A man around 50 years old has barricaded himself in an apartment in Keratsini, holding his mother and sister inside. Authorities have cordoned off the area and are working to free the women. The situation requires the intervention of special negotiators. The man is reported to have psychological issues.
The session of the Political Bureau of DISY discussed four main topics to be presented at the statutory congress. These topics include the abolition of term limits or an exemption for the party leadership, as well as potential expulsions of members who are ministers in the Christodoulides government. There is also concern regarding the process of selecting the presidential candidate for the party. Finally, it was decided that the proposal to abolish the quota will not be pursued.
Cyprus is set to implement a green tax in May, as stated by Finance Minister Makis Keravnos. The government is in the final stages of preparation and awaits the completion of compensatory measures. A presentation on tax reform, which will include aspects of the green transition, is scheduled for February 26.
Anita Dimitriou, the president of DISY, addressed rumors surrounding the party's presidential candidate. She emphasized the use of modern methods and technology to enhance member participation in the process. Dimitriou assured that the elections will be conducted democratically and transparently, refuting claims of automatic candidacy. DISY aims to unite and modernize through this process.
All public buses in Nicosia will be equipped with cameras and security personnel, primarily to protect students from vandalism and attacks. Recorded faces will be altered to ensure students' privacy. Parents will be held responsible for any damage caused by their children, and announcements from the Ministry of Transport are expected soon. Security measures are likely to be extended to buses in other cities as well.
MP Dimitris Dimitriou is calling for the dismissal of former MP Evgenios Michael from DISY. He stated that it is inappropriate for party members to participate in marches of other parties, like that of ELAM. Michael participated in a protest march against illegal immigration in Limassol. The relevant committee of DISY needs to deliberate on this matter.
Joshua Poloso Epifaniou, a 26-year-old inmate, reports three incidents of attacks against him in Central Prisons. He claims he suffered serious injuries from stabbings and beatings. Due to these threats to his physical integrity, he requested to be moved to another cell. His lawyer has submitted an official statement to the relevant authorities.
The Health Insurance Organization announced that waiting lists for urgent appointments with specialists in the General Health System will now not exceed 10 days. Every urgent referral must be addressed within this timeframe, aimed at improving healthcare services. Doctors are encouraged to keep specific times available for such urgent cases. This regulation aims to effectively serve patients based on their health needs.
Intensive investigations are underway regarding cigarette smuggling from the occupied areas. Two 37-year-olds, a 39-year-old, and a 31-year-old from Israel have been arrested as members of the smuggling ring. During the operation, over 10,500 boxes of cigarettes and around €50,000 were found in the suspects' possession. Authorities are searching for additional evidence and information about the ring's activities.
The court has decided to impose a suspended sentence on a 49-year-old driver who caused the death of a 76-year-old pedestrian in a traffic accident in Limassol. The victim's family expresses anger and disappointment over the ruling, believing that justice was not served. The defendant was viewed as having less responsibility due to the victim's actions and the circumstances of the accident. This decision raises concerns about road safety in Limassol.
The charges imposed by companies for replacing defective Takata airbags are deemed legal, as confirmed by the Consumer Protection Service. Legislators expressed concerns over the charging policies of two specific representatives. However, the officials stated that the companies operate within the existing legal framework. The discussion on this issue will continue next week with the presence of the Legal Service.
On February 11, a fatal traffic accident occurred in Larnaca, claiming the life of a 75-year-old man. Rodotheos Skordis lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car, causing it to overturn. Despite the rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death will be further examined during an autopsy.
Threatening messages were sent to 215 schools across Cyprus, triggering an alert for the police. Investigations that started in the morning are still ongoing. Schools followed safety protocols as instructed by the Ministry of Education. Ultimately, it was found that the threatening emails were a hoax.
The trial regarding the escape of a Swedish fugitive began with a postponement at the Larnaca Criminal Court. The Swedish individual, his lawyer, and a police officer are facing serious charges. The Swedish man remains in custody, while the lawyer and police officer have been released under specific terms. This case has drawn interest and is being followed in Sweden due to the severe charges against the fugitive.
Threatening messages were sent to many schools in Cyprus from Russia, as indicated by police investigation. The messages are linked to known IP addresses used in other European countries. The threats are affecting various schools across the country. Authorities have commenced necessary safety measures in response.
School authorities were instructed by the Ministry of Education's Office of Health and Safety to implement threat protocols. Schools activated evacuation protocols and informed parents about safety measures. The police were notified and no suspicious items were found. Students remained calm and there was no disturbance.
On Tuesday morning, the police were alerted after threatening messages were sent to multiple schools in Cyprus. The messages, which contained disturbing content related to terrorism, were received by over 15 schools in various areas. The police have activated all protocols and are in cooperation with the Ministry of Education to ensure the safety of the students. The details of the messages were particularly alarming and warned of a bomb at the schools.
Many taverns in Cyprus are adopting a new trend of offering midday entertainment with live music. This change competes with traditional night outings, making it easier for families who cannot go out in the evening. However, proposed changes to operating hours by the Ministry of Tourism could have serious impacts on these businesses. Owners are concerned that if these changes go through, many taverns may close.
Rosemary DiCarlo continues her tour in the region to prepare for the informal expanded meeting regarding the Cyprus issue. President Christodoulides aims to initiate substantial talks, while Ersin Tatar seeks recognition for the illegal regime. The time leading up to the meeting is seen as an opportunity for preparation and discussions. Both sides emphasize the importance of collaboration and communication for the success of the negotiations.
The proposal from the Ministry of Education for the evaluation of teachers has sparked reactions, with the main concern being that the current system is outdated and flawed. Stakeholders agree that the new system should be more transparent and connect evaluation with the professional development of teachers. There are suggestions for improving the quality of teaching and learning by providing more feedback opportunities. If the proposal is approved, significant changes in the evaluation of teachers are expected.
Recent developments regarding the Great Sea Interconnector indicate that ADMIE is prepared to accept the Cypriot government's proposals to relocate its headquarters to Cyprus. This will allow for better handling of legal matters by Cypriot courts and facilitate funding from investors. It is expected that this move will occur alongside the transfer of ownership of the interconnection to GSI. Recent statements reaffirm the commitment to implement the project under the agreed terms.
The Cypriot Police is implementing the 'Elpis' application to support victims of domestic violence. With the push of a button, victims can immediately notify the police without having to make a call or visit a station. The application allows for sending SOS messages and describing the victim's location. An internal exercise is taking place today to ensure the application functions properly.
There are issues and waste observed in the dispensing of prescriptions at GESY pharmacies. Pharmacists are giving medications to beneficiaries who are deceased or no longer reside in nursing homes. The Health Insurance Organization (OAY) identifies a lack of control and proper management of prescriptions, leading to drug wastage. The need for better oversight and adherence to system regulations is emphasized.
The St Nicholas Hills project in Prastio Avdimou includes the creation of a university campus and other facilities such as medical centers and tourist accommodations. It is expected to provide significant benefits to local communities, including new job opportunities and increased property values. Despite temporary challenges during construction, the project's completion is anticipated to yield long-term positive effects. Additionally, it plans to restore the environment in the area affected by a fire in 2020.
From 2020 to 2023, a total of 22,740 applications for Cypriot citizenship were approved, while 2,650 were rejected. The year 2022 saw a surge with 7,071 approvals, and in 2023 by July, 6,109 applications were approved. However, there are still 11,891 pending applications, many of which seem to not meet residency requirements, raising concerns about the naturalization process.