A traffic accident occurred in Limassol when a vehicle overturned at a traffic light. The incident took place shortly before 6 PM on Nikos Pattichis Street. The driver managed to exit the vehicle, but their health status is still unknown. The area is experiencing heavy traffic due to the accident.
Search efforts for survivors of the migrant shipwreck continue at sea and from the air, although difficult weather conditions with 7 Beaufort winds are complicating the situation. Authorities are looking for possible survivors or bodies and are coordinating with Lebanese officials for rescue operations. The chances of finding survivors are slim, but searches will continue as long as conditions allow. DNA tests will also be conducted to determine if the bodies relate to the reported boat from Syrian refugees.
Lawyer Giannis Mantzouranis revealed that a family received a coffin containing a complete body, which also included an extra limb from another individual. He emphasized that there was no oversight and expressed concerns about the investigation into the train tragedy in Tempe. Additionally, he mentioned the lack of toxicological and histological examinations for the victims' remains. This situation raises serious questions about the investigation process and how victims' families are being treated.
At least 16 cases of suspected casino players in Cyprus are being investigated by the police, with reports from both 2023 and 2024. Some cases involve criminal investigations for suspected offenses. The suspects come from various countries, including Turkey. Overall, the casino management has made 182 reports regarding suspicious activities.
The bill aimed at combating violence in stadiums proposes measures such as alcohol and drug testing for fans. Most parties seem to support it, although there are concerns regarding some of its provisions. The Cabinet will have the authority to cancel matches under certain safety conditions. The proposal also includes the installation of cameras in stadiums with at least 500 seats.
Authorities are rushing to regulate the tradition of 'lampratzies' ahead of Easter. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis is seeking cooperation from municipalities for fire lighting permits. Despite objections from AKEL, an emergency meeting is scheduled to find a solution that maintains the tradition safely. This situation has sparked disagreements between the minister and AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtidis.
The 22-year-old driver, who caused the death of 19-year-old national guard Evangelos Giannopoulos, admitted to the charges against him. The fatal accident occurred on January 13, 2022, when the driver lost control of the vehicle on the Limassol–Platres road due to excessive speed. Evangelos had requested a leave from his unit, and this ride tragically ended his life. The criminal proceedings will continue in mid-April.
Eight-year-old Sama Tubail is living in a refugee camp in Gaza, facing severe psychological trauma due to the war and ongoing attacks. She has lost almost all her hair due to the shock and stress she has endured. The situation for children in Gaza is dire, with nearly 1.2 million children needing psychological support. Sama expresses her wish to die so that she can see her hair grow back in Paradise.
Rula Pispirigkou returned to prison in an agitated state after being sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of her children. According to her cellmate, she yelled and cursed the judges, claiming innocence and threatening other inmates. She expressed confidence that she would hire the best lawyers to prove her innocence. The cellmate remarked that everyone was sure she was involved in the children's deaths.
Three children from the same nursery are hospitalized with measles at Makario Hospital, but they are out of danger. The Director of the Pediatric Clinic urges parents to vaccinate their children, as measles is a highly contagious disease. The vaccine is safe and effectively protects children against this disease. Last year, there were 11 cases of measles in Cyprus, and the lack of vaccination is leading to a resurgence of the disease in Europe.
Kostas Venizelos analyzes the results of the informal five-party conference in Geneva, noting that any progress in the Cyprus issue is encouraging after years of stagnation. Turkey appears to be more interested in its relations with the EU rather than a solution to the Cyprus problem. Efforts from Nicosia focus on ensuring a European approach and creating a roadmap that prevents the promotion of positions suggesting a two-state solution. The article highlights the need to leverage different interests to advance the resolution.
A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued, effective from 11:00 to 18:00. The storms will initially affect the western part of the island, with hail and stronger winds expected. Snow may fall on the higher peaks of Troodos. Temperatures will range from 8 to 24 degrees, with rainfall potentially reaching 55 millimeters per hour.
The Ministry of Labor has rejected the proposal for a new regulation plan for overdue contributions, stating that such measures are unjustified due to economic growth in Cyprus. The director of Social Insurance highlighted that employers often withhold social contributions without paying them to the fund. Legislative proposals from four parties could lead to unequal treatment of debtors. The Ministry will review data on the implementation of previous plans.
A young individual became a victim of the implantation of an expired synthetic graft at a private medical center, raising serious concerns about the attention and irresponsibility of the medical staff. The surgery was performed without the necessary checks on the graft's expiration date, as confirmed by special Ministry of Health documents. The Ministry is now aware of the case and is monitoring the situation, as the patient suffered complications and is currently hospitalized in a public facility.
The effectiveness of home photovoltaic systems to produce energy even when operators disconnect from the grid is questioned by experts. Without an expensive storage system, the produced energy often goes unused. Businesses may benefit more from this technology compared to households. A bill was discussed in Parliament to ensure uninterrupted self-consumption of renewable energy without restrictions.
About 40 refugees who opted out of the kthiZΩ program were left exposed due to the government's hasty handling of the situation. They had handed in their apartment keys, expecting to receive the due financial compensation. However, they faced issues with tax exemptions related to property transfers, leaving them in a difficult position. A parliamentary refugee committee is focusing on proposing legislation to address these pending issues.
The process for renting floating desalination units is ongoing, with over 50 proposals from various companies. However, the cost is set at €6 per cubic meter, double the current rate, raising concerns about the viability of the solution. Timeliness and economic efficiency are crucial criteria. Anticipated results are critical for areas suffering from water scarcity.
Hope for finding survivors from the shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus is dwindling. Two survivors provide details, but their accounts differ. Authorities are trying to determine when and from where the vessel departed. The situation remains challenging as search efforts continue.
After eight years of stagnation, the informal conference on the Cyprus issue in Geneva showed positive developments. The UN Secretary-General announced preparations for the next steps and the convening of a new conference at the end of July. Six confidence-building initiatives were also agreed upon, while Ersin Tatar's proposals were rejected. The situation that has developed creates hope for advancing the process.