There is significant disruption at Larnaca Airport due to issues with the police's electronic passport control system. This has resulted in long queues and delays in passenger checks. The situation is better at Paphos Airport, although there are still some problems. The police are working on upgrading their systems, but the exact cause of the issue has not been determined yet.
The relations between Israel and Lebanon remain tense as both sides continue to exchange attacks. The Israeli army is launching significant operations against Hezbollah, demolishing homes and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah is firing rockets at Israeli military bases. The Israeli Defense Minister expresses intent to escalate military actions.
The police arrested a 57-year-old resident of Nicosia in connection with a child pornography case. During investigations, files related to child sexual abuse were found on his computer. The man is being held for questioning as the investigation continues. The Cyber Crime Unit is conducting further examinations.
King Charles made his first public appearance in Australia, expressing his joy at returning to the country. He attended a service at St. Thomas' Church and greeted the enthusiastic crowd. The King joked about his age and mentioned how happy he is to be there as a king. His trip to Australia will last 9 days and includes official engagements.
Fears of escalating tensions in the Middle East are growing as Israel prepares for potential strikes against Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu convened the security cabinet to evaluate strategic options. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is attacking Israeli positions, and Iran threatens to retaliate against any strikes on its strategic assets.
Spyros Kyprianou discusses Greek support during the critical period before and after Cyprus's independence. His book reveals the differing approaches of Makarios and Karamanlis regarding the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Makarios pushed for independence, recognizing the existing political deadlocks. The discussions surrounding the Zurich-London Agreements shed light on the challenges Makarios faced due to Greek government policy.
The Government Portal faced a cyberattack today, but the government successfully thwarted it. The attack aimed to disrupt the availability of state websites without any breach occurring. According to the announcement from the Ministry of Research, the central portal was affected for a few minutes, but other services remained available. This marks the sixth attack in three days.
Early in the morning, a 74-year-old woman in Limassol witnessed a man setting fire to her car. Hearing the sound of glass breaking, she looked out the window and saw the perpetrator using flammable liquid. The fire was quickly extinguished by her and her husband, but damages are estimated at 3,000 euros. Authorities are continuing their investigations to identify the perpetrator.
On Saturday, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and EKO faced a cyber attack, which was successfully repelled. In total, five cyber attacks have been reported against Cypriot organizations this week. Most of the attacks targeted critical infrastructures, with personal data remaining unaffected. Authorities are on alert due to the increasing number of cyber threats.
President Christodoulides outlined Nicosia's expectations in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. In the letter, he emphasizes the need to revive negotiations on the Cyprus issue based on UN resolutions and the protection of Cyprus's sovereignty. Among his proposals are measures to ensure peaceful coexistence in the region and address security challenges. He also highlights the importance of cooperation with other Eastern Mediterranean states.
The Recovery and Resilience Plan is positively impacting the Cypriot economy and businesses. Director Anthoula Savvidi mentioned that 60% of the necessary legislation has been voted on and 90% of the budget has been activated. Additionally, 55% of the funds have been committed for contracts. However, there is still room for better resource utilization.
A new altercation occurred in Finikoudes, where groups of young individuals started throwing chairs at each other. Patrons of nearby cafes reacted in fear and vacated the area. This incident follows earlier violent events in the same location, raising concerns among local business owners. Despite the prompt response by police, the young individuals managed to escape and are currently being sought.
Turkey has changed its approach to the Cyprus issue, accepting to participate in an informal five-party meeting under the UN Secretary-General. Prospects appear to be improving according to assessments in Nicosia and New York. The Greek Cypriot side and the international community note this shift in Turkey's stance. This development could lead to progress in the negotiations.
Andreas Themistocleous announced the potential creation of a political movement, while Christoforos Tornaritis is preparing to enter the elections. Supporters of Christodoulidis are also discussing forming a party amid growing pressure from ELAM. Annita Dimitriou faces significant challenges ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, as a poor outcome could jeopardize her ambitions. These developments are expected to impact the leadership of DISY.
Every year, large amounts of money are lost to online scams, with fraudsters taking advantage of new technologies and the emotions of their victims. This year has seen an increase in such scams, offering investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies and making false threats regarding blocked bank accounts. The perpetrators use various tactics, such as fake identities and romantic offers, to deceive unsuspecting citizens. The police receive thousands of reports annually regarding these types of incidents.
President Christodoulides outlined his key demands for the new process concerning Cyprus by sending a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In the letter dated October 7, 2024, he emphasizes the need for negotiations within a specific framework. Despite the ongoing recognition of the secessionist entity by the occupying side, the President highlights the commitments of the Republic of Cyprus. He focuses on the necessity for respect for UN resolutions.
Cyprus's purchasing power remains below the EU average, with a median income of 18,873 units. Despite economic recovery, many citizens are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Comparatively, Cyprus shows inequalities when assessed against other European countries, especially the northern EU countries. Compared to 2010, available income in Cyprus has slightly decreased.
Irene Piki, the Deputy Minister to the President, states that her gender does not affect her duties. She emphasizes the importance of ability and hard work regardless of gender. The government has promoted the strengthening of women's presence in decision-making positions. Ms. Piki also discusses the daily effort required for making important decisions in a changing international environment.