📊Cyprus: 175,677 legal third‑country nationals
Migration Ministry told Parliament 175,677 third‑country nationals legally reside in Cyprus, mainly on work permits, as students or family members.
Major groups include Russians (40,735), UK, Nepal, India, Syria and China.
Additionally 16,000 pending asylum applicants and 6,000 appeal cases reside legally.
Illegal arrivals and asylum requests down 89% since 2022.
Departures: 2024: 10,944; to Oct 2025: 10,628 (74% voluntary).
Measures: digitisation, upgrades at Pournara and Limnes, surveillance tech and faster returns.
2026 budget €75.3m, ~60% EU co‑funding; focus on EU Migration Pact during Cyprus EU Council presidency.
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🌿39-year-old jailed 12 years over 22 kg of cannabis
Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court today convicted and sentenced a 39‑year‑old woman to 12 years' imprisonment for importing a Class B controlled drug. The case concerned the arrival last August at an airport of a consignment exceeding 22 kilograms of cannabis. The court found the defendant guilty after trial. Police say they remain committed to combating trafficking and possession of narcotics and to protecting the community from the harms of drug use and trade.
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🪧Pensioners Demand Pension Rises and Action on Rising Prices
Pensioners who took part in EKYSY meetings in Agia Varvara and Lythrodontas on Friday 7 November called for pension increases to cover real living needs and for substantive measures to curb rising prices. Participants voiced strong anger, frustration and disappointment over daily hardships. Thousands of elderly receive humiliatingly low pensions that fail to cover basics — food, medicine, electricity, taxes. EKYSY denounced the government's stance as mockery.
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💵Student grants for tablets and laptops
Education Ministry will grant €100 for tablets to pupils in Grade 3 of public primary schools and €300 for portable computers to pupils in Grade 2 of public lower secondary schools. Measure under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the Digital Transformation of School Units project to boost digital and STEM skills and improve access to modern learning tools. Grants target families receiving Child Benefit. For questions call 22800647 or email [email protected]. Forms and instructions provided by the ministry.
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🗒️Dialect or Language? The Political Question
Telegram: Debate over Cypriot Greek — dialect or independent language — reflects politics more than pure linguistics. Supporters of language status link it to Cypriot distinctiveness from Greece; opponents cite linguistic unity to argue unionist ties. Political philosopher Panagiotis Christias urges separating philology from politics. Citing Renan, he notes a nation is a collective, daily choice, not determined solely by language, race or religion. Using Standard Modern Greek in schools does not erase Cypriot nationhood. Treat the linguistic question linguistically, the national question politically.
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👮Nigerian woman's death: drugs, prostitution and unknown couple sought
Three women remanded eight days by Limassol court. They say they left a 30‑year‑old alone at midnight, went to a club with a Nigerian couple and returned ~05:00 to find her agitated, suspecting drug use. They admit using force: one struck with hands, another with a broom; the Nigerian pair also hit her and left, believing she had slept. At ~10:00 she was found unconscious near the bathroom; first aid given, ambulance called. Broken broom and other items seized for tests. Renters said they had leased the flat a week earlier and worked in prostitution. CCTV is being examined to identify the Nigerian couple and any other visitors.
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🗣️Survivor: "If the dead can't speak, let them see me"
ALEXANDROS LOUGKOS — Takata airbag survivor told the Human Rights Committee about scars and lasting psychological trauma; his testimony stunned the room.
Relatives of Styliani Giorgallis and Kyriakos Oxinos say they received no updates and denounce that the probe assigns no responsibility to Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis.
GIANNOS GIORGALLIS — lost 19‑year‑old daughter to negligence; says Vafeadis was warned and did nothing.
MP EIRINI CHARALAMBIDOU — asks if 2023 checks and the minister's actions will be investigated.
MARIA LOUI — family will appeal to European Court if justice not served.
Committee to write to Police Chief on duty to inform families and on continuation of probes.
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💦TAU Responds to Audit Report, Announces Multiple Improvement Actions
TAU reviewed Special Audit Report EE‑EY 41/2025, submitted comments and has started actions to improve procedures, transparency and governance. Audit flags areas for improvement; TAU says external factors, including weakened staffing, affected performance. It is coordinating with ministries to resolve receivables; local authority debts may be settled via offsetting deductions. Water supply to Turkish Cypriot communities follows government policy. TAU plans to upgrade the water‑billing system. Preliminary study prepared for Khiro dam rights; ecological assessment offers for Choletria irrigation under evaluation. Staffing rose by 54 in 2023–2025; gaps remain. TAU pursues systematic improvements.
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👨‍⚖️MPs demand freeze on first‑home foreclosures in refugee settlements
- Parliamentary Refugee Committee urged loan‑buying firms to suspend all first‑home foreclosures for three months to allow time for negotiations and sustainable solutions.
- Committee chair Nikos Kettiros called on borrowers to engage with firms; warned Parliament will consider legislative measures if companies do not cooperate.
- Committee figures point to over 1,300 settlement homes mortgaged: 763 with the state asset manager and about 599 held by loan‑buying firms.
- Calls for personal outreach to borrowers, low‑rent lifetime options for elderly, and a temporary moratorium on auctions.
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📝SAFE boosts NATO security, not EU strategic autonomy
- Dr Aristotelous: SAFE presented as move to Common European Defence but in practice adopts NATO structures.
- For Cyprus: tech and industrial gains, no change in strategic position vs Turkey, threat remains.
- EU collective defence ambition clashes with NATO reality; many states belong to both.
- SAFE strengthens member capabilities and thus the Alliance.
- Cyprus gains know-how and base upgrades with US/French partners but no defence commitment.
- Conclusion: SAFE is a development tool, not a security guarantee; Cyprus' deterrence limited; security rests on its resilience.
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🌲Forestry Dept. opens Christmas tree sales
Forestry Dept.: Sale of Christmas trees from forest stations begins Wed 26 Nov and runs until Fri 19 Dec 2025. Sales only on weekdays (Mon–Fri), 08:00–14:30. Trees come from thinning of forest plantations to improve growth and reduce competition. Cutting, possession or transport without a permit from the Forestry Dept. is an offence under the Forest Law 2012, punishable by up to €5,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment or both. Private owners must obtain cutting and transport permits in advance and have trees stamped at the base with the Department seal at the nearest forest station before transport.
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🤵Cyprus eateries survey finds wide price gaps
Mystery shopping May–Sep 2025, 200 visits islandwide.
Staff politeness and general cleanliness improved; toilets and staff training still weak.
Strong price swings: water €1–€4.50, soft drinks €1.50–€5, beer up to €6.70; salads €3.50–€15; chicken €13–€25; pork €7.50–€25.80; lamb €14–€30; mezze €15–€25 pp; fish/shrimp up to €28.
Some venues use non‑authentic ingredients; slight quality gain vs 2024.
Call for coordinated action on training, hygiene and price transparency to boost visitor experience and tourism competitiveness.
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☠️Man Suffers Third‑Degree Burns in Laser Tattoo Removal in Occupied Famagusta
A Turkish Cypriot man who sought laser tattoo removal at a beauty centre in the occupied Famagusta area suffered third‑degree burns after the procedure. The treatment, reported as illegal, caused extensive skin damage. Inspectors found the technician had presented a forged PhD and lacked proper credentials. The injured man is to undergo reconstructive plastic surgery and remains under medical care. Local regulators have opened an investigation and are reviewing the clinic’s operations.
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✈️Cyprus airports to face two more years of congestion
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis says passengers should expect two more years of long queues and crowded terminals at Larnaca and Paphos. Makeshift boarding zones, luggage moved across tarmac and temporary shelters are recurring facts, he adds. The minister blames the airport operator for failing to complete phase two of upgrades after traffic rose from about 7 million to roughly 12 million annually. Expansion now targeted for 2027. Ministry will tweak flight schedules and operations to ease peak pressure, but strain likely until works finish.
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📝EU Report: Cyprus Under Migration Pressure
EU lists Cyprus among four members under migration pressure with Greece, Spain, Italy.
Report covers July 2024–June 2025.
Cyprus recorded almost 3,000 irregular entries, high relative to GDP and population.
Over 5,000 asylum applications; more than 3,500 people under temporary protection, mainly Ukrainians.
Main routes: Turkey and Libya; rises seen at Crete and Cyprus east coasts.
Access to solidarity pool from mid‑2026; funding and relocations planned.
Recommendations: expand reception capacity, speed asylum and returns, deepen cooperation with third countries and boost integration, especially for women and children.
EU launches €250m call for drone/anti‑drone border tech.
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👮61-year-old Missing in Paralimni
Paralimni — Police report a 61-year-old man from the United Kingdom has been missing since 5 November 2025. Last seen in the Paralimni area. He is described as of average build. A photograph has been released to assist identification. Authorities ask anyone with information or sightings to contact the Famagusta CID at 23-803040, the nearest police station or the Citizen Line at 1460. No further details on clothing or medical condition provided. Investigation ongoing; timely public assistance requested.
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