fire

Smell trouble: the fight for the powers of the nose

by
Smell trouble: the fight for the powers of the nose

Researchers are working on ways to restore the sense of smell for people who have lost it, with Dr. Moustafa Bensafi leading a project called Rose, funded by the EU, which aims to develop an olfactory prosthesis. This device is intended to help people detect and recognize odors by either directly stimulating the olfactory system or indirectly stimulating the trigeminal nerve, which can convey sensations of temperature, pain, and touch. The project runs through August 2025 and is in the early stages of exploring how to stimulate the brain to restore the sense of smell. Additionally, another EU-funded project led by Marianna Obrist developed a kit for testing the sense of smell, called SmellHealth, which includes a device and an app to help users record their ability to detect different scents, aiming to improve olfactory care and potentially aid in the early diagnosis of diseases linked to olfactory decline.

Firefighters extinguish fire in Tseri

by
Firefighters extinguish fire in Tseri

A fire occurred at the “Tseriou Multipurpose Center” in Nicosia, with three fire trucks responding from the Lakatamia and Acropolis Fire Stations, and the Spyros Ttanti Fire Station. The fire was in the lounge area on the ground floor and was extinguished before the Fire Service personnel arrived. The facility’s occupants were evacuated without danger and examined by an ambulance crew. One person was taken to the Nicosia General Hospital for further examinations. The area was inspected and ventilated by the Fire Service. The cause of the fire will be investigated with relevant authorities.

Police seek clues to Kansas City mass shooting, with 3 people in custody

by
Police seek clues to Kansas City mass shooting, with 3 people in custody

Three people were in custody in Kansas City, Missouri, facing questions about a deadly mass shooting that occurred near the city’s Super Bowl victory rally. At least one person was killed and 21 others were wounded by gunfire outside Union Station. The shooting occurred at the end of the rally following a parade, causing panic among attendees. The victim was identified as Lisa Lopez, a disc jockey and host of a radio show. Fifteen other victims suffered life-threatening wounds, including 11 children. The motive for the shooting is still unclear, and authorities are investigating whether the celebration was targeted or if the violence was incidental. Video footage is being reviewed to identify the suspects. Despite the presence of over 800 law enforcement officers, the violence could not be prevented. The shooting occurred near a garage west of Union Station. The Super Bowl celebration featured Chiefs players, including tight end Travis Kelce, but his girlfriend Taylor Swift was not present. The governors of Missouri and Kansas were also present but unharmed. The shooting took place three days after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.

More than 6 million took to the stress to protest Iraq war in 2003

by
More than 6 million took to the stress to protest Iraq war in 2003

On February 15, some major events occurred including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, Canada adopting the Red Maple Leaf as its flag in 1965, Britain adopting decimal currency in 1971, the execution of Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo in 1994, the blowing up of a historic railway viaduct in Germany in 1997, a wave of peace protests against the war in Iraq in 2003, the execution of Chinese serial killer Yang Xinhai in 2004, the display of the most expensive Hot Wheels car in New York in 2008, a fire in a Honduran prison in 2012, a possible meteor shower over Russia in 2013, and Cyril Ramaphosa being sworn in as South Africa’s president in 2018.

Iceland volcano erupts again

by
Iceland volcano erupts again

A volcano in south-west Iceland erupted for the second time in the year, marking the sixth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021. The previous eruption occurred on January 14 and lasted about two days, with lava flows reaching Grindavik town, leading to the evacuation of its nearly 4,000 residents and setting some houses on fire.

Cyprus theater unions respond to Federation’s statement

by
Cyprus theater unions respond to Federation’s statement

The announcement of the Federation of Theatre Organizations of Cyprus is seen as a setback against actors and their pursuit of labor rights, according to their unions. The Union of Actors of Cyprus and the Theatre Artists of PEO expressed surprise at the announcement made by the collective body of the five historic theaters of Cyprus. The actors’ unions have consistently faced resistance from the Federation when seeking negotiations for the renewal of the Collective Agreement. The unions state that they do not compromise on issues regarding the minimum wage and the duration of contracts. They accept the Federation’s proposal for a reduction in the amounts of the Welfare Fund and the non-payment of the 13th salary for the first half of 2024. The theater organizations had the opportunity to revise their proposals based on the criteria of the Agreement but did not do so. The actors’ bodies have achieved the reintegration of the Collective Agreement into the Thymeli Plan as a prerequisite for public funding. The renewal of the Collective Agreement of the Free Theatres has been pending since 2012, and the theater organizations have consistently refused to meet with the unions to negotiate. The theater organizations rejected essential articles of the agreement, including the minimum wage, duration of employment, and payment of funds. The unions filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labor in 2022, and the Ministry determined that the Collective Agreement remains in force. The unions have repeatedly invited the theater organizations to meet and discuss, but the organizations have refused. The unions emphasize the need for unity and support to find real solutions and demand better treatment of Culture and its people from the State.

Netanyahu says no Israeli pullout from Gaza until ‘total victory’ achieved

by

Hamas is considering a new ceasefire proposal in the war with Israel in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces will not withdraw until they achieve “total victory.” Israeli commandos disguised as medical workers and Muslim women killed three Palestinian militants in an undercover raid on a hospital in the occupied West Bank. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Gaza have forced more Palestinian residents to flee to safer areas. The ceasefire proposal followed talks in Paris involving CIA Director William Burns, Qatar’s prime minister, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, and the head of Egyptian intelligence. Netanyahu said Israel will not compromise on anything less than total victory, which means eliminating Hamas, returning all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. The raid on the hospital in the West Bank could fuel more intense unrest in the area. The war has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with much of the area flattened and supplies of food, water, and medicine almost exhausted.