The daughter of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Lena, passed away at the age of 34. She was hospitalized at 'Evangelismos' hospital and suffered an epileptic seizure, from which the doctors were unable to revive her. Her parents are heartbroken over their loss. Lena graduated from the Athens College and studied civil engineering in London. The news has brought sadness to her family and friends.
The Lebanese government approved the US proposal for the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of the year. Ministers representing Hezbollah walked out of the cabinet meeting in protest. The proposal includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. The US welcomed the decision, calling it historic. However, Hezbollah's ministers argue that the prioritization should be establishing a ceasefire before discussing disarmament.
The Joker game continues to break records, as a new Jackpot of €23,500,000 was announced for the next draw. In the last draw held on 07/08/2025, the drawn numbers were 12, 31, 29, 18, 26 with the Joker number being 15. The announced amount is increased compared to the previous draw. Many participants are hopeful to win. This trend shows the game's growing popularity.
Kathleen Folbigg received compensation for 20 years spent unjustly in prison. She was exonerated in the case of her four children's deaths, believed to be due to a genetic condition. Her attorney argues that the offered compensation is insufficient. The Attorney General stated that the decision was based on thorough examination. From 1989 to 1999, her children died suddenly, with Kathleen maintaining her innocence all along.
The Fire Service conducted a review of the recent fire in the Mountainous Limassol area. They discussed the mistakes and challenges faced by firefighters during the firefighting efforts. Chief Firefighter Nikos Logginos emphasized the need for better coordination and preparation due to the impacts of climate change. This fire was the most serious of the approximately 2,500 they responded to this year. American specialists are examining the conditions and testimonies to determine the causes of the fire.
Benjamin Netanyahu provided clarifications about Israel's plan for Gaza. He emphasized that Israel does not intend to annex Gaza and aims to transfer control to an unspecified transitional government body. The main goal is to completely dismantle Hamas and ensure the return of hostages. He pointed out that the conflict could end quickly if Hamas surrendered its weapons. These statements were made ahead of a crucial meeting of Israel's security cabinet.
A student from Bangladesh was supposed to complete his studies in 2019 but received two extensions due to insufficient academic performance. He only passed about half of his courses between 2016 and 2021. When he requested another extension for his residence permit, the administration denied his request. The Administrative Court upheld the administration's decision, stating that it followed the proper procedure based on the available facts. Consequently, the student's appeal was dismissed.
The AKEL party revisits the issue of Andreas Gregoriou's trip to Australia. Christos Christofidis published photos showing Gregoriou holding a wreath that represents the President of the Republic of Cyprus. He argues that the trip was sanctioned by the Presidential office and lists several official statements that confirm this. Christofidis emphasizes the need for better coordination and political accountability. He urges the government to acknowledge the truth and not mislead the Cypriot people.
Turkey announced that it prevented the Fugro Gauss ship from conducting research in an area it claims as its continental shelf. The Turkish authorities stated that an anti-NAVTEX was issued declaring the Cypriot NAVTEX invalid. To protect its rights in the region, Turkey deployed air and naval forces. Turkish forces are closely monitoring the activities of the ship and warn that no unauthorized activities will be allowed. Turkey asserts that research activities must be approved by them beforehand.
Volunteer firefighter and lawyer Marios Spyrou shares his experiences from the recent fatal fire in Limassol. The discussion highlights the shortcomings of the state as well as the virtues of Cypriot citizens, such as volunteerism. The contribution of volunteer firefighters, like Spyrou, is crucial in emergency situations. The podcast will be broadcast live, with the option to listen to it later. The show covers the topic of the volunteer firefighter system in Cyprus.
The largest wildfire in 80 years in southwestern France continues to burn, resulting in one woman's death and multiple injuries. The fire has destroyed over 160,000 acres of land, making it visible from space. The French government has called in the army to assist with firefighting efforts, with ongoing evacuations of areas. The Environment Minister stated that the situation is linked to climate change and drought. Over 2,100 firefighters are involved in the containment efforts, supported by planes and helicopters.
The long-term housing of 157 individuals affected by the fires is the top priority for the responsible services. Commissioner Christofinas stated that efforts are being made to find accommodations and ensure decent living conditions. Special attention will be given to families with children and vulnerable groups. There is a limited availability of accommodations in the area, and supporting efforts from organizations are being made. Starting in August, rent subsidies will be provided where necessary.
A new development called 'Athinaion Nicosia' is being planned in the center of Nicosia by Tofarco Ltd, with an estimated cost of 29 million euros. The project has received a positive opinion from the Environmental Authority. It will consist of two towers, with the Western tower housing commercial and office spaces, and the Eastern tower containing apartments and other facilities. The development is expected to create around 330 jobs and host 50 permanent residents. Construction is anticipated to take about 28 months.
Dimitris Dimitriou, a DISY MP, intervened in the dispute between Michalis Ioannidis and Petros Dimitriou, pointing out that this tension creates a divisive climate that harms the party. He emphasized the need for calm and focus on goals in order to overcome past misunderstandings. He expressed concern about the situation, noting this is not the first time the discussion has gone off track. He stressed that the party needs unity and a clear direction. The dispute revolved around the 2023 presidential elections and the events that took place between the two rounds.
Ten American experts have arrived in Cyprus to investigate recent fires in the mountainous area of Limassol. Today, they will travel to the community of Mallia, where they are expected to examine the fire's starting point. This initiative was made at the request of the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. The experts belong to the federal agency ATF of the USA. The site visit is scheduled for the afternoon at 15:00.
There has been significant turmoil in the United States due to a case involving 22 children found in a luxury mansion in California, lacking clear parental care. The discovery occurred after an infant was hospitalized with signs of abuse. The children are reportedly associated with a Chinese couple, raising questions about their origins. The case highlights concerns about the lack of regulation in the surrogacy sector. The children have been placed in the care of social services while the FBI investigates the situation.
The fire in the mountainous area of Limassol highlighted significant weaknesses in the construction licensing system. Many buildings have been constructed without proper permits or have not been licensed at all. The Limassol District Authority is trying to identify the damaged properties, but the process is complex and time-consuming. It is estimated that 20-30% of buildings might be illegal. Proposals are being made to legalize these long-standing structures.
Around 3:25 AM, an explosion occurred at a car exhibition space in Engomi, Nicosia. The police inspected the site and found damage to the glass main entrance of the exhibition venue. The explosion caused concern among residents who heard the loud noise. Reports and discussions on social media followed the incident. Further investigations will be conducted to clarify the situation.
A joint session of three parliamentary committees on the fires led to political tensions between Annita Demetriou and Nikolaos Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos challenged the procedure, highlighting political disagreements. The session was marked by confrontations, with AKEL criticizing the government. Conversely, DIKO supported the government's actions. The discussions revealed increasing political differences and the intentions of the parties involved.
Beer consumption in Cyprus increased in the first half of 2025, reaching nearly 19 million liters. Beer exports amounted to 1.3 million liters, with April showing the highest sales. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase in consumption in January and February, while March and May saw declines. Exports indicated a vibrant domestic market, with March recording the highest growth. Overall, the picture shows mixed signals for the beer market in Cyprus.
In China, there is an increase in cases of the Chikungunya virus, with authorities closely monitoring the situation. Over 7,000 cases have been reported in the city of Foshan, with two confirmed cases in Europe. The outbreak appears to have started from an imported case. The Chinese government has activated a mosquito control plan. The virus is transmitted only by mosquitoes and not from person to person.
ETIFA is seeking a new contractor for the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal after the previous contract was terminated. The contractor CPP had withdrawn earlier, and efforts to resume work were unsuccessful. The French company Technip, which took over project management, suggests a single tender for all necessary constructions. The completion of the project is expected to be delayed, with no timeline provided for the new processes. The terminal's operation is considered unlikely within the current three-year period.
President Christodoulides outlined a plan for his ministers to address the aftermath of the recent wildfires in Limassol. He called for the immediate implementation of the agreed-upon decisions and actions. The government has already initiated compensation and support measures for affected farmers and businesses. The importance of American experts' involvement in the recovery process was also emphasized. Ministers are urged to expedite the procedures and application of support measures.
The government is preparing to upgrade its Civil Defense to improve crisis management, following weaknesses identified during recent fires. The proposal from the Minister of Interior has already been approved by the Cabinet and aims to establish the National Civil Protection Mechanism. The reorganization of Civil Defense will involve increased responsibilities and cooperation with various agencies. This proposal is linked to recommendations from the French organization Expertise France, which has been tasked with a reform project. As part of this, new areas of responsibility will be created for better crisis management.
The case of Yiannakis Yiannakis involves document forgery to secure a position at the Cyprus Youth Organization. He admits to circulating a fake high school diploma and degree from San Diego State University. Instead of studying to become a Civil Engineer, he only attended a few courses. The case is expected to be formalized in court. Yiannakis is still an employee on leave at the organization, and the matter is under further examination.
A new bill aims to criminalize the possession and use of mobile phones in prisons. The penalties include imprisonment and hefty fines for inmates and correctional staff who violate these rules. This initiative was prompted by the increasing misuse of mobile phones by inmates. The bill will undergo legal scrutiny before being submitted to Parliament. These penalties may impact inmates' chances of parole and good behavior privileges.