The penalty for drivers who leave the scene of an accident involving injury is proposed to be aligned with that of fatal accidents, following a request from the Attorney General. The Justice Minister agrees with this proposal and legislative amendments are expected. Additionally, there are discussions about increasing penalties for other traffic violations. Promoting proper road behavior within families is also emphasized.
This year's 'Athenorama Golden Caps of Cyprus' awards highlight the high standard of Cypriot gastronomy. Over 30 restaurants will be honored, featuring several surprises in this year's award categories. Special attention is given to the restaurant winning the One to Watch designation. The tasting committee evaluated more than 150 restaurants for their rankings.
NASA discovered the secret military base Camp Century buried under the ice of Greenland, built during the Cold War. The base, which served as a storage and launching site for nuclear missiles, is now hidden 30 meters below the surface. The discovery was made accidentally using radars scanning the area. Camp Century was part of the classified Project Iceworm plan, which involved building strategic facilities within the ice.
The Consumer Protection Agency is preparing to send a list of 400 products to supermarkets for the e-kalathi program. The goal is to allow daily price comparisons for better offers. There are doubts about whether it can be ready before Christmas, as technical work is still needed. Supermarkets want to ensure fair comparisons and that all necessary information is accurate before the tool is released to the public.
President Nikos Christodoulides and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the establishment of the Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. Among the key decisions is the implementation of digital services and matters of civil protection. The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes and the potential for further collaboration. The meeting demonstrates the commitment to improving citizens' daily lives through shared efforts.
Next week, 26 new commissioners will take office in the European Commission after their nominations were approved by the European Parliament. The presidency is held by Ursula von der Leyen, who announced the executive vice-presidents and their portfolios. The new commissioners will focus on advancing European interests and achieving goals such as the green transition and technological sovereignty. These appointments come at a time of geopolitical instability and challenges for Europe.
The Golden Chef's Hat Awards 2024 event features an impressive culinary dinner, highlighted by the participation of acclaimed chef Alexandros Tsiotinis. The menu includes visual culinary illusions that blend traditional Greek and Cypriot recipes with innovative ideas. Collaboration between chefs from Greece and the Four Seasons completes the experience by offering unique dishes and fine wines. The event is expected to delight guests with its original flavors and ingredients.
Former Commissioner for Mountain Communities Yiannakis Papadouris has filed a new lawsuit against Odysseas Michailidis regarding misconduct by the Audit Office. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and claim that Michailidis acted with malice against them. They state that during the publication of a report on financial aid, serious fraud findings were investigated by OLAF but ultimately no fraud was found. Despite this clarification, the Audit Office failed to inform the public about OLAF's conclusions.
The Intergovernmental Summit between Greece and Cyprus focused on cooperation in areas such as Education, Health, Defense, and Artificial Intelligence, with a primary emphasis on the Cyprus issue. The leaders of both countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Additionally, it was decided to strengthen collaboration in new sectors such as labor and social policy. The summit takes place in a continuously changing geopolitical environment.
The Ministry of Health is claiming €1.3 billion from the Oaky for the salaries of public servants seconded to the organization from 2019 to 2024. The general director of the ministry, Christina Giannaki, sent a letter to the Organization regarding this claim. However, representatives from Oaky question the amount owed, stating that there were no revenues during the 2019-2020 period. This issue has serious implications for the financial sustainability of the Organization.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Cyprus for the Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Summit. President Christodoulides called the day historic, as it marks the first significant presence of the Greek government in Cyprus. The summit will address issues such as the Cyprus problem, digital transition, and collaboration on social matters. Following the summit, the King of Jordan is expected to arrive for a trilateral meeting.
Retail professionals in Cyprus are cautious about their expectations for Black Friday. Market activity appears subdued, with consumers limiting their spending to basic needs. Many may choose to shop closer to the Christmas holidays, anticipating better discounts. The price reductions for Black Friday seem unable to compete with offers seen in other countries.
Tonight, the award ceremony for the best restaurants in Cyprus takes place at the Four Seasons in Limassol. The 'Golden Hats' initiative honors the top restaurants of the island for 2024, supported by a strict panel of tasters. The glamorous event is expected to feature many surprises and a select group of guests.
A mother in Britain was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for hiding her daughter in a drawer for three years. The child was found to be severely malnourished and had no social interactions. She was discovered by the mother's partner, who alerted authorities. The mother claimed she was in an abusive relationship and scared, but did not seek medical help for her child.
The Paphos District Court rejected INTRAKAT's request to prohibit the liquidation of the guarantee for the Paphos-Polis project. The Republic of Cyprus is moving forward with the execution of the court's decision. Additionally, the Republic secured an order to prevent the removal of equipment from the construction site. The court's decision confirms the need to halt the project.
The Auditor General argues that the payment of vertical incentives to doctors for 2023 is unjustified based on Okypy's financial data. This statement was made in a letter to the president and members of the board of the organization. While the basic revenue target was achieved, the increased target was not met. Therefore, doctors will not receive the horizontal incentive for this year.
Cyprus ranks first in the EU in 2023 for household investment rates, despite economic challenges faced by many households. According to Eurostat, the investment rate is 14.6%, mainly focused on home purchases and renovations. Simultaneously, household savings are increasing as people tend to save more during periods of economic uncertainty. There are significant disparities in investment rates across EU countries, with Greece and others showing single-digit percentages.
The road from Limassol to Agros, near Gerasa, has become dangerous for residents due to recent landslides caused by the devastating fire in August 2023. Residents are worried daily for their safety, as heavy rains have worsened the situation. Authorities acknowledge the need for permanent solutions, but current measures seem insufficient. Meetings are expected to plan new reinforcement projects for the area.
The agenda of the meetings between Christodoulides and Mitsotakis focuses on issues such as the Cyprus problem, NATO, and the implementation of eWallet in Cyprus. The two leaders aim to send messages regarding Greece-Cyprus cooperation and to explore prospects for enhancing security in the region. They are also reinforcing the partnership between their governments and their strategic thinking regarding international organizations. The tripartite meeting with Jordan will highlight their power and influence in the Mediterranean.
Kyrjakos Oxinos, 24, died in a car accident due to a faulty Takata airbag. His family is awaiting the completion of a criminal investigation to determine any criminal responsibilities. Their lawyer pointed out that there has been a warning about the danger posed by this airbag since 2020, yet many still ignore the seriousness of the issue.
The Ministry of Justice is preparing a bill to modernize the roles of the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, aiming to enhance their independence. Criteria and oversight for their decisions are proposed, and the new regulations will require constitutional amendments. The government wishes to submit the bill to Parliament as soon as possible, despite expressed legal reservations. Additionally, an Audit Service will be established to strengthen its independence.
The situation in the ready-mixed concrete industry is critical, as the strike has lasted three weeks and employers warn of potential forced leaves and layoffs. Unions refuse to engage in new negotiations, pointing to the employers' responsibility for the current deadlock. Employers are calling on the government to take action to support businesses. The ongoing strike could have serious repercussions for the construction industry and the overall economy of Cyprus.
The Auditor General of Cyprus calls on OKEPY to review the financial agreements with doctors, as the current situation has resulted in significant delays in medical services. Patients are suffering due to a strike that affects their appointments and treatments. The Audit Authority notes that doctors cannot receive more than 2.5 million euros for 2023. Concerns are raised regarding the financial parameters related to the agreement between OKEPY and the doctors.