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Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (A)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 02/11/2026 UNTIL 0600 03/11/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1017hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be partly cloudy.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, gradually Southeast to South 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southeast to South 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northeast to East 3 Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning Northeast to East 3, gradually 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4, locally 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning North to Northeast 3, gradually Northeast to East Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Northeast to East 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4, offshore Northeast 4 Slight

North Coast

Morning Northeast to Southeast 3, soon locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Northwest to Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Night Southeast to South 3, offshore East 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Taiwo Omotunde, 21 band members escape armed robbery attack along Ilesa-Ife road

Veteran juju musician and bandleader, Evangelist Taiwo Omotunde, and 21 members of his band, Eternal Beats, have escaped an armed robbery attack along the Ilesa-Ife road in Osun State, with their vehicle, cash, phones, laptops and other valuables reportedly stolen.

The musician, who is the Oyo State Governor of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Deputy Chairman of PMAN South-West Zone, disclosed the incident in a security alert issued after the attack on Friday night, saying that although the gang dispossessed them of their belongings, all members of the band survived the encounter.

The band was reportedly returning from a musical performance when the armed assailants struck, leaving the travelling party traumatised and the driver injured.

Omotunde, who expressed gratitude for the survival of the band members, said the incident had also exposed him to the risk of impersonation and financial fraud following the theft of his communication devices and other personal belongings.

‘Taiwo Omotunde and band members escaped from the hands of armed robbers/kidnappers along Ilesa-Ife on Friday night. My car, money, phones, laptops and valuables stolen. Driver injured. But all alive,’ he stated.

He subsequently warned members of the public, friends, colleagues and associates to disregard any messages or calls requesting financial assistance purportedly from him through his stolen phone numbers, WhatsApp accounts, email addresses, Facebook and other communication channels.

According to him, such communications should not be entertained, as they could be attempts by the attackers or other persons to exploit the stolen devices and impersonate him.

The musician also confirmed that he and all 21 members of his band were safe, despite the frightening experience.

‘The attack has again drawn attention to the security risks confronting travelling musicians and other entertainment practitioners, particularly those returning from late-night engagements on highways.

‘Beyond the loss of property, such incidents expose artistes, their crew members and drivers to potentially fatal dangers, with implications for the movement of entertainment professionals across the country,’ he added.

Omotunde, a respected juju musician and Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Beats Band, has remained active in the music industry and musicians’ leadership.

He also emerged as the Oyo State Governor of PMAN and Deputy Chairman of PMAN South-West Zone following the election of a new regional executive council in August 2026.

His emergence as Deputy Chairman places him among the musicians’ representatives expected to advance the welfare, unity and professional interests of practitioners across the South-West.

The incident, however, has brought his personal safety and that of his band members into sharp focus, with the musician appealing for vigilance against fraudulent requests made in his name.

Africa must ensure AI strengthens journalism, not undermine it

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming journalism, presenting opportunities to improve reporting while creating new threats to information integrity, journalists’ jobs and media freedom. Africa cannot afford to approach this transformation as a purely technological question. We must also consider who benefits, who bears the risks and what it means for the future of independent journalism.

As Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), our position is that AI must serve journalism, not undermine it. Its adoption must strengthen quality reporting, protect journalists’ rights and uphold the public’s right to reliable information.

This was also the central message of our continental dialogue in Addis Ababa on October 24 and 25, 2026, where journalist leaders engaged representatives of the African Union Commission, UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union on responsible AI, decent work and media freedom.

Our discussions reinforced an important truth: we cannot secure quality journalism without decent working conditions, nor defend media freedom while ignoring the conditions under which journalists work.

Across Africa, journalists continue to face low or delayed wages, insecure employment, inadequate contracts, limited social protection and pressure on editorial independence. These are not simply labour concerns. They affect the quality, credibility and independence of the information available to the public.

When journalists are poorly paid, overworked or vulnerable to dismissal, their ability to resist political and commercial pressure is weakened. When newsrooms lack the resources to investigate, verify information and hold power accountable, misinformation and disinformation find fertile ground.

AI presents genuine opportunities. It can support research, translation, transcription, verification and data analysis, helping journalists work more efficiently and reach wider audiences. However, the same technology can generate fabricated images, clone voices, impersonate trusted sources and spread misleading content at extraordinary speed.

The danger is that AI could deepen existing problems if media organisations introduce it primarily to cut costs, reduce staffing and maximise profits. Technological progress should not come at the expense of professional journalism or the livelihoods of those who produce it.

Journalists must therefore be involved in shaping how AI is adopted in their workplaces. Media organisations should develop clear policies in consultation with journalists and their unions, addressing transparency, accountability, source protection and editorial independence. Human judgement must remain central to decisions affecting the public.

Employers must not use automation as an excuse to evade their labour obligations. Where AI changes jobs and working arrangements, journalists deserve meaningful consultation, skills development and respect for their rights. Productivity gains should not benefit employers alone while workers absorb the costs.

This is why collective bargaining and social dialogue are essential. Governments, employers and workers must negotiate how AI is introduced, how its risks are managed and how its benefits are shared. Trade unions must also adapt their organising strategies to reach freelancers, digital journalists and other workers who are frequently excluded from traditional employment protections.

FAJ’s recent continental survey on journalists’ working conditions, safety, labour rights and media freedom provides an important foundation for this advocacy. It gathered responses from 1,586 journalists across 45 African countries, offering evidence to support engagement with media owners, governments and regional institutions.

These findings must translate into practical reforms, including fair remuneration, enforceable employment rights and social protection that reflects the realities of journalism, including freelance and digital work.

We must also recognise that journalists cannot produce quality journalism when they work under constant threat. Physical attacks, legal harassment and intimidation continue to undermine reporting across Africa. Women journalists face additional challenges, particularly online, where sexualised abuse, threats and coordinated harassment are used to silence them.

Governments must investigate attacks and end impunity. Media organisations must strengthen safety systems, while digital platforms must respond effectively to targeted abuse without suppressing legitimate journalism or dissent. African AI governance frameworks must protect freedom of expression, privacy, access to information and journalists’ safety.

Africa must also have a meaningful voice in shaping global AI governance. The African Union and regional economic communities should ensure that journalists and their representative organisations participate in developing policies that reflect the continent’s realities and uphold fundamental rights.

The advocacy action plan adopted in Addis Ababa gives FAJ and its affiliates a basis for advancing these priorities through engagement with African institutions, UN agencies, organised labour, human rights organisations and other partners.

But an action plan is only the beginning. Its value will be measured by whether it produces tangible improvements in journalists’ working conditions, safety and independence.

Our message is straightforward: AI should complement human judgement, not replace journalistic responsibility. It should strengthen access to credible information, not accelerate deception. It should improve working conditions, not deepen insecurity.

The future of African journalism will not be secured by technology alone. It will depend on whether we protect the people who gather, verify and report the information our societies need.

Responsible AI, decent work and media freedom are inseparable. Africa must ensure that its technological transformation strengthens all three.

NGX sheds N35bn as bearish sentiment weighs on equities

Nigerian equities market opened the new trading week on a bearish note on Monday, as renewed selling pressure on heavyweight stocks dragged market capitalisation down by N35.25 billion, amid weak investor sentiment and mixed sectoral performance.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index declined marginally by 0.02 per cent to 254,245.21 points, moderating its year-to-date return to 63.38 per cent, while market capitalisation fell to N165.08 trillion.

Market breadth remained weak, reflecting subdued appetite for equities, as 41 stocks closed in the red against 21 gainers, translating to a breadth ratio of 0.5 times.

The decline was led by Champion Breweries, SUNU Assurances and Aradel Holdings, which featured among the worst-performing stocks during the session.

The performance suggests that investors remained cautious, with limited buying interest in major stocks failing to offset losses across several sectors.

Sectoral performance was largely negative, as four of the six tracked sectors closed lower. The Oil and Gas index led the decline, shedding 3.75 per cent, followed by the Commodities sector, which fell 2.76 per cent.

The Banking index declined by 1.79 per cent, while Consumer Goods lost 1.17 per cent, reflecting broad-based selling pressure across key market segments.

However, the Industrial sector bucked the trend, advancing 3.34 per cent to emerge as the strongest performer, while the Insurance index gained 0.93 per cent.

Trading activity also weakened considerably, with both volume and value of transactions declining, although the number of deals increased sharply.

Turnover fell by 44.67 per cent to N47.48 billion, while traded volume dropped by 48.15 per cent to 517.26 million shares.

In contrast, the number of transactions increased by 42.63 per cent to 54,015 deals, suggesting that trading remained active despite the decline in the overall value and volume of shares exchanged.

Market analysts expect sustained selling pressure and weak breadth to constrain the market’s near-term recovery, although selective bargain-hunting in fundamentally attractive stocks could help moderate further losses.

Despite Monday’s marginal decline, the equities market maintained a year-to-date gain of 63.38 per cent, underscoring the substantial appreciation recorded since the beginning of the year.

Makerere university minister for culture suspended after freshers’ ball clash

Edward Mutebi, the Minister for Culture, Mobilisation and Social Affairs of Makerere University, has been suspended by the Guild President, Gracious Kadondi, for twenty days following an altercation at the Freshers’ Ball on Saturday.

Ms Kadondi said the decision paves the way for necessary investigations into the expected standard of conduct required of a guild minister, which Mr Edward Mutebi failed to meet.

”This suspension is for a period of twenty-nine (29) days pending the conclusion of necessary investigations and a final decision on the matter. The basis of this action is the expected standard of conduct required of a guild minister, which Hon. Mutebi Edward has failed to meet.” The notice dated November 1, read.

Ms Kadondi explained that the suspension is pursuant to Article 83(1) of the Makerere University Students’ Guild Constitution 2022, which vests in the Guild President the power to suspend a member of the Cabinet.

”I hereby suspend Hon. Mutebi Edward, Minister for Culture, Mobilisation and Social Affairs.” She noted.

During the period of suspension, Mr Mutebi will be barred from exercising any of the powers, duties, or functions attached to the office of his ministry and shall not be allowed to represent the Guild in that capacity.

Mr Mutebi has also been directed to return all instruments of power and any material in his possession relating to the said office.

Mr Mutebi did not pick up or return our calls on his known phone numbers on Sunday evening when this publication reached out to clarify whether he had received a copy of the suspension letter.

However, in a letter shared on Sunday evening via his social media handle X (formerly Twitter), Mr Mutebi said his office has noted with concern queries from the public regarding an altercation during the performance of artist Fik Fameica, and explained that they needed to maximise the little which was allocated for entertainment.

”We have noted with concern queries from the public in regard to an altercation during the performance of artist Mr Walukagga Shafik alias King Kong, Fresh Bwoy or Fik Fameica. We wish to clarify that prior to the event, the organising team had agreed upon guidelines, and in the best interest of time, we agreed that actions speak louder and that the best way to thank Makerereans is by making sure we maximise the little time we have to give them the best entertainment.” The November 1 letter read.

Adding, ”these guidelines were shared days prior and were equally approved by the security team.”

Mr Mutbebi, who issued an apology, said the event was disrupted by rain, forcing them to do away with ”unnecessary ” speeches, a decision, he said, didn’t sit well with some of their stakeholders.

”On behalf of the organising committee, we are profoundly sorry for the little time allocated to some of our performers and to those who were entirely left out of the program.” He added.

The Makerere University Freshers’ Ball held on Saturday night at Impis Grounds drew thousands of students, showcasing local artists including Feffe Busi, Hanz MC and Nina Roz among others.

However, the day took a twist when Fik Fameica took up the stage, but Guild President Ms Gracious Kadondi walked onto the stage with her team and demanded that she address the students before Fameica continued.

The singer responded with a demand that the Guild President leave the stage, turning the scene into a confrontation, prompting intervention from the security as students demanded she leave the stage and the singer continued.

In another scene, an unidentified woman was also spotted walking naked during the event.

The Freshers’ Ball, an annual event, is organised to welcome new students to the university.

Gov Diri: Only A God-Fearing Person Will Succeed Me

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged those aspiring to succeed him to seek God’s guidance and approval through prayer, saying only a God-fearing individual will succeed him.

Speaking at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene-Yenagoa, during the state’s 15th thanksgiving, on Monday, Diri stated that nobody can say no to anyone accepted by God.

He said Bayelsa had been handed over to God, maintaining that the Almighty would always have the final say on the affairs of the state.

Diri also stressed the need for people of the state to remain united, tolerant and peaceful, saying that it was the only way Bayelsa can witness the much needed development.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue to impact on the lives of the people positively and that it had the political will to transform the state, which he said had one of the best environments for development.

He thanked the people for standing by his administration.

He said, ‘All who want to be governor, go and seek the face of God. Anyone who wants to be governor must be God-fearing. If God said yes, nobody can say no, not even me.

‘Let us continue to worship God. Let us be tolerant and patient as we will become victorious at the end of the day.

‘The Bible itself recognises that it is good to give thanks to the Lord. Today we came to say thank you Father.

‘As I keep saying, those of us who were born in Yenagoa or know Bayelsa of old can see the difference today. It is enough to give thanks.

‘We have one of the best environments in Nigeria and with the political will we are bringing development to our people.’

The guest preacher and former state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Very Rev. Joseph Opelema, who took his sermon on the theme: ‘Called to be Good Christians and Good Citizens,’ said Christians hold dual citizenship – citizens of the church and citizens of the society.

Drawing his message from Matthew 22:15-22, where the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus on payment of tax, he said His response: ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God’ underscored the call for Christians to be good citizens.

According to the Catholic cleric, the Bible passage, which he said had often been misinterpreted, emphasised that Christians must bring the virtues of sacrifice, prudence, accountability, justice, love, care and charity to bear wherever they find themselves, especially in public office.

He lamented that there were many worshippers today but few live the Christian life, stressing that Jesus called on believers to be witnesses, salt of the earth, light of the world, and to use any public position in Bayelsa and Nigeria to serve and witness to Christ.

Rev. Opelema described Bayelsa as abundantly blessed with natural and human resources, good weather, land and rivers, capable of making it a tourism hub in Nigeria, adding that with a God-fearing leader, the state would in no time attain its full potential.

High points of the service was the unveiling of a book: ‘Lively Oracle’ containing the scriptural declarations of the governor during morning devotions, and song ministrations by various Gospel artistes.

Daily Trust reports that Bayelsa’s governorship election will hold a few months after the 2027 general election.

President ready to meet with UN Envoy and Erhurman whenever deemed necessary

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed on Monday his readiness to meet with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, today or tomorrow, if Holguin deems it necessary.

In statements to journalists before attending the Annual General Assembly of the Association of Large Investment Projects, in Nicosia, the President of the Republic said that responses are expected both to the specific proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side as well as to issues discussed with Holguin.

He recalled that he had already expressed to the Personal Envoy of the UNSG his readiness to change his schedule so that a joint meeting of the three can take place, if the need arises after her meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader on Monday. Alternatively, he added, he is available to meet with her in person.

‘We certainly expect, I hope, that something will emerge that will lead to a joint meeting,’ he said.

Asked whether the conditions exist for convening an expanded meeting before the end of the current UN Secretary-General’s term, the President stressed that this is an ‘absolutely feasible goal,’ noting that what is needed is political will.

Moreover, the President pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is constantly submitting proposals and suggestions for achieving this goal, which, demonstrate its political will and readiness to proceed to an expanded meeting, during which the resumption of talks will be announced.

As regards any developments during the period between Holguin’s bilateral meetings with the two leaders and the next trilateral meeting, the President said that the Turkish Cypriot leader will be away from Wednesday to Friday.

Asked about a possible meeting between Holguin and mayors and community leaders of occupied municipalities and communities, the President said that he was not aware of her schedule, adding, however, that he encouraged her to respond positively to the relevant request submitted by the occupied municipalities.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

NBFIRA tight-lipped on violations behind Minet’s statutory management

The Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) has declined to disclose the specific violations that prompted the decision to place Minet Botswana under statutory management.

Responding to our inquiry, the regulator said the shortcomings were identified through its regulatory and supervisory tools.

NBFIRA said Minet was placed under statutory management based on ‘identified non-compliances by the regulated entity, identified through NBFIRA’s regulatory and supervisory tools.’

The Authority did not specify the nature of the non-compliances, the regulatory provisions allegedly breached or when the concerns were first identified.

It said it continually engages regulated entities to ensure compliance, adding that it ‘immediately escalated its intervention to that of appointment of a statutory manager’ when it became apparent that this level of intervention was required.

The regulator also declined to provide details of the inspections, audits, investigations or supervisory assessments undertaken before the decision. It said it had applied supervisory tools provided for under the laws governing regulated entities.

On whether Minet had previously received warnings, compliance notices or remedial instructions, NBFIRA was also cagey, saying it engages regulated entities on identified non-compliances on an ongoing basis. ‘The appointment of a statutory manager was only done after all the necessary steps were taken to address the concerns,’ it said, adding that the intervention was intended to close compliance gaps and protect clients’ interests.

The Authority said its engagement with Minet included the development of a remedial action plan, but did not disclose its contents or the measures that had been required of the company.

Sunday Standard’s request for a chronological account of the regulatory process, including the dates of key decisions and notices, was also declined. ‘Regulatory intervention to that level of detail is confidential between the Regulatory Authority and the regulated entity,’ NBFIRA said.

The regulator confirmed that it had considered and applied a range of supervisory and remedial interventions before placing Minet under statutory management. It again cited confidentiality when asked why those earlier measures had not resolved the concerns. Questions about the role of Minet’s board and senior management also received limited responses.

NBFIRA said its regulatory and supervisory approach takes a holistic view that includes the governance of regulated entities. However, it did not indicate whether any specific findings had been made against the board or individual directors.

Asked what enforcement or disciplinary action had been taken, or was being considered, against directors and senior management, including possible penalties, reprimands, disqualification or removal from office, the Authority also refused to disclose suffice it to say ‘regulatory intervention at Minet Botswana is ongoing.’

The same response was given when asked whether any action had been taken against the board or senior management. ‘Statutory management is a regulatory tool used by the Regulatory Authority as a remedial intervention meant to stabilise operations at a regulated entity and put in place sustainable corrective actions,’ it said. The Authority added that the process also serves as a mechanism for protecting clients and ‘should not be viewed as a punitive sanction’.

Under the arrangement, statutory manager Thulisizwe Johnson assumes responsibility for the management of the company. NBFIRA said Minet continues to service its clients and fulfil its obligations. ‘NBFIRA confirms that Minet Botswana continues to service all its clients and execute all legitimate obligations,’ it said.

The Authority statutory management would be lifted once it was satisfied that the measures implemented by the statutory manager had resolved the non-compliances and addressed the identified regulatory and supervisory gaps.

In explaining the framework governing such interventions, NBFIRA said it uses an established supervisory ladder to address non-compliance among non-bank financial institutions. The measures range from less intrusive interventions to statutory management, licence revocation and liquidation. ‘Statutory management is used when earlier interventions have proved ineffective or immediate action is needed to protect affected stakeholders or the market,’ it said.

NBFIRA described the measure as intrusive, explaining that a statutory manager assumes control of an entity’s affairs to the exclusion of its management and board. It said the intervention was therefore reserved for exceptional circumstances and applied as a last resort.

Worrying Diplomatic Criminalities

For the first time in the history of diplomacy in this country, one of the dominant political parties has been compelled to write to a foreign mission about ‘diplomatic and service passports for sale’ and to demand a suspension of courtesies entailed thereof until an audit is undertaken.

In the past few weeks, the story about diplomatic and service passports for sale landed on social media, adding to the visa scandal which swatted our national image earlier.

Followers of social media read the emerging story with glee even as they expected a convincing denial from the appropriate quarters to no avail.

Perhaps the emerging scandals to afflict the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of late, overwhelming as they are, have made it impossible for the appropriate response.

The Minister is busy nursing the wounds inflicted on him by the disturbing scandals.

On the other hand, it could be that there is nothing to deny about a damning reality.

World Cup visa, South African evacuation and diplomatic passports sale scandals are anomalies which do not present our country in good light in whichever direction we look at them.

Is this government under a spell for which reason it is engaging in inappropriate practices which under normal circumstances it should steer clear of?

In the correspondence of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the US Embassy, the largest opposition party pointed at the unusual acquisition of the security travel documents and the need for immediate action.

Until a probe is ordered into the anomaly which would never take place anyway, we can conclude foreign suspicious characters have managed to ‘buy’ the passports.

Under the circumstances, inappropriate channels are in operation for the acquisition of the special travel documents, something which cannot be done without the connivance of persons closely associated with the corridors of power.

Such criminal means of obtaining diplomatic passports is another pointer to the bad and criminal conduct of government appointees.

Names have been mentioned, one of whose alleged relationship with the President calls for an immediate interrogation to establish the truth or otherwise.

We can bet though that with a crocodile-skinned President, such a probe, necessary as it is, won’t come on.

Names have been presented for the passports of persons who do not hold the positions assigned to them. In other anomalous instances, persons have been presented as belonging to agencies when the truth is that these persons are unknown to the staff of the agencies.

Non-existent positions have been created and assigned non-staff applicants for the diplomatic passports.

It would not be long before drug barons, some of whom are already operating here, would lay hands on diplomatic and service passports, if they have not done so already.

That this happening at a time when we have a major unresolved cocaine scandal on our hands says a lot about how governance has degenerated in the hands of those at the helm today.

Police to install CCTV cameras at every station

Plans are underway to install CCTV cameras at every police station across the country, with procurement activities for the project already in progress, Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler said.

The project is expected to introduce a system of surveillance across police stations islandwide. ASP Wootler said steps would also be taken to monitor police stations using the CCTV footage.