Police are investigating an explosion at a Limassol tavern in the Zakaki area caused by an improvised explosive device placed at the entrance of the premises. The explosion caused minor damages to equipment and the front of the building.
A serious accident occurred in Paphos, resulting in serious injuries to the driver and minor injuries to his wife. The accident happened on Mesogis Avenue, with the car overturning. The driver was taken to Paphos Hospital for treatment, while investigations by the Traffic Police are ongoing.
The Police arrested a 16-year-old individual in connection to ongoing car theft investigations in the Famagusta district, bringing the total number of apprehensions to four. The arrest was made to aid in the investigations, which revealed the involvement of several individuals in car theft cases in Ayia Napa between May 25th and May 30th, 2024. Another case involving the 16-year-old and an 18-year-old in Larnaca is also under investigation. Arrest warrants were issued against the 18-year-old and the 16-year-old following evidence collected by the Larnaca Police Department. The suspects appeared before the Famagusta District Court and were ordered to be detained for four days. The investigations by the Ayia Napa Police Station and the Larnaca Police Department are ongoing.
Anisur Rahman, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi national, died on April 10 after jumping off a fifth-floor balcony during a police raid on the Limassol apartment he was living in with 10 other individuals. The ombudswoman’s independent investigation into his death has been put on hold as the police file was denied to her and is being investigated by an independent authority following a complaint by Kisa NGO. The other individuals found living in Cyprus illegally are detained for possible witness testimony. The landlord of the apartment where Rahman lived has not been found at fault and other tenants continue to live there. Rahman’s death sparked protests in Limassol and Nicosia against racism faced by third-country nationals in Cyprus.
The investigation by the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) into Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State” intensified with a hearing focused on the chapter “A Spy in the Palm of My Hand.” Drousiotis presented evidence of being surveilled through electronic devices, raising questions about potential police involvement. The book details his experience of approaching the police with suspicions of being monitored through malware. The investigation also looks into the events surrounding Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce in Cyprus, alleging involvement of a law firm with ties to the former president, questionable legislative amendments, favorable court rulings, and suspicious financial transactions. Former President Nicos Anastasiades has denied all allegations. Gabrielle Louise McIntyre is leading the IAAC inspection team, with witness testimonies ongoing. Sophie in ‘t Veld warned in 2023 that individuals in public life are at risk of surveillance, emphasizing the importance of accountability in democracy.
– The General Health System (GHS) in Cyprus was established five years ago.
– The GHS remains financially viable for the next seven years, with reserves of €590 million.
– The GHS has increased confidence among the public, with 60% of beneficiaries visiting a specialist in the past year.
– The GHS has improved access to health services and quality of life for citizens.
– Plans are underway to reduce waiting times at specialist physicians and publish a strategic plan for 2024-2026.
– The GHS has added four hospitals, two A&E departments, day care centers, at-home palliative care, and additional healthcare professionals and therapies.
– The GHS has imposed fines, carried out investigations, and suspended contracts to ensure oversight and quality of services provided.
Fire crews responded to a total of 31 incidents in a 24-hour period, including 22 fires. One significant blaze engulfed the enclosed balcony of a third-floor apartment in Nicosia, causing extensive damage. Another fire occurred in a prefabricated building in Athienou, spreading to a kitchen and parking area. Lastly, firefighters extinguished a car fire involving a Nissan vehicle on the Paphos-Chada road, which also scorched a nearby patch of dry grass. The cause of each fire is under investigation.
A 30-year-old motorcyclist is in extremely critical condition at the Nicosia general hospital after a severe road collision with a truck in Larnaca.
Authorities are close to completing an investigation into how Malaysian fugitive Jho Low obtained Cypriot citizenship in 2015. Low, wanted for allegedly embezzling billions from Malaysia’s 1MDB fund, acquired a Cypriot passport through the country’s citizenship by investment program. The investigation involves an international arrest warrant and the potential confiscation of a villa Low purchased in Ayia Napa. Despite initial delays, Low’s citizenship was revoked in May 2023, leading to an appeal filed with the Supreme Court. Low denies wrongdoing and his whereabouts are unknown.
Donald Trump allegedly offered Big Oil executives 0 billion in tax breaks if they donated billion to his campaign. Congressional Democrats are investigating this potential quid pro quo deal. Joe Biden plans to eliminate these tax breaks for the oil and gas industry if elected. The fossil fuel industry is lobbying to maintain these tax breaks, which are set to expire next year. Some attendees at Trump’s fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago included executives of smaller oil companies focused on fracking and gas exporting. The event was also attended by individuals with controversial backgrounds in the oil and gas industry.