On Holy Saturday in Limassol, police and firefighters are on high alert due to youths setting fires in the streets. The fires are located near churches, raising concerns as worshippers head to Easter services. The police have established a Crisis Center for better coordination, and patrols are ongoing to limit the situation. Although the fires are being extinguished, the youths continue to reignite new fires.
The municipality of Strovolos expressed its condolences to the family of the 22-year-old who tragically lost his life during the Easter festivities. The young man was fatally injured when he was struck by a wooden pole while participating in preparations for the lampratzia. In a show of mourning, all scheduled Easter events have been canceled. The municipality urges the community to act responsibly to prevent similar accidents.
A tragic incident occurred in Strovolos on the afternoon of Great Saturday, when a 22-year-old was killed by the fall of a large piece of wood during preparations for a bonfire. The accident took place near Constantinople Street, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding it. The victim's family has been informed by the Police, and the area has been cordoned off for investigation. An ambulance promptly responded to the scene.
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Russia announced a Paschal ceasefire in Ukraine, which will last until midnight Sunday, April 20. Russian forces are prepared to respond to any potential violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian President Zelensky has stated that he will not give up territory, while the U.S. is considering recognizing Russian control over Crimea as part of a peace agreement.
The Joker draw on April 19, 2025, offers more than €3,000,000 in winnings. The lucky numbers drawn are 2, 9, 16, 28, 44, with the Joker number being 20. Joker draws occur every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Many will hope to be the next lucky winners.
In Limassol, a woman suffered serious injuries during a hike on a difficult trail. She lost her balance and fell, prompting immediate action from the Fire Service and ambulances. The injured woman was placed on a stretcher and later transported to a hospital for further care. Police reported that she sustained a fracture in her leg.
The Mayor of Nicosia has proposed to open Makarios Avenue for vehicles on weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm, while on weekends it will be exclusively for pedestrians. This proposal has sparked interest and reactions from business owners seeking to extend the measure to surrounding streets. If objections arise, the mayor is considering withdrawing the proposal. The aim is to make the area more friendly for citizens and visitors.
The Fire Department responded to 90 incidents of fires in the last 24 hours, with most originating from the Larnaca district. The situation is particularly concerning due to the actions of young individuals who started fires using burning waste materials. Out of the 80 fires, 51 were related to the arson of objects. EMAK assisted in the firefighting efforts to support the teams.
A 52-year-old man was arrested at Paphos Airport for transporting cocaine by swallowing 72 packets. Upon arriving from another European country, he was subjected to a drug check and admitted to having drugs in his body. He was taken to Paphos General Hospital for medical observation. The Drug Enforcement Agency continues its investigations into the case.
A tragedy occurred on Good Friday at a beach in Larnaca when a 56-year-old horse trainer drowned while swimming with a horse. The man was with others and four horses when he reportedly lost his balance about 50 meters from the shore. Despite attempts to return, he lost consciousness and was transported to Larnaca General Hospital, where his death was confirmed. Authorities are investigating the cause of his death.
Efstathios Diplaros mentions that the new leadership of DISY is in constant communication with the public and aims to maintain its political strength. He addresses criticism regarding a lack of political support, emphasizing that society wants a strong DISY. He highlights that preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections are underway and that the party intends to win. DISY appears determined to stay close to societal issues.
The Ankara plan for the Islamization of the occupied territories is linked to the increase of the Turkish population and the Turkification of the area. In recent years, there are indications of intensifying efforts, including the construction of social housing and measures aimed at establishing a permanent Turkish presence. The number of Turkish Cypriots is a minority, almost equal to that of the settlers, while the naturalization of new settlers continues. Erdogan's regime seems to aim for greater control through the increase of the resident population.
During the meeting on Great Wednesday, all open issues related to the Abakum Monastery scandal were discussed. Officials from the Legal Office and police investigators presented their findings. Although no decisions were made yet, it was announced that developments would follow immediately after Easter. The scandal, which has caused turmoil in the church, includes serious allegations and has led to the closure of the monastery.
The President of the Republic has a new list of five candidates for the position of Cypriot judge at the European Court of Human Rights. He will choose three from these to propose to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This process follows the failure of the previous attempt, where one candidate was deemed not to meet the election criteria. The new list reportedly includes two other candidates.
President Trump, after his election, promised to lower prices and the national debt, but his actions led to a trade war and an increase in debt reaching $36.5 trillion. Now, he is trying to reduce the debt and boost exports, focusing on job creation within the U.S. The government is facing a refinancing of $9.2 trillion in debt by 2025. His proposals include imposing tariffs and reducing interest rates to save money.
The announcement from Samarkand represents a blow to Turkey's plans for political influence in Central Asia, as these countries support strong UN resolutions. Turkey is attempting to use the Turkic Council countries for the recognition of the occupied part of Cyprus, which is reflected in recent reactions in Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus. Turkish investments in this area demonstrate Ankara's strategy to politically influence states in the region. However, the European presence limits Turkey's ambitions.
The Central Bank Governor, Christodoulos Pashiardis, discussed the changing landscape of the Cypriot banking system, focusing on mergers and the reduction of banks. He emphasized the importance of proportionality in documentation requirements from banks, warning of potential risks arising from excessive demands. The Central Bank is taking initiatives to simplify processes while ensuring compliance and maintaining the country's good reputation.