Turkey shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle approaching its airspace over the Black Sea. The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that the aircraft was detected and monitored following standard security procedures. F-16s from the Turkish forces took action to ensure airspace security. The drone was identified as uncontrolled and was destroyed in a safe area away from populated zones. There was no information provided about the drone's origin.
Lawyer Achilleas Emilianidis emphasizes that any restriction on artistic freedom, citing offense to feelings, is unwelcome in a democracy. In light of the controversy surrounding a painting by George Gavriel, Emilianidis urges politicians to exercise restraint in such matters. He points out that democracy promotes the exchange of views and artists should be free to express themselves. Public discourse on art should not be driven by political interests, especially before elections.
The teachers' union, OELMEK, announced that it will hold a work stoppage to protest against the bill regarding teacher evaluation. The stoppage is scheduled for Thursday from 7:30 to 9:00 in the morning. OELMEK's Board discussed the issue for nearly three hours. The organization has serious concerns regarding formative evaluation and the points proposed by the Ministry of Education. The Parliament will decide on the bill next Monday.
A company in Limassol has fallen victim to an online scam, losing €1.2 million. The owner reported that he sent money to a suspicious account, which appeared to belong to an investment company. Two wire transfers of €900,000 and €300,000 were misleadingly sent due to a breach in the company's email. Authorities are investigating the case and trying to identify the perpetrators. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the details of the scam.
The Republic of Cyprus is strengthening its strategic position with a new cooperation agreement with France. A key aspect is the upgrade of the Naval Base in Mari, which will allow the permanent docking of French ships. The agreement includes the participation of Cypriot companies in the production of military equipment. Additionally, Cyprus will be represented by France in 25 third countries for consular services. Lastly, the strategic partnership with India is mentioned through the IMEC corridor.
The Parliamentary Committee on Finance announced new sessions for Thursday and Friday to discuss tax reform bills. All parties agree on the removal of the provision for taxing pension funds. The committee chair, Christiana Erotokritou, emphasized the need for discussion with the Tax Commissioner to understand the details of the changes. The changes also concern tax brackets. The issue will return to the Plenary Assembly of the Parliament on December 22.
Alberto Eskenazi, a well-known actor in Greek theater, film, and television, passed away at the age of 73 after a serious illness. He served the arts with passion for many decades and stood out in various television series and theatrical performances. Born in Thessaloniki, he studied at the National Theater Drama School. He was also involved in politics, running for the 2024 European elections. His passing has caused a wave of sadness in the artistic community.
The Legal Service announced that the Supreme Court's decision not to grant Cypriot citizenship to a foreigner married to a Cypriot was correct. The Administrative Court considered the applicant's history and behavior, which were associated with domestic violence. The decision confirmed the discretion of the Republic of Cyprus in citizenship through marriage. According to Article 110 of the law, citizenship is not automatically granted and depends on the Interior Minister's judgment. The final decision was based on objective and reasonable criteria.
The Larnaca Municipality condemns incidents where drivers damaged barriers of the smart parking system to avoid paying municipal fees. The damages were recorded by security cameras in a popular parking area. The Municipality plans to file a formal complaint with the Police regarding these actions. It is reminded that vehicles longer than five meters are prohibited in these areas. The Municipality urges the public to respect municipal property and cooperate with the authorities.
Crime is causing significant concern among authorities and the public, leading to feelings of insecurity. Incidents in the Central Prisons exacerbate the situation. There is a need for solutions, and citizens are invited to participate in a public opinion survey. The results will be announced soon. The appointment of the new Minister of Justice is expected to contribute to this process.
Nearly 1 million dollars have been raised in donations for 43-year-old Ahmed El Ahmad, who became a hero during an attack in Sydney. Ahmed, a father of two, confronted an armed assailant and disarmed him, putting his own life at risk. Despite being shot, shocking videos capture his heroic act. Donations are coming from citizens worldwide, reflecting appreciation for his bravery. The GoFundMe campaign has attracted over 5,000 donors.
Eftyhmios Diplaros warns artist George Gavriil to quickly remove a mention of his name, or he will take legal action against him. Diplaros refers to a collage that Gavriil claims to have created, labeling his work as 'disgusting' and 'despicable'. He expresses his outrage at how the artist disrespects his homeland and faith. Diplaros emphasizes that he will not hesitate to act if his country is threatened. This tension creates an atmosphere of concern within the community.
The first acceptance trials of the new multiple rocket launchers TAMNAVA, acquired by the National Guard from Serbia, were conducted in Cyprus. Serbian experts participated in the evaluation process to assist with the trials. The performance of the system has been described as excellent so far. The TAMNAVA is automated and offers various strategic capabilities, including the ability to launch missiles with a long range. Overall, its integration enhances the operational readiness of the National Guard.
Diplaros, the Deputy President of DISY, stated that the works of G. Gavriil are not art but blasphemy. He argued that these works offend the sacred symbols of Orthodox faith and the religious conscience of believers. He mentioned that the depictions are highly provocative and even worse than collage. He raised concerns about potential criminal liabilities regarding public offense to religion. He emphasized the need to respect religious symbols and apply legislation to protect them.
BP has discovered the largest oil and natural gas reservoir in the last 25 years in the Bumerangue offshore area near Brazil. The reservoir includes about 1,000 meters of hydrocarbons and is considered the company's most significant find. This discovery may host large quantities of oil and gas, although drilling operations are expected to begin in 2027. BP is now planning evaluations for the reservoir and seeking partners for its extraction. This year has also seen significant progress for the company with the development of new projects.
Director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their home in Los Angeles, suffering from stab wounds. Their son, Nick, who has struggled with drug addiction and lived as a homeless person, is the primary suspect in the murder. Rob Reiner was well-known for his films and had a long career in the movie industry. Nick Reiner was one of the couple's children, alongside two others. This tragic event has shocked the Hollywood community.
Today, the weather is mainly cloudy with local rain and storms, primarily along the coast and in mountainous areas. There is a chance of snow at the peak of Troodos. Winds will be light to moderate, and the sea will be somewhat choppy. Tonight, temperatures will drop, with the possibility of frost in higher elevations. From Tuesday to Thursday, the weather is expected to be mostly clear.
ETEK proposes radical solutions for improving old Nicosia, including relocating the bus terminal from Solomou Square and restricting vehicles on Makarios Avenue during weekends. The aim is to boost foot traffic and commerce in the city while respecting sustainability principles. Additionally, there will be a review of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and strengthening urban planning incentives. ETEK's president, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, will discuss these proposals in an upcoming presentation. The vision is to create an urban center with quality infrastructure and sustainable development.
Despite their complaints, Cypriots are satisfied with their lives, as shown by a Eurostat survey, with a score of 7.4, which is above the European average. Other countries, such as Turkey and Greece, have lower satisfaction ratings. Young people aged 16-29 in Cyprus report some of the highest satisfaction levels. Overall, EU citizens reported life satisfaction in 2024, averaging 7.2. The survey indicates that satisfaction levels vary among age groups and educational backgrounds.
The mountain communities of Cyprus are trying to develop their tourism, but they face challenges as weekday visitors remain low. Christmas villages increase bookings, mainly on weekends, but this is not enough for a sustainable economy. There are issues with promoting the mountainous areas and a lack of public transport connectivity. The government is planning initiatives to improve accessibility and attract visitors. Greater support is needed from travel agencies and the Ministry of Tourism.
The visit of the UAE President to Cyprus marks an important strategic partnership between the two nations. Nikos Christodoulides is heading to Paris to sign a new agreement with Emmanuel Macron, further enhancing Cyprus' international presence. The relationship between Cyprus and the UAE signifies a successful collaboration aimed at economic development and investments. This partnership indicates new opportunities and a strategic deepening of relations in the region. Cyprus is emerging as a reliable hub on an international level.
The report from the Committee against Torture regarding the Central Prisons of Cyprus highlights serious issues that have persisted for 15 years. Professor Kostas Paraskevas, who has been involved with the Committee, points out that negative conditions remain unchanged and emphasizes the need for alternative sentences for offenders sentenced to less than a year. He also highlights the presence of inmate groups that affect safety within the prisons. The situation is serious enough that the Committee mentions, in two instances, violations of human rights. The government is seeking solutions, but longstanding problems remain unaddressed.
This week is crucial for education as the bill for the new teacher evaluation system will be discussed in Parliament. The teachers' organization, POED, has planned a strike on Thursday in protest. Additionally, POED is set to meet today to assess the bill and its amendments. There are disagreements among organizations regarding the proposed evaluation. Recent developments highlight concerns about the actual needs of education.
Today marks 68 years since the declaration of AKEL as illegal by the British. In 1955, surprise raids were conducted against AKEL members, resulting in key arrests of leadership. Additionally, on December 16, 1977, the abduction of Achilleas Kyprianou took place by EOKA B members. President Spyros Kyprianou stated he would sacrifice his son for the homeland. These events are highlighted in today's special edition.