🇵🇱Poland briefs Cyprus ahead of 2026 EU Council presidency
Nicosia, Oct 9 — Polish delegation led by Undersecretary Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka held exchanges with Cypriot teams on chairing EU work.
Practical tips on meetings, protocol, logistics and communications shared.
Public Civil Dialogue at EU House included students, academics and NGOs; organisers UCLan Cyprus Centre of Excellence, Oxygen for Democracy and CARDET joined Polish Embassy.
Officials highlighted migration, misinformation and youth engagement among priorities.
Experts offered concrete recommendations to help Cyprus prepare for 2026.
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🚘3,000+ traffic violations in a week; two killed in Nicosia
Police logged over 3,000 traffic offences islandwide last week: 841 speeding, 294 mobile-phone use, 198 no seatbelt, 22 no helmet, 47 driving under the influence, 125 illegal parking, 37 parking in disabled bays and other breaches.

Two people died in separate Nicosia crashes on Saturday on Grigori Afxentiou Street. Around 1 p.m. in Agia Varvara a head-on collision killed passenger Andriana Lefteri. About an hour later in Pera Oreinis a 19-year-old driver struck and fatally injured pedestrian Dimitrios Skoufaris. Investigations continue. Police urge motorists to obey rules and drive responsibly.
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🚨Larnaca: Two 29‑year‑olds arrested over offences against foreign national and businessman’s property
TAE Larnacas arrested two 29‑year‑old Greek Cypriot men after testimony was obtained in probes into serious offences in Larnaca in August–September 2025. Allegations include conspiracy to commit felony and misdemeanour, breaches of the private security services law and breaches of personal data protection and free movement rules. Suspects, both from villages in Larnaca district, are aged 29; one unemployed, one employed by a private security company. Arrests on 14/10; both to appear before Larnaca district court on remand request. Investigations continue.
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🐦‍⬛🚨Police raid finds bird-trapping equipment at 68-year-old's property
Police in Famagusta district carried out a search this morning as part of ongoing efforts against illegal hunting. In an open area officers located 23 wooden trapping sticks fixed in trees and a device playing wild-bird calls. One wild bird was found trapped on a stick and was released unharmed. A further search of a small outbuilding owned by a 68-year-old produced another 88 trapping sticks stored in a basket. All items were seized as evidence. The 68-year-old will be served with a formal notice by the Game Service. Deryneia Police Station continues inquiries.
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🚘Nicosia Traffic Gridlock
City under strain — simultaneous major roadworks across Nicosia with no temporary alternative routes; residents trapped in long jams. Daily commutes become exhausting and harm mental wellbeing. Critics say the Ministry of Transport shows indifference and lacks a coordinated plan to limit disruption. Municipality warned for months and submitted proposals that it says were ignored. Major arteries affected: Makariou, Konstantinou Palaiologou; works on Digeni Akrita and Evagorou; lane cuts choking Stasinou and Kallipoleos. Citizens demand why no joint re-evaluation, why authorities do not act together.
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💦Athienou water supply cut Tuesday — hours and reason
— Larnaca District Administration announces: Tuesday 14 October, 07:00–14:00 water supply will be suspended in the Athienou municipality for scheduled water network improvement works.
— Consumers in the industrial area will not be affected.
— Residents are urged to use stored private tank water sparingly to meet needs.
— Works aim to improve supply reliability.
— The district authority apologizes for any inconvenience to consumers.
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🔥Fire in dump near Mathiati dam
18:41 — Fire broke out in a small waste dump close to the Mathiati dam. Immediate intervention by forest crews brought the incident fully under control by 18:59, after burning an area of about 30 square metres. The suppression operation involved seven personnel from the Department of Forests operating two firefighting vehicles. The incident lasted 18 minutes from ignition to control. The cause remains under investigation. Central image is archival. Authorities say the swift action limited damage to the immediate site.
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🗣️Christodoulides and King Abdullah Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Reconstruction
Christodoulides met King Abdullah II on the sidelines of the Gaza Summit. Leaders exchanged views on implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and steps to bolster regional stability. Talks covered reconstruction support and the potential roles of Cyprus and Jordan in fostering stability. Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Cyprus, leveraging European ties and its upcoming EU Council presidency, positions itself as a reliable diplomatic partner aiming to contribute to security and stability in the Middle East.
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📊Cyprus Reports Lowest Youth Unemployment in EU
Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou said at the "SPROUDA‑ZO 2025" fair that Cyprus records the EU's lowest youth unemployment, a model for other countries. The event at Pancyprian Gymnasium, organised by the Career Guidance Service and the Parents' Confederation, offered updated information on admissions, scholarships, study paths and links between higher education and the labour market. Education Minister Athena Michaelidou joined the opening. Panayiotou pledged sustained youth employment measures and closer Education–Labour cooperation to keep rates low and improve jobs. Parents' confederation president Loizos Konstantinou called for reliable guidance for students.
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😳Limassol elementary school hit in theft of laptops and tablets
Staff discovered the break-in on Monday and alerted police. Inventory found 26 laptops and 10 tablets missing from several classrooms. Limassol Criminal Investigation Department visited the school, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. Inquiry ongoing; authorities have not named suspects or motives. Police ask anyone with information to come forward. Incident raises concerns about school security as electronic devices form part of daily teaching.
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💻Cyprus Post 'Thalis' breach — adviser report
Studio: Security adviser Dinos Pastos commented on reports hackers accessed government data.
Pastos: Cyberattacks always harm the victim service.
Pastos: Alleged access to 'thalis' includes shipment and receipt records, tracking codes and recipient names and phone numbers.
Pastos: No messages or parcel contents were accessed; this is operational management data.
Pastos: Attackers likely obtained operator credentials that show an operator's view.
Pastos: 'Thalis' is partly isolated from central state systems and not linked to ministries; impact appears limited.
Pastos: He judged the access was isolated and not a full data extraction.
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🚘Roadworks in Larnaca Affect Highway Traffic
Public Works to carry out maintenance in Larnaca 16–24 Oct. Night works Tue 14 & Thu 15 Oct 20:00–05:30 on Larnaca–Nicosia highway towards Nicosia from Rizokelia roundabout to after Athienou–Kosi. Both lanes on the Nicosia–Larnaca carriageway will close intermittently for ~3 km; traffic routed onto the opposite carriageway with temporary two‑way flow and signage. Athienou–Kosi exit closed; use Lymbia exit. Night works Thu 16–Fri 17 Oct 20:00–05:30 between Athienou–Kosi and Lymbia, same measures. Weekday day works 17–24 Oct 08:30–14:30 trimming, graffiti removal and cleaning on Larnaca–Kofinou, one lane closed (~1 km). Motorists asked to follow signs and police directions.
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🗣️Cyprus Seeks Expanded Role in Gaza Talks with Six‑Point Plan
Cyprus presented six proposals at Sharm el‑Sheikh to support security, reconstruction and humanitarian work in Gaza, saying they align with the US president's plan. Measures build on Cyprus's October 2023 humanitarian‑corridor idea to channel aid via Cypriot ports. President Christodoulides called the initiative evolving, aimed at facilitating the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage return, and stressed Cyprus's unique EU role in the region and upcoming EU Council presidency. Talks included the European Commission and regional leaders.
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📱Cyprus prepaid SIM verification deadline looms
Telecoms: most prepaid users in Cyprus remain unverified with Nov 10 deadline days away.
Cyta: about 35% of ~200,000 active prepaid lines verified.
Registration introduced after police linked unregistered SIMs to criminal use.
Users urged to register to avoid service cut-offs.
All prepaid cards must be registered — includes personal use and devices (elevators, security systems, vending machines, unmanned vehicles, IoT).
Verification is free, keeps same number and SIM, available in stores or online; unverified cards will be deactivated after Nov 10.
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🚑Limassol: 65-year-old dies after being struck by bus
Sept 4 road collision in Limassol district turns fatal. A 65‑year‑old foreign resident of Cyprus, intubated and in critical condition in the ICU for over a month, died late Monday afternoon from injuries sustained when a bus ran him over. Police say the man was on foot behind the vehicle as the driver reversed, causing the severe injuries. Limassol Traffic Police are investigating the exact circumstances; authorities have not disclosed whether charges have been filed.
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🚨Four shell casings found outside 38-year-old's property in Limassol
Authorities were mobilized Monday afternoon after four shell casings were located outside a premises in the Agios Ioannis area of Limassol, registered to a 38‑year‑old man.
Police attended immediately and carried out on‑site examinations; the casings were seized for forensic testing.
Initial inquiries indicate the casings were placed at the spot; investigators are probing all possibilities about how they came to be there.
Investigations by the Limassol CID continue.
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🏖️Cyprus 1713: Swedish Account of Greek Uprising
Swedish traveler Mikael Eneman lands in Cyprus early Feb 1713. He calls Ottoman rule arbitrary and harsh. He records a Nicosia uprising: a Greek, denied justice by the muslitim and higher officials, rallied peasants and a few Levantines, landed at night, seized the muslitim and looted officials' houses. Reinforcements from Famagusta and the countryside crushed the revolt. Leaders were captured and hanged; others were killed or tortured. Eneman is questioned in Larnaca but released thanks to Swedish papers. He notes lively trade in silk, cotton and storax. He departs in March and reaches Constantinople in June 1713.
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🗣️Tychikos departs for the Phanar; hearing before Ecumenical Patriarchate Friday
Monday departure to Athens; will travel to Constantinople Wednesday. Accompanied by Prof. Panagiotis Lazaratos of Public Law, University of Athens. Hearing scheduled Friday at 11:30. Ecumenical Patriarchate Holy Synod to meet Oct 16–18. Procedural rules not yet settled; expected that the former Metropolitan of Paphos and his counsel will be heard in person — reportedly a first compared with prior written-only submissions. They say they attend in a spirit of church, reconciliation and repentance and to defend his just positions. Return to Cyprus next Monday.
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☀️Temperatures on the rise
Low pressure affects the region. Today: mainly fair skies, locally increased cloudiness at times. Winds initially light and variable, about 3 Beaufort; later mainly southwest to northwest, light to moderate, 3–4 Bft. Sea calm to slight. Highs near 27°C inland, about 26°C on the coast and 18°C in higher mountains.

Tonight: mainly fair, occasional local cloud build-up. Winds mainly northwest to northeast, light, 3 Bft. Sea calm to slight. Lows near 12°C inland, around 15°C coast, about 7°C highest terrain.

Wed–Thu–Fri: mainly fair with intermittent local cloud increases. Temperatures will rise slightly over the three days, close to seasonal averages.
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🚨Police raid finds 30 working illegally in Limassol
Coordinated police operation yesterday by the Immigration and Migration Service (Limassol Unit) and Limassol Police Directorate. Officers located 30 people working illegally at a premises in Limassol. All 30 were detained on site. Subsequent checks showed five were residing illegally in the Republic and were placed in custody. The remaining 25 were interviewed in writing and released from detention. The employer’s manager was formally charged in writing. Further inquiries and administrative procedures continue under Episkopi Police Station.
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📊Weather changes again — temperatures set to rise
Weak low pressure affects the area.
Tonight: mainly clear. Winds N‑W to N‑E, light, force 3. Sea calm to slight. Temps: inland ~13°C, coasts ~15°C, high mountains ~7°C.
Tomorrow: mainly clear early, local cloud increase after midday. Winds variable then mainly SW to NW, light to moderate, force 3–4. Sea calm to slight. Temps: inland ~27°C, coasts ~26°C, highlands ~18°C.
Tomorrow night: mainly clear with local clouds, winds NW–NE light, sea calm to slight.
Wed–Fri: mostly clear with temporary cloud; temperatures gradually rise toward seasonal averages.
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💸€15 Each When You Invite a Friend — JOEY by Bank of Cyprus
JOEY launches 'Invite Friends' campaign. Download Joey and register a child aged 9–17 free via BoC Mobile App. Open BoC Mobile App > Joey > Invite Friends, activate feature and copy personal invitation code. Share code. After your friend completes child registration, activates the card and makes a money transfer, both parties receive €15. Parents retain control: send pocket money, set limits, monitor transactions and freeze the card anytime from BoC Mobile App. First year free. Encourage smart money habits.
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🦢Removal of two vehicles from Larnaca Salt Lake to start Wednesday
Wednesday teams to attempt removal of two vehicles stuck for a week at Larnaca Salt Lake. Mayor Andreas Vyras says he contacted a heavy‑equipment company; operations will begin with crane and special cables and may continue Thursday if needed. Use of a helicopter is not ruled out. Initial estimate for the operation is €5,000; final cost depends on methods and machines deployed. According to the mayor, vehicle owners must cover the removal expenses. An AI‑generated video could be used if other methods fail.
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🎤Maria Markou: 13 October 2009 — The day I bent but did not break
Sixteen years after the crash that confined her to a wheelchair, Cyprus Paralympic bench-press champion Maria Markou Pikkua posts a moving message. She says the wheelchair was not the end but the start of a new path of trials and victories. Now in Cairo representing Cyprus at the World Bench Press Championships, she writes that limits exist to be overcome, the body may be limited but spirit, dreams and will have no borders. She dedicates her journey to those who rise again: "I am proof that will weighs more than the heaviest barbell."
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😳EU tax rise may make smoking a luxury, Greece resists

BRUSSELS — European Commission proposes steep hikes in tobacco and e‑cigarette taxes. Roll‑your‑own up 258%, cigarettes +139%, packs could rise from €4.60 to ~€7. Commission expects €15.1bn extra revenue. Greece warns steep rises fuel smuggling, urges smaller increases, longer phase‑in and weight‑based levies. Northern states push higher rates to curb youth use; Greece, Italy, Romania urge caution. Commission also weighing limits on points of sale and other restrictions. Outcome will shape prices, cross‑border trade and public health.
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🚓Limassol sweep: 30 detained over suspected illegal work
Limassol police and Aliens and Immigration Service carried out a joint operation Monday. Thirty people were found working without proper authorization and arrested on site. Five were held in custody as suspected undocumented residents. The other 25 were questioned in writing and released pending further probes. The manager of the premises was charged in writing; further legal action may follow. Location and business type not disclosed. Inquiries continue at Episkopi station. Authorities say inspections aim to protect workers' rights and curb illicit employment; more checks planned.
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🦺⚙️Audit: Three Contractors Control 40% of Public Works Market
Audit published 14 Oct 2025 on public works 2015–2024. Reviewed 2,164 contracts worth €2.5 bn. Cyfield, Iacovou, Cybarco took 13% of projects but 40.8% of total value; Cyfield top 2019–2023. Sample of 23 large projects: average delay 461 days, +76.7% over contractual time. Competition thin: 2021–2024, 14.2% of tenders had a single bidder, 60.3% up to three. Small contracts fragmented: 80% of contracts to small/individual firms, capturing 39% of value. Auditor calls for more transparency and measures to boost competition and rebalance the market.
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