A significant earthquake measuring 7.7 occurred off the southern coast of Panama. There were tsunami warnings for neighboring countries. The initial estimate was 8.0, but it was revised to 7.7. Authorities are assessing damages, and there were instances of panic. Evacuations took place in public areas and metro stations.
Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russia for the supply of 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and international markets. He claims these deliveries will lead to a significant reduction in fuel prices. The agreement includes a gradual increase in supplies, with an additional 500,000 tons in November and up to three million tons shortly thereafter. Trump emphasized his priority on reducing costs for Americans, particularly for farmers and producers. He also reiterated his stance on the Iranian nuclear program.
The deadline for submitting proposals regarding the completion of the liquefied natural gas terminal in Vasilikos has ended. Six companies expressed interest, including two major energy construction firms: Italy's Saipem and China's China Harbour. China Harbour is collaborating with the Cypriot company Cyfield for this project. Additionally, three major Greek companies and Norwegian ECOnnect Energy also showed interest. ETIFA will evaluate the proposals and decide on the next phase of the project.
The awarding of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay sparked strong reactions from Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu labeled her as a fanatic and claimed she promotes false accusations against Israel. The Israeli government stated that her award legitimizes anti-Semitic hatred. Pillay's allegations regarding genocide against Palestinians were highlighted as unacceptable. Netanyahu concluded by stating that the Nobel Prize honors a woman who spreads misinformation.
Currently, there are 870,632 valid Cypriot identity cards according to official data. Of these, 774,145 belong to Greek Cypriots and 96,487 to Turkish Cypriots. This information was provided by the Minister of the Interior to the Parliament. Expired identities that have not been renewed are not included in these figures. The numbers reflect living citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
The occupying authorities imposed restrictions on the passage of groups of Greek Cypriots at the checkpoints. A bus carrying 57 individuals from Pelendri was denied access because a Turkish Cypriot guide was required. Despite the driver's reassurances that this was not necessary for Greek Cypriots, they were not allowed to enter. After a second attempt, they were eventually able to cross, but this new policy has raised concerns. There is anxiety that this situation may affect future visits by Greek Cypriots to their villages in the occupied areas.
A serious incident occurred on a school bus in Limassol when a student threw his shoe at the driver, resulting in injuries to both the student and a female student. The route was interrupted, and an ambulance and police were called to the scene. The driver was taken to the hospital for medical assistance, and the matter is under investigation. The bus service company contacted the school administration and parents to address the issue. The bus resumed its journey after a brief interruption.
There is significant disruption among private pharmacies as orders for flu vaccines were unexpectedly canceled. This issue arises from scheduling and production problems due to updates on the vaccines for the 2026-2027 period. Many citizens, including students, may not have access to vaccination this year. The Cyprus Pharmaceutical Association has requested the intervention of the Ministry of Health to address the problem. The possibility of supplying vaccines from government stock to private pharmacies is being considered.
The ratings of public employees have reached high levels, with an average score of 9.12 out of 10 for 2025. Despite implemented reforms, the evaluations show that almost everyone is rated as excellent, reminiscent of past practices. The head of the EDC mentioned that the new recruitment processes and the digitization of services are progressing. In 2025, the EDC conducted 541 appointments and 707 promotions, along with a record of 894 interviews. The state of the public service remains challenging, although the committee has met its demands.
A murder attempt occurred in Mouttagiaka on Thursday morning, involving a 44-year-old Georgian victim. The 47-year-old colleague claimed he acted in self-defense. The victim was seriously injured and underwent surgery, but his condition is stable. The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident and are set to request the 47-year-old's temporary detention. Investigations and testimonies are ongoing to fully understand the event.
George Pamboridis made it clear that he will not withdraw from the election race for the DISY presidency and will remain a candidate until the end. He stated that he would only consider withdrawal if it would benefit the party president. During a meeting with Averof Neofytou, he clarified the events that transpired. He also confirmed that there was no agreement for any defeated candidate to support the winner. Pamboridis remained positive and determined regarding his candidacy.
Loukas Fourlas is being considered as a potential candidate for the Presidency of DISY, according to party circles. The MEP has been approached regarding his interest, but he is keeping his plans private for now. Discussions are ongoing about a third candidacy in addition to Averof and Pamboridis. Various meetings are expected that could influence the party's strategy. Recent developments have caused unrest and disagreements within DISY, especially following Annita Demetriou's withdrawal.
The 19-year-old daughter of the detained doctors reported undergoing plasmapheresis treatment from her mother, who is in custody. During her testimony, she confirmed that it was she who called for an ambulance, but she did not see George Mazonakis. Her testimony was given to the investigator regarding the circumstances of Mazonakis's death. The young woman remained in the investigator's office for over an hour. The police investigation is ongoing.
Former Health Minister Georgios Pamporides claimed that publisher Frixos Koulermos asked him to withdraw from the electoral process. He mentioned that older politicians tend to influence the younger ones, which he views negatively. Regarding Anitta Dimitriou, he noted that she faced pressure and personal attacks. Pamporides emphasized his respect for her ethical stance and predicts that more candidacies will emerge for the party leadership. He expressed admiration for her decision to prioritize the party's well-being over her ambitions.
Anna Vissi may need Nikos Karvelas's approval to perform many of his songs live. This situation arises after Karvelas decided to manage the licensing rights of his musical works himself. Their conflict has escalated with allegations of financial disputes and the possibility of legal confrontation. It mainly concerns Vissi's upcoming performances and her new collaboration. This dispute has significant artistic and financial implications for both artists.
In recent years, births from Cypriot mothers have decreased, while births from mothers of third countries have significantly increased. In 2015, births from Cypriot mothers were 6,717, dropping to 6,111 by 2024. Conversely, births from non-EU mothers nearly tripled during the same period. This has led to changes in demographic balances, with families having four or more children now comprising a larger percentage of mothers from third countries. The Minister of Finance noted that there is no separate fertility rate for Cypriot women.
A traffic accident occurred in Limassol, injuring a 27-year-old woman. The 23-year-old driver of the other vehicle, who was found to have three times the legal blood alcohol limit, was arrested. The passengers in the 27-year-old's car, a 62-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy, sustained minor injuries. The 27-year-old was taken to the hospital with a fractured arm. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
The Organization of State Health Services (OKYPY) requests approval from the Parliament for a reallocation of €14.5 million to cover excesses recorded in 2025, without asking for additional funding. These excesses arise from increased personnel and allowance costs, coupled with understaffing and increased worker absences. The total budget of OKYPY remains unchanged at €818.6 million. The expenditures are partly covered by savings in the drug budget, as actual expenses were lower than originally projected. Increased costs mainly result from overtime and allowances for contract and seconded staff.
The Health Minister stated that both public and private hospitals will be able to host university clinics, provided they meet specific criteria. The roles and responsibilities of clinical and academic doctors will be clearly defined. The new bill clarifies the participation of the private sector in training for medical specialties. Patients will have a say in decisions that affect them. Concerns were raised regarding the quality of medical training in the private sector.
A bill imposing a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinational companies has been introduced in Parliament. There are concerns about potential exits of multinational firms from Cyprus and repercussions from the EU if regulations are not followed. The text warns of financial penalties and double taxation risks if compliance is not met. The legislation targets large multinational groups with annual revenues exceeding €750 million and aims to maintain Cyprus’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
Cyprus is initiating a public consultation for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that will be effective for the 2028-2034 period. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that at least €416 million will be allocated to support agricultural income. The total funding for CAP amounts to approximately €2.3 billion, with the Cypriot government able to direct additional resources for agricultural investments and interventions. The new plan will be integrated into a single National Plan, allowing for collaborations with other European policies. The goal is to improve farmers' access to financing and modernize agriculture.
Price increases in Cyprus are alarming, with the General Price Index rising by 22.12% from September 2020 to September 2026. Notably, the cost of electricity has more than doubled (+112.90%), while fuel prices, such as diesel (+74.37%) and gasoline (+52.71%), have also soared. Inflation remains high, exacerbating issues for consumers, while the European Central Bank attempts to curb it. Facing these increases, the government has approved a new support package of 70 million euros. This crisis reflects a broader economic challenge facing Europe.
Anita Dimitriou has withdrawn her interest in the candidacy of the DISY party, creating an unclear situation within the party. Averof Neofytou and George Pamboridis remain contenders, but internal tensions continue. Meanwhile, Ionas Nicolaou has requested support for his candidacy. Despite these developments, calm has not been established within the party. Concerns regarding the future of DISY persist.
Today marks the end of the first round of interest for completing the gas terminal in Vasilikos. The government will identify the interested investors and begin an evaluation process. The Minister of Energy emphasized the importance of natural gas for reducing electricity production costs. The completion of the project is expected to take about 18 months. Greece is expected to issue a NAVTEX for the resumption of seabed surveys in October.