Greek seismologists are cautious about the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Istanbul, believing it is not the main quake. Turkish seismologist Dr. Naci Gorur expresses concern, predicting that the main earthquake will exceed 7 magnitudes. Despite the worry, he emphasizes the need for immediate preventive measures. Preparing the city for a stronger earthquake is essential.
The White House confirms Donald Trump's irritation with Zelensky's remarks about Crimea, emphasizing that his patience is running thin. Trump states that Zelensky's 'inflammatory' comments complicate achieving a peaceful agreement. Although the peace summit has been downgraded, talks continue with the involvement of key nations. Trump warns Zelensky to choose between peace and the continuation of war.
Cyprus has requested help from the United Arab Emirates to address its serious water shortage issue. The UAE will send 15 mobile desalination units, which will supply water for the remainder of 2025. The Minister of Agriculture and a team of water department officials have inspected the units and confirmed their compatibility with the Cypriot water system. The agreement was ratified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs during his visit to Abu Dhabi.
The weather is about to change, with clouds expected to bring rain and possibly thunderstorms. There will be light dust in the atmosphere until tomorrow. Temperatures will range around 27 degrees inland and 24 degrees in coastal areas. No significant temperature changes are expected over the upcoming three days.
A fire broke out in the evidence storage of the Limassol Police Department, prompting a response from the Fire Service. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with two possible scenarios: batteries or a short circuit. So far, a count of the damaged evidence has not been conducted. The police claim that no significant evidence has been destroyed.
The year 2024 was a good year for the wealthiest families in the U.S., who gained a new wealth of one trillion dollars. The total wealth of American households reached 148 trillion dollars. This increase was significantly influenced by the booming stock market, particularly the S&P 500. Ultra-wealthy families, with a net worth over 45 billion dollars, now hold a substantial share of total wealth.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, revealed that politeness towards ChatGPT costs the company tens of millions of dollars. Despite environmental concerns, most Americans prefer to be polite to chatbots, believing it's the right thing to do or trying to avoid negative consequences from AI. Good behavior can lead to more collaborative responses from AI models. However, the energy required for generating responses has significant environmental repercussions.
A 23-year-old caregiver from Sri Lanka is facing charges of serious bodily harm and psychological abuse against an 86-year-old woman in her care. She allegedly pushed the elderly woman, causing her to fall and sustain a fracture. The case has been filed in court, and the caregiver has been placed under restrictive conditions, including bail. The case is set to be addressed soon.
The 26th International Tourism Exhibition will take place in Nicosia, attracting participants from seven countries. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about travel packages to various destinations and take advantage of offers. Tourism in Cyprus is on the rise, with over 4 million arrivals this year. Early booking is advised for better prices and availability of services.
A sign in the parking area of the Municipal Market in Larnaca received sharp criticism on social media due to a translation error. The Municipality clarified that someone removed a sticker explaining the free parking policy. Visitors enjoy three hours of free parking, with an €8 charge thereafter. The Municipality apologized for the inconvenience and is planning to replace the sign.
The Argaka dam in Cyprus shows an increase in water levels by 12%, in contrast to other dams which have experienced a decrease. This increase is attributed to irrigation restrictions, resulting in retained water quantities. Hydrologist Charis Kasioulis emphasizes the importance of water conservation and continued storage. Despite recent rainfall, the situation remains critical, requiring careful management to avoid severe consequences in summer.
Cyprus is experiencing increased dust, mainly in spring, originating from the Sahara Desert. This phenomenon has become more frequent in recent years, with incidents occurring outside the usual months. Meteorologist Iasonas Christodoulou explains that the dust can travel long distances, reaching central Europe. Conditions are expected to improve by tomorrow afternoon.
The tradition of the lamparatzia has once again sparked issues and unacceptable actions. A survey is being conducted to gather public opinions on the matter. The results will soon be announced by specialists. Citizens are encouraged to participate.
A disagreement between Tourism Undersecretary Costas Koumi and Yiannis Karousos focuses on the operating hours of pharmacies in Ayia Napa. Mr. Karousos criticizes the state for its inactivity due to the lack of tourist hours, despite the influx of visitors. The Undersecretary responded by stating that Karousos' criticism is outside the scope of his responsibilities and has a personal nature. The two parties continue their public confrontation.
Piotr Mentel, a 35-year-old Polish tourist, has been missing since Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after renting a boat and departing alone from the Latchi marina. His boat was found adrift near the village of Argaka, and search efforts for him are ongoing, involving both maritime and aerial support. The police are asking the public for any information that could assist in locating him. Search operations intensified at dawn.
The United States is expecting Ukraine to respond to a peace proposal that includes recognizing Crimea as Russian territory. The proposal may lead to the acceptance of Russian control over areas taken since the 2022 invasion. Additionally, potential EU membership for Ukraine is anticipated, although it will not join NATO. The situation remains uncertain as Ukraine is also considering a 30-day ceasefire plan.
Eirini Charalambidou appears to be leaving AKEL, as her candidacy has not been confirmed. Although there were rumors about her political activity, she stated that she does not intend to run. The official processes for the party's candidacies are expected to begin after the nationwide congress. The paths of AKEL and Eirini are set to part after 15 years of collaboration in the parliament.
Search efforts have resumed in the early morning for a 35-year-old Polish tourist missing in the bay of Chrysochou. He rented a speedboat from Latchi, but the boat was found abandoned without him. Authorities continue the search despite no results so far. The operation includes helicopters and marine vessels along the coastline.
The 297 Special Contracted Policemen are set to leave the police force, causing discontent and concern. Protests are being organized to reverse the situation, as their contracts expire in the summer. Currently, there seems to be no prospect for their continued employment. The Contractors have expressed their desire to request an extension of their service, although the situation remains uncertain.
During Easter, Cypriots spent over 11 million euros on lamb and goat meat. Each person consumed an average of one kilogram of lamb. The cost of a festive table for eight people exceeded 184 euros, with the overall cost of meat consumption being 4% higher than last year.
A challenging negotiation regarding the ATΑ is set to begin soon, with the Minister of Labor needing to bridge the positions of trade unions and employers. Trade unions demand the full provision of the ATΑ, while employers propose the abolition of the current system. The differences are stark, making an immediate agreement seem difficult. This situation could have serious implications for the economy and employment.
The Turkish Cypriots are worried about Turkey's threats to use its intervention rights to carry out a military operation against protesters opposed to headscarves. Aydın Ünal, a former advisor to the Turkish President, claimed that these demonstrations pose a threat to Turkey's national security. His statement justifies the Greek Cypriot stance on the abolition of guarantor rights, which has been a point of contention in Cyprus negotiations. This situation highlights the insecurity of Turkish Cypriots amidst Ankara's strategic interests.
The case involving documents found in the possession of a prison guard highlights serious irregularities in handling classified information. Among the documents are internal police records concerning the safety of individuals. Authorities are investigating how these documents ended up with the prison guard and whether they were shared with the proper recipients. The inquiry focuses on interpersonal connections and the archiving processes within the prison.
The Ministry of Education has put a draft regulation regarding teacher evaluation up for public consultation until May 6th. The new system aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning outcomes through transparent processes and collaboration. The proposed procedures include various types of assessments, such as formative and final numerical evaluations. The evaluation will involve both internal and external assessments of school units, as well as support for teachers with significant weaknesses.
The Investigative Committee for vehicle recalls will hold a crucial public session on April 30, featuring representatives from the Police and families of victims related to faulty Takata airbags. Their testimonies will shed light on the human aspect behind the recalls and highlight the inertia of responsible parties. Committee Chairman Michalakis Christodoulou stated that the process will be completed by the end of May to produce a final report. This report may assign responsibility to both public agencies and private entities.