Cyprus Mail

CBC balance sheet reaches €27.99 billion

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has announced that its total assets and liabilities reached €27.99 billion at the end of the previous month. According to the balance sheet as of February 28, 2026, the largest single component of the institution’s assets was intra-Eurosystem claims, which amounted to €18.33 billion. The bank reported that its […]

Shipping boss warns of grim reality for crews facing maritime attacks

Attacks on merchant shipping continue to expose a significant gap between official statements and the grim reality faced by crews at sea, according to Sunil Kapoor, partner and chief operating officer at Oesterreichischer Lloyd Shipping Group. Writing for industry publication Splash, the executive of the Limassol-based shipping firm, highlighted the growing dangers for seafarers amid […]

Steel yourselves for steep price hikes, consumers warned

Consumer advocacy groups on Monday called for the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy as prices at the pump continued creeping up, while the state-run power utility said electricity bills would likely increase as of next month. The Cyprus Consumers Association urged the government to reinstate fuel subsidies, warning that prices have risen sharply since the […]

Our View: It defies belief that Trump wants to drag his Nato allies into war

After more than two weeks of Operation Epic Fury, the largest US intervention in the Middle East since the Iraq war in 2003, it remains unclear what President Donald Trump goal was. This appears to have been a military operation without a clear goal. In fact, the goal appears to have changed more than once […]

Annita urges urgent plan to shield Cyprus tourism from Iran crisis

Disy president and House speaker Annita Demetriou called on Monday for an immediate crisis management strategy to protect Cyprus’ tourism industry from the economic fallout of the US-Israeli conflict, warning that uncertainty is already affecting visitor numbers. Demetriou presented seven proposals aimed at supporting the sector after meeting representatives from major tourism and business organisations […]

Canada, France, Germany, UK warn against major Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon

A “significant Israeli ground offensive” in Lebanon must be averted since it could have devastating humanitarian consequences, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Britain said in a joint statement on Monday. “A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict,” the countries said. “It must be averted. The […]

Ustel lambasts Cyprus as ‘the spoilt child of Europe’

The north’s ‘prime minister’, Unal Ustel, accused the Republic of Cyprus on Monday of exploiting tensions from the US-Israeli conflict to strengthen defence partnerships. Speaking at an iftar event in Istanbul, Ustel said the ‘government’ was using the regional security climate to expand military cooperation with foreign powers. According to reports in the Turkish press, […]

Prosecution reportedly ordered by legal service in Phedonos rape case

Instructions have been issued for the criminal prosecution of suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos in connection with an alleged rape case, according to information reported on Monday evening. As first reported by Omega TV, the decision was taken by the legal service following its evaluation of the police case file and investigative material gathered over […]

Undecided voters dominate as Disy and Akel remain locked in tight race

Nearly one in three voters have yet to decide how they will vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections, according to the second Noverna poll conducted for Politis on Monday. The survey shows Disy narrowly ahead with 16.1 per cent of the vote, closely followed by Akel at 15.9 per cent. The difference between the two […]

No upgrades planned for Larnaca port

The budget of the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) features no spending on expansions or upgrades at Larnaca port, it emerged in parliament on Monday. MPs were reviewing the CPA’s balance sheet for 2026 – with expenditures at €84 million and projected revenues at €65 million. The only budgeted spending for the Larnaca port involves funds […]

Trump: we don’t know if new Ayatollah is still alive

President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was unclear whether new Iranian leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive, given reports he had been injured in an air strike. “We don’t know … if he’s dead or not. I will say that nobody has seen him, which is unusual,” he said during an event at the […]

Chelsea fined 10.75 million pounds after Premier League rule breaches

Chelsea have been fined a record total of 10.75 million pounds for historical breaches of the Premier League’s regulations, the league said on Monday. The club have also been hit with a one-year first-team transfer ban, suspended for two years, as well as an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban. In a statement, the Premier League […]

RFA Lyme Bay sails to Cyprus as UK prepares for Lebanon evacuation

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Lyme Bay departed Gibraltar on Monday bound for Cyprus, the second British ship sent to the region following the destroyer HMS Dragon. The Bay-class landing ship is preparing for potential evacuation operations as Israeli forces advance in Lebanon. A defence ministry spokesman said Lyme Bay has sailed to undertake training […]

The Waves Crashing: talk with VIMA Art Fair curator

With just a little while left until VIMA Art Fair presents its next edition in Limassol from May 14 to 17, preparations are in full swing and pre-fair events are coming up. This Wednesday, the fair presents an artist talk with this year’s exhibition and live programme curator, Kostas Stasinopoulos. The VIMA curator and director […]

Arteta wary of Leverkusen threat as Arsenal bank on home advantage

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged his players to deliver a complete performance at the Emirates on Tuesday as they aim to secure a Champions League quarter-final place against Bayer Leverkusen, with the tie finely balanced at 1-1. Arteta’s side needed a late lifeline in the first leg, with substitute Kai Havertz converting an 89th-minute […]

Cyprus marks world consumer day with new transparency measures

Cyprus’ consumer protection service marked World Consumer Day on March 15 by setting out new steps aimed at improving transparency, prevention and consumer safety, while stressing the need for fair treatment across the market. In a statement, the service said consumer protection is taking on a new dimension as the challenges of the digital age […]

Christodoulides announces support package for farmers amid FMD spread

President Nikos Christodoulides announced a sweeping nine-point support package for livestock farmers as Cyprus faces an escalating foot-and-mouth outbreak. Speaking at the Presidential Palace after a cabinet meeting on Monday, he said the government had already introduced advance compensation of up to €50,000 per unit from March 5, conditional on the number of animals and […]

Israel says Lebanese displaced won’t return until its own citizens are safe

Israel on Monday warned that displaced Lebanese driven from their homes by its military campaign would not be able to return until the safety of Israelis living near the border was ensured, as Israeli troops pushed into new parts of southern Lebanon. In a briefing, Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters that […]

Public confidence in Christodoulides remains low, survey shows

A Noverna poll conducted for Politis on Monday reveals widespread scepticism towards President Nikos Christodoulides, with the public voicing strong doubts over government policies on water management, taxation, crime and migration. Only 28 per cent of those questioned expressed overall approval of his performance, while 56 per cent disapproved. Some 1,020 people took part in […]

Cyprus releases silver €5 coin for EU presidency

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has announced the issue of a €5 silver collector coin titled “Rigaina’s castles”, marking the assumption of the Council of the European Union presidency by the Republic of Cyprus for the first half of 2026. The coin, produced in proof condition with mint year 2026, forms part of a […]

Transport ministry pushes green transition and infrastructure upgrades

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades on Monday outlined the implementation of his ministry’s policies and projects for 2025, highlighting progress in electromobility, road infrastructure, ports, airports and public transport. Presenting the ministry’s annual review, Vafeades said policy is built around four key pillars: faster mobility, green transition, improved infrastructure and better service for the public. On […]

Erhurman urges realism on Cyprus talks, warns against island’s militarisation Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman assured on Monday that diplomatic engagement on the Cyprus problem has resumed but warned that expectations of a rapid breakthrough are unrealistic. Speaking to Turkish media, Erhurman said negotiations between the two sides continue at a technical level and have […]

Latchi to become the first green port in Cyprus under new plans

The Cyprus Ports Authority on Monday presented its 2026 budget before the House of Representatives Finance and Budget Committee, outlining its financial performance and future development plans for the country’s ports. During the session, Zenonas Apostolou, the chairman of the organisation’s board of directors, highlighted the strategic importance of Cyprus’ ports to the national economy […]

Assault on speed camera operator

Authorities on Monday issued a warrant for the arrest of a second person in connection with the assault against a speed camera operator last week. Reports said police are looking for a special constable who serves in the Limassol district. Earlier, police had arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with last Thursday’s incident. The man […]