Category: Cyprus News Agency

A campaign titled ‘Larnaca -26,’ aimed at reducing daily water consumption by 26 liters, was launched on Friday by the District Local Government Organization of Larnaka (DLGOL), with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, emphasizing at the press conference announcing the campaign that in Cyprus, the average daily water consumption per person is approximately 140 liters, while the corresponding average in the European Union ranges between 124 and 125 liters.

The campaign will conclude in September, with the goal of every resident reducing their daily water consumption by 26 liters.

In her remarks during a press conference, the Minister said that saving 26 liters of water per day, ‘corresponds to approximately 9.5 cubic meters of water per person per year, and for an average four-person household, this translates to a saving of nearly 38 cubic meters of water per year.

‘This specific initiative by the District Local Government Organization of Larnaka is fully in line with the government’s broader strategy to reduce water demand on a pan-Cypriot basis,’ she said, noting that ‘initiatives such as the ‘Larnaca -26′ campaign are particularly valuable, as they contribute to shaping a new culture of responsible and efficient water use.’

After describing the period in which the DLGOL’s campaign begins as ‘particularly critical,’ Panayiotou explained that ‘despite the increased rainfall recorded this year, there is no room for complacency.’ ‘With the start of the summer season, water needs increase significantly, while the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable’ she said.

Cyprus, she continued, ‘is among the most vulnerable regions in Europe to the impacts of water scarcity and climate change. In Cyprus, average daily water consumption per person is approximately 140 liters, while the corresponding average in the European Union ranges between 124 and 125 liters.’

She also noted that ‘according to calculations by the Water Development Department, a reduction in consumption of just 10% can make a decisive contribution to water management and the preservation of available reserves until the next hydrological period.’

The Minister of Agriculture noted that, in addition to water conservation measures, ‘the government is simultaneously implementing one of the largest water security enhancement programmes our country has ever undertaken,’ referring to the development of new desalination plants, both permanent and mobile, and the upgrading of existing facilities.

As she said, ‘in the coming period, the mobile desalination plant in Garrilli will become operational, while procedures are underway for new permanent desalination plants in Limassol and Larnaca, as well as four new large plants in East Limassol, Ayia Napa-Ayia Thekla, Polis Chrysochous, and Dekelia. The goal is for Cyprus to achieve full coverage of its water supply needs through desalination by 2027 and to ensure water self-sufficiency by 2050.’

In her remarks, Panayiotou also referred to the launch by the Water Development Department of ‘the island-wide distribution of approximately 3 million showerheads and flow reducers, which will reach approximately 0.5 million households across Cyprus’. ‘These devices can help reduce water consumption by up to 30%, without significantly affecting user comfort,’ she said.

As the Minister explained, ‘the initiative began in the Paphos district and is gradually expanding across Cyprus with the free distribution of approximately 75,000 packages, which include four faucet aerators and two shower flow restrictors.’

In his remarks, DLGOL’s President, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, said that the online platform being launched today as part of the campaign is a modern tool for information and awareness-raising, designed to provide easy and immediate access to information regarding water conservation and rational water use.

Through the platform, he continued, ‘citizens have access to useful information and practical tips that can be applied in their daily lives, contributing significantly to reducing water consumption. That is why the campaign focuses on information, awareness, and collective action, reinforcing the joint effort to protect and properly manage our most precious natural resource.’

DLGOL’s Director of Technical Services, Argyro Filaretou, referred to the Organization’s approach to addressing water scarcity, which, as she said, ‘focuses on reducing water consumption and minimizing water losses in the water supply networks-a long-standing top priority for the Organization. In this context, starting in January 2026, we are implementing a series of immediate measures aimed at reducing demand by 10%.”

She added that “among these are the intensification of leak detection and repair, replacing problematic and/or old pipes in networks where increased losses are observed, implementing targeted pressure management in the networks, with pressure reductions where permitted, cutting off water supply to certain green spaces where drinking water is used for irrigation, and maximizing the use of every available water source, such as existing boreholes.’

Filaretou also referred to ‘the Technical Service’s infrastructure modernization programme, which includes the installation of smart meters, telemetry and sensor systems, the replacement of old networks, and the adoption of digital tools for network monitoring and management.’

The eight samples taken on Thursday for foot-and-mouth disease were negative, while the pending culling of animals is expected to be completed by the end of Friday, members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on handling the disease said after a meeting with farmers’ organisations.

In statements, Committee member and President of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, Demetris Epaminondas, said the Committee had held ‘a very productive discussion’ with farmers’ organisations as part of the implementation of measures decided at the Presidential Palace last Tuesday.

He said the organisations raised questions, some of which were answered, while others were recorded and will be discussed next week. He added that a weekly meeting with farmers’ organisations has been set for every Friday.

Epaminondas said outstanding issues were then discussed with the competent departments, mainly the completion of culling in the districts where the process is still ongoing.

‘We expect the culling to be completed today and sampling to begin next week,’ he said, adding that the implementation of the measures decided at the Presidential Palace was ‘at a good stage’.

Asked about pending culling, he said it should be completed by the end of the day, including in Pachna, Limassol. He also noted that farmers had shown considerable compliance and that, so far, no problem had been reported.

Regarding sampling, he said the eight samples taken on Thursday, five in Nicosia district, two in Larnaca and one in Limassol, were negative. ‘There are no new cases so far,’ he said.

He clarified that sampling is currently being carried out as part of tracing, based on the latest cases.

Asked about the concerns raised by farmers’ organisations, he said these mainly concerned the easing of measures, the relevant timetables and when herds would begin to be reconstituted. These issues, he added, would be examined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the epidemiological picture, while some would be discussed during the week so that answers can be given next week.

On the issue of animal burial in Kokkinotrimithia, Epaminondas said the site had been changed and a solution had been found. He added that culling and burial at the specific site were also being completed, with no problem recorded.

For his part, Committee member Demetris Tsaltas said the first reactions, particularly from the Police, had been ‘very positive’, noting that checks had begun.

He said 101 checks had been carried out, during which some issues were identified. Epaminondas clarified that two violations were detected, involving movements without the necessary documents.

The checks, he added, mainly concern vehicles considered suspicious, to verify permits for the movement of animals, animal products and animal feed, as well as compliance with the relevant decrees.

Tsaltas said the support of all state services involved was important in order to help the Veterinary Services control the situation.

He also said the National Guard had made an important contribution to the creation of burial sites, as this made the process faster and less costly. ‘Of course, the cost is borne by the state, but it is certainly the best solution in such emergency situations,’ he said.

The “Justice” programme, the recognition of parenthood in cross-border cases, as well as the progress of work on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the fight against impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine, are among the issues that will be discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice), which meets on Friday, in Luxembourg.

The Council will be chaired by the Minister of Justice, Costas Fytiris, who said ahead of the meeting that this is the second and final day of work, noting that a series of important issues are included on the agenda.

He pointed out that the cross-border family relations dossier and the Justice programme concerning the budget for the 2028-2034 period stand out in particular. At the same time, he expressed hope for a constructive discussion with his counterparts.

According to the Council agenda, Ministers will hold an orientation debate on the proposed Regulation on the recognition of parenthood. The proposal aims to ensure continuity of parenthood in cross-border situations and to protect children’s rights, regardless of the manner of their conception or birth and regardless of their family form.

At the same time, the Council is expected to approve a partial mandate for the new ‘Justice’ programme for the 2028-2034 period. The programme is expected to support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, judicial training, as well as actions promoting the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

The agenda also includes an update from the Presidency of the Council and the European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, on the current state of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In addition, the Presidency will brief Ministers on progress in work related to combating impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine.

A Cypriot initiative that recycles used cooking oil has been selected among the six finalists for the 2026 Green Skills Award of the European Training Foundation (ETF), competing against 369 applications from 94 countries, the European Commission has announced.

The Cypriot finalist is “Tiganokinisi” (The Frying Pan Movement) initiative of the AKTI Project and Research Centre, which converts used cooking oil into biodiesel, with the proceeds funding sustainability programmes in schools. Tiganokinisi was launched as a pilot in 2011 in 10 schools across all levels in the Municipality of Aglantzia, and has been implemented island-wide since September 2013. According to the press release, the initiative is estimated to raise awareness among more than 100,000 students in Cyprus annually.

The remaining five finalists come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on circular fashion and upcycling; Jordan, on renewable energy training; Nepal, on electronic waste reuse; Peru, on young glacier ambassadors; and Uzbekistan, on environmental education across 25 schools.

The finalists were selected by an international jury of ETF experts based on the novelty, impact and replication potential of each initiative. The final ranking will be determined through a public vote open until 30 June 2026.

ETF Director Pilvi Torsti said the 369 applications from 94 countries underline the central role of skills in climate action, enabling people to adapt, innovate and lead change in an inclusive and sustainable way.

Separately, the special winner of the “#ForOurPlanet” category, awarded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment and the European External Action Service, is set to be announced tomorrow during EU Green Week. The Green Skills Award has been running since 2021 and forms part of the EU’s broader commitments to sustainable development, in line with the Union of Skills and Clean Industrial Deal initiatives.

The Council of the European Union reached a partial negotiating position on Friday regarding the new ‘Justice’ programme, which is part of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, paving the way for the start of negotiations with the European Parliament.

According to a press release issued by the Council, the programme aims to support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, strengthen judicial training and promote the independence and impartiality of the judiciary across EU member states. At the same time, it seeks to ensure equal access to justice for citizens and businesses, based on the rule of law, mutual recognition, and mutual trust between judicial systems.

The position adopted is described as partial, as it does not include financial and horizontal issues, which remain under negotiation in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. In this context, the European Commission has proposed doubling the budget of the Justice programme.

In a statement, Cyprus’ Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, said that the agreement marks an important step towards a more effective, accessible, and digitalised European area of justice. He added that the new programme will strengthen cross-border cooperation, improve citizens’ access to justice, and contribute to reinforcing the independence of judicial systems across the European Union.

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 05/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 06/06/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1013hPa (hectopascal)

Weak high pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 23°C

Warnings: NIL

The agreement on the new Justice programme is an important step towards a more effective, accessible and digitalised European area of justice, Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, said on Friday during a press conference after the EU Justice and Home Affairs (Justice) Council meeting which took place in Luxembourg.

The main topics on the agenda were the approval of a partial mandate for the new ‘Justice’ programme, the discussion on the recognition of parenthood in cross-border cases, as well as developments in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Fytiris, who chaired the Council said that the agreement on the new Justice programme is an important step towards a more effective, accessible and digitalised European area of justice. He explained that the programme will support cross-border cooperation, will improve access to justice, and will strengthen the independence of judicial systems in the European Union.

At the same time, he noted that this is also an important achievement in the context of the work undertaken by the Cypriot Presidency for the EU’s long-term budget and its commitment to promoting work on the MFF.

Cross-border parenthood

Referring to the proposal on the recognition of parenthood in cross-border cases, the Minister spoke of an important file on which technical work has been ongoing for more than three and a half years. He pointed out that the final objective of the proposal is the protection of all children, regardless of their place of birth and regardless of the form of their family.

He added that a political discussion was held in order to guide experts and provide a clearer direction to the negotiations, while a revised text will be circulated taking into account the comments of member states.

European Public Prosecutor’s Office

The Minister of Justice said that a revision of the regulation on the access of EPPO and OLAF to VAT information at EU level is ongoing, and is expected to be completed during the summer and is assessed to strengthen the effectiveness of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Minister also welcomed the announcement of Hungary’s intention to join EPPO, describing it as an important milestone which will strengthen the work of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and send a strong message against fraud.

Regarding Ukraine, the Minister said that the contribution of the Justice and Home Affairs Council focused on combating impunity for crimes related to the war. He added that the issue has been on the agenda of all Justice Council meetings since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, while the Commission and Eurojust presented the latest developments in this area.

At the same time, the Minister stressed that the meeting concluded with a discussion on hate crimes and hate speech.

Concluding, the Minister stated that it had been an honour for him to chair the Council of Justice Ministers and thanked his counterparts and Commissioner McGrath for their cooperation over the past months. He made special reference to the political agreement recently reached on the Regulation on the protection of adults, which ensures that vulnerable adults continue to receive the necessary support even when they move to another EU country. This, he noted, was a priority of the Cypriot Presidency, and work will continue at the same pace until the end of its term.

“There is no law of biology that says we have to age”: David Sinclair launches the Evolve Lecture Series at UNIC Athens

UNIC Athens has launched its new Evolve Lecture Series with an inaugural lecture by David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and one of the world’s foremost researchers on aging. The talk, titled “David Sinclair on Age Reversal: From Discovery to Human Trials” was delivered to a packed Andreas Vesalius Amphitheatre at the UNIC Athens campus in Elliniko on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

Introducing the speaker, University of Nicosia CEO Antonis Polemitis placed Sinclair among the rare “super-exponential” thinkers working today – a scientist who, he said, is consistently 10 to 20 years ahead of the field. While UNIC’s own goal is to extend healthy lifespan by a decade through preventive medicine, Polemitis noted, Sinclair’s goal is more audacious still: to treat aging itself.

Aging as a cause, not a fate

Sinclair built his talk around a claim he has spent three decades defending – one his own PhD supervisor first dismissed as career-ending: that aging is not simply something that happens to us, but the root cause of most major diseases, from cancer and heart disease to Alzheimer’s. Curing any single disease, he argued, buys humanity surprisingly little time; tackling aging itself, “the mother of all diseases,” is where the real gains lie.

He walked the audience through his Information Theory of Aging, the idea that we grow old chiefly because cells lose the epigenetic instructions that tell them what they are and how to behave – the “software” of the cell – rather than because of damage to the DNA code itself. He traced the work that led there, from his early discoveries on sirtuins and the role of NAD+, to the epigenetic reprogramming experiments that became the heart of the talk. Using three of the four “Yamanaka factors” – the combination known as OSK, deliberately leaving out the cancer-linked fourth gene – his lab was able to reset the age of cells, regrow damaged optic nerves, and restore sight, first in mice and later in monkeys.

From the laboratory to humans

Sinclair described how this approach has now reached its first trials in humans, through his company Life Biosciences, beginning with eye conditions where the need is urgent: glaucoma and the sudden-onset blindness known as NAION. He told the audience that the first glaucoma patient has already been treated and that the trial is underway. He also pointed to artificial intelligence as a force multiplier for the field, describing how his lab can now compress what would once have been well over a century of experiments into a single month, and screen billions of candidate molecules before any of them reaches the bench. Beyond the eye, he reported encouraging results in animals for the liver, for motor neurons in ALS, and for memory in the aging brain.

For all that ambition, Sinclair was careful to say he is not chasing immortality, but more healthy years of life. As he put it:

“There is no law of biology that says we have to age.”

The lecture closed with a wide-ranging audience discussion that moved from the funding and social challenges of aging research to the prospect of one day regrowing organs and joints rather than replacing them.

A new lecture series on the future of health

The event marks the start of the Evolve Lecture Series, a UNIC Athens initiative that brings leading scientists, researchers, and innovators together to examine the frontiers of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and human health. The series takes its name and inspiration from Evolve, the University of Nicosia’s flagship research initiative, which connects nutrition, environment, human biology, and real-world data in pursuit of new models for preventive and personalized medicine.

On Friday, June 5, 2026, Professor David Sinclair will receive the title of Honorary Doctor (Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa) by the University of Nicosia, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to aging research, the science of longevity, and healthy lifespan.

Contacts at negotiators’ level are expected at the beginning of next week with the arrival on the island of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Maria Angela Holguín, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has learned.

According to information obtained by CNA, Holguín is expected to arrive in Cyprus on Sunday and is to hold separate meetings on Monday with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman. At present, no further details are available regarding her schedule and other contacts while in Cyprus.

Sources familiar with the matter told CNA that the next contacts at negotiators’ level are expected to take place at the beginning of next week following Holguín’s arrival.

Regarding discussions on confidence-building measures (CBMs) at negotiators’ level, there appear to be some positive developments concerning the issue of religious services, it was noted, while discussions on CBMs continue.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format that was expected to take place before the end of 2025, is yet to be announced. María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

The University of Cyprus is now accepting applications for the YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies, an innovative English-taught undergraduate programme starting in September 2026.

Offered within the framework of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance, the programme provides students a unique opportunity to study and learn across multiple European universities, benefiting from a flexible and interdisciplinary learning experience.

As contemporary cities face growing environmental, social, and economic challenges, the programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to sustainable urban development. Through international mobility, collaborative learning, and flexible study pathways, students develop valuable global experience and skills for the world of tomorrow.

The programme coordinator, Professor Nadia Charalambous of the Department of Architecture, stated: “We are particularly proud to offer this innovative joint bachelor’s programme – a first for the University of Cyprus. We designed it with students in mind who want to understand the cities they live in, critically engage with issues of urban sustainability, and actively contribute to shaping the urban future. Through the mobility, interdisciplinarity, and European dimension of the programme, they gain not only a degree of the highest European standards, but also the tools to become true agents of change.”

The YUFE Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies promotes a student-centred approach to higher education, enabling participants to shape their own academic journey within a multicultural European environment.

This new programme further strengthens the University of Cyprus’s commitment to innovative, inclusive, and European higher education.

With an open outlook on the world, the University of Cyprus transforms its promise into action.

Applications are now open:

Application deadline for EEA students: 20 July 2026

Application deadline for non-EEA students: 14 June 2026

For more information and to apply, visit:

YUFE Bachelor – Young Universities for the Future of Europe

Online Information Session – 29 June 2026 (18:00-19:00 EEST)

Join the YUFE Bachelor Live Session hosted by the University of Cyprus, where prospective students will have the opportunity to learn more about the programme, its unique features, admission requirements, and study opportunities.

For further information about the event, please visit:

YUFE Bachelor Live Session – UCY

Registration is required and can be completed via the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yYe7BSu5SImSRQCfQZN6Hg

The Joint Bachelor in Urban Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary programme focused on urban sustainability, combining knowledge from environmental sciences, economics, urban planning, policy, and social sciences. Its aim is to develop analytical, research, and practical skills to address complex challenges and design sustainable solutions for cities.

The programme has a duration of three years (180 ECTS). The first year provides a common academic foundation, while the second and third years offer flexibility through the selection of YUFE minors and mobility across European universities. The programme concludes with a bachelor thesis.

It has received accreditation from the NVAO (Higher Education Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders), ensuring high European quality standards, and its operation has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth and the Council of Ministers in Cyprus.

Mobility is a core component: students begin at the University of Cyprus and then study at two to three partner universities, including Maastricht University, University of Antwerp, University of Bremen, University of Essex, University of Eastern Finland, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Sorbonne Nouvelle University, University of Rijeka, and Nicolaus Copernicus University.

Students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of YUFE Minors offered across these partner universities, covering thematic areas such as environmental sustainability, urban planning, governance, economics, and social development. Each Minor corresponds to 30 ECTS and is designed in a blended format, combining on-site courses at the host university with online courses provided by other institutions within the alliance.

The programme’s Intended Learning Outcomes are organised into three main categories: knowledge, research, and transferable skills. In this way, they combine theoretical knowledge with practical and applied competences, responding directly to the needs of the contemporary labour market.

Employment prospects are particularly broad, as graduates can work in local and regional authorities, European institutions, urban planning consultancies, and environmental management organisations. Indicatively, they may be employed as sustainability consultants, officers in municipalities and regional administrations, researchers in think tanks, or professionals in NGOs and international organisations active in climate policy and urban development. At the same time, graduates have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in related fields.