On Sunday evening, the Fire Service was alerted to a fire in an apartment in old Nicosia. Firefighters are on-site working to extinguish the flames. The situation is under alert, and authorities have been mobilized. More details are expected soon. Images of the incident are available.
The Meteorological Department has issued a new yellow warning for rain and thunderstorms from midnight on December 8 until 1:00 AM on December 9. Rainfall is expected to fluctuate between 35 and 55 millimeters per hour, with hail possible during storms. Winds will be variable and strengthened, with temperatures reaching 19 degrees along the coast. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue in the following days, with temperatures slightly below average.
Elon Musk has once again criticized the European Union, claiming it is not a democracy but rather a bureaucracy. He stated that many European politicians betray their own people. The EU imposed a €120 million fine on the X platform for violating transparency rules. In response, X terminated the EU's access to its advertising platform. Musk's team accused the EU of trying to exploit the situation for its own benefit.
A prisoner died in the Central Prisons in Nicosia following an attack. The man, of Arab descent, was reportedly attacked by three individuals. He was taken to the hospital, where his death was confirmed. Authorities are investigating the case as a murder. More details will follow.
The Pan-Cyprian Association of Democratic Resistance demands the immediate removal of a monument in Strovolos that honors the commandos involved in the 1974 coup. They believe the monument is an insult to the true heroes of democracy, especially since its inauguration coincides with the Day of Democratic Resistance. The association calls for a clear condemnation from the government and other institutions. It criticizes the Association of Reserve Commandos for failing to promote reconciliation. They argue that the government's collaboration with certain groups exacerbates the situation.
Luke Foulas, an MEP from DISY, criticizes the EU for its lack of a common foreign policy and emphasizes the need for equal participation in the geopolitical arena. He highlights the support from the European People's Party for Cyprus and rejects populism and pointless controversies. He warns his colleagues not to chase media applause at the expense of meaningful changes. The security and future of the new generation in Cyprus are crucial. He stresses that the EU must decide how to gain military and diplomatic strength to become a global player.
In Benin, soldiers announced the takeover of power from President Patrice Talon, known as the 'king of cotton.' Reports of gunfire near the president's residence have emerged, and military forces declared the suspension of the constitution. Military councils will take over, with Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal leading the new government. This move comes amid political instability in the region, following other coups in West Africa. The French embassy advised its citizens to stay indoors for their safety.
Rainy weather will continue in Cyprus until Thursday, influenced by the weather system Byron. Panagiotis Georgiou from the Meteorological Service indicated that the center of the system is moving slowly eastward. Potential yellow warnings may be issued for the upcoming days. The rain will be intermittent and of similar intensity. A reduction in weather disturbances is expected over the weekend.
The Cypriot government is calling for an update of the data regarding the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection, despite the European Energy Commissioner's statements that no new study is needed. A meeting of the 3+1 framework (Greece, Cyprus, Israel, USA) is scheduled for April in Washington. The governments of Cyprus and Greece need to select a mechanism for the update before the meeting. Discussions include financial issues concerning ADMIE and connections to Greek islands. There are concerns about liquidity in ADMIE amid pressures from international entities.
In the UK, NHS doctor Nathaniel Spencer is accused of sexually abusing 38 patients, including children, between 2017 and 2021. The charges include serious offenses such as sexual assault and child abuse. Hospital units have announced support for former patients who may be concerned. Spencer's medical license has been temporarily suspended while his fitness to practice is being assessed. The community is shocked by these revelations.
A yellow warning for storms and hail is in effect due to the low-pressure system named Byron. Strong isolated storms are expected to affect various areas of the island, along with localized rainfall and hail. Winds will be variable and may strengthen, while temperatures will hover around 19 degrees. For the next few days, the weather is expected to remain mostly cloudy with possible local rains and storms. This situation is likely to continue until Wednesday.
The political landscape of the Cypriot Center is in turmoil as Nicholas Papadopoulos's relationships with EDEK and DIPA become increasingly strained. Papadopoulos is trying to expand the influence of DIKO, causing reactions even within his own party. The political developments could highlight the survival battle faced by Center parties, which risk remaining outside the parliament. There are proposals for collaboration, but they face difficulties and resistance. The situation creates uncertainty about the future of the political center in Cyprus.
Cyprus and Turkey are engaged in an ongoing diplomatic war, with Turkey attempting to block every Cypriot effort at the international level. Recently, Cyprus was able to sign an Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreement with Lebanon, a goal it had pursued for 18 years. Turkey had actively intervened to prevent this agreement, using various methods and influences within Lebanon. Despite the challenges, the Cypriot government ultimately succeeded in finalizing the agreement, demonstrating its persistence. This situation highlights the complexity of diplomatic relations in the region.
Recent moves by Nikolas Papadopoulos are creating turmoil within Cyprus's centrist political space. The rift with DIPA stemmed from a poorly performing MP. There are concerns about the upcoming elections and the potential shifts they may bring. Papadopoulos is attempting to promote the defection of Jakoumis, but expectations may be overstated. This situation raises questions about the feasibility of cooperation within the centrist parties.
Turkey appears to have shifted its strategy regarding Cyprus and negotiations, pushing for a two-state solution. It perceives Cyprus as a strategic interest and fears potential influences from countries like Israel. Its ultimate goal is a confederation that would allow it to control Cyprus. Additionally, Turkey is seeking to maintain the outdated system of guarantees and military presence in Cyprus. These developments pose challenges for negotiations, as the Republic of Cyprus considers guarantees a red line.
The first edition of the newspaper is reissued 70 years later with a message from Prime Minister Karamanlis to the Cypriot people. Karamanlis emphasized the solidarity of the Greek people with Cyprus. The front-page article expressed opposition to British policy, promising a struggle for the peaceful continuation of the Cypriot people's activities. This reissue confirms the historical significance of the newspaper. The publication focuses on supporting the Cypriot side.
Cyprus remains at the top of the EU for microbial resistance and hospital-acquired infections. Reports show alarming rates of resistant bacteria and excessive antibiotic use. The prevalence of hospital infections is at 13.8%, nearly double the EU average. Experts suggest stricter policies to reduce the reckless use of antibiotics. This situation leads to serious deaths and disabilities among patients.
A new report reveals that the pseudo-state is a significant hub for sex trafficking and other illegal activities. Interpol's statistical analysis indicates that human trafficking and illegal immigration are growing problems in the area. Specifically, the pseudo-state is a destination for trafficking victims subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labor. Its geographic position makes it vulnerable to organized criminal networks. This situation highlights a serious threat to democracy in Cyprus.