No timetable has been set for the next stages of the Limassol-Saittas road project, despite the government acknowledging delays and reaffirming that the road remains a priority.

The issue was discussed on Thursday at the House transport committee, where Transport Minister Evie Tsolaki stressed the need for coordination between ministries and government departments, noting that sections of the planned road pass through protected Natura 2000 areas.

The environment department told MPs that it expected to issue its assessment by December.

According to Stockwatch, Tsolaki declined to provide a timetable for the next stages of construction, pending the completion of the necessary environmental studies.

MPs and representatives of Limassol’s mountainous and semi-mountainous communities expressed concern over the delays, warning that inadequate road infrastructure was making commuting difficult, posing safety risks and hampering development in rural areas.

Responding to criticism over the order in which construction had begun, Tsolaki said priority had been given to the most heavily used sections of the road.

She added that the government was dealing with longstanding problems concerning the project that predated its term in office.

Despite assurances from the environment department that its assessment would be ready before the end of the year, Tsolaki did not commit to launching a tender in the first half of 2027.

MPs also raised concerns about funding, seeking assurances that the necessary resources would be available.

The finance ministry said it did not anticipate difficulties in releasing funds, provided the project moved forward.

The commissioner for mountainous areas said the Limassol-Saittas road was included in the national strategy for the development of mountainous communities, as it would improve access and strengthen connections with Limassol.

A representative of the union of communities expressed disappointment over the delays, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents, including traffic congestion and lengthy commuting times.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Troodos community complex described completion of the road as essential for the region’s development, arguing that improved accessibility would help retain the population of mountainous communities.

Disy MPs questioned the reasons for the delays and argued that rural areas contributed more to the economy than they received in public investment.

They stressed that infrastructure projects should not be assessed solely on their economic viability, but should also take into account the needs of local communities.

MPs also questioned the effectiveness of coordination between the ministries involved.

Akel MPs challenged the reliability of government timetables, pointing out that residents of mountainous communities faced disproportionately high commuting costs because of long travelling distances and rising fuel prices.

They said a 3.5km section had saved commuters ten minutes and called on the finance ministry to commit to releasing funds.

Road safety was another concern raised during the discussion, with MPs saying nine people had lost their lives in accidents on the road.

Elam argued that Limassol was lagging behind in major public infrastructure projects despite its strong economic activity and private sector performance.

Direct Democracy, meanwhile, warned that it would not vote in favour of the budget unless the Limassol-Saittas road project was included.

The issue is expected to be discussed again at the House transport committee’s next meeting.

Hadassah Medical Centre Limassol said on Thursday that it operates legally with the required licences and has never performed plasmapheresis on a patient.

In a statement, the centre said an earlier report made by Politis gave “misleading impressions that require immediate correction”.

It denied that specific complaint was pending, and it had not been informed of any finding that questioned its current operation.

Politis had reported that the health ministry was examining new complaints and that the centre holds only an imaging centre licence.

Deputy permanent secretary Elisavet Constantinou told the paper it has no hospital licence or other licence to operate as a healthcare facility, though Politis clarified that this in itself did not make any other activity unlawful.

Hadassah said a separate medical centre licence is not required for its current activities beyond professional and individual requirements, and that the licence for its radiology department had been secured.

It said a possible upgrade to a day care unit would be a separate licensing process and did not mean it was waiting for a licence for its current services.

On plasmapheresis, Politis reported that ministry inspectors had found the equipment during an inspection.

Hadassah said the equipment “was not concealed” and that a list naming the plasmapheresis system and an ozone therapy unit was sent to the ministry on August 26 as part of the final file for the imaging centre licence.

“The purchase of equipment for a planned service does not constitute proof that the service was provided,” it said.

Politis had also pointed out that only three doctors appear on the centre’s website.

Hadassah said it had already given the paper a list of 15 doctors and two clinical dietitians, and that it employs five licensed nurses and seven physical therapy and exercise professionals.

A further 15 doctors are under discussion with Hadassah but have not been announced as according to the centre “approvals are incomplete”, and it is not presenting them yet as partners.

Politis reported that some examinations or treatments may have involved doctors in Israel taking part by telephone or video link, a claim it said had not been independently verified.

Hadassah called this a misrepresentation of its second opinion service, expanding that the local doctor reviews the file and, if a second opinion is warranted and the patient agrees, prepares a report with specific clinical questions for a specialist at Hadassah in Jerusalem.

The process “does not involve tele-guidance” of a procedure in Cyprus by a doctor in Israel, it insisted.

Chief executive Dr George Zachariadis had earlier given Politis no direct answer on teleconference participation.

The centre said it “accepts the audit and responds with evidence” but would not tolerate publications that harm its reputation through “inaccuracies and insinuations”.

The centre, based in Ayios Tychonas, has no operating theatres or inpatient beds and advertises its offering being imaging, cardiac assessment, neurological rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

In Israel, news outlet Calcalist reported that the health and finance ministries were not informed of the project beforehand.

Hadassah said it “did not invest a single shekel” in the centre, which is financed by Cypriot investors.

From November 21, all referrals from Cyprus to Hadassah in Jerusalem will go through Limassol.

The Cyprus Mail approached the Hadassah medical centre, as well as both the Cypriot and Israeli health ministries for comment.

Customs officers seized 28,000 suspected counterfeit condoms during an inspection of a sea shipment arriving from Greece on Thursday.

The container was selected for scanning and a physical inspection following a risk assessment.

According to customs, the products appeared to infringe the intellectual property rights of a well-known brand, based on the accompanying documents and invoices.

The owner of the company involved reportedly admitted that the condoms were counterfeit.

Procedures for the confiscation and destruction of the products are expected to follow in the coming days.

Customs warned that counterfeit condoms could pose serious health risks, including unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

The construction of a tramway in Limassol could cost as much as €95 million per kilometre, the city’s mayor Yiannis Armeftis said on Thursday, as he evaluated the prospects for a tramway to be built in Cyprus’ second city.

“Preliminary estimates vary significantly depending on the technology to be used, with the cost ranging from €25m to €95m per kilometre,” he told television channel Sigma, though he did stress that “such an investment should not be evaluated solely based on construction costs”.

Instead, he said, “the equation should take into account the benefits which could arise from upgrading transit areas, increasing the value of land and real estate, and improving people’s quality of life”.

On this front, he made reference to “the economic cost caused by traffic delays through lost working hours and people’s travel time”, with Limassol frequently subject to long rush-hour tailbacks on its road network.

He said that Cyprus is “excessively dependent on the private car”, and that that makes his own city’s traffic issue “particularly difficult to deal with”.

“No city has solved its traffic problem when dependence on the private car reaches around 90 per cent. Traffic can be managed properly when public transport is also used,” he said.

Govt currently spends €100m per year on public transport

At present, he said, the government spends around €100m per year on public transport, of which around a quarter is spent on Limassol.

However, he added, “despite these significant expenditures, the use of buses remains limited”. To this end, he pointed out that only three to five per cent of journeys undertaken across Cyprus involve a bus, and said that “long delays and time-consuming routes discourage people” from using the bus to travel.

“It is not convenient because it has also lost its credibility,” he said, though he did stress that on the other hand, when a bus route is both reliable and useful, the public may take to it.

He gave the example of Limassol’s number 30 bus route, which runs along its coastal road, and said that “frequent and fast routes are a basic requirement for people to choose the bus instead of the car”.

On the matter of the possibility of constructing a tramway, he said that he had attended a meeting at the transport ministry on Monday, during which “the first steps of the studies were presented, as well as preliminary data on the possibility of installing a tram in Limassol”.

“The aim of the process is to examine whether this is a realistic and sustainable option, which could function complementarily to other means of public transport,” he said.

Availability of space ‘one of the main challenges’

Asked how a tramway could be installed in a city where “available road space is already limited”, he said that “this is one of the main challenges of the project”.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that bus lanes have already been installed in Limassol, and that they could be “used as tram corridors”.

He also pointed out that “other European cities” with “even smaller populations or dense construction” have also managed to build tramways.

“Behaviour changes when there are appropriate routes and when there is appropriate infrastructure,” he said.

Prountzos had called for tramway in Nicosia

His comments come after Nicosia mayor Charalambos Prountzos had last month renewed his call for a tramway to be built in the capital, saying that the Nicosia municipality had initially prepared a study for a 14-kilometre tram line, and that after he took office in 2024, the length of the planned line grew to 20km.

Regarding how the plans could be financed, pointed out that the European Union’s next multiannual financial framework – the bloc’s budget for the period covering the years between 2028 and 2034 – enters force “in about a year”, and said that as such, discussions about a tramway “should have already started” with a view to securing EU funding.

“What exactly are we waiting for to intervene?”.

Six people were injured in a traffic accident in Limassol on Friday evening.

Police said the incident occurred on the old Limassol-Paphos road, near Pissouri at around 7.45pm when a car driven by a 58-year-old man collided with a car driven by a 50-year-old man.

The 58-year-old was driving with his wife, a 65-year-old woman, and a man and a woman aged 53 and 60, while the 50-year-old was driving with his 49-year-old wife.

The six passengers of the two vehicles were taken to the general hospitals in Limassol and Paphos.

The 49-year-old was later transferred to Nicosia general hospital for further treatment, having possibly suffered an aortic rupture.

The 50-year-old husband of the woman is being treated at Paphos general hospital where he is undergoing treatment for a serious spinal injury.

The 65-year-old woman suffered serious injuries to her face and hip and was transferred to a private hospital, while her 58-year-old husband remains at the hospital for further treatment.

The 53-year-old was injured in the sternum and taken to Limassol general hospital for treatment. Her 60-year-old husband was discharged from the hospital after receiving first aid.

The five people hospitalised are considered to be out of danger.

Investigations into the exact circumstances of the accident are ongoing.

La Fiscalía de Marbella ha solicitado un año y 11 meses de prisión para el alcalde de Estepona (Málaga, 78.413 habitantes), José María García Urbano (PP) al que acusa de un delito de prevaricación y otro de malversación de caudales. La fiscal Alejandra Gómez pide la apertura de juicio oral y sostiene su petición argumentando que el regidor, que lleva en el cargo desde el año 2011, contrató como cargo de confianza municipal a una mujer con la que mantenía una relación sentimental “a sabiendas de que no iba a desempeñar actividad laboral alguna” y que, a pesar de ello, esta cobró algo más de 5.000 euros. El ministerio público también pide para García Urbano cinco años de inhabilitación como cargo o empleo público.

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Limassol district court on Wednesday ordered the eight-day remand of five suspects arrested in connection with an armed robbery at a couple’s home on October 8, during which cash and jewellery worth more than €100,000 were stolen.

Police are searching for two additional suspects in connection with the case.

The five men, aged 29, 27, 25, 24 and 20, appeared before the court on Wednesday morning, where they requested and were granted legal aid. Their defence lawyers did not object to the eight-day remand.

The vehicle was intercepted on Tuesday afternoon, while a subsequent search of a residence in Limassol, where some of the suspects were staying, uncovered clothing and tools believed to have been used during the robbery.

The court heard that only the first suspect has been questioned so far, with the remaining four yet to be interviewed. Investigators have taken eight witness statements and are expected to obtain another 39.

The robbery took place at a house in the Sfalangiotissa area of Limassol, where a 43-year-old man and his 36-year old wife, both foreign nationals, were asleep in the bedroom.

The assailants allegedly restrained her husband with adhesive tape before demanding that she open a safe located in the bedroom.

They reportedly stole €5,000 in cash, $1,000 and jewellery valued at more than €100,000.

Before fleeing the scene, the intruders also tied up the woman with adhesive tape.

Investigations are continuing, with police seeking to locate the two additional suspects, recover the stolen property and find the firearm used in the robbery.

Antes del día 15 de cada mes las generadoras eléctricas deben comunicar al operador del sistema (Red Eléctrica de España) las “indisponibilidades” previstas en sus instalaciones térmicas (nucleares y centrales de ciclo combinado de gas) e hidráulicas, con el detalle de las fechas de inicio y fin de las paradas y la potencia afectada. Se trata de las plantas que dan energía firme al sistema, esto es, proporcionan control dinámico de tensión (en mayor medida, los ciclos combinados) y facilitan la tarea del operador para garantizar la seguridad del suministro eléctrico y evitar incidentes. De hecho, tras analizar la información que le proporcionan las empresas, que actualizan cada mes a través de la plataforma del operador, Esios, y se refiere a todo el año móvil, este publica el resultado de dicho análisis en los 10 primeros días del mes siguiente.

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A second arrest was made on Tuesday over the kidnapping and assault of a 24-year-old Turkish Cypriot man in Limassol, police said.

The arrested man is 45, with the police already having arrested a 30-year-old man early on Tuesday morning, while the police said that the two, as well as a third individual who is wanted, are Greek Cypriots.

According to police, the victim had said that at around 7pm on Friday, while he was in a park, three people approached him, and that following an argument, they had asked that he get into their car.

He said he was then taken to an unknown rural location, where he was stabbed in the right leg.

The three perpetrators then fled, while the victim was found by a passerby, who took him to the Limassol general hospital.

On Monday, Limassol police deputy operations chief Lefteris Kyriacou said that the perpetrators kidnapped the victim, and then “hit him and injured him with a knife”, as “they believed him to be a suspect regarding recent cases of dog thefts”.

He later added that the police are investigating “a case of kidnap and causing grievous bodily harm”, and that “developments are expected in the coming period”.

The police’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Why do some memories last a lifetime while others do not, and what is the connection to the stress hormone? There are memories that time easily erases: what we had for lunch last Tuesday, the color of a building we walked past, or the name of a passerby we happened to encounter. Then there are […]

Em confronto direto na luta para fugir da queda à Série B, melhor para o Mirassol. O Leão Caipira superou o Internacional por 2 a 0 no Maião, em duelo que abriu, nesta sexta-feira (16), a 31ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

A equipe paulista subiu para o 14º lugar, com 36 pontos. São quatro de vantagem para o próprio Colorado, primeiro time na zona de rebaixamento - que envolve as quatro piores campanhas da competição (o Z-4).

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Com 32 pontos, o time gaúcho é o 17º colocado e pode cair uma posição se o arquirrival Grêmio derrotar o Cruzeiro neste domingo (18), às 16h (horário de Brasília), na Arena, em Porto Alegre.

A missão colorada em Mirassol (SP) ficou mais difícil do que já seria com 14 minutos de jogo. O goleiro Matheus Cunha saiu da área para tentar se antecipar ao atacante Bruno Santos, mas chegou atrasado e derrubou o adversário, levando cartão vermelho direto.

O Mirassol demorou a fazer valer a superioridade numérica. A melhor chance da etapa inicial foi com Eduardo, no rebote de uma cobrança de falta do lateral Reinaldo que o goleiro Kauan Jesus - que entrou em campo devido à expulsão de Matheus Cunha - defendeu. O meia acertou o travessão.

No começo do segundo tempo, porém, Eduardo teve melhor sorte. Aos dois minutos, o meia aproveitou o cruzamento rasteiro do atacante Edson Carioca pela direita e chutou no canto de Kauan Jesus.

Mesmo com um a menos, o Inter tentou a reação e pressionou os donos da casa. Aos 31, o zagueiro Bruno Gomes acertou o travessão. Aos 37 e aos 38 minutos, o atacante João Bezerra teve duas grandes chances, parando no goleiro Walter e, depois, no zagueiro João Victor, que salvou em cima da linha.

No contra-ataque, o Mirassol liquidou a partida. Aos 41, Fernandinho acionou o também atacante André Luis, que bateu na saída de Kauan Jesus para assegurar os três pontos à equipe do interior.

Nos acréscimos, Reinaldo poderia ter ampliado, mas cobrou pênalti no travessão. Acabou não fazendo falta.

 

La entrega de alimentos fortalece la seguridad alimentaria de los sectores vulnerables en la isla frente al criminal bloqueo económico impuesto por Estados Unidos.

Los manifestantes votaron a favor de organizar una desescalada progresiva sin fijar una fecha para el levantamiento definitivo.

Seis razões pelas quais viver neste resort é escolher uma rotina de natureza, desporto, praia e gastronomia, todos os dias do ano.

© Bimering

Mundos maiores, mais estáveis, com mares e milhares de ilhas. “Numa perspetiva universal, porque haveria a Terra de ser a referência?”. A Terra pode não ser o planeta mais favorável à vida no Universo. Muitos cientistas acreditam que existem mundos onde os seres vivos podem prosperar durante muito mais tempo e desenvolver uma diversidade ainda maior do que a que conhecemos. São os chamados planetas superhabitáveis — e alguns poderão estar relativamente perto de nós. Estes mundos seriam ligeiramente maiores do que a Terra, teriam uma atmosfera mais espessa, temperaturas estáveis e vastas extensões de mares pouco profundos. E em

L’Italia ha introdotto la valutazione di impatto generazionale delle leggi. Perché non resti un adempimento formale, deve rendere visibili costi, benefici e rischi che le politiche trasferiscono avanti nel tempo. Cosa insegna l’esperienza internazionale.

L'articolo Una misura del conto lasciato ai giovani proviene da Lavoce.info.

El domingo 27 de septiembre, cuando las primeras tiendas de campaña de la madrileña Puerta del Sol no llevaban ni 24 horas levantadas, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón visitó la acampada naciente. Repartió kilos de plátanos y empanadas a los jóvenes que no pensaban moverse de ahí en los próximos días. Saludó a su hijo mayor, el cantante Teo Lucadamo, quien había pernoctado con ellos. Grabó un vídeo para sus redes sociales: “Si estáis por Madrid, en vuestras ciudades, organizaos, acampad y haceos oír. Todas y todos juntos creo que podemos conseguir grandes cosas”, pidió a sus seguidores. Y se fue a trabajar, a Alcalá de Henares, donde esos días representaba la obra Malquerida, actualmente de gira. Mientras actuaba, el vídeo se viralizó y su visita se convirtió en uno de los momentos más comentados de aquel primer día de acampada. Lo que estaba sucediendo en Sol, esa rabia acumulada, no era solo cosa de jóvenes.

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Estilismo:

Beatriz Machado

Maquillaje y peluquería:

Alba Esteban (TEN Agency)

Manicura:

Lucero Hurtado para OPI

Producción:

Cristina Serrano

Asistentes de fotografía:

Maitane Huidobro y Ayub El Kadmiri

Asistente de estilismo:

Paloma Gutiérrez

Asistente de producción:

Marina Marco

© Pablo Zamora (EL PAÍS)

Maricarmen Abascal faced four eviction attempts, and the last one succeeded. It happened two weeks ago. The 87-year-old woman left her Retiro home in a wheelchair; she had lived there for almost her entire life. Once outside, she was helped onto a stretcher and taken to Gregorio Marañón Hospital. She died there on Wednesday.

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© JUAN BARBOSA

It’s Friday night in Madrid. Walking down Preciados street towards Sol square, the tents and the huge banners announcing the protest encampment can already be seen some distance away. Suddenly, a voice cries out amid the crowds from an indeterminate spot on the street. It belongs to an old man with white hair, his nose and chin almost touching. His name is Héctor, he is Ecuadorian, he is going hoarse, and he deserves some credit for what he is attempting to do: standing next to the epicenter of Spain’s mass protests for decent housing, with a country convulsed and fed up with prohibitive prices and home evictions, Héctor is preaching the end of the world and urging people to return to God. “What do you think of what’s happening over there, in Sol?” the reporter asks, pointing to the packed square. Héctor, escorted by a woman named Noemí, approaches and whispers mysteriously: “The final times are always dangerous times. Uncivilized times.” He then asks Noemí to show the reporter some texts from Timothy. “The first thing people must do is repent and return to God,” he concludes. He says goodbye with a smile and goes back to his shouting.

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© Jaime Villanueva