A 20-year-old was found guilty of attempted murder and rape of a 26-year-old woman in a hotel in Ammochostos. The accused violently attacked the victim when she refused to consent to his sexual advances. The woman was hospitalized for 48 hours in intensive care but eventually recovered. The court relied on credible testimonies and scientific evidence that proved the defendant's guilt. His sentence will be announced at a later court date.
The decision on whether the father of the two deceased siblings will be allowed to attend their funeral is still unresolved due to legal issues. The 30-year-old father is awaiting the judge's decision to attend the funeral of his children. Their bodies remain at the Bases, while the Cypriot government will cover the costs of their transfer to Bulgaria. The father's lawyer argues that family circumstances and financial struggles should be considered. The case highlights the challenges arising from criminal proceedings at the Bases.
Andreas Paschalidis admitted that the announcement regarding the 'videogate' case findings and its wording may have been flawed. Assistant Attorney General Savvas Angelidis emphasized that the investigation into the case has not been completed and warned of the possibility of contaminating the process. Questions were raised concerning the announcement and the authenticity of the evidence, with several lawmakers expressing concerns about the timing of its release. Lawmakers requested clarifications on issues related to the validity and procedure of the investigation. The discussion sparked intense debates and concerns about the implications of the announcement.
Recently, there has been an increase in SMS scams impersonating the Cyprus Police. The messages contain links for extrajudicial payments, aiming to extract personal and banking information. The Police warn that these messages are fake and unrelated to them. It is advised not to open unknown links and not to enter sensitive data on suspicious websites. For verification, the public should contact the Police through their official channels.
Significant changes in the government structure are expected, with an announcement from the President imminent. The latest information suggests that the changes will be more extensive than previously indicated. This may also involve role shifts among ministers. Initial indications suggest that the new composition will lean towards the center-right, with participation from figures of the DIKO and the Democratic Party. The reshuffle seems related to the upcoming presidential elections in 2028.
Justice Minister Costas Fytiris has dismissed George Maltese, the vice president of the Equality union. This dismissal followed a series of events related to Maltese's absence from work for union activities. According to the Ministry, a thorough disciplinary process revealed that he was not complying with service directives. His absences negatively affected the operation of the Prisons Department. The decision was made in accordance with the established procedures under current legislation.
An industrial accident occurred in Marathounta, Paphos. Four workers were injured when a road construction machine overturned under unclear circumstances. Three workers managed to exit the machine on their own, while the fourth was trapped and needed assistance from the Fire Service to be freed. All injured workers were taken to Paphos General Hospital for examinations. The police and relevant authorities are investigating the incident.
The Ministry of Interior responds to reactions regarding the new biometric IDs and the decision not to include parents' names. This decision was based on personal data protection and modernizing the ID. However, due to public objections, the ministry has decided to reinstate the previous system that includes parents' names. Additionally, it is exploring the possibility of issuing different types of IDs. Citizens wishing to have their parents' names included can request a free replacement.
The meeting between the Minister of Defense and the village leaders in the Larnaca area focused on the consequences of a fire that broke out after a training activity of the National Guard. The Minister expressed apologies to the residents and announced an action plan for their safety. Immediate compensations and compensatory measures for the issues related to the fire were discussed. The Chief of the National Guard apologized and promised that preventive measures would be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future. An investigation into the causes of the fire is expected to be completed soon.
Shell has agreed to sell its BG Cyprus unit to the MOL Group for up to $720 million as part of its strategy to focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Upon completion of the deal, expected by 2027, MOL will acquire a 35% stake in the Aphrodite gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean. The head of Shell stated that this decision is based on a strategic capital allocation. Shell aims to invest more in the LNG market due to increasing global demand. The Aphrodite field is managed by Chevron, with other companies also participating.
A 23-year-old was arrested following an incident at a car repair shop in Nicosia. He was yelling and threatening others, and when the police arrived, he accelerated his vehicle, hitting a 43-year-old man. The 43-year-old sustained injuries to his legs and elbows. The police have secured an arrest warrant for the 23-year-old, who is now in custody. Investigations are ongoing by the Pera Choria Police Station.
The EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue, Rafaele Fito, stated that the EU aims to actively participate in the UN process regarding Cyprus. After his meeting with President Christodoulides, he emphasized the importance of his new role. Fito noted that the EU wants to contribute positively to the situation in Cyprus. He also announced plans to return to Cyprus in the coming months. He believes that there are positive prospects for achieving significant results.
The Ministry of Health is planning to introduce a nursing program before military service to attract more youth to the profession. It was announced that students will receive annual grants during their studies, which are tiered according to the year of study. The grants aim to ensure professional employment in Cyprus after graduation. There is also an examination of the possibility of extending the grants to students studying in Greece. Additionally, initiatives are being designed to encourage graduates to return to the profession and to train health caregivers.
The European Union is planning an active role in the Cypriot process, marked by Rafael Fitto's visit today. Fitto will meet with President Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman to discuss proposals related to Cyprus and EU-Turkey relations. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stated that Nicosia's strategy is being activated following the UN Secretary-General's visit. The EU asserts its readiness to actively participate in the resolution process for Cyprus. Negotiations are continuously adjusted according to current developments.
There is concern about the weather as the Meteorological Department issued a yellow warning effective Friday. The maximum temperature will reach 40 degrees inland, influenced by low seasonal pressure. Winds are expected to be light to moderate. For the weekend, the weather will remain clear and temperatures will not significantly decrease. Overall, temperatures will stay above average climatic values.
Parliamentary parties in Cyprus spend over €9 million annually on salaries for their staff. The expenses vary significantly among parties, with AKEL having the highest expenditure, followed by DISY. Payments for parliamentary associates are covered by the state budget and are not included in the parties' reported amounts. Financial statements provide an overview of payroll but indicate that consolidated reports might underrepresent total costs. ELAM has the lowest reported expenses at €138,422.
According to Eurostat, 27.6% of Cypriots cannot afford a week's holiday away from home. This figure has improved compared to previous years, yet it still means that roughly three out of ten residents lack this opportunity. Internationally, countries like Romania and Greece exhibit higher percentages of financial inability. The rising cost of living and prices for essential services continue to pose challenges for many households. While progress has been made, economic disparities remain evident.
The issue of reducing police escorts for politicians has resurfaced after six years, prompted by Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris. Recommendations from the Risk Assessment Committee include the abolition of static escorts, except for the Presidency, and the implementation of alternative protection measures. There is general public support for reducing escorts, as shown in online polls. Reactions mainly come from former officials who disagree with the proposals. Final decisions are expected next week.
The political scene in Cyprus is returning to the norm of a continuous pre-election period, with fierce disputes between the Presidential Palace and Pindarou. Both political sides are looking for reasons to highlight their differences, with the latest issue concerning identity cards and the removal of parents' names. The Democratic Rally is calling on the government to withdraw this decision, while their position in Parliament underscores contradictions with previous stances. Additionally, comments were made regarding the state of the Cyprus issue, with Averof Neofytou calling for more work to advance negotiations. The current political atmosphere continues to breed tensions and challenges.
A judge has been reprimanded for misconduct and public disagreement with a decision from the Court of Appeals. The situation arose after her ruling to release a defendant, which the Appeals Court overturned. Despite complying with the Appeals Court's orders, the judge expressed her dissent publicly, prompting a disciplinary investigation. The Supreme Judicial Council determined she was guilty on two of the charges. The decision to impose a penalty has been criticized as controversial because the process was conducted by the president of the Appeals Court.
Light will soon be shed on the causes of the fire that resulted from a controlled explosion at the Kalo Chorio firing range. Brigadier Savvas Stefanou is expected to deliver the report by mid-next week. The investigation will look into possible disciplinary or criminal responsibilities of military personnel. There are questions regarding the preparation that took place prior to the explosion and the conditions surrounding it. Answers are expected soon.