At the NATO Summit in The Hague, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They discussed cooperation in the defense industry and expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral trade relations, aiming for $100 billion. Erdogan praised Trump's efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. The two leaders agreed on the importance of increasing NATO's deterrent capabilities.
The NATO summit begins with a dinner at Huis Den Bosch, attended by Donald Trump and other leaders. A key topic of discussion is the increase of defense spending to 5%, which is expected to be agreed upon. NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, aims to achieve this goal, while Greece, which already spends over 3% of its GDP on defense, supports this proposal.
Charita Mandoles, representative of the families of missing persons, moved the European Parliament with her personal story and traumatic experiences from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. After the abduction of her family, she spoke about the deaths and hardships they endured, calling for EU assistance in locating the missing. She emphasized the need for information on the dead before any progress could be made on Turkey's EU membership. The issue of missing persons concerns all of Europe, added the LIBE's Permanent Rapporteur.
A small nuclear reactor in northern Tehran continues to serve peaceful scientific purposes, rooted in the U.S. 'Atoms for Peace' program of the 1960s. Although this program aimed to strengthen U.S. alliances, the current nuclear ambitions of Iran have raised concerns. The reactor does not contribute to the production of nuclear weapons, yet the Iranian nuclear program has become a symbol of national pride. This situation highlights the lasting impact of U.S. policies on Iran's nuclear trajectory.
AstroBank has announced the signing of an agreement to sell its banking assets to Alpha Bank Cyprus, resulting in the creation of the third largest bank in Cyprus. This merger is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025 and recognizes AstroBank's developmental progress. The new bank will provide enhanced services to customers and have a stronger financial base. The CEO of AstroBank stated that this agreement is significant for both the bank and the Cypriot economy as a whole.
Starting in September, holders of Turkish Cypriot homes who are not entitled will undergo a legality check of their leases. Many homes are being used ineffectively while refugees are searching for housing. The verification process could lead to the recovery of homes for refugee accommodation. The administration plans further checks and favorable arrangements for the rights of refugees.
The former Bishop of Paphos, Tychikos, handed over the keys of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos on June 3, 2025, according to his lawyer. In a letter, he requests the official sharing of the judgment from the Holy Synod and other related documents. His lawyer states that she is responding to false reports regarding the issue. It is clear that Tychikos seeks transparency in this process.
Donald Trump strongly reacted to the violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, blaming both countries for the collapse of the agreement. He stated that Israel should stop the attacks and expressed his dissatisfaction particularly with Israel. He emphasized that Iran will not rebuild its nuclear program. Trump warned Israel on social media not to drop more bombs.
Greece remains the top choice for Cypriot travelers, offering a rich tourism experience that meets their needs. Popular destinations include Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Kos. The travel movement from Cyprus to Greece increased by 24.1% in April 2025. This rise is linked to improved airline connectivity and the Greek National Tourism Organization's strategies for sustainable tourism development.
The government is concerned about recent geopolitical developments that may affect fuel prices. The Energy Minister stated that efforts are being made to keep prices at acceptable levels and that the market is being monitored closely. If unjustified price increases occur, the government will intervene. Additionally, the importance of supporting the use of renewable energy sources and natural gas was emphasized.
Early this morning, a fire broke out in a car belonging to a 77-year-old woman in Limassol. The fire is believed to be a case of arson, causing significant damage to the vehicle. The car belongs to the grandmother of a minor who is detained for criminal activities. The Fire Service extinguished the blaze, and further investigations will take place.
A new trend has emerged around Methylene Blue, marketed as an anti-aging elixir by celebrities and influencers. Despite a lack of evidence for its benefits, its use has increased, raising concerns among health professionals about dangerous side effects. Some celebrities link it to improved mood and energy, but the health risks are significant. Experts warn of severe consequences, including serotonin syndrome and potential pregnancy complications.
The AKEL Congress has concluded, and Stefanos Stefanou has renewed his leadership mandate. The elections for the Central Committee members yielded interesting results, with Georgios Loukaidis ranking first. The voting results are a subject of discussion, with succession scenarios circulating in the background. The party is now preparing for the parliamentary elections while keeping an eye on unresolved issues.
EU Foreign Ministers have chosen to open dialogue with Israel regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza instead of imposing sanctions. Cyprus emphasizes the need for structured communication with Israel and an increase in humanitarian assistance. The situation in Gaza remains unacceptable and requires adherence to International Law. Diplomatic efforts for de-escalating the Israel-Iran conflict are also highlighted.
The European Union plans to increase tobacco taxes to reduce smoking in member states, aiming for less than 5% of smokers by 2040. The new taxes will also impact alternative tobacco products like e-cigarettes. The proposal includes specific tax thresholds and aims to enhance public health. Existing taxation policies will be revised to meet these goals.
Donald Trump announced a 'complete ceasefire' between Iran and Israel, but Iran's missile attacks continue. The Iranian forces launched missiles at American bases in retaliation for U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. Despite Trump's announcement, the situation remains tense and dangerous. The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that no agreement for a ceasefire exists.
The Holy Synod does not recognize the recent statements by former metropolitan Tychikos, who claims he still holds the title of metropolitan of Paphos. The Holy Synod emphasized that his actions are unfounded and do not affect the church's decision. Although Tychikos has filed an appeal with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Holy Synod is not inclined to address him further at this time. The theologian Theodoros Kyriakou noted that Tychikos's statements contain significant gaps and will likely not be accepted by either the Holy Synod or the Patriarchate.
The operation to arrest an Azerbaijani national with a British passport in Limassol was well organized, as authorities had information about his movements. He is believed to have been spying on the British base at Akrotiri and the airbase in Paphos, with the aim of gathering information and planning a terrorist act. Physical surveillance was conducted on the suspect before his arrest. The Azerbaijani man is thought to have connections to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.