Airbus announced that around 6,000 aircraft, mostly from the A320 series, need immediate software changes due to vulnerabilities identified under high solar radiation. Airlines are warned that there might be disruptions and cancellations during the repair process. This decision was triggered by an incident involving a JetBlue flight that faced severe flight control issues. Approximately 50% of the global A320 fleet is affected. The EU Aviation Safety Agency is expected to issue guidelines regarding the airworthiness of the aircraft.
The Olympic Lagoon hotel in Paphos is being acquired by the American company Blackstone Inc. through Querin Limited. The Competition Protection Commission announced the acquisition of the share capital of K.A. Olympic Lagoon Resort Limited. Blackstone Inc. is a global alternative asset management firm. The Kanika Group Ltd, another involved company, is known for investments in hotels. These companies aim to manage and develop the hotel sector in Cyprus.
Britain announced that talks regarding its accession to the SAFE program have collapsed, marking a setback in the efforts to reconnect with the EU after Brexit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had promised a new era of cooperation back in May. Although negotiations were constructive, Britain stated that an agreement could not be reached. However, the UK defense industry can still take part in other SAFE programs as a non-EU country. The EU emphasized that the program remains open, allowing Britain to join under certain conditions.
A fatal traffic incident occurred in Limassol, resulting in the death of 66-year-old Androulla Sirivianou. The elderly woman was struck by a car driven by a 30-year-old woman under circumstances that are currently under investigation. Despite rescue efforts, Androulla succumbed to her injuries. The police are conducting inquiries into the circumstances of the accident. An autopsy on her body will take place at a later date.
A 49-year-old woman from Norway was found dead in an apartment in Paralimni. The autopsy did not reveal any injuries that could explain her death, but authorities are not ruling out any possibilities. Additionally, the woman had serious health issues. The police are investigating the case and have taken statements from her relatives. Results from laboratory tests are awaited for more information.
The Transport Ministry is planning the 4th call for electric mobility grants in Cyprus. Applications will be available online from December 5 to December 9, 2025. Interested applicants must have no debts to tax authorities to participate. The total budget for this call is 5.62 million euros, with 520 grants available. The process will be fair and transparent, with an electronic lottery if applications exceed the number of grants.
A 28-year-old Ukrainian motorcyclist is fighting for his life after a serious accident near the Industrial Area of Dromolaxia. The crash occurred when his motorcycle collided with a truck that was attempting to turn. The young man suffered internal injuries and required emergency surgery. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident and have found a helmet at the scene. It is still unclear whether the motorcyclist was wearing it at the time of the crash.
This year, consumers are more cautious during Black Friday sales, with 30% shopping in stores. Preferences are mainly focused on technology items. Despite the increase in spending, many products do not have actual discounts. The president of the Cyprus Consumers Association notes that consumers have done their research, but discounts are not widespread. Some stores have misleading prices, causing dissatisfaction among shoppers.
Recent events outside the club of Apollon have raised significant tensions between the organized fans of AEL and Apollon. The attacks included Molotov cocktails and fierce clashes, disturbing the peace in the area. Citizens on the first floor of the building were panicked and trapped until the police arrived. These incidents create concerns ahead of the upcoming derby. The police recommend that the match should be held with a limited number of spectators.
The Meteorological Service has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, which will be in effect from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon. Strong thunderstorms are expected, with possible hail in certain areas of the island. Winds will be variable and may strengthen, with rainfall expected to reach up to 55 millimeters per hour. Additionally, temperatures will range from 11 to 26 degrees Celsius, depending on the area. The situation is expected to continue with local rain and thunderstorms on Monday.
The Ministry of Finance is advancing legislation for reduced working hours in the public sector to meet the Recovery Fund deadlines. The regulation will allow parents and caregivers to work fewer hours. Additionally, remote work options will be available for public employees. Consultation on the bill has been delayed, but the government is urging for quick approval. Employees will have flexible hours and can start work in the morning.
Residents of Tseriou Avenue are trapped in their homes due to public works, with limited access and no alternative routes. The situation has raised concerns, as in case of emergencies, there is no way out. The works are expected to be completed by November 2026. A local resident mentioned that if an incident occurred now, transportation to the hospital would be impossible. She asked the workers for explanations, who stated that they had no other option to unload soil.
The Legal Service denies rumors about the suspension of criminal charges against a specific individual because he was represented by the former law office of Savvas Angelidis. The decision was made by Attorney General Giorgos Savvidis and not by his assistant, who was excluded from the case. The suspension occurred because key witnesses changed their testimonies and did not wish to participate in court. The Legal Service states that there was no evidence to support the charges. The defendants still face charges related to illegal drugs.
The murder case of Stavros Dimosthenous is evolving with new revelations as significant evidence has been found near the home of the accused. Two 28-year-old Greek nationals from Georgia are in custody facing serious charges. The police have identified DNA on a hat and clothing linked to the case, along with other pieces of evidence. Their trial has been set for January 29, 2026. The prosecution is requesting their detention until the trial due to the risk of flight and witness tampering.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus has reported a significant increase in applications for photovoltaic systems under the "Photovoltaics for All" program. Citizens are showing strong interest in clean energy and self-production. This surge in applications has created a heavy workload for the service departments, leading to delays. To address this situation, the AHK will hire temporary staff. The goal is to provide fast and reliable service to all applicants.
This morning, a serious traffic accident occurred involving a motorcyclist on the old road between Dromolaxia and Larnaca. The motorcyclist collided with a vehicle transporting a container. An ambulance promptly arrived to take the injured motorcyclist to the hospital. Traffic police are present at the scene to investigate the situation. Authorities are looking into the causes of the accident.
Maria Zakharova sarcastically commented on Kaja Kallas's statements regarding 19 Russian attacks on countries around the world. She pointed out that Western countries have attacked sovereign states. Zakharova suggested examining how concessions can be made from the Russian side to stop aggression. She emphasized that Russia has attacked more than 19 countries multiple times. According to her, these attacks occurred without any prior aggression from those countries against Russia.
A weak high pressure system is affecting Cyprus, with rain expected over the weekend. The low pressure system ADEL will bring increased clouds. Localized rain is anticipated on Saturday, mainly in the western and mountainous regions. On Sunday, rain will continue, with a chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures will hover around average climatic levels.
POED expresses disagreement with the proposal to remove the Senior Educator position from the new teacher evaluation plan. The secretary general of POED believes this position is an innovation that will positively impact public schools. They are also requesting details from the Ministry of Education about the implementation plan and the financial aspects of the evaluation scheme. Additionally, POED seeks specific timelines for the Ministry's commitments. The discussion on teacher evaluation continues with interest.
In Limassol, serious incidents occurred outside the Apollo club when a group of masked individuals, likely AEL supporters, launched an organized attack. The clashes involved the use of wooden objects and Molotov cocktails, resulting in damage to 11 vehicles. The police intervened promptly and secured the area for investigations. The perpetrators managed to escape before the police forces arrived. Investigations are ongoing, aided by surveillance cameras.
Parents at the Third Primary School in Ypsonas are expressing serious concerns about the school's facilities. The lack of a fire safety certificate and the overcrowding of students are significant issues. Students are cramped into limited spaces, and the temporary classrooms do not meet required safety standards. Parents are calling for immediate action from the Ministry of Education for the expansion and renovation of the school. They also demand safety measures to protect students.
Two 28-year-old Greek expatriates from Georgia are being referred to trial for the murder of businessman Stavros Dimosthenous. Authorities claim they played a crucial role in the crime, which is linked to a death contract. One of the defendants stated during his testimony that he was in the area to buy drugs, while the other refused to cooperate with the police. It is also noted that the other four defendants face a total of 17 charges. The prosecutor's representative is expected to provide details about the involvement of the two suspects.
A family caring for a seriously ill patient became a victim of fraud by a private nursing services company. Despite paying for the patient's care, the company also submitted reimbursement claims to the Health Insurance Organization, resulting in double payment for the services. This caused the family to lose their right to free services through the General Healthcare System. This situation has led to numerous complaints from citizens, with four similar cases reported recently. Patient representatives are calling for action from the relevant authorities.
The Central Prison is currently in turmoil due to threats faced by the prison guards and their requests for security measures. The ministry is planning changes at the managerial level and will implement a mobile phone deactivation system. A new wing is expected to be built to address overcrowding, while police investigations continue regarding serious claims made by an inmate. The credibility of her allegations will be carefully examined, as independent testimony is required. Issues within the prison persist despite the proposed changes.
The Ministry of Defense plans to request an extension for the stay of Jordanian firefighting aircraft in Cyprus until mid-December. This decision is necessary due to high temperatures and dry conditions that increase the risk of fires. The aircraft have been operational since March and have significantly contributed to aerial firefighting efforts. Additionally, Cyprus has upgraded its fleet of firefighting resources, achieving the highest operational readiness ever. Collaborations with Jordan enhance overall effectiveness in combating fires.
Turkey attempted to block the maritime boundary agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon, reacting strongly to Nicosia's assertion of its rights. President Christodoulides invited Turkey to dialogue on delimiting maritime borders. He emphasized that Cyprus exercises its sovereign rights based on international law. Turkey countered that the agreement pertains to Turkish territorial waters and highlighted the rights of Turkish Cypriots. The situation remains tense, with both sides reacting strongly.
Three companies are alleged to have made illegal contributions totaling €85,000 to DISY. These contributions were highlighted in September 2022, but a recent publication of findings from the Anti-Corruption Authority brought new details. The inspectors did not link the contributions to citizenship procedures but noted that the contributions may be irregular. The companies identified were established less than three years before making the contributions. The investigation continues by the relevant authorities to determine the legality of the contributions.