SIX DEPORTED OVER CYPRUS MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT, TWO FACE TRIAL

SIX DEPORTED OVER CYPRUS MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT, TWO FACE TRIAL - Cy Mail 14/9 by James Morphakis


Six suspects arrested over an alleged murder for hire plot in Cyprus will be deported within days, police said on Monday after detention and deportation orders were issued against them.

Two further men, aged 33 and 35 and arrested on August 29, appeared before the Famagusta district court on Monday where their case was referred to the criminal court for November 18.

The investigation began after Danish authorities passed information to police via Europol concerning planned murders for hire on the island.

GSI TO COST A LOT MORE THAN INITIALLY PROJECTED

GSI TO COST A LOT MORE THAN INITIALLY PROJECTED - Cy Mail 8/9 by Elias Hazou


Finance Minister Makis Keravnos dropped a bombshell on Tuesday, telling MPs that the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) could end up costing a great deal more than the €1.9 billion as advertised, while also questioning whether the project would ultimately bring down the cost of electricity.

In parliament, Keravnos said the often cited €1.9 billion figure in fact covers the cost of the subsea cable alone.

However, other expenditures – such as insurance coverage, warehouses and maintenance works – should be factored into the final cost.

WIZZ AIR RESTORES CYPRUS LINK TO MIDDLE EAST AHEAD OF WINTER SEASON

WIZZ AIR RESTORES CYPRUS LINK TO MIDDLE EAST AHEAD OF WINTER SEASON - Cy Mail 8/9 by Kyriacos Nicolaou


Wizz Air will restore its Larnaca-Abu Dhabi route from October 27, as the airline brings back services connecting Cyprus and other European cities with four Middle Eastern destinations during the winter season.

The airline said on Tuesday that flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai from October 25, alongside services to Jeddah and Amman, would progressively return to its network.

The Larnaca-Abu Dhabi service will operate three times a week, with fares starting from €24.99, making it the lowest advertised fare among the 12 routes being restored.

SCAMMERS CLONED RELATIVES' VOICES WITH AI TO STEAL €1 million, POLICE SAY

SCAMMERS CLONED RELATIVES' VOICES WITH AI TO STEAL €1 million, POLICE SAY - KNews 18/9

The group allegedly posed as utility and telecom workers, using familiar voices to win victims’ trust and get their hands on valuables.


A familiar voice on the phone is usually enough to put someone at ease. According to Greek police, one criminal group turned that trust into a tool for stealing more than €1 million.

Authorities say the organization used artificial intelligence to clone the voices of victims’ relatives and friends, making its scams sound far more convincing than the usual suspicious phone call.

CYPRUS MAY HAVE BEEN A STOPOVER IN RECORD KETAMINE SHIPMENT

CYPRUS MAY HAVE BEEN A STOPOVER IN RECORD KETAMINE SHIPMENT - KNews 18/9

Investigators believe nearly 390 kilograms arrived from Germany and may have been bound for Israel aboard luxury yachts.



Cyprus may not have been the final destination for the record ketamine shipment uncovered in Limassol.

Investigators are examining whether nearly 390 kilograms of the drug arrived from Germany before being stored in Cyprus and prepared for shipment to Israel, possibly aboard luxury yachts.

FITIRIS CUTS POLICE PROTECTION FOR FORMER OFFICIALS TO REDUCE STATE SPENDING

FITIRIS CUTS POLICE PROTECTION FOR FORMER OFFICIALS TO REDUCE STATE SPENDING - KNews 19/9


Reform frees officers from personal security duties and returns them to the police service.



Justice Minister Costas Fitiris’ review of police protection for political figures and former state officials is already freeing officers for other duties, as the government continues efforts to reduce unnecessary public expenditure.

According to Filenews, the latest development concerns the police officer who had been assigned as driver and escort to former first lady Androulla Vassiliou. Following Vassiliou’s decision to return the officer to regular police duties, he reported to Nicosia Police Headquarters on Monday to receive instructions for his new post.

CYPRUS REJECTS THREE EU REVENUE PROPOSALS AS NICOSIA DRAWS RED LINES OVER EU FUNDING PLANS -

CYPRUS REJECTS THREE EU REVENUE PROPOSALS AS NICOSIA DRAWS RED LINES OVER EU FUNDING PLANS - KNews 19/9 by Pavlos Xanthoulis

Nicosia opposes plans to channel ETS revenue into the EU budget, introduce a levy on large companies and remove the 50% VAT cap.


Nicosia drew its red lines during a particularly divisive discussion among the 27 member states, which focused on both the size and composition of the EU’s “New Own Resources” (NORs), meaning the new revenue sources the European Union is proposing to use to finance the 2028-2034 European budget while partially reducing its reliance on direct contributions from member states. According to information obtained by “K”, at a meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee, Coreper, a few days ago, Cyprus pointed out that it is among the member states most affected by the proposed package. It also stressed that the current proposal would put significant pressure on the country’s public finances.