Former Metropolitan of Paphos, Tychikos, submitted the Profession of Faith requested by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus. This submission follows a decision declaring him deposed about a month ago. Tychikos aims to address claims of avoiding the submission, seeking to clarify the situation. He also states that he has not renounced any promises made during his episcopal ordination.
Dr. Alkis Pieridis, the Father of Nephrology in Cyprus, passed away at the age of 81. He contributed to the establishment of the transplant center and dialysis units across Cyprus. He was the first Cypriot physician honored by the British Royal Academy. The date of his funeral will be announced later.
The first satellite images of the American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow show craters and dust. Taken hours after the attack, the images reveal locations hit by U.S. bombs. Despite the relatively small size of the craters, this is expected for such weapons. The results indicate that Iran had prepared for potential attacks by reinforcing the entrances of the tunnels.
Iran is escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf as its parliament approves a proposal to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This strait is crucial for international oil and gas trade. The final decision will be made by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, but officials confirm that Tehran is seriously considering this move. No timeline for implementing the plan has been announced yet.
Stefanos Stefanou has been re-elected as the General Secretary of AKEL with a remarkable 96.4% of votes. A total of 810 delegates participated in the voting, with 781 supporting his candidacy. Only 29 votes were against him, reflecting strong confidence from party members. This re-election signifies the ongoing trust in his leadership.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned the U.S. that all options are on the table to defend the nation following a military attack against Iran. He is set to travel to Russia for a meeting with President Putin and emphasized the need for retaliation against Washington's 'barbaric military aggression.' He stated that the door for diplomacy is open, but his country is under attack and will act in self-defense. Araghchi criticized Trump’s administration for creating a dangerous situation that violates international laws.
The GBU-57 is a heavy bomb designed to target underground facilities, such as the Fordow complex in Iran. It can penetrate significant depths and has explosive power that surpasses previous models by tenfold. Only the B-2 stealth bomber can carry this bomb due to its weight and technical requirements. The recent U.S. attack confirmed their ability to conduct such strikes, leading to extensive implications for regional security.
Trump used two strategic bluffs to confuse Iran. In the first, he stated that the U.S. would decide in two weeks on their response strategy, which some interpreted as hesitation. In the second bluff, he deployed B‑2 strategic bombers to Guam, causing concern and pressure, while in reality, the U.S. struck significant sites of the Iranian nuclear program. These moves illustrate Trump's strategic game on the international stage.
The Iranian Foreign Minister condemned the recent U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as unacceptable and extremely dangerous. He emphasized that the U.S. has seriously violated the UN Charter, international law, and the NPT agreement. Araghchi warned that the consequences of this action would be everlasting and urged all UN members to be concerned. Iran reserves all options for its defense.
The leaders and foreign ministers of the European Union are meeting this week, amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict. The EU struggles to implement a consistent and effective foreign policy, despite its participation in international gatherings. The EU's actions often seem limited to photo opportunities and public appearances without substantial intervention. It is acknowledged that this approach continues to focus on national interests rather than collective actions.
The justice system in Cyprus is facing delays in reforms that were supposed to start in 2021. Michalis Vorkas, president of the Cyprus Bar Association, emphasizes the lack of public trust due to these delays and the urgent need for an independent judiciary agency. He points out that many modernization proposals remain inactive, which negatively impacts the functioning of democracy. Vorkas calls for immediate actions to promote reforms in the justice sector.
One year after implementing the local governance reform, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou assesses the situation. Despite initial problems and challenges, he believes the new map is clearly better than the previous state. However, there were identified shortcomings and ongoing efforts are needed for improvement. The government is committed to making significant changes where necessary.
Nicosia is closely monitoring developments in the region, including military conflicts and diplomatic moves by powerful nations. Cyprus faces risks due to its proximity to war zones, being affected by global relations such as the war in Ukraine. The presence of British Bases on the island remains uncertain regarding their impact during the escalation of conflicts. Nicosia is keeping a close watch on the situation and maintains communication with London.
The U.S. conducted strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow using six bunker buster bombs, as stated by President Donald Trump. The GBU-57, a powerful non-nuclear weapon, is designed to destroy deeply buried targets. Strikes on Natanz and Isfahan included 30 Tomahawk missiles. The strategy for using these weapons is complex and requires specialized bomber aircraft.