Panathinaikos defeated Efes 81-77 in Istanbul, with outstanding performances from Kendrick Nunn and Dinos Mitoglou. This victory gives them a 2-1 lead in the series. The team is getting closer to the Final Four. Their performance is seen as crucial for their journey.
King Charles spoke about the frightening experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis, 15 months after the initial announcement of his condition. Despite the challenges of treatment, he remains active and supports organizations against cancer. He expresses gratitude to those who help cancer patients and acknowledges the importance of compassion during difficult times. Recent updates indicate that his recovery is progressing positively.
The police have arrested three underage Greek Cypriots for the incidents that took place on Holy Saturday in Livadia, Larnaca. The arrested individuals, aged 15, 16, and 17, face charges including conspiracy, public disturbance, and possession of explosives. They are expected to appear in court for further legal proceedings. There is also a report of one more minor who is wanted.
The weather for May Day is expected to be unstable with rain and thunderstorms. In some areas, hail may also occur. The temperature will fluctuate around 24 degrees inland and lower by the coast. The weather will remain cloudy in the following days, with possible rain.
A new case of sexual abuse has emerged in Paphos, where a girl was abused by her stepfather from the age of 9. For 18 years, she kept silent about the nightmare she was living. Upon reaching adulthood, she reported the 51-year-old suspect, who has been arrested and brought to court. The case is under investigation, highlighting similar instances of child abuse.
Turkey is expanding its military presence through the 'Blue Homeland' strategy in several regions, including northern Iraq. It has established 136 military bases and controls over 2,000 square kilometers under the pretext of fighting the PKK, significantly impacting the local Kurdish populations. Despite calls for disarmament, military operations continue, challenging the Treaty of Lausanne.
The submission process for the Income Tax Declaration for the 2024 tax year has begun via TAXISnet. The deadline for filing declarations and paying taxes is July 31, 2025. Employees, pensioners, and self-employed individuals with an income exceeding €19,500 are required to file. Useful information for completing and submitting the declaration is available on the Tax Department's website.
Forensic expert Chara Spiliopoulou will provide an opinion on the death of 66-year-old Andreas Michailidis, who died while being transported to the hospital. Despite reactions from local forensic doctors, the police requested a second opinion due to a prior complaint by the victim regarding an assault. Although she was initially not coming to Cyprus, she will now receive evidence and findings to review. The 57-year-old suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.
There is activity in the banking sector with Kostas Kleanthous agreeing to acquire over 50% of Ancoria Bank, making him the major shareholder. The bank has three main branches and shows increasing overall profits and loans. The final decision on the agreement will belong to the Central Bank, which will approve the change in the ownership structure. Recent financial reports indicate stable growth of the banking institution.
The trial of Yiannakis Yiannakis continues with tensions and legal disputes. He is accused of forging three documents, while both sides submit new evidence and testimonies. His lawyer expressed concern about statements that infringe on the presumption of innocence. The proceedings are focused on legal issues that will be addressed in future sessions.
The Paphos District Court issued an eight-day detention order for a suspect allegedly attempting to sexually assault a 12-year-old girl. The suspect was arrested by the police following a complaint from the girl's father. The proceedings were held behind closed doors to protect the minor. Authorities are investigating the case that arose from the school's concern over the girl's absence.
The Agricultural Development Company announced the completion of the purchase of the Rodon hotel by investor Balram Chainrai. The company's revenue decreased in 2024 compared to 2023, mainly due to a reduction in overnight stays. Geopolitical developments in the Middle East negatively impacted bookings. If negative conditions persist into 2025, the company's situation is not expected to improve.
A 3.5-month-old infant is in critical condition at Makareio Hospital due to meningitis. The infant was transferred from Famagusta General Hospital and is receiving care in the Pediatric Department. Doctors are closely monitoring the infant's health. The diagnosis confirms suspicions of meningitis.
Costis Efstathiou announced that he will officially submit his candidacy for the presidency of EDEK on Friday. He emphasized that his priority will be to organize a political conference. He pointed out that the decision to accept or reject his candidacy will be made by the party's collective body. The deadline for candidacies is Monday at noon.
The Paphos Police are investigating an attempted sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl. Her father reported that a man from Syria took her to a secluded spot and made indecent proposals. The suspect has been arrested and is set to appear in court for a detention order. The case is being examined by a department that deals with vulnerable groups.
The Investigative Committee is continuing its work on the defective Takata airbags, focusing on recent tragic accidents in Cyprus. The parents of the victims, Kyriakos Oxinos and Styliani Georgallie, are testifying about the incidents that led to their deaths. Significant testimonies are also expected from victims and experts regarding the impact of the airbags. The final report is anticipated by the end of May, potentially holding state agencies accountable.
The government responds to AKEL's decision to protest President Christodoulidis' visit to Israel, arguing they should focus on Erdogan's controversial visit to the occupied areas. Erdogan will inaugurate various projects in the occupied territories, aiming to send political messages regarding Cyprus. AKEL is planning a mobilization outside the Presidential palace in Nicosia and expresses strong accusations against Israel. The Cypriot government emphasizes the importance of connecting with various countries and promotes stability in the region.
In the community of Mandria in Paphos, a 31-year-old man was injured by gunfire during a robbery. Two unknown assailants threatened him with a weapon and led him to a secluded area, where they stole his phone and wallet. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the police are investigating the incident. The injured individual has had previous encounters with law enforcement.
Israeli tourists have the highest daily spending in Cyprus in February, averaging €203.06 per day. Lebanese tourists rank second, spending €101.81 daily, although their numbers are low. Overall, tourism revenue for 2025 has shown encouraging growth, totaling €148.9 million from January to February. The increase in per capita spending is 14.3%.
The issue of annulled warrants in serious criminal cases remains unclear. The Assistant Attorney General announced that four warrants were annulled due to errors made by judges. There are questions about the recurrence of these mistakes and the measures taken by the Supreme Court. Additionally, the process for issuing warrants has been established for about three decades.
Negotiations between the Health Services Organization and unions are ongoing, with no agreement reached so far. Concerns are rising regarding the hierarchy structures in hospitals and upcoming legislative changes for university clinics. The situation is exacerbated by staff shortages and disagreements on the actual needs of hospitals. This week is deemed critical as new meetings are expected to address the staffing gaps.
In the last quarter of 2024, primary residences that were auctioned lost 27% of their value. Specifically, they were sold significantly below their estimated market values. Despite the new options available for borrowers to avoid foreclosures, they appear not to be taking advantage of them. There are legal provisions in place to assist borrowers with repayment issues.
The report from the Audit Service reveals that despite a water shortage, nearly 52.3% of recycled water is discarded into the sea or used for groundwater replenishment. In 2023, about 10% of recycled water was wasted, resulting in losses between €4 million and €4.7 million. Farmers and citizens face excessive extraction of 39 million cubic meters of water from dams, highlighting the urgent need for better management of water resources.
The Environmental Authority rejected the proposal for the construction of 15 breakwaters in Larnaca due to negative environmental impacts on protected areas. The project, aimed at improving and protecting the beach, could cause irreversible changes to the coastal ecosystem. Expert assessments warn that this would seriously affect the preservation of habitats in the area. Therefore, the implementation of the project cannot proceed.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will visit the occupied territories this weekend for the inauguration of significant projects. In the free areas, there has been no party reaction, despite opposition from the left regarding Christodoulides' visit to Israel. Erdoğan's visit aims to reinforce Turkey's policies in Cyprus and send messages about the Cyprus issue. There is a perception that Erdoğan's visits no longer cause concern or protest.