The publication wishes its readers a happy new year. It hopes that 2026 will bring health, love, and freedom to Cyprus. The commitment is to continue providing reliable information. The message highlights the wish for the fulfillment of goals and desires. Happy New Year to everyone!
Turkey's Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler, made strong statements against Greece, warning that Turkey will not tolerate faits accomplis in Cyprus, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean. He states that Turkey desires good relations with Greece and aims for mutually beneficial solutions. However, he emphasizes Turkey's firm determination to protect its rights. He asserts that no action will be allowed that disregards Turkey's stance. The statements focus on the necessity of vigilance regarding developments in the region.
Roberto Carlos has denied rumors about having a heart attack. He posted a smiling photo from the hospital and shared that a scheduled medical check-up went well. He confirmed that there was no heart attack and that he is recovering smoothly. He thanked everyone for their support and the medical team that cared for him. He looks forward to returning to his normal activities.
Roberto Carlos, the Brazilian football legend, was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack while in Brazil. The 52-year-old, known for his success as a defender, underwent an emergency medical procedure that lasted nearly three hours. His health is reported to be stable, and he is not in danger. No further information has been provided by his family, and updates on his condition are awaited. Carlos is noted as a former athlete with no apparent risk factors.
The Ministry of Transport announced that beneficiaries who received preliminary approval for purchasing electric vehicles and do not submit an order will lose their grant. The deadline for order submission has passed, and non-compliant beneficiaries will have their approval revoked. Preliminary approvals will be sent to the alternates. Necessary documents must be sent on time. It is highlighted that alternates will be prioritized based on the order of their drawing.
A second wave of prisoner releases is set to occur in Cyprus, following 55 releases during the holiday season. This new list includes 130 inmates, with over 80 foreign nationals who will be deported. The decision aims to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, which currently house more inmates than capacity allows. There are also plans to build a new prison expected to be completed by 2028. The releases are expected to be announced soon, with the goal of improving prisoners' living conditions.
Bishop Christoforos faces serious allegations regarding the transfer of funds to his personal accounts, which allegedly belong to the Pancyprian Parents Association. These allegations harm his prospects in the race for the Metropolitan throne of Paphos. Although the matter is not on the agenda of the upcoming Holy Synod, it is expected to be discussed. There are suggestions that he should declare he is not interested in the throne to protect the Church. The coming days are crucial in the lead-up to the elections for the Metropolitan of Paphos.
Police union representatives are planning a series of measures following the decision by the Chief of Police, Themistocles Arnaoutis, regarding changes to their work schedule. This decision affects over 1,000 police officers, who will work 11 hours instead of 12. The assembly of the Cyprus Police Association decided to send a letter to the Mixed Police Committee and will meet with the Minister of Justice. They are also exploring legal avenues to overturn this decision. The union members believe this change infringes upon the police officers' labor rights.
The year 2025 was marked by ongoing international conflicts, including the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. Significant geopolitical shifts occurred with the presidency of Donald Trump. In the last days of the year, diplomatic efforts intensified to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and achieve a peace agreement in Gaza. Key events included the signing of a ceasefire in Gaza and the political activity of the new American president. 2025 reflected an atmosphere of uncertainty and geopolitical fluidity.
The atoll of Kiribati has become the first area to welcome 2026, celebrating the New Year at 12:00 PM Cyprus time. This country, which gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979, consists of 33 islands and has a population of approximately 116,000 residents. Many of these atolls are at risk from rising sea levels. Other countries in the region, such as New Zealand and Australia, will follow in welcoming the new year. This event highlights the connection between celebrations and time zone differences.
The Fire Service in Paphos responded to four incidents due to severe weather conditions. There were fallen trees and poles, as well as flooding on roads. The personnel worked to remove hazards and restore safety in the area. Authorities advise the public to be cautious and follow their guidelines. Additionally, landslides have been reported on the Limassol-Paphos highway.
A new testimony regarding the massacre of Greek Cypriots in 1963 has emerged, with Yusuf Kısa stating that 80 Greek Cypriots were beheaded and their bodies thrown into a well. The testimony comes from a Turkish Cypriot who wanted to reveal the truth only after his death. His uncle had stated that he witnessed the crime and requested its publication posthumously. Kısa, as the editor-in-chief, decided to share this information. This revelation comes at a sensitive time for Greek and Turkish Cypriot relations.
The new teacher evaluation system will start its gradual implementation in 2026, with initial actions beginning in January. A Monitoring Committee will be established to advise the Authority on the system's implementation. Actions include finalizing the position plan for the Senior Educator and training programs for teachers. The Senior Educator position is new, targeting experienced teachers. Additionally, meetings will be organized with educational organizations to discuss unresolved issues.
The year 2025 was significant with the loss of important figures who shaped art and culture globally. Among them were Pope Francis, Robert Redford, and Giorgio Armani. Many artists and politicians left their mark, including actress Joan Plowright and director David Lynch. The loss of these significant personalities affects society and our culture. This year highlights the transience of life and the value of those who leave behind works and legacies.
Apple has issued a warning about serious vulnerabilities in the software of iPhones and iPads. Users are urged to install the latest updates immediately for protection. The vulnerabilities are found in WebKit, used by Safari. Most users with automatic updates likely already have the patch. Affected devices include iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as various iPad versions.
Turkey plans to finalize an agreement with Syria for offshore energy exploration by 2026. This development could impact geopolitical balances in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region already strained by tensions over natural gas. The Turkish Energy Minister stated that a general framework for cooperation with Syria has been achieved. This partnership might help Turkey restore its regional standing. However, Greece and Cyprus express concerns due to their longstanding maritime disputes.
A 63-year-old man is in critical condition after a serious accident in Nicosia. He was helping a female driver park her vehicle when the door trapped him. He was taken to the hospital and intubated in the intensive care unit. His health status is very serious. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Today, on New Year's Eve, a yellow warning is in effect for rain, storms, and strong winds. Local thunderstorms with the possibility of hail and snow on the highest peaks of Troodos are expected. Winds will be strong, ranging from 6 to 7 Beaufort, with temperatures between 8-18 degrees Celsius. In the first days of 2026, the weather will remain wet with possible rain mainly affecting the western half of the island. Weather changes are expected with a drop in temperature on Friday.
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, responds to statements by the leader of DIKO, Nikolaos Papadopoulos, distinguishing his position from that of the Minister of Labor. He highlights that the cooperation with DIKO is exemplary and showcases the achievements of the government. He mentions successes such as tax reform and the enhancement of Cyprus's international standing. The President emphasizes the necessity of cooperation with other political parties to achieve these goals. He expresses respect for Papadopoulos's opinions and refrains from speaking on his behalf.
The Mayor of Eastern Limassol, Kyriakos Xydias, uncovered serious financial issues in the municipality of Agios Tychonas, with debts amounting to €8 million. Most of these debts are owed to the Water Development Department, as well as to contractors and suppliers. Following these findings, he requested a state audit since no audit had taken place since 2008. The audits will review the management from 2008 to 2020, involving external auditors. The municipality lacks the resources to conduct the investigation on its own.
Shop owners in Larnaca's commercial center expected more customer traffic in the final days of the year, but mostly restaurants saw increased activity. This was attributed to ongoing transformation projects in the center. Despite a rise in visitors from festive events, shops experienced moderate footfall. Store owners plan to hold monthly events to increase traffic until the completion of the projects in 2026. Support from citizens is crucial for the survival of the businesses.
In Cyprus, 28 private schools have submitted applications for investments, benefiting from a new plan providing urban development incentives. The Ministry of Interior has already approved 10 of these applications, while others are pending. The plan aims to support private schools and address educational needs, especially due to recent geopolitical changes. Limassol has the highest number of applications, followed by Paphos, Nicosia, and Larnaca. The scheme aims to enhance educational infrastructure and promote affordable housing.
The staffing of the five EAs is progressing at a slow pace, despite the initial promise for completion in 18 months. Although 205 public employees were sent for temporary support, gaps in their operations are noted. The Minister of Interior expresses concern over the impact on development processes. Despite a ban on extending transfers, 21 employees will remain until March 2026. These decisions were made to prevent dysfunction in the services that require more resources.
Cyprus is on high alert due to the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which has originated from Turkey. The British DEFRA reports that the SAT1 strain is causing severe outbreaks in Turkey and has now been identified in Cyprus. Vaccines have been sent to the occupied areas to manage the situation. Although the situation is serious, the risk of virus transmission to Great Britain is considered low. Authorities warn about penalties for the illegal importation of products from affected regions.
The Chief of Police, Themistocles Arnaoutis, presented a plan to modernize the Cyprus Police during a press conference yesterday. One of his proposals includes changing police shifts from 12 hours to 11 to increase visibility on the streets. This would reduce the number of rest days for over 1,000 officers, which raises concerns amongst unions. Strong reactions are anticipated from the unions as the proposal has sparked unease. Despite possible backlash, Arnaoutis shows determination to implement the changes.