Donald Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order to abolish paper straws and revert to plastic ones. In his post, he called paper straws 'ridiculous' and stated that they do not work. Elon Musk commented positively on Trump's statement, showing his support. He accompanied his post with a photo of Trump and other supporters.
The Police have sent a new letter to the CFA concerning tomorrow's derbies APOL-Apollon and AEL-Anorthosis. The letter emphasizes that the safe conduct of the matches depends on the assessment of the situation on the day of the games. Additionally, it mentions issues with the functioning of the CCTV at the GSP stadium and the rejection of the Safety Certificate. The Police warn that they may not guarantee safety if incidents occur.
A fatal accident occurred on the Limassol-Paphos highway near Agia Varvara. The driver reportedly lost control of the car just before the Eastern exit, crashing into the guardrails and going off the road. The police are investigating the circumstances of the accident. Investigations into the causes are ongoing.
The Minister of Education presented a preliminary proposal for the evaluation of teachers after consultations with educational bodies and parents. The new plan aims to improve the quality of education and introduce modern evaluation methods. Teachers have 15 days to study the proposal and provide their feedback. The changes include earlier evaluations and an expanded evaluation scale.
The case of a quadruple fatal accident is being heard in Criminal Court, with the defense questioning the speed measurement method used for the driver. The key witness, a traffic expert, claimed that the speed was accurately calculated. However, the defense raised doubts about the scientific validity of the process. The cross-examinations focus on video analysis of the collision and accurate speed measurement.
The matches between APOEL – Apollon and AEL – Anorthosis will proceed as scheduled, despite the Police's safety concerns. The Police suggested not allowing fan movement, but the KOP has decided that the games can take place normally. Issues related to surveillance at the GSP Stadium have been identified, which must be resolved within two weeks. The Police stated that it will ensure safety during the matches.
The new housing policy from the Minister of Interior has attracted interest from entrepreneurs for building affordable apartments. The Cyprus Land Development Corporation and the company CYFIELD have already signed a deal for constructing an apartment building in Strovolos. This development will utilize special incentives allowing for increased building density and will offer apartments at affordable prices through a process defined by the Corporation.
Tomorrow's match between AEL and Apollon at GSP is uncertain due to issues with the stadium's security cameras. The police have pointed out that many cameras are either not functioning or lack sufficient clarity. Despite the rejection of the proposal to not relocate fans by the CFA, the situation remains unresolved. The Stadium Licensing Authority is expected to issue a statement regarding the stadium's safety.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) will begin installing smart meters on Monday in various areas to upgrade the electrical network and improve energy efficiency. Areas affected include Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. There will be a temporary power interruption of up to 20 minutes during meter replacement. The EAC requests public understanding for any inconvenience caused.
The Ministry of Transport is asking the Cypriot Association of Car Rental Owners to provide rental vehicles to address the recall issue. The Association will propose reduced prices for affected individuals and request state subsidization. Small rental companies are more vulnerable to these recalls because they often have older vehicles. It's essential for the state to financially support this initiative.
The Department of Road Transport provides guidance on vehicle recalls due to defective Takata airbags. They are launching a call center to assist citizens with inquiries. Vehicle owners on the recall list should contact their dealerships for airbag replacement. It is also clarified that vehicles under recall should not be driven until repaired.
The Ministry of Energy has published a Guide for the energy storage Scheme with a budget of €35 million. The aim is to reduce electricity costs and promote the country's green energy transition. The scheme supports both individuals and legal entities involved in renewable energy production. Online application submissions will begin in February 2025.
The investor from Hong Kong, Balram Chainrai, is looking to acquire the historic hotel 'Rodon' in Agros, having already obtained nearly 36% of its shares. He has submitted a public offer for the purchase of 100% of the share capital of the Agros Development Company, securing 7 million euros in a Cypriot bank for this process. Chainrai has a track record of involvement with several Cypriot companies and continues to purchase shares. The offer for acquisition will conclude in March 2025.
Researchers in Cyprus have uncovered a hidden portrait beneath Titian's famous painting 'Ecce Homo'. This scientific achievement is credited to the Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Labs and the modern technology employed for analysis. The portrait depicts a man holding a writing feather and had been hidden for centuries. This discovery has attracted international attention and received acclaim in the media.
In Limassol, the police were alerted to gunshots around 1:00 AM. The perpetrators, dressed in black clothing and helmets, fired shots outside an office building, causing damage to the glass facade. Seven shell casings have been collected as evidence, and investigations are ongoing. The police reported that the suspects escaped on a motorcycle.
A patient has been waiting for over two months for a specialist treatment, while their health is deteriorating. Many patients are also awaiting the approval of requests from the Health Insurance Organization due to a transfer of responsibilities that caused delays. The organization claims it is understaffed, while patients continue to wait for their medications. The president of the Cyprus Patients Association calls for recognition of responsibilities and resolution of the issue.
The Democratic Party's conference scheduled for Saturday, February 15, will tackle difficult issues that could lead to heated discussions and potential tensions. Disagreements among members are evident, particularly concerning term limits for public office. The Constitutional Committee has much to process, with concerns about possible internal conflicts. There is a chance that the conference could be postponed due to time constraints.
The Audit Office has blamed the contractor for the delays in the Paphos-Polis Chrysochous road project, stating that the contractor had warned of their intention to terminate the contract. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the Greek judiciary's decision to prohibit payment of guarantees. The delays are significant, with progress on the project below 4% after 20 months. The Audit Office emphasizes the need for immediate resolution of the observed issues.
The Ministry of Education proposes significant changes to the evaluation system for teachers. Among these are the expansion of the evaluation scale, the establishment of a secondary body for appeals, and the change in timing for the first evaluation. Additionally, it suggests evaluations should come from multiple assessors and aims to strengthen the role of school principals. These proposals aim to improve the evaluation process and support teachers.
The Ministry of Health is undertaking a complete reconstruction of the Forensic Service following a recent incident that led to a forensic expert being suspended. There are serious understaffing issues, as currently, only two forensic experts are active in Cyprus. To address this situation, it has been decided to hire services from other forensic experts and to form a committee to study the needs of the service. Among the proposals, the independence of the Forensic Service is also being considered.
Today, a significant hearing is taking place at the Nicosia District Court regarding the continued detention of Simon Mistriel Aykut, accused of the appropriation of Greek Cypriot properties. Aykut has pleaded not guilty to the 242 charges against him, while his defense calls upon medical reports concerning his health. Two doctors are set to testify in court, and the court will decide on the possibility of the defendant's release. So far, the defense's requests to the court have been unsuccessful as their applications have been rejected.
The article discusses the recall of Takata airbags, focusing on manufacturers' willingness to replace them for free. While there are strict deadlines, there is optimism about completing the recalls. The Department of Road Transport is working with distributors to ensure timely replacements. However, some concerns remain that certain major companies may be cautious about taking responsibility.
There have been no significant developments regarding the proposal from the football clubs to the Ministry of Finance for settling their debts. The proposal covers only a quarter of their total obligations. The Finance Minister has not officially responded, and officials appear unwilling to proceed with a new settlement scheme. The situation is dire, as the clubs face legal consequences for their debts.