Category: Cyprus News Agency

The STATRUN team from Laniteio Gymnasium of Limassol was awarded, on Wednesday, first place in the 14-16 age category, at the European Statistics Competition awards ceremony held in Sofia, Bulgaria. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT) this marks the first time that a team from Cyprus has won the European Statistics Competition.

According to a press release issued by CYSTAT, the European phase of the competition followed a highly demanding national phase with the participation of 9,096 teams comprising 28,832 students from 22 countries.

The winning teams from each country (two per category) were invited to produce a two-minute video presenting a statistical ‘portrait’ of the people of their country. Using official statistics, contestants were asked to create an engaging and accurate portrayal of their country’s population while also demonstrating how data can be used to describe national identity.

The evaluation of the 35 submissions in the 14-16 age category and the 39 submissions in the 16-18 age category was carried out in two stages. The jury, composed of experts and specialists in fields related to statistics and communication, selected the five best videos in each category, which were announced today during the awards ceremony.

According to CYSTAT, the teams from Cyprus performed exceptionally well in the European phase. Of the four teams that participated, the STATRUN team won first place in the 14-16 age category, the ANOVA team won third place in the 16-18 age category and the OUTLIARS team was among the top twelve in the same category.

The Statistical Service, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Statistical Society, co-organizers of the competition in Cyprus, extend their warmest congratulations to the students and tutors of the STATRUN team, who won first place, as well as the other Cypriot teams, for their outstanding work and for representing Cyprus with distinction.

“These achievements are an inspiration to the school community, highlighting the value of teamwork, creativity and systematic effort,” CYSTAT notes.

The top five teams by category:

Age group 14-16

1. STATRUN (Cyprus)

2. EVJ (Slovakia)

3. DATAOUT (Romania)

4. COKOLINO1 (Slovenia)

5. FANTASTIK (Bulgaria)

Age group 16-18

1. STARTS (Greece)

2. OBCHODKARI (Slovakia)

3. ANOVA (Cyprus)

4. BLUESHRIMP (Italy)

5. MAT (Slovakia)

University of Nicosia ranked among the world’s top universities in QS World University Rankings 2027

UNIC ranked in the 711-720 band globally, top 200 in the European Union and 3rd in Cyprus, with strong performance in Global Engagement and Employability indicators

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) has achieved a major new distinction in the QS World University Rankings 2027, ranking in the 711-720 band globally, in the top 200 in the European Union, and 3rd in Cyprus among the universities included in this year’s edition.

The 2027 edition of the QS World University Rankings assessed 1,504 institutions worldwide, making UNIC’s inclusion a significant milestone and a strong endorsement of the University’s growing international profile, academic quality, and global outlook.

This latest recognition reinforces the University of Nicosia’s position as one of the leading universities in Cyprus and the wider region, with a clear focus on academic excellence, global engagement, and student success.

Commenting on this achievement, the Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas mentioned:

‘This is a major achievement for the University of Nicosia, and one that we are proud to celebrate. Being ranked among the world’s top universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027 strongly affirms the progress we continue to make as an institution. Our strong performance in Global Engagement and Employability reflects the distinct character of the University of Nicosia: outward-looking, engaged with the society and the labour market, and committed to delivering high-quality research and education to a dynamic international community. Securing 1st and 2nd place among Cypriot and Greek universities in Global Engagement indicators, as well as 3rd place in Employability Outcomes, highlights both our international orientation and our strong links with local and global labour markets.’

The QS World University Rankings are among the most widely recognised and influential global university rankings, evaluating universities across a range of indicators in five thematic areas, including Global Engagement (International Research Network, International Student Ratio, International Faculty Ratio) and Employability.

For the University of Nicosia, this result marks another important step in its continued development and international recognition, highlighting the strength of its academic environment and the growing impact of its global orientation.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus and Head of the UN peacekeeping mission, Khassim Diagne, briefed members of the diplomatic community on Thursday on the activities of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ahead of his upcoming visit to New York to address the UN Security Council in July.

According to a post by UN Cyprus on X, Diagne welcomed diplomats for a briefing on UNFICYP activities on the island before his planned briefing to the UN Security Council in July.

During the meeting, Diagne also addressed the situation in the buffer zone and referred to ongoing activities carried out by the mission’s military, UN Police and Civil Affairs components aimed at reducing tensions and maintaining peace.

UN Cyprus said that multilateralism remains ‘our strongest tool to bridge divides and build lasting peace on the island.’

This year marks a historic turning point for the recovery of the griffon vulture population in Cyprus as for the first time since 2021 successful breeding activity was recorded, with five breeding pairs nesting in various areas of the island.

A joint press release from BirdLife Cyprus and the Game and Fauna Service says that this development comes just a few years after the loss of the last breeding pairs due to vulture poisoning incidents in 2022 and 2023 and is proof that efforts to strengthen the population are starting to bear fruit.

The five pairs are expected to contribute significantly to the recovery of the population, adding new individuals to a species that is still in a critical conservation status in Cyprus.

It is particularly encouraging that four of the five pairs include birds that were transferred from Spain as part of the LIFE project ‘Life with Vultures’ and have now reached breeding age.

The chicks will be ringed and equipped with GPS transmitters to monitor their movements, contributing to a better understanding of their behaviour and to their more effective protection after they leave the nest.

The press release says that the pairs nest in historical breeding areas of the species. Among these is a site that has not been used for nesting in the last 15 years, which suggests that the population is gradually starting to use traditional areas on the island again.

Four of the five breeding pairs include Spanish birds released in Cyprus in 2022 and 2023.

Of particular importance is the fifth pair, which consists of the last remaining individual of Cretan origin, a 13-year-old female transferred to Cyprus as part of the GYPAS project (2011-2014) and released in 2015, and a male bird born in Cyprus in 2021.

The breeding season of the Griffon Vulture, which usually extends from late winter to summer, is the most sensitive period for the species.

Human presence or intrusive activities near active nests, helicopter flights, recreational approaches or other sources of aerial and acoustic disturbance can force adult birds to temporarily or even permanently abandon the nest.

The press release also notes that for the protection of two nests located within the British Bases, additional measures have been taken to limit human disturbance during the breeding season.

In collaboration with the British Bases Administration, the Game and Fauna Service and BirdLife Cyprus, protection zones have been established around the nests, which will remain in force throughout the breeding season.

This measure was implemented as a preventive measure, with the aim of minimising the risk of disturbance to the birds and ensuring their successful breeding.

Although this year’s breeding success is a significant milestone, the Vulture remains among the most endangered bird species in Cyprus.

Illegal use of poisoned baits and electrocution from power lines continue to be the most serious threats to its survival, while the protection of nesting areas and the maintenance of suitable habitats remain critical for the long-term recovery of the population.

Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha referred on Thursday to the excellent work carried out by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, during his meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace.

According to a Presidency statement, welcoming the Albanian Foreign Minister, President Christodoulides referred, among other things, to the shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Albania, while emphasizing the Republic of Cyprus’s support for Albania’s accession process.

For his part, Hoxha expressed his gratitude to the Government and the President personally, as well as to the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, for the outstanding work carried out by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, noting that ‘it was truly admirable.’

He added that ‘the issue of enlargement was handled exceptionally well, and we could not be more grateful. The Cypriot Presidency passed the test with flying colors in all areas.’

Children with disabilities must continue to dream Paola Frantzi told President Nikos Christodoulides during an event at the Presidential Palace, on Thursday, on special education and inclusion. Frantzi is the head of integrated education at KYSOA, the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled. She suffers from quadriplegia, is a holder of three degrees and currently studies for her PhD, as head of KYSOA Themis Anthopoulou said introducing her.

Speaking during the event, President Christodoulides announced the establishment of the Special Education and Inclusion Unit at the Ministry of Education, which will include all existing Special Education structures and services that currently operate in parallel. He noted that the aim is to have a common point of reference for parents.

Paola Frantzi spoke about her own experience in special education, the support she had from some of her teachers and the problems and difficulties she was faced with. She said that by seeing the positives in education, students will be able to face the problems as well.

Frantzi said that she dared to dream and continued doing so and she succeeded and now has a job. “The role of the education system is not only to complete your education and studies but also to give you the appropriate resources to enter the labour market,” she noted.

In his speech, the President of the Republic said that he wanted to listen to the children, their own experiences, thoughts and what they want to change. He added that these suggestions will be taken into account in the consultation that is already underway for the modernisation of Special Education legislation.

He said that he had concerns about Special Education from when he assumed office and for this reason the government took measures for an increase in school aides, specifically 474 additional positions in primary and 105 in secondary education. Among the decisions taken are also the continuous training of teachers, school assistants and aides, so that the daily support in the classroom is more substantial and qualitative.

President Christodoulides also referred to the construction of two new school units of the Special School of Apostolos Loukas and the Special School of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Limassol, recalling that all Special Schools now also operate in the summer, making it easier for families. He also recalled that a decision was taken for the schooling of children with disabilities up to the age of 22 and the right to parental leave for children with disabilities up to the age of 21.

As regards the special unit, with the participation of the Ministers of Education, Trade, Labour, Health and the Deputy Minister of Welfare, so that mid-July, the latest, the government will present a comprehensive proposal.

KYSOA Head Themis Anthopoulou in her comments said that no voice is louder, more honest, more interactive than the voice of the children who claim their own rights. She said that the future of Cyprus is its children and no discrimination should be made for children with disabilities.

Anthopoulou said that the consultation takes place on the basis of the 1999 legislation long before the UN Convention on Persons with Disabilities. She also said that behind and next to each of the children with disabilities there are parents fighting for their rights.

A discussion followed in the presence of parliamentarians, the Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister of Welfare and Social Insurance, the Deputy Minister to the President, the Ombudswoman and other officials.

Moreover a statement by the Presidency, says that in the final comment at the conclusion of the discussion, the President of the Republic said that he noted five points that he considers key for the subsequent course of the bill. These include a more personalised assessment and personalised solutions, building a culture where no bullying is tolerated, the responsibility of teachers and the future of children after the age of 22.

He also said that a new meeting would take place for assessment.

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 25/06/2026 UNTIL 0600 26/06/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1008hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but early morning and overnight locally increased low cloud will be present with risk of local mist and/or fog.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 25°C

Warnings: NIL

The settlement of the Cyprus problem would make a decisive contribution to strengthening stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou said during a meeting with Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, who is on a working visit to Cyprus.

According to a press release issued by the House of Representatives, Demetriou underlined the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to the resumption of meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the principles and values of the European Union.

She also expressed the expectation that Turkey would adopt a constructive stance in order to make the resumption of negotiations possible.

During the meeting, the House Speaker reaffirmed Cyprus’ steadfast support for the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, stressing that the European Union’s enlargement policy constitutes a strategic investment in peace, stability and security in Europe.

Demetriou congratulated Albania on the progress it has achieved in its accession process and assured the Albanian Minister of Cyprus’ readiness to continue actively supporting these efforts.

Hoxha thanked Cyprus for its consistent support for Albania’s European course, as well as for the role played by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in advancing the enlargement process, the press release said.

The Albanian Minister also reaffirmed his country’s support for efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue through dialogue, on the basis of international law and the principles of multilateralism.

The meeting also highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy and the need to further strengthen relations between the parliaments of Cyprus and Albania through increased exchanges at various levels.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as on common challenges facing European states, including migration, energy security, defence and the maintenance of stability in the wider Mediterranean region, the press release concludes.

Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed readiness to support humanitarian efforts in Venezuela, through the EU, following the two earthquakes that killed at least 164 people.

”Deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela”, the MFA said in a post on X.

It says that Cyprus is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to support humanitarian efforts, as appropriate, through EU mechanisms.

”Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time”, it said.

Cyprus’ House of Representatives unanimously approved on Thursday a bill extending reduced excise taxes on motor fuels for a further two months.

The amendment was submitted by the Ministry of Finance and was passed under an urgent procedure, receiving all 38 votes cast in the House plenary session.

Before the vote, the House Finance and Budget Committee held an extraordinary meeting to examine the bill and prepare its report.

The legislation extends the current reduced excise tax rates on certain fuel products, which were due to expire on June 30, 2026. The amendment, ensures that the measure will remain in force for an additional two months.