Donald Trump stated that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is behind the fall of Assad's regime in Syria, highlighting Turkey's key role in the country's future. He also mentioned that Zelensky should be prepared for negotiations with Russia regarding Ukraine. Trump emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and noted that some areas have become ruins. Additionally, he made positive remarks about China's Xi Jinping.
A shooting incident occurred at a school in Madison, Wisconsin, resulting in many injuries and reports of five deaths. The police stated that the site remains under investigation and urged the public to avoid the area. Abundant Life School has around 390 students, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Stefanos Stefanu warns that the General Health System is at risk due to the acquisition of public hospitals by foreign investment funds. He accuses the government of indifference and incompetence in protecting public hospitals. He calls for interventions to halt the acquisition process and to create a health map. The situation is critical and requires immediate action.
The Court of Appeals increased the prison sentence for two individuals charged with possessing child pornography. The defendants admitted to photographing the naked daughters of a woman, acting under the influence of an extramarital relationship. The case came to light following information from Europol and subsequent police investigations. The Appeals Court's decision emphasized the seriousness of the offenses and the need for strict penalties.
Former Minister of Agriculture, Kostas Petrides, has passed away, as announced by the Agricultural Payments Organization (KOAP). He was also the founder and commissioner of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization. This news brings sadness to the political and agricultural community in Cyprus. His contributions to the development of agriculture will be remembered.
Cyprus, Austria, and Greece propose utilizing frozen assets of the Assad regime for the reconstruction of Syria. During a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, they presented suggestions for EU support regarding Syria and the chemical weapons mission. Concerns include the potential fragmentation of the country and the rise of extremism. The EU is urged to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the return of refugees occurs under appropriate conditions.
A major power outage occurred in the Larnaca District, leading to many citizens getting trapped in elevators. The Fire Service received numerous calls for assistance and is gradually addressing them. The Electricity Authority has started restoring power, which is coming back online step by step. The cause of the outage appears to be issues with a high-voltage line due to a lightning strike.
The parliament approved a bill for the recall of defective Takata airbags and the immobilization of vehicles. The Minister of Transport will have the authority to set the recall process and corrective measures. The decision aims to ensure public health and safety. The first decree will be issued on February 3, 2025.
A power outage occurred in Larnaca, affecting hundreds of homes and businesses. The Electricity Authority is working to identify the significant fault, but it is currently unclear when the electricity will be restored. Additionally, power issues have been reported in other areas, and the Electricity Authority's website is down.
Roads in Limassol have been flooded and transformed into muddy rivers, making vehicle passage difficult. The situation is especially critical on the Limassol - Agros road near Agia Phyla and Palodia. Additionally, in other areas like Gerasa, stones are falling onto the road due to the flooding.
The airports of Larnaca and Paphos are set to expand to increase passenger capacity. The expansion of Larnaca is estimated to cost €95 million for 12 million passengers, while Paphos will require €75 million for 5 million. Environmental studies are open for public consultation until January 2025, and the works are expected to last approximately 18 to 24 months. The expansions will include a new taxiway section and an upgrade of the terminal building.
Minister of Justice Marios Harchiotis emphasized the need for parents to pay attention to juvenile delinquency. He expressed concern about the social dimension of the phenomenon, highlighted by a recent incident where a drunk father visited the police regarding his daughter. The state will intensify its efforts to address this issue. The possibility of criminal responsibility for parents due to negligence is also being considered.
A 14-year-old was found guilty of distributing altered nude photos of female students. The British Bases Court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. The sentence will be activated if he commits the same offense within the next two years. The incident caused significant disturbance at the school.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court will announce its decision regarding Panikos Stavrianou's appeal in the death case of Thanasis Nikolaou. The ruling could either confirm or overturn the coroner’s finding, which states that Nikolaou's death was due to criminal activity. This case has dragged on for many years and remains filled with uncertainty. Currently, criminal investigations are ongoing to identify potential suspects.
The Greek Bank announced a decrease in the interest rate for loans linked to the ECB's Key Interest Rate, dropping from 3.40% to 3.15%, effective from December 2024. This reduction will benefit over 6,000 borrowers, providing financial relief. Additionally, the bank introduced a new fixed-rate mortgage loan at 2.95%. These moves aim to promote the growth of the Cypriot economy and the well-being of society.
In Cyprus, the sixth case of monkeypox since 2022 has been identified. Contacts of the patient are required to undergo 21 days of quarantine and vaccination within the first 4-5 days. The patient's health condition is progressing well, and symptoms are managed as there are no specialized medications. The Minister of Health assured that all necessary measures are being taken and there is no reason for concern.
In the case related to Al Jazzera's revelations about golden passports, two charges against the former President of the House and others are in question. The prosecution has stated that there is a witness living outside Cyprus whose testimony is critical to the charges. If this witness isn't located by the next hearing, the charges might be withdrawn. Both the defense and prosecution are working together to agree on admissible facts to move the trial forward.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, met with the CEOs of the Bank of Cyprus and Hellenic Bank. They discussed interest rates and charges, focusing on consistent borrowers. The Government Spokesman stated that the country has been upgraded to investment grade A, reflecting the correctness of economic policies. The dialogue will continue to address proposals and support plans for the population.
MP Irini Charalambidou requests an update from the Auditor General regarding the financial status of the electricity interconnection between Cyprus and Crete. She focuses on the €48.8 million that ADMHE paid to EuroAsia and expresses concerns over potential suspicious transactions. The letter discusses dismissed claims concerning payments made for projects unrelated to the current interconnection. Sent on December 19, 2024, the letter has yet to receive a response.
In Europe, car sales in 2023 reveal that the majority of new registrations are gasoline and diesel vehicles, despite the rise of electric cars. In Cyprus, gasoline cars make up 78.5% of the total, while vehicles using alternative fuels only account for 0.38%. Although car production is adapting to new consumer preferences, the share of alternative fuel vehicles remains low across the EU. The Eurostat research highlights the shifting preferences of consumers for cars in Europe.
Cypriots are increasingly purchasing a variety of items online, including clothes, computers, and food services. Research shows that the percentage of individuals ordering online rose significantly from 2023 to 2024. Electronic transactions with government services are also becoming more common. Price and brand are the primary factors considered when buying technology online.
The legal study by the American firm Curtis warns of the risks Cyprus faces by participating in the Great Sea Interconnector investment project. The terms proposed by ADMIE are deemed unsatisfactory for attracting serious investors. If the Cypriot government proceeds with its participation, it risks facing political backlash. A significant condition is the dramatic reform of the concession agreement.
The trial regarding the murder of Turkish Cypriot Tansu Cindan, committed in the Central Prisons, is ongoing with the cross-examination of the head investigator. The defense attempts to question the credibility of the witnesses, claiming their testimonies were given under duress. The main accused, Veizi Bandour, faces charges of premeditated murder, and there are now a total of five individuals charged in the case. The cross-examination will continue in the coming days.
President Christodoulides is discussing with the President of the European Commission about the developments in Syria and the need for the EU to take a leading role in the region. The Republic of Cyprus has submitted a working document with proposals regarding the EU's role. They also discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus issue ahead of a multilateral meeting. Christodoulides emphasizes Cyprus's importance in the region due to its proximity to Syria.
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stated that the aim is for Cyprus to achieve a state with functional autonomy. We are expecting the visit of Rosemary DiCarlo to Cyprus to discuss the next steps regarding the Cyprus issue. He emphasizes that significant preparation is required before the meetings. The willingness for dialogues is present, but it depends on the readiness of the Turkish Cypriot side.
In Cyprus, 53% of girls and 34% of boys report having multiple health issues each week. The mental well-being of 15-year-olds is rated low, with a score of 57 out of 100. However, Cypriot children are below the EU average in smoking and alcohol consumption. The European Commission emphasizes the need to improve healthy habits among children.
The discussion on the state budget begins today in the Parliament, lasting three days, with approval expected on Wednesday. Focus is on the 120 amendments submitted by political parties, mainly regarding fund allocations. The Cypriot economy remains under uncertainty, although the medium-term prospects are positive. The budget is expected to pass with votes from the coalition parties and support from DISY.
Six months after the court's annulment decision regarding the appointment of the KAO's general director, the board is still considering candidates. There are reports of possible exclusion of certain candidates based on non-objective criteria. The Ministry of Education sent a letter to remind the board of the importance of legal frameworks and public interest. The situation requires attention from the Presidency to ensure meritocracy.
The Cypriot Parliament is moving forward with regulation for car recalls due to deaths and risks from defective airbags. The Minister of Transport will have the power to determine the recall process, aiming for the law to be enforced by February 2025. Responsible parties will collaborate to find solutions to minimize public inconvenience. Meanwhile, proposals for safely deactivating or removing problematic airbags will be examined.