Cyprus and the United States have signed a transformative Bilateral Defence Cooperation roadmap to strengthen their defence ties, focusing on joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and cybersecurity. This landmark agreement, formalized by Minister Vassilis Palmas and US Assistant Secretary Celeste Wallander, marks a new era of collaboration aimed at promoting regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a decisive move to reform the pension system for state officials in Cyprus, multiple legislative proposals have emerged, including suspending pension payments while in office and raising the pensionable age from 60 to 65. The House finance committee, led by key figures like Christiana Erotokritou and Demetris Demetriou, is actively debating these reforms to ensure fairness and fiscal responsibility in managing public resources.
In 2026, Cyprus will proudly host the European Council’s rotating presidency, engaging every district in a vibrant showcase of its culture and hospitality. With Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, leading the efforts, over 200 meetings will take place across the island, including significant events in the poignant district of Famagusta, aiming to unite the nation and promote its unique identity on the international stage.
Heavy traffic is slowing down journeys on the NicosiaLimassol highway near Kalavasos due to ongoing construction on the Kalavasos bridge, which will last until December 23, 2024. Motorists must navigate detours and remain vigilant, following reduced speed limits and safety guidelines while using the altered twoway lanes.
The Vasiliko LNG import terminal is a crucial project for Cyprus, representing a vital leap towards energy independence and economic stability. With ongoing delays causing financial strain on consumers, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, the President of the House energy committee, emphasizes the need for urgent parliamentary oversight and transparency to ensure the project’s successful completion.
Medochemie, a prominent pharmaceutical company based in Cyprus, has been cleared by the health ministry after fully complying with regulations following a contamination incident involving their Dicillin Sandoz 500 mg capsules. After thorough investigations and corrective measures, inspections confirmed no contamination, ensuring the safety and quality of their products.
A massive financial fraud operation in Cyprus, involving 430 front companies across Greece, Cyprus, and Slovakia, has led to the arrest of 21 individuals and the exposure of €26 million in tax fraud. This intricate scheme, utilizing carousel fraud tactics and employing unemployed individuals as front figures, underscores the ongoing battle against money laundering in Europe.
Important nighttime maintenance work will take place on the LimassolNicosia highway from September 9 to September 19, 2024, affecting the stretch between Latsia and Pera Chorio Nisou from 10:00 pm to 5:30 am daily. Expect lane closures and detours, especially near the Kalavasos bridge, as two lanes will be closed for repairs until December 23, 2024, requiring drivers to use alternative routes for safe passage.
A 27yearold Syrian man was sentenced to two months in prison for falsely claiming a pregnant woman and her two children as his family while attempting to cross the Green Line in Cyprus. The incident took place near the historic Ledra Palace hotel in Nicosia on August 25, ultimately leading to the woman’s repatriation to Turkey with her children after serving a 12day sentence.
Israeli developer Simon Mistriel Aykut is set to face trial in Cyprus on September 27 for 124 charges relating to the development and sale of properties valued at €43 million on disputed Greek Cypriot land, highlighting the island’s fraught property ownership issues. His case, which has drawn international attention, underscores the complex political tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots as the trial approaches.
