Panikkos Vakkou has been appointed as vice chairman of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) by the Cabinet. Neophytos Lambertides has also been appointed as a member of the commission.
Workers at the Larnaca port staged a protest against former port operator Kition Ocean Holdings over fears regarding their pay after Kition’s contract was terminated by the government. The government reached a deal with the workers to ensure their continued employment while searching for a new operator. Qatar has shown interest in taking over the port’s running. President Christodoulides wants the issue to be handled immediately.
Cypriot students rank among the highest in Europe in e-cigarette and hookah use.
Fact: A total of 103,269 Turkish Cypriots who live in the north have registered to vote in June’s European parliament elections.
The permanence of appointments to certain positions such as auditor-general, attorney-general, and deputy attorney-general in Cyprus is being questioned. The idea of permanence was to safeguard independence and objectivity, but it could lead to complacency and lack of motivation. It is suggested that non-renewable contracts with an eight-year term would be more suitable to prevent long-term stays in these positions. The constitution may need to be amended to allow for fixed-term contracts instead of permanent appointments.
Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime on Thursday when a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
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.
On May 31, major events included the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging in 1902, which ended the Boer War in South Africa. In 2008, Usain Bolt set a new world record in the men’s 100 meters race in New York.
Fidias Panayiotou, a Cypriot candidate for MEP and famous YouTuber, claimed that his car was stolen while he was abroad in Greece. This was the first time his car had been stolen. Despite not having filed a complaint with the police, he is polling high in the MEP elections as an independent candidate.
Waterborne diseases, particularly leptospirosis, are a major concern in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul following catastrophic floods that killed at least 169 people. Seven deaths from leptospirosis have been reported since the rains began, with another 10 deaths under investigation. Over 2,300 potential cases have been reported, with 141 confirmed. To address the high demand for medical care, four field hospitals and mobile teams have been set up. Additionally, residents returning to their homes may encounter venomous animals seeking shelter from rainwater. The destruction has also taken a toll on the mental health of the population.