Demetra renews mandate for share buyback programme following AGM

Demetra Holdings announced this week that it has renewed its share buyback programme following the necessary authorisation from shareholders. According to the announcement, the company secured this approval during its annual general meeting held on June 30, 2026, and subsequently notified the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) of its intentions on July 1, 2026. To ensure […]

Greek islands face drought as tourist season hits

Seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea have declared drought emergencies this year to preserve water as climate change makes summers hotter and rainfall more erratic. Now, authorities are wondering if it will rain next year to sustain the thousands of tourists who strain the supply of water just when locals need it most. The […]

CSE announces delisting of treasury bills

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) announced on Thursday the suspension of trading for the 13-week treasury bills, 4th issue, series 2026, from July 21, 2026, until July 23, 2026, inclusive. This measure applies to the treasury bills identified by the code TB13D26 and will remain in effect until the settlement of all transactions is finalised. […]

Two more arrested over Xylofagou brawl as hunt continues for five more

Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the violent brawl that broke out in Xylofagou on July 8, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five, police said on Thursday. The men, aged 26 and 24, were located in Larnaca just hours after police released their details to the public. […]

State schoolchildren treated as ‘second class’ over safety, auditor-general says

Pupils who attend state schools are treated as “second class” in comparison to those who attend private schools, auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou wrote in a report on fire safety in school buildings released on Thursday. “The different institutional approach between state and private schools regarding health and safety obligations, in addition to creating conditions of unequal […]

Cyprus races to adopt overdue EU banking rules

Cyprus has tabled a long-delayed package of four banking reform bills in parliament, seven months after the European Union deadline for transposing the bloc’s updated banking directive into national law. According to a report from Philenews, the government submitted the legislative package at the beginning of July and has urged parliament to examine it as […]

Moody’s says war is weakening Israel’s economy

Moody’s Ratings has cut its forecast for Israel’s economic growth in 2026, warning that fragile ceasefires and continued geopolitical uncertainty are weighing on the country’s recovery and public finances.  In its latest assessment, the agency said Israel’s economy is now expected to grow by 3.7 per cent this year, down sharply from the 5 per cent forecast issued in […]

Court to decide whether Phedonos case will be heard behind closed doors

The Paphos criminal court will on Thursday decide whether the trial of suspended Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos, who stands accused of rape and domestic abuse, will be heard behind closed doors. Phedonos pleaded not guilty to all charges last month, having been charged with five counts of rape, indecent assault, actual bodily harm, and administering […]

More than 500 feared dead after boats carrying refugees sink off Myanmar, UN says

Two boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized off Myanmar’s coast in recent days, UN agencies said on Thursday, as refugees from the war-torn country make perilous maritime journeys in search of safety and better lives. The two vessels left Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly ethnic minority Rohingya passengers, reportedly […]

Guterres to visit Cyprus

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is to visit Cyprus before the end of this month, the Cyprus Mail understands. Competent sources have informed the Cyprus Mail that Guterres will make a two-day visit to the island on July 27 and July 28 alongside his undersecretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo and his undersecretary-general for peace operations […]

Today’s weather: Hot and sunny again

Thursday’s weather will be mostly hot and sunny across most of the island, with temperatures set to rise to 40 degrees Celsius inland, 32 degrees Celsius on the southwest and west coasts, 34 degrees Celsius on the rest of the coasts, and 30 degrees Celsius in the mountains. That sunny weather may be somewhat tempered […]

High-demand Protaras holiday homes, just minutes from the beach, from €168K + VAT

Home to some of Europe’s most spectacular beaches, Protaras has long been one of Cyprus’ most sought-after destinations for those dreaming of owning a holiday home by the sea. In recent years, the area has evolved into a thriving investment destination, driven by major infrastructure projects, contemporary residential developments and a transformation that continues to […]

England’s long wait to win the World Cup—or even reach another final—will continue after holders Argentina came from behind to beat the Three Lions 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta. England appeared on course to end a drought stretching back to their only World Cup triumph in 1966 when Anthony Gordon fired Thomas Tuchel’s side […]

US launches multiple strikes on Iran, which retaliates against US targets in region

The U.S. launched two waves of attacks on Iran’s coastal defenses and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran struck back by targeting U.S. military sites in neighboring countries in what it called an “existential war” with America. The latest escalation comes days after a fragile truce collapsed, […]

AI platform aims to streamline marketing workflows for businesses in Cyprus

It often starts with something simple. A flyer that needs to go out, a brochure that has been sitting in a folder, a presentation that must look sharper, or a month of social media posts that nobody in the team has time to design. For many businesses, especially smaller ones, the problem is not the […]

Cyprus Business Now: start up, tourism, shipping, CTC, CySEC, electricity

The association of Cyprus tourist enterprises (Stek) on Wednesday said a recent Audit Office report has confirmed its long-standing concerns over short-term holiday rentals, renewing calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation governing the sector. The association said the Audit Office’s findings demonstrate that weaknesses in the supervision and enforcement of online short-term rental platforms pose significant […]

Netflix under pressure to prove growth strategy in second-quarter results

Netflix is under pressure to reassure investors about its growth strategy when it reports second-quarter results later on Thursday, as its ​user engagement has faltered amid growing competition from traditional media ‌players, YouTube and mobile viewing. The streaming giant has shed over a fifth of its value this year due to doubts about its growth […]

What’s on this weekend

Nicosia district The 27th Constantia Summer Film Marathon has returned for its 2026 edition and until mid-September it will host outdoor film screenings from Wednesday to Sunday. On Friday, the Greek film Kapodistrias will be screened, followed by the awarded Indian film Girls Will Be Girls on Saturday and the historical drama The Cut on […]

Lionsgate Studios explores potential sale amid renewed takeover interest

Lionsgate Studios (LION.N), the entertainment company behind the “Hunger Games” and “John Wick” franchises, is exploring a sale and has attracted takeover interest from France’s Bollore Group (BOLL.PA), as consolidation accelerates across the media industry, three people familiar with the matter said. The company, which has ​a market value of about $3.8 billion, has been […]

UK banks face cybersecurity risks amid restricted access to Anthropic’s Mythos

UK banks’ inability to access Anthropic’s ​powerful AI model Mythos emphasises the urgent need for Britain to build its own AI capabilities and adopt a more strategic ‌approach to the technology, a government-appointed banking sector adviser said. Harriet Rees, the Starling Bank chief information officer who was appointed “AI champion” by the finance ministry in […]

Police back restrictions on Waze app over road safety concerns

Police have reiterated their opposition to navigation apps that alert motorists to the location of speed cameras and police checkpoints, although officials say they have received no formal notification of any European move to restrict such services. The comments came on Wednesday following recent reports about a European Court of Justice ruling permitting member states […]

Our View: Half a century too late to cosy up to the West

For the last half-century, every year, on July 15 we hear and read the same narratives about the Greek Junta-inspired coup against President Makarios, which gave Turkey the pretext to invade Cyprus five days later. Apart from the obligatory outrage, justifiably, expressed by Akel about the right-wing governments honouring the Greek Cypriot commandos who fell […]

England stunned by late Argentina comeback

Holders Argentina beat England 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final where they will face Spain after coming from behind to snatch victory with a stoppage-time goal from substitute Lautaro Martinez in a highly-charged encounter. Lionel Messi again proved the talisman for Argentina as he provided the pass for Enzo Fernandez to strike […]

Akel’s Stefanou says bizonal federation remains only path to reunification

Akel secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou said on Wednesday that a bizonal, bicommunal federation (BBF) remains the only realistic framework for ending the Turkish occupation and reunifying Cyprus, warning that abandoning the agreed basis for a settlement would lead to the permanent partition of the island. Speaking at an event in Idalion marking the anniversaries of the […]