win at Eleftheria Square in Nicosia, Panayiotou declared that they were making history both in Cyprus and internationally. Initially, he ran for election to inspire youth engagement in politics, despite his own admission of limited political knowledge and never having voted before. His candidacy significantly boosted voter turnout in Cyprus, rising to nearly 59% from 45% in the 2019 elections, partly attributed to what analysts dubbed the “Fidias factor.”

Exit poll analysis by Philenews revealed that Panayiotou garnered 40% of the votes from the 18-24 age group and 28% from the 25-34 age group. The six Cypriot MEPs elected included representatives from the conservative DISY (25%), the communist party AKEL (22%), the ultranationalist ELAM (11%), and the centrist party Diko (10%).

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Pro-Turkey nationalist defeats pro-Greece leader in Northern Cyprus election

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In the Northern Cyprus presidential election, Ersin Tatar, the nationalist leader who shares close relation with Turkey, has defected his opponent, Mustafa Akinci, who is a moderate leader, who stands with the west and works for the reunification of the country.

The nationalist leader has secured not less than 52 per cent of the total votes that were casted during the election.

Mr. Akinci has conceded his defeat in the election.

The victory of the nationalist leader means the region continues to share a cordial relation with its Turkish link.

Cyrus remains unevenly divided since the 1974 coup.

During that period, the country witnessed two events: the Greece backed coup and the Turkey backed military advance.

The incident left the country divided.

At present, a third of the territory of the country, that is Northern Cyprus, is controlled by a system share close ties with Turkey and the rest is controlled by a system share close ties with Greece.

The Greece-backed system is the only one which holds global recognition.

The new development is very crucial in nature. It has derailed the effort to reunify the divided country.

The victory has completely diminished the possibility of the unification.

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Cyprus suspends controversial citizenship scheme

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The European country of Cyprus has decided to suspend a controversial citizenship scheme, which grants citizenship to those who invest a minimum of 2 million Euro in the country.

The scheme has come under spotlight after an investigation conducted by a renowned International media house exposed the flaws in the admiration of the scheme.

The investigation exposed how the scheme was misused by a Chinese businessman to acquire the citizenship of the country.

The decision is expected to come into force in the near future itself.

It was in the year 2004 Cyprus was offered a membership in the European Union.

What comes naturally with the citizenship of Cyprus is an opportunity to access the facility of visa free entry to any country in the European Union.

Cyprus is at present one of the very few countries in the continent of Europe which offers the opportunity of securing citizenship in exchange of investment.

Earlier, the EU warned its member countries to stay vigilant while offering citizenship in exchange of investment.  

It is not clear whether any other country in the continent will follow the footprint of the European country of Cyprus.

It is important to make sure the citizenship in exchange of investment is not misused.

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Crime News

Ayia Napa case: British girl submits appeal against verdict

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The British girl, who was recently handed a suspended sentence by a Cyprus court as it found her guilty of levelling a fake rape allegation against a group of Israeli teenagers, has filed an appeal against the verdict in a court higher to the one which handled her case.

The girl was sent back to her country. She is at present in her country with her family.

Earlier, her lawyer said that she was not denied justice. He asserted that he would appeal against the verdict.

The British girl maintains her allegation that she was raped. She says that she was misled by the Cyprus police – an allegation the said police denied.

Several rights groups have come to the support of the British girl. On the day of the announcement of the verdict, several women –even those from Cyprus – gathered outside the court room to the support of the British girl.

The case has received tremendous International attention. The case has raised serious doubt over the Cyprus laws which deal with the issue of rape and similar sexual abuse related issues.

A legal group alleges that the Cyprus laws which deal with the issues like the aforesaid is not consistent with the standards demand by the European Union and similar International organisations which values human rights more than everything else.


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Crime News

Ayia Napa Case: Briton teenager gets four-month suspended sentence

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A British teenager, who was charged with public mischief for falsely accusing a group of Israeli men with the charge of rape, has been handed a four-month suspended sentence by a court in Cyprus, where the incident happened.

The court has denied her justification that she was pressurised by the Cyprus police to give a false testimony against the group of Israeli.

The Cyprus police strongly condemned the clam made by the British girl, since the beginning.

Interestingly, several woman activists have gathered outside the court to express their solidarity with the British girl.

The girl is expected to be able to return to her home country within a couple of days.

The teenager has broken down with tears when the verdict has been announced by the court. Nonetheless, her family has expressed their happiness in the development.

The advocate who represents the teenager has asserted that he would continue his battle to help his client win justice.

The lawyer has indicted his intention to approach the Cyprus Supreme Court and even the European Union Human Rights Court when he has been enquired about his future steps by the media.

Cyprus was under serious pressure from the UK because of this case. The development has at least partially freed from that pressure.


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Crime News

Thief returns stolen ashes after an emotional appeal

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After the couple, who had found their son’s ashes which they brought to Cyprus from Sweden to scatter in a beautiful place stolen, made a emotional appeal though a media, the thief, who was moved emotionally by the appeal of the couple, has contacted the couple to express his deep sorrow and revealed the location where they could found the ashes.

The couple, who flew back to Poland after the incident, will return to Cyprus to collect the ashes and to scatter the ashes in some beautiful place.

The Cyprus police have arrested around three people in connection with the incident. One of the three is said to be a woman.

The couple’s son died of an accident at least five months ago. They wanted to do the ash scatter ceremony in a beautiful and warm region in Cyrus to end their worst year in a suitable manner.

The couple said they were no longer angry with the thief. They also added the thief had a good heart.

At this moment, it remains unclear the Cyprus judiciary would take a lenient stand against the culprit.


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