The recent government reshuffle caused unrest within EDEK, with the party expressing dissatisfaction over the government's stance. They stated that their efforts for constructive collaboration were not appreciated as they should have been. Additionally, they described the information provided to them as superficial and lacking respect. In light of these developments, EDEK has decided to hold an extraordinary session on Sunday, December 7, to discuss their relationship with the government. They are seriously considering their political collaboration moving forward.
The weather event 'BYRON' is impacting Cyprus with strong storms, particularly in the western and northern regions of the island. Rainfall records and possible hail are expected according to warnings from the Meteorological Service. The storm is predicted to subside after midnight, but unstable weather will continue into Saturday. Local rains and potential thunderstorms will be frequent, with a drop in temperature expected on Sunday. Videos capture the situation in various areas of Cyprus.
The new MP of DIKO, Georgios Pennintaex, described the recent cabinet reshuffle as surprising. While the appointment of Marinos Mousiouttas was expected, Pennintaex did not anticipate it would happen immediately. He plans to focus on issues affecting citizens, such as health and education, during his term. His participation in parliamentary committees will depend on decisions made by the relevant body. He has not yet decided whether he will run again in the upcoming elections.
Nikolaos Christodoulides surprised with the reshuffling of his government, which has a clear center-right direction. The new ministers include more members from the Democratic Party and the Democratic Alignment. DIKO is strengthened in the new government with two vice presidencies. Marinos Mousiouttas is appointed to the Ministry of Labor, bolstering DIP. These moves indicate a shift towards the political camp of Christodoulides' supporters.
George Pentaeex will become the new MP for DIPA. He was elected during the 2021 parliamentary elections in the Nicosia district, receiving 1,765 preference votes. He ranked third on the candidate list. This change comes after Marinos Mousiouttas was appointed as the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance. Consequently, Pentaeex steps into a new role in the political landscape.
The government reshuffle was announced by President Nikos Christodoulides, featuring new faces alongside familiar ones. Michalis Damianou will take over the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, while Marino Musiouttas will head the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. Konstantinos Fitiris joins as the Minister of Justice and Public Order. The new ministers will assume their duties on Monday, December 8, 2025. Their biographies indicate experience in legal and political matters.
The President of the Republic announced a government reshuffle. New members have been appointed to key positions, including the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Health. The swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers will take place on December 8, 2025. The appointments include individuals with experience in political roles. The reshuffle comes at a time when the government seeks renewal.
A Ukrainian man with an Israeli passport was arrested at Larnaca Airport while trying to leave Cyprus. He was wanted by Estonia under a European arrest warrant for involvement in a criminal organization. The 35-year-old is now in temporary custody and appeared in the District Court, which ordered his detention. Relevant documents for his extradition to Estonia must be presented in December. The suspect's response to the extradition request is currently awaited.
Netflix has announced its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery for approximately $82.7 billion. The deal consists of cash and stock, priced at $27.75 per share. This acquisition will significantly impact the entertainment industry as Warner Bros owns popular franchises like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Harry Potter.' With this move, Netflix aims to strengthen its market position and reduce reliance on external studios. The agreement is expected to finalize in the third quarter of 2026.
A shocking case of rape and abuse by a father in France has sparked urgent reactions. The 58-year-old man has fathered three children with his daughter, resulting from rapes, and forced their 11-year-old son to engage in sexual acts with his mother. The case came to light when the 11-year-old reported the nightmare to the police. The father has been charged with serious crimes and has been arrested, while the daughter, considered a victim, also faces charges. The children have been placed in foster care for their protection.
Parts of Nicosia experienced power outages on Friday due to a low voltage fault. The fault is likely caused by falling branches due to strong winds. Affected areas include Aglandjia, Lakatamia, and Palouriotissa. The utility crews are working to restore the electricity. The situation is being monitored closely.
The entire board of the Cyprus Drug Addiction Authority resigned in protest against the reappointment of its president, Christos Mina. Six out of the seven members expressed serious concerns about Mina's behavior and cooperation. They stated that their resignation was necessary due to their inability to perform their duties effectively. The members emphasized that Mina’s actions undermine the principles of meritocracy and good governance. Their resignation is viewed as a denunciation of authoritarianism and arbitrary decision-making.
A new bullying incident has occurred at a school in Paphos, where a 13-year-old student was taken to the hospital with a serious head injury. This student had previously been attacked by the same assailant back in October. The police have been informed and are currently investigating the case, gathering testimonies. The student's condition is serious and requires medical attention. The student's father had been upset earlier as he was not informed promptly about the incident.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for storms in Cyprus, effective from 5 PM on December 5 until midnight on December 6. Severe storms are expected mainly in the western and northern regions. Hail may occur, and rainfall could reach 55 millimeters per hour. Temperatures are forecasted to be around 20 degrees tomorrow, dropping by two degrees on Sunday. Rain and local thunderstorms are anticipated in the following days.
Emmanouela Lamprianidou resigned from her position as the Director-General of the Ministry of Defense just three days after her appointment. Her resignation was due to her dissatisfaction with the move from the Ministry of Culture to the Ministry of Defense. This development leaves the Ministry of Defense without a Director-General. The process to fill the position will need to be restarted. The situation creates uncertainty in the ministry's administration.
The memorandum of understanding signed in 2021 among various parties outlines plans for the renovation of the Faneromeni building to house the Architecture School. The goal is to revitalize old Nicosia by developing university infrastructure. However, there are legal issues that may arise if the memorandum is not implemented. Additionally, the Church has begun to claim rent, even though the building has not been used. The Mayor of Nicosia plans to hold a press conference to discuss the matter.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at Larnaca Airport while attempting to travel abroad. During the document check, it was discovered that he was wanted under a European arrest warrant. He is alleged to be involved in a criminal organization. The man is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. The Larnaca CID is handling the case.
Last month, two Russians, Roman Novak and his wife Anna, disappeared near Dubai and were later found buried in concrete in the desert. Reports suggest that their kidnappers attempted to extract access to their digital wallets and subjected them to horrific torture. Three Russian suspects have been arrested, with two claiming involvement in the crime. Novak had a history of financial fraud in Russia. Authorities are working to unravel the case and gather more information.
Cyprus is expected to be affected by the weather system named Byron, with rain and thunderstorms over the weekend. From tonight until Monday, there will be periods of rain or storms, and temperatures will drop. Snow is possible in the Troodos Mountains. Winds will be moderate, mainly from the northeast. The weather will remain mostly cloudy and cool for the rest of the week.
The statements by Marios Kouloumas regarding the necessity of a new hospital in Polis Chrysochou have sparked furious reactions. Kouloumas argues that the area needs an upgrade of the existing hospital instead of a new one. The municipality of Polis Chrysochou countered that his statements are inaccurate and dangerous, emphasizing the real needs of the residents. The existing hospital faces limitations but provides important services. The commitment for a new hospital by the President of the Republic is also a matter of discussion.
The transfer of Michalis Giakoumis to Diko has sparked internal party disputes, following Andreas Apostolou's resignation from Edek. Both parliamentarians expressed disagreement with their party leaderships, which led to strong criticism from Dipa. In its official statement, Dipa accuses the Diko president of playing underground games and states that it will not engage in such practices. The situation raises concerns about the unity of the centrist space. Dipa remains optimistic about the future and calls for honest politicians.
In Cyprus, the teaching profession is now a concern as the number of aspiring educators is declining. Despite previous ease of appointments and attractive salaries, fewer young people choose to pursue this career. The General Secretary of POED warns that a shortage of teachers is becoming evident, with current issues surrounding their replacement. Social challenges and an increase in students needing special education may worsen the situation. Without effective measures, the staffing of public schools will face serious challenges in the future.
Cyprus is collaborating with Greece to establish the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. The Justice Minister of Cyprus and the Greek Minister of Citizens' Protection discussed issues such as organized crime and enhancing cooperation between the two countries. The new agency will have extensive powers for investigations and arrests. Security and stability in the region are central concerns. The two countries share information to combat underworld activities.
The investigation into the escape of the life-sentenced hairstylist revealed only disciplinary offenses and not criminal responsibilities. The criminal investigators found no evidence of deliberate actions or third-party involvement in the escape. Responsibilities were attributed to officials from the Central Prisons and the Police, mainly regarding procedures for escorting the convict. The investigation required more time due to the numerous testimonies that needed to be collected. Disciplinary investigations have already been ordered for both police and prison staff.
With the drop in temperature, cold viruses have surfaced and cases of seasonal infections are increasing. The flu appears to be making a comeback in Cyprus, while COVID-19 cases have decreased. Doctors advise patients to wear masks when visiting clinics to prevent virus transmission. The Health Insurance Organization has extended the hours of on-call clinics to accommodate the rise in cases. Vaccinations are ongoing, and citizens who haven't been vaccinated are encouraged to contact their personal doctors.
The benefits for former presidents of the Republic of Cyprus and the Parliament are being examined following documents revealing bad practices from the past. Over the last 20 years, the Republic of Cyprus has spent around €2 million solely for secretary services and the maintenance of official vehicles. Former officials received approximately €1.5 million as secretary allowances. This situation raises questions regarding the management of public funds. Legislative proposals are being considered to regulate these benefits.