The biological parents of the deceased infant in Kypseli are a 43-year-old Greek and a 38-year-old German woman. DNA results confirmed they are also the parents of two other children, while the 9-year-old is not the biological child of the 43-year-old. The children stated they only knew about the infant's death, which was found in the freezer. Authorities are investigating whether the children were present during the murder. The parents and a 26-year-old Afghan living with them are facing charges of homicide and other offenses.
The Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, announced that the death toll from the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia has risen to 10. A total of 239 passengers were rescued, and search operations for additional missing persons are ongoing. Two of the rescued individuals are still hospitalized, but their health conditions are stable. The Turkish Deputy Minister of Health visited the patients to get updates on their condition. The identification process for the victims is still underway.
Eftyhmios Diplaros, the Deputy President of DISY, urges party members to focus on unity and avoid premature electoral confrontations ahead of the presidential elections in 2028. He highlights internal division as the biggest threat to the party and emphasizes the importance of resolving the Cyprus issue. The process for selecting a candidate will follow statutory procedures, and potential candidates are encouraged to put themselves forward for evaluation by party members. Diplaros stresses the need for unity and collaboration to avoid past electoral issues. He points out that elections should not take precedence over serious national concerns.
Significant access issues were reported simultaneously across popular artificial intelligence services, including OpenAI, Claude, Grok, and Google Gemini. The reports suggest that the problems originate from the infrastructure supporting these services, rather than the AI models themselves. There are indications that the causes of the issues are linked to hyperscaler infrastructures such as AWS and Microsoft Azure. The impact extends to other software tools that rely on APIs from these services. Lastly, there are indications of a broader dysfunction in the international routing of internet traffic.
A young girl born with severe visual impairment faced issues with receiving social assistance. Despite her initial certification as disabled, authorities suspended her EEE allowance due to uncertainty in the evaluation process. Her parents appealed to the Administrative Court, which voided the decision, stating that her application should have been approved. The court ruled that the state did not provide sufficient information regarding its decision. The article emphasizes the rights of people with disabilities in relation to the government.
The government's proposal for retirement includes reducing the actuarial deduction from 12% to 7.5% for those retiring at 63. This reduction will only apply to the basic part of the pension. It's estimated that around 80,000 individuals will be affected by this regulation over the next five years. The reform includes pension increases of up to 60% and the possibility of additional contributions from the state for specific groups of citizens. Social partners requested more details regarding the costs and funding sources of the reform.
A shocking case from Marathon reveals that a woman buried her mother in the yard of her house ten years ago to continue receiving her pension. This is the third such case in Greece within a year, following previous incidents in Viotia and Laconia. The revelation came when the elderly woman's granddaughter filed a complaint, as she had lost contact with her. The police found that the elderly woman's death had not been reported. The prosecutor requested to gather evidence without arresting the daughter.
The captain of the 'Filo Jet' decided to set sail despite known engine and rudder issues. The port of Tasucu was closed due to rough seas, and authorities noted several omissions during departure. Investigations into the shipwreck continue, with nine confirmed dead and 19 missing. The suspects for negligence are being held for an additional eight days. A Turkish classification society is set to verify the ship's certifications.
The University of Cyprus has announced the completion of its second allocation, providing about 350 new slots. Of these, around 200 are new positions for candidates entering for the first time. The remaining 150 slots are for students wishing to improve their positions. This process is consistent with previous years, with approximately 300 candidates choosing universities in Greece. Classes will begin next Monday, and new students must register promptly.
The discussion in Parliament about school bus safety focused on serious incidents, such as vandalism and a driver fainting after students emptied a fire extinguisher. The Transport Committee requested specific answers regarding the technical suitability of vehicles. It was noted that 442 buses were inspected before July, and another 319 were checked from July until now. Officials announced intensified and surprise inspections throughout the school year. The representatives from the companies stated that they are ready for the start of the new school year.
The European Central Bank invites citizens of the Eurozone, including those from Cyprus and Greece, to participate in an online survey for the new series of euro banknotes. There are ten design proposals, some featuring iconic personalities such as Maria Callas and Ludwig van Beethoven. The deadline for participation is September 21. Citizens will select their preferred design, and the ECB's Governing Council will choose the final proposal by the end of 2026. Their participation matters for the future of the euro.
The Parliamentary Control Committee is discussing the possibility of stricter checks on recipients of social benefits through their banking data. It was noted that the data could indicate cases that need further investigation. Concerns were raised about shifting the burden of securing additional bank information onto citizens. Members of parliament are calling for improvements in the process and the avoidance of additional charges for citizens. Bank representatives stated that direct submission of data could occur with the appropriate authorization.
According to Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, over 51,664 retirees are expected to receive a monthly increase of more than €100 with the introduction of the new pension reform in 2027. Special attention will be given to low-income pensioners, with substantial support for those receiving pensions up to €600. The reform marks the largest change in the pension system since 1980 and is linked to broader tax reforms aimed at improving disposable income. Additionally, it seeks to address injustices observed in previous years and adapt the system to modern needs. The goal is to create a sustainable Social Insurance Fund for future generations.
The police are making arrests related to the attack at the New Salamis training grounds, where three young men were injured. So far, 13 people have been arrested, with another 6 being sought. The attack appears to stem from a confrontation between fans of AEK and New Salamis. Authorities are preparing for the upcoming match between the two teams and are requesting information on the suspects. A joint appeal from the fan clubs of New Salamis and AEK emphasizes the need for peaceful sportsmanship.
A body of an unknown individual was found in a state forest in Paphos. The discovery was made around 9:30 a.m. by forest department officials. Police and a forensic expert were called to the scene to examine the situation. Procedures will be followed to identify the body. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The police in Limassol were mobilized following a pursuit of a white van that failed to stop for checks. The driver caused damage to two parked vehicles while attempting to escape. Passengers reportedly threw objects at police cars during the chase. Warning shots were fired to immobilize the van, which was eventually stopped at a traffic light. Two Turkish Cypriots were arrested, one of whom had prior issues with authorities.
The number of West Nile Virus cases is rising in Cyprus, with 8 recorded cases this year. Health authorities are on high alert and are conducting checks to locate and eliminate breeding sites of infected mosquitoes. Special attention is given to blood donation screening. The virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes that have contracted it from birds. The situation is exacerbated by climatic conditions that facilitate mosquito breeding.
New information suggests that around 60-70 individuals have illegally entered the list of war captives from 1974 in Cyprus, benefiting from monthly allowances. The president of the Association of War Captives has stated that an investigation is needed to verify the authenticity of these cases. There is confusion over who is considered missing, as there are various lists from different authorities. The Audit Office has been asked to help clarify the situation. Many captives have expressed concern about the suspension of their allowances.
Employees of the supportive programs of the Ministry of Education are holding a protest today to demand the safeguarding of their rights. They will gather in the morning and march to the Presidential Palace. The government has addressed some of their requests, such as ending their contract-based employment and converting them into full-time employees. However, according to current legislation, they are not eligible for unemployment benefits. The Minister of Education stated that the protest is misplaced as the government is taking steps to support the employees.
People with disabilities face challenges in transportation due to high costs. They require special vehicles to get to work or medical appointments, with costs reaching up to €150 per trip. Many are forced to cancel appointments as they cannot afford these expenses. The spokesman for the Federation of Patient Associations of Cyprus suggests the need for support mechanisms to cover these transportation needs. This situation severely impacts access to healthcare.
The Cabinet has revised its water policy in response to prolonged drought conditions. A plan emphasizing sustainable development and water balance protection has been approved, aiming for complete dependency on desalinated water by 2050. A strategic sustainability study will determine water supply needs. Overall water production is projected to reach 164 million cubic meters annually, at a cost of €235 million per year. However, the floating desalination unit in Germasogeia has been canceled due to high costs.
Cyprus is facing challenges regarding legislation on the minimum tax rate of 15% for multinational companies. There are concerns that companies might relocate to countries with better tax regulations. The 2024 legislation imposes a national top-up tax on companies with a tax rate lower than the minimum. Brussels demands better compliance with EU requirements. A new bill is now being planned, which will take effect in 2026.
The meeting of the Labor Advisory Council is expected to be more interesting than previously thought, focusing on the 12% penalty discussion. The Minister of Labor will present calculations regarding the cost of proposals submitted by unions. The unions are convinced that their proposals will turn out to be more costly than those of the government. The response from the unions will determine the continuation of the discussion. There is interest in whether the government's contribution to social insurance will increase or not.
The electoral process within EDEK is marked by tensions and disagreements among its members. Kyriakos Monogiou, a member of the Central Election Committee, expressed his opposition to previous decisions that were made without his consent. He argues that the decisions regarding the elections were made unanimously and that the processes will be conducted with respect and transparency. Despite the disagreements, he acknowledges the need for cooperation to maintain the party's image. Sophia Christodoulou has suggested initiating a dialogue among members through the party's provincial committees.