Paphos

Cyprus honours Greek Independence Day at parades across the island

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Cyprus honours Greek Independence Day at parades across the island

Cyprus will celebrate Greek Independence Day on Monday with parades, events, and church services. A church service will be held at 10am at the Panayia Faneromeni church in Nicosia’s old town, led by Archbishop Georgios and attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, House Speaker Annita Demetriou, and the ambassador of Greece Ioannis Papameletiou. After the church service, they will attend a student parade outside the Greek embassy. President Christodoulides will make a speech at 12.30pm at the ambassador’s residence in Nicosia. Church services and parades will also occur in other cities, with various government officials attending events in Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Paralimni, and Polis Chrysochou.

Man critically injured in competitive motorbike crash

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Man critically injured in competitive motorbike crash

A 39-year-old competitive motorbike driver is in critical condition at Paphos General Hospital following an accident during a competition in Makounta. The incident occurred around 11.15am on Sunday when a 55-year-old driver fell off his bike, causing the 39-year-old, who was behind him, to be severely injured. The injured driver was initially taken to Polis Chrysochou hospital before being transferred to Paphos General due to the severity of his condition. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation by the police.

Driver suffers serious injuries in Paphos motocross

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Driver suffers serious injuries in Paphos motocross

A 38-year-old motocross racer sustained serious leg injuries, including potential leg paralysis, after colliding with another racer who lost control and fell on the Argaka-Makounta track in Paphos. The incident occurred around noon, and the injured racer was taken to Nicosia General Hospital for treatment.

Cyprus working on creating climate-neutral communities

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Cyprus working on creating climate-neutral communities

Cyprus is focusing on creating climate-neutral communities, as stated by Commissioner for the Environment Antonia Theodosiou. The initiative will start with the communities of Tillyria, northeast of Paphos, and in the valley of Xeros and Diarizos rivers, also in Paphos district. The goal is to significantly reduce emissions and aim to convert these areas into UNESCO biosphere reserves. Following government authorization, the Cyprus Energy Agency is working with Municipalities to draft a climate-neutrality strategy for all communities and areas under the Republic’s control. The Office of the Environment Commissioner is also working on adopting policies for natural bioclimatic construction, protection of natural and cultural areas, constructed and intangible heritage, beaches, and actions to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Tales from the Coffeeshop: What is First Lady, ’s achievement?

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Tales from the Coffeeshop: What is First Lady, ’s achievement?

The IMH conference organizer is promoting its Women Leaders’ Forum at the Hilton Hotel, featuring the First Lady of Cyprus, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, as a speaker. The forum is titled ‘Achievement driven by women.’ Environment Commissioner Dr. Maria Panayiotou, who initiated a project involving biological oranges at the presidential palace, was later appointed minister of agriculture despite her lack of background in agriculture, largely due to her relationship with the First Lady. Agriculture Minister Dr. Panayiotou attended an event at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort, which raised concerns about environmental impacts on the Mediterranean Monk Seal’s habitat. Marios Pelekanos switched from the Disy party to Elam to run for the European Parliament, highlighting political opportunism. Yiannakis Nicolaou, the news boss of the state broadcaster, exhibited erratic behavior and dishonesty in his professional conduct. Archbishop Georgios criticized the exploitation of religious relics for financial gain and questioned the authenticity of the Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary’s visit to Cyprus, which was treated with state honors. Aristides Viketos revealed that the money found in the Avakoum monastery’s safe was more than reported, with allegations of misappropriation by Bishop Isaias.

Dams below 50 per cent capacity despite adverse weather

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Dams below 50 per cent capacity despite adverse weather

– Rainfall in February was only 48% of the average for that time of year, and temperatures were 2.1 degrees Celsius above normal.
– From October 2023 to February 2024, total rainfall was approximately 280.4mm, or 75% of normal.
– During the same period, 20 million cubic metres of rain flowed into reservoirs, which is below desirable levels.
– Reservoirs are at 47% capacity compared to 69% the previous year, containing 138 million cubic metres compared to over 200 million cubic metres going into the summer of 2023.
– The Kouris dam is at 40.8% capacity, Kalavasos at 30.3%, Lefkara at 63%, Asprokremmos at 55.6%, and Evretou at 54.6%.
– Inflow into reservoirs this winter has been low.
– It is unlikely there will need to be water cuts this summer, but there will be limits on the quantity given to agriculture.
– Measures are being promoted to inform farmers about improved irrigation practices and the maximum utilisation of reclaimed water.
– February’s weather included torrential rain, hail, snow in the mountains, and even a tornado, but these did not significantly contribute to reaching normal levels of rainfall for the month.
– Rainfall in Stroumbi in Paphos was 20% of the normal for February, while in Kelokedara it was 122% of the average. In the Larnaca district, rainfall ranged from 56% of normal in Meniko to 114% in Athienou.
– A tornado hit Yermasoyia on February 14, causing significant damage to houses, properties, and the electricity network, resulting in power cuts in several areas of Limassol.
– Nicosia district experienced flooding in the Potami area and damage in Kampos village due to bad weather.
– Torrential rain later in the month caused problems in Astromeritis, Evrycho, Agia Marina Xyliatou in Nicosia, and in Kofinou in Larnaca. The Kilrou dam also overflowed.
– The bad weather affected the entire island from February 13-18, impacting traffic flow on highways.
– Most weather stations recorded their highest maximum temperatures on February 6, 13, 25, and 29, reaching 16C and 17C. Only February 1 and 5 had temperatures below normal.

British colonial rule through the eyes of Cypriot satire,  

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British colonial rule through the eyes of Cypriot satire,  

The Hierokipion Free University in Paphos will host a lecture on Cypriot satirical newspapers during British colonial rule in the early 20th century, announced by the University of Cyprus. The lecture, titled ‘Aspects of British rule in the Cypriot satirical press of the early 20th century’, will be delivered by Katerina Papazacharia, a lecturer in diplomatic history and international relations at the University of Neapolis in Paphos. It will focus on 15 satirical newspapers that criticized colonial rule through cartoons, reflecting the national sentiment and critical phases of the Cyprus issue at the time. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 29 at 7pm in the events hall of the multipurpose centre in Yeroskipou. The lecture can be watched live or through the radio station “Radio Paphos Pangypria” on various frequencies and online. Further information is available on the University of Cyprus website and through their Office of Planning and Official Events.

Paphos police bust document forging ring

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Paphos police bust document forging ring

Police in Paphos busted a document forging ring, arresting three individuals involved in receiving forged documents sent from Turkey. A 41-year-old man was apprehended receiving a package containing a forged Greek and Bulgarian driving licence. Later, two others, aged 45 and 36, were arrested after receiving a package with a forged Cypriot residence permit. All documents were hidden in polystyrene. The suspects are accused of conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery. The investigation is ongoing.

Exciting live music events ahead

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Exciting live music events ahead

– A new wave of live music events is happening on the island, featuring local bands and musical ensembles.
– Live shows will include Greek music, jazz, and psychedelic tunes at bars in Nicosia and Limassol.
– Giannis Dionysiou will perform at Antonakis Music Hall in Nicosia on March 22-23, presenting folk and rembetiko songs from the Greek music scene and his discography.
– A bebop jazz event will take place at Sarah’s Jazz Club in Nicosia on March 22, featuring Aris Constantinou, Charis Ioannou, Marios Staikidis, Kyriacos Kesta, and Marios Spyrou.
– The bebop jazz evening will draw inspiration from Tadd Dameron, Freddie Redd, Fats Navarro, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, and more.
– A music and poetry event titled “Because You Loved Me” will be held at Technopolis 20 in Paphos on March 26, featuring Katerina Paraschou and Kyriakos Costa.
– The “Because You Loved Me” event will include works by Greek composers and original works by Cypriot composers, with Andrianos Charalambous narrating original text in English.

Cyprus hoteliers concerned as Israel tourism market dips

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Cyprus hoteliers concerned as Israel tourism market dips

– Tourism in Paphos has not yet been significantly affected by the conflict in Israel, but there is concern about potential impacts in 2024.
– The tourism industry in Paphos has recovered following the pandemic.
– Israelis are canceling planned holidays and weddings in Cyprus due to the military operations that began at the end of 2023.
– Leisure centres catering to domestic clients in Paphos have not seen a decrease in business, but those focusing on international tourism are experiencing a decline.
– Businesses affected include those in Kato Paphos, Coral Bay, and Polis Chrysochous.
– Israel is the second most important tourist market for Cyprus.
– The ongoing conflict in Israel is causing lost reservations and uncertainty in the tourism sector in Paphos.