⚡️EAC: 24-hour strike across Cyprus — offices closed, power supply maintained
Today, April 23, employees of the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) are holding a 24-hour strike. It began at midnight and will end at midnight .

🏦 What is closed:
— Customer service centers
— EAC administrative offices across the island

💡 Power will be supplied:
Critical infrastructure and security personnel are working. No power outages are expected . However, there is some uncertainty about generation capacity, as about 50 percent of shift workers at the Dhekelia station are expected to participate . The Cyprus Transmission System Operator is assessing conditions in real time .

💰 How to pay your bill:
— Online via the EAC website
— EAC mobile app
— Internet banking
— At post offices
📩Applications for connections/disconnections/changes of subscriber:
Accepted via email.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

🍫Does chocolate cause pimples? What the latest research says
Scientists and doctors have debated the link between chocolate and acne for decades. New data suggests that chocolate itself is not the main culprit. The picture is more complex.

🧬 Genetics is the main factor
Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. The size of sebaceous glands and sebum production are determined by genetics. So if you have a predisposition, no diet will eliminate it.

🍔 The “Western diet” is the real problem
High intake of sugar, saturated fats, and dairy products can increase inflammation and sebum production. White bread, pasta, sweets — all these are high‑glycemic foods that raise insulin levels and may worsen skin condition.

🍫 What about chocolate?
Chocolate has a low to medium glycemic index. A small 2011 study of 10 people found that 100% dark chocolate might aggravate acne, but the sample size is too small to draw firm conclusions. No other convincing evidence exists.

📊 Overall diet matters more than individual foods
A 2020 study of 24,000 participants confirmed that diets high in sugar and fat are associated with a higher likelihood of acne. On the island of Kitava (Papua New Guinea), where people eat traditional low‑GI foods, no cases of acne have been observed at all.
💡What to do?
— Focus on your overall diet rather than demonizing chocolate
— Eat fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants
— Remember: what is good for your heart, gut, and brain is also good for your skin
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

🇮🇷Iranian kamikaze drones in Cyprus: what the island faces if Israel's allegations are confirmed
Israeli intelligence services claim to have uncovered an IRGC logistics network that was assembling attack drones in Cyprus. The alleged targets were Israeli sites and US infrastructure (Incirlik Air Base). Cyprus has introduced emergency security measures.

🕵️ The essence of the allegations:
— An IRGC operational unit allegedly led by Mehdi Yeke-Dehghan planned to use Cyprus as a transit hub
— Kamikaze drone (Shahed-101) components were reportedly shipped in pieces via Turkey
— The ultimate targets were Israeli facilities and NATO‑related infrastructure

Israeli statement: The operation was directed by the IRGC's Unit 4000, responsible for overseas intelligence and covert activity. The network allegedly extended beyond Cyprus to Azerbaijan, Greece and other European states, with operatives tasked with intelligence gathering on military bases and strategic infrastructure .

🇮🇷 Iran's reaction:
The Iranian embassy in Nicosia has strongly denied the accusations, describing them as “unfounded and politically motivated” and aimed at diverting attention from Israel’s recent military actions. The embassy reiterated Iran’s respect for Cyprus’s sovereignty and denied any attempt to destabilise bilateral relations .

🇨🇾 Cyprus's reaction:
— “Armed neutrality” — independent assessment of the data
— Enhanced coordination with Europol
— Emergency protocols for port and critical infrastructure protection

⚠️ How life on the island is changing:
Security measures:
• Customs clearance times for goods and yachts from outside the EU have nearly doubled
• Mandatory scanning of all containers (causing logistics delays)
• Reinforced patrols at Vasiliko and Dhekelia power stations (teams every 20 minutes)
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

Unusual crash in Limassol: car “parked” itself in a flower bed with an olive tree

On the morning of April 21, a car crashed into a flower bed with an olive tree in a parking lot in Trachoni, Limassol.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿
🚨 ROAD REPORT CY

🏛️Cyprus adopts new asylum and migration law for €190 million from the EU — key changes
The Cypriot Parliament has passed a new law harmonising national legislation with the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum. It will enter into force on 12 June 2026. Without this law, Cyprus would not receive €190 million in EU funding .

📜 Main changes:

1. Single border procedure – a streamlined system from screening at the border to reception and identification, with faster processing of applications and returns .
2. Border asylum procedure – rapid handling of requests and returns directly at the border.
3. Ombudsman as independent monitor – designated as the national monitoring mechanism for rights compliance .
4. Digital communication – applicants will receive notices by email, and interviews must be audio‑recorded.
5. Free legal advice – from the first stage, plus free representation during appeals.
6. Appeal time limits – deadlines introduced for rulings by the Administrative Court for International Protection.
7. Family reunification – transposition of Directive 2003/86/EC .
8. Labour market access – applicants may work after six months.
9. Crisis and force majeure mechanisms – to handle mass influxes or exceptional circumstances .
10. Language condition removed – the provision requiring refugee family members to pass a Greek language exam for licence renewal has been deleted .
📊Vote result: The law was passed with 36 votes in favour, while 14 AKEL MPs abstained.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

⚖️Priest served 5 years for drugs, became a lawyer, but lost his licence — Supreme Court rejects appeal
A Greek citizen came to Cyprus in 2002 as a priest. He served in various parishes. In 2012, nearly 3 kg of cannabis was found in his luggage at Larnaca Airport. He was convicted of conspiracy, possession with intent to supply, and other drug offences. He also faced separate fraud cases (including selling two burial plots). The sentence: 5 years in prison.

⛪️ Church penalty:
In 2013, the Holy Synod defrocked him and returned him to lay status .

📅 2015:
He was released early on presidential remission (a reduction of one quarter of his sentence) but was immediately deported to Greece. His appeal against the deportation was later withdrawn .

🎓 Path to the bar:
In Greece he changed his surname, returned to Cyprus, qualified as a lawyer, practised as an advocate, and eventually opened his own firm .

⚖️ Disbarment (2026):
A disciplinary investigation found that he had provided false information to the Cyprus Bar Council to obtain registration. In April 2026, he was struck off the roll of lawyers .
🏛️ Supreme Court appeal:
The applicant asked the court to annul the decision. However, the Supreme Court refused: it has no jurisdiction to hear this matter — he must file in a different court.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

🔊Paphos star back in the spotlight: pelican Koko takes a swim in the harbour
In Paphos harbour, the local celebrity — a pelican named Koko — was spotted once again, clearly enjoying a swim near the shore and drawing the attention of passers‑by. Judging by people’s reactions, the appearance of the feathered star only brought smiles.

The swallows, however, were clearly not thrilled with the visitor and raised quite a commotion around him. But Koko didn’t seem the least bit bothered — he calmly continued his swim, just as a true local celebrity should.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

👗Cypriot designer dresses Conchita Wurst for her meeting with the Austrian President
Eurovision star Conchita Wurst (Thomas Neuwirth) performed at an event in Vienna dedicated to the 2026 song contest. Among the guests was Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. The outfit was created by Cypriot designer Andreas Zannetidis from Larnaca.

⏳ How long it took:
Twenty days of meticulous work in his Cyprus atelier.

👗 About the dress:
The top is a classic men's tuxedo (deconstructed), which dramatically transitions into an asymmetrical hem. Made of heavy wool with thin silk inserts. Every seam is hand‑stitched. The concept: a blend of strict protocol and Conchita's rebellious spirit.

🇨🇾 Why not Dior or Chanel?
Conchita intentionally avoids mainstream luxury. In the work of the Cypriot designer, she finds the edge and toughness that Parisian fashion houses lack.
🏆What this means for Cyprus:
— International prestige for the island at the highest diplomatic level
— Proof that Cyprus has the foundation for international‑class haute couture
— An example for young designers: from a small atelier, you can reach the presidential residence of another country
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

🆘 FAROS: new Cyprus platform for victims of domestic violence — "You are not to blame"
The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) has launched the digital platform FAROS (www.pharos.cy) for women suffering from gender‑based or domestic violence. The data is alarming: for 2024–2025 — 2,098 complaints of domestic violence; for 2023–2025 — 1,667 complaints of crimes against women.

❓ How to recognise abuse (platform checklist):
— Does he control your salary or income?
— Has he hit you with his hand or an object?
— Does he systematically humiliate, insult, or belittle you?
— Does he threaten to take the children away?
— Does he coerce you into sexual acts?
🌐What FAROS offers:
— Information in Greek and English
— An emergency exit button (so the abuser does not notice)
— Instructions on clearing browsing history
— Direct call to the police (112), SPABO (1440), or welfare services
— A resource map: 48 organisations with contact details
— Legal rights and procedures
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

😂Anastasiades on the "Santi" case: “This story is enough to make you laugh or cry”
Former President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades gave testimony to the investigative team in Limassol regarding the "Santi" case. After the deposition, he called the whole affair "fiction" and said: "This story makes you want to either laugh or cry."

🗣️ What Anastasiades said:
— The messages cited by Drousiotis allegedly mention his name, but he made it clear that he has no family relationship whatsoever with former judge Christodoulou.
— “Drousiotis claims that I supposedly commented that we were being watched… laugh or cry.”
— During his presidency, he never used a mobile phone for official business — when he called, he always hid his number.
— Drousiotis has written two books based on the claims of “Santi,” and according to Anastasiades, this was done for electoral purposes.
— “One thing after another is falling apart. How serious was Drousiotis’s investigation if he wrote two books to substantiate the claims of this woman?”

🤝 On the “Rosicrucian” brotherhood:
“The only brotherhood I know is the brotherhood of the unseemly (anarmoston). Those who are real, who undermine the state. Those who adopted or nominated the so‑called Drousiotis as a candidate.”
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺

🇫🇷Macron in Nicosia: Christodoulides greets him with a joke about the British coat of arms on the Presidential Palace
Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia with a considerable delay — the motorcade was stuck in traffic caused by a farmers' protest at the Rizoleia roundabout.

😂 Christodoulides's joke:
Pointing to the British royal coat of arms (the lion and the unicorn) on the palace facade, the president of Cyprus joked in a friendly manner: “Sorry, we haven’t quite fixed everything here yet.”

The coat of arms, bearing the motto “Dieu et mon droit” (“God and my right”), has remained on the building since colonial times. The palace was built in 1937 as the residence of the British governor (the previous one was burned down during the 1931 uprising). Cyprus has been independent since 1960, but no one has ever removed the coat of arms — a historical curiosity.

🤝 What was discussed:
Following a one‑on‑one meeting and delegation‑level talks, the leaders will make press statements, then travel to Ayia Napa for the informal EU summit.
➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿➿**
🤩FOLLOW CYPRUS NEWS **🇨🇾🇬🇧**
**👉CYPRUS NEWS IN RUSSIA 🇷🇺