Students from the Naval Non-Commissioned Officers School faced penalties for offensive slogans against Turkey during the March 25 parade. The punishments vary, with lower penalties for other participants and a 20-day prison sentence for the leaders. The political and military leadership reacted swiftly, emphasizing that no expulsions were imposed. The incident also elicited reactions from Turkey, which deemed it unacceptable.
A small aircraft crashed in a park on the Isle of Wight in Britain, causing heavy smoke in the area. Two people sustained minor injuries, and emergency services arrived at the scene. Eyewitnesses described the engine failure before the crash, but fortunately, the occupants are safe. Firefighters found extensive damage to the aircraft due to the crash and subsequent fire.
An 80-year-old French retired pediatrician was arrested in Rhodes for the sexual abuse of a 7-year-old girl. The incident occurred in a hotel where the elderly man found the girl in a room and was reported by her father. The case is currently under investigation, with forensic examinations indicating signs of abuse. The lawyer for the 80-year-old is awaiting the results of the medical examinations.
Former prisoners and defectors from North Korea reveal horrifying testimonies about experiments on people, killings of infants, and individuals with disabilities. Military authorities reportedly conduct experiments with biological and chemical weapons on political prisoners and children. Allegations include family massacres and coercion to supply potential test subjects. The international community is calling for an investigation into these atrocities.
The US exempts smartphones, computers, and semiconductor products from the new tariff increases imposed by Trump. This provides relief for major companies such as Apple, Samsung, and TSMC, which is investing in the US. However, these exemptions may be temporary, and products could be subject to other tariffs in the future. This move aims to prevent cumulative tariff imposition in certain sectors.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow warning for storms, hail, and snow on Palm Sunday. Local rains and storms are expected to start in the morning and affect the entire island. There is a possibility of hail during storms, and at higher elevations in Troodos, sleet or snow may occur. Rainfall rates could reach 35 to 50 millimeters per hour.
The Mari community is facing the risk of relocation, as refugee residents are urged to find new housing. The government is offering plots in Zygi and financial assistance, but the residents' circumstances have changed due to age and economic factors. There are concerns that older residents may not be able to relocate and could end up on the streets. The issue will be addressed by the Larnaca District Officer, who will inform residents about government actions.
Char. Pilakoutas Ltd announced the recall of 441 BMW vehicles due to issues with the driver's airbag. Owners who have provided their mobile numbers have already been notified via SMS. Drivers are advised to refrain from using the vehicles until the airbag is replaced. For further instructions, they are urged to contact the distributing company.
The International Civil Aviation Organization is promoting the 'digital travel credential', a new technology that will eliminate check-in and boarding passes. Passengers will be able to store their passport digitally on their mobile devices and use biometric recognition to navigate the airport without physical documents. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience and security. Despite potential challenges, it is believed to represent the future of air travel.
Panicos Leonidou is advocating for the creation of a joint candidate list for central parties, but other political entities are showing a negative stance. Despite the resistance, there is concern about the future of DIKO and the possibility of merging with DIPA. Internal criticisms are focused on Nikola Papadopoulos and his leadership of the party. The prospect for electoral cooperation remains under discussion, as no official contacts have taken place yet.
The case of Mr. Giannakis involves a first diploma he admits is forged, as well as a second one that was not included in the charges. The Legal Service stated that the absence of the second diploma in the indictment was to avoid legal complications. Despite the exclusion of the second document, the same forgery charge exists against Mr. Giannakis. The situation is being monitored by the court, with testimonies and statements from Mr. Giannakis confirming the forgery.
Aetheria Heights Ltd is planning to build a dam in Peyia to support large development projects. The Mayor of Akamas, Marinos Lamprou, expresses serious concerns about safety and environmental impacts, calling for the rejection of the building permit. The proposal faces strong opposition from local authorities, who argue that there are risks from extreme weather events. The Mayor warns that the project's implementation could have serious consequences for residents.
Cyprus is facing a severe water shortage, with reservoirs only 24% full. Cloud seeding is proposed as a solution, a method that uses sodium chloride to induce rain from existing clouds. Although this method has been applied in many countries, Cyprus has shown no interest in adopting it. Cloud seeding can provide immediate results and the water produced is safe for consumption.
As Holy Week approaches, the market primarily revolves around lambs and flaouns. However, the wholesale price of Greek lamb has surged this year due to an outbreak that impacted production and the overlap of Orthodox and Catholic Easter celebrations. The price has risen from €8 to €11-€11.5 per kilogram. Despite the increase, supermarkets are expected to absorb most of this rise, keeping prices reasonable for consumers.
The ExxonMobil drilling at the Elektra target in the Cypriot EEZ has concluded without success, leading to disappointment. Initial optimism about a major discovery was dashed as only small amounts of natural gas were found. The government is expected to make an official statement on the matter, while discussions are underway for new drilling in nearby areas. Efforts will continue in other locations for potential discoveries.
President Christodoulides mentions that there is small progress in the negotiations with Ersin Tatar, with announcements expected soon. The two leaders are looking for a date for a new meeting, possibly before Easter. The President stated that there are no issues in scheduling a new meeting and that he continues his efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The bicommunal awards being presented symbolize the hope for cooperation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.