Elon Musk announced his departure from the U.S. political scene, publicly criticizing a legislative proposal from Donald Trump. He expresses concerns about the rising public debt and the government's current trajectory. This departure appears to benefit Trump, as he is relieved of a supporter. Their relationship seems to have strained due to financial pressures on Musk's businesses.
The Attorney General announced that he will not participate in the decision regarding the new request from forensic expert Panikos Stavrianos for the reopening of the death inquiry into Thanasis Nikolaou. Stavrianos requested to present new evidence supporting that Nikolaou's death resulted from a fall, without criminal activity involved. The Legal Service has stated it will provide its positions but will not engage in the procedure. The hearing is expected to continue in the near future.
The Konnos beach in Ayia Napa did not open this year for water sports, leading to strong reactions from the Cyprus Sea Sports Association. The businessman operating in the area has filed a lawsuit against the municipality's decision, claiming his bid met all criteria. This decision raises concerns about potential unequal treatment and implications for public tenders. The mayor of Ayia Napa stated that the site is under evaluation for future decisions.
The Daleela ferry is set to embark on its first trip for 2025, carrying 187 passengers from Limassol to Piraeus. Demand is high, with bookings reaching 6,500, and August's routes are already sold out. The ferry has been renovated and will operate 22 routes this year. This maritime connection has become popular, especially among passengers who prefer road travel.
A Greek Cypriot manager has initiated the eviction of refugees from their homes built on Turkish Cypriot land in Timis. This move comes as a result of a lack of agreement with the Republic of Cyprus regarding the purchase or expropriation of the land. The owners claim that the refugees are residing illegally and without proper authorization. However, the situation remains unclear, with the government providing insufficient support.
Sabbas Kakos testified in court that Simon Aykut is the big boss behind the developments of Greek-Cypriot land. He reported receiving threats against his life from Aykut's son. Kakos also denied the charges against him and did not recognize the documents presented to him in court.
The Mayor of Paphos, Phaidon Phaidonou, expresses strong concern over the infiltration of drug cartels in Cyprus and questions why some Forex companies establish subsidiaries in Latin America. He accuses authorities of failing to investigate money trails leading to money laundering by these cartels. He emphasizes the need for action and transparency to reveal those involved and stop the silence surrounding organized crime. Society cannot endure further cover-ups and demands immediate action from the authorities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the leader of Hamas, Mohammed Sinwar, has been killed. Sinwar was among the most wanted members of the organization. This news has significant implications for the situation in Gaza.
The Greek Police is investigating a drug trafficking network operating in Menidi, with a primary accomplice being a 51-year-old Cypriot. A second Cypriot, allegedly collaborating with the criminal organization, is also being sought. Significant quantities of drugs were found in the group's apartment. The Greek and Cypriot police are cooperating to examine all details of the case.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to consider a peaceful resolution to the war with Ukraine, but only under strict conditions. He demands Ukraine's neutrality, written commitments excluding NATO membership, and the lifting of some sanctions against Russia. However, there are doubts about Moscow's real willingness to engage in negotiations. Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of deliberately delaying the process.
The Cabinet approved changes to the calculation of the single-parent family allowance, removing the requirement for the cohabitant's income to be considered. This decision aims to address a previous regulation that was out of touch with modern social needs. The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare emphasized that the new regulation will simplify the process and support single-parent families. Additionally, other supportive initiatives are being explored.
Members of the European Parliament visited Cyprus to hear the testimonies of Cypriot women who were victims of rape during the Turkish invasion in 1974. The delegation participated in a closed-door session with the victims, and many were emotionally affected by the harrowing stories they heard. Eleonora Meleti stated their goal is to convey these testimonies to the European Parliament and to create initiatives based on them. They will compile a report to inform others about the situation of these women.
Charging an electric car in Cyprus costs between €7 and €30, depending on electricity prices. Cyprus ranks as the 6th most expensive country in Europe for home charging, with full charging costing €21.21. Using a photovoltaic system can reduce costs, while fast chargers can increase them. The most expensive countries for charging in Europe are Germany, Denmark, and Ireland.
This year, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (YDKE) has identified large quantities of drugs, particularly significant seizures of cannabis. This situation has prompted the Police and other departments to prevent new imports. The recent successes were acknowledged by the Minister of Justice, and discussions were held on strengthening drug combat efforts. The largest seizures have primarily occurred in Limassol and at Larnaca Airport.
74-year-old Joël Le Squarnec faces a 20-year prison sentence for serious cases of pedophilia committed over the last 25 years. His trial exposed significant negligence in the French healthcare system, as he continued to work with children despite prior convictions. The number of victims exceeded 100, many of whom were minors and under anesthesia. Protests from victims and their families demand changes in the system and justice for the negligence that allowed these atrocities.
Irene Charalambidou, a member of the AKEL party, stated that she will discuss the new 'Alma' party with Odysseas Michailidis but is not ready to answer whether she will join. She believes that Michailidis's presence in politics can have positive repercussions due to his fight against corruption. She emphasized the importance of separating personal feelings from political decisions. Despite her disagreements, she remains loyal to her party.
The use of electric scooters in Limassol has led to serious problems and dangers, as users operate them in prohibited areas. Most violations involve minors and foreigners who use scooters as a means of transport. Since 2024, many out-of-court complaints have been filed regarding safety violations. The legislation aims to regulate the circulation of these vehicles to protect users.
The Inquiry Committee investigating the import of vehicles with defective Takata airbags is completing public hearings with the participation of nine Ministers. The hearings aim to explore the conditions that allowed these vehicles to circulate in Cyprus. Following the evaluation of the testimonies, the Committee's final report will be presented. This process has generated strong public interest regarding potential shortcomings of the authorities.
The status of Syrian refugees in Cyprus is changing, as the government is halting the approval of asylum applications for those deemed not in need. More than 600 Syrians have been called for assessment of their residency status, most of whom work and are not considered refugees. The Asylum Service continues to reject asylum applications following the political changes in Syria. Authorities are processing applications quickly while increasing checks against illegal immigration.
Technip Energies will visit the terminal construction site in Vasilikos tomorrow after winning the ETYFA contract as project manager. Following the activation of the agreement, they will assess the project's status and initiate tenders for infrastructure construction. ETYFA is in contact with the VPSM consortium to resume work on the completion of the jetty, needed for the FSRU ship Prometheus. The condition of the jetty will be crucial for negotiations with VPSM.
Football teams in Cyprus are rejoining the debt repayment plan to the government after paying €2 million. The state has collected €5.3 million from new tax debts, and the teams are expected to pay increased installments in the future. The government is closely monitoring the teams' compliance with their obligations and will impose penalties if they fail to adhere to agreements. Additionally, an increase in betting taxes will contribute to state revenues.
A five-year-old girl from Gaza recounted the horrifying moments she experienced during an Israeli airstrike, where she lost her mother and two brothers. With tears in her eyes, she described how she walked through the fire to escape, showing her injuries. Her uncle mentioned that everyone suffers mentally due to this tragedy. The UNRWA reported that most schools in Gaza have been damaged by the attacks.
A court referred a matter to the Supreme Constitutional Court regarding the taking of fingerprints and DNA by the police, questioning whether it violates the right to respect for private and family life. This discussion arose from the arrest of a citizen for drugs, who refused to provide a saliva sample. The police requested a relevant order from the court, which was issued, but the constitutionality of the procedure is now under examination. If it is found that the legal article is unconstitutional, many related cases may be invalidated.
Simon Mistirel Aykut is accused of misappropriating Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas. In an interview with a Turkish channel, he claimed that he has no connection to Zionism and sought to dismiss allegations regarding his investments in Trikomo. He stated that only 105 out of 3,500 housing units have been sold to Israelis. His defense challenged the existence of evidence linking him to the illegal developments.
The coming days are crucial for the teachers' evaluation system, as a referendum by OELMEK is scheduled. Teachers will decide whether to accept or reject the Ministry of Education's proposal. The atmosphere is tense, with many disagreements from educational organizations. There is a need for dialogue and possible changes in legislation.
The Ministry of Interior is set to distribute the second tranche of state funding worth €117 million for the new municipalities, despite accumulated debts reaching €46 million. While some municipalities have no debts, others, such as Ayia Napa, have large outstanding amounts. The release of the funding will involve offsets for existing debts to government departments.