Hurricane Milton is hitting Florida hard, with authorities urging residents to evacuate the area. It's the most dangerous hurricane to strike the state in the last 100 years, reaching speeds of 215 km/h. Thousands have evacuated, filling shelters and hotels. The governor announced that 8,000 National Guard members will be activated for support.
The U.S. warned Israel to avoid any military attack on Lebanon that could resemble the situation in Gaza. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department emphasized that such actions could have serious consequences. This warning followed a phone call between the U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister. The relationship between the two countries is strained due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Hurricane Milton is approaching the western coast of Florida, with millions of citizens already evacuated. Although it may downgrade in category, experts warn of severe storms and winds affecting the area. The city of Tampa is expected to be central to the event, with heavy rainfall and high wind speeds accompanying the storm. The effects may last for several hours.
Cyprus has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, receiving 167 out of 189 votes. This marks the first time Cyprus secures a position amidst strong competitors like Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos thanked the supporting states and expressed the aim for collaboration in promoting human rights. This election coincides with Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council in 2026.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, congratulated Demis Hassabis on his recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He expressed pride in this achievement, recognizing Hassabis' long-standing dedication to the fields of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Hassabis is the second Cypriot to receive a Nobel Prize, following Christopher A. Sims. The President stated that this represents a significant global scientific recognition.
Christos Pavlou, a 33-year-old man, suddenly passed away in March 2023 after experiencing chest pain and vomiting for three days. Forensic expert Nikolaos Charalambous determined that the cause of death was a heart rupture, stressing that his symptoms should have prompted a referral to a cardiologist. Instead of being referred, he was prescribed antibiotics by his doctor. The process of the rupture appeared to have started days prior to his death.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his support for Hamas, stating that the organization fights for both Palestine and Turkey. He characterized Israel's attacks in Gaza as genocide and referred to Israel as a 'Zionist terrorist organization.' Erdoğan emphasized the need for Turkey to stay clear of regional tensions and warned of the danger of conflicts spreading in the area.
Student delinquency in Paphos is on the rise, highlighted by a recent incident involving students smoking on a school bus. When the driver warned them, the students reacted violently, breaking the bus door glass and causing damage inside. Other students complained about the situation, stating that smoking in the bus is inappropriate. The police are investigating the incident.
Hurricane Milton is approaching Florida's west coast, and authorities are urging residents to evacuate risk areas. The mayor of Tampa and other officials emphasize the seriousness of the situation, warning that staying behind could be fatal. Meteorologists warn of dangerous flooding and destruction, highlighting the need for immediate evacuation. The hurricane has been upgraded to category 5, raising concerns among local authorities.
The Government Spokesman commented on the European Court of Human Rights' decision regarding the return of Syrian asylum seekers to Lebanon in 2020. He reassured that Cyprus does not conduct pushbacks of migrants and that the government is monitoring developments. The management of migration is done within the framework of international law. Additionally, a request for humanitarian aid to Lebanon has been approved.
46-year-old Lebanese Tanas Agha, after surviving Israeli bombings, flew with her daughters from Beirut to Cyprus. She expressed her pride in the airline MEA on social media for continuing flights despite escalating violence. Her experience at the departure hall was quite emotional, as airport staff were concerned for their relatives. Despite the risks, MEA continues its operations, demonstrating resilience in challenging circumstances.
The first case of West Nile virus for 2024 has been diagnosed in Cyprus, involving an elderly man from the village of Mammari who is hospitalized in the ICU. The virus is primarily transmitted by infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. The Ministry of Health informs the public about protection measures and the need for ongoing spraying in areas with stagnant water. Additional preventive measures are being implemented to combat the virus.
Chris Triantafyllidis expresses his displeasure with the behavior of Fidis Panagiotou, who was seen in a photo wearing a bathrobe and smoking hookah in occupied Kyrenia. He argues that MEPs should be more careful with their actions. At the same time, he recognizes everyone's right to visit the occupied areas, but under certain conditions. He clarifies his views on the situation in Cyprus and the necessity of resolving the Cyprus issue.
The Cabinet has decided to issue 100,000 electronic identities (eID) to Cypriot citizens over 18, with the first 30,000 being free. The application process will be announced soon, allowing citizens to use them for secure identification in online services. The electronic identity also enables electronic signing with legal validity. This initiative is part of the 'Digital Citizen' project aimed at digitizing the market.
The Government plans to grant a 1.5% raise to public sector employees, but the Ministry of Finance claims the cost will be modest. Expenditures on salaries are expected to decrease by about 1% in 2025, mainly due to pension restructuring. In the following years, spending is projected to increase again, raising concerns about the sustainability of the public payroll. The Government intends to implement structural changes to enhance productivity and competitiveness in the public sector.
Scientists David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024. Demis Hassabis is a researcher in artificial intelligence, a neuroscientist, and a game designer. Known for his role in the company DeepMind, he has achieved numerous accolades in his career. Notably, he is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the field of science.
PASYD expresses dissatisfaction with attacks on public employees regarding proposed salary increases. The only 1.5% increase is a result of an agreement and comes after 15 years without general increases. They emphasize that public employees have suffered significant losses during the financial crisis. They call on the Parliament to respect the agreements and maintain social stability.
The case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who murdered their parents, has shocked the USA. Police found the parents with 14 bullet wounds to the head, an event that caused widespread astonishment. The trial received significant media coverage and generated numerous theories. Now, the series 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' is premiering on Netflix, revisiting this dark tale.
The Cabinet is set to approve the purchase of 100,000 electronic identity cards, as announced by President Nikos Christodoulides. These identities will enhance the security and speed of government transactions. They will have a duration of 3 years and allow for quick electronic identification. This move aims to digitize public services and develop digital services for citizens.
President Nikos Christodoulides stated that the Greek Cypriot side is not willing to offer probing regarding its red lines before the meeting in New York. He expressed hope that the meeting would yield positive results and emphasized their readiness to address any issues raised. He reminded the importance of the meeting and announced talks with the British Prime Minister beforehand. The Greek Cypriot side also has proposals it aims to present during negotiations.
Hurricane Milton is a powerful Category 4 storm approaching Florida's west coast, prompting evacuations for around 1 million residents. With wind speeds nearing 155 mph, it is one of the strongest storms to hit the area in over a century. Local officials are worried about traffic jams and residents' preparations. The governor of Florida urges people to prepare and stay safe.
The proposal by the Education Committee to ban the use of mobile phones in schools is set to be discussed in the Parliament's Plenary. While there are supporters of a total ban, some express reservations, suggesting educating on proper usage instead. Various stakeholders, including educators and parents, have shared their views with the committee. The final decision will be made in the Parliament's Plenary.
The parliamentary committee on Agriculture warns of the need to intensify controls on Halloumi with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), due to unfair competition from products coming from the occupied territories. The Minister of Agriculture mentioned the ministry's efforts to maintain Halloumi as Cyprus's main export product. There are ongoing appeals against the PDO and actions to tighten legislation. The Cypriot authorities are working to remove products that do not meet the specifications from the EU market.
Hotels in Larnaca are experiencing increased occupancy rates due to the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon and the evacuation flights for foreign nationals. The demand primarily comes from Lebanese citizens and third-country nationals, with some days making it difficult to find a room. Hoteliers are concerned about potential cancellations if the war escalates. Additionally, many hotels that were planning to close may remain open due to the high demand.
The Energy Minister proposed transforming the regulated activities of the Electricity Authority into a 100% state-owned company that will invest 100 million euros in the interconnection of Cyprus and Crete. This proposal raised concerns about public safety and the potential entry of private investors into the network. The government assures that there is no intention to privatize national infrastructure. However, unions express caution regarding this proposal.
Green Dot is planning to build a modern waste management facility in Tseri. This facility will significantly contribute to recycling and sustainable management of packaging waste in Cyprus. It will receive and process various types of packaging, reducing environmental impact and creating new jobs. The facility will have a design capacity of 36,000 tons of waste per year.
Public sector unions are pushing for salary increases while society is concerned about rising costs. The government bill for public salary raises is causing political conflict but is expected to be approved. Politicians are also calling for productivity evaluations and measures to support the middle class. The challenge is to find a balance that satisfies both public employees and the wider community.
In about a month, investigations related to three criminal cases surrounding the Abakoum scandal will be completed. Investigators have requested a second order for the disclosure of bank accounts belonging to Metropolitan Isaias. Simultaneously, inquiries into allegations of labor exploitation and violation of personal data due to illegal recordings are progressing. Authorities are expected to make decisions once all investigations are finalized.
One week before the tripartite meeting in New York, the political sides are preparing and taking notes on the situation in Cyprus. The United Nations is gathering information on the communities' views and examining confidence-building measures. President Christodoulides expresses satisfaction from the discussions at the National Council and anticipates a new meeting. Meanwhile, Ersin Tatar is preparing with instructions from Ankara.