Dominique Pelico, accused of abuse and sexual exploitation, reportedly asked his granddaughters to pose nude in exchange for gifts. His daughter-in-law testified she caught him masturbating and revealed his horrific actions. Pelico's daughter described the traumatic experiences she suffered at his hands, exposing a family tragedy. The trial continues with shocking testimonies about his sexual harassment.
Turkey has reached an agreement with Netflix to ensure that the series 'Famagusta' will not be available in any country other than Greece. The president of the Turkish High Radio and Television Council expressed that the series has faced backlash in Turkey due to its content. The production depicts events that challenge the prevailing narrative about the 'Cyprus Operation'. Netflix will include the series only in its catalog in Greece.
The new lawyer for the monks of the Monastery of Osios Avvakoum, George Stylianou, resigned due to lack of access to crucial videos related to the charges against his clients. He accused the Church of this handling, stating that it hinders his ability to effectively defend his clients. The Synodical Court justified its decision by citing personal data protection concerns. There are now other lawyers representing the monks, and the trial will resume on September 9th.
The health condition of the two-year-old girl who was hit by a vehicle in Limassol is gradually improving. She is hospitalized at Makarios Hospital, and doctors report that her condition is better and stable. The 39-year-old driver is in shock, but investigations show no indication of liability. The girl ran into the street to see her father while the driver was moving at a low speed.
Julie Fisher, the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, highlighted the importance of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection during her speech at the Economist conference. She stated that Cyprus is in a vulnerable position and must consider geopolitical factors surrounding this project. Fisher urged immediate action to avoid leaving Cyprus behind in the energy sector. She also noted that this connection could attract technological opportunities and enhance energy stability in the region.
A doctor accused of raping his ex-girlfriend remains in custody until his trial in November. The court decided to keep him detained due to the seriousness of the charges he faces. The charges include rape, abduction, and unlawful confinement. The woman reported that the doctor assaulted her in August after their breakup.
In the community of Pervolia, fireworks were illegally launched during a festival without the necessary permit from the relevant authority. A citizen filed a complaint, which was forwarded to the police by the authority. The head of the authority confirmed that no permits were granted and requested police intervention to address the illegal use. This issue arises as the number of applications for fireworks use has decreased this year.
Deputy Minister of Migration Nikolas Ioannidis announced that measures are being strengthened along the Green Line to prevent the arrival of migrants. He dismissed allegations of mismanagement regarding asylum seekers by the Republic of Cyprus, defending the legality of the government's actions. It was stated that the arrivals of migrants have significantly decreased and are now only recorded through the Green Line. Cyprus's actions have received positive remarks from the EU.
Rachel Hadjittofi, a 32-year-old teacher, is trying to thank the doctor who saved her life after a severe accident in 2017 in Cyprus. She is supporting people with serious injuries by swimming 10 miles to raise funds for a related organization. Through this initiative, she hopes to find the doctor who helped her and heal her emotional scars. The accident left her with serious physical and emotional wounds.
Eleni Theoharous expresses her dissatisfaction regarding the Auditor General's report about the funds that the Solidarity Movement must return. She states that the money is in a closed account and requests clarification on where and how it should be returned. There is a disagreement between the Parliament and the Ministry of Finance about who is responsible for the return of these amounts. The issue remains unresolved as both sides have not reached an agreement.
71-year-old Gisèle Peliko testified in her husband's trial, revealing that he drugged her so that 72 men could rape her. She describes her horrific experience, stating she felt like a 'dead woman' due to the circumstances she faced. Gisèle claims the accused exploited her and caused her unbearable pain. The trial exposes the severity of these criminal acts and the need for justice.
While general inflation decreased in July, food prices remain high, largely due to high temperatures affecting production. The price index for essential goods, such as olive oil and potatoes, has significantly increased, impacting mainly middle and low-income classes. However, there are decreases in some categories like dairy products and coffee. In other areas, such as dining services, prices continue to rise.
71-year-old Gisèle Pelicot testified in a historic trial about her rapes, stating that she was exploited and desecrated by 72 men with her husband's complicity. She described feeling like a 'dead woman' and expressed that the abusers caused her 'unbearable' pain. Her testimony evoked strong emotions in the courtroom, with her daughter unable to stop crying. The incident came to light in 2020 when her husband was arrested for a sexual offense.
The Audit Office responds to the President's comments, stating that it is not related to the practices of 1960. They argue that the changes announced by the Government are regressive and were made without consultation. International organizations confirm their progressive stance and adaptation to modern times. The statements emphasize the need for contemporary practices and expected changes.
President Nicos Christodoulides emphasized that the state needs to modernize and operate under contemporary terms rather than those of 1960. He asserted that no one is being silenced and called on citizens to listen to the government’s reform program. He highlighted that changes are essential to meet the needs of the populace. He also mentioned that society questions institutions and everyone must work to restore trust.
Averof Neofytou expresses concerns about the Cyprus-Greece electrical interconnection, calling for assurances that Cypriot consumers will not bear the costs if the project is not completed. He emphasizes that ADMIE cannot ask for guarantees from Cyprus while not providing similar guarantees regarding the project's costs. While he supports the project's principle, he points out the new demands from ADMIE that are delaying progress. This situation raises serious questions about the future of the interconnection and the anticipated financial burden on Cypriot consumers.
The Police leadership is implementing anti-racist training for police officers, focusing on respecting the dignity of all citizens. This initiative comes in response to a report highlighting the need to avoid discrimination based on racial or ethnic characteristics. Officers are urged to act professionally and sensitively, free from biases. The new policy emphasizes the legislation that outlines the terms for police checks and detentions.
A new wing of a closed prison will cost €29.5 million and aims to reduce overcrowding in the Central Prisons. The hiring of 218 new prison guards will be needed to support the new facility. The project has been approved by the Council of Ministers and is expected to be completed by 2028. This decision is based on a feasibility study that shows it is the best solution for the current prison situation.
The new report from the Public Service Commission for 2023 reveals that many ministries rated their employees very generously, disregarding the philosophy of the new evaluation system implemented on January 1, 2023. Some agencies respected the new system and had lower average grades. However, there were also public servants who reacted negatively to the criticism and the application of this system. The lack of proper information regarding the changes in the system seems to have contributed to these reactions.
Over 48,000 students return to school today, marking the start of the new academic year. Students will be assigned to classes, receive books, and be informed about their schedules. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has prepared measures to avoid any potential issues on the first day. The Minister of Education highlighted the importance of education as a significant investment by the state.
Medical and dental offices in Cyprus must now be accessible to everyone, according to a new bill prepared by the Ministry of Health. These facilities must meet specific criteria and have the necessary infrastructure. If standards are not met, licenses will not be issued or will be revoked. Providers have one year to comply with the new accessibility standards.
The new wing of the closed prison is expected to cost around €29.5 million and aims to alleviate overcrowding in Central Prisons. The Ministry of Justice has received approval for the construction, which is expected to be completed by 2028, and will require hiring 218 new prison guards. A feasibility study showed that building the new wing is the best solution for improving infrastructures and ensuring working conditions. The project is expected to start in 2025.
The President of the Republic refrained from approving additional incentives for the cable from ADMIE, despite pressure from the involved parties. The electrical interconnection has received a new deadline with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, where the geopolitical risks of the project will be discussed, mainly due to potential Turkish intervention. If the project is delayed, the costs may be passed on to consumers. The government and ADMIE disagree on who bears the responsibility for the geopolitical risk.
The Coordinating Committee of Nine Communities in the Vasilikos Area decided not to accept the establishment of new industries in the area, including an asphalt plant. The village leaders are requesting the government not to issue new permits, citing existing industries that are underperforming. They also emphasized the need for better monitoring of facilities and cooperation with the Minister of Agriculture. The pushback mainly stems from safety concerns and environmental burdens.
A tripartite meeting between Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt is scheduled for September 24 in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. The Foreign Ministers of the three countries will discuss issues such as energy and military cooperation. There was also a phone call between Cyprus and Egypt, confirming their close collaboration. Nicosia expresses no concern about the warming relations between Turkey and Egypt.