The University of Athens has requested a building in Larnaca to establish two new schools. This process faces challenges due to existing legislation that prohibits the allocation of communal land for educational purposes. The mayor of Larnaca is seeking legislative changes to move forward with these plans. Additionally, other municipalities are facing similar issues regarding land allocation for universities.
From 2017 to 2023, the government exceeded the amount of water it could draw from the reservoirs, leading to requests for desalination assistance. In 2020, the highest excess draw was recorded, with 39 million cubic meters more than allowed. The lack of planning reveals concerning management of water resources. Reports indicate the need for better monitoring and planning in the future.
Two unknown individuals broke into an apartment in Lower Paphos and attacked two tenants aged 29 and 26. They used a knife and violence to steal money and jewelry. The tenants were injured and taken to the hospital, but were discharged after receiving first aid. The police are investigating the case.
The Research Committee investigating defective Takata airbags continues its work with testimonies from relatives of traffic accident victims. The father of 19-year-old Styliani and the parents of 24-year-old Kyriakos will testify about their tragic losses, adding a human dimension to the case. The Committee is also inviting other victims to share their experiences, aiming for a full clarification of the incidents. The public hearings are expected to conclude by the end of May.
Electricity has been restored to about 90% of Spain after a massive blackout. The cause of the outage is still undetermined, and authorities are continuing their investigations. The Interior Ministry has declared a state of emergency, with regions requesting assistance from the central government. Additionally, 30,000 police officers will be deployed for safety enhancement.
EDK is in turmoil as it looks for a successor to its current leader, Marinos Sizopoulos. There are various approaches to finding a transitional president, but initiatives often do not yield results. Former members are contemplating their return to the party, but significant decisions need to be made for this to happen. The situation is complex, causing concern and reflection among members.
Foreign investors are planning to establish a sea connection between Cyprus and Lebanon from Larnaca port to Jounieh port. They wish for the company's base to be in Cyprus and for the vessel to be registered under the Cypriot flag. This connection is expected to benefit tourism and businesses and could start in the summer of 2025. The proposed sea journey will take around four hours.
The battle against obesity continues with various drugs competing in the market. Ozempic, initially popular for weight loss among diabetics, is losing its appeal as new medications like Wegovy from Novo Nordisk enter the scene. Eli Lilly is also making strides with its new drug, Monjaro, gaining prominence. This situation is reflected in Cyprus, where the introduction of obesity medications is becoming more attractive.
The report from the Commissioner for Administration highlights that elderly drivers face challenges in financing and insurance coverage. Specifically, insurance companies are raising premiums for individuals over 70 years old. The report notes the absence of legal frameworks to protect against age discrimination. This situation results in elderly individuals encountering less favorable terms in their vehicle insurance.
Starting June 1st, emergency departments will operate under new regulations requiring the presence of specific specialty doctors around the clock. Hospitals in the General Health System can increase their compensation based on the quality of services provided. The Health Insurance Organization has established criteria for evaluating the emergency departments, such as waiting times and patient feedback. The category 2 emergency department in Nicosia has already started serving 20% of its patients.