Cyprus Mail

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 […]

Journalists’ union requests review of press card validity

The Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ) on Monday proceeded to file a request of an ex officio examination regarding the accreditation procedures for the Cyprus’ EU presidency with the House interior committee. “The invocation of this law simply proves the problematic approach to media issues by the state for almost 40 years, as it is […]

Heavy rain a welcome boost to water reserves

Water inflows into Cyprus’ reservoirs are showing signs of improvement compared to last year, with more rain forecast later this week expected to further boost reserves, a senior official said on Monday. First technical engineer at the water development department, Marios Hadjicostis said the improved outlook means water supply conditions may be less severe than […]

How Cyprus businesses can recover unpaid debts from UK companies and individuals

Doing business internationally opens up a world of opportunity, but it also comes with unique challenges. For many successful Cypriot companies, the UK market represents a significant source of revenue. However, when invoices go unpaid and communication breaks down, the distance can feel vast. Chasing an overdue invoice from Nicosia for debt collection in London […]

Life returns to normal in Akrotiri

Pupils returned to their schools on Monday following Friday’s lifting of the evacuation order in Akrotiri. “We have returned to our daily lives and the children are back in the primary and kindergarten schools of Akrotiri,” said deputy mayor of Akrotiri, Giorgos Konstantinou. While Akrotiri is heading back to its daily routine, a preventive evacuation […]

I spent a weekend without my phone: here’s what happened

Like many others, I am addicted to my phone, to distracting myself with content, staying in the loop with group chats, scrolling myself to sleep. Our phones have become a necessity. We use them to pay, present tickets, take photos and even learn languages. They are our main source of entertainment, news and banking. Modern […]

Wholesale trade in Cyprus sees significant increase in late 2025

Wholesale trade turnover in Cyprus increased significantly in the fourth quarter of 2025, while activity in the motor vehicles sales and repair sector remained stable compared with the same period a year earlier. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat), the turnover value index of wholesale trade (division 46) recorded an increase of 9.3 per […]

Cyprus public sector workforce rises to over 78,000 people

Total employment in Cyprus’ broad public sector reached 78,124 persons in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase, according to the state statistical service (Cystat). According to the statistical service, employment in general government during the same quarter stood at 73,006 persons, while publicly owned enterprises and companies accounted for 5,118 persons. Within […]

12 years in jail for smuggling 15kg of cannabis

The Larnaca permanent criminal court sentenced a 35-year-old man from the United States to 12 years in prison for importing 15kg of cannabis. The man admitted to charges of importing and supplying drugs, as well as impersonation. The cannabis, divided into 30 packages totaling approximately 15kg, arrived on May 19, 2025, at a private company […]

Greece, Spain, Germany, Italy rule out participating in military operations in Strait of Hormuz

Greece will not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday. Greece would only participated in the EU’s naval mission “Aspides” charged with protecting ships in the Red Sea, Marinakis told a press conference. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday his administration was talking to seven […]

Cyprus job vacancies rise as retail and education lead hiring

Cyprus recorded a rise in job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the statistical service (Cystat). Overall, this points to firmer labour demand than a year earlier, while hiring eased from the previous quarter. Cystat said the number of job vacancies reached 13,538 in the fourth quarter of 2025, up by 541 […]

Farmers call for FMD measures to be imposed in north

As mass culling continues to address the foot and mouth disease outbreak in Cyprus, agricultural organisations have urged for the same measures to be imposed in the north as well, where the first incidences on the island were reported in December 2025. “If this does not happen, we are all in a minefield,” chairman of […]

Protaras the flagship of the local economy, says mayor

Protaras remains the economic engine of the Paralimni-Deryneia municipality, with local authorities aiming to spread visitor interest across all municipal areas through a series of projects and tourism initiatives, according to mayor Giorgos Nikolettos. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Nikolettos said the coastal resort, which draws thousands of tourists each year, was not […]

EU must step up presence in Middle East, Kombos says

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Monday stressed the need for the EU to strengthen its presence and role in the Middle East, warning that the ongoing war should no longer be viewed as a purely regional conflict. Speaking ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Kombos said the conflict has […]

Israel has plans for three weeks of war as air strikes pound Iran

Israel said on Monday it has detailed plans for at least three more weeks of war as its military pounded sites across Iran overnight, while Iranian drone attacks temporarily shut Dubai airport and hit a key oil facility in the United Arab Emirates. The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is now entering its third week, with […]

Afghan asylum-seeker who worked with US military dies in ICE custody

An Afghan immigrant who previously worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and later sought asylum in the United States died this weekend in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody less than 24 hours after being detained in Texas, a U.S. veteran-led advocacy group said on Sunday. Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, who was living in a Dallas […]

Starmer rules out joining wider Iran war, says reopening Hormuz strait will not be easy

Prime Minister Keir Starmersaid on Monday Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies on a “viable collective plan” to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, though he acknowledged that would not be a simple task. U.S. President Donald Trump has heavily criticised Starmer for not initially […]

Supreme court lifts Sizopoulos’ immunity pending corruption probe

The Supreme Court on Monday lifted the parliamentary immunity of former Edek leader and sitting MP Marinos Sizopoulos, pending investigations against corruption. Defence lawyer Chris Triantafyllides said his client did not object to the lifting of his immunity. During the previous hearing, Sizopoulos’ defence had made clear that they would not oppose the procedure, requested […]

Man jailed for 13 years for sexual offences including rape

The Famagusta permanent criminal court on Monday sentenced a 51-year-old man to 13 years in prison for a series of sexual offences against a 26-year-old foreign woman. The court had previously found the man guilty of 15 of 16 charges, including eight counts of rape, sexual abuse, indecent assault, threats and harassment, committed between July […]

Two FMD cases found outside containment zone

Two cases of foot and mouth disease have been reported outside the Larnaca containment zone, this time in Dhali and Yeri in the Nicosia district. The Veterinary Services were said to be on alert, following the unconfirmed reports on Monday. Dhali and Yeri are surrounded by hoofed animal farms. It was not immediately clear if […]