Filenews 17 February 2026
There is no end to sexual cases, as well as drug cases involving minors. The new serious case concerns two young Iranians who are accused of serious crimes. One faces charges of sexual abuse of a minor and possession and dissemination of pornographic material.
In addition to the above, the two defendants allegedly possessed and supplied cocaine, ecstasy pills and methamphetamine to the minor, who, according to her, is a substance user.
Cyprus Mail 17 February 2026 - by Eleni Philippou
APOVATHRA/POWER BEACH - solo photography exhibition by Christos Hadjichristou
The Edit Gallery, Limassol
13 February until 14 March - Wednesday – Friday: 3pm-7pm. Saturday: 10am – 1pm. Tel: 25-251710. www.theeditgallery.com
Limassol’s coastline and its people are the focal point of a solo photography exhibition ongoing at The Edit Gallery. Christos Hadjichristou’s showcase Apovathra / Power Beach brings together two photographic series created along the Limassol coastline: Apovathra, a series of portraits of youngsters encountered at the historic pier, and Power Beach, focused on adults training at Dasoudi Beach.
Cyprus Mail 17 February 2026 - by Rebekah Gregoriades
Former House President Demetris Syllouris and former Akel MP Christakis Giovanis were found not guilty on Tuesday by the Nicosia criminal court regarding their alleged involvement in the ‘golden passports’ scandal.
Five years after Al Jazeera broadcast a video in which high profile officials appeared to be assisting the proxy of a pretend Chinese investor – with a supposed criminal record – secure a Cypriot passport under the citizenship-by-investment scheme, the two remaining defendants – Syllouris and Giovanis – were acquitted.
17/2/26
ARUTINYAN ALEKSANDRE, 38 years old from Georgia, is wanted for facilitating investigations into ten ongoing cases of conspiracy to commit a felony, burglaries and thefts and possession of burglary tools, committed in the Paphos district between January and February 2026. A second person is also wanted for the same case, whose photo is published.
Anyone who knows anything that may help in their identification is asked to contact the Paphos Police Station on 26806021, the nearest Police Station or the Citizens' Hotline on 1460.
Cyprus Mail 17 February 2026 - by James Morphakis
With just over three months to go until the parliamentary elections, nearly one in four voters are yet to make a decision on who to vote for, the latest Noverna Analytics poll released on Monday by Politis showed.
The survey, conducted between January 25 and February 9, set corruption, the economy and social policy emerging as the issues most concerning voters.
It showed a six-party parliament if current trends hold.
Filenews 17 February 2026
Last summer, a French tabloid newspaper revealed - through a "trap" - that in some of Paris's most touristy cafes, Americans (or at least journalists who impersonated Americans) paid up to 50% more than locals for the same coffee or croissant. For many travellers, who believe in the "inalienable right of the tourist to live like a local", this seemed like a challenge. Parisians, however, who in the summer of 2025 were protesting against the conversion of their city into Disneyland, seemed almost indifferent.
What if the cafes did the right thing in the end? On January 20, the UN announced that international tourist arrivals on a global scale reached 1.52 billion in 2025, almost 4 percent higher than the 2019 record. More than half of the travellers headed to Europe. With cities buckling under the pressure of massive tourist "waves", more and more people are looking for ways to make tourism sustainable. Charging tourists and locals with different prices may not be a "scam", but part of the solution.