Al Jazeera announced the death of journalist Hossam Sabat due to an Israeli strike in Gaza. The death of Mohamed Mansour from another strike was also confirmed. The number of journalists killed since the start of the war now exceeds 206. The Palestinian journalists' union condemned the attacks as war crimes.
The German government condemns the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as unacceptable. The government spokesperson stated that these developments indicate a regression of democracy in Turkey. They express concern about EU-Turkey relations and urge Ankara to clarify the case. There is a possibility of a new travel advisory for Turkey due to the recent arrests of journalists.
Colin Stewart informed the diplomatic community about UN activities and the situation in Cyprus following the Geneva meeting. Positive initiatives were mentioned, including the establishment of a Technical Committee for Youth and demining efforts. Common concerns such as solar energy and cemetery restoration were also highlighted. Stewart praised the parties for the positive decisions made.
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis reports improvements in citizens' living conditions, supported by statistical data. The risk of poverty or social exclusion has decreased, while median disposable income has significantly increased. This development reflects the positive changes that have occurred in recent years. The government highlights the success of its social policy.
The family of the soldier Thanasis Nikolaou has requested the Court to hand over his remains for burial. However, forensic expert Panikos Stavrianos opposes this, seeking investigatory procedures to determine the cause of death. The Court will examine the case on March 27. Additionally, Stavrianos is seeking legal action through the European Court regarding his rights.
Yanakis Yanaki was recently arrested under a judicial warrant. He is currently in custody and is expected to appear in court tomorrow. More details will follow.
By March 28, involved parties are invited to submit comments on the proposed law regarding self-consumption of renewable energy. The Energy Committee of the Parliament has discussed the proposal and agreed to vote on it before Easter. The committee chair emphasized the need to finalize the text quickly, while technical issues and system security considerations remain. More time for consultation and clarification of details was requested.
A general acquittal was achieved for a police officer and his co-defendant, who were accused of interference in a judicial process and other related charges. The decision was made by the District Court of Limassol, as there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations. The case is related to a traffic accident that occurred in 2018, involving the son of the second defendant. Ultimately, the charges were dismissed, and both were set free.
The trial for the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos is ongoing, with Chief Constable Stelios Andreou testifying about the investigation conducted at the first defendant's home. He mentioned evidence found, such as hairs indicating the defendant had recently shaved. A friend of the first defendant provided additional details regarding his involvement. Additionally, an investigation in the cell of Zavrantonas revealed a mobile phone as evidence.
The Holy Synod approved a request from the Holy Monastery of Kikkos for the utilization of land near the Agios Prokopios monastery. The development will include residential, tourist, and commercial uses, with a five-star hotel and medical facilities. Additionally, the Synod addressed the condition of occupied churches, highlighting the difficulties faced in their repair. It calls on the United Nations to intervene for the resolution of these issues.
Authorities are searching for Yiannakis Yiannakis, a former Commissioner of Volunteerism, as he did not appear for his trial. The District Court of Nicosia has issued an arrest warrant that needs to be executed promptly once he is located. The police have been mobilized to find him, and the execution of the warrant may take place on Wednesday or Thursday. Depending on his explanations, the judge will decide on the next steps.
A 69-year-old woman was found dead in her daughter's bathroom in Tsada. An autopsy revealed signs of electrocution, and investigations indicated serious damage to the electrical installation in the house. The police are awaiting the results of pathological examinations to confirm the exact cause of death. The woman had been visiting her daughter for a few days when the incident occurred.
A warrant for the arrest of former Volunteer Commissioner Yiannis Giannakis will be executed on Wednesday, April 2, due to his failure to appear in court. The judge was not convinced by his lawyer's claims of illness and thus issued the warrant. Giannakis is facing charges of forgery and using a false document. The hearing of his case is set to begin on the day of his arrest.
The ship 'Daleela' will begin its fourth route from Cyprus to Greece on May 31, 2025, with bookings starting on April 2, 2025. Prices will see a minimal increase, and bicycle transport will be free. The Deputy Minister of Shipping announced the contract extension for another three years due to increased demand. This sea connection has proven beneficial for passengers and tourism.
A warrant for the arrest of former Commissioner for Volunteerism Giannakis Giannaki has been issued after he failed to appear in court, citing illness. His lawyer presented a medical certificate, but the judge requested the doctor who issued it to appear in court. The court granted a 45-minute deadline for the doctor to appear, warning that a warrant would be issued. Giannakis is expected to remain in custody until the next hearing.
Former Volunteer Commissioner Giannis Giannakis did not appear in court due to illness, according to his lawyer. The judge warned that an arrest warrant would be issued if she is not satisfied with the testimony of the doctor who issued the medical certificate. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, where he is expected to appear with legal representation. If the court is not satisfied with the doctor's testimony, an arrest warrant will be issued.
For four days, patients of the GeSY faced significant difficulties as service providers were unable to assist them. The issues stemmed from poorly managed software with specific restrictions on diabetes medications. Despite updates and attempts to resolve the problems, delays continued until Sunday. This situation is expected to be discussed on Thursday by the parliamentary Health Committee.
This morning, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake shook Cyprus, particularly felt in the Limassol area. Initial reports indicate that residents experienced the tremor. More details will follow. The automatic detection of the earthquake has not yet been verified.
In Larnaca, a 51-year-old man died in a fatal car accident. The 66-year-old driver of the other vehicle tried to approach to provide electricity, but ended up hitting him during the process. Despite the medical team's efforts at the hospital, the 51-year-old did not survive his injuries. The Larnaca Traffic Department is continuing its investigations into the incident.
A total of 700 new bus shelters are planned to be installed by 2025. Some citizens have raised concerns about the orientation of these shelters, claiming they are placed incorrectly, impacting their usability. The Department of Public Works argues that the design caters to passengers' needs, including those with disabilities. So far, 180 shelters have been installed across the country.
The leaders' meeting for the Cyprus issue is scheduled for April 2nd, marking the first meeting after the informal gathering in Geneva. President Christodoulides expressed readiness to move forward with the implementation of confidence-building measures. There is an expectation for the appointment of a personal envoy from the UN Secretary-General to assist in the process. The president of DISY described the previous meeting as a positive step towards resuming negotiations.
The Ministry of Agriculture plans to change the use of goat's milk in the production of halloumi, aiming to create two types of the product. Goat farmers have reacted to this decision, arguing it will affect the legal status of traditional halloumi. This decision was made following proposals from cheesemakers and dairy farmers. Overall, the amount available for producing these two types of halloumi has been impacted by the implementation of new regulations.
The Democratic Party (DIKO) is gearing up for the parliamentary elections, expressing serious concerns about its electoral prospects. Nikolas Papadopoulos is advocating strategies to broaden the party's electoral base, though there are risks associated with full support for the government. Changes to the party's statutes are expected to bring modernization, while deputy leader Christiana Erotokritou shows a differing stance from the party leadership. The future of DIKO will be determined at the polls.
Joint operations by the Maritime Police and the National Guard resumed off the coast of Cyprus in March due to increased activity in the maritime area. The patrols aim to address issues such as incidents involving migrants. The situation in Syria influences this activity, as political instability in the region causes flows of people. Weather conditions facilitate these operations but also dictate when they can occur.
The Paphos District Court has ordered the demolition of an illegal agricultural structure in the Akamas area. This decision sets a precedent for 20 similar pending cases. The violations were identified following inspections conducted by state authorities. These cases involve constructions made without permits in protected areas.
The police's decision to allow a hunters' protest has caused severe traffic chaos, blocking key highways for the second week in a row. Drivers and restaurant owners faced significant challenges due to traffic congestion, leading to cancellations. The United Cypriot Hunters Movement is requesting meetings with the government regarding their hunting issues, which conflict with European and national laws. This situation has generated considerable frustration among citizens.