The European Commission issued reasoned opinions to Cyprus and other member states for failing to implement a minimum 15 per cent tax rate on large multinational corporations.
The Cyprus Animal Party strongly opposes the proposal to transform the Limassol Zoo into a ‘Limassol Animal Farm Park’, criticizing both the process and content of the plan. The proposal highlights the need for a more animal-friendly approach, focusing on conservation and education rather than exhibiting animals in cages. The Animal Party calls for transparency in the decision-making process and believes the proposal should undergo another round of public consultation. The zoo has faced criticism in recent years due to issues with animal safety, including the death of a deer and a Savannah cat.
The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General requested to be exempt from a new law requiring asset declarations to be made public. Despite concerns about corruption and the importance of transparency, the proposal barely passed in the Institutions Committee by a vote of 6-4. One MP showed courage by diverging from the party line, preventing a tie in the vote. The demand for exemption was made based on the argument that they are not politically exposed persons and should not be subject to public scrutiny. However, the column questions this reasoning, citing past corruption cases involving high-ranking officials. Members of the Institutions Committee voted in favor of including prosecutors in the list of officials required to submit asset declarations, with some MPs going against their party line. There is a risk that the position may change in the plenary, depending on how certain MPs vote.
BBF is Limassol’s top developer in sales of residential real estate and prioritizes customer satisfaction by providing high-quality services. They have launched ask bbf: to offer end-to-end support and enhance the customer experience. Customers can receive no-cost advice tailored to their specific needs and connect with expert teams for legal, financial, design, rental, and maintenance support.
The Cyprus Integrity Forum (CIF) called for systematic checks of Gesy to avoid corruption and ensure full transparency in the health system.
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a global labor union that has been organizing in Cyprus since 2020. The IWW stands out from traditional trade unions by being a union for all workers, including minorities, migrants, and sex workers. The IWW is not trying to be friendly with employers and government, unlike traditional unions. The IWW is a horizontal organization that values transparency and full participation rights for all members. The IWW encourages workers to join traditional trade unions as well. In Cyprus, the IWW organizes all workers under one big union, unlike traditional federations divided by profession or sector. The IWW aims to prioritize organizing over mere mobilizing and believes in forming strong relationships with fellow workers.
– The opposition proceedings in the case brought against auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides by attorney-general George Savvides were filed by Odysseas’ team of lawyers.
– The opposition is based on two points: the application of the AG to the constitutional council is groundless and the AG does not have the authority to seek the sacking of an independent state official.
– Odysseas’ camp is applying pressure on the president to publicly side with him.
– The head of the anti-corruption authority demanded criminal charges against the drug squad chief, possibly linked to the Odysseas-Savvides clash.
– Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged Syrians to head for Cyprus and Europe to pressure Brussels to give Lebanon more funds for Syrian refugees.
– Parents were upset over the difficulty of questions in modern Greek exams for secondary school students.
– State hospital nursing unions are threatening industrial action if more nurses are not hired.
– The president announced the decision to appoint two criminal investigators before the cabinet approved it.
The European Central Bank stated that the use of artificial intelligence in finance is still in its early stages and needs to be monitored and possibly regulated to prevent harm to consumers and ensure market functioning.
Purchasing secondhand farm machinery can be a cost-effective way to equip agricultural operations without the hefty price tag of new equipment.
The Cypriot Union of Consumers and Quality of Life has warned consumers about purchasing items from the internet platform Temu, which does not respect European consumer safety legislation. The organisation calls on the government consumer protection service to investigate the platform and take measures. Temu was hit with a European Union complaint over a potential breach of online content rules under the EU’s Digital Services Act. BEUC lodged a grievance with the European Commission and 17 of its members in various countries also filed complaints with their national authorities against Temu for using manipulative practices and breaching the EU’s Digital Services Act.