A court in France sentenced a former childcare worker to 25 years in prison for the death of an 11-month-old girl named Lisa. The accused, Miriam Zaouen, admitted to giving the infant a caustic substance but claimed she did not intend to kill. The jury determined there was no intent to commit murder, acknowledging the severity of her actions. Her defense argued that she was under extreme stress that day.
Little Madlen, at 20 months old, urgently needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. Despite extensive efforts, no compatible donor has been found within her family or through global donor banks. Her case has sparked worldwide mobilization, leading many individuals to offer samples to become donors. The effort continues, with hopes of finding a suitable donor soon.
The House of Representatives approved a bill allowing voluntary enlistment of women in the National Guard, with 32 votes in favor and none against. Parties like DISY and DIKO supported the bill, while AKEL and Volt abstained due to concerns about its implementation and equality. The Minister of Defense was present during the vote. The bill had previously been postponed for a week.
In Amathus, a bus driver was attacked with a firecracker by motorcycle passengers while on a route full of passengers. Fortunately, the driver was not seriously injured, but was taken to the hospital for examinations. A similar incident had occurred the previous day with other drivers. The police have started investigations with witnesses providing information about the perpetrators.
Wall Street is experiencing a steep decline following new tariffs announced by Donald Trump, with the Dow Jones losing over 1,100 points. International markets are concerned, and multinational stocks like Nike and Apple are seeing significant losses. Oil prices are falling, while gold reaches record highs as a safe haven. Investors remain optimistic about the U.S. economy, but the tariffs are testing this confidence.
Simon Mistyrel Aykut and his son have taken legal action against the President and the Republic of Cyprus, claiming hundreds of millions in damages for legal actions taken against them. The lawsuit concerns investments made on stolen land from Greek Cypriots. Their claims are based on a bilateral agreement between Cyprus and Israel. This case is seen as potentially opening new opportunities for other investors with similar claims.
The Parliamentary Transport Committee requested an investigation by the Auditor General regarding the delay in installing 5,200 bus stops. There are concerns about the safety of the stops and the changes made to their design. Some lawmakers expressed worries about compliance with the tender requirements and the suitability of the stops. The Ministry of Transport acknowledged that changes were made but maintains that these are acceptable under the terms of the tender.
A father in Limassol admitted to sexually abusing his under-10 daughter. The case emerged when the child confided in a relative, who reported it to the authorities. The accused has been referred to the Criminal Court, and the trial is scheduled for mid-May. The decision on his custody remains pending until the trial.
A 19-year-old was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for three robberies. The robberies occurred in June 2024, using a fire extinguisher against foreign food delivery workers. The judge noted that the offender's actions clearly warrant severe penalties and demonstrate planning. His previous conviction for domestic violence influenced the court's decision.
The tariffs announced by Donald Trump are putting significant pressure on European markets, resulting in notable declines. The Stoxx 600 and key indices are down, with major companies like Adidas notably affected. The EU states it is ready to retaliate but is postponing immediate measures. The consequences will be serious for many countries and citizens.
Former DISY President Averof Neofytou warns the government to prepare for the impact of tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. He emphasizes that the Cypriot economy will not remain unaffected by the global economic war. He points out that poor preparation in the past led to serious consequences and urges President Christodoulides to be realistic while attracting investments in the USA.
A Turkish Cypriot woman married to a Turkish citizen cannot register her child as a Cypriot citizen if born in the occupied territory. If the child is born in Turkey or abroad, it is registered as a Cypriot citizen. This situation raised concerns, leading MP Irini Charalambidou to call for legislative changes regarding children from mixed marriages. The Committee Chair also emphasized the need to amend laws to address any legal loopholes.
Toyota Cyprus has announced the opening of an Emergency Center at the State Exhibition for replacing TAKATA airbags in vehicles without European Type Approval. The center will serve only confirmed appointment owners. Replacements will prioritize those who have already applied, and others are encouraged to begin the process promptly. The center will operate until the end of November 2025, so owners should act quickly to avoid delays.
The tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are impacting the global economy, but the effects on Cyprus are manageable. The Director General of OEB noted that Cyprus will not face immediate consequences, but Europe's major economies will be affected. Cypriot exports to the US include 123 product types, with industries like dairy and fish farming being particularly impacted. A potential global recession would also hit Cyprus.
Between 2020 and 2023, 22,740 Cypriot citizenships were granted, with the majority issued in 2022. There are significant delays in processing applications, with 11,891 pending as of November 2023. A notable case involves a Turkish Cypriot who secured five passports using different photographs. Furthermore, signs of illegal residency are apparent due to lengthy processes and delays in decision-making.
France warns that the EU will impose tariffs on digital services provided by American tech giants as a response to the trade war declared by Donald Trump. EU countries are currently negotiating the next phase of their response. France plans to tax services that are currently not subject to taxation. The French government views Trump's stance as imperialistic.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expresses concern over the new tariffs announced by President Trump. She emphasizes that these tariffs will have serious consequences for the global economy and households, especially in the most vulnerable countries. Consumers will face increased costs for goods and inflation. von der Leyen warns that tariffs are not the proper solution to the issues in global trade.
Odysseas Michailidis plans to lead a new political party and aims to announce details in May. His goal is to secure a strong parliamentary presence in the upcoming elections, with an eye towards future presidential elections. His statements suggest a positive outlook for the creation of the party, with increasing chances of success. It seems that his political career will continue with an active participation in the elections.
The European Union appears to be creating challenges for Ersin Tatar as he attempts to promote the two-state agenda in Cyprus. During a meeting with President Christodoulides, he expressed a negative stance towards the EU, overlooking the benefits it offers to the t/c community. Despite tensions, the meeting developed in a better atmosphere compared to previous encounters. President Christodoulides emphasized the EU's position, which does not accept Tatar's proposal.
The supply of the triple vaccine for children has been temporarily halted due to low stock levels in Cyprus. The Ministry of Health recommends administering this vaccine only to pregnant women and their close family members. Pediatricians express concern over this decision as they have not been informed about the issue. The situation is expected to improve with new vaccine deliveries in the upcoming period.
The Audit Office highlights chaos in the finances of the Ministry of Health, with issues in invoices and payments. There are instances of unauthorized expenditures and overbilling. Despite annual revenues reaching €18.3 million, weaknesses in financial management are identified. The audit of specific payments shows the need for immediate corrective actions.
The Municipality of Larnaca is working hard to complete the construction of the new School of Marine Sciences by September 2027, following government funding. The project is estimated to cost €16.4 million and will be built behind the Mackenzie beach parking area. Plans are in place to expedite processes and offer alternatives for the school's operation during construction. This school is seen as significant for the development of Larnaca and its academic presence.
The police have initiated investigations into the bids for aerial firefighting equipment, focusing on potential bribes. At least eight individuals connected to the bidding processes from the past 7-8 years are under scrutiny. Four companies and over 30 bids related to firefighting contracts are being investigated. Investigators have already obtained documents and computers as evidence.
The Investigative Committee for the faulty Takata airbags began its proceedings today with the testimony of Konstantinos Kotsiapasis, a senior official from the Ministry of Transport. The testimonies will continue with representatives from the Association of Motor Vehicle and Electric Vehicle Importers. The committee will examine the vehicle recall procedures in Cyprus and the implementation of related circulars. Investigations will also include regulations from other EU member states and third countries.