Faidon Faidonos claims he is the victim of a coordinated attack and asserts he has committed no crimes he is accused of. He emphasizes that the attacks aim to distract from the 'videogate' scandal. He is prepared to respond publicly to any accusations and calls for objectivity from authorities. He expresses concern over the serious issues of corruption facing Cyprus and fears the continuation of this situation. Faidon believes that if these orchestrated attacks succeed, they will not stop with him.
The Republic of Cyprus will participate as an observer in the upcoming Peace Council meeting for Gaza in Washington in 2026. The Government Spokesman highlighted Cyprus' importance in the region and its active involvement in peace efforts. The meeting will discuss the next steps for implementing President Trump's Plan. Cyprus has already engaged in related international meetings and initiatives. The level of representation will be determined in coordination with the organizers.
A 22-year-old Ukrainian was arrested at Larnaca airport upon arrival in Cyprus for being wanted in connection with a serious fight that occurred on New Year’s Eve in Saripolou Street. He allegedly struck a 29-year-old with a glass, causing serious facial injuries. The victim was hospitalized with injuries including skull and nasal fractures. Additionally, police are investigating three other suspects in the case. Investigations are ongoing, with further witness statements and identification procedures planned.
In Cyprus, there is growing concern over the disappearance of cats, with volunteers criticizing the Police for their handling of the case. Three cats that were cared for by volunteers went missing from a popular parking area. Investigations revealed a woman allegedly trapping them, but the Police have not conducted an in-depth inquiry. Following public outcry, the Police announced they are reviewing surveillance footage from the supermarket. The case remains open, and additional reports of cat disappearances have emerged.
Five billionaires faced significant losses due to the drop in stocks linked to artificial intelligence amid concerns about costs. Elon Musk saw his wealth decrease by $8 billion, while Mark Zuckerberg lost nearly $7 billion. The downward trend was also impacted by Lenovo's warning about memory chip shortages. In contrast, Walmart's stock rose, benefiting the heirs of its founder. Investors are worried about the profitability of investments in artificial intelligence.
A person died in a traffic accident while changing a tire on their vehicle on an eastern highway. The accident occurred on Friday night, with the victim on the left lane when struck by another vehicle. The highway remained closed for several hours due to the severity of the incident. The driver of the other vehicle has been arrested, and authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident. The road was reopened to traffic about three hours later.
The low pressure system affecting the island is starting to weaken. Dust will be present in the atmosphere from Monday, gradually clearing by Tuesday. The weather will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain, and snow is expected at the higher peaks of Troodos. Winds will be moderate to strong, and temperatures will range from 7 to 20 degrees Celsius. Over the weekend, the weather will be mostly clear with some increased cloudiness on Monday.
Lawmakers from Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the USA attended an interparliamentary meeting in Jerusalem, noting that Turkey is emerging as the main source of instability in the Eastern Mediterranean as Iran weakens. The 3+1 cooperation framework is deemed crucial for enhancing regional security. Haris Georgiades emphasized the significance of the Eastern Mediterranean for either fostering stability or causing tensions. The cooperation does not target any specific country but serves common interests. A recent survey shows that Cypriots largely support the partnership with Israel and Greece.
Consumers are expected to face water cuts on an 'every other day' basis due to necessary restrictions from the Water Development Department. Anticipated system failures are predicted to increase by 30%, impacting water prices and availability. The cutting method has been technically designed to ensure fair water distribution and prevent system collapse. The president of the Nicosia Water Authority, Konstantinos Giorgatzis, presented management scenarios for water supply expected to last for 12 months. The proposed plan includes alternating water supply hours for different areas.
Lakpadoma Sherpa, a 26-year-old from Nepal, succumbed to her injuries following a traffic accident in Limassol. The collision occurred when a 52-year-old driver collided with her electric scooter. This incident took place on the morning of February 10, 2026. The young woman was taken to the hospital and was hospitalized on a ventilator. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The rapid increase of electric scooters on the roads is causing serious problems and dangerous situations. The lack of enforcement and uncontrolled usage has led to violations of traffic rules and, unfortunately, to accidents. There are proposals for restrictions, such as banning their use or creating a registry of devices. Current legislation imposes usage rules, but these are often not followed by users. Police statistics show that deaths and injuries from accidents are alarming.
A significant development in tackling human trafficking is the transfer of management from the Ministry of Migration to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministers of Justice and Migration worked together to enhance the coordination of relevant services. This change aims for better management of trafficking victims and collaboration with the Police. The Ministry of Justice will take on the role of National Coordinator. A draft amendment must be prepared and approved by Parliament.
Ankara seeks to maintain full control over the Cypriot dialogue, as Tufan Erhurman briefed Hakan Fidan after his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erhurman stated that the meeting lasted longer than originally planned, which he interprets as a positive sign of the UN chief's engagement. He emphasized the need for discussions around the four-point methodology they presented. Erhurman pointed out that Guterres’s attention to the situation remains strong, hoping for a positive evolution in the talks. Ankara seems determined to continue this specific political approach towards Cyprus.
The healthcare sector in Cyprus is facing serious issues including staff shortages and complaints about patient care in public hospitals. Private hospitals are threatening to close clinics due to a lack of nurses. The Minister of Health has commissioned a study to address the crisis, but disagreements continue to delay solutions. Parents of children in Makarios Hospital are expressing their anxiety. The situation is tense, and decisions made will directly impact patients.
Cyprus has one of the highest rates of vaping among teenagers in the EU, with 10% of 16-year-olds vaping daily. At the same time, smoking among teenagers has decreased to 14%. Dr. Angelos Kassianou points out that nicotine use is shifting from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Influencers and sweet flavors make vaping more appealing to young people. He warns that action needs to be taken quickly to prevent the normalization of vaping.
The new bill from the Ministry of Justice allows citizens to file lawsuits for compensation if there are delays in examining criminal cases. Lawsuits can be filed either during the court proceedings or after a final court decision is made. The aim of the bill is to protect the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, in line with the Constitution and international agreements. Citizens affected by delays will have the opportunity to seek justice for compensation. This legislation is expected to strengthen justice and improve court processes.
The suspended mayor, Faidonos, admitted to using his service vehicle illegally to prevent enemies from monitoring him. This admission led to investigations into misconduct and misappropriation of public funds. The case file has been forwarded to the Attorney General to determine whether criminal charges will be filed. Despite these allegations, Faidonos claims he has never requested maintenance allowances and did not misuse the service vehicle. The situation is under investigation, and authorities will continue to examine the evidence.