Asia Cyprus About 21.000 children up to the age of four will have their preschool fees and lunches paid by the state for the 2025–2026 school year, the finance ministry announced, saying it will budget €73 million, with €43.8 million funded by the EU
Asia Cyprus School bus fees and subsidies for the new academic year have been announced: monthly student fare is set at 5 euros with a subsidy of €17, annual fare at €30 with €190 subsidy, all children from large families in sec and tech education will be exempt
Asia Cyprus Website mindsincyprus.com has been launched with the aim of persuading Cypriots living abroad to return to the island; authorities say return and reintegration of talents is an integral part of broader plan for the development and future of the homeland
Asia Cyprus A Turkish Cypriot has been diagnosed with mad cow disease, prompting the north’s veterinarians’ association to demand urgent biosecurity measures, pointing out that in southern Cyprus, eradication and surveillance are implemented following EU regulations
Asia Cyprus MPs are preparing to vote on amendments to the pension reform law that appear to weaken its original provisions with more exemptions, including for state officials; revised proposal sparked criticism and doubts on wether a real reform is still possible
Asia Cyprus Rules regarding swimming pools serving multiple households have been relaxed: a special category clearly differentiates obligations of pools 'for private use serving up to five residential units', recreational/competition pools and hotel/resort pools
Asia Cyprus The ‘Youth Declaration: A Declaration of Unity. Empowering Youth Voices in Cyprus' has been published by the Youth Council and 24 civil society organisations; it outlines a common vision and asks to have a say in decision-making and efforts to build peace
Asia Cyprus A tender to create a 3D "digital twin” of north Cyprus will be launched by Turkey’s environment ministry; the model will be used to facilitate real estate transactions and test solutions on population density and disaster management planning
Asia Cyprus The Aids Solidarity Movement announced the launch of Cyprus’ first information and empowerment centre for PrEP - pre-exposure prophylaxis -, a medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection
Asia Cyprus The native bee population in Cyprus is estimated around 25% of the original number; bees imported from other countries - Italy, Turkey and Israel - is increasing at the expense of the Cypriot bee, which doesn't produce as much honey as the imported ones
Asia Cyprus Paphos fishermen complained of a lack of support and limitations to their work imposed on them by the municipality and the Ports Authority; they asked better infrastructure and the creation of a dedicated area to directly sell their catch to the public
Asia Cyprus Thousands of people in danger at sea have been rescued and the Cyprus government intends to continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities effectively in the search and rescue area of the Republic of Cyprus, deputy migration minister Ioannides said
Asia Cyprus An extra Easter allowance for low-income pensioners was approved by the council of ministers, amounting to €3,3 million; the allowance has increased by 30% from 2024, amounts to €250, and will reach over 11.000 beneficiaries