🏖️Dusty lull after Epiphany
Holidays over. Light dust hangs in the air, sky hazy. Mid-to-high clouds increase. East winds light to moderate (3-4 Beaufort). Temperatures unusually high for January: inland 19°C, coast 21°C, mountains 14°C. Tonight calm, clouds persist. Thursday similar until evening when a new low begins to approach. Early Friday returns winter: local rain, isolated thunderstorms, snow on highest Troodos peaks, locally very strong winds and a clear drop in temperatures. Saturday: continued cloudiness and isolated showers. Make use of today's mild weather.
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🤑Joker: Winning Numbers for €9,000,000 Jackpot
Tuesday 6 January 2026 — Draw held; first-category prize at least €9,000,000. Drawn numbers: 4, 27, 29, 10, 19. Joker number: 12.

Players are advised to check their tickets promptly at authorized retail outlets or official validation terminals. Prizes of lower categories are payable per usual procedures; high-tier winners must present valid identification and comply with tax and claim rules. Keep your ticket safe; lost or damaged tickets may not be accepted. Further claim details announced by organizer.
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👮Waiting for the water cooler to 'speak' in Larnaca mass poisoning
Many questions remain. Patients' conditions improving. One who was on mechanical support has been taken off the ventilator but stays in intensive care. Autopsy on the 78-year-old was inconclusive; samples sent for further lab tests. All necessary lab and imaging exams done on the hospitalized. Police also ordered analyses. Crucial are results from the water cooler used to prepare drinks; state chemical lab to report. Investigations continue; the deceased's son has been held since Dec 28 after a raid found narcotics, and police are examining whether drugs were in the water.
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😇Epiphany Celebrations Across Cyprus
Paphos was the focal point. Crowds filled the harbour for the diving of the Holy Cross and the blessing of waters by Archbishop George. The President attended with his wife and daughters. Many dove to catch the cross. In Ayia Napa the first toss was lost to the seabed; a second toss used a wooden cross. The golden cross was later recovered and handed to Metropolitan Vasileios. Silver crosses were awarded to all divers. Paralimni held the rite at its marina for the first time. In Nicosia ceremonies centered on the lake of Agios Georgios Athalassa after liturgy at Agia Varvara. In Limassol a thrown cross disappeared after a man who spoke broken Greek left with it; police were present.
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🚃Cyprus moves to revive railways — proposed Larnaca‑Limassol‑Nicosia line
UNIFE and EU support restart of rail after 70+ years without trains. Proposed route to link Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia and serve Larnaca Airport. Aim: cut car use, lower carbon emissions, ease congestion and boost tourism. European Commission to fund feasibility studies under TEN‑T with sustainability criteria. Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas backs modern systems. Challenges include land acquisition and financing; project could create construction and operation jobs and promote visits to Troodos and Paphos.
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😬45-Year-Old Says He Was in a Hurry and Forgot to Return Holy Cross
45-year-old man formally charged and released after allegedly seizing the Holy Cross during yesterday's Blessing of the Waters at Limassol's old harbour. Arrested Tuesday afternoon after police enquiries, he reportedly admitted diving into the sea and taking the wooden cross, offering various explanations now under investigation. According to his account, he hurried to leave the scene and forgot to hand the cross back. The wooden cross, of no notable monetary value, was returned to church authorities; case remains under review.
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😱THOC sealed for Cyprus Presidency opening
Snipers, bomb‑disposal teams and detection dogs sweep area around the Theatrical Organisation of Cyprus ahead of the opening ceremony of the Cypriot Presidency; red carpet laid at THOC entrance, invited guests to pass under a police‑supervised arch. Surrounding roads and parking areas closed since 14:30; parking banned on numerous nearby streets and in both underground lots of the old G.S.P. stadium. Access tightly controlled; drivers must obey closures and police directions. Ministerial decree K.D.P. 03/2026 bans drones over THOC and the Conference Centre for the Presidency.
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🤝New window opens for Cyprus talks, UN says
UN chief reports cautious but clear shift after years of deadlock. First face‑to‑face leader talks since 2020 followed informal 2025 meetings and a Dec. 11 joint session. Election of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman seen as catalyst. Leaders reaffirmed settlement goal based on political equality. UN calls for trust‑building — especially opening crossings — and stronger work on stalled committees. Technical cooperation rose with 150+ bicommunal meetings; youth and cultural heritage projects noted. Concerns persist over military activity near the buffer zone and Varosha actions. UN recommends renewing UNFICYP mandate for one year and warns the window is fragile.
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🍄Mushroom season opens — what to know
TV: Forest Department and a firefighter/experienced collector brief public. Globally ~1.5M fungal species estimated, 75,000 described; in Cyprus ~1,000 species, 9–10 edible. Mushrooms are fruiting bodies; mycelium lives underground. Fungi: saprotrophs, mycorrhizae, parasites; mycorrhizae move water, nutrients and warning signals. Collection allowed with strict rules: no digging, rakes or tools; pick by hand, replace leaf litter; use baskets; fines up to €5,000 or one year jail. Dry season means few finds; many toxic lookalikes — eat only when certain. Respect nature; collect with knowledge.
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💪Izzi Dame — Cyprus Volleyball to WWE Title
News: Izzi Dame, new NXT Women’s North American Champion, says a single DM by WWE reset her plans. She lived two years in Cyprus and was due to sign a second pro volleyball season when a recruitment message arrived. Family divided — father and coach urged continuity, mother pushed opportunity. She tore up the Cyprus contract, drew a 10‑year ban there, passed a WWE tryout with ~4,000 IG followers, signed in Oct 2022 and now holds an NXT belt. From Mediterranean courts to WWE arenas, a phone note sparked the leap.
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🗣️Complaint Withdrawn Against MP Nikos Sykas
Woman withdraws assault complaint against DISY MP Nikos Sykas.
She appeared before police accompanied by her lawyer and handed a written statement saying she has no complaint.
The same letter was submitted to the court; the court awaits guidance from the Attorney General on how to proceed.
Police say they will continue the investigation as part of standard procedure.
The Political Office of DISY is scheduled to meet at 19:00; party headquarters at Pindaros will weigh how the withdrawal affects imminent decisions.
Further updates expected.
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💵Extensions for VAT filings and payments
Tax Department extends deadlines.
VAT return and payment for period ended 30 Nov 2024 and INTRASTAT for Dec 2024 due by 14 Jan 2025.
VAT return and payment for period ended 30 Nov 2025, VIES recap for Dec 2025 and flat-rate VAT payment for urban taxi special scheme (second half 2025) due by 20 Jan 2026.
Late VAT return: €100. Late VAT payment: additional tax 10% of amount due.
Late INTRASTAT: €15. Late VIES: €50. Late taxi scheme return: €51 and 10% additional tax.
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🚨GBL found in water cooler linked to Larnaca death
State Chemical Laboratory tests identified GBL (gamma‑butyrolactone) in water from a cooler; results are now with police. A 78‑year‑old man died after drinking; four others hospitalized, their condition improving; one patient was extubated but remains in ICU. Police probe how the substance entered the cooler; interviews with family and close contacts continue. No other consumers of that cooler have been found. Authorities say any criminal element must be judged on scientific and laboratory evidence. GBL overdose can be hard to treat.
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🤝New prison planned outside Nicosia core
Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris announces government plan for a modern prison in Nicosia province, likely near Kokkino Trimithia; expansion of the current Central Prison is suspended. Measures: 90 new prison-keeper posts this month with mandatory training; reopening and upgrade of the Wardens School; vacancy announced for Prison Director; launch of design, tendering and construction procedures. By H1 2026: automated staff evaluation and daily scoring. Continued decongestion for minor offenders. Independent electronic camera system, enhanced nursing and psychosocial support, and regular staff rotation.
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⛄️Schiphol grounds 700 flights as Europe freezes
Schiphol: at least 700 flights cancelled Wednesday; 1,000+ passengers stayed overnight. Tents installed for stranded travellers and breakfast provided. Europe endures a week of severe winter weather. France: five killed in road accidents on icy roads. Paris airports affected — about 100 cancellations at Charles de Gaulle and 40 at Orly. Meteorological service calls the cold unusually intense for the season, asks Paris-region residents to avoid nonessential travel and work from home. Snow, frost and icy roads disrupt transport; expect continuing delays.
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