Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's visit to the U.S. has been postponed due to demands from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu insists that Gallant will only travel after he meets with U.S. President Joe Biden. Discussions were expected to focus on security strategies and regional developments, but U.S. officials expressed surprise at the politicization of the visit. The Pentagon expressed a desire to host Gallant at a later date.
A 27-year-old woman from Corfu reported her mother for abuse and coercion into prostitution starting at the age of 12. Her mother is charged with complicity in rape and child trafficking. The woman describes her traumatic experiences, highlighting neglect and indifference from her parents. Neighbors were the ones who reported the situation and saved the girl from her mother.
Fidias Panayiotou appeared as a guest on Giorgos Liagas' show, where he talked about his experience in the European Parliament. He also expressed his view that we are taught only half the story regarding various matters. The discussion created a tense atmosphere and provoked reactions. Panayiotou emphasized the need for a more comprehensive understanding of our history.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Cyprus violated the rights of Syrian asylum seekers who were returned to Lebanon without their applications being processed. The two refugees had already lived in camps in Lebanon for four years. The decision highlights the lack of risk assessment and living conditions for the applicants. The ECHR found that Cyprus failed to take the necessary steps to protect their rights.
The government bill regarding the establishment of branches of foreign universities in Cyprus is subject to strict clauses and additional articles. The changes aim to ensure the quality of education, allowing the Quality Assurance Agency to reject applications if the foreign institutions do not meet lower international rankings. Additionally, a bank guarantee of €2 million is required for each application. The discussion in the Education Committee is expected to be interesting, as there are concerns from various stakeholders.
The Minister of Agriculture faced strong criticism from the State Aid Control Commissioner during a parliamentary discussion about halloumi. Stella Michaelidou emphasized the need for a clear strategy to improve the quality of halloumi in the European Union. She also mentioned the increasing skepticism of the Commission towards Cyprus and the significance of this issue for the country's credibility. The confrontation led to reactions and questions within the committee.
The Israeli group Fattal is investing tens of millions of euros in Cyprus by acquiring the Elias Latsi Holiday Village Resort. The resort will be renovated and renamed Leonardo Club Family Resort, providing modern facilities and activities for families. The project is estimated to cost 55 million euros and will be completed in 1.5 years. The group has already invested in seven other hotel units across Cyprus.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of a mother who struggled for years to see her children, as the state failed to assist her. Since the children's father refused to hand them over, the mother became estranged from them. The Court condemned the Republic of Cyprus for violating the right to family life and emphasized that state agencies delayed taking action. The ruling highlights the state's responsibility to protect the human rights of its citizens.
31-year-old Konstantinos Chatzimichael succumbed to his injuries after a motorcycle accident on September 27. The accident occurred while he was riding on the Nicosia-Troodos road, colliding with a car. He was in critical condition and on life support. The 'Isaak-Solomou Memorial Initiative' described him as an exceptional person.
There is a discussion about a joint celebration of Easter between Orthodox and Catholic churches, as the dates coincide in 2025. The Ecumenical Patriarchate has previously expressed the desire for a joint celebration. Archbishop Bartholomew has stated that the two churches should not celebrate Easter separately.
An elderly man from Mammari is in critical condition due to the West Nile Virus, which has been confirmed as the first case in Cyprus for 2024. Health authorities have initiated spraying in the area to identify breeding sites for mosquitoes. The virus is not transmitted from person to person, but older individuals with health issues are at greater risk. Preventive measures and personal protection are being advised for local residents.
Despite concerns from some parties about the 1.5% salary increase for public sector employees, the bill is expected to pass in Parliament. Only the DISY has publicly expressed opposition, while the other political forces are expected to support the government's proposal. The discussion in the parliamentary Economic Committee was marked by intense clashes between DISY and trade unions. The unions are calling on parties to respect agreements made with the government.
Larnaca is experiencing increased tourist activity due to the situation in Lebanon, with hotels showing high occupancy rates. Visitors mainly include Lebanese and third-country nationals, some of whom use Cyprus as a transit point. The situation is fluid, with daily changes in room availability. There are concerns about possible cancellations if the situation escalates.
The trial proceedings for the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos are ongoing with delays, as the hearing has not yet started. The lawyer for the fourth defendant withdrew due to disagreements. There are delays in obtaining witness material, complicating the process further. The next court date is set for the day of the crime, October 30th.
The new Police Chief, Themistocles Arnaoutis, appointed a new investigating officer regarding the escape of convicted felon Doros Theofanis. This appointment was made for transparency purposes, as the previous investigator was part of the Police Headquarters. The ongoing investigation focuses specifically on the three police members who have been suspended and does not involve the four prison guards. The Police Spokesperson emphasized that the situation is being handled seriously.
The Israeli army eliminated Suhail Hussein Hussein, the commander of Hezbollah, in a bombing near Beirut. Hussein was responsible for the transportation and distribution of weapons from Iran. He also played a role in budgeting and managing strategic projects for Hezbollah. There has been no immediate comment from Hezbollah.
The next move of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains uncertain, with reports indicating it will be based on an informal document prepared by María Ángela Olguín. During a session of the National Council, President Christodoulides briefed political leaders on the situation and brainstorming took place for preparation ahead of the upcoming meeting. A dinner with Guterres and both leaders is scheduled for October. Discussions regarding the resolution process of the Cyprus issue continue, raising questions about the next moves of the UN.
The war in Lebanon is entering a new phase as Israel announced that its Navy will be involved in operations against Hezbollah. Israeli forces launched attacks on areas near Beirut, while Hezbollah retaliated with rockets targeting an Israeli military base. The ongoing clashes have resulted in significant casualties and displacement of civilians in Lebanon. The situation remains tense with increased security measures along the border areas.
Labor Minister Giannis Panagiotou seeks the approval of pension reform bills from the current Parliament before the May 2026 elections. The goal is to avoid any delays and enhance retirees' incomes. The minister emphasized the importance of deadlines and stability in social dialogue processes for advancing the reform. The government considers this reform a priority and a necessary social need.
Political parties are in crisis and are attempting to renew themselves after the European elections, but the same faces continue to dominate. Although there were statements about changes and new paths of communication with society, the reality shows that the renewal process is more challenging than expected. There is resistance from society to accept the parties' calls, which focus on three pillars: strengthening ties with their base, widening their ranks with new members, and engaging in policy production. However, the same individuals are still involved, and the youth wings of the parties appear weakened.
Jonas Nicolaou proposes the installation of 800 MW energy storage systems from private solar parks, seeking a 60 million euro state subsidy. The aim is to cover approximately 45% of the investment costs, with a possibility for increased support for smaller parks. Around 40 companies are collaborating on this initiative, which aims to improve energy storage and reduce revenue cuts during low consumption periods. Some criticisms are directed at the announcement of storage systems by the Electricity Authority at the Dhekelia station.
The teachers' organization PΟΕΔ warns about the delay in salary payments for contract teachers since September. They are urging the Ministries to take immediate action to resolve the issue, affecting many teachers for years. The excuses for the delays are deemed unacceptable. There are also errors noted regarding salary deductions and the continuation of allowances.
Healthcare workers achieved the salary increases they were seeking through an agreement reached between the unions and OKYPY. The increases for the three-year period are set at 2.5% for 2023 and 2.75% for 2024-2025, while they initially requested a 3% increase. Negotiations also included the reintroduction of the topic regarding hierarchical structures in hospitals. The unions are expected to approve the final agreement after consulting with their members.
In about a month, results are expected regarding three cases related to the Abba Kourm Monastery scandal. Investigations are progressing, and prosecutors have requested a new order for the disclosure of bank accounts linked to Metropolitan Isaiah. Additionally, investigations are ongoing into claims of labor exploitation and legal violations regarding surveillance systems at the monastery. Final decisions will be made once all investigations are completed.
The Cypriot Cabinet approves 11 actions totaling €110 million to support farmers and livestock breeders. These initiatives include promoting new technologies, agricultural education, and improving farmers' income. The goal is to increase the primary sector's contribution to GDP. Implementation of these actions is expected to boost sector development in the coming years.