A citizen requested a foreigner's motorcycle to be moved and was threatened with a knife. The foreigner reacted violently and chased him down the street with the knife. Fortunately, members of the cycling police intervened and subdued the attacker. Authorities are investigating the incident and the foreigner is currently in custody.
Greek Cypriots have filed a request in the Limassol District Court to exhume their father's remains to compare his genetic material with that of a Turkish Cypriot, whom they have discovered is their grandfather. The request was denied by the district judge, who stated that she does not have the authority to issue such orders. The petitioners have appealed to the Court of Appeals and are awaiting a decision on the appeal. So far, the legal process for recognizing paternal relationships remains unclear.
In Sweden, a school attack resulted in several casualties, with both victims and the perpetrator among the injured. Five individuals have been hospitalized, four of whom underwent surgery. The condition of the victims varies, with two in stable condition and one seriously injured. The motives behind the attack remain unclear.
CTC AUTOMOTIVE has announced the recall of 425 VOLVO vehicles to replace airbags that are not manufactured by TAKATA. Owners are advised to seriously consider the recommendation not to use their vehicles unless necessary. They are encouraged to contact CTC AUTOMOTIVE for further guidance regarding the recall. The affected vehicles have specific registration numbers listed.
A mother of a 10-year-old student claims her daughter was pinned down by a classmate at school in Larnaca. The incident has been reported to the Ministry of Education. The mother highlights ongoing bullying behaviors among students and calls for educational measures to improve children's conduct. The girl has been referred to an educational psychologist and a doctor.
Tension arose at a car garage due to orders regarding Takata airbags. Citizens requested to have their airbags replaced, but employees informed them they would be notified later. This caused frustration among the citizens, with one even attacking an employee. The employee reported the incident to the police.
The Department of Road Transport apologized for sending recall notifications to families who lost their children in accidents. The notifications caused distress as they were sent after confirming issues with Takata airbags. Parents of the victims expressed their anger and disappointment over this insensitive action. The father of Styliani Georgallou commented on social media regarding the situation.
The termination of explorations in blocks 2, 3, and 9 of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone indicates the failure to find commercially viable natural gas deposits. The South Korean company Kogas is withdrawing from the area, while Italian Eni continues its activities in other blocks. Seismic studies did not yield satisfactory results, impacting Cyprus' energy landscape. This situation prompts Cyprus to reconsider its strategy for utilizing its marine resources.
The parents of Kyriakos Oxinos and Styliani Georgallii received a message about the recall of their vehicles due to Takata airbags, which had caused the deaths of their children. Styliani's father expressed his disappointment over the delay in notification. Kyriakos' mother stated that it is unbelievable for this to be happening now. There are concerns for the safety of other drivers who possess vehicles with these airbags.
Investigations are ongoing regarding the threats against the President of the Republic, which were expressed online. The sender of the threatening message has been identified as using an internet provider from the occupied areas. There is no apparent link to any electronic address controlled by the Republic or to the Central Prisons. The President has expressed confidence in the authorities, and his security measures have been heightened.
Attica Bank is making a strategic move by appointing Konstantinos Heroodotos as the Chairman of the Board. Heroodotos, former Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, brings extensive knowledge of banking procedures and regulatory requirements. His presence is expected to enhance the bank's credibility and international presence, backed by a strong background in the financial sector. This sets the stage for a new era at Attica Bank, aiming to upgrade its banking profile.
Following the issuance of orders regarding vehicle recalls, significant confusion arose among drivers. Over 80,000 vehicle owners received messages about recalls, leading to uncertainty regarding the need to immobilize their vehicles. Many drivers discover they are receiving recall notices despite having already replaced their vehicles. Some citizens report unanswered calls, which exacerbates the disruption.
The Greek Bank announced a reduction in the reference interest rate for loans linked to the ECB's Base Rate by 0.25%, decreasing it to 2.90% effective February 5, 2025. This reduction will benefit over 6,000 borrowers and positively impact more than 90,000 borrowers in managing their loan costs. The bank also offers reduced rates for mortgage loans along with a rewards program for home purchases. The My Home Rewards program enables customers to acquire their homes under favorable financial conditions.
The mother of Kyriakos Oxinos expresses her anger towards the government's inaction regarding the defective Takata airbags that caused her son's death. She questions what will happen if there is another victim from these airbags and calls for stricter legislation from lawmakers. She protests that out of 82,000 dangerous airbags, only 138 vehicles have been immobilized. Ms. Loui calls for immediate intervention to protect drivers.
Mitsidis Public Company announced with sadness the passing of Stefanos Stefanidis, a board member since 2015. His invaluable contributions and good reputation are highlighted in the announcement. The company extends its condolences to his family. His memory will remain alive in the community.
Christos Mastoras was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol while trying to evade a police checkpoint. The singer appeared to be intoxicated and stated that he did not see the police signal. If convicted, he could face up to a year in prison. His behavior during the arrest was not aggressive.
Three-year-old Angelo, tragically abused by his mother and her partner, was declared brain dead. Organ donation procedures took place, during which doctors observed a moment of silence in his honor. His organs will save other lives, with his heart being transported to a hospital in Berlin. The Greek Organ Donation Organization thanked everyone involved and expressed deep respect to the child's grandmother for her decision to donate.
The Chinese government announced the upcoming imposition of additional 15% tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas imports from the United States. This move responds to the new 10% tariffs that Washington imposed on all Chinese products. The new tariffs will take effect on February 10 and also include a 10% tariff on imported American oil. These developments are part of the ongoing trade war between the US and China.
The issue of Takata airbags has been a concern for society for months, with recent government decisions raising questions among citizens. There are uncertainties regarding the actions that need to be taken and satisfaction with the vehicle recall timeline. An online public survey will gather citizens' opinions, and the results are expected to be released soon. Public participation is crucial for collecting insights.
The hearing regarding the Al Jazeera report continued in Nicosia. British realtor Tony Kay testified via video link, presenting visual evidence from his computer related to the former Speaker of the House and other defendants. The prosecution argued that the material is relevant to the charges against the defendants. Defense attorneys contested the relevance of the evidence presented.
Nationalism is a central theme in the recent statements of DISY and ELAM, as they condemned the vandalism at the Heroes Park in Paphos. ELAM, in addition to its condemnation, is planning a march against illegal immigrants and crime in Limassol. Inter-party competition continues with a focus on appealing to more far-right audiences. The parties' statements emphasize the importance of safety and the preservation of historical memory.
The Ministry of Justice is moving forward with a bill aimed at combating violence in sports venues following recent incidents in Larnaca. The bill includes measures like drug and alcohol tests for fans suspected of being under the influence. The checks will be targeted, and anyone who tests positive will be denied entry to the stadium. There are also concerns about not policing matches with visiting fans until the new bills are passed.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General, is set to visit Cyprus to discuss the Cyprus issue with all stakeholders. Meetings are expected to take place on February 10, with her tour including guarantor powers and other key players. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos emphasizes the importance of preparation for the negotiations and clarity in the Cyprus side's stance. He also highlights that the will and preparation of Cyprus are crucial for the success of the talks.
Nikos Christodoulides and Annita Demetriou are set to meet to discuss the Cypriot issue, following Demetriou's request. The leadership of the Democratic Rally party will also participate in the meeting to address the latest developments in the area. The discussion will include recent contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leader. The government emphasizes the importance of consultation for national strategy.
The changes in drug prices are due to various factors, including the annual revision of the price list by the Ministry of Health. While citizens' contributions change, most drug prices remain stable. This year, 3,245 drugs were revised, with the majority seeing price reductions. Prices are also affected by current market conditions and legislative frameworks.
Archbishop Georgios admitted that he misunderstood Metropolitan Tychikos regarding various issues affecting the Paphos Diocese. Amidst challenges, including the refusal to accept the relic of Apostle Paul and his stance on mixed marriages, the Archbishop expressed his disappointment and warned of consequences. Metropolitan Tychikos defended his views, stating that the church should remain independent from other religious entities. The meeting sparked tension and fruitful dialogue on controversial matters of the Orthodox Church.
The discussion about multiple pensions and benefits for former officials is ongoing in Parliament. Political leaders decided to merge the 12 existing proposed laws into one, which is set to be voted on in February, as long as it adheres to legal standards. The government plans to reintroduce a proposal for a lump-sum payment instead of a pension, which will not affect current officials. The matter will be revisited in the next meeting of the leaders.
There have been complaints that hospitals within the GHS are charging patients €300 to €500 for single rooms, despite the fact that the Health Insurance Organization fully reimburses these services. The representative of OSAK clarified that the OAY's reimbursement includes single rooms and that patients should not have to pay such charges. He emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents to protect patients' rights and the need for everyone to collaborate for the proper functioning of the GHS.
Within eight months, the Department of Road Transport is starting an effort to inform approximately 82,000 vehicles with faulty airbags and brakes. Those who do not respond will have their vehicle's suitability certificate suspended. The Minister of Transport noted that many recalls of vehicles imported from third countries have not been processed, leaving hundreds of thousands of owners uninformed. Owners will receive the necessary information from the Department's computerized system and from distributors.