🏛️Major discoveries at ancient port of Peyia
NYU six‑week mission at Ayios Georgios completed under Joan Breton Connelly. Over 700 kg of Late Roman amphora sherds recorded by Stella Demesticha — local Paphian and Cilician types and imports from Palestine and Gaza, mainly 6th century AD. Maniki trench yielded 68 red‑ink dipinti. Amphora debris used as levelling fill for large 6th‑century Justinianic harbour works, which brought Proconnesian marble and column parts for basilicas. Ongoing analyses of a Hellenistic–Roman rock‑cut tomb (ceramics 1st c. BC–5th c. AD), organic residues, glass, metals (hhXRF, SEM) and human and animal remains; surveys and fishermen oral histories also carried out.
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📝Cyprus Presidency: EU to deepen ties with Middle East
President Nikos Christodoulides told Arab League Secretary‑General Ahmed AboulGheit that a top priority of the Cypriot EU Council Presidency is to bring the EU closer to the wider Middle East. He said his initiative prompted the Presidents of the European Commission and of the European Council to travel to the region. The informal European Council on 23–24 April will present concrete projects and the EU Pact. He noted the first EU‑Egypt summit, a high‑level EU‑Jordan council, plans for talks on a strategic agreement with Lebanon and outreach to Gulf states. AboulGheit thanked Cyprus for the invitation to the Presidency launch.
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🛳️Proposals for Potima marina due by Jan 23
Deadline for submissions set at 23 January 2026 after an extension. Offers to be evaluated in March; negotiations expected in May. Award planned late 2026–January 2027; construction to begin April 2027. Tender offers two development options: (A) 1,000-berth marina with 70–80% marine and 20–30% land facilities plus residential, commercial and hotel development; (B) same berth capacity with residential/commercial development and cruise-ship berth area. Lease 55 years, site 166,000 m². Project billed as modern, high-standard, growth-boosting for Paphos.
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Cyprus plans new prison and staff boost
Justice Minister Costas Fytiris visits Central Prisons; unveils reforms to tackle chronic overcrowding and understaffing. Key measures: 90 new prison guard posts with mandatory training; reopen and upgrade Prison Guard School; appoint new Director of Prisons; build modern facility outside urban areas and halt Central Prison expansion; install independent camera system; boost nursing and psychosocial support; introduce staff rotation and automated merit-based reviews; gradual reduction of minor offenders to decongest prisons. Union PASYDY welcomes the step but demands swift implementation and clear timelines. Goal: safer, more humane, reintegration-focused system.
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⛄️Cyprus on ice: Clouds and low temperatures
Evening: mainly cloudy with mid/high clouds, sparse dust. SE–S winds 3–4 Bft. Sea slightly rough.
Tonight: rain from west/north spreading island‑wide, isolated storms NW; snow on high mountains. Winds SW–NW 4–5 Bft, locally 6. Sea rough. Temps ~9°C inland & SE/N/E coasts, ~11°C other coasts, ~1°C high mountains.
Tomorrow: local rain and isolated storms, late mainly in mountains/north. Winds 4–6 Bft, locally 6–7. Sea rough to very rough NW/west. Temps ~15°C inland, ~17°C coasts, ~5°C high mountains.
Sat–Mon: intermittent clouds, local showers, possible hail/snow in high areas. Temps rise to Sunday, slight fall Monday, near seasonal averages.
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🤝Giorgos Vassiliou hospitalised in serious condition
Former Cypriot President Giorgos Vassiliou, 94, admitted urgently to Nicosia General Hospital on January 6, 2026 after acute health problems. OKYPY spokesman Pambos Charilaou says he is receiving appropriate medical care and treating physicians assess his condition as serious. Charilaou declined to provide details on respiratory support or level of responsiveness, citing the family’s wishes. Health Minister Neophytos Charalambidis visited the ward, spoke with the treating team and was briefed on the course of care. Vassiliou served 1988–1993.
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Holy Synod probes Tychikos, 🗣️Abakoum and election changes
Extraordinary session opened Thursday. Archbishop proposed suspension of Bishop Tychikos for failing to submit a creed explicitly accepting the 2016 Kolymvari Synod; his December 8 statement was ruled invalid. Tychikos absent, cites health, says he was not summoned and plans appeals to national courts and the ECHR. Synod expected to declare sacraments of the former Abakoum brotherhood invalid and consider further discipline over refusal to relocate. Proposal to have metropolitans elected solely by the Synod linked to the Tychikos case. Investigation of Bishop Christoforos of Karpasia over about €100,000 may await police probe.
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🔥Limassol: Fire in Forested Area near Dora
Midday Thursday a fire broke out in a remote forested area near the village of Dora in Limassol.
Fire Service spokesperson says four fire engines have been mobilized to tackle the blaze.
Terrain is difficult and access is limited; crews are working on containment and suppression.
No casualties reported so far and no estimate yet on area affected.
Authorities remain on site and further resources may be dispatched if needed.
Residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area while operations continue.
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🇪🇺Cyprus EU Presidency: Pride or Precarious Position?
Cyprus assumes six-month EU Council presidency. Government hails "moment of pride"; critics warn loss of sovereignty. Author calls the EU a Franco-Germanic bureaucratic project and flags deeper integration: full Schengen, "Military Schengen", Readiness Roadmap 2030 and an €800bn defence push. Cyprus may host arms production and contribute forces to NATO/EU. Turkish occupation remains unresolved; doubts persist about EU action. Island faces multiple foreign actors and rising geopolitical risks. Author questions whether sanctions on Turkey will be pursued or if Cyprus will remain sidelined.
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💉GBL found in water cooler at home of deceased couple
State Chemical Lab detected GBL in the cooler water. One 78‑year‑old man died; four others hospitalized after drinking from the cooler. Police continue inquiries; toxicology results from the corpse and patients pending. GBL is an industrial solvent that in the body converts to GHB, a potent central nervous system depressant with unpredictable toxicity and high dependence potential. Authorities probe how the liquid entered the home and cooler; any link to the couple’s son’s recent drug arrest will be examined. GHB detectable ~8h in blood, ~12h in urine; few treatment cases in 2025.
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🚘Cyprus vehicle registration renewals open — March 11 deadline
Renewals for 2026 opened Tuesday and run until midnight 11 March 2026. Owners may renew for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months; valid roadworthiness certificate and insurance required. RTD says the process is mainly online. Late renewals face €10 plus 10% of the annual fee; no extension. Renewal counts only when 'Print Registration Licence' appears; interrupted payments must be repeated. Special cases and exemptions handled at RTD offices. Vehicles with unresolved airbag recalls (c.11,000) cannot be renewed; about 7,000 are classed as immobilised.
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🤝Arab League chief hopes for swift Cyprus settlement
Ahmed Aboul Gheit met House President Annita Dimitriou in Nicosia during his visit for the opening of Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency. He said only full respect for international law, not the use of force, can bring peace and justice, and wished a swift settlement that will bring prosperity to all Cypriots. They exchanged views on the Middle East and stressed regional cooperation for security and stability. Dimitriou recalled their Feb 2025 meeting in Egypt and reaffirmed commitment to UN resolutions and EU values. Aboul Gheit was accompanied by Hossam Zaki and Ahmed Nassouf.
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✏️Fake investors at Presidential Palace stir reactions
Leaked video on platform X shows staged "investors" at the Presidential Palace, raising questions about money handling ahead of the 2028 campaign and about who gains access to the presidential circle. Recorded participants named in the footage include Head of the President's Office Charalambos Charalambous, former minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis and Cyfield CEO Giorgos Chrysochoos. MPs and party leaders posted reactions: Annita Demetriou asks authorities to act; Irene Charalambidou demands an immediate statement; Stefanos Stefanou says the footage raises serious institutional and political issues and seeks clear answers.
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💵Christos Clerides: Institutional risk in election of Cypriot judge to ECHR
Dr. Christos Clerides, representing Senior District Judge X. Xenophontos and former European Prosecutor K. Loizou, accuses Council of Europe officials over the selection process for the Cypriot judge, interviews set for 12/1/2026. He alleges possible falsification of an academic title by a promoted candidate, with the University of Strasbourg said to hold pertinent evidence. He denounces executive and political interference, punitive treatment of a judge, withdrawal of a Supreme Court candidate amid pressure, concealed complaints, and arbitrary edits to CVs by the Cyprus Foreign Ministry causing unequal treatment. Clerides urges suspension of the process until a full investigation to preserve the Court’s integrity.
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