The case regarding the death of Thanasis Nikolaou involves seven individuals who may face criminal charges. Among them are police officers and forensic doctor Panikos Stavrianos, who may be accused of neglecting duties and issuing false certificates. The findings state that the initial police investigation was hasty and irresponsible. The decision for any criminal prosecutions now lies with the Attorney General.
The Parliament approved the installation of timers on traffic cameras and extended the deadline for paying fines from 30 to 90 days. Timers will help drivers know the remaining time before the traffic lights change. President Christodoulides is expected to veto the law, as the Ministry of Transport disagrees. This extension gives offenders more time to pay their fines.
The Association of Municipalities expresses its dissatisfaction with the announcement from the Ministry of Interior, accusing it of trying to shift responsibilities. It highlights unresolved issues such as financial commitments and road maintenance. Municipalities plan to suspend payments if budgets are not approved. They demand immediate and clear solutions from the Ministry of Finance.
The investigation into the death of the 14-year-old in Limassol remains open, with three main scenarios considered: accident, suicide, or criminal act. The Forensic Service is analyzing surveillance footage and found the victim's belongings in the 34th-floor apartment. His mobile phone has been taken for examination to uncover more evidence. A series of interviews with family members and residents of the towers has begun.
Belgian authorities have initiated an investigation into bribery linked to the company Huawei at the European Parliament. Offices of two parliamentary assistants have been sealed, and an additional suspect has been arrested in France. The investigation relates to allegations that Huawei executives offered financial incentives to MEPs. Authorities are continuing the inquiry, with no further details disclosed at this time.
DIKO and EDEK requested a delay in the correction of the GHS law aimed at overturning a recent court ruling. DIKO's president, Nicolas Papadopoulos, emphasized the need to thoroughly review the court's decision. In contrast, AKEL argued that immediate modification is necessary to protect the GHS. The Health Committee will discuss the issue in the Plenary next week.
A man was found murdered in Omonia, inside the apartment he was renting. He was tied up and had a bag over his head. The crime was discovered by the apartment owner while cleaning. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
A 56-year-old woman, Kimberley Sullivan, was arrested for holding her stepson captive for 20 years. The 32-year-old man weighed only 31 kilograms and revealed that he had suffered severe abuse and neglect. He set fire to the house to escape, stating he wanted his freedom. The case is shocking and requires thorough investigation by authorities.
The prosecutor proposed the conviction of 12 out of 21 defendants in the deadly fire case in Mati in 2018. Among those charged are officials from the Fire Service, the then Attica regional governor, and the General Secretary for Civil Protection. Tensions arose in the court as victims' relatives protested. The prosecutor highlighted significant coordination failures during the firefighting efforts.
A 33-year-old is accused of defrauding citizens out of hundreds of thousands of euros with false promises and fake documents. Using his persuasive skills, he posed as an investor and convinced victims to give him large sums of money. The scam unraveled when his promises fell apart, and he is now in custody. He has a history of fraud, including deceiving a former football player.
A 62-year-old woman from Limassol fell victim to a fraud scheme when a person pretending to be a bank employee contacted her. They convinced her to transfer her funds to protect her accounts from unauthorized withdrawals. As a result, she lost over $1.2 million through 34 different transactions. The police are currently investigating the case.
Today, the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs discussed the increase of MPs from 56 to 63 and the introduction of the concept of nationwide MPs. The committee's president, Haris Damianos, urged parties to express their final positions. The increase seems easier to pass, as there are no serious objections. The proposed law by the president of EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos, argues that having 80 MPs is insufficient for the needs of the Parliament.
A 50-year-old man found guilty of murdering his 43-year-old brother-in-law in Paphos has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The tragedy occurred during a family gathering in July 2024. After a dispute, the suspect returned with a firearm and fatally shot the victim. He was arrested the next day and admitted to the crime.
The Parliament is discussing a bill today to address a gap in the General Health System caused by a court decision. This ruling allows doctors outside the GHS to prescribe within the System, which is seen as a threat to its operation. The bill aims to clarify the status of contracted doctors by adding specific terms. The chairman of the Health Committee emphasizes the need for immediate legislative changes.
The Cyprus University of Technology has received preliminary approval from the Ministry of Finance for the construction of new facilities. The project, costing approximately €27 million, aims to meet the academic needs of the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts as well as the School of Geotechnical Sciences. The modern facilities will be built next to the 3rd Primary School of Limassol, focusing on creating new teaching and research spaces.
The electoral rolls of the Republic of Cyprus show that 695 citizens are over 100 years old. A proposal was made to delete them from the lists, assuming that most have passed away, but there was pushback from their relatives. The Electoral Service is seeking to find a way to remove only those who have died. Meanwhile, a constitutional amendment is being discussed to allow 17-year-olds to vote.
The Mayor of Paphos published photos showing the dire condition of a property where a woman lives. This situation has been known to the Welfare Office for years. The Mayor expressed concern for the woman's safety, especially in the event of a fire. In his view, the incompetence of the relevant authorities is a significant issue.
Kostas Patsalidis, a suspect in relation to the '80' group, was arrested at the British Bases with €2,460 in his possession. He has been wanted since February and is accused of soliciting money to help individuals with problematic loans. A court will decide his fate on March 18. Testimonies from other witnesses continue, despite their initial hesitations.
A tragic incident occurred in Limassol, where a 14-year-old student fell from the 34th floor of a tower. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including reviewing security camera footage. The youth reportedly entered an unfinished apartment under unclear conditions. Investigations are ongoing to clarify the details of the incident.
The weather is improving, with temperatures around 28 degrees today and an expected rise over the weekend. The conditions will mostly be clear with light to moderate winds. Tonight, temperatures will drop to cooler levels but remain relatively mild. Forecasts indicate that temperatures could reach 30 degrees Celsius by Sunday.
The government is promoting a draft law that would ban lighting fires for traditional celebrations, leading to protests from lawmakers and local authorities. Some argue that the bill is impractical and infringes on traditional customs. If passed, the police will be responsible for enforcing the law. Uncertainty surrounding the law's implementation awaits the vote in Parliament.
A Cypriot company has established a pilot data center in Limassol that can utilize surplus electricity from photovoltaic systems. The idea is to turn the energy disadvantage of data centers into an advantage, thereby aiding energy storage. The center will explore how it can absorb discarded energy and reduce its energy needs during peak demand. The proposal has also been presented to the Transmission System Operator for further investigation.
A court ruling has upheld a citizen's right to obtain medications through the General Health System, interpreting the law based on grammatical meaning. This has raised concerns about the GHS, as it is not clear that pharmacists must only accept prescriptions from GHS doctors. Politicians are stressing the need for legal amendments to ensure the GHS functions properly. They believe this ruling could result in serious consequences for the healthcare system.
The Parliament is discussing seven legal proposals related to the out-of-court fines from the photo enforcement system. The government aims for regulations that ensure the system's functionality, and a proposal has been made to allow payment of fines within 90 days instead of 30. Additionally, parties are discussing implementing timed traffic lights for right turns with cameras. There are concerns regarding the system's operation and the demands of the managing company.
The case of Thanasis Nikolaou has clear findings confirming that his death was due to a criminal act. After 20 years of inquiries and legal processes, the criminal investigators recommend prosecutions, although Thanasis's family is ready to pursue private legal actions if the Attorney General does not take action. The report was submitted to the Cabinet, which will pass it on to the Attorney General for further action.
The Wildlife and Game Service has revised its decision to allow the training of hunting dogs in protected Natura 2000 areas during the breeding period. This change has raised concerns from organized groups and environmental organizations as it may negatively impact protected species. These areas are particularly critical for bird reproduction. Moreover, the new decrees have not undergone a special ecological assessment.
President Christodoulides announced a reduction of VAT on residential electricity from 19% to 9%, attributing this decision to Cyprus's strong economy. In his televised address, he presented 70 actions across 11 sectors, including the Cyprus issue. He emphasized the importance of addressing long-standing issues in the country. The VAT reduction will take effect from April 2025 and will last for one year.