Cyprus may experience record low temperatures this weekend, potentially dropping below -12.6 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Service has issued a yellow warning for extremely low temperatures in mountainous areas. A cold spell is expected to affect the island throughout February. Caution is advised as there is a possibility of snowfall even in Nicosia.
Aegean and Olympic Air have announced changes to their flight schedules due to a 24-hour strike by ADEDY. All scheduled domestic and international flights will be canceled, except for a few that will operate on modified routes. Passengers are being informed via messages about their options, and the airline is offering free reissuing and changes for tickets. Passengers are advised to visit the airlines' websites for more information.
Two homeless men in Toulouse won 500,000 euros using a stolen credit card. The cardholder suggested sharing the winnings instead of pressing charges. The homeless winners have remained unidentified and have not attempted to claim the money. The cardholder believes it is fair to share the prize.
Consumers have found a way to avoid cuts to their photovoltaic systems, causing concern for the electricity authority. Although the problem is not yet at a critical level, it is being monitored continuously to prevent serious consequences. Authorities have already taken measures to address the issue and ensure the stability of the network. Currently, the situation is manageable.
The position of Director of News at RIK remains vacant after the Administrative Court canceled the appointment of Giannakis Nikolaou. The cancellation was due to the illegal composition of RIK's Board of Directors during the appointment decision, as invitations were not sent to the board members. Panikos Chatzipanagis, who was initially appointed in 2016, appealed to the court for the annulment of the decision. The court confirmed the vacant position and the validity of the procedures followed.
The Minister of Commerce's decree for the implementation of e-kalathi in Cyprus has been published and will take effect from March 4, 2025. It includes 42 product categories with a total of 478 codes. Categories cover items such as milk, cheese, halloumi, yogurt, and eggs. Detailed information about the categories and their respective codes will be available.
The Meteorological Service has issued a yellow warning for extremely low temperatures due to polar conditions in the Coral air mass. Temperatures are expected to drop to -9 degrees Celsius. The warning will be in effect from tomorrow at 10:00 PM until 8:00 AM on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Special caution is advised in the higher mountainous areas, where temperatures will be even lower.
The Supreme Court rejected the request by forensic expert Panikos Stavrianos to annul the findings of the death inquest into Thanasis Nikolaou. Despite recognizing a legal error during the process, the ruling retains the findings as they are, with no possibility of their use in criminal or disciplinary proceedings. The focus now shifts to the results of the criminal investigators regarding the causes of Nikolaou's death. The court's decision is final, prioritizing public interest.
A double search was conducted in prisons by the authorities, resulting in the discovery of mobile phones, a smart watch, and alcohol. These searches took place in a new wing recently inaugurated, where individuals were transferred from police stations. The illegal items found will be subjected to forensic examinations, and the inmates will face disciplinary actions. Additionally, a bill now criminalizes the possession of mobile phones and other illegal items by inmates and prison guards.
The Chief of Police, Mr. Themistos Arnaoutis, assigned duties to new Assistant Chiefs. The new Assistant Chiefs will take on various areas such as border protection and local policing. Their promotions were recently signed by the Minister of Justice and Public Order.
From February 22 to 24, the lowest temperatures are expected in Cyprus due to the Coral cold front. Temperatures will drop significantly, with maximums not exceeding 10°C in many areas. Local rains and snow are anticipated over the weekend, with a gradual rise in temperatures expected towards the end of the month. By the end of the month, temperatures will return to normal seasonal levels, positively influencing Clean Monday.
Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou outlined three urgent priorities for ensuring electricity adequacy in Cyprus. These include enhancing the reliability of the Dekelia power plant, promoting the storage of green energy, and installing storage systems by the Electricity Authority. If processes move swiftly, the new generators could be available by summer 2026. He also emphasized the importance of energy conservation among consumers.
Turkey is expressing strong concerns over the agreement signed between the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt regarding hydrocarbons. The Turkish Ministry of Defense declared the agreement invalid, stating that it disregards the rights of Turkish Cypriots. Turkish sources also indicated that actions may be taken to defend Turkey's interests in the region. The Turkish government emphasizes that this agreement poses a threat to regional stability.
In Cyprus, the import and sale of electrical appliances without CE marking is prohibited. A tragedy in Limassol has brought attention to the safety of these products. Consumers are urged to check that the CE marking is permanent before purchasing. The CE mark indicates that a product meets European safety standards.
In Cyprus, there has been an uproar over programs involving student visits to the occupied areas, specifically to the harbor of Kyrenia. Reactions arose when it was revealed that the Ministry of Education had sent a circular regarding these programs. These activities include educational workshops and visits to various sites by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot students. The Ministry clarified that participation is voluntary and requires parental consent.
The police force is undergoing new transfers and appointments, with three new assistant chiefs appointed by the Minister of Justice. These changes in the upper leadership aim to better address the challenges the service faces. At the same time, the Fire Department will hire new officers following approval from the Ministry of Finance. The changes are expected to bring shifts within the police to improve its functioning.
The cancellation of the contract for the Paphos – Polis Chrysochous road is expected to cost taxpayers around €10 million per kilometer. The former Auditor General highlights risks regarding contractor compensation, and while the state plans counterclaims, legal issues will take time to resolve. Completion of the first phase of the project is estimated to cost around €90 million, excluding any additional compensation.
The first crematorium in Cyprus is expected to open in the summer of 2026 in Paphos, after 25 years of delays. Discussions on cremation began in 2000 but intensified after the death of Ploutis Servas in 2001. Despite opposition from the Church, the plans progressed, and the new crematorium will offer services for all religious communities. The construction cost is approximately 4 million euros.
A 37-year-old woman suffering from stage three cancer has filed a complaint against her gynecologist, alleging serious medical negligence in her diagnosis. Despite her complaints, the doctor reassured her that she simply had cervicitis. After seeking a second opinion, her serious health condition was discovered. Her family is requesting an immediate investigation into the matter by the Cyprus Medical Association.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) is planning to evaluate offers for two new diesel generators in Dekelia. The new generators will boost electricity production and are expected to be more efficient than the old steam boilers. There is a need to reinforce production before 2027, as significant developments with natural gas are anticipated by that time. The evaluation process for the offers will be completed soon, aiming for quicker decision-making.