Two lucky players won over €28.8 million in the JOKER lottery, making history with the largest prize in the game's history. One winner purchased their ticket for just €6, inspired by personal numbers. The owner of the OPAP store in Palio Faliro, where one of the tickets was purchased, expressed her joy over the win. The second winner from Markopoulo used a full system and also gained additional amounts. The community is excited about this historic moment.
President Nikos Christodoulides announced that he will donate his monthly pension to six institutions that care for the elderly in Cyprus. This decision concerns his pension from his 18 years of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will last for the next 12 months. The monthly amount will total €730 and will be distributed across various regions in Cyprus. The contributions will be made in memory of the President's parents. The aim is to improve the daily lives of elderly citizens.
A 23-year-old from Bulgaria stabbed an 18-year-old Greek Cypriot in a restaurant in Paralimni, just four days after being released from prison. The teenager was seriously injured but his health is now reported to be stable. The police arrested the suspect, who has a criminal history. The municipality of Paralimni expressed concern and called on the state to take responsibility for the safety of citizens. Such incidents raise concerns about the area's image, especially regarding tourism.
The family of 34-year-old Irini Papakitsa is experiencing a tragic loss as she was murdered by her partner in front of her son. Her sister expresses her grief on social media, stating that she cannot believe the loss. Irini was supposed to celebrate her birthday in two days, and the sisters had planned a celebration. Her sister conveys how much she misses her and how unbearable the absence is. She emphasizes that Irini is now with their mother in heaven.
Cyprus is experiencing a significant increase in property sales to foreign nationals from third countries, with Paphos accounting for 40% of sales. In total, 82,165 properties have been transferred or are in the process of being transferred. Paphos is the most popular area, followed by Limassol and Larnaca. The process includes obtaining a purchase permit from the District Officer for foreigners. However, this permit is not required for submitting sales documents.
Four Greek Cypriots aged 22, 23, 26, and 30 will appear in Larnaca court accused of shooting at pedestrians. Two citizens reported being attacked with an unknown object but were not seriously injured. The suspects allegedly shot from a car, possibly using an air gun. The police managed to locate them based on witness information. So far, the reason for the attacks remains unknown.
The 53-year-old suspect in the murder of a 34-year-old woman in Chloraka is hospitalized with serious injuries and will appear in court in his absence. The detention process will take place at the Paphos District Court. The suspect has multiple wounds and is represented by a lawyer. Meanwhile, the health condition of the victim's 14-year-old son, who was also attacked, is stable and will be reassessed today. The teenager has a knife wound to the neck.
A 31-year-old babysitter from California, Britney Mae Leon, was sentenced to 100 years in prison for sexually abusing three-year-old girls. She provided the children to her boyfriend for abuse, and she also participated in the acts. The case came to light when a 7-year-old girl expressed fear about being with the babysitter, prompting her mother to alert the police. Evidence found in the boyfriend's car confirmed the allegations against them. The boyfriend was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences without parole.
The international political scene is focused on territorial concessions proposed by Russia during negotiations with the US. The White House revealed that Moscow seems to have made certain concessions regarding five Ukrainian regions. These include Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson. There is a proposal to freeze military operations on the condition that Ukraine cedes control of Donbas to Russia. The situation remains tense, with expected significant developments in the discussions.
The police are investigating a case of premeditated murder in Chloraka, where the victim is 34-year-old Papakitsa Eirina from Greece. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when the police were notified about an injured woman and child. At the scene, the 34-year-old was found without vital signs, and a 14-year-old boy was also injured. A 53-year-old man was also found injured and was taken to the hospital. An arrest warrant has been issued against the 53-year-old to facilitate the investigation.
In yesterday's Joker draw, two lucky winners shared the prize of €28,800,000. The winning tickets were from Attica, with one winner also securing an additional €200,000 from the second category. Additionally, seven other tickets won €100,000 each. The draw takes place three times a week, and the drawn numbers were: 17, 5, 32, 24, 15, with the Joker number being 20.
AKEL is preparing for parliamentary elections, aiming to return to governance by the presidential elections in 2028. The political landscape appears favorable for the left, while internal divisions within the right strengthen AKEL's prospects. George Loukaidis expresses determination for a new progressive coalition. Despite challenges, AKEL hopes to regain its strength and address issues such as rising costs of living and corruption. The upcoming elections will be critical for the country's political direction.
Home maintenance costs have increased significantly. Additionally, prices for rent and property purchases are on the rise. Specifically, rents and maintenance services have seen increases, such as plumbing and electrical work. In particular, the prices for painting and carpentry services have also risen significantly. Households need accurate budgeting to manage their expenses.
Commercial banks are making efforts to better serve the public, especially in areas lacking ATM access. With many bank branches closing, banks are installing new ATMs and cashback points to facilitate access to cash, particularly for the elderly. These points offer cash withdrawals of up to €100 per transaction. Despite initial resistance in some areas, acceptance of this initiative appears to be growing. In the future, more ATMs are planned to be installed in areas that show demand.
The Anti-Drug Agency of Cyprus has recorded a significant increase in cannabis seizures, reaching 588 kilograms in 2025 alone. Cannabis has become the primary drug in the market, while authorities continue to discover new methods of smuggling. There is growing concern about the involvement of younger individuals in drug-related cases. Authorities are collaborating with various sectors to monitor suspicious individuals and prevent drug trafficking. Cocaine seizures have also increased, indicating the development of illegal networks.