😷FMD case in Leivadia, Larnaca — veterinary checkpoints activated
14:00 first case of foot-and-mouth disease in a cattle unit in Leivadia, Larnaca. Management protocol activated, area placed under 3 km restriction. About 300 cattle to be culled, all farm products seized. Veterinary teams operating checkpoints, disinfecting vehicles entering the farm. Emergency Veterinary Services meeting convened in Nicosia under Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou. Recent checks of 130 units in nearby areas found no cases. Investigation ongoing on possible link with occupied areas. Authorities say no risk to human health. Reference: 2007 outbreak led to 2,275 animals culled, exports suspended, disease-free status regained Feb 2008.
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🔨EOAL-ETEK: Teleconferences introduced for planning permit procedure
From 2 March designers handling cases in Larnaca district can consult planning licensing officials by teleconference. Pending planning applications will be discussed, Development Plan provisions clarified and designers’ queries resolved via a digital environment that reproduces the immediacy of a face‑to‑face meeting. Designers must send a Teams invitation to the responsible EOAL official or technician and list topics. Online meetings: Wednesdays 10:00–12:00. Telephone service: Tue, Thu, Fri 12:30–14:00. In‑person by appointment: Monday 10:00–12:00.
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🧀Halloumi and foot-and-mouth: Is our traditional cheese safe?
Veterinary Services mobilized after detection of foot-and-mouth disease in a livestock unit at Leivadia.
A 3 km area placed under quarantine, with prohibitive signage; movements of animals and animal products banned without Veterinary Services' approval.
Authorities stress no risk to human health and no reason to avoid consuming Cypriot animal products — meat, cheeses, dairy, eggs.
Veterinary Services Director Christodoulos Pippis: halloumi production renders the final product sterile — curd heated to 95°C for 40–60 minutes, preventing pathogen survival; halloumi safe for consumption and exports unlikely to be affected.
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Geroskipou mourns worker killed in roadworks
Funeral for 70-year-old Savvas Ioannou on Sat 21 Feb 2026 at 14:00 at the Church of Agia Paraskevi. Family asks donations for renovation of St George Church in the old cemetery instead of wreaths. Autopsy cites polytrauma from a traffic accident. A 37-year-old driver hit a lighted sliding arrow in the right lane and simultaneously fatally struck the worker who was placing cones during roadworks; driver claims he missed closure signage. Police say multiple warning signs were placed meters earlier. Driver lightly injured; alcohol and drug tests negative; detained for inquiries, charged in writing and released.
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💦💧Larnaca: Water cut on Larnaca–Dhekelia road
Larnaca District Authority announces interruption of water supply on Tuesday 24 February 2026, 07:00–15:00. Affects all premises on both sides of the Larnaca–Dhekelia road, from the Oroklini Fire Station junction to the KOT beach. Residents and businesses asked to manage water use sparingly and meet needs from private tanks and reserves. Works are scheduled improvement works on the water network, part of the "Improvement of the coastal road Larnaca–Dhekelia (Phase C)" project by the Public Works Department. Plan accordingly.
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🍴Cypriots Prepare for Clean Monday
- Consumers check prices for the traditional table.
- Greens €0.40–0.60; greenhouse cucumbers €2.55–4.49/kg; field cucumbers €3.49–5.49/kg.
- Beets €0.95–2.20/kg; potatoes €0.75–1.30/kg; tomatoes €0.95–2.65/kg.
- Fresh seafood pricier: large squid €11.95–20/kg; cuttlefish €8.95–15.90; octopus €12.50–25.99.
- Consumer association: international prices fell 15–20% but savings not yet seen.
- Halva €3.65–16.99; lagana €0.99–2.15.
- Weather: Carnival Sunday likely to reach Limassol; Monday partly cloudy, afternoon isolated showers and later storms; some municipalities canceled events.
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🐄Veterinary Services respond to foot-and-mouth cases in Oroklini
Vet Services: Two farmers with positive lab results were informed early today and given clear instructions — no entry or exit to their holdings and to continue animal care until legal procedures finish. Contractor for animal removal was notified to use sealed vehicles and full disinfection; initial reports suggest instructions were not fully followed and legal steps will be taken. Police assisted in technical zoning and area control; setup time reflected need for correct delimitation. Reminder: strict biosecurity, including disinfection on entry/exit, is mandatory for all farmers.
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😨Desperate cry from livestock farmers: 'Left alone' — trucks move dead animals unchecked
Farms with confirmed foot-and-mouth disease declare emergency and report abandonment. Farmers say Veterinary Services failed to act: test results known since 23:00 Friday, but help absent until Saturday noon. Despite protocols, site resembles uncontrolled area; SECAP trucks allegedly pass without disinfection, carrying carcasses and infectious fluids between communities. At least 200 animals affected, gangrenous mastitis ravaging herds. Producers report ruined investments, children in distress, call for immediate support and accountability.
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🦚Limassol carnival to climax Sunday with parade and drone finale
Limassol Carnival culminates Sunday with a grand parade and farewell party, says events coordinator Skevi Antoniadou. Parade starts 13:00 on Archbishop Makarios III Avenue with 115 groups; thousands expected. Traditional cantador groups lead, followed by Batukinio, majorettes, municipal band, mayor and the Queen of Passion and Madness. Satirical floats tackle politics and daily issues. Organisers urge no foam or spray; confetti and streamers welcome. Hotels busy; local businesses benefit. Night party 21:00 at Old Port square: 700 drones, top DJs and mask contests. Cleanup crews work through the night.
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⚠️Ten-day roadworks on A3 and adjacent motorways 24/2–6/3🦺
Newsroom: Department of Public Works issues traffic plan. 24/2–6/3 weekdays 07:00–16:00 thermoplastic road marking works on A3 in Larnaca, Limassol and Famagusta areas; several A3 sections will have one lane closed sequentially and traffic channelled via the other lane on specified dates. Nights 24–26/2 20:00–05:30 guardrail replacement on Limassol–Nicosia and Limassol–Paphos (Skarinou–Petra tou Romiou) with short rolling 200m closures. Night maintenance on Airport–Paralimni ramps and exits on 24–26/2 with diversion via nearby roundabouts; 26/2 day drainage cleaning near Aradippou exit will close that exit. Motorists asked to follow temporary signage and police directions; Department regrets unavoidable inconvenience.
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👮Farmers and vets testify to police over foot‑and‑mouth; late notification illegal
Police taking statements from farmers and unit veterinarians after Veterinary Services report. Farmers in Oroklini say animals showed symptoms on Feb 14 and Feb 16. Failure to promptly inform Veterinary Services about symptom onset is a criminal offence. Law 109/2001 Article 6 obliges any veterinarian who suspects a notifiable disease to notify immediately the Director, the District Veterinary Officer or the nearest police station by the fastest means. Owners must also report increased mortality, morbidity or suspicion of a notifiable disease without delay. Investigations continue.
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🇬🇷Shields of Achilles and David: Proposed Greece–Israel Defense Architecture
- Study outlines multi‑tier Greece–Israel air and maritime defense for Eastern Mediterranean.
- Greek "Achilles Shield" is core of a $27bn decade program covering ballistic/air defense, counter‑drone, anti‑ship and ASW.
- Emphasis on linked sensors, C2 and interceptors as a unified network rather than isolated systems.
- Israeli systems cited: David’s Sling, Barak MX, SPYDER, Iron‑Beam‑type directed energy; industrial co‑production urged.
- US support and enhanced interoperability recommended; Cyprus kept out, leaving a security gap.
- Targeted at deterring Turkish incursions, Russian hybrid activity and Iranian forces; could shape a new regional doctrine.
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20-year-old arrested in Larnaca shooting probe
Police in Larnaca detained a 20-year-old under warrant in connection with gunfire during a clash on 17 January 2026. He is held for investigation, suspected of possession and transport of a firearm and of aiding after the offenses. Authorities say he, with another involved person and at the instruction of a wanted individual, helped move weapons and provided assistance after the incident. The suspect, a recognised political refugee, is due before the District Court on Sunday. Larnaca CID continues inquiries.
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🏆Marina Azinou returns to Cyprus with two medals from Tunis
Limassol judoka Marina Azinou won gold at the Tunis African Junior Cup on 13 February after three wins over opponents from Egypt, Tunisia and Ghana. She gained 100 U21 world ranking points and is projected to rise to about 13th in her age group. On 15 February she claimed silver at the Tunis African Open in the women’s −57kg class, again after three victories, adding 70 senior ranking points and leaping to 175th (+106). Coach Christos Skouroumunis led the Cyprus delegation. The double-medal weekend gives valuable international experience and underlines her strong transition to senior competition.
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