A 21-year-old gunman killed 10 people, including 9 students and a teacher, at a school in Graz, Austria, before committing suicide. The assailant, who was of Armenian descent, had a history of repeated school failures. The Austrian government declared a three-day national mourning and described the attack as a national tragedy. The community is in shock and seeking answers to this act of school violence.
A coach involved in an educational activity at an elementary school is accused of serious criminal offenses. Relevant authorities stated they had no knowledge of the charges against the coach during the event. After receiving this information, they committed to stricter checks in the future. Their goal is to create a safe environment for children and youth in sports.
Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, has passed away at the age of 82. He had been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Wilson was a central figure in the music scene, known for his work that influenced many artists, including The Beatles. His album, Pet Sounds, is regarded as a classic in modern music.
A 27-year-old man was arrested in Nicosia following a report of damage caused to a Catholic church. The damages included the altar, decorations, and candle holders. The police investigated the incident and identified the suspect. His arrest was made under a judicial warrant.
The flight from Athens to Cyprus experienced incidents as some passengers were forced to disembark for safety reasons. There was a delay and unrest among passengers who protested the handling by the staff. Ultimately, the flight departed after significant delays, and additional issues arose due to weather conditions in Cyprus. The airline apologized for the events.
The contract of the general director of DEFA, Marios Menelaou, was suddenly terminated after four years of service. Despite this, DEFA's board has acknowledged his professional execution and contribution to the organization’s goals. There are delays in the restarting of works at the LNG terminal due to weather conditions, but a recent agreement has been made with French company Technip Energies for project completion. The signing of another contract with the VPSM consortium is still pending.
Two minors, aged 14 and 15, are hospitalized in critical condition at the General Hospital of Arta after being rescued from the Arachthos River. Bystanders managed to find them and alerted the authorities. One child was swept away first, while the other attempted to help him. Doctors are closely monitoring their health status.
Starting August 1, 2025, the plan for residential solar panels with net metering will cease, according to the Ministry of Energy. In its place, a net billing scheme will be introduced, requiring residential energy storage installation. A government subsidy will be available for storage, though the amount has not yet been determined. This new approach is seen as fairer and aligns with practices in other EU countries.
Journalist George Theodoulou claimed that a source working at the Presidential Office had informed him of the Supreme Constitutional Court's decision weeks prior. Despite his allegations, he has not been called by the police for questioning and does not intend to go voluntarily. He stated that the information he received was off the record and that he recognized having a similar experience to that of Odysseas Michailidis. Theodoulou emphasized that revealing his source would require permission from that individual.
The Legal Committee of the Parliament announced that there is no legal way to renew the contracts of the 300 contract border guards serving on the Green Line. The government plans to create permanent positions for special police officers, allowing contract workers to apply for new roles. The head of the Police Branch mentioned that the only alternative is written examinations that would grant them points. He emphasized the need to avoid misinforming the families of these police officers.
Two minors were pulled unconscious from the Arachthos River in Arta after they went swimming with two friends. They were swept away by the current while the other two managed to swim safely. Local residents and authorities quickly mobilized to search for them. The children were taken to the hospital, where resuscitation efforts were made.
The Electricity Authority (AEC) has submitted a request for a 3% increase in electricity prices, equivalent to five euros every two months for an average household. The Minister of Commerce stated that the increase would be negligible and emphasized AEC's social sensitivity towards consumers. Furthermore, it was highlighted that AEC aims to maintain its sustainability without claiming past expenses. This decision considers the need for a reassessment of expenses for AEC's development projects.
Archbishop Georgios expressed his concern about the unacceptable zealotry emerging from those who separate from the Church. He believes these tendencies, which place themselves outside the Church, represent a new heresy. Meanwhile, he encourages the faithful to ignore the voices of those inciting division within the Church. The Church aims to preserve the true faith and engage in dialogue with other Christian denominations.
Tensions arose in the Education Committee between AKEL and ELAM MPs regarding a comment by an ELAM MP about supporting Turkish positions. AKEL MP George Loukaides responded by stating they would not accept views from fascists and Nazis. Continuous disputes led to intervention from the committee's president, but the situation did not calm down. Other committee members also joined in, escalating the confrontation.
Lawyer Georgios Giakou was sentenced to 4 years in prison for defrauding his client, from whom he extracted thousands of euros, seizing his assets under the pretense of a supposed legal fee of 2 million euros. The court found substantial aggravating evidence, noting that the accused exploited his client's friendship and trust. He had devised a plan for financial exploitation, involving false pretenses and legal processes to justify his claims. His sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions in the field of justice.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, stated that no official approval was given for the publication that appeared at the Venice Architecture Biennale. The issue is currently being examined by the Education Committee of the House, with questions directed to the Deputy Minister. The organization process involves collaboration with the Cyprus Architects Association, and so far, there is no written agreement defining the responsibilities of each party. Proposals have been submitted for participation in the upcoming Biennale, with an estimated cost of 218,000 euros.
The Development Licensing Department of the EOA in Nicosia violated the law during the construction of an additional floor in its own building. The contract was signed on June 4, 2024, and work was nearly completed the next day, without securing the necessary permits. The agreed amount for the project was inflated by €200,000, with the contractor set to be paid €1.54 million. These actions were highlighted by the Audit Service following an on-site inspection.
The opening of Makarios Avenue in Nicosia is being discussed to allow all vehicles. The city is facing a decline in population in its historic center, making it vulnerable. The Mayor suggests taxing inactive land to make the city more attractive. The decision on the opening of Makarios will come from the Chief of Police, with proposals for promoting new developments and businesses.
Former Auditor General Odysseas Michailidis has been summoned to testify at the CID headquarters regarding his statements about the Supreme Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss him. His testimony is scheduled for next Friday. The investigation looks into whether his comments constitute contempt of court. Lawyer Michalis Paraskyvas discusses the legal aspects of the case.
Unchecked exploitation of resources in Pentadaktylos is causing severe damage to the natural environment and poses a risk of unfair competition. The head of the Mines and Quarries Department emphasizes that the situation is dramatic and requires immediate intervention. The lack of control in occupied areas exacerbates the problem, as businesses operate without environmental or technical certification. There is a need to amend the Green Line Regulation to protect the natural resources of the Republic of Cyprus.
Cross-border electronic healthcare is advancing rapidly, with Cyprus's electronic system being connected to other European countries. The connection between Cyprus and Luxembourg is complete, allowing citizens to use their medical history and prescriptions in emergencies. In the future, access to more medical documents will be available, provided there is citizen consent. The 'MyHealthAPP' application is also expected to be launched by 2026.
Sergeant Marinos Ioannou was found guilty of causing the death of conscript soldier Panagiotis Gianniou, as announced by the Military Court of Nicosia. Gianniou died during an exercise after falling from a height that exceeded the established parameters. Attendees accepted the decision calmly, without visible emotional reactions. Throughout the verdict reading, Ioannou maintained his composure despite the serious nature of the case.
The Health Services Organization has introduced a new evaluation system that allows citizens to rate the services of public hospitals via mobile phone. Patients receive a text message seven days after their service, providing an opportunity to assess services in different categories. This system aims to gather feedback and improve the quality of services provided. So far, over 10,000 citizens have participated in the evaluation.
Cyprus is moving toward harmonizing with the European directive on CO2 emissions in aviation, with the voting on the bill being critical. Airlines may pass on increased costs to consumers, potentially raising airfares. The bill also includes a commitment to emissions rights for airlines using sustainable fuels. The urgency of this integration aims to avoid fines from the European Union.