Recently, users have been experiencing connectivity issues with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Thousands are reporting that they cannot refresh their feeds or send messages. Many have turned to the platform X to express their frustrations. The cause of these issues is not yet known.
Two earthquakes occurred within two hours in Chalandri. The first earthquake measured 2.8 on the Richter scale, while the second had the same epicenter with slight differences in focal depth. The tremors were felt in several areas of Athens. No serious damage or injuries were reported.
Two Hungarian women are accused of fraudulently claiming Greek Cypriot land worth 58 million euros. The charges include conspiracy and money laundering from illegal activities. The court rejected their request for release due to the risk of fleeing. The women are being held until they appear before the Criminal Court.
The situation in the market is alarming, as many drivers have defective Takata airbags that could cause serious injuries or death. The company that recalled over 11,000 vehicles in Cyprus is receiving numerous calls and plans to increase its staff. Soon, the Ministry of Transport will issue a law that will suspend the validity of certificates of roadworthiness for affected vehicles if the airbags are not replaced. Owners will have a three-month deadline to comply with the replacement of the defective components.
Images from Bashar al-Assad's house in Damascus have surfaced online, revealing the family's wealth. Banking documents with large sums of money and luxury items were found inside the home. Despite Asma al-Assad's claims of a middle-class lifestyle, the situation indicates that the family lived in luxury while the Syrian people suffered in poverty. Rebels have looted parts of the house, exposing the reality of the Assad family's life.
The new European directive anticipates an increase of around 10% in fuel prices by 2027. This rise is due to the pricing of emissions and the increased integration of biofuels. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030. There is concern about how these increases will impact prices and the economy for citizens.
A cold air mass is expected to affect Cyprus starting Friday, causing a drop in temperatures until Sunday. Today, the weather will be partly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 6 to 13 degrees in the mountains and coastal areas respectively. Until Sunday, temperatures are expected to be slightly below the average for this time of year. The following days will feature mainly clear skies with occasional clouds and possible isolated rain in the mountainous areas.
The father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif were found guilty of her murder. Sara suffered months of abuse, with horrifying details revealed during the trial. Her father brutally beat her, and she was found dead in their home. The trial highlighted serious shortcomings by authorities that could have protected the child.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has led to an increase in hospital admissions for children in Cyprus, with nearly all pediatric departments being overcrowded. The State Health Services Organization has increased bed capacity due to the rising demand. Parents are urged to be vigilant and contact their pediatrician promptly if they notice symptoms. The situation is being closely monitored by health authorities.
The SEMIO has urged the Parliament to amend the new vehicle recall law, warning that passing it in its current form could lead to serious issues, including the immobilization of many vehicles. They emphasize the need for prioritizing recalls based on safety concerns. Additionally, they highlight the lack of adequate information on vehicles and the tight deadlines set in the proposal. SEMIO calls on the Parliament to adopt their suggestions to avoid confusion in the market.
Former Attorney General Kostas Kliridis highlighted the widespread corruption and collusion in Cyprus, noting that public officials face no consequences for their actions. Kliridis emphasized the need for accountability and resignation from public positions in cases of serious misconduct. He also pointed out that corruption is a global phenomenon and is difficult to eradicate despite efforts to mitigate it.
Cypriot medical students studying in Russia face significant challenges in getting their degrees recognized in Cyprus, despite a bilateral agreement. Kyriakos Kyriakou, a graduate from a Russian university, pointed out that despite his additional studies, he needs to take three more courses for recognition. The recognition system is complex, with the head of KYSATS stating that processes require a deeper assessment of study programs. Several other Cypriot students are in the same situation, raising concerns about their future.
The Cypriot ship Prometheus has finally received its certification from Lloyd’s, allowing it to set sail from Shanghai to Cyprus. The ship, converted into a floating storage and regasification unit, needs further tests before arriving in Vasiliko. Currently, there is consideration to move the ship to Alexandroupolis for these tests. While initially, Egyptian or UAE facilities were seen as options, the new infrastructure in Alexandroupolis is now preferred.
The Cabinet has approved a plan to subsidize home loans aimed at supporting households facing financial difficulties due to rising interest rates and inflation. Applications for the subsidy will be accepted from January 2, 2025, for a two-month period. Eligible individuals must meet specific criteria, including income limits and types of loans. The plan is set to be funded from the General Accounting Office's budget until 2027.
The Cabinet, led by President Nikos Christodoulides, approved financial support of 19 million euros for farmers due to damages from weather events. The funds will benefit 9,000 producers, covering payments for cereals, vineyards, and other crops. Additionally, support is provided for agricultural operations affected by tornadoes and storms. The government aims to maintain halloumi as the main export product.
Starting January 9, 2025, Cyprus will adopt EU regulations for instant payments, allowing money transfers to be completed in 10 seconds, anytime and anywhere. Traditional money transfers can take up to three days to complete, making them slower. With instant payments, funds will be immediately available for use, contributing to economic growth. The Central Bank has outlined key dates for the implementation of these regulations.
Authorities are conducting investigations after a grenade was found in Germasogeia, which did not explode. The absence of the safety pin has raised concerns and prompted police action. A bomb disposal expert has taken over the situation, and perimeter searches are underway. Some employees are gathered at the entrance of the building.
The president of KIFA is accused of presenting 51 falsified invoices worth €122,000 to the Ministry of Health. While investigators are examining testimonies from her surroundings, the suspect has yet to speak to the investigators. She claims that the responsibilities lie with a deceased individual. The investigation continues to fully clarify the case.
In Limassol, the police declared a state of emergency after a hand grenade was found in a building in Germasogeia. A citizen discovered the grenade outside the building, which housed offices. Authorities were quickly notified, leading to the evacuation of the building and the restriction of the area. A police explosives expert is currently on-site for investigations.
The relations between Cyprus and Britain are entering a new phase, focusing on cooperation and a strategic dialogue planned for next week. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Cyprus, highlighting the importance of upgrading bilateral relations. Topics discussed included security, education, economy, and the situation in the Middle East. Cyprus was emphasized as an important player in humanitarian aid.
The leadership of AKEL aims to renew its mandate for the upcoming parliamentary elections, with Stefanos Stefanu being the first general secretary elected by the Pan-Cypriot Congress. This process marks a historic change by allowing more members to participate. Changes to the statute also involve a new ratio in the Central Committee, reducing paid positions. The discussion about exemptions from term limits is also a key issue in the developments.
The parliamentary agriculture committee is concerned about delays in the fishing shelter and river projects in Liopetri. Members expressed doubts about the completion timelines, as they faced issues in execution. The deputy mayor stated that these delays negatively affect the local community and professionals. Measures to support fishermen and those directly impacted by the situation have been proposed.
Banks in Cyprus recorded profits of €2.38 billion from 2022 to 2024, largely due to interest rate hikes by the ECB aimed at fighting inflation. AKEL has proposed a 5% solidarity tax on banks to fund social programs. The bill will be discussed in Parliament but has not yet garnered the necessary majority support. Banks have been profitable in 13 years and incurred losses of €15.6 billion in 11 years since 2001.
Since 2011, 13 million Syrians have left their homes due to the civil war. Many refugees are beginning to return to Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. The situation remains critical as refugees face the dilemma of going back and the challenges of starting anew in their homeland. These developments raise concerns about healthcare and the absence of crucial professionals in the European labor market.
There are 13,096 Syrians living mainly in Limassol and Paphos in Cyprus. If they return to Syria, Cyprus could save millions of euros in benefits and rents. However, their return may have negative impacts such as a reduction in the labor force. The data shows a significant imbalance between the number of men and women among the Syrians living in the country.
The president of the AIDS Support Center is accused of falsifying invoices submitted to the Ministry of Health, securing a total of €122,687. An investigation revealed discrepancies between the amounts and the VAT stated on the invoices. The accused is being held for 8 days. The case has social and humanitarian implications.
The situation regarding the interconnection of Cyprus with Greece through the Great Sea Interconnector is uncertain, with concerns raised about the concession agreement proposed by ADMIE. Cypriot governmental bodies are expressing strong reservations about Cyprus's participation in the new implementing entity unless substantial changes are made. Insights from an external consultant's analysis indicate that such participation may involve significant financial risks. So far, no official updates have been provided on the matter.