A woman was trapped in a 40-meter deep ravine in Agia Skepe, Nicosia district. The Fire Service responded quickly to rescue her. Firefighters used specialized equipment to retrieve the woman. After the rescue, she was taken to an ambulance for precautionary checks. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman announced the response from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding interventions on the Turkish Cypriots. Guterres described the actions that hinder the building of trust as discouraging and emphasized the importance of cooperation for resolving the Cyprus issue. Erhürman stated that the Turkish Cypriot side aims to promote new confidence-building measures. Furthermore, he expressed hope that the letter would assist in evaluating actions aimed at isolating the Turkish Cypriots. Finally, he reaffirmed his commitment to diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with the international community.
ALMA is seeking partnerships for the presidential elections, considering two options: supporting an independent candidate or the candidacy of Odysseas Michailidis. Meetings with other parties have already taken place, and it has been made clear that they do not wish to collaborate with four specific parties. Michailidis does not support party candidates and is looking for clean personalities who desire change. If negotiations fail, ALMA will proceed with Michailidis as a candidate. A decision will be made after the electoral conference in January and February.
The Cyprus Consumers Association criticized the relevant authorities for price increases before and after the implementation of the zero VAT on basic products. From September 30 to October 11, increases were recorded in the prices of eight products. Although a larger decrease in prices was expected with the implementation of the measure, the average percentage decrease recorded was lower than anticipated. The Association pointed to discrepancies in four out of ten supermarkets, noting that prices did not drop as expected. The Consumer Protection Service claimed that the measure was implemented smoothly, which the Association disputes.
Stefanos Stefanou, the Secretary-General of AKEL, states that the party will be ready for the presidential elections in 1.5 years, despite claims of delays. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other political forces seeking progressive change. He points out that discussions should focus on proposals that benefit citizens rather than personal ambitions linked to backdoor dealings. He criticizes the lack of substance in political discussions, which tend to focus on individual interests. Finally, he assures that AKEL will present honest and feasible programs.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responds to Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman regarding concerns about hindrances to cultural and political activities. He states that such actions undermine trust-building efforts between the two communities. Guterres emphasizes the importance of continuing dialogue and cooperation for achieving a lasting solution. He requests his special envoy to work with both sides on confidence-building measures. He notes that event cancellations are contrary to mutual efforts.
President Christodoulides noted that Turkey is placing terms and conditions before restarting negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue, which he believes is counterproductive. He stated that Turkey's role is key to resolving the Cyprus problem and emphasized that all issues need to be discussed at the negotiating table. The President also mentioned that the proposals from the Greek Cypriot side were not presented in writing, but verbally. He stressed that Turkey's tactics do not aid in the negotiations and raised doubts about their resumption. Dialogue between the parties is crucial for the progress of the process.
A single-engine aircraft crashed in Pieria with two passengers on board. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the passengers outside the aircraft and unconscious. The aircraft was located in a dry riverbed near the Pieria Aeroclub. The rescue operation involved 8 firefighters and 4 vehicles. The passengers were transported to the hospital by ambulance services.
Many business owners and directors declare very low salaries, around €500 per month, while receiving high dividends. This allows them to avoid taxes and contributions to the Social Insurance Fund. In the future, a new tax reform will change this situation, requiring them to pay contributions on dividends. Additionally, if they choose to declare higher salaries, they will gain more benefits from the state, such as social pensions. This practice was legal before, but the upcoming changes will likely impose financial burdens on them.
The world is facing serious challenges with three main areas of concern. In Europe, the war in Ukraine continues, posing risks to NATO. In the Middle East, tensions are rising due to attacks related to Iran and American targets. In the Pacific, China is strengthening its military power and exerting pressure on Taiwan. All these factors suggest a disturbing return of war as a real threat.
Almost 40 years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, hazardous remnants from the accident still persist in the environment. Researchers found that tiny particles of nuclear fuel are less changed than expected over time. These particles may serve as long-term storage for radioactive substances. Scientists categorize them into three groups based on their composition. Their dispersal raises concerns, as inhaling them can pose health risks.
The EOKA struggle of 1955-59 is a pivotal event in the history of Cyprus and Greece, significantly impacting the political and social landscape of the time. The recording of memories by participants was limited in the early years due to the context of the period. General Georgios Grivas Digenis was the first to document his memories, publishing works that detail the history of the struggle. Digenis's engagement in documenting events provides a valuable source for historiography and research. His works, which include the General Plan of Revolutionary Action, expand the understanding of the Cypriot struggle.
Cyprus is upgrading two military bases to leverage its geographic location in the Eastern Mediterranean. These upgrades will transform the bases into significant tools of international policy, supporting evacuation missions and establishing Cyprus as a hub for European defense. The works have already begun, aiming to create modern infrastructures that will enhance the strategic capacity of the National Guard. Despite reactions from Turkey, Cypriot authorities remain steadfast in promoting these plans. This development will bolster the security of Europeans and Americans in the region.
Modern forms of human trafficking rely heavily on digital platforms and often involve deceptive legal employment offers. Friday Jeou from Cyprus Stop Trafficking highlighted that victims frequently fall prey to seemingly legal opportunities. The recent U.S. State Department report ranked Cyprus in tier 1 once again, acknowledging the efforts made against trafficking. However, it emphasized that continuous vigilance is necessary. In the occupied territories, the situation is dire, with no legal actions taken against traffickers last year.
Teenagers in Cyprus highlight the pressure from school, professional uncertainty, and other challenges as their main problems. Teachers note students' anxiety about the future due to the rise of artificial intelligence. Despoina Kyprianou states that the school system is outdated, using old textbooks that fail to engage students. Students find more joy in their social interactions at school than in learning. The burden of coursework and the need for tutoring add to the stress faced by young people.
Turkey maintains a tough stance regarding Cyprus, refusing to accept any changes to the 'realities' imposed by the invasion. Ankara aims to promote its strategies through control of Cyprus and Greece. Despite the proposals from the UN Secretary-General, the occupying side continuously raises obstacles and rejects compromise solutions. Turkey claims to be open to dialogue but only on its terms, such as sovereign equality. In this context, it seeks to influence the policies and processes related to Cyprus.
The situation in the Democratic Party is evolving with new dynamics as the presidential elections approach. Annita Dimitriou's role has changed, as she withdraws her candidacy, causing concern and uncertainty. The party leadership is trying to restore calm and foster an atmosphere of unity. Despite internal tensions, there is a desire for a smooth election campaign. However, the relationships between the leadership and party members have been strained.
The Annual Report of the Public Service Commission reveals serious dysfunctions in the new evaluation system for public employees. The scores are nearing excellence, with the average score reaching 9.12 out of 10 for 2025. It is noted that the training of evaluators did not yield the expected results. The Commission warns of issues that might revert the service back to a previous state, while providing examples of ministries that adhere to the evaluation procedures.