Greek Cypriot papers lead on the race to elect a new parliament speaker ahead of Thursday's vote, the police findings in the 'Sandy' case, and a reported assault on the head of a livestock farmers' association.
Alithia, under the headline "Thriller Until the Last Vote," reports on the competing candidacies for the speakership, covering the scenarios and negotiations between the parties. Elsewhere, it reports on the alleged assault on Neofytos Neofytou, president of the 'Voice of Livestock Farmers' association, and carries the police chief's announcement that a criminal investigation has been opened into the 'Sandy' affair.
Politis, under the headline "Report With Gaps and Questions," reports that the police investigation concluded the allegations in the 'Sandy' case were false, but notes that answers to significant questions remain absent from the findings. Elsewhere, it covers a court decision to annul the appointment of seven senior officials at the Technical University of Cyprus (TEPAK), and reports that 21 firefighters from Greece will be pre-positioned in Cyprus in September.
Phileleftheros, under the headline "Annita and Stefanos for the Speakership," reports that after the DISY president entered the race, AKEL's secretary-general has also thrown his hat in the ring, while DIKO is set to decide today and questions remain over the positions of ELAM and Ammos Dimokratia. Elsewhere, it reports that Cyprus is being upgraded into a leading EU aerial firefighting hub, with six firefighting aircraft assigned to the island, and carries analysis on the collapse of the 'Sandy' allegations and the search for accountability.
Haravgi, under the headline "AKEL Backs Stefanou's Candidacy," reports that the party's secretary-general brings the political and parliamentary experience required for the speakership. Elsewhere, it reports that municipalities and communities are being saddled with responsibility for wildfire management without adequate financial resources, and covers AKEL's renewed push to cut VAT on electricity, strengthen social tariffs, and end double taxation on fuel.
Cyprus Mail, under the headline "Police Categorically Reject 'Sandy' Claims," reports on the police chief's press conference, at which he stated that no evidence emerged to support any of the allegations in the 'Sandy' case. Elsewhere, it reports that AKEL is backing secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou for the speakership, and covers the sentencing of four individuals to prison in a human trafficking and sexual exploitation case.
From the Turkish Cypriot press
Turkish Cypriot papers lead on the conclusion of appeal proceedings in a 30-year sentence for child sexual abuse, the arrest of three people over a fraud ring, and a public dispute over the Cyprus problem between rival Turkish Cypriot political figures.
Avrupa, under the headline "Mandela Syndrome at the Prosecution," reports on the close of appeal proceedings in the child sexual abuse sentencing case, with the prosecutor accusing social media of turning the convicted man into a hero. Elsewhere, a columnist criticises statements by Republican Turkish Party president Sıla Usar İncirli on the future of relations between Turkey and the north.
Halkın Sesi, under the headline "Fraud Ring," reports on the arrest of three individuals in connection with forged driving licences, fraudulent vehicle insurance, and fake residence and work permits. The paper also notes President Christodoulidis's official visit to Kazakhstan and his meeting with the country's president.
Kıbrıs, under the headline "A Wide Gulf," reports on the public clash between Tufan Erhürman and 'foreign minister' Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu ahead of the arrival of UN Secretary-General's personal envoy María Ángela Holguín, with Erhürman declining to respond directly to his interlocutor. The paper also covers a 'labour ministry' programme targeting reintegration of 15 to 22-year-olds with criminal records.
Yeni Düzen, under the headline "A Strange Representative Office," reports that Turkey's Justice and Development Party, AKP, has established a representative office in occupied Nicosia inside a listed historic building, without obtaining the required permits from antiquities or municipal authorities and with no legal framework in place governing the operation of foreign political party offices in the north.
