The Joker draw took place at OPAP, with the lucky numbers being 2, 9, 3, 38, 39 and the Joker number 7. Winners will share at least €1,000,000. Draws occur every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Participants are eagerly waiting to see if their numbers will win. The draw was held on January 29, 2026.
An explosion occurred at the TURPAS refinery in Nicomedia, Turkey. All employees were evacuated promptly, and nearby residents were warned about the potential danger. Firefighting teams quickly arrived to extinguish the flames. There are currently no reports of casualties or injuries, but the situation is being closely monitored. Local authorities assure that necessary measures have been taken to ensure public safety.
In Larnaca, a police officer was arrested for allegedly giving a mobile phone to an inmate connected to a shooting case. The officer is expected to be interrogated and may be suspended if the allegations are confirmed. The case is under investigation by the Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department. Additionally, surveillance footage from the police station is being examined. More updates are expected soon.
A former mayor and three former members of the community council of Palaiometocho were sentenced to suspended prison for abuse of power. They admitted to hiring the mayor's niece and paving private paths. Their actions were described as 'simple tasks' and there was no personal gain involved. The case had been ongoing since 2019 and concluded in 2026. The lengthy legal process was considered when determining the penalties.
The proposed law for the Independent Social Support Body establishes a cap on contributions from individuals or legal entities, with the maximum amount set at €50,000 annually. Furthermore, it suggests that the chairperson will no longer be the spouse of the President of the Republic. The aim of this proposal is to enhance transparency and accountability within the body. A register will be created for donations, requiring donor consent before any disclosure of their information. This new regulation seeks to prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Two individuals, including a professor, were defrauded of over €180,000 by a 50-year-old who promised them property purchases. Despite assurances and payments, the houses turned out to be non-existent. The suspect falsely presented himself as a real estate businessman and continued to extract money for properties he did not own. This situation revealed a well-organized scam, with victims waiting two years without results. Investigations are ongoing regarding the cases related to the suspect.
Former Supreme Court President George Pikis has passed away. The announcement was made by the Supreme Court via social media. He served as the President from 1995 to 2004 and had extensive experience in legal matters, including human rights. He also served on the United Nations Committee Against Torture. His contributions to the legal field were significant through publications and lectures.
The Department of Road Transport warns about dangerous cars and motorcycles that may cause injuries, fires, or electric shocks. This warning is based on information from the Consumer Protection Agency. It includes models like the Ford Focus, Ford Puma, and motorcycles from Ducati. Consumers are urged to be cautious, and manufacturers are asked to inform the Department of Road Transport. More details can be found through the Safety Gate platform.
Nigel Dennis, an official from EUROCOP, expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the Chief of Police in Cyprus, Themistocles Arnaoutis, regarding the new working hours. He described Arnaoutis's behavior as unacceptable and disrespectful towards the European Police Confederation. According to him, the absence of social dialogue before deciding on the new hours is unprecedented. He also urged Arnaoutis to open a communication channel with union representatives. The issue will be discussed at the EUROCOP conference in Cyprus in April.
The decision by the Administrative Court for International Protection allows for the mandatory repatriation of Syrian asylum seekers after their applications were rejected. The court ruled that the rejection decisions made by the Immigration Department are lawful. This is seen as a significant development for the government's immigration policy. Despite some Syrians returning voluntarily, many continue to refuse to return. This ruling supports the strategy of zero tolerance towards unlawful behaviors by foreigners.
Eirini Charalampidou announced that she is considering running for a fourth term in Parliament. In an interview, she indicated a positive inclination towards this direction. She also mentioned that she has become accustomed to taking risks without safety nets for the past 15 years. Her statement reinforces the rumors about her intentions in the upcoming elections. This conversation generates interest regarding her future political path.
The Green Movement has criticized Odysseas Michailidis for allegedly approaching candidate Miltos Papadopoulos. If the report is true, this action is deemed a political immorality. Michailidis responds by asserting that everyone has the right to decide with which party they want to be a candidate. The Green Movement emphasizes the importance of political ethics and transparency. They urge Michailidis to confirm the validity of the report and to consider the implications of his political practices.
The police in Limassol are investigating a case involving the fraud of 58,400 euros. A 50-year-old man was arrested following a complaint from a 70-year-old who paid this amount for a property that was not for sale. The man failed to transfer ownership of the property, which belonged to another person. The investigation is ongoing. The accused has appeared in court and is being detained for five days.
The Limassol District Secretarial of the Democratic Party expresses its stance on MP Nikos Syka. They refuse to partake in any efforts that undermine his dignity and that of his family. They emphasize the importance of justice and condemn any form of violence. Additionally, they recognize Syka's past contributions and the trust he has built with the local community. They underline their commitment to strengthen the positive presence of their party in the area.
The six accused of the murder of Stavros Dymosthenous were referred to trial before the Permanent Criminal Court in Limassol, scheduled for March 24, 2026. The lawyer for the 51-year-old defendant requested changes to his bail conditions, but the court indicated that the charges could not be tried there. The defendants were temporarily released under specific conditions, but the 51-year-old failed to meet them and remains in custody. The charges include premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The case is expected to unfold with interest on the new trial date.
The conflict between the Archbishop and the former Bishop of Paphos, Tychikos, is escalating. Tychikos sent a letter to Archbishop Georgios accusing him of arbitrary actions and warning of legal measures. He states that the threat of police intervention to retrieve keys from the Metropolitan is arbitrary and lacks a judicial decision. He also clarifies that he does not use the Metropolitan's premises and resides in an external area. Tychikos calls for the protection of ecclesiastical institutions from untimely actions.
A traffic accident in Romania resulted in the death of seven PAOK fans and injuries to three others. Authorities are closely investigating the causes of the accident, focusing on human error and weather conditions. There are doubts about the claim that the van's Lane Assist system 'stuck' during overtaking. The investigation continues, exploring various scenarios, while mechanical failure is deemed unlikely. Experts question the accuracy of reports regarding the van's equipment.
Farmers and users of water resources are facing unprecedented financial pressure as the Department of Water Development demands back payments for water usage from 2017 to 2024. This has sparked strong reactions from agricultural organizations, which are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the decision. The proposed fees are considered excessive and may push many producers into financial deadlock. Late payment penalties may also apply if not paid on time. The organizations are seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister of Agriculture to discuss this serious issue.
A high school teacher in Washington had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student. Their communications included erotic messages and photos, starting in the summer of 2022. The relationship led to sexual intercourse at the teacher's house. The educator confessed to first-degree sexual abuse and was sentenced to two years of probation. Additionally, she was fined and will be registered as a sex offender.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) is initiating a tender for the purchase of production services for Conference League and national team matches. The estimated value of the tender is €140,000, covering mandatory and optional services. Specific matches include friendlies of the Cyprus national team and matches of the Conference League. The deadline for submitting bids is February 13. The contractor will provide equipment and technical support for the production.
The Legal Service informed the Parliament that there is no need for recovery or redistribution of state funding between parties for the 2021 parliamentary elections. The letter clarifies that the state support provided in 2016 does not affect the current situation. It also notes that parties were called for the first time to submit financial statements regarding extraordinary funding for the presidential elections. The distinction between regular and extraordinary funding no longer exists. Finally, it mentions that there was no damage to the state's budget.
A private hospital under the General Health System is to pay a €30,000 fine due to delays in submitting reimbursement requests to the Health Insurance Organization (OAY). This ongoing issue has resulted in discrepancies in patient records and required OAY to input the requests itself. The OAY has stated that the hospital is not following regulations as required of all providers. This fine follows previous instances of late submissions by other providers. OAY's intervention was deemed necessary for the provider's compliance.
The Hematology Clinic at the General Hospital of Limassol is facing severe shortages of available beds, causing many treatments to be postponed. Patients, especially those with weakened immune systems, are worried about their health as they wait for beds to become available. The lack of space puts patients' safety at risk, as doctors recommend isolation care for them. Despite repeated complaints, the problem seems to persist unresolved. Authorities are urged to take measures to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place.
The case of George Lakotris, former Minister of Energy, is under scrutiny by the parliamentary Institutions Committee due to his requests for private sector work. Following the end of his term, he submitted over 10 applications for special work authorization. Lawmakers are concerned about the transparency and process behind these applications, particularly after the release of a video suggesting possible irregularities. Details of the applications were discussed in a closed session, as they involve sensitive information. This situation raises questions about the transition from public to private sector for former officials.
A 23-year-old transgender woman from Brazil has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for cocaine trafficking. During her detention, she was placed in a separate space to avoid risks such as violence and targeting. Her lawyer highlighted the challenges she would face due to language barriers and isolation. The court acknowledged the difficulties faced by transgender inmates and called for a permanent arrangement in her case. There was an emphasis on the need to respect human dignity during the implementation of her sentence.
President Christodoulides presented five proposals during a recent tripartite meeting aimed at advancing negotiations for the Cyprus issue. Olguin, representing the Turkish side, appears to be moving at a slow pace, focusing on Confidence-Building Measures rather than the substantive issues at hand. The proposals include reaffirming the basis for a solution, sharing convergences with the communities, and organizing an official conference. Christodoulides hopes for positive developments and the announcement of new crossing points. Erhürman’s response was cautious, indicating that the proposals are not new.