A woman in Marathon admitted to hiding her mother’s death to continue receiving her pension. She cited severe financial troubles and claimed she couldn't find work. Following a complaint from the elderly woman's granddaughter, human remains were discovered in the garden. The woman stated she does not remember the details of the day her mother died. Her claims have faced negative scrutiny from ex-husbands and other sources.
A traffic accident occurred on the Nicosia-Larnaca highway involving three vehicles. One vehicle had a breakdown and was stopped on the roadside. Subsequently, another vehicle crashed into it, followed by a third vehicle. Two women were injured in the collision and were taken to the hospital. The police are investigating the circumstances of the accident.
President Nikos Christodoulides announced a series of projects worth 3.5 billion euros aimed at the development of Cyprus. He focused on development projects in communities, health, education, and social care. The salaries of workers in Community Volunteer Councils will double by 100%. The government aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas. Additionally, funding for the Cultural Center in Dymes was announced.
The body of the 75-year-old Erato was found without any skeletal injuries, but the cause of her death remains unknown. An autopsy has been conducted and samples have been taken for histopathological and toxicological tests. The woman had been missing from the community of Tsakistra for 11 days before being found in a remote area. The police are investigating her unnatural death, but there are no clues pointing in a specific direction. Investigations are ongoing, and the results of the tests are awaited.
Minister of Education, Athena Michailidou, confirmed that despite existing issues, air conditioning units will be installed in schools. She provided details about the installation status in different regions. In Nicosia, 24% of the primary schools and 21% of the high schools have operational units. In Limassol, 90% of high schools have fully operational air conditioning. The minister emphasized the importance of safety in the installation process.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the family of missing persons Loizos and Giorgos Hadjigeorgiou, awarding €100,000 in damages. The decision stemmed from the failure of the Cypriot authorities to effectively investigate their fate after their abduction in 1974. The Court found violations of the European Convention on Human Rights and highlighted the 'substantial inaction' of the authorities. It noted that the state's obligation to investigate arises when a person goes missing under dangerous circumstances. This case requires a substantial and targeted investigation.
A 25-year-old was arrested for fraud involving cryptocurrencies, amounting to over €500,000. Eighteen individuals reported being deceived by him for investments. The police detained him under a court warrant for seven days. The investigation of the case is ongoing by the Economic Crime Investigation Unit. The case involves theft and money laundering from illegal activities.
The number of victims from the shipwreck in Kyrenia has risen to 12, with the bodies of two women recovered. Search operations continue to locate 16 missing persons. Military ships, aircraft, and drones from Turkey are involved in the search efforts. An investigation has been launched by the Maritime Accident Investigation Department into the incident. Restrictions on maritime traffic and suspensions of water activities are ongoing due to rescue operations.
The police in Nicosia are investigating a rape allegation made by a domestic helper. The woman claims she was raped on a farm last August by a 30-year-old worker. She filed a formal complaint with the police yesterday. The Nicosia CID is working to investigate the case and locate the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
A 90-year-old patient diagnosed with West Nile virus has died, marking the first death in Cyprus for 2026. The patient had pre-existing health conditions and a complicated medical history. A total of 10 cases have been reported in the country, with seven confirmed cases. Four of the confirmed cases are currently hospitalized. Authorities are taking preventive measures, including contact tracing and spraying to eliminate virus hotspots.
President Christodoulides met with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to discuss European and Cypriot priorities. The discussion focused on the new Multiannual Financial Framework and the need for a political agreement by 2026. Christodoulides highlighted the importance of addressing issues like Cyprus's full entry into the Schengen Area. Costa emphasized the need for a new approach to European priorities. The discussion also covered international issues, such as the war in Ukraine.
Odysseas Michailidis has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights regarding his dismissal from the position of Auditor General. The court is examining the potential violation of his right to freedom of expression. The case's notification to the Republic of Cyprus is seen as a positive development, but it does not prejudge the court's final decision. The ECHR will determine whether Michailidis's dismissal constituted an interference with his right. The outcome of the case remains unclear as the court's decision is still pending.
Today, President Nicos Christodoulides will meet with European Council President Antonio Costa at the Presidential Palace. They will discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Cyprus issue. Nicosia aims to present specific positions regarding the needs of small island states while seeking an ambitious European budget. This meeting comes at a crucial time for Europe, necessitating substantial negotiations. It will also provide an opportunity for dialogue on critical regional issues.
In Limassol, the police arrested two young men after a dramatic pursuit of a white van that had no front license plate. The driver violated several traffic regulations and threw objects at the police vehicles. After crashing into a traffic light, the occupants attacked the officers, who managed to arrest them. A knife was found in the possession of the driver, adding to the charges. Two police officers were injured during the chase but were discharged from the hospital.
Stavros Floros filed a $100 million lawsuit against Survivor producer Acun Ilıcalı after suffering a severe accident during the reality show. The injury resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Floros claims that there wasn't sufficient safety during filming and that there was heavy boat traffic in the area. After the accident, he spent 61 days in the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries. He hopes to inspire others facing difficulties through his case.
The EOA now has the authority to demolish or seal dangerous buildings. The process for notifying property owners is changing, allowing only a letter to be sent to their last known address. There are objections regarding the imposition of fees on development permits to fund repairs for these buildings. The Interior Ministry has allocated €2 million for support, but the costs are much higher. The chairman of the parliamentary committee urged for the swift approval of relevant legislation to prevent potential tragedies.
A new Technical School is planned to be built in the Alambra area to meet the needs of southern Nicosia. Local communities will benefit from this new educational facility. This decision addresses the increasing demands resulting from the area's growth. There are currently processes underway to identify the construction site. Additionally, two other Technical Schools are already under construction and are expected to open soon.
Many patients are forced to stop their treatment due to delays and shortages of medications in hospitals. The processes for approving their requests show serious issues, especially concerning diabetes and obesity medications. Some patients wait over a month for approval, leading to a worsening of their health condition. Both doctors and patients express concerns about bureaucracy and delays causing severe consequences. There is a need for improvements in the approval processes regarding healthcare.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that there will be no compensations for farmers in the occupied areas from European funds. She noted that eradicating foot-and-mouth disease requires the implementation of EU animal health measures across the island. Payments will only be made for areas controlled by the Cypriot government. This response followed an inquiry from MEP Michalis Hadjipandelas. Cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus remains close to address the situation.
Many educators have been waiting for a job assignment since 1983. However, hundreds have been removed from the list of candidates due to age limits in the last three years. Specifically, 310 candidates were removed when they reached retirement age. At the same time, the Educational Services Commission is continuously monitoring these processes. It's worth noting that some of these individuals never had the opportunity to be appointed to schools.
Plans are changing for police detention centers and juvenile facilities based on societal needs. The former migrant detention center in Mennogeia will become the Central Police Detention Center for all districts except Paphos. This will help alleviate issues faced by Police Stations, which are currently dealing with overcrowding and various problems. Improvements are needed in detention conditions to ensure humane treatment of detainees. At the same time, alternatives for juvenile detention centers are being considered to keep them separate from adult prisoners.
The government is installing mobile desalination units due to prolonged drought and reduced water inflows into dams. Decisions have been made for the construction of nine units, of which four are already operational. Two units were canceled and two others postponed, while the remaining ones are expected to be completed by the summer of 2027. The operational units currently contribute an additional 47,000 cubic meters of water daily to the country's water balance. The situation is continuously reassessed due to local reactions and economic factors.