Asianet Pakistan Private Limited
SOURCED FROM CURRENT NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS
Weather Temperature for Cyprus
Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology
Date 12/06/2026
Station
TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)
Humidity at
1200 UTC
Highest
Lowest
Nicosia (Athalassa)
34
19
36
Larnaka Airport
30
20
74
Limassol
28
19
69
Pafos Airport
28
20
71
Frenaros
29
22
68
Prodromos
25
15
58
Polis Pafos
32
19
47
Renewed hostility between the US and Iran, which has caused oil prices to remain elevated longer than expected, has triggered a fresh downturn in gold prices, potentially dipping to US$3,500-3,600 an ounce or 60,000 baht per baht-weight domestically, says Kritcharat Hirunyasiri, chairman of MTS Gold.
“The prolonged Middle East conflict and elevated oil prices have wrongfooted all previous predictions for gold prices and the global economy,” he told the Bangkok Post, adding renewed attacks in Iran, especially those on oil fields, are causing a greater impact on oil prices than during the onset of Russia’s war with Ukraine.
According to Mr Kritcharat, the longer oil prices are elevated, the higher the probability the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates.
The market predicts a Fed rate hike over the next three months, he noted.
Elevated crude oil prices can accelerate inflation, and while gold is viewed as a hedge against inflation, higher interest rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding metal.
Bullion plunged to $4,022 an ounce on Thursday, the lowest since Nov 21, before rebounding to $4,089 later in the day, down 0.5% from the previous session. Over the past 30 days, gold was down 12.5%.
MTS Gold, one of Thailand’s top three gold traders, forecasts the gold price support range at $3,500-3,600 an ounce.
The Gold Traders Association reported the local price dropped by nearly 2,000 baht per baht-weight in early trade on Thursday. After 29 adjustments, gold bar was quoted at 63,900 baht per baht-weight.
“This full-blown price downturn could last until the end of the year,” said Mr Kritcharat.
“If the Fed hikes US rates as the market anticipates in December, the price of domestic gold bar should not fall below 60,000 baht per baht-weight.”
Hua Seng Heng, Thailand’s largest gold trader, predicts the next price resistance level at $4,115 an ounce.
“If gold falls below $4,000 an ounce, we will probably see the price drop even further,” noted the trader.
Minister for Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Miriam Blanchard, has resigned, Speaker of the Dominica Parliament, Joseph Isaac announced on Friday.
In a statement, announcing her resignation, Isaac said he had received a June 9, 2026 letter from Blanchard on Friday ‘advising of her resignation as the Member of Parliament for the Roseau North Constituency. ‘In her correspondence, Hon. Blanchard indicated hat er decision to resign was made on medical grounds’.
Last August, Blanchard, who had been a member of the cabinet since 2016, had sought medical treatment overseas for an undisclosed illness. She had also served as Minister for Public Workers and Ports as well as Planning and Economic Development in successive Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administrations headed by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
Skerrit has made no public statement regarding the resignation of Blanchard, with the Speaker indicating that Section 119. (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica provides that the resignation of a Member of the House of Assembly takes effect upon the Speaker’s receipt of the letter.
Isaac thanked Blanchard ‘for her service to her constituents and to the people of Dominica and wishes her the very best’
A by-election is scheduled to be held within 90 days.
Meanwhile, the executive committee of the minority Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) said it has accepted the resignation letter of Bernard Hurtault, who had served as interim political leader of the party for more than five years.
In a statement, the DFP, which formed the government here between 1980- 1995, said that it wanted to thank Hurtault ‘for his service to the party’ which was ‘formed in 1968 ‘on democratic principles and the rule of law to advance good, accountable, and responsible governance in Dominica.
‘The party has served the people of Dominica well and faithfully while in opposition, as well as in government, and has always fostered that of good governance, aimed at uplifting the standard of political discourse, as well as fostering a high level of participatory engagement in forging a clear path to develop the country democratically and economically for all citizens,’ it added.
The party said that it wishes to assure its members and the pubic ‘that it remains resolute in its pursuit of a better Dominica…while at the same time building a stronger Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) going forward’.
Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Dr. Nicholas A. Ioannides has said on Friday that the effective management of migration presupposes shared responsibilities, mutual trust and genuine solidarity among member states. He was addressing the opening of the Informal Ministerial Conference on the Pact of Migration and Asylum held in Nicosia, under the Cyprus Presidency of the European Council.
He told participants that the start of the meeting that it takes place at a particularly significant juncture as today marks the entry into force of the European Pact and Asylum, a major milestone for the EU and for the collective effort to manage migration.
‘Today marks the culmination of a long and demanding joint journey in recent years through intensive consultations and often difficult negotiations, member states and European institutions worked with dedication to shape a new more comprehensive and more resilient European framework for managing migration and asylum’, said Dr. Ioannides.
Noting ‘the pact is a result of this collective effort’, he said it ‘reflects our shared determination to address an issue that no country can effectively manage on its own. It is a concrete confirmation that the EU can find common ground and develop common solutions, even on the most complex and sensitive issues. The significance of the pact goes beyond its legislative concept. It reflects our conviction that the effective management of migration presupposes shared responsibilities, mutual trust and genuine solidarity among member states’.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that ‘its success will depend on the consistency with which we will implement the commitment we have made and our ability to continue working in a spirit of cooperation and unity.’
Dr. Ioannides further said that today is not the end of the process. ‘On the contrary, a new path opens before us, of joint action and shared responsibility. The implementation of the pact marks the opening of a new chapter for European Migration Policy, a chapter we are called upon to write together with solidarity, determination and a shared vision for the future of Europe.’
To celebrate this important milestone, participants watched a short video made in the context of the implementation of the pact.
The profitability of the banking sector declined in the first three months of 2026 by 23.6% compared to last year, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus.
The CBC published on Friday the updated aggregate Cyprus banking sector data (profitability, balance sheet and capital adequacy data) with a reference date of 31 March 2026.
In a press release it said that the profitability of the banking sector has declined in the first three months of 2026 by pound 62 mn or 23.6% to pound 202 mn from pound 264 mn in March 2025.
This decrease, it noted, is primarily driven by a reduction in net interest income (NII) and exchange differences loss.
Total assets within the banking sector have risen in the first quarter of 2026 by pound 274 mn or 0.4%, to pound 70,235 mn in March 2026 from pound 69,961 mn in December 2025.
This growth, the CBC said, is largely attributed to an increase in loans and advances and debt securities.
Meanwhile, the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of the banking sector declined in March 2026 by 0.7 percentage points to 25.1%, from 25.8% in December 2025.
This decrease is mainly due to an increase in total risk exposure amount which has outweighed the increase of CET1 Capital, the CBC concluded.
Silence is not always the best answer, especially if it comes at the cost of one’s mental health. And yet too often, we see members of various communities choosing to bottle in emotions, struggles and daily life pressure for many reasons among which is the fallacy that talking about one’s struggles is a sign of weakness, especially for men. However for some, appropriate help is unavailable or unknown.
It is therefore good that June is always highlighted as men’s mental health awareness month. While mental health awareness cannot be left to a singular month, having a set time where it is given extra attention is key in the fight to improve and take care of mental health. According to data released last year by the World Health Organisation, ‘anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women and suicide remains a devastating outcome, claiming an estimated 727 000 lives in 2021 alone. It is a leading cause of death among young people across all countries and socioeconomic contexts.’
The Ministry of Health’s State of Uganda Population Report 2025 under the theme ‘Mental Health: A Silent Emergency also estimates that about 24.2 percent of adults and 22.9 percent of children are affected by mental health conditions. And yet fewer than one in 10 people who need care receive appropriate support. As we take a deep dive into the second half of the year, it is important to take a moment and check to see that mental health is not being sacrificed at the altar of hard work, provision, responsibility and making ends meet, political ambition, meeting company key performance indicators and other fleeting targets and goals.
To keep the fight for good mental health going, awareness is key. Communities cannot change what they don’t understand. Equally important is a multi-pronged approach and collective participation from all stakeholders. For instance, community leaders must promote initiatives that provide free mental health help for men but also for the rest of the populace. Employers must have provision for mental health promoting programmes for their staff, religious institutions must provide conducive environment for the community to put their mental well-being at the forefront, sermons should carry the message too.
Schools should have trained counsellors for their learners and government must treat it as the important issue it is. This campaign involves us all. The onus is not only on institutions of learning, employers and mental heath organisations to seek out those amongst us that might not be doing well, it’s on us all. Look out for your mental health and that of the people in your circle of influence.
The Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE) has successfully concluded the second edition of the Caribbean Days – Journées des Caraïbes in Paris – as part of the Latin American and Caribbean Week at UNESCO’s headquarters.
The CCCE, founded in November 2019 to facilitate trade between the greater Caribbean and Europe and promote investments from Europe for the sustainable economic development of the Caribbean, said that the four-day event was held under the theme ‘Peace, Diversity and Sustainability’. ‘The four days of cultural activities featuring Arts, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Films, Literature and Poetry, Music and Dance, reinforced CCCE’s unified vision, showcased the Caribbean’s strength of the creative industries at the world’s leading international organization for education, science, culture and heritage,’ the CCCE said.
The event brought together Caribbean ambassadors and other diplomats of the public sector with the private sector, who were privy to special presentations from representatives of the Banque de France, Expertise France, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and French Senator Micheline Jacques, who is spearheading an economic partnership between the French Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and Haiti.
Another highlight of the event was the round table discussion on sustainable tourism, with presentations from former president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Geoffrey Lipman, and Florian Valmy-Desvillers, Business Development Director, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) UK and Europe.
‘The overall message was abundantly clear, that climate change has accelerated the need for making tourism more sustainable and more beneficial for the local communities, who safeguard the precious nature and culture of our region for future generations.’
The CCCE said that the Caribbean Days in Paris demonstrated the region’s collective commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth, providing a powerful platform to showcase the Caribbean’s diverse experiences while shaping new alliances for the benefit of sustainable economic development of the region.
An agreement on strengthening the CBAM, progress on advancing the integration of European capital markets, and discussions on financial support for Ukraine marked the final meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) under the Cyprus Presidency.
Following the meeting, which took place on Friday in Luxembourg, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos expressed satisfaction with the results achieved during the six-month Cyprus Presidency. He highlighted the agreement on the pound 90 billion loan package for Ukraine, progress on the reform of the EU customs framework, and advancements on the package concerning market integration and supervision.
According to the Minister, these achievements reflect the Cyprus Presidency’s objective of promoting a European Union that is both more strategically autonomous and open to the world.
Referring to the outcomes of the meeting, the Minister stated that the Council reached an agreement on its position regarding amendments to the CBAM Regulation, stressing that it is an important tool for preventing carbon leakage and supporting both industry and national authorities.
He noted that the agreement provides for an extension of the mechanism’s scope and establishes a procedure for the temporary exemption of specific products in cases of serious disruption to the internal market. He added that the Commission’s proposal was also strengthened in several areas relating to anti-circumvention measures.
At the same time, ministers held a policy debate on the package concerning the integration and supervision of European capital markets. According to the Finance Minister, advancing this file was a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency, and the discussion helped clarify member states’ positions on issues such as the scope of direct supervision by the ESMA and its proposed new governance model.
He added that the Cyprus Presidency is handing over a mature file to the Irish Presidency for the continuation of negotiations.
During the meeting, ministers also discussed the economic and financial impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Minister said that the European Commission updated the Council on progress in implementing the pound 90 billion support loan for Ukraine, with the final procedural steps underway ahead of the first disbursement.
Scoreboard of the opening T20I between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Sabina Park here on Thursday.
SRI LANKA
Pathum Nissanka b Holder 18
*+ Kusal Mendis c Chase b Joseph 36
Lasith Croospulle lbw b Holder 0
Pavan Rathnayake c Hetmyer b Joseph 4
Kamindu Mendis run out 51
Dasun Shanaka c Forde b Chase 22
Wanindu Hasaranga c +Hope b Joseph 3
Maheesh Theekshana c Powell b Holder 1
Dushmantha Chameera run out 1
Eshan Malinga not out 3
Extras (lb4, w4) 8
TOTAL (nine wickets; 20 overs) 147
Did not bat: Dilshan Madushanka.
Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-43, 3-49, 4-65, 5-124, 6-138, 7-139, 8-144, 9-147.
Bowling: Hosein 3-0-28-0, Forde 3-0-32-0, Holder 4-0-18-3, Joseph 4-0-29-3, Shepherd 2-0-17-0, Chase 4-0-19-1.
WEST INDIES
Brandon King b Hasaranga 37
*+Shai Hope not out 65
Shimron Hetmyer c Rathnayake b Hasaranga 17
Roston Chase b Malinga 16
Rovman Powell not out 10
Extras (nb1, w3) 4
TOTAL (three wickets; 19.2 overs) 149
Did not bat: Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph.
Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-95, 3-128.
Bowling: Madushanka 3.2-39-0, Chameera 4-0-32-0, Theekshana 4-0-20-0, Malinga 4-0-26-1, Hasaranga 4-0-32-2.
Toss: Sri Lanka elected to bat.
Player-of-the-Match: Jason Holder.
Result: West Indies won by seven wickets to lead the three-match series 1-0.
Umpires: Deighton Butler, Zahid Bassarath.
TV Umpire: Christopher Taylor.
Reserve Umpire: Leslie Reifer.
Match Referee: Richie Richardson.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday raised concerns in Parliament over what he described as the Government’s prolonged delay in filling judicial vacancies, claiming that four positions each in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have remained vacant for more than six months.
Raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), Premadasa said the delay had contributed to the retirement of several career judges and questioned the Government’s commitment to institutional reform.
He argued that it was inappropriate for a Government elected on a mandate of system change to allow key vacancies in the higher judiciary to remain unfilled for such an extended period.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said appointments to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are made by the President and that he would provide a detailed response after obtaining information from the Presidential Secretariat.
The Minister assured Parliament that the vacancies would be filled, but said he was unable to provide a timeframe for the appointments.
The exchange comes amid ongoing debate over vacancies in the higher judiciary and concerns about their potential impact on the administration of justice and the functioning of the court system.