Saif al-Islam, the son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is dead. His political advisor confirmed his death on Facebook, stating he was killed near Al-Hamanda. The details surrounding his murder remain unclear, with reports of armed conflicts in the area. The Libyan prosecution has initiated an investigation into the incident. Saif al-Islam remains a polarizing figure in Libya, with his legacy being controversial.
The victim of the new case against the Mayor of Paphos, Aristodemou, reportedly gave a lengthy testimony to the Police. Entrepreneur Theodoros Aristodemou accuses Faidonos Faidonos of committing a serious criminal offense. The testimony is said to have lasted several hours. More details are expected soon.
The Department of Road Transport issued a warning about dangerous Chinese-made airbags linked to deaths and serious injuries in the US. These airbags may rupture and launch metal fragments in the event of a collision. Importers and sellers in Cyprus are urged to recall these products. Consumers who have such airbags are advised to inform their mechanics. Lastly, the Department is working to keep the public updated on this issue.
The Ministry of Justice and the Migration Deputy Ministry of Cyprus are conducting arrests and immediate expulsions of dangerous foreigners. On January 26, 2026, 11 foreigners were arrested due to a serious incident that resulted in injuries and posed a threat to public safety. Authorities assessed that their presence in Cyprus was not in the public interest, activating the expulsion procedures. Among those arrested is a European citizen who cannot be expelled. The Ministry and the Police are collaborating to ensure public order and safety.
A family of four was found dead in their home in Australia, in a case being investigated as a murder-suicide. The parents and their two children, who had severe autism, were discovered by a caregiver who became concerned after being unable to reach them. Evidence suggests the parents made a joint decision to end their lives and those of their children. Authorities are exploring the circumstances of the deaths and the lack of support the family was receiving, leaving the local community in shock. This tragedy sparks discussions about the challenges faced by families with individuals with disabilities.
Cyprus appears in emails from Jeffrey Epstein that were recently published. These emails include references to contacts with notable individuals and activities in Gulf countries. Despite the mentions, there is no evidence of any property or illegal actions by Epstein in Cyprus. Overall, the documents do not support claims of illegal activities. This new batch of documents was released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Court of Appeal upheld a three-month prison sentence for a police officer found guilty of indecent assault against a colleague. The incident occurred in 2018 during his service when he touched the complainant inappropriately. Despite repeated attempts by the accused to contact her, the complainant did not wish for any interaction. Eventually, she reported the incident, leading to this conviction. The case highlights serious issues of sexual harassment within the forces.
Panaigios Theofanous, a 64-year-old from Avgorou, passed away today from his injuries after a road accident. The incident occurred on the afternoon of January 16, 2026, when he lost control of his moped and crashed into a wall. He was taken to Famagusta General Hospital, where he was found to have internal bleeding and a head injury. Due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to Nicosia General Hospital. Traffic police are continuing their investigations into the accident.
DIKO announced its 12 candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Limassol. The party emphasized that the ballot reflects a balance of experience and renewal while addressing social representation. The proposed candidates possess the necessary qualifications and ethics to represent the party in the House of Representatives. Final approval of the ballot is expected from the Central Committee. The list includes professionals from various fields, such as lawyers and engineers.
The Police are conducting investigations into the theft of 13.6 kilograms of explosives from the Kalos Chorio firing range. The inquiries focus on the responsibilities of National Guard officials for inadequate supervision of the explosives. There are concerns that these explosives could end up in criminal hands. Metal traders and recycling factories have been informed about the situation. The Police are still considering all possibilities, with investigations extending beyond Larnaca.
MP Charalambos Pazaros has withdrawn his complaint against Ioanna Fotio, known as Annie Alexui. He stated that he does not consider Annie a criminal and believes she should be given the opportunity to present her evidence. His decision stemmed from the belief that Ioanna is a victim of crimes that need investigation. It was noted that there were 13 arrest warrants issued against her by the authorities. The MP mentioned that the withdrawal requires the consent of the Attorney General.
The promotion ceremony begins in the Police with 45 constables being promoted to senior constables. The announcement was made by the Chief of Police, Themistocles Arnaoutis, with the approval of the Minister of Justice. The promotions will take effect from January 29, 2026. It includes promotions of personnel holding significant positions in the Police. The announcement of new constables and corporals is also expected in the coming days.
Donnis Christofinis, a veteran leader of AKEL, has passed away at the age of 97. Born in Amiante in 1928, he significantly contributed to the political left movement in Cyprus as well as international leftist actions. He studied in Cyprus and Moscow and held key positions in AKEL since 1946. He built relationships with global figures and participated in international peace efforts. AKEL and EDON express their sorrow for his loss and extend condolences to his family.
A new complaint has been filed against MEP Feidias Panayiotou for violating personal data rights. The athlete, whose face appears in a video by Panayiotou, is asking the Data Protection Commissioner to have his image removed from the video. KYSOA argues that this case threatens the human rights and political demands of people with disabilities. The athlete has stated that their images are personal data that must be respected. This complaint highlights a significant issue regarding the recognition and protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities.
The Legal Service of the Republic confirmed that it does not discuss matters under criminal investigation publicly. This is done to protect the criminal process. The assessment of the case related to the Cyprus Football Association is ongoing, and decisions are expected soon. Given its seriousness and complexity, public discussion of its details is advised against. The Legal Service maintains this policy during this period.
The police are investigating a businessman’s complaint against Paphos Mayor, Phaidonas Phaidonos, regarding a serious offense. Investigators are collecting testimonies to assess the claims made in the complaint. Additionally, there is an ongoing inquiry concerning the alleged abuse of the Mayor's wife. The Ministry of Interior is waiting for the police's response before deciding on the next steps, including the potential suspension of the Mayor. Investigations are currently underway.
The Audit Service found delays and cost increases in three major projects of the University of Cyprus. The Polytechnic School project experienced a 72-month delay and a cost increase of €13.6 million. The Biological Sciences building project had a 5-month delay with an increase of over €1 million. In the Medical School, an unjustified delay of four months was noted. The University of Cyprus disagrees with the conclusions of the Audit Service.
Winds of up to 7 Beaufort are expected along the coasts of Cyprus. The Meteorological Department warns of strong winds affecting mainly the western and southern coasts. The sea will be rough in coastal areas with chances of rain or thunderstorms. Caution and protective measures are advised, especially in outdoor areas. The sea temperature will be 18°C.
A scandal has erupted at a Buddhist temple in Thailand, leading to the arrest of four monks during a police raid. Authorities discovered pornographic material, sexual aids, and drugs in their rooms. The raid was prompted by complaints of drug use within the temple. The arrested monks have been defrocked and banned from performing any religious activities. Three of them will be referred to a rehabilitation program.
An explosion occurred at a restaurant in Nicosia around 3 AM, likely due to a gas leak. A fire followed, but fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Residents of the apartments in the building were evacuated promptly for safety. The scene is under guard while police investigate the incident. The situation is being monitored.
Limassol is preparing for the carnival with a focus on safety. This year, there will be no charge for policing the events, as announced by Mayor Giannis Armeftis. The cooperation between the police and the municipality will begin on Clean Thursday and culminate with the big parade on February 22. However, there was a dispute regarding the policing charges from the previous carnival. Traffic regulations will restrict vehicle use in the city center on Clean Thursday.
ELAM and Almy are in a heated political confrontation, exchanging serious allegations. ELAM appears to be gaining strength in the polls, while Almy is trying to enter the Parliament. Both sides accuse each other of corruption and ties with the underworld. The dispute focuses on the inclusion of a candidate with a criminal past in ELAM's electoral list. Christos Christou and Odysseas Michailidis are counterattacking, attempting to undermine each other's credibility.
The POED is requesting a reduction in teaching time for school principals and assistant principals in primary education due to their increased responsibilities. Additionally, they propose that administrative positions in Preschool Education be announced starting from the 2026-2027 school year. The organization calls for a gradual elimination of teaching time for principals. It emphasizes the need to gradually reduce the teaching periods for assistant principals to 16. POED highlights the urgency of its requests and seeks a meeting with the Minister of Education.
Today's session of the Agriculture Committee is expected to provoke intense debates regarding the environmental fee imposed on agricultural water usage. Thousands of farmers using boreholes are affected by invoices that can reach six-digit numbers due to retroactive charges starting from August 2017. The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented strict regulations to limit excessive water extraction. There are significant malfunctions in the billing system, causing concerns and delays in issuing bills. Farmers express their dissatisfaction and are seeking clarifications about the situation.
Tufan Erhiyurman stated that a solution to the Cyprus issue must be agreed upon by the three guarantor powers, particularly Turkey. He emphasizes the need for dialogue on Confidence-Building Measures, despite pressure to return to negotiations. Erhiyurman expressed concerns regarding the format of multilateral conferences, highlighting a lack of concrete results from previous meetings. His main goal remains the resolution of the Cyprus problem. He added that the current atmosphere is not suitable for a solution at this time.
The agreement for the Archdiocese to grant the building of Faneromeni to the University of Cyprus was successfully completed, although the background was complex. Former Archbishop Chrysostomos II was initially hesitant but was eventually convinced by Konstantinos Petridis and Zeta Emilianidou about the benefits of the deal. The process was finalized after multiple discussions and proposals from the University. The new Archbishop Georgios confirmed the agreement and expects renovations to begin soon. The University plans to attract new students to the city through this initiative.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has proposed collaboration with Cyta to strengthen competitiveness in the energy sector. EAC Chairman Georgios Petrou emphasizes that cooperation is needed to offer better prices to consumers. Cyta has expressed concerns about possible regulatory issues that may arise from an exclusive partnership. Both organizations understand that collaboration could yield benefits, but they call for appropriate regulatory support. The proposal aims to expand into energy sectors and enhance their services.
The evaluation of the criminal investigation regarding football broadcast rights linked to the former president of the Cyprus Football Federation, Giorgos Koumas, is moving into its final stage. Independent criminal investigator Alexandra Lycurgo addressed the issue in a recent interview, highlighting evidence that justifies the filing of charges. The case is treated as complex and receives significant attention from the Legal Service. Public updates will follow once the investigation reaches a conclusion. This topic has recently generated considerable media coverage, particularly regarding the investigation's delays.