A significant advancement in the investigation of the murder of 26-year-old Alexandros Antoniou has occurred with the discovery of the knife believed to be the murder weapon. The knife was found near Tsada, guided by the 58-year-old suspect. The Paphos authorities are continuing intensive investigations, and it will soon be determined whether the suspect's detention will be extended or if the case will be sent to the Criminal Court. The area where the knife was found does not have residential developments. These developments mark a positive progression in the investigation.
A deal has been reached for the replenishment of the pension funds of bank employees following a meeting at the Presidential Palace. This agreement aims to restore damages caused by the 2013 economic haircut. A state reimbursement plan was implemented in 2017, creating disparities among bank employees. The new agreement seeks to address these disparities and foster employee confidence. This development closes another chapter from the financial crisis.
The Cabinet approved a new bill introducing a process to review the decisions of the Attorney General. The bill will proceed to Parliament to be included in a package of reforms for the Legal Service. It outlines procedures for submitting review requests regarding decisions of the public prosecutor. The review will occur in two stages: first internally, and then by petitioning the Supreme Court. The bill aims to eliminate the unchecked power of the Attorney General.
A 49-year-old woman from Norway was found dead in her apartment bathroom in Paralimni. There was significant disarray in the home, which leaves open the possibility of foul play. A relative discovered her and informed the police. Authorities will conduct an autopsy to ascertain the cause of her death. The woman had a scheduled medical procedure but had not shown up at the hospital.
On Monday, the Cabinet will decide on the appointment of five new general directors in various public sectors. Anna Aristotelous is one of the appointees but will be placed on leave due to an ongoing legal process. There are a total of seven vacant general director positions. The Public Service Commission has already recommended the new candidates. The Cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place due to the visit of the President of the European Parliament to Cyprus.
The Anti-Corruption Authority dismisses the allegations linking Yiannos Misirlis to the naturalization of Russian billionaire Victor Pichugov. The report states that there is no evidence suggesting corruption regarding the purchase of a building by Misirlis's company. Additionally, Promsvyazbank, which acquired the property, is unable to provide information as it no longer operates bank services in Cyprus. Efforts to locate the former chairman of the bank were unsuccessful. Overall, the Authority found no reasonable suspicion of corruption offenses.
The Akropolis Gymnasium is facing serious traffic issues during peak hours when students arrive and leave the school. This situation affects the safety of the children and the local environment. Authorities are discussing possible solutions, including changing the schedule of the English School. However, previous measures that were decided have not been implemented due to budget constraints. The situation is concerning as there is only one entrance and exit for over 1,200 students.
The Famagusta Police are on alert after a 49-year-old woman was found dead in an apartment in Paralimni. She was discovered in the bathroom, with blood stains found in the home. No possibilities have been ruled out, and forensic examinations are pending. A medical examiner has also been called to the scene. More information will be provided soon.
Eurostat published data on the housing situation in the EU, showing that 69.4% of Cypriots own their homes. The rental rate in Cyprus is only 30.6%, which is below the EU average. Cyprus stands out for its housing quality, with only 2% of the population living in overcrowded homes. Conversely, 70% of Cypriots live in homes with more space than they need, the highest rate in the EU. This indicates that Cypriots enjoy comfortable living conditions despite the rental percentage.
Today, the Cabinet is set to appoint five new General Directors for various ministries and general directorates. The new appointees are expected to take office starting December 1, 2025. Anna Aristotelous, one of the appointees, will remain in suspension following her appointment. Currently, there are seven vacant General Director positions, with deputies covering the needs. The appointed individuals will be officially announced today.
The Deputy Chief of the National Guard stated that the fall of weapon bases from the H-145M helicopter was related to a possible human error during training activities. The incident took place in Peyia, and the investigation into its circumstances is still ongoing. The helicopter operators may have mistakenly activated the function that releases the weapon bases. Collaboration with Airbus is underway to explore the issue. Measures are being considered to protect the button to prevent a recurrence of this mistake in the future.
A video captures the moment an arsonist sets fire to luxury cars worth over two million euros, including a Lamborghini. A security guard spotted the perpetrator and was in danger as the vehicles ignited. Police investigations are ongoing to track the suspect's movements and the motives behind the attack. The car owner, a close associate of a murdered individual, reported the incident to the police. The footage is crucial for the investigation.
The coronavirus shows increased transmission among both children and adults, according to pediatricians. The president of the Pediatric Society of Cyprus warns that it is crucial to adhere to protective measures due to the easy spread of the virus. Currently, there are no increased hospital admissions in pediatric departments, but caution is still necessary. Vaccination remains critical for preventing severe symptoms. The circulation of the new flu subvariant is deemed inevitable.
A dangerous incident occurred in Latsia in the morning when a car crashed into a café. The driver lost control, leading to the vehicle knocking over tables, chairs, and a parked motorcycle. There are reports of slightly injured individuals, but their condition does not seem alarming. An ambulance arrived at the scene to provide assistance. The event caused a disturbance in the area.
A 63-year-old man in Germany allegedly killed four family members, including his two sons and sister, before committing suicide. The incident occurred at three different locations, starting with his sister and then his sons. His wife was the last person to be killed. The perpetrator was a hunter, but it is unclear whether he legally owned the weapon found next to him. The investigation is ongoing, and there are currently no other suspects.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Authority stated that there is no evidence linking the citizenship of specific individuals with donations to DISY. The investigation follows complaints from MP Christos Christofidis. Inspectors found no testimony suggesting that the citizenships were granted due to any promises or offers. Additionally, there are no ongoing proceedings to revoke the citizenship of the subjects under investigation. Overall, the investigation concluded that there are no indications of corruption in these specific cases.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Crete at 02:08 AM. The epicenter was located 17 kilometers north-northwest of Sissa, Rethymnon, with a focal depth of 34 kilometers. It is classified as a weak tremor and was felt along the northern coasts of the island. So far, there are no reports of any serious damage. The residents remained calm and informed.
Last night, five vehicles caught fire in Limassol. The fire was detected in a private parking area and was extinguished by the Fire Service. Two of the cars belong to a 40-year-old, while others belong to a 38-year-old and a 21-year-old. Additionally, another fire was noticed in a vehicle owned by a 20-year-old in the early morning. The Limassol Crime Investigation Department is investigating these cases.
The Senior Educator is a new position planned by the Ministry of Education, which has sparked disagreements in the parliamentary education committee. There are differing opinions on the significance and roles of this position. Some MPs, such as George Karoullas, propose its elimination, but the Ministry firmly rejects this suggestion. This position is considered essential for the new teacher evaluation system, with the capacity to mentor other teachers. Discussions are also ongoing about whether Senior Educators should have the right to pursue managerial positions in the future.
The Central Bank's survey on loan granting shows that the criteria have remained unchanged for the fifth consecutive quarter. Businesses are still applying for loans, but demand remains stable. The terms for housing and consumer loans have also not changed. Banks do not foresee any alterations in the near future. Overall, the economic situation appears to have a neutral impact on the loan granting process.
Savas Angelides, Assistant Attorney General, emphasizes that he has not submitted a resignation and wants to put an end to the discussion around this possibility. Although there are concerns regarding the handling of cases by the Anti-Corruption Authority, he states that he has not mentioned resignation due to threats he received. In his meeting with ministers, he expressed his concerns in a friendly atmosphere, without mentioning corruption issues. Discontent over the delays of the Authority remains strong. Angelides requests respect for the sensitivity of his personal situation.
Nurses' unions in Cyprus are demanding the immediate hiring of 120 additional nurses due to serious understaffing in the public sector. The Cyprus Health Services Organization (OKYpY) responded by stating that they have identified cases of unnecessary overtime work. There is intense conflict between nurses and OKYpY, with unions complaining about the organization's stance. Additionally, private hospitals highlight the need for better distribution of nurses. This situation may lead to further issues in the public health sector.
The agreement on the delimitation of the EEZ between the Republic of Cyprus and Lebanon holds strategic importance, sending messages to Turkey and other regional players. Presidents Christodoulides and Aoun emphasized the importance of cooperation and invited other countries to participate. This agreement paves the way for negotiations with Syria for EEZ delimitation. Additionally, the electrical connectivity between the two countries will progress with funding from Gulf nations and the World Bank. Lastly, there are plans to strengthen Lebanon's armed forces and release funding from the EU.
The Republic of Cyprus is proceeding with the approval of a list of military programs that includes drones, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition under the EU's SAFE program. A total of €1.2 billion has been approved for Cyprus, which will be utilized gradually. The list has been designed based on the needs of the National Guard and will be submitted to the European Commission. The purchases may include supplies from France and other suppliers. This defense enhancement is crucial for the country.
The journalism community expressed concerns during the parliamentary committee meeting on artificial intelligence. It was emphasized that news content should not be regulated by third parties but should be self-regulated through the Journalistic Ethics Committee. The president of the Cyprus Journalists' Union, George Frangos, warned about the negative effects of artificial intelligence on journalism. He called for safeguards to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. Algorithms can create misleading news, necessitating caution.