Stefanos Kasselakis announced his departure from SYRIZA and the establishment of a new party. The announcement came during SYRIZA's conference. There was significant mobilization from Kasselakis' supporters outside the conference, and he criticized the party's leadership. The atmosphere was tense, with protests intensifying.
A 2-year-old boy from Lebanon, Ali Khalifeh, was found alive under debris after an Israeli airstrike that killed his family. He suffered severe injuries and has undergone surgeries, losing his right arm. Rescuers initially believed no one was alive under the rubble. Ali is currently in a medically induced coma in Beirut.
The Mayor of Paphos, Faidon Faidonos, sent a letter to the president of DISY, Annita Dimitriou, requesting the discussion of the issue of expelling Ministers from party membership. He emphasizes that the president committed to bringing the matter to the next meeting's agenda. He states that it is politically paradoxical for the party’s Ministers to participate in the Political Bureau while the party is in opposition. He asks that the previous decision about discussing this issue be upheld.
A court in Limassol sentenced a 52-year-old man to 2 years in prison for fraud involving €30,000. The defendant did not appear at the trial, which took place in his absence. The case involved the extraction of money through false representations, promising assistance with selling a house. The court found the defendant guilty and he will serve the sentence once located.
The pediatric ward of Paphos Hospital is full due to a rise in seasonal viruses affecting children. Parents are forced to take their children to Limassol General Hospital for admission, as there are no beds available in Paphos. The Deputy Mayor of Paphos has received numerous complaints from parents and is urging the authorities for a quick solution to the issue. This situation causes distress for the children and burdens parents with continuous travel.
The Meteorological Service has issued a yellow warning for strong thunderstorms. Rain intensity is expected to range from 35 to 55 millimeters per hour. There is a possibility of hail and strong wind gusts. The warning will be in effect from Sunday morning until the afternoon of the same day.
A 32-year-old Syrian defendant was fined €2,800 and given a 20-day suspended prison sentence for running over an 80-year-old pedestrian. The accident occurred while crossing at a pedestrian crossing, and the defendant left the scene and ran a red light. The elderly woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. The case was reviewed by the Limassol District Court.
An accident at a school in Nicosia involving a serious injury to a student during Physical Education class has raised concerns about the need for safer sports surfaces. The student's father is advocating for the installation of tartan flooring instead of asphalt in the school's playground. The Ministry of Education has pointed out that tartan is not considered a safety surface and has strict maintenance requirements. The father is voicing his concerns to ensure student safety.
The company operating the 'Pame Express' program is extending bus hours to accommodate store employees finishing work at 7 and 8 p.m. Starting Monday, November 11, workers will have the option to use the new routes, making it easier for them to return home. The company estimates that this change will also alleviate road congestion.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated that the goal is to bring the two peoples closer and maintain an honest dialogue. He emphasized Greece's firm position on Cyprus, which centers around a solution based on UN resolutions. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a climate of respect and promoting peace. Despite challenges, there is a willingness for productive dialogue.
In October, 380,000 vehicles used the Nicosia bypass. Traffic reports indicate a 40% decrease in the Halepianes area. During peak morning hours, vehicle traffic entering Nicosia decreased by 12%. The Ministry of Transport is monitoring traffic daily using permanent traffic counters.
The Police warns the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) that they will not police matches if incidents of flares and fireworks persist. Police Chief Themistocles Arnaoutis expresses concern about potential riots from fans. Despite the Police's intentions to ensure safety, they will seek a ban on fan movement if these issues continue. The Police expects the CFA to enforce disciplinary actions against such violations.
Minister Georgios Papamanastasiou announced that the investigations for the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection are proceeding normally, with the first cable laying expected in 2026. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of 2029, and there have been no issues in conducting the seabed surveys. Decisions regarding the Republic's participation in the subsidiary's share capital will be made soon. The project requires an additional funding of €1.2 billion.
In Germany, the alleged mastermind behind an international scheme involving 133 sham marriages in Cyprus has been arrested. The case includes 17 arrests and the exploitation of individuals from other countries who entered into false marriages for residency permits. The criminal organization was active since 2017 and reportedly made over €1 million in profits. Among the accused are individuals believed to have played significant roles in the operation.
Unexecuted warrants have decreased by €8.32 million over the past year, totaling €319.2 million, although the number of warrants has increased by 1,728. The largest amounts pertain to social security, with a high number also for criminal offenses and civil debts. Despite this decrease, authorities are concerned about the accumulating workload from increasing backlogs.
The police have started taking testimonies regarding a student who reportedly distributed money to his classmates. The testimonies are coming from students, parents, and educators. The incident, involving minors, is being handled carefully by the authorities. The investigation is ongoing.
Cyprus ranks below the EU average in employee salaries, with an average annual salary of €26,430 for 2023. Despite salary increases, many workers face financial difficulties due to rising costs and high living expenses. Research indicates an increase in disposable income, but actual earnings can vary significantly. Many Cypriots struggle to meet basic needs.
The situation in the Municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneou is complicating as a councilor is found not to live in the area as he declared. The Larnaca district officer has sought legal advice on the matter. If the lack of proper residence is confirmed, the councilor will lose his position and new elections will be called. The councilor has submitted documents stating that he is legally elected.
The interactions between Christodoulides and Erdogan in Budapest, along with the Gerapetritis-Fidan talks in Athens, create a positive outlook for the Cyprus issue. Developments from the United Nations are anticipated, with an informal multilateral meeting likely at the end of November or early December. Nicosia sees Turkey's cooperation with the EU as encouraging. The two negotiators continue their discussions, but no specific agreements have been reached yet.
The arrest of a 55-year-old basketball coach for the sexual abuse of a minor has raised concerns in Cypriot society. The complaint was made by the girl's parents, and she provided a videotaped statement that aided in the issuance of an arrest warrant. There are reports linking the suspect to a previous similar complaint. Authorities are closely monitoring the case and examining all testimonies.
The last sand dune ecosystem in the Limassol Bay was destroyed due to illegal construction activities for tourism development. The Department of Environment intervened after a complaint, confirming the damage to this rare ecosystem and requesting restoration of the area. This area includes protected habitat types and rare plants, which are currently threatened by ongoing interventions. The Department of Environment is calling for immediate restoration of the site.
A serious terrorism case is unfolding in Cyprus with the arrest of six suspects allegedly collecting funds for the HTS organization. The 44-year-old treasurer of the organization is reported to have gathered €250,000 in Cyprus through unexplained means. The information comes from investigative data and WhatsApp conversations. The police continue their investigation aimed at clarifying the funding and connections of these individuals.
The Larnaca Police are preparing for a march organized by ELAM concerning immigration. There will be a security plan with 125 police officers participating along with the use of drones and cameras for better monitoring. Protesters will demand stricter immigration policies and measures against crime. The march will take place through central streets, and various roads will be closed during the event.