Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Cyprus citizenship rate stays below EU average

Cyprus recorded a citizenship acquisition rate of 1.21 per cent in 2024, remaining below the European Union average, according to Eurostat. The figures showed that the EU average stood at 2.73 per cent, highlighting a notable gap between Cyprus and the bloc’s overall performance. In comparison with regional peers, Greece recorded a rate of 1.92 […]

31.03.2026 06:35

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

High oil prices threaten long term rise in ship operating costs

The Middle East conflict could trigger a “slow-burn” increase in vessel operating costs that persists long after the initial shipping disruptions, according to maritime research firm Drewry. While the industry is currently fixated on immediate spikes in freight rates and war-risk premiums, Drewry warns that sustained high oil prices will eventually filter through to core […]

31.03.2026 06:20

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Kıbrıs Famagusta Gazette

Cyprus Weather – 31st March – Cloudy but mild

A weak high‑pressure system is affecting the region, but a low‑pressure system named Erminio, currently centered over Sicily, is moving east and is expected to influence Cyprus from Wednesday. For now, conditions will be mostly clear, though cloud cover will increase at times, especially in the west and north. Skies will gradually turn partly cloudy […]

31.03.2026 06:15

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

IATA chief warns passenger cap poses risk to growth

Dublin Airport’s passenger cap poses a “real and immediate risk” to Ireland’s economic growth, IATA Director General Willie Walsh has warned. Speaking to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, Walsh described the country’s aviation sector as a strategic national asset currently under threat, as airlines begin looking elsewhere for future growth. Walsh said air connectivity underpins Ireland’s […]

31.03.2026 06:00

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

New signs demarcate buffer zone near Denia, deter tulip visitors

New signs have been placed to demarcate the buffer zone near the Nicosia village of Denia as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus’ endeavours to “reinforce the measures to ensure stability” in and around the buffer zone, Unficyp spokesman Aleem Siddique said on Monday. Those measures, he said, include “improving signage to […]

31.03.2026 04:24

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Our View: New phone tapping bill far from safeguards national security

In a meeting behind closed doors last week, the House legal affairs committee finalised a bill that would allow the secret service (KYP) to listen in on people’s telephone conversations without the need of a judge’s approval, which had always been a legal requirement in the past. If the bill is approved on Thursday – […]

31.03.2026 04:20

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Kıbrıs Famagusta Gazette

Cyprus Launches Official Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease Information Website

The Agriculture Ministry has launched an official website dedicated to foot‑and‑mouth disease, aiming to provide a central source of information for affected livestock farmers, producers and the wider public. The site offers details on the disease, current control measures, biosecurity guidelines and contact numbers for immediate reporting or assistance. It also includes information on compensation […]

31.03.2026 00:45

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Trump interested in calling on Arab states to help pay for Iran war, White House says

US President Donald Trump would be interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for the cost of the Iran war, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday, adding that she thinks Trump would have more to say on the issue. Leavitt, asked at a news briefing whether Arab countries would step […]

30.03.2026 22:57

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Israel passes death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks

Israel’s parliament passed a law on Monday making the death penalty a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks, fulfilling a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies. The legislation has drawn international criticism of Israel, which is already under scrutiny for increasing violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in […]

30.03.2026 22:40

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Israel blocks cardinal from Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, sparking outcry

Israel blocked Jerusalem’s Catholic cardinal from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sparking an international outcry that led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse the ban for the remainder of Holy Week. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Friar Francesco Ielpo from entering the […]

30.03.2026 22:29

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Kıbrıs Famagusta Gazette

Cyprus President: Autism Center in Famagusta District to Be Completed in 18 Months

President Nikos Christodoulides said Sunday that construction of a model Autism Center in the free Famagusta district is underway and will be completed within 18 months, calling the project the state’s “minimum obligation” to citizens with autism. Speaking after taking part in the “Run for Autism” charity race in Ayia Napa, Christodoulides said the initiative […]

30.03.2026 22:00

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Three UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon as Israeli strikes pummel south

Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were killed in Israeli strikes. Two peacekeepers were killed on Monday after an explosion from an unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan in south Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping […]

30.03.2026 21:53

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Cyprus reports new Turkish violations of airspace, FIR, territorial waters

Cyprus has reported a new series of violations of its national airspace, international air traffic regulations within the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) and its territorial waters by Turkish air and naval forces during January and February 2026. The letter by Cyprus’ permanent representative to the UN, addressed to the UN secretary-general, points out that […]

30.03.2026 21:34

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

White House says no change in Cuba policy after Russian tanker waiver

The White House said on Monday it has not changed US policy toward Cuba, even as it allowed a sanctioned Russian tanker to deliver fuel to the island for humanitarian reasons, saying such decisions would be handled on a case-by-case basis. “This is not a policy change. There has not been a formal change in […]

30.03.2026 21:20

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

State publishes 2025 grants and discretionary payments

The Treasury on Monday published details of state grants and discretionary payments for 2025, citing transparency and accountability obligations under public finance legislation. In a statement, the Treasury said the disclosure forms part of efforts to ensure accountability in the state’s financial transactions, allowing individuals to hold public services to account. The publication covers payments […]

30.03.2026 21:08

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Paphos tourism sector nears full readiness for new season

Paphos is expected to have now reached full operational readiness, with almost all hotel accommodation and key tourism infrastructure functioning normally, according to an announcement by the Paphos regional board of tourism (Etap . Based on current data and business planning, hotels in the district are gradually reopening as part of the start of the […]

30.03.2026 21:02

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Dispute arises over financial commissioner powers in foreclosures

MPs on Monday discussed a bill concerning the responsibilities of the financial commissioner and procedures for complaints and foreclosures, with a dispute over whether the commissioner’s decisions should be binding for the banks. The bills are expected to be submitted to the plenum for voting on April 6. During Monday’s House finance committee discussion, a […]

30.03.2026 20:59

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Teen handed two-year prison sentence for robbing kiosk

The Larnaca district court sentenced a 19-year-old to two years in prison for robbing a kiosk in Larnaca on March 29, 2025. Three people wearing hoods had entered the kiosk at 3.30am, threatened the 25-year-old worker and stealing the money in the till. During investigations, the police identified the 19-year-old as one of the perpetrators […]

30.03.2026 20:52

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Audit Office probing former minister’s perks

The Audit Office confirmed on Monday that it is looking into claims that a former justice minister continues to have police guards assigned to him, in contravention of the rules. Contacted by the Cyprus Mail, auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou said they are investigating the matter. The story was reported by media outlet Reporter. It said that […]

30.03.2026 20:38

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Two in custody for car arson

Two people were placed in custody on Monday in Limassol to facilitate investigations into car arson. According to the police, testimony has been obtained against the suspects, aged 56 and 50, in connection with the torching of a car in the early hours of March 25. Police investigations are ongoing.

30.03.2026 20:35

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Appeals court upholds conviction for 500g cocaine

The appeals court on Thursday threw out the appeals of three men convicted for drug trafficking, upholding the convictions and sentences imposed by the Limassol criminal court, it was made known on Monday. The criminal court had convicted four individuals, but one chose not to appeal. The charges included conspiracy to commit a crime and […]

30.03.2026 19:49

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Kıbrıs Famagusta Gazette

Cyprus President Expresses Optimism After Talks With UN Chief

President Nikos Christodoulides said he is encouraged by what he heard from the UN secretary‑general during their recent meeting in Brussels, adding that the long‑running Cyprus negotiations must eventually “reach the finish line.” Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a charity run in Ayia Napa, Christodoulides said the issue of antenna installations in the […]

30.03.2026 19:45

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

‘Anti-Covid bishop’ to face retrial after appeals court decision

Morfou Bishop Neofytos will face re-trial on charges of violating coronavirus-related measures after the Appeals Court on Monday reversed a prior decision clearing the cleric of any wrongdoing. Three years ago, Nicosia district court found the bishop not guilty of breaking the law regarding measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. The attorney-general subsequently appealed […]

30.03.2026 19:45

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Kıbrıs Cyprus Mail

Trump issues new warning to Tehran, Iran calls US peace proposals ‘unrealistic’

President Donald Trump warned on Monday that Iran’s energy plants and oil wells would be obliterated if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran described US peace proposals as “unrealistic” and fired waves of missiles at Israel. Israel’s military said two drones from Yemen had also been intercepted on Monday, two days […]

30.03.2026 19:41

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