The police in Limassol made three arrests during the carnival parade on Sunday. A Greek Cypriot was arrested for obstructing police officers and was found with two knives. Two other young men were also arrested for possession of drugs. Police checks will continue throughout the night.
After the carnival parade in Limassol, a brawl occurred between a group of foreigners and Greek Cypriots. A young Greek Cypriot was injured, but his injuries are not serious, and he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The police have mobilized to investigate the reasons behind the fight.
A seismic tremor occurred at 1:08 PM on Sunday in Cyprus. The earthquake was centered 28 kilometers southwest of Nicosia and is estimated to have been 3.0 on the Richter scale. The depth of the earthquake was 15.6 kilometers. The tremor was felt in various areas across the island.
There is a traffic jam on the highway towards Limassol due to a large carnival parade. The police have issued warnings about increased traffic and implemented traffic regulations. Two lanes towards Nicosia are closed, and traffic will be redirected to alternative routes. Citizens are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and use old roads where possible.
The 2025 Oscars ceremony is approaching, with winners having a limited time for speeches. The film 'Emilia Pérez' faced challenges due to controversial tweets from its lead actress, affecting its chances. Conan O'Brien will host the event and expresses excitement about celebrating cinema. The competition for the Best Actress award is particularly fierce, with notable contenders including 62-year-old Demi Moore and young actress Mikey Madison.
Two men, aged 29 and 24, were arrested in Limassol in connection with the kidnapping of a 17-year-old. The foreign minor reported that he was forcefully taken from the vicinity of a kiosk and put into a car. The perpetrators stole his phone and threatened him if he reported the incident. The teenager returned home and reported the incident to the police with his mother's assistance.
Britain, France, and Ukraine have agreed to develop a ceasefire plan that will be presented to the United States. This development is part of the Allies Summit for Ukraine taking place in London. The Ukrainian president is expected to meet King Charles and has received support from Britain for Ukraine's defense capabilities through a loan. Concerns are rising regarding the potential withdrawal of the US from the Ukrainian crisis.
Two major companies in the energy sector, HAFFNEVE HOLDING LIMITED and Bioland, have agreed on a significant sale of solar parks with a total capacity of 23 megawatts. The agreement needs to be approved by the Competition Protection Commission. This development will strengthen Bioland's position in the electricity market. Additionally, it will allow HAFFNEVE to focus on completing new solar projects in Cyprus.
Israel has decided to suspend the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, focusing on the release of hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement comes after the completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Hamas responded by stating that this move is a violation of the agreement and labeled it a war crime. They called on the international community to pressure Israel to reverse these measures.
The big carnival parade in Limassol takes place today, starting from the Agios Nikolaos roundabout and ending at the Polemidia traffic lights. About 127 groups and 35,000 participants are expected to join the event, which includes many activities and parades. There may be traffic regulations on the roads due to the large influx of people. Participants include musical bands, cheerleaders, and other groups that will create a festive atmosphere.
Today, about 15 European leaders are meeting in London to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. The meeting follows tensions between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, raising concerns about U.S. support. The British Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK's commitment to Ukraine, while EU countries emphasize the need for increased military and economic assistance. Leaders are worried about the U.S.-Russia interactions amid this backdrop.
Today the weather will be mostly clear, but local rain is expected in the afternoon, mainly in mountainous areas and inland. Winds will be mild, with temperatures reaching around 21 degrees. Tonight, expect cloudy conditions with a chance of fog formation. On Monday, local rains are also expected along with a drop in temperature.
The political scene in Cyprus is shifting from traditional platforms to late-night entertainment shows. Politicians are appearing in formats that blend entertainment with their presentation, making serious political discussions more challenging. Informative programs are becoming limited, while social media engagement brings politicians closer to the public. Among these trends, the high ratings of these shows are drawing particular attention.
Nicosia is trying to be part of the new security architecture while maintaining connections with key regional players and monitoring Turkish movements. The Republic of Cyprus keeps open communication channels with neighboring countries and discusses geopolitical developments. Furthermore, Turkey wishes to have a say in the reconfiguration of European security, emphasizing its importance in the region. Current developments highlight the complex security situation concerning Cyprus and its relations with neighboring countries.
Nikos Christodoulides' government is entering its third year and faces critical challenges. Both the government and the opposition need to show they can move beyond statements to actual action. With elections coming in 2025, the government must push for decisions and projects. Opposition members are vying for better positions, while the ruling party needs more support from its members.
Cypriot banks are becoming more competitive in Greece, with Bank of Cyprus planning significant profit distribution for 2024. The merger between Hellenic Bank and Eurobank Cyprus is set to reshape the banking landscape. The increase in market values indicates the strength of Cypriot banks. Shareholders are expecting higher dividend distributions in response to strong financial performances.
The President of the Republic is preparing to make critical decisions regarding electricity production and network support in Dekelia. In the coming 24 hours, a meeting will take place with the Minister of Energy and the AHEK Authorities to discuss current electricity generation capacities. There is concern about the Electricity Market Association's decision to oppose government plans, especially with critical developments expected from the EU. The government is determined to proceed with the installation of new gas turbines and storage systems in the area.
Two years have passed since the election of Christodoulides' Government. Ministers were asked to self-reflect on completed projects and obligations that were not fulfilled. Additionally, newspaper editors provided critiques on the ministers' performance. This piece presents the second part of an evaluation featuring self-reflection and a review of the government's term.