CRIME ROUND UP

 Filenews 24 December 2025

The Court of Appeal increased from 9 to 12 years the concurrent prison sentences imposed on a person convicted of importing and possessing a large quantity of cannabis for the purpose of supply, ruling that the first-instance sentence was manifestly insufficient in light of the seriousness of the offences and the need for deterrence.

The decision, which was unanimous and was issued by Judge I. Stylianidou, concerns a case in which the Paphos Criminal Court had convicted the respondent, following his admission, of importing, possessing and possessing for the purpose of supplying a controlled Class B drug, specifically 8 kilograms and 154.9 grams of cannabis.

PUPPET THEATRE - Kings Avenue Mall - 28 December

 

PUPPET THEATRE

Kings Avenue Mall  - Public area

28 December - 4pm

English follows

GOVERNMENT SETS MINIMUM WAGE AT €1,088, ANGERING UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS ALIKE

 in-cyprus 24 December 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos

The government yesterday set the minimum wage at €1,088 for 2026 and 2027, triggering immediate pushback from both unions and employers.

Labour Minister Marinos Moushouttas brought the proposal to Cabinet, which approved issuing a decree setting the minimum wage at €1,088, up from the current €1,000. The decision factored in 2024 inflation of 1.8% and a 2025 forecast of 0.2%, economic growth rates of 3.9% and 3.4% for the two years respectively, and unemployment falling to 4.9% in 2024 with a forecast of 4.3% for 2025 – a level corresponding to full employment.

ISOLATED RAIN AND STORMS TO CONTINUE

 Filenews 24 December 2025

The weather will be cloudy today, according to the Meteorological Service.

The temperature will rise to around 19 degrees inland, around 21 on the coast and around 9 degrees in the higher mountains.

On Thursday, Christmas Day, the weather will initially be partly cloudy and soon mostly cloudy, while local rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected, especially from noon onwards.

THE SIGNS OF DROUGHT - SATALLITE IMAGE 'SCARES' - GREEN IS LOST

 Filenews 24 December 2025

The prolonged drought observed in recent years in Cyprus is no longer only the subject of scientific measurements or findings, but is now visible even from space. NASA satellite images clearly record the widespread drought on agricultural and semi-natural areas of the island.

The reduced vegetation and the alteration of the natural ground cover is captured in satellite images, as you will see just one year apart. These changes confirm that Cyprus is facing one of the most severe periods of water stress in recent decades.

See the pictures:

First image, 18/12/2024

Second image, 18/12/2025

STORMS IN LARNACA - THE AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST QUANTITY OF RAIN

 Filenews 24 December 2025

The province of Larnaca was affected by intense storms in the early hours of Tuesday, with the President of the Larnaca Provincial Self-Government Organization, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, stating that the largest measurement was recorded in Meneou and amounted to 23,4 mm of rain

CIVIL WEDDINGS - RESERVATIONS 'RAIN' IN 2026 IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF PAPHOS

 Filenews 24 December 2025 - by Dora Christodoulou

This year was a continuation of the record year of 2024 in terms of civil marriages in the Municipalities of Paphos, Akamas and Ierokipia. And the good news does not stop here, since pre-bookings, expressions of interest and all other data show that in 2026 these three Municipalities will proceed with the same success in terms of this particularly lucrative activity.

Information from "F" states in particular that the number of bookings from European countries for civil weddings in municipal halls and at the attractions of the municipal authorities for the next year is already significant. According to the competent officer of the office for civil marriages in the Municipality of Akamas, Maria Yiangou, in fact, the most remarkable thing is that in Pegeia reservations are no longer made only for 2026, but reach up to the following years.