Latest news with #Larnaca
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Police officers are suspended after they're filmed having SEX in patrol car in broad daylight
Two Cypriot cops were suspended after they were filmed having sex in a patrol car in broad daylight. A resident of Larnaca in southeastern Cyprus was driving through an open field this week when they spotted the male and female police officers having sexual intercourse in their parked car. The passerby captured the scandalous moment in a video that has now gone viral on social media, with hundreds of users reacting to the shocking clip. 'If I or you did it and a patrol car was passing by, we would be arrested', one user pointed out on social platform X. Another said that the cops 'must suffer the consequences of their actions'. The police officers involved were quickly identified and have been suspended. One cop is understood to have been on-duty at the time, while the other was not, local media reports. Cops are now carrying out a criminal and disciplinary investigation. Criminal charges could include neglect of duty as well as public indecency, according to Cyrpus Mail. 'Such actions and behaviours are unacceptable as they insult the work of thousands of our members', a police spokesperson said. But a statement from the Cyprus Police Association has called for members of the public to respect the privacy of the officers involved. 'From the very beginning, the leadership of the force gave instructions for an immediate investigation of the incident, so that any responsibilities that arise can be attributed. The public's trust is precious to us and there is no room for excuses on issues of ethics and professionalism', the statement said. 'At the same time, however, we are watching with concern the way in which the public debate has been diverted into a tidal wave of discredit for the entire police force,' it added. Commissioner for Personal Data Protection Irini Loïzidou Nicolaidou said in a statemen said the cops featured in the video are responsible for their actions noted that 'the priority is to protect the privacy of their families, especially if there are minor children involved'. The viral video comes months after it was revealed that in the UK, more than 25 cops were sacked or disciplined in the past year after being caught having sex on duty. According to The Sun, information requests to UK forces found at least 26 officers faced disciplinary hearings in the last 24 months for having sex on duty, 20 of whom lost their jobs. But a number of forces — including the Met, West Midlands and Derbyshire — refused to give details, meaning the true total is likely to be higher. In one case, a Sussex officer turned off his body cam to have sex with a woman in her house after she had made a 999 call. In Northumbria, another member of the force was sacked for having sex with his lover in a police van parked up outside a supermarket. One Cleveland Police officer was also banned from policing after filming herself performing a solo sex act in a toilet. The figures led one former Chief Superintendent to blast these disgraced officers as 'damaging the reputation of the police service'.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Washington Post
Israelis stranded in Cyprus find shelter and kosher meals with help of rabbis and residents
LARNACA, Cyprus — Yossi Levitan was only making a brief stopover to visit his brother in Cyprus. His travel plans didn't include slicing mushrooms for kosher meals at a local Jewish community center to help feed thousands of other stranded travelers. Levitan is one of approximately 6,500 people who are in Cyprus attempting to reach Israel, located about 470 kilometers (292 miles) from the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Israelis stranded in Cyprus find shelter and kosher meals with help of rabbis and residents
Yossi Levitan was only making a brief stopover to visit his brother in Cyprus. His travel plans didn't include slicing mushrooms for kosher meals at a local Jewish community center to help feed thousands of other stranded travelers. Levitan is one of approximately 6,500 people who are in Cyprus attempting to reach Israel, located about 470 kilometers (292 miles) from the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. Initially, 2,400 passengers aboard Israel-bound flights were stranded in Cyprus after their aircraft were abruptly diverted last week to avoid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran. Since then, thousands more have traveled there in hopes of using Cyprus, the nearest European country, as a depot to find a flight or chartered boat that will take them back to their families in Israel. Levitan, 44, has a flight booked next week and said he is eager to rejoin his eight children and one grandchild in Ramla, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Tel Aviv. His eldest daughter, 18, recently gave birth and is looking after her siblings with help from her grandparent. 'We're waiting for the moment when we can get back,' Levitan said. "In the meantime, we here are helping however we can all the people who are stuck her in Larnaca, in Cyprus.' Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, the Jewish faith's leader in Cyprus, said the island's 14 rabbis mobilized from the moment the first 2,400 people arrived aboard at least 10 Israel-bound passenger aircraft that were diverted to Cyprus' main airport in Larnaca on June 12. Finding accommodation all at once for so many people at the height of the tourist season was a huge challenge. There also was the issue of providing hundreds of kosher meals, which was handled by the community center, or Chabad, he said. 'Above to this, new flights have started to arrive from Hungary, from Rome, from Georgia, from New York, all people who are on the way ended up here with the hope that since Larnaca and Paphos are the closest nearby neighbor of Israel, once the flights will begin, they will be the first shuttle to go,' Raskin said. Locals have provided shelter while doctors have treated travelers in need, he said. Some were desperate to return to Israel right away, Raskin said, including two mothers with kids with special needs. Thankfully, they departed Wednesday aboard a pair of EL AL aircraft that landed at Ben Gurion airport. 'To take people back to Israel, obviously there are priorities. Priorities would be elderly people, single mothers, nurses, people who need medical issues," he said. "Anyone that is in urgent would get a priority to go on the flight.' Raskin pulled out all the stops to secure a seat on the same flight for a groom whose wedding was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. He later got a message that the young man was able to attend the ceremony promptly at 4 p.m. A few who could afford it and weren't prone to seasickness rented boats or yachts for the 20-hour trip to Israel. But arranging boat trips has been a fickle affair, Raskin said, as many voyages were cancelled at the last minute. Raskin has vaulted into the role of coordinator for thousands of Israelis who see Cyprus as a springboard to Israel. 'Why this should be like a gate of a door to Israel?" he said. 'It's like I'm being now at the western wall of Israel.' But he advised against more people using Cyprus as a stopover to catch a short flight or boat ride to Israel, given the difficulties faced by those who are already there. "Do not come. We don't have enough rooms, we don't enough beds now in Cyprus to accommodate, unfortunately,' Raskin said. 'So if someone is in Budapest or in Vienna and you have a place to stay, to eat, stay there, you are safe there, don't rush to come. Once things will get better, yes, welcome.'
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Associated Press
Israelis stranded in Cyprus find shelter and kosher meals with help of rabbis and residents
LARNACA, Cyprus (AP) — Yossi Levitan was only making a brief stopover to visit his brother in Cyprus. His travel plans didn't include slicing mushrooms for kosher meals at a local Jewish community center to help feed thousands of other stranded travelers. Levitan is one of approximately 6,500 people who are in Cyprus attempting to reach Israel, located about 470 kilometers (292 miles) from the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. Initially, 2,400 passengers aboard Israel-bound flights were stranded in Cyprus after their aircraft were abruptly diverted last week to avoid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran. Since then, thousands more have traveled there in hopes of using Cyprus, the nearest European country, as a depot to find a flight or chartered boat that will take them back to their families in Israel. Levitan, 44, has a flight booked next week and said he is eager to rejoin his eight children and one grandchild in Ramla, 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Tel Aviv. His eldest daughter, 18, recently gave birth and is looking after her siblings with help from her grandparent. 'We're waiting for the moment when we can get back,' Levitan said. 'In the meantime, we here are helping however we can all the people who are stuck her in Larnaca, in Cyprus.' Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, the Jewish faith's leader in Cyprus, said the island's 14 rabbis mobilized from the moment the first 2,400 people arrived aboard at least 10 Israel-bound passenger aircraft that were diverted to Cyprus' main airport in Larnaca on June 12. Finding accommodation all at once for so many people at the height of the tourist season was a huge challenge. There also was the issue of providing hundreds of kosher meals, which was handled by the community center, or Chabad, he said. 'Above to this, new flights have started to arrive from Hungary, from Rome, from Georgia, from New York, all people who are on the way ended up here with the hope that since Larnaca and Paphos are the closest nearby neighbor of Israel, once the flights will begin, they will be the first shuttle to go,' Raskin said. Locals have provided shelter while doctors have treated travelers in need, he said. Some were desperate to return to Israel right away, Raskin said, including two mothers with kids with special needs. Thankfully, they departed Wednesday aboard a pair of EL AL aircraft that landed at Ben Gurion airport. 'To take people back to Israel, obviously there are priorities. Priorities would be elderly people, single mothers, nurses, people who need medical issues,' he said. 'Anyone that is in urgent would get a priority to go on the flight.' Raskin pulled out all the stops to secure a seat on the same flight for a groom whose wedding was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. He later got a message that the young man was able to attend the ceremony promptly at 4 p.m. A few who could afford it and weren't prone to seasickness rented boats or yachts for the 20-hour trip to Israel. But arranging boat trips has been a fickle affair, Raskin said, as many voyages were cancelled at the last minute. Raskin has vaulted into the role of coordinator for thousands of Israelis who see Cyprus as a springboard to Israel. 'Why this should be like a gate of a door to Israel?' he said. 'It's like I'm being now at the western wall of Israel.' But he advised against more people using Cyprus as a stopover to catch a short flight or boat ride to Israel, given the difficulties faced by those who are already there. 'Do not come. We don't have enough rooms, we don't enough beds now in Cyprus to accommodate, unfortunately,' Raskin said. 'So if someone is in Budapest or in Vienna and you have a place to stay, to eat, stay there, you are safe there, don't rush to come. Once things will get better, yes, welcome.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Cyprus? Foreign Office advice issued over regional conflicts
Some travellers already in Cyprus or with trips to the island are looking at the map of the eastern Mediterranean with concern, given the new Foreign Office warning that 'ongoing hostilities in the region' could 'escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. Israel, only 145 miles from the popular Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa, is under nightly attack by Iran. Syria and Lebanon, both with serious security concerns, are even closer to the island. The UK has two Sovereign Bases in Cyprus, which the foreign secretary, David Lammy, describes as 'hugely important at this time'. Despite the increasing regional conflict, airlines and holiday companies are continuing with their normal terms and conditions – with someone who chooses not to travel likely to lose some or all of their money. These are the key questions and answers. What is happening at the island's airports? At Larnaca airport, the main hub for Cyprus, flights are operating as normal – except for cancellations on flights to and from Tel Aviv and Haifa in Israel. Links to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, are operating normally. Paphos, in the west of the island, is operating normally – with the exception of links to Tel Aviv and the Ryanair flight to Amman in Jordan. One issue that could have an effect: air-traffic control congestion. Because of airspace closures across the Middle East, dozens of flights between western Europe, the Gulf and South Asia each day are being diverted south. They would previously not have gone anywhere near the Mediterranean, and are now competing for clearance with holiday flights to and from Cyprus. Ercan, the airport for the self-styled 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', has links only to Turkey, which are continuing as normal. Road traffic is circulating normally. What warnings does the UK government have for travellers to Cyprus? 'Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region,' says the Foreign Office travel advice for Cyprus. 'You should monitor local and international media for the latest information [and] be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities.' It adds: 'Although there's no recent history of terrorism in Cyprus, attacks cannot be ruled out.' The travel advice also discusses the north of Cyprus. The Foreign Office says: 'FCDO can only provide limited consular support if you are visiting areas in the north that are not under control of the Republic of Cyprus.' What do other governments say? Official travel advice issued by the governments of Ireland, Australia, Canada and the US does not raise any concerns about the conflict in the Middle East. The strongest warning is from Australia, which says: 'Exercise a high degree of caution in Cyprus due to the active UN peacekeeping operation in the country.' I am still concerned. Can I claim a refund? As the Foreign Office does not warn against travel to Cyprus, there is no prospect of being able to cancel a trip for a full refund. Neither will travel insurance be of help; the insurer will say that there is no reason not to go. Any other ideas? A proper package holiday can be transferred to someone else on payment of a nominal fee – typically £50. Alternatively, your holiday company may possibly offer the chance to switch to a different destination if there is capacity elsewhere. Regrettably, if you have booked a 'flight only' trip, the airline is likely to impose its normal terms and conditions. What if circumstances in Cyprus deteriorate? Were the Foreign Office to warn against travel to Cyprus, people with package holidays booked for imminent departure would be entitled to a full refund. Airlines are likely also to offer refunds. Holidaymakers already on the island would be flown home as soon as possible. What about ferry links? The summer-only car ferry between Limassol in Cyprus and Piraeus (the port for Athens) is running as normal for the summer season. The journey time is 31 hours each way, with the last sailing at the start of September. Ferries run between Kyrenia in the north of Cyprus to Tasucu in southern Turkey. They are sailing as normal and take under three hours. Would you book a holiday to Cyprus? Yes. It is a beautiful, cultured, friendly and warm country. But I would book a proper package holiday to get maximum consumer protection in the event of any problem.
