The Joker draw took place with a prize of at least €10,840,000. The winning numbers are 2, 14, 20, 32, 41, and the Joker number is 11. draws are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Participation continues to rise for chances to win.
A fight among young people broke out in Finikoudes, causing alarm among passersby. The altercation occurred near police officers, who intervened. Three individuals were arrested, including a 17-year-old. The police continue investigations to identify another individual.
Russia is reinstating the Federal Security Service's (FSB) authority over detention centers for suspects of treason and terrorism. The law, approved by the Duma, aims at isolating detainees to cut off contacts with external threats. Supporters cite rising incidents of terrorism, while critics express concerns over the suppression of civil liberties. This move is linked to the tightening of state controls in Russia during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old after the case came to light when the girl was reported missing. The minor had disappeared from her family and spent three days with the accused in a hotel. Initially, she denied any abuse but eventually revealed the truth to a social worker. The accused admitted to the charges related to sexual abuse but was acquitted of others concerning exploitation and kidnapping.
The government has submitted 38 bills aimed at separating the powers of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor. These regulations are intended to enhance the independence of judicial authorities and the transparency of criminal procedures. The proposed changes respond to the needs for modernization of the Legal Service and restoration of public trust. The government emphasizes that these regulations comply with European and international standards.
The bill submitted to the Parliament focuses on the establishment of an Audit Council, which will oversee the Auditor General. The Auditor General will submit draft reports for review but will not have voting rights within the Council. The provisions in the law aim to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the Audit Service. The goal is to modernize the Audit Service to meet the demands of a contemporary rule-of-law state.
A heated debate erupted in the Parliament following Andreas Themistocleous's comments about delivery workers graduating from universities. The President of the Parliament, Annita Dimitriou, countered that students from these universities deserve more respect than what was suggested. This discussion sparked strong reactions and exchanges between the two representatives. The issue relates to foreign-language programs and the quality of education.
A serious traffic accident in the Nicosia district resulted in the death of 57-year-old Dimitra Symeonidou, who was intubated due to a brain hemorrhage. The accident occurred on Thursday morning when two vehicles collided. Dimitra succumbed to her injuries a few hours later. A 35-year-old woman and her 8-year-old daughter were also injured and taken to hospitals for examination.
During the judicial proceedings concerning Giannakis Giannakis, questions were raised about the hiring process at the Cyprus Youth Organization (ONEK). Witness Charalambos Theodorou revealed that Giannakis's file was opened before his job application was submitted. The defense argues that the hiring procedure was not conducted as required. The issue of fake academic certificates remains central to the case.
The Parliament approved legislative proposals regarding multiple pensioners and current state officials. The proposals introduce restrictions on the pensions and salaries that these officials can receive simultaneously. The new measures will apply to future officials, aiming to reverse existing distortions. This decision followed extensive discussions and votes in Parliament.
The District Court of Limassol sentenced a 25-year-old driver to 24 months in prison for causing a fatal accident on December 31, 2022, which resulted in the death of his partner. The 25-year-old Marilena Konstantinidou was killed instantly and was the mother of a three-month-old baby. The driver admitted to charges of driving under the influence of drugs and causing death. The accident occurred on New Year's Eve on the road from Kolossi to Akrotiri.
In Nicosia, a 69-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition after being stabbed, allegedly by his 31-year-old son. The incident occurred around 2 PM, and the police are investigating the matter. The son is currently being questioned.
On Tuesday, a traffic accident occurred involving a 26-year-old driver who was injured due to a malfunction of the airbag. An investigation confirmed that the passenger airbag did not deploy correctly, leading to serious injuries. The driver's vehicle was on a recall list, but the owner did not respond to notifications. The final report of the investigation is expected to clarify the responsibilities regarding the situation.
The President of the Parliament, Annita Dimitriou, clashed with independent MP Andreas Themistocleous over his title. Themistocleous asserted that he represents the Democratic National Movement (DEK) and not as an independent MP. Dimitriou countered that his designation is constitutionally incorrect and stated that he would receive an official response. The discussion escalated into a dialogue about the substance of their political positions.
Eighty-year-old George Hadjigeorgiou was murdered with nine stab wounds at his home in Limassol. Forensic examinations revealed that the stab wounds caused internal bleeding, with two being fatal. The murder occurred in the morning and has shocked the local community. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.
A serious vandalism incident occurred at the offices of the Democratic Party in Limassol when unknown individuals broke in and caused extensive damage. The perpetrators smashed doors, vandalized walls, and wrote slogans such as 'NO TO THE HOODIE PROTEST BILL.' The police are conducting investigations to identify the responsible individuals, and the Deputy President of the party is on site. There is no surveillance system at the offices, but the CCTV from the ground floor bakery may provide evidence.
The Minister of Energy, Georgios Papavasiliou, is convening a meeting to discuss the direct assignment of completing the dock at the Vasilikos terminal to the VPSM consortium. Negotiations have taken place, but differences have arisen regarding responsibility for the materials to be used. If the negotiations succeed, work can begin promptly. The ETYFA hopes to meet weather conditions that can affect construction before November.
The Environmental Authority has approved the construction of a 24.5 MW solar park in the community of Alektoras, despite objections from environmental organizations. The project will also include energy storage units and will impact the local environment and agriculture by changing land use. Many cypress trees will be removed, and olive trees will be transplanted. The project is expected to cover a large area and has provoked reactions from various stakeholders.
The Government is considering a new legal framework for pensions of new state officials, allowing them to receive only one pension. Existing officials will be exempt from these regulations. The Legal Service has been asked to provide an opinion on the legality of the proposed laws. It appears there is disagreement among citizens and parties regarding the implementation of these changes.
The 2012 European directive, which protects victims' rights, was not properly applied in Cyprus regarding the rape case of N.T. by a political figure. Cypriot legislation fails to allow N.T. to request a review of the decision not to prosecute by the Attorney General. The European Court emphasized that N.T. did not receive the necessary information about her case, and that the Cypriot government failed to meet its obligations. This situation exposes the Cypriot Republic and its institutions.
The increase in waste collection and property taxes in municipalities has caused turmoil, with some municipalities imposing increases of up to 85%. The Parliament has limited these increases to 14% and 10% respectively. While larger hikes have been avoided, citizens must prepare for new taxes that may be imposed for services like recycling and composting. Local authorities will burden residents to cover the costs of these new services.
People with disabilities face significant challenges in accessing medical services, as doctors struggle to accept them. The president of the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations for the Disabled denounces medieval practices, such as tooth extraction instead of treatment. There are also issues of understaffing and inadequate training in state facilities. The need for changes in healthcare protocols for individuals with special needs is highlighted.
Educational bodies warn of potential problems arising from the eΔΕΑ electronic registration system at the start of the new school year. There are missing student registrations, particularly from migrant families, which could affect school operations. The president of OELMEK suggests maintaining traditional registration methods. This situation raises concerns and bureaucratic challenges for the educational community.