December 2023 the second warmest recorded in Cyprus
Fact: The Monthly Weather Bulletin reported that December was the second warmest December on record since 1961, with an average temperature of 14.5C, nearly 3 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
Larnaca
Top 50 property deals net , €286 mln
Last year, the top 50 real estate transactions in Cyprus generated a total of €285.8 million. The ten most expensive property deals amounted to €120.4 million, with the highest-priced deal being a plot of land in Limassol Municipality valued at €22.1 million. Limassol dominated the list of the ten most expensive transactions, accounting for nine deals worth €111.2 million. The remaining deal on the list was a field near Paralimni in the Famagusta district sold for €9.1 million. Limassol district accounted for 42% of the total value of all deals, followed by Famagusta with 16.2%. Larnaca and Paphos districts had values of €42.6 million and €41.1 million, respectively, while Nicosia district recorded a value of €35.5 million. The CEO of Ask Wire, Pavlos Loizou, noted the prominence of field plots in high-value transactions, suggesting their future development potential within the next two to five years.
The cardiologist who was accused of forging SafePasses for those who died from covid was acquitted
A 54-year-old cardiologist in Larnaca has been acquitted and cleared of the 12 charges he faced for issuing fake vaccination certificates to two of his patients who later contracted and died from COVID-19. The Court decided that the Prosecution Authority failed to prove the charges to the extent required in a criminal trial. The Court specifically mentioned that the testimony provided by the Prosecution Authority failed to prove the main allegation that the Doctor issued vaccination certificates to the two individuals without actually vaccinating them. Based on this finding, the Court acquitted the Doctor of all charges. The Doctor, who has been cleared of the charges, expresses his gratitude to the Cypriot Justice and expects the immediate reinstatement of his contract with the Health Insurance Organization so that he can continue providing his services to his patients without interruption.
Lidl Cyprus awarded for supply chain, logistics excellence
– Lidl Cyprus was recognized at the Supply Chain & Logistics Awards.
– The awards honor businesses for their contributions and innovative practices in supply chain, storage, and logistics.
– Lidl Cyprus operates 20 stores in Cyprus and has an advanced logistics center in Larnaca.
– The company has an automated order program that is part of its digital upgrades.
– The main objective of Lidl Cyprus is to simplify logistics processes to offer ‘Quality for less’.
– Lidl Cyprus aims to reduce its carbon footprint and protect the environment by saving fuel and energy.
– The company manages waste through better forecasting and inventory management, as well as process automation.
– Lidl Cyprus focuses on optimizing daily procedures for the benefit of customers and employees, aiming to provide the best value for money.
€8 mln boost for 2030 Capital of Culture
The government of Cyprus has pledged to grant €6.5 million to the town chosen as the “European Capital of Culture for 2030.” Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Ayia Napa are all competing for the title. The chosen town will also receive a €1.5 million bonus. The funds will cover 60% of the city’s budget for cultural events and activities. Paphos, which was the European Capital of Culture in 2017, received €5 million in funding. The Deputy Minister for Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, believes that the title will bring economic growth and showcase the country’s culture and heritage. The Cypriot capital of culture for 2030 will share the title with one of five Belgian candidates.
People smuggler gets harshest sentence
Cyprus authorities have handed down the harshest penalty to date for migrant trafficking, with a smuggler receiving a five-year prison sentence for bringing over 100 migrants from Syria and Lebanon. Another smuggler is facing a tougher sentence, including a charge of manslaughter, after a three-year-old girl died during a rescue operation. The convicted individual admitted to assisting migrants in unlawfully entering Cyprus for financial gain and was found to be part of an international ring engaged in migrant smuggling. The ill-fated journey of the boat involved in the case started from Lebanon without proper navigation tools and with insufficient fuel, leading to the engine failure and the migrants being adrift at sea.
25-year-old arrested for throwing firecracker during Nea Salamina-APOEL match
A 25-year-old has been arrested for throwing a firecracker at the Ammochostos Stadium, injuring a football player from Nea Salamina during a match against APOEL. The initially arrested 22-year-old was released after confirming he was not at the stadium. The brother of the 22-year-old is now a suspect but denies involvement. The injured player was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a hearing impairment by a specialist.
47-year-old detained, charged with homicide over child’s death
A 47-year-old man from Syria has been detained on suspicion of homicide and human trafficking. The man is accused of killing a three-year-old girl who died at Makarios Hospital and of being involved in the trafficking of migrants found on a boat off Cape Greco. The sister of the deceased girl and another child are in critical condition at Makarios Hospital, while three more children are in serious condition at Famagusta Hospital and another child is being treated at Larnaca Hospital. Four adults with leg fractures are also receiving medical care. The man had previously applied for political asylum in Cyprus but later traveled to Lebanon. The boat carrying the migrants started its journey on January 18 without proper navigation tools and with insufficient fuel. The engine failed midway through the journey, leaving the boat adrift. The migrants had water but no food and were instructed to throw the water into the sea when they saw a commercial vessel approaching, which they believed was a Cypriot police vessel. The boat was reported missing on January 20, and search operations have been conducted but the boat has not been found.
Migrant child dies in hospital
A three-year-old girl died after being rescued from a small boat off the coast of Cyprus. Two other children are in critical condition. The children were found unconscious on the boat along with 55 other individuals. The boat had departed from Lebanon and those on board were believed to be Syrian nationals. A 47-year-old individual believed to be in charge of the smuggling operation was arrested. The Interior Minister called for Syria to be designated as a safe country to prevent nationals from seeking asylum or refuge. The President of Cyprus emphasized the need for collaboration with Europol and Lebanon’s authorities to monitor borders and restrict the influx of irregular migrants. Cyprus has implemented measures that have resulted in a decline in the number of migrants arriving in the country.
Wizz Air carries 2.2 mln passengers from Cyprus
Wizz Air carried 2.2 million passengers to and from Cyprus last year, with 11,063 flights or an average of 7.5 daily from its Larnaca hub. This was nearly double the schedule for 2022. Wizz Air increased its Cyprus traffic by 71% from 2022 and contributed to the 11.6 million passengers that used Larnaca and Paphos airports in 2023. The airline offers 31 routes to 18 countries from its Larnaca base and achieved a 99.63% completed flights rate. Wizz Air finished 2023 with over 60 million passengers, a record for the airline and a 32% increase compared to 2022. They launched nearly 100 new routes, took delivery of 32 new aircraft, and achieved their lowest ever average annual carbon intensity result. Wizz Air will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.