The Civil Defense issued warnings for protection against extreme weather phenomena like storms and tornadoes. Citizens are advised to ensure that their drainage systems are not blocked and to prepare sandbags in at-risk areas. In the case of flooding, they should avoid underground spaces and flooded roads. Risks remain even after waters recede, so citizens are urged to be cautious. For tornadoes, they must close doors and windows and stay away from glass surfaces.
The Turkish Minister of Culture announced the existence of an extensive tunnel approximately 9 kilometers long beneath Hagia Sophia. Cleaning and restoration work on accessible sections has already begun. Additionally, he stated that the restoration and strengthening works on Hagia Sophia are the most comprehensive in the history of the Turkish Republic. The minister emphasized the importance of preserving this historical monument for future generations. Work will continue with the aim of ensuring safety and accessibility for visitors.
The trial of the suspended mayor of Paphos, Phaidonas Phaidonos, is ongoing with the testimony of a key witness in the rape case. This testimony lasted several hours and was completed today, September 17. The defense requested time to prepare for cross-examination, with the next court date set for September 22. Phaidonos faces five serious charges, including rape and indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
An investigation into a VAT fraud case amounting to €15.7 million is taking place in Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria, and Germany. Four individuals have been arrested and several assets have been frozen. The investigations relate to cross-border fraud involving mobile phone sales. So far, €3.3 million has been recovered from one of the involved companies. The Cyprus police are cooperating with authorities from other countries in this case.
Warning messages were sent via the CY-Alert system due to forecasted strong thunderstorms in Cyprus. The storms are expected to initially affect the western half of the island before spreading to other areas. The warning level is yellow, and it is valid from today until tomorrow afternoon. Citizens are advised to follow the official updates from the Meteorological Department. The situation will be monitored closely.
Eftymios Diplaros publicly addressed the tension with Giannis Karousos, stressing the need for unity within DISY. He asserted that differing opinions are acceptable, but personal attacks should not occur. He defended his political journey, stating he will not allow anyone to question it. He also mentioned the 2028 presidential elections, indicating that decisions should be made collectively. He concluded with a message of unity for DISY, emphasizing that the party is bigger than personal disagreements.
The two doctors involved in the death of Giorgos Mazonakis are under investigation for potential money laundering by the Authority for Combating Money Laundering. Their financial accounts and assets will be examined. If there are indications of wrongdoing, asset seizure will be requested. The defendants will be held in special areas of Korydallos Prison for safety reasons. They are being prosecuted for intentional homicide with possible intent due to negligence.
The waste management situation in Cyprus remains critical, with 65% of waste ending up in landfills. The Parliamentary Audit Committee is examining the responsibilities of all involved in this failure, questioning whether the current state is due to objective difficulties or neglect. Koshia has reached its limits, and Cyprus must reduce landfill disposal to below 10% by 2035. Waste management is fragmented among various authorities. In this context, transitional interventions worth €162 million have been planned.
The road in the Tsadas area has critical irregularities, and part of it must be removed due to non-compliance with specifications. Authorities have warned of the risk of fatal accidents and issues during rainy periods. The contractor has refused to carry out the necessary asphalt measurements, leading to the current situation. The Public Works Department plans to proceed with repairs if the contractor does not comply. So far, penalties have been imposed on the contractor due to delays.
Revolut, one of Europe's largest digital financial platforms, has fallen victim to a data breach affecting at least 680 customer accounts. Scammers impersonated government officials to gain access to personal customer data. The exposed information includes identification documents and account details. In Cyprus, where Revolut has a substantial customer base, there are concerns about the security of personal and financial data. A criminal group is demanding $3 million in Monero, threatening to sell the data if the amount is not paid.
Feral dog packs are causing serious issues in the Paphos Forest area by hunting and killing wild goats. The Game and Wildlife Service confirmed that the problem is escalating and affecting the breeding of these goats. The attacks are not limited to young animals but also target mature ones. Managing the situation is challenging, as authorities have limited options. The village chief expressed concerns about the safety of people in the area.
The Ministry of Transport prioritizes student safety in school transportation. For the 2026-2027 school year, it is increasing checks on school buses to ensure they meet safety standards. However, the behavior of students during transportation is equally essential. Reports of vandalism and inappropriate behavior on buses pose risks to passengers. The Ministry is calling on parents to address this issue.
The Municipality of Nicosia is continuing its daily mosquito spraying using approved substances. Intensive efforts are focused on areas such as the rivers Klimos and Kateva, as well as locations with stagnant water. Residents are urged to check their homes and remove potential sources of standing water. The participation of citizens is crucial in identifying breeding sites. The fight against mosquitoes is a public health and quality of life issue.
Averof Neofytou announces that he will decide on the presidential elections in December, linking his decision to the developments in the Cyprus issue and negotiations. If a strategic agreement arises, he will support President Christodoulides; otherwise, he will announce his intentions. He also refrains from judging Annita Dimitriou and highlights the issues within DISY. Finally, he expresses concerns about the progress of negotiations and emphasizes the need for substantial commitment.
Nikolas Tornaritis spoke about his appointment as a special envoy for the Cyprus issue by President Christodoulides. He stated that he is not bothered by the reactions on social media but is saddened by the attempts to undermine personalities. He commented on an article labeling him as a failure, clarifying his role in past elections. He emphasizes his commitment to working hard for the country and noted that the majority of the DISY party congratulated him on his appointment. He highlighted the need for unity and cooperation regarding the Cyprus issue.
This year's concert by Paola in Pyrga has sparked controversy with the Municipality of Lefkara, which did not approve the event. However, the organizers successfully moved the event to a neighboring site owned by the Pyrga community and obtained permission from the Larnaca District Officer. The concert aims to raise awareness about conditions in quarries and to collect funds for local communities. Last year's event, featuring Peggy Zina, was quite successful. The organizers hope for a positive impact and support for the communities again this year.
The government is launching a new plan for the construction of secondary residences in existing developments, aimed at expanding housing options and providing quality, affordable homes. The plan allows for the addition of new floors or extensions to existing homes for the accommodation of family members, making use of existing property. This reduces the need for new homes and construction costs. The plan is applicable across all cities and communities, with certain exceptions. It is set to be implemented until December 31, 2027.
The investigation into the death of Giorgos Mazonakis is ongoing, with the two doctors having been transferred to Korydallos. The president of the E.K.A.B. stated that the doctors did not know how to perform CPR and were waiting for the rescuers' intervention. Mazonakis was found in a semi-sitting position, and the rescuers placed him horizontally to provide assistance. The doctors did not accompany him to the hospital, although they initially went down with him to the ambulance. This situation raises serious questions about the medical care he received.
President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Erhürman recently met to discuss the Cyprus issue and confidence-building measures. Christodoulides highlighted the need for political will to achieve results. They also discussed their participation in an expanded conference under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. He emphasized that there are specific points to address. The upcoming week is critical for the situation in Cyprus.
The speech by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen overlooked Cyprus, causing disappointment among Cypriot MEPs. They stressed the need for European solidarity and a consistent foreign policy, especially regarding Turkish occupation. Lukas Fourlas highlighted the importance of protecting member states and EU security. The MEPs called for Cyprus to be treated as an equal member state. Michalis Hadjipandelas pointed out that the speech confirms a critical period for Europe.
Ioanna Gaka and Ilias Theodoropoulos, two doctors, were sent to Korydallos prison for the death of George Mazonakis during a medical procedure. They were remanded in custody due to their alleged failures related to the loss of life. Judicial authorities believe they did not call emergency services in time and failed to provide necessary assistance. Their lawyers plan to challenge the detention warrant. The case continues to develop with serious charges against them.
Late Wednesday night, gunshots were fired at a building in the Linopetra area of Limassol. The shots caused damage to the glass of the main entrance and a window on the first floor. The police are investigating the incident, and inquiries are ongoing. There are currently no reports of injuries or arrests. The Limassol CID is handling the situation.
Members of Parliament are required to submit new declarations of wealth by early October. These declarations will include much more detailed information and will be subject to scrutiny by the Tax Commissioner. New and re-elected MPs will submit their declarations, justifying any changes in their assets. There are concerns about potential omissions and gaps in previous declarations. The Tax Commissioner will receive wealth declarations from 83 individuals for review.
The Pancyprian Medical Association warns citizens against trusting fraudulent medical practices that mislead them. It emphasizes that medicine is singular and that doctors should avoid collaborations with centers offering unrecognized treatments. Special attention is given to young doctors working in such facilities. Authorities have already investigated numerous complaints against doctors regarding these practices. The PMA has decided to review the associations of its members with unlicensed centers.
The office of Nikos Ch. Anastasiades filed a lawsuit against the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, seeking access to the inspectors' report regarding the 'Mafia State' case. The lawsuit targets the Commissioner of Transparency and the members of the Authority and is the first of its kind. The former President and other lawyers from the firm are reportedly implicated according to the report. There are limited cases of corruption that have been forwarded to the Attorney General for further investigation. The outcome of the lawsuit is awaited with interest.
The Health Insurance Organization is implementing a new method for calculating the fees of specialist doctors. From September 1, 2026, all medical units will be paid at the same rate. This means that doctors with lower activity may see a decrease in their fees, while more active doctors could receive higher payments. Additionally, the previous 5% cut from the fees has been replaced with a reward system for doctors who meet their performance targets. These changes aim to equalize compensation and improve performance.
The withdrawal of Anastasia Anthousi's request for a recount of votes in Nikitari has raised questions about the electoral system in Cyprus. Five votes that were initially recorded for ELAM actually belonged to EDEK, thus altering the distribution of seats in parliament. This situation ignites discussions on the fairness of the electoral system, which does not elect candidates based on preference votes but rather on party percentages. The debate on whether a different system would provide greater fairness is ongoing. The political scene in Cyprus remains tense amid these developments.
The 'Santis' case involves Makarios Drousiotis, who faces 73 charges, including allegations of publishing false news and circulating forged documents. He is also accused of malice, as he allegedly knew that the messages he published were fake. The proceedings began with the referral of the case to the Criminal Court, with a first appearance scheduled for December 15. Drousiotis claims he is being persecuted in retaliation for exposing corruption within the authorities. The defendants are required to provide a €10,000 guarantee.
The regulatory authority, RAEK, has decided that it is not guaranteed that additional costs beyond 1.9 billion euros for the electrical interconnection will fall on the investors. If costs reach or exceed 2 billion euros, negotiations will determine who is responsible for the excess. With increasing electricity demand, consumers may not bear significant costs. Regulatory decisions provide a foundation for the investment's sustainability. However, there are uncertainties about the cost recovery for the investors.