The victim's lawyer reported indications of cover-up by the authorities and requested the immediate appointment of an independent investigator. She submitted a new sworn statement expressing concerns about police omissions in the case. She notes that no forensic examination has taken place and crucial surveillance footage has not been secured. The police claimed that attempts to take a statement from her client were unsuccessful. The case has now been transferred to the Chief Deputy's Criminal Investigation Department after being handled by Nicosia CID.
A significant political development has emerged regarding the law on public gatherings in Cyprus, as three MPs from AKEL propose its repeal. This proposal came after criticism from the OSCE, which found that the law restricts fundamental rights of citizens. The OSCE's opinion highlights the need for reform and warns about excessive demands placed on organizers of gatherings. The Ministry of Justice claims it has already incorporated many of the OSCE's recommendations into legislation. This conflict underscores the need for compliance with international standards.
A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with an attempted murder case that occurred in Limassol on September 29. He voluntarily presented himself to the police. There is a second suspect, a 44-year-old, for whom information is being sought. The incident took place in an outdoor area of a hotel, where a 42-year-old man was shot and wounded. The police are asking the public for assistance in locating the second suspect.
The president of ETEK, Konstantinos Konstantis, expresses his dissatisfaction with the inactivity regarding the Faneeromeni building in Nicosia. He states that the project must move forward to revitalize the urban center. He notes a lack of dialogue and coordination among the stakeholders involved. He calls for health and educational authorities to take responsibility so that the building does not remain a 'ghost.' ETEK supports that the restoration of the building could bring vitality to the Old Nicosia.
Prime Insurance has rebranded itself as GRAWE Cyprus after being acquired by the Austrian group GRAWE in May 2025. This marks GRAWE's first entry into the Cypriot market, indicating its expansion in Southeast Europe. The renaming event was attended by top executives from GRAWE. The group has a long history and operates in 13 countries. GRAWE employs over 5,000 people and has significant financial assets.
A two-month extension of Anna Aristotelous's availability, the director of the Central Prisons, has been requested by the personnel responsible for the Presidency. The request will be reviewed tomorrow by the Public Service Commission. Ms. Aristotelous has been on availability since June, and her current term ends on October 4th. The case concerns documents related to the Central Prisons, and the police have referred the dossier to the Legal Service. A decision on whether to grant the extension or for her to return to the Presidency will be made tomorrow.
Journalist Yahia Barzaq, of Cypriot descent, was killed in Gaza during an Israeli airstrike. He had moved with his family from the city of Gaza seeking safety. Barzaq was married with two children and was known as the first photographer of newborns in Gaza. He was active in journalism, working with the BBC and other media outlets. He attempted to seek help from the Turkish consulate but was unsuccessful.
The Police recommend criminal charges against a 24-year-old involved in a fatal car accident in Aglandja, which claimed the life of 20-year-old Kyriakos Antoniou. The case file has been submitted to the Legal Service for a decision on whether to proceed with charges. Reports indicate that the 24-year-old will not be arrested immediately but may face charges if approved. The incident highlights serious public safety issues regarding reckless driving in the area. The driver had a history of traffic violations.
The Cabinet has approved legislative changes to the process of revoking Cypriot citizenship. The main change involves the removal of provisions that allow citizenship to be granted through investments. Additionally, a 60-day deadline for affected individuals to submit appeals has been introduced. This decision was made following consultations with the European Commission. Since March 2023, 41 citizenship revocation decisions have been made affecting 150 individuals.
The issue of a prisoner being raped in Central Prisons has been raised in Parliament, with serious allegations of abuse and lack of protection from the prison administration. The victim's lawyer reported that the victim was gang-raped and that there was no immediate response from the authorities. Alexandra Attalides called for a review of the situation in prisons due to these serious violations. Irini Charalambidou highlighted that the conditions of detention and overcrowding remain ongoing concerns. The Human Rights Committee will revisit the issue in their next meeting.
Ersi̇n Tȧtȧr, leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, criticized the Greek Cypriot side for its policy of imposition. He referenced President Christodoulides' statements after the October 1st parade, claiming they reflect an unchanged mentality. He condemned the presence of Greek F-16s as a threat and argued that Turkish Cypriots seek recognition of their state. He stated that measures will be taken to protect Turkish Cypriots if arms buildups continue. Finally, he reiterated support for a two-state solution in Cyprus.
President Nicos Christodoulides is attending meetings in Copenhagen focused on defense and security issues. A key priority is the enhancement of the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus. He plans to utilize funding tools like SAFE and collaborate with strategic partners, including the United States. Christodoulides is also considering supporting the Cypriot defense industry for local companies' involvement in procurement programs. Lastly, he highlights the importance of strengthening cooperation between the EU and NATO.
Washington is facing a serious government crisis with the first shutdown in nearly seven years. The White House warns of mass layoffs of federal workers within 48 hours if no agreement is reached. Democrats and Republicans are exchanging blame over the deadlock, primarily related to health benefit funding. The uncertainty causes concern for around 750,000 employees who may be placed on unpaid leave. The prospect of a prolonged crisis appears increasingly likely, impacting the economy.
The area is under the influence of a weak low pressure. Today, the weather will initially be mostly clear, but later there will be local clouds with possible rain, mainly in mountainous regions. Winds will be light, and temperatures will range from 17 to 32 degrees. Tonight, the weather will remain clear with local clouds. Temperatures will drop to 10 degrees in the higher mountains.
Starting tomorrow, thousands of cars will be immobilized due to faulty Takata airbags, as the Ministry of Transport will not extend the deadline of October 3, 2025, for mandatory recalls. Any vehicle that has not complied will have its Certificate of Conformity revoked. Only vehicles with scheduled appointments until the end of October 2025, confirmed by the distributor, are exempt. The delayed execution of recalls by some distributors has prompted this decision. This move aims to prevent serious accidents and fatalities from the explosions of the airbags.
Owners of mobility vehicles are facing despair due to recalls for defective Takata airbags, which threaten to immobilize their cars. Many face the risk of being left without a vehicle that is crucial for their medical needs, due to non-availability of spare parts. Despite raising concerns with the company and the Department of Road Transport, a viable solution for the replacement process has not yet been found. The affected individuals express fears about their ability to cope without the vehicle, as time is running out. They demand urgent actions and priority in resolving the issue.
The government is asking holders of anonymous prepaid mobile phone cards to comply with identification regulations by November 3, 2025. The new regulations aim to enhance public safety and combat serious crimes. Despite previous disagreements, the processes are progressing towards approval by Parliament. Identification will require participation from all mobile service providers and authorized representatives. Some of the regulations include provisions for the protection of personal data.
A new report from the Auditor General highlights serious shortcomings in the management of dam safety in Cyprus, despite some improvements since 2016. Many dams are old and operate without necessary safety certifications, and independent inspections have not been conducted. The report emphasizes a lack of regulations and non-compliance with procedures. A recent incident at the Mavrokolympos dam, where a leak occurred, underscores the risks posed by this situation. Immediate intervention is needed at both policy and funding levels.
The Environmental Authority has approved a €189 million project in Limassol, which includes the construction of five buildings, two of which will be 19 stories tall. This project will significantly change the local landscape and urban planning, and it will be executed in three phases, completing in 2031. Although there are no objections from the Environmental Authority, concerns about shading and privacy violations have been raised. The development will also include community facilities and water reuse systems. Energy and water consumption is expected to be high, with issues related to the height and number of stories of the buildings.
In Alona, metal thieves are primarily targeting the elderly, such as an 85-year-old woman who caught them in the act. When she confronted them, they nearly hit her with their car while escaping. The community leader stated that the area is suffering from metal theft and lack of police presence, leaving residents feeling unsafe. Surveillance cameras have been installed, but residents are still vulnerable. There are proposals for hiring local police officers to improve security.