The Georgia General Assembly passed several significant tax bills during the 2024 legislative session, including the creation of a tax court, reduction of income tax rates, limitations on income tax credit carryforwards, and suspension of the data center sales tax exemption. Bills that did not pass included limitations on the film tax credit.
Fact: Accept LGBTI Cyprus reported three homophobic attacks in the past ten days, with one recent attack occurring in Nicosia where individuals verbally assaulted and threw fireworks at a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
A meeting at the state Legal Services will be held this week on potential financial crimes and money laundering at the Osiou Avakoum monastery.
The Attorney-General has convened two meetings this week with police investigators for important cases. The first meeting is about the scandal of granting citizenship to foreign investors, the second is regarding the scandal at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery. Another meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss possible violations of US sanctions against Russian oligarchs in Cyprus. The investigations at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery are progressing, with updates expected after a meeting with investigators. Additionally, there will be a meeting with the Financial Crime Unit to discuss cases related to golden passports. Decisions are pending on a major case involving citizenship grants. Investigations into sanctions on Russians by the US, specifically involving Alexey Mordashov divesting shares through an organization in Cyprus, are nearing completion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret over an Israeli airstrike that unintentionally killed seven people working for Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen charity in Gaza. The airstrike hit a WCK convoy, killing citizens of Australia, Britain, and Poland, as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. The Israeli military pledged an independent inquiry into the incident, which drew widespread condemnation and increased pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Microsoft will now sell its chat and video app Teams separately from its Office product globally, following an unbundling in Europe to avoid potential EU antitrust fines. Teams, added to Office 365 in 2017, replaced Skype for Business and became popular during the pandemic for video conferencing. The unbundling addresses feedback from the European Commission and provides more flexibility for multinational companies. Prices for Office without Teams range from .75 to .75 for new customers, while Teams Standalone will cost .25. Microsoft risks antitrust charges and fines for bundling products, with potential fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover if found guilty.
The scandal in Saint Habakkuk monastery involves money laundering, fraud, and obtaining money by false pretences. A large sum of undeclared cash was found on the premises, leading to an investigation by the police. The Ministry of the Interior provided details on authorised collections conducted by the Abbey to compare with the undisclosed cash. Police are examining footage from the monastery’s closed-circuit system to determine when audio recording was activated and if any crimes were captured. The origin of €807,000 seized on March 5 is a key aspect of the investigation. Commercial banks are providing information on bank accounts held by senior monks. Counter-complaints have been filed by two archimandrites against Bishop Isaias. Other investigations include an assault by a monk on a woman and allegations of sexual harassment.
Cypriot artist-photographer Stelios Kallinikou will host his second solo show titled Calls and Songs at Eins gallery in Limassol. The exhibition explores how humans have changed the environment through technology and how they relate to recording devices.
Two monks at Osiou Avakoum monastery may be called to testify before the church’s investigative committee regarding a sex and cash scandal.
– Upcoming exhibition in Cyprus mountains challenges what is considered pure
– The exhibition will feature 16 artists from all over Cyprus
– The theme of purity was inspired by the curator’s meditation and research on soil in Salamiou and Lemona villages
– The opening event will be held on April 13 at the gallery
– Interactive parallel events are scheduled throughout the exhibition
– A guide in Greek and English will be created for those who feel distant from contemporary art themes