General Mohamed Ali Al-Haddad, the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, died in a plane crash near Ankara while returning from a visit to Turkey. The Libyan government confirmed his death along with that of four other passengers. Al-Haddad had taken on significant roles in the Libyan military and contributed to the reorganization of the country's armed forces. His efforts to cooperate with international partners positively impacted regional security. His contribution to restoring order and security is highly regarded.
Sotiroula Spanou, the first female volunteer artillery recruit in the National Guard, expresses pride in her service. After nearly a month, she feels she is learning a lot and developing. In a conversation with President Christodoulides, she stated she has no regrets about her choice and encourages other women to join. The President praised her decision and expressed pride in her achievements. Sotiroula hails from Ormideia and Rizokarpaso.
The minimum wage has been set at €1,088 following a Cabinet meeting. There is dissatisfaction from unions regarding this decision. The unions may express their opposition, calling for higher wages. This situation is expected to impact the labor movement. More details will follow.
Philip Young, 49, is accused of drugging his wife and raping her alongside five other men over a span of 13 years. The charges include 56 sexual offenses against his former wife, Joanne Young. Joanne has waived her right to anonymity and is being supported by specially trained police officers. The judicial process begins as prosecutors have approved the charges for serious crimes. This case is complex and has drawn attention due to the severity of the allegations.
Marios Charitsiotis, the new Commissioner of the Presidency, has waived the ministerial pension he was entitled to due to his previous position as Minister of Justice. This decision aligns with the new legislation requiring new officials to declare whether they waive their pensions. Justice Minister Kostas Fitiris also announced his waiver of the pension. The deadline for this decision is today for several ministers and officials. This process aims to promote transparency and prevent double compensation.
The Cabinet is meeting today to decide on the minimum wage, with the Minister of Labor having reached a proposal. Trade unions are expressing their dissatisfaction with government proposals that seemingly do not meet their expectations. The suggested amount is likely to be higher than 1,000 euros but lower than 1,125 euros. There are also disagreements about the calculation of the minimum wage and which year should be taken as a reference. The decisions are expected to be made before Christmas.
Nikolas Papadopoulos expresses concern over the Finance Minister's statements regarding the GSI. He urges the Christodoulides government to clarify its position, as the minister's views appear to shift. He insists that the GSI project must proceed regardless of Turkey's reactions. He emphasizes the need for affordable electricity for Cypriot consumers and the escape from energy isolation. He acknowledges the potential for strategic cooperation between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.
Educational organizations express disappointment regarding the new legislation for teacher evaluation. POED and OELMEK plan meetings to discuss how to manage the situation. Escalation of strike actions is not prioritized at the moment, although future decisions may include dynamic measures. The president of POED stated that corrections to the legislation are necessary before it can be implemented. The general secretary of POED emphasized that there are still vague points in the law that require clarification and changes.
There is significant chaos at bank ATMs, with many citizens forming long queues as they are unable to be served. The issue arose from a technical problem with JCC affecting transactions. Although there was concern, a representative from JCC confirmed that the problem was resolved fairly quickly. The situation now seems to have stabilized.
There is no evidence supporting the reported assault of an Israeli in Cypriot media. Police sources claim that the incident was a fight among fellow Israelis and not related to speaking Hebrew. The young man underwent eye surgery but has no complaints to the police. The case is under investigation by the Episkopi Police Station. Media reports are being contradicted by the police.
Justice Minister Kostas Fyteris announced that he has renounced his lifelong ministerial pension and severance pay. This decision is based on principles of institutional responsibility and moral consistency. Fyteris emphasizes that his renouncement of privileges is linked to his service to the country and his mission for the safety of Cyprus. He also notes that what he is giving up is significantly greater than what the state would save through a temporary suspension of his current pension. He expresses his determination to meet the societal demands.
Two men were sentenced to prison for the sexual abuse of a minor with cognitive disabilities in Limassol. The crimes occurred in a park in 2024 and were revealed thanks to the intervention of citizens who notified the police. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offenses and the need to protect minors. The first defendant received an 8-year prison sentence, while the second received 3 years. A third individual will be tried in 2026, and the minor had psychological difficulties and vulnerabilities.
The Minister of Justice, Konstantinos Fytiris, is visiting the Central Prisons due to tensions among the staff unions. The conflict has escalated with mutual accusations, addressing issues reported by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. The minister aims to find immediate solutions to the problems facing the prisons. Additionally, about 70 inmates are expected to be released for the holidays. This visit reflects the minister's commitment to addressing critical situations within the prison system.
Entertainment venues will be allowed to remain open until 3 a.m. on weekdays and until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during the holiday season. This decision by the Ministry of Interior aims to support both businesses and consumers during the festive period. Reservations at venues seem satisfactory, with options available for all financial situations. The Secretary General of the Cyprus Owners of Entertainment Venues emphasizes the variety of choices available. These changes are effective until January 7, 2026, after which normal operating hours will resume.
After about 15 months of discussions, the new teacher evaluation system was passed by the Parliament. The school principal will participate in the evaluation with a weight of 15%, while the remaining 85% will stay with the inspector. The position of Senior Educator is also created, who will act as a mentor to other educators. However, educational organizations expressed disagreements and continued negotiations on other aspects of the system. Relevant regulations are expected from the Ministry of Education.
There are significant developments in the investigation of the assault on referee Konstantinos Theodorou. Two individuals associated with the team Karmiotissa have been summoned for interrogation as suspects. The referee reported being hit in the body by a staff member of the team. Medical examinations confirmed his injuries, including a bruise on his head and trauma to his ribs. The police are investigating the incident ex officio, even though no official complaint has been filed.
Two general practitioners and two dentists in the GESY system were caught prescribing unnecessary medication doses. The Health Insurance Organization (OAY) imposed fines totaling €11,000 because the doctors were giving increased doses of controlled substances. The dentists were found to be prescribing antibiotics to patients who did not meet the required criteria. The total fines for the dentists amounted to €8,000. The OAY described the situation as concerning and called for more attention in prescribing practices.
The tenth trilateral summit between Cyprus, Israel, and Greece focuses on reaffirming strategic partnerships and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The summit takes place at a critical time for Cyprus, as it prepares to take over the Presidency of the EU Council. Important discussions regarding energy, security, and crisis management were held. The need for cooperation with the U.S. was emphasized, especially in light of significant international events. The signing of the maritime border agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon is expected to enhance regional energy security.
The Federation of Patient Associations in Cyprus warns about a shortage of nurses that threatens proper care for patients. Two healthcare laws risk becoming inactive unless immediate decisions are made. The situation is complicated by disagreements between private hospitals and unions. Pressing timeframes are forcing stakeholders to seek solutions before the stipulated deadline. The demand for more nurses is critical to ensuring quality and dignity in care.
Limassol is on high alert due to a rise in criminal activity, indicating the presence of organized crime. A murder attempt on a 36-year-old Syrian has sparked a new wave of violence and vandalism. The police are investigating the motives behind the attempt, which may relate to drug issues. The wanted individual linked to the attack is still missing, and preventative measures have been taken in the area. The victim's condition remains serious, and he is hospitalized in intensive care.
The Police have increased surveillance along the Green Line to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. This decision was made following a reported case in cattle in the occupied village of Lappa. Authorities have instructed increased checks in collaboration with Veterinary Services. The director of Veterinary Services urged the Police to intensify patrols to prevent illegal animal movements. A call was made for immediate reporting of any identified issues.