The wildfire at the Kouri Dam is raging uncontrollably, exacerbated by strong winds that complicate the firefighters' efforts. The firefighters face challenges due to the difficult terrain and the direction of the fire. Firefighting forces are continuously reinforced, including the deployment of excavators. The local head and the Chief Fire Officer are overseeing the situation for better coordination.
The Cypriot Parliament will decide whether the United States will gain access to the Cypriot Police's biometric database to search for individuals posing a threat. This monitoring is part of an agreement for visa waiver for Cypriot citizens wishing to travel to the U.S. Access will be granted through secure online services rather than direct data access. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in combating serious crime.
Yasser Arar participated in the murder of Dimitris Andronikos due to a personal debt. He admitted his guilt and apologized during the court proceedings. He was the driver of the motorcycle and found out at the last moment that it was a murder plan. The sentencing process is scheduled for Friday.
In Limassol, a 51-year-old burglar was caught after being discovered in a homeowner's house. He attempted to escape but was subdued by residents. The police found jewelry and cash in his possession, and he is linked to other burglaries. The police are continuing their investigation into the other cases involving him.
The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its forecast for Cyprus's growth to 3.3% in 2024. The growth rate for 2025 is projected at 3.1%. Inflation is expected to be 2.2% in 2024, and unemployment at 5.3%. However, the projections for the current account deficit are more pessimistic.
Multiple processes have occurred regarding the complaint against a public hospital doctor for indecent assault. The complainant stated that she was never informed about the progress of the case, despite her report to the police. The case was registered in August 2023, and the first court appearance is scheduled for November 2024. The question regarding the complainant's lack of information remains open.
Doctors and patients express their position on euthanasia, emphasizing that before any legislative regulation, access to palliative care for all must be ensured. They are concerned that new legislation could lead suffering individuals to dangerous situations. Additionally, they highlight the lack of laws addressing the needs of patients beyond cancer patients.
A father of four, unemployed since 2021, is at risk of being imprisoned for 120 years due to 120 arrest warrants totaling €26,000. His request for immediate release was rejected by the Supreme Court, which ruled that his detention is legal. The father argues that his imprisonment is unlawful, citing his rights and the duration of his sentences. This case raises questions about legislation and citizens' rights.
The Criminal Court of Nicosia announced the sentence for Yasser Arar for his involvement in the murder of Dimitris Andronikos. Arar pleaded guilty and will be the key witness against the other defendants. The defense is seeking the release of two other defendants, claiming they are not involved. The court rejected requests for sentencing the three defendants who admitted their guilt.
The Police have started gathering statements regarding the serious injury of an 8-year-old student at a school in Larnaca. The student was injured when a door glass broke and required surgery. The investigation is focusing on two areas: the management of the situation by the school supervisors and the possibility of bullying or misconduct. The school disputes any claim of bullying, describing the incident as an accident.
The police continue to make arrests related to a prostitution and human trafficking ring. A 27-year-old Nigerian woman was recently detained and is set to remain in custody. Two other individuals are wanted as key figures in the operation. Investigations indicate a complex connection to Nigeria and other aspects of the case.
A 30-year-old foreign national was arrested at Larnaca airport for his involvement in a violent brawl in Agios Athanasios. The incident, which occurred on October 7, 2023, was triggered by disputes over a vehicle sale. The suspect will be held for three days while investigations continue. Around 30 Syrians were involved in the brawl, resulting in injuries and property damage.
In 1974, some obtained false certifications to claim they were prisoners of the Turks in order to evade conscription and later to receive war prisoner benefits. Cases exist where individuals were captured for just a few hours but still qualified for benefits due to these certifications. The president of the Association of Prisoners pointed out issues and inequalities in the way prisoners are compensated. Legislators highlighted the need for a unified list of prisoners, as there is confusion and gaps among the existing records.
MP Chrysanthos Savvidis has received complaints from farmers in Paphos about the increase of rats destroying their crops. He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene and shared tips via a video on how to catch rats. He is working with the local community council and others to reduce their population. He expressed gratitude to those contributing to the campaign against the rats.
The case concerning the murder of 34-year-old Dimitris Andronikos is being heard in Nicosia, with 40-year-old Yaser Arare being the 6th defendant. Three of the defendants have pleaded guilty and are requesting sentences alongside the prosecution witness. However, the prosecution suggests that only Arare should receive a sentence. The court is expected to decide on the sentences for the three defendants after the trial concludes.
The initial agreement for the delivery of the FSRU Prometheus from a Chinese company to ETYFA is expected to be implemented within 60 days. The Energy Minister stated that this timeframe will be used to find the necessary personnel and to obtain the ship's certifications. Simultaneously, processes will begin for the completion of the land facilities at the Vasilikos terminal. The assessment of the situation points towards a significant construction project in the natural gas sector in Cyprus.
The GESY software remains out of service for the second consecutive day, causing issues for pharmacists and doctors in serving patients. Pharmacists are struggling to fill prescriptions, while doctors cannot record referrals. The Health Insurance Organization is working on restoring the system. It has been confirmed that the issue is not due to a cyberattack.
A 28-year-old Syrian man was arrested in the area of Ypsonas for possession of cannabis and unaccounted money. Police caught him placing a box nearby, which contained 30 grams of cannabis. Despite his explanations regarding the origin of the €6,160, he failed to provide convincing answers. The suspect is being held for three days following a court decision.
The online portal of GeSY has been out of service for a second day, causing issues for patients and healthcare providers. The relevant authorities are working on restoring access, but there is no clear timeline for when it will be resolved. This situation is not the result of a cyberattack, despite recent attacks on other infrastructures in the country.
A 44-year-old man was arrested in Thessaloniki under a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Cypriot authorities. He is accused of tax offenses, specifically failing to pay €66,679 in Value Added Tax in 2017. He served as the director of a tourism services company in Cyprus. He will be brought before the relevant authorities.
Al Jazeera published an article highlighting Cyprus as the 'backyard of Israel' during the ongoing war in the Middle East. While it discusses historical ties and military cooperation, there is no record of direct involvement by the Republic of Cyprus. It emphasizes that Cyprus has differentiated its positions and collaborates with Western forces. The article also mentions military exercises and the transport of supplies through Cyprus to Israel.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis responds to references about the fund of the Independent Authority for Social Support, explaining the legal processes surrounding the amending law. He emphasizes the President's obligation to ensure the law's constitutional compliance, stating that any distortion of facts is offensive. The Fund operates with transparency and its revenues are reported to the relevant authorities. The attempt to politicize the matter is inaccurate and harmful to society.
A serious bullying incident at an elementary school in Larnaca has shocked the community. A father reported that his 8-year-old son was injured while trying to escape from bullies, resulting in the need for surgery. The Ministry of Education and school authorities have been informed, and the case is being investigated thoroughly. The 8-year-old is expected to give a statement to the Police in the coming days.
DEFA and ETYFA appear to have reached an agreement regarding the delivery of the FSRU Prometheus, although no details have been confirmed. Reports indicate that the vessel is in excellent condition following an inspection. While the developments are positive, additional modifications estimated at around 10 million euros are needed. It remains unclear where these upgrades will take place.
The hearing for the Al Jazeera case has been postponed for four months due to the heavy workload of the Criminal Court. The new date is set for October 2nd. Meanwhile, the disappearance of Angelos Perikleous is influencing the progression of the cases, as it involves serious charges that require priority. If the prosecution engages with the defense lawyers, it could save valuable time during the trial.
Cyprus has fallen victim to a cyberattack by Arab hacker groups using DDoS techniques against six infrastructures of the Republic. Although the hackers' attempts were unsuccessful, authorities are actively gathering information and working on preventing similar attacks in the future. The Cyber Crime Unit is monitoring the situation with the assistance of Europol. Authorities have activated all available resources to mitigate further risks.
President Christodoulides will update the National Council on the results of his meeting with the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish Cypriot leader. This meeting took place in New York and aimed at restarting negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Although the desired announcement of the resumption could not be achieved, it is considered a positive step. Announcements from the EU regarding the Cyprus issue are expected in 2024.
In Beirut, four people were killed and 24 injured in Israeli strikes near the Rafik Hariri University Hospital. The Health Ministry of Lebanon and rescue teams confirmed the casualties. Israel stated that approximately 170 rockets were launched from Hezbollah into its territory.
The President of the Republic promised that measures will be taken soon to address housing and demographic issues, without announcing new measures against inflation. The government indicated it would consider additional measures based on its economic capabilities. During the meeting, existing measures were discussed, with several organizations highlighting the need to monitor energy prices. The President stated that new measures to support residents will be announced in the next two weeks.
Nikolas Christodoulides and Annita Demetriou discussed primarily the Cypriot issue and internal political matters. There was a willingness for productive dialogue regarding the Cypriot situation, but not for internal political agreements. Demetriou emphasized the importance of cooperation among institutions to safeguard Cyprus's interests. The discussion also included matters related to the budget.
Intensive efforts are underway to find a permanent solution for unaccompanied minors in Cyprus, with potential developments expected next month. Authorities are collaborating with other EU countries to accept some of the minors. However, there are concerns over the negative reactions from local communities regarding the hosting of these minors. Currently, Cyprus is facing the challenge of 1,100 unaccompanied minors, primarily from Syria.
Irene Charalambidou is leaving AKEL at the end of her term, highlighting challenges for the party ahead of the parliamentary elections. Internal pressures are mounting, especially after disappointing electoral results, increasing the need for strategic planning. New leader Stefanos Stefanou is facing challenges as the path to the 2028 elections largely depends on the outcome of 2026. The departure of other party members may affect their electoral prospects in the Nicosia district.
The Health Insurance Organization aims to reduce unnecessary visits to specialists by introducing a performance indicator related to long-term referrals. Specialists exceeding the allowed referral rate will face a 5% decrease in their payments. Many patients do not utilize all their entitled visits, leading to wasted resources. The measure will be piloted until the end of 2024 and fully implemented starting January 2025.
The deficits in the pension funds of semi-governmental organizations and municipalities exceed 1 billion euros, raising serious concerns for the Ministry of Finance. The fund for RIK is particularly burdensome, reporting a deficit of 123 million euros. Additionally, 200 judicial lawsuits amounting to hundreds of millions pose further challenges. This situation, according to the minister, requires careful attention and strategic handling to avoid fiscal crises.