Marinella is hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage after collapsing on stage at the Herodes Atticus Theater. She had experienced a severe headache prior to the concert. Fortunately, she regained consciousness with help from her personal doctor. She was later transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Marinella collapsed on stage at the Herodion during her concert. Audience members noticed something was wrong before she collapsed. She has reportedly been taken to a private hospital for medical examination. We hope she recovers soon.
Since the beginning of 2024, MOKAS has seized a total of 25 million euros, focusing primarily on combatting money laundering. There has been a significant increase in the seizure of illegal revenues, with approximately 7 million euros being reclaimed by authorities. The parliamentary committee discussed the efforts of the relevant bodies in combating the legitimization of proceeds from illegal activities. Additionally, it was noted that around 160 million euros have been transferred to Cyprus in large sums over the past four years.
Public servants are involved in important decisions related to economic interests, but there is no mechanism to check for illicit enrichment. The parliamentary committee on Institutions discussed the need to amend a constitutional article that hinders public employees from submitting asset declarations. Efforts have been made to regulate this issue, as the right to privacy conflicts with transparency requirements. The committee chair, Dimitris Dimitriou, proposes preparing a legislative proposal in this direction.
The Parliamentary Committee of the Council of Europe rejected the list of candidates proposed by the Cypriot government for the ECHR. It stated that some candidates do not meet the necessary qualifications without specifying who they are. The Cypriot government is asked to submit a new list of candidates. Legal expert Achilleas Emilianides noted that such developments have not been seen before for Cypriot candidacies at the ECHR.
The Sectoral Council of Prison Guards expresses complete support for Nikos Loizidis, the vice president of the Equality Trade Union, amidst concerns over his disciplinary prosecution. The announcement decries the attempt to silence Loizidis as a violation of trade union freedom and democratic rights. It emphasizes that such authoritarian practices have no place in responsible states. The Council calls on the police leadership to retract the proceedings against him.
Member of the European Parliament, Phidias Panayiotou, has requested an investigation from the Commission regarding the suspension of Odysseas Michailidis from his position as Auditor General in Cyprus. The Supreme Court's decision has sparked public protests, with hundreds of citizens expressing their discontent. Phidias mentions that over 80% of the public opposed the decision, fearing it may have been influenced. He has asked for a response from the Commission within three weeks.
President Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus is speaking at the UN General Assembly, where he will respond to Erdoğan's claims regarding the recognition of the pseudo-state. In his speech, he highlights the importance of the UN Charter and the need for peace, stability, and respect for international law. He emphasizes the significance of history and the need to learn from the past. His address also focuses on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in relation to the Cyprus issue.
The Cabinet has decided to abolish measures related to the electricity subsidy and the zero VAT on basic goods. Specifically, the tiered electricity subsidy and the zero VAT will be terminated from November 2024 and October 2024, respectively. This decision is based on the reduction of inflation and the decreasing trends in energy and fuel prices. The Ministry of Finance emphasizes that state intervention should be avoided to promote energy conservation.
The Municipality of Larnaca responded to the incidents that took place in Phinikoudes, where an unaccompanied minor allegedly attacked a waiter. They are asking for measures from the Ministry of Welfare to ensure citizen safety. Enhanced patrols in the area and the reestablishment of bicycle policing have been planned. It's essential to find solutions to the ongoing issues caused by this group of minors.
Journalist Kostis Konstantinou analyzes the recent attempt by Hezbollah to strike the Hakiriyah military base in Tel Aviv. Despite the base's defenses, the attack highlights the ongoing threats to Israel. Even with Hezbollah's leadership largely eliminated, the willingness to threaten remains. Meanwhile, the situation in Iran adds another layer to the regional tensions.
Families of Cypriot patients hospitalized in Tel Aviv are in distress after being informed of possible relocations due to potential bombings by Hezbollah. Currently, there are four Cypriot patients at Sheba Medical Center, one of whom is in critical condition. The Cypriot Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation and is prepared to assist if necessary. Patients may be moved to an underground shelter for their safety.
Cyprus needs to integrate a European directive aimed at improving gender representation in executive positions by December 2024. However, the relevant draft bill has not yet been prepared, leading to a deadlock in the Legal Committee of the Parliament. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action on this matter. The Committee will send a letter to the ministries to emphasize the need for immediate action.
The investigation into the allegations by MP Christos Christofidis regarding the 'golden passports' will resume on September 27th. The allegations concern donations to the ruling party DISY from passport recipients and grants to Russian businessmen linked to President Anastasiades. Christofidis has highlighted delays in the process and that those involved have not been questioned so far. The new investigating team has provoked reactions due to previous ties with the government.
In Greece, the Minister of Education proposes a ban on mobile phone use in schools, allowing students only to carry their phones turned off. The aim is to reduce violence and delinquent behaviors among students. However, the proposal faces backlash primarily due to the contradiction of prohibiting phones for 18-year-olds while permitting them to carry firearms. The Minister claims that the ban is a well-considered solution for protecting students.
At the beginning of next week, the decision of the Synodical Court regarding the Abbacum Monastery scandal is expected. If the decision is guilty, the monks can appeal to the Holy Synod. The Court has already accepted the expert's report that certified the authenticity of the audiovisual material, which is crucial for the charges against the monks.
President Nikos Christodoulides will respond to Tayyip Erdogan during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. He will focus on regional developments and connect them to the Cyprus issue. The discussion also included the electricity interconnection between Cyprus and Greece. The trilateral meeting with France and Greece served as an important basis for discussing the situation in the region.
Two foreign nationals of African descent were acquitted by the Permanent Criminal Court of Famagusta on charges of raping a 24-year-old tourist. The testimony of the young woman was deemed unreliable, as it changed with video evidence showing she had consensual sex with one of the accused before being taken to an apartment. She also reported memory gaps due to consuming alcohol. The Court concluded that it could not rely on her testimony to draw conclusions.
Hezbollah launched a missile towards Tel Aviv, causing panic in the city. Although the missile was intercepted, residents and visitors were instructed to head to shelters. The Israeli military stated that guidelines for citizens remain unchanged and activities continue as normal. Several airlines canceled flights due to the incident.
Yesterday afternoon, a 69-year-old retiree died in the village of Paramytha after falling from the roof of his house while pruning branches. He was taken to the hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries. The man was found bleeding on the ground by a worker from a nearby house. The police are investigating the incident.
A trilateral meeting of Cyprus, Greece, and France took place in New York, focusing on concerning developments in the region. President Christodoulides mentioned discussions about Jordan's significant role in the area and the electrical interconnection between Cyprus and Greece. They explored ways to manage the risks arising from these developments. Christodoulides intends to address these issues in his speech at the UN General Assembly.
The Labor Committee is considering amending the law for single-parent families so that benefits are not lost if a parent cohabits with another person. The proposal was reintroduced by AKEL and aims to eliminate outdated provisions. The government has committed to present the bill by March 2024. Lawmakers are also examining the requirements and benefits for single-parent families.
Approximately 1000 beneficiaries of the General Health System are affected by the arrest of a doctor in Greece, who was allegedly part of a network issuing illegal prescriptions. The Health Services Organization and the Health Insurance Organization are working to meet the needs of these citizens and appoint replacements. A disciplinary investigation is also expected against the doctor, who violated the law by working in Greece. The impacted citizens will be informed about the situation.
The government is preparing a bill for the establishment of an Audit Council and terms for the General and Assistant General Auditor. The Audit Council will be established immediately after the bill is passed, while the terms will apply after the current ones end. Justice Minister Marios Harciotis informed the Assistant General Auditor about the bill details. The aim is to ensure the modern operation of the Audit Office.
The Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority and the Energy Regulatory Authority of Greece jointly approved recoverable costs of 571.4 million euros for ADMIE. However, they rejected 36 million euros of the 48.8 million requested for EuroAsia Interconnector. ADMIE’s costs will be recoverable over 35 years and will depend on the operational start of the electricity interconnection. Additionally, the regulators denied ADMIE's operational expenses for the coming years.
A man visited a doctor for pain in his right knee and ended up undergoing surgery on his left knee instead. The doctor admitted the mistake, but the patient lost trust and refused a second surgery. He later learned that he did not need surgery on his right knee after all. The patient has since decided to sue the doctor and the hospital.
Nikos Loizidis, a police officer and union representative, faces disciplinary action for inappropriate behavior and other charges. The proceedings will begin in October, and Loizidis will appear before a disciplinary body. The case is unprecedented due to his dual roles. Nine witnesses, including police officers and journalists, will be called to testify.
President Nikos Christodoulides announced the appointment of Andreas Papakostantinou as the General Auditor, aiming to prevent a political crisis stemming from Anita Dimitriou's actions. Dimitriou postponed her trip to stay in her position and avoid issues with Zacharias Koulias, who wanted to appoint his own General Auditor. The political maneuvers are crucial in the current situation, and no party has publicly commented yet. These developments suggest a tense political climate with underlying conflict.