The Joker draw took place with at least 7.1 million euros for lucky winners. The drawn numbers are 8, 29, 21, 32, 43 and the Joker number is 3. Winners will share the prize amount. The draw occurred on March 20.
President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that the Cyprus issue presents an opportunity for cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union. In a meeting with EU leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that Cyprus is a priority. EU leaders highlighted that Cyprus's stance on the resolution of the issue is also the EU's stance.
Search efforts for missing persons from a shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus are ongoing but have not yielded results so far. Despite difficult conditions, authorities continue their efforts and are coordinating with Lebanese authorities. The chances of survival are decreasing, yet the search will persist as long as necessary. DNA tests are also being carried out to identify the victims.
In 2024, 17.1% of the population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, showing a slight decrease compared to 2023. Women are more vulnerable, with a rate of 18.5% compared to 15.6% for men. The reduction in the poverty risk index indicates an improvement in economic conditions, although the rate of severe material deprivation has slightly increased. The poverty threshold is set at 12,400 euros for single-person households.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the recognition of Cyprus's credibility and political will by the European Union in a recent interview. He mentioned the country's readiness for Confidence-Building Measures with both the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. Christodoulides highlighted that Cyprus will continue to play a significant role in the region as an EU member state. He also expressed the importance of specific developments in the Cyprus issue for progress in EU-Turkey relations.
A tourist in Norway was rescued after being buried under snow for seven hours due to an avalanche. The man was found conscious about 1.5 meters deep in the snow, and rescuers successfully retrieved him alive. Given the extreme conditions, both doctors and rescuers expressed their surprise at his survival. Meanwhile, search efforts continue for a woman who remains missing.
A total of 9 individuals, including 8 children and a kindergarten teacher, have been diagnosed with measles at a daycare center. The teacher has already recovered, while four children are hospitalized and four are at home in good condition. All unvaccinated children have been placed under a 21-day quarantine due to the contagious nature of measles. Health authorities are reinforcing health protocols, but vaccination rates remain satisfactory.
The Municipality of Nicosia is facing serious financial issues, with annual expenses amounting to 72 million euros. It requires annual funding of 32 million euros, while state funding is limited to 22.5 million euros. The mayor mentioned a medium-term plan is being developed to reduce costs and improve financial management. Despite the challenges, there are initiatives aimed at upgrading public infrastructure.
The Road Safety Council is considering increasing fines for specific offenses that lead to fatal accidents. The proposal includes higher fines for helmet use, mobile phone use, seat belt use, and license plate violations. Additionally, there is a proposal for establishing a School for Offender Driver Education, expected to be operational by the end of the year. The topic of reducing speed limits in urban areas is also being discussed.
President Nicos Christodoulides emphasized the importance of the informal meeting in Geneva and the subsequent steps regarding EU-Turkey relations. The European Council will discuss the implications of this meeting and the prospects for EU-Turkey cooperation. Christodoulides expressed his satisfaction with the EU's support regarding the results of Geneva and the desire to continue negotiations. Additionally, he mentioned other critical issues of the summit, such as competitiveness and defense.
The themed park 'Ice Age' has opened its doors in Zohouri Square, Larnaca, inviting visitors to experience a fascinating journey back in time. From today until May 1, 2025, guests can encounter prehistoric animals like mammoths and fearsome tigers. The park features realistic representations and sounds of that era, providing an educational and entertaining experience for the whole family. The Municipality of Larnaca encourages everyone not to miss this unique opportunity.
The Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus called on Cypriot entrepreneurs to invest in Israel, highlighting existing opportunities. He noted that Cypriots could benefit from the poor trade relations between Israel and Turkey. The Cypriot Minister of Energy confirmed the strong ties between the two countries and the increase in commercial relations. Israel is now a significant trading partner for Cyprus.
The court proceedings regarding the murder of Thanasis Kalogeropoulos continue with the testimony of the vehicle's owner used by the perpetrators. The owner stated that she had locked the car and didn't believe it was hers due to many modifications made to it. Upon viewing the vehicle's video, she didn't recognize it immediately because of the alterations and needed to confirm its identity from the chassis number. The proceedings involve questions from the defense lawyers about the modifications and the car's value.
The World Happiness Report 2025 shows that Cypriots are feeling unhappier, with Cyprus ranking 67th this year. Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year. Other Nordic countries and Costa Rica, which entered the top ten for the first time, are also listed in the top. The UK and the US have also dropped in the rankings.
Health Minister Michalis Damianou stated that they do not accept prescriptions from doctors outside the GESY system. He emphasized that the Government and the OAY agree with a recent legislative proposal. He also revealed that a request has been made to suspend the court's decision regarding this issue.
Patients with rheumatic diseases are at risk of amputation due to the high cost of electricity. Representatives from the Cyprus Anti-Rheumatic Association requested special rates from the Electricity Authority for specific categories of patients, but the response was negative. There are serious consequences for patients if the proper temperature is not maintained in their environments. The committee plans to communicate with the Ministries to request the inclusion of these patients in the list of beneficiaries.
Municipalities are facing serious financial issues, as highlighted by the president of the Union of Municipalities, Andreas Vyras, warning about the continuous rise in their operating costs. State funding remains stagnant while their needs increase due to uncontrollable cost inflation. Vyras argues that municipalities are not to blame for their financial situation and that the government has not responded adequately to their needs. The increases in local taxes are causing concern among citizens, who are seeing their financial pressure intensify.
The Minister of Agriculture inspected new fire trucks that will enhance the Department of Forests in combating wildfires. The program includes the procurement of 25 vehicles and additional equipment, with a total budget of €25.7 million. The revitalization efforts also include fire-fighting aircraft and personnel training. The goal is to improve effectiveness in wildfire prevention and suppression.
In Paphos, a cleaning operation was conducted at the residence of a 75-year-old woman living in poor conditions. During the cleaning, thousands of Cypriot pounds and jewelry were discovered. The police were informed and took possession of the money. The Mayor emphasized the need to address such situations on the island.
The European Commission aims to leverage household savings, totaling around 10 trillion euros, for business investments. With the new Savings and Investment Union strategy, greater access for citizens to capital markets is expected. The initiative will assist businesses in acquiring more funds for growth and innovation. The goal is to enhance economic development and competitiveness within the EU.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of discussions on tax reform, with the Minister of Finance and social partners attending. Participants will analyze their proposals regarding taxation. The Minister hopes that decisions will be ready by autumn, before the elections. There are proposals for increasing the tax-free allowance and tax relief measures for households.
The government is promoting new legislative measures to combat violence in stadiums, including conducting alcohol and drug tests on fans. It also includes the installation of closed-circuit surveillance in stadiums with 500 or more spectators. Authorities believe these measures will enhance safety, while sports clubs express concerns about interference with their autonomy. A central issue is the power granted to the Cabinet to postpone matches for safety reasons.
During 2023 and 2024, at least 16 cases of individuals gambling in Cyprus casinos are being investigated by the police. The Authority for the Combating of Money Laundering (MOKAS) has received several reports about suspicious players from various countries, including Turkey. The reports involve significant monetary amounts, and some cases are linked to criminal offenses. The management company of the casinos has made numerous reports regarding such incidents.
Measles is experiencing the highest number of cases in Europe in 25 years, according to the World Health Organization. In Cyprus, the disease is mostly spreading among children, with three hospitalized. Health authorities recommend vaccination to protect against the disease. Recent statistics indicate that over half of the cases required hospitalization.
6%-7% of nurses in public hospitals are on long-term leave. PASYDY is demanding hiring to fill the gaps and warns of taking measures if there are no responses by March 31. Significant shortages of nurses exist in various medical facilities, with a total of 153 nurses absent. This situation has serious implications for the operation of public hospitals.
The European Union recognized Cyprus's importance in the ongoing talks regarding the Cyprus issue and participated in the discussions held in Geneva. Although it did not play a leading role, its presence was significant, and its positions were taken into account. The letter signed by the EU's top officials set the framework for the negotiations and reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the reunification of Cyprus. The EU looks forward to playing a more active role in the UN-led process.