The police arrested five foreigners out of eight wanted for incidents involving gunfire in Larnaca. The detained individuals are scheduled to appear at the Larnaca District Court for the issuance of detention orders. Investigations are being conducted into offenses such as conspiracy to commit a felony and illegal possession of weapons. A 48-year-old Cypriot, who is hospitalized with injuries, is also involved in the case. There are reports that the criminal group was attempting to control the protection of entertainment venues.
The Political Bureau of DISY decided to remove Nikos Syka from the party's candidate list for the upcoming parliamentary elections. In the meeting, 85 officials participated, with the majority supporting his removal. The proposal for a unanimous decision from president Annita Demetriou was not accepted, leading to a secret vote. Averof Neofytou emphasized the necessity for strong legal arguments supporting the decision. Andreas Michailidis will take Syka's place on the list.
Deputy Minister Damianou explained that the €500,000 relates to a private initiative aimed at teaching Artificial Intelligence in schools. He emphasized the educational and social aspects of the program. Coordination is already taking place between various ministries for the initiative's implementation. The Deputy Minister assured that transparent processes will be followed for proposal submissions. The General Accountant stated in a letter that claims of a donation from an American citizen are not valid.
Italian fashion designer Valentino has passed away at the age of 93. Born in Voghera, he showed an early interest in fashion, choosing red as his symbolic color. After studying in Milan, he moved to Paris and later returned to Rome, where he shaped his career. His partnerships, particularly with Giancarlo Giametti, marked significant moments in his life. Valentino left a lasting legacy in fashion, especially with his iconic all-white collection in 1967.
Ben Needham, who disappeared in 1991 in Kos, remains missing 35 years later. His mother, Kerry Needham, believes her son was kidnapped by gypsies and sold illegally for adoption. Reports from locals prompted her to explore this theory. Despite police investigations and gathered information, no evidence has been found. Needham continues her search and raises awareness about human trafficking.
The police are searching for eight individuals linked to a brawl and gunfire that occurred in Larnaca in January 2026. The wanted individuals mostly come from Palestine and Jordan. Authorities are asking anyone with information to get in touch. The situation is serious, and the police are seeking details for their arrest. Public assistance is crucial in this matter.
The loot from the jewelry store in Ayia Napa is much higher than the initial estimate of €200,000. The perpetrators, three in total, stole diamonds worth over €1 million in less than three minutes. The police were alerted following the trigger of the alarm. At the same time, a house belonging to Russians in Paralimni was also burglarized, with €100,000 stolen. Investigations are ongoing into both incidents.
A new complaint has emerged regarding organized crime activities in Larnaca, following an incident involving gunfire during a brawl. Business owners in the tourist area of Oroklini are facing pressure to pay money to criminal groups for 'protection.' The Larnaca Municipality has been informed about these demands, and it seems that some owners have acquiesced out of fear of retaliation. The mayor expressed his anger over the recent events. He warns that the situation is serious and requires greater attention from the authorities.
A mother of a primary school student in Paphos reported a serious incident of violence by a teacher against her son. According to the report, the teacher struck the 6-year-old when he got up from his seat to sit at another desk. The student suffered serious injuries, including bruises and cuts on his lips. The mother has already filed a complaint with the police, and the Ministry of Education is aware of the incident. The teacher continues to teach, while the child is afraid to return to school.
Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris is determined to transform the Central Prisons into a correctional institution. He has already visited the prisons several times and acknowledged existing problems, such as overcrowding. His goal is to ensure the human rights of inmates and to change the structure of the prisons. He plans new training for correctional officers with the help of specialists. A name change for the prisons and their staff is also proposed.
Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to participate in the new 'Council of Peace.' Moscow is considering the proposal and shows interest in joining. The Council will address conflicts, starting with Gaza. There are concerns that this initiative could negatively affect the UN's work. Membership requires funding for a permanent position.
Under the 'Minds in Cyprus' scheme, 600 foreign workers are interested in moving to Cyprus with tax incentives. The tax exemption for those who have been abroad for seven years will increase to €25,000. However, members of the Finance Committee express concerns about unequal treatment among workers. There is also a need to reassess the plan to determine its effectiveness. Lawyers are worried about retroactive provisions that could affect existing workers in Cyprus.
The General Accountant of the Republic, Andreas Antoniades, provides information on monetary donations to the state over the last three years in response to a request from MP Christos Christofides. He clarifies that the claim about an American investor donating 500,000 euros to the state is false. Although he lacks access to data on in-kind donations, he mentions that such information has been requested by the Parliamentary Committee. The details of the monetary donations will be submitted later by the Ministry of Finance. The situation remains under evaluation by the relevant authorities.
Donald Trump appears to link his claims on Greenland with not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. In a letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister, he states that he no longer feels obligated to focus solely on peace after this decision. He emphasizes that America's security requires full control over Greenland. The Norwegian Prime Minister clarifies that the Nobel Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the government. This connection between the award and his claims has sparked reactions.
The police have made three arrests in connection with the murder of a 41-year-old man in Paphos. The 29-year-old suspect admitted to stabbing his uncle but claimed he did not intend to kill him. The violence stemmed from personal disputes related to TikTok posts. Two other individuals were injured during the incident and taken to the hospital. The case is under investigation for premeditated murder.
The Democratic Party is announcing ten new candidates for its electoral list today. Among them are Nestor Nestoros and Loizos Michail, who will participate in the districts of Nicosia and Limassol, respectively. The process of announcing candidates will continue in the coming days, with plans for another ten candidates to be announced. The party's Political Committee will meet soon to discuss the election strategy. Indications suggest that the party leader, Marios Karoyan, will not be a candidate in the parliamentary elections.
Cyprus has a high life expectancy, but many people face health issues in their later years. About 40% of Cypriots reaching retirement live with serious limitations due to chronic diseases. The average life expectancy is 84-85 years for women and 81 years for men, but healthy life years are only 65.7 for women and 64.4 for men. Risk factors include poor diet and lack of exercise. Improving quality of life in old age is essential for the future.
The European Consumer Organization is working to inform consumers about energy bills and home energy renovations. They have released a guide outlining energy policy priorities for the next decade. Recommendations include improving energy bills and better enforcement of consumer rights. Consumers should have easier access to renewable energy sources and be protected from misleading sales practices. Support is also needed for the transition to clean heating and increasing energy efficiency in homes.
About 51.38% of businesses in Cyprus used paid cloud computing services in 2025, showing a slight decrease compared to 2023. The adoption is highest among large enterprises at 84.67%. Medium-sized businesses follow at 66.78%, with small businesses at 49.3%. Eurostat notes that companies prefer cloud solutions over investing in their own IT infrastructure. There are significant differences in cloud usage across countries.
The new shift schedule affecting over 1,000 police officers in Cyprus has sparked reactions. Police union representatives have filed a complaint with the Administrative Court against the Police Chief's decision to change the schedule and reduce allowances. A request for a stay of execution of the decision is expected to be examined until the main application is reviewed. The union continues to engage with political parties to support their case. A protest at the Parliament is also planned.
The Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA) is moving forward with the recruitment process for a general director after a court ruling annulled the previous appointment. There are 24 candidates for the position, and evaluations will be conducted by an external audit firm. The evaluation process will be transparent, with candidates' names being coded. Additionally, cases related to the handling of matters by KOA are under investigation by the police. These involve issues such as land leasing and potential abuse of power.
Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt reaffirmed their close cooperation, with the Foreign Ministers announcing intentions to expand their relationships into new areas. The tripartite meeting took place in Cairo ahead of Turkish President Erdoğan's visit to Egypt. This cooperation is unaffected by Turkish-Egyptian contacts, as the countries prioritize their collaboration. In their statements, the ministers emphasized the importance of cooperation for the region and mentioned plans for further actions. Cyprus's presidency of the EU is expected to enhance this collaboration.
Larnaca is facing serious challenges from organized crime, with three murder attempts and vehicle arsons occurring in the past month. Reports indicate conflicts between rival factions vying for control over protection services for businesses. A 48-year-old man was arrested, believed to be a central figure behind the attacks. Although several arrests have been made, many cases remain without identified masterminds. The situation is complicated by allegations of threats and violence against local business owners.