Cyprus’ unemployment rate remained at 4 per cent in September 2026, unchanged from August and below the 4.2 per cent recorded a year earlier, while youth unemployment stayed at 11.3 per cent, according to figures published by Eurostat on Friday.

The number of unemployed people in Cyprus stood at approximately 21,000 in September, down from around 22,000 in September 2025, as the labour market continued to perform better than the European Union average.

The figures also showed that youth unemployment in Cyprus declined over the past year, with the number of unemployed people aged under 25 falling from approximately 4,000 in September 2025 to 3,000 in June 2026, where it remained through September.

Across the EU, however, unemployment increased over the year, with the overall rate reaching 6.2 per cent in September, compared with 6 per cent in the same month of 2025.

The euro area unemployment rate stood at 6.5 per cent, unchanged from August but higher than the 6.3 per cent recorded a year earlier.

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, estimated that 13.773 million people were unemployed across the EU in September, including 11.555 million in the euro area.

Compared with August, the number of unemployed people increased by 105,000 across the EU and by 122,000 in the euro area.

On an annual basis, unemployment rose by 471,000 across the EU and by 420,000 in the euro area.

Cyprus unemployment remains below EU average

Cyprus’ unemployment rate declined from 4.2 per cent in September 2025 to 3.8 per cent in June 2026, before edging up to 3.9 per cent in July and reaching 4 per cent in August, where it remained in September.

The number of unemployed people followed a similar pattern, falling from approximately 22,000 in September 2025 to 21,000 in June and July 2026.

The figure increased to around 22,000 in August before returning to approximately 21,000 in September.

The latest figures place Cyprus’ unemployment rate 2.2 percentage points below the EU average and 2.5 percentage points below the euro area rate.

While the EU and euro area have experienced an increase in unemployment over the past year, Cyprus’ rate has declined, indicating comparatively favourable labour market conditions.

Youth unemployment remains lower in Cyprus

The unemployment rate among people aged under 25 in Cyprus stood at 11.3 per cent in September 2026, unchanged from July and August and below the 12.9 per cent recorded in September 2025.

The rate had fallen to 11.8 per cent by June 2026 before declining further to 11.3 per cent in July.

The number of unemployed young people also decreased over the year, from approximately 4,000 in September 2025 to 3,000 in June 2026, remaining at that level through September.

The figures compare favourably with the wider European picture, where youth unemployment continued to rise.

Across the EU, the youth unemployment rate reached 15.5 per cent in September, up from 15.4 per cent in August.

In the euro area, the rate increased to 15.4 per cent from 15.1 per cent in the previous month.

Eurostat estimated that 3.022 million people aged under 25 were unemployed across the EU in September, including 2.469 million in the euro area.

Compared with August, youth unemployment increased by 44,000 across the EU and by 69,000 in the euro area.

Compared with September 2025, the number of unemployed young people rose by 45,000 in the EU and by 80,000 in the euro area.

Unemployment among women and men

The unemployment rate for men in Cyprus stood at 3.7 per cent in September 2026, unchanged from July and August, after declining from 4 per cent in September 2025 to 3.6 per cent in June 2026.

Among women, the rate reached 4.3 per cent in September, down from 4.4 per cent a year earlier.

Female unemployment had fallen to 4.1 per cent in June 2026 before increasing to 4.2 per cent in July and 4.4 per cent in August, then edging down in September.

The figures show that the unemployment rate for women remained higher than that for men in Cyprus, although the difference narrowed slightly in September.

Across the EU, the unemployment rate for women stood at 6.4 per cent in September, while the rate for men was 6 per cent, with both unchanged from the previous month.

In the euro area, female unemployment remained at 6.7 per cent, while the male rate increased to 6.4 per cent from 6.3 per cent in August.

European unemployment rises over the year

The wider European figures showed a gradual increase in unemployment compared with September 2025, despite rates remaining stable between August and September 2026.

In the euro area, the unemployment rate rose from 6.3 per cent in September 2025 to 6.4 per cent in June 2026, before reaching 6.5 per cent in July and remaining at that level through September.

The number of unemployed people in the euro area increased from 11.135 million in September 2025 to 11.555 million in September 2026.

Across the EU, the unemployment rate increased from 6 per cent in September 2025 to 6.2 per cent in June 2026, remaining at 6.2 per cent through September.

The total number of unemployed people across the bloc rose from 13.302 million to 13.773 million over the same period.

The latest figures therefore highlight a contrast between Cyprus, where overall unemployment and youth joblessness remained below their levels a year earlier, and the wider EU, where both the number of unemployed people and the overall rate increased.

Parliamentary staff have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the behaviour of certain MPs, both inside parliament and through public statements and social media posts, warning that disparaging remarks are undermining their professional dignity and working relationships.

In a letter dated October 27 to House president Annita Demetriou, members of the Pasydy parliamentary employees’ branch called for a working environment based on mutual respect and institutional decorum.

The employees said they carried out their duties daily with professionalism, responsibility and discretion, providing administrative, scientific and organisational support to MPs, their parliamentary associates and the House’s various bodies.

They stressed that their primary responsibility was to ensure the smooth functioning of parliament and protect the credibility and dignity of the institution.

However, they warned that behaviour and public comments which belittle employees, undermine their work or collectively assign blame without considering their institutional role and demanding working conditions “harm both their professional and personal dignity”.

“At the same time, they create a climate of disappointment and insecurity and undermine the fundamental relationship of cooperation between MPs and parliamentary staff in the future,” the letter said.

The employees acknowledged MPs’ right to criticise, raise concerns and seek explanations about parliamentary operations, but stressed that criticism should distinguish between institutional or administrative disagreements and personal attacks on staff.

“The public expression of disagreements must not become a means of targeting, assigning sole responsibility or belittling parliamentary staff,” they said.

The union branch called for measures to prevent similar behaviour and remarks in the future.

“The smooth functioning of parliament and the effective support of parliamentary work require relationships of cooperation, trust and mutual respect between MPs and staff,” the letter concluded.

A bill introducing a new teacher appointment system is expected to be submitted to parliament by late November or early December, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said on Friday.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) after presenting her ministry’s 2027 budget to the House finance committee, Michaelidou said the government intended to move ahead with the proposed changes despite objections from teachers’ unions.

Asked about the unions’ declaration that negotiations had reached a deadlock, their letter to President Nikos Christodoulides and the possibility of escalating industrial action, she described the unilateral declaration of deadlock as “somewhat problematic”.

“Nothing changes on this issue. We have already demonstrated our willingness to help, support and accommodate demands concerning an issue that was settled in 2015, 11 years ago,” she said.

She criticised the lengthy transition period introduced under the 2015 legislation, which provided for the abolition of the existing appointment list.

“The legislation in 2015 stipulated that the appointment list would be abolished, and a transitional period of almost 12 years was, criminally, allowed. During this period, many distortions emerged, which we have acknowledged,” she said.

Michaelidou said the government had agreed with unions that teachers who had worked during the transitional period should not be disadvantaged, but stressed that those who passed the appointment examinations must also be treated fairly.

“We agreed with the trade unions that people who worked during these years should not be treated unfairly, and that is what we are doing through our proposal. On the other hand, those who pass the examinations and will continue to sit them cannot be treated unfairly either,” she said.

She added that the ministry had listened to concerns and submitted an updated proposal, but one issue remained unresolved.

“The issue and demand for permanent appointments without examination is in conflict with the law. Therefore, we cannot dismiss or undermine the entire effort simply because not all the demands raised by the trade unions have been met,” she said.

The minister said the next steps would involve immediate public consultation, followed by approval from the cabinet and submission to parliament, where further discussions could take place.

Asked when the bill would reach parliament, she said it was expected by late November or early December.

“We want it passed as soon as possible, before March 2027, so that it can be implemented from the new school year,” Michaelidou said.

Household electricity prices in Cyprus fell to €0.26 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2026, according to Eurostat data, easing from their energy-crisis peak but remaining significantly above pre-crisis levels as electricity costs continue to weigh on consumers.

The latest figures show that prices, including all taxes and levies, have declined steadily since reaching €0.37 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2023, although households are still paying considerably more than they did before the energy crisis.

When adjusted for differences in purchasing power, Cyprus recorded 29.9 purchasing power standard (PPS) units per 100 kilowatt-hours in the first half of 2026, providing an indication of the relative burden of electricity costs on households.

Across the European Union, average household electricity prices fell by 2.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, declining to €0.28 per kilowatt-hour from €0.29 in the second half of 2025.

Despite the decrease, prices remained well above levels recorded before the 2022 energy crisis, indicating that households continued to face higher electricity costs than before the energy market turmoil.

Taxes and levies also declined slightly as a proportion of household electricity bills, falling by 0.5 percentage points, from 28.9 per cent in the second half of 2025 to 28.4 per cent in the first half of 2026.

Cyprus electricity prices peaked in 2023

Eurostat data show that household electricity prices in Cyprus followed a relatively stable pattern between 2015 and 2020, before surging during the energy crisis and subsequently easing.

During the initial period, prices fluctuated between €0.15 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2016 and €0.22 in the second half of 2019, before falling to €0.16 in the second half of 2020.

The subsequent energy crisis brought a sharp increase in household electricity costs, with prices reaching €0.37 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2023, more than double the level recorded in late 2020.

Prices then began to ease, declining to €0.32 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2024 before continuing their gradual downward trajectory.

By the first half of 2026, the price had fallen to €0.26 per kilowatt-hour, representing a substantial reduction from the 2023 peak but remaining well above the levels recorded before 2021.

The trend highlights the persistence of the energy crisis’ impact on household electricity bills, even as prices have retreated from their highest levels.

Ireland records highest electricity prices

Ireland recorded the highest household electricity prices in the EU during the first half of 2026, at €0.39 per kilowatt-hour, followed by Germany and Belgium, where prices stood at €0.36 per kilowatt-hour in both countries.

Six member states recorded household electricity prices exceeding €0.30 per kilowatt-hour, while five countries reported prices below €0.20.

The lowest nominal prices were recorded in Hungary, at €0.11 per kilowatt-hour, followed by Malta and Bulgaria, where households paid €0.13 per kilowatt-hour.

However, comparisons based solely on euros do not fully reflect the financial burden electricity bills place on households, as purchasing power and general price levels differ between countries.

When electricity prices were adjusted using the purchasing power standard (PPS), Romania recorded the highest costs, at 46.9 units per 100 kilowatt-hours, followed by Poland at 41.1 and the Czech Republic at 34.3.

Cyprus recorded 29.9 PPS units per 100 kilowatt-hours, while the lowest purchasing-power-adjusted prices were observed in Malta, at 13.8, Hungary at 14.7 and Luxembourg at 15.5.

The PPS measure allows comparisons between countries by accounting for differences in purchasing power, offering a clearer indication of the relative cost of electricity for consumers.

Electricity prices move sharply in several countries

Although the EU average declined in the first half of 2026 compared with the second half of 2025, national trends varied considerably when prices were compared with the same period a year earlier.

Using comparisons in national currencies, Eurostat found that household electricity prices increased sharply in Romania, rising by 51.6 per cent compared with the first half of 2025.

Ireland recorded the second-largest increase, at 19.8 per cent, followed by Finland, where prices rose by 18.4 per cent.

In contrast, Denmark registered the largest decrease, with household electricity prices falling by 31.7 per cent, while Luxembourg recorded a decline of 24.1 per cent.

The figures illustrate the uneven evolution of electricity costs across Europe, despite the overall reduction in average EU prices during the first six months of 2026.

For Cyprus, the combination of the historical price trend and the latest purchasing-power-adjusted figures shows that, although household electricity costs have fallen considerably from their 2023 peak, prices remain elevated compared with the period before the energy crisis.

Nurses’ trade unions have insisted that collective labour agreements protecting the rights and benefits of both existing and future nursing staff, including those recruited from abroad, are non-negotiable.

In a joint statement following Thursday’s House health committee discussion on proposed legislative amendments concerning the employment of nurses from third countries, SEK, PEO, Pasydy and Pasyno reiterated their position that staffing needs could be met by Cypriot nurses.

The unions said regulating employment conditions through collective agreements would help attract staff and prevent further departures from the profession.

They also stressed that language proficiency was primarily a matter of patient safety and quality of care, arguing that requirements must reflect the responsibilities of nursing staff and ensure effective communication with patients and other healthcare professionals.

The unions expressed strong dissatisfaction with the health ministry for failing to convene a meeting with trade unions, nursing representatives and employers’ organisations, despite having been given 15 days to facilitate dialogue on a comprehensive solution.

They said discussions before the House health committee had demonstrated that the conditions for a consensus did not exist and that the proposed legislative amendment should not proceed to the House plenum in its current form.

The unions also dismissed claims made by employers’ federation OEV and the private hospitals’ association (Pasin) as unsubstantiated, arguing that they did not contribute to addressing the nursing sector’s problems.

They warned that they would act as “a barrier to any attempt to downgrade the nursing profession or introduce any regulation that could endanger the quality and safety of care provided in Cyprus’ hospitals”.

The unions concluded that addressing healthcare staffing shortages required serious planning, reliable evidence and meaningful dialogue, alongside policies protecting healthcare standards and strengthening the nursing profession.

Workers in the support programmes of the education ministry will begin an indefinite strike on Monday, after unions cited many colleagues have gone five months without pay.

Trade unions SEK and PEO said the ministry has still not fully implemented legislation passed by the House on April 21 which regulates employment in specific programmes.

According to the unions, the law sets out staffing procedures, but these are not applied to every programme, which has left a number of workers without a job.

They also claim that posts meant for fixed-term staff are being filled by employees already on the permanent roll, who work overtime to cover them.

The unions further accused the government of repeatedly postponing a political decision on paying employees whose contracts have not been terminated.

They said the delay has left these workers with no income and no right to unemployment benefit.

“Workers remain unpaid for five months,” the unions said, describing the situation as the result of “continuous postponements” by the government.

The strike marks an escalation of measures the workers have taken over the unresolved labour issues, with a protest march planned for next Thursday, starting at the finance ministry and heading towards the presidential palace.

The unions have called on workers to turn out in large numbers for both the strike and the march, and have insisted action would continue until “substantive solutions” are provided to the problems they have raised.

Parents are opting for a second shot of MMR vaccine sooner, which aligns with guidance in Germany, the UK and France

Measles cases are accelerating in the US, with twice as many confirmed cases as last year, and more parents are opting for earlier vaccination – especially with the second dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which can be given as soon as four weeks after the first.

Giving the second shot soon after the first aligns with what some other countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom and France, recommend – and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also says it’s an option.

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© Photograph: George Frey/Getty Images

© Photograph: George Frey/Getty Images

© Photograph: George Frey/Getty Images

Immigrants at Texas detention facility, protesting against harsh conditions, say they face threats of force-feeding

Members of Congress sent a scathing letter to federal immigration officials this week demanding answers about conditions inside a Texas immigration jail, as detained immigrants on a prolonged hunger strike claim officials are retaliating against them and threatening them with force-feeding.

A group of seven congressional Democrats sent the letter earlier this week to Markwayne Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, and David Venturella, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director, protesting about the treatment of hunger strikers.

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© Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

© Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

© Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Endorsement not always full-throated but party backing marks major turn after bitter split over nomination

Facing a barrage of extreme attacks from Donald Trump and his allies, the Democratic establishment is finally rallying around progressive Abdul El-Sayed, the party’s candidate in the closely watched US Senate election in Michigan. But the endorsement is not always full-throated, and often even omits his name.

At a rally in Port Huron on Sunday, the US president launched the latest in a wave of Islamophobic rants against El-Sayed, erroneously branding him a “jihadist” and “Muslim Brotherhood member” while invoking 9/11.

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© Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

It’s been a particularly brutal cycle for attack ads, but voters are responding with humanity. Plus: on the campaign trail with a Democrat in Kansas

• This was originally published in the Stakes 2026, a newsletter about the midterm elections. Sign up to get it in your inbox

There’s a campaign moment I can’t stop thinking about. It happened shortly after the campaign of Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee for governor of Ohio, released a shocking attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton.

In the ad, as many readers will know by now, Acton’s mother accuses her daughter of lying and tells Ohioans not to vote for her. Acton, 60, says she has not spoken to her mother since she was 12, when she and her brother were removed from their mother’s custody after their stepfather was arrested and charged with raping her. Acton says she last saw her mother at the courthouse, where her mother came to support her husband as her daughter testified against him.

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© Photograph: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

© Photograph: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

© Photograph: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Reservoir levels in Cyprus have increased to 35.1 per cent due to recent rainfall, amounting to 101.9 million cubic metres of water, which is over three times last year’s capacity.

At the same time last year, the levels had reached 10.7 per cent capacity, or 31.3 million cubic metres.

Approximately 220,000 cubic metres of water flowed into the reservoirs on Thursday alone.

Water development department executive engineer Alexios Frangeskou said the largest inflows occurred at the Kouris and Arminou reservoirs.

Additional inflows were noted at reservoirs that are supplied by the southern conveyor project, which is mainly located in the Limassol and Larnaca districts, as well as at Asprokremmos and Evretou reservoirs.

Frangeskou said the inflows were encouraging for this time of the hydrological year, but they were not sufficient to make a significant change to the overall water balance.

He warned that reservoirs were still only about one-third full and that there should be no complacency.

Continued rainfall, especially during the winter months, could lead to further inflows, he pointed out.

Last year, water started entering reservoirs much later because the catchment areas had nearly dried out.

In the meantime, water development department projects are ongoing, with the mobile desalination unit at Episkopi expected to become operational soon.

The department also intends to initiate tenders for several other major projects, according to Frangeskou.

The court of appeals upheld the immediate three-year imprisonment of a man for burglary of a house and theft of items worth €18,520, an announcement on Friday said.

The decision was taken on October 27 with the court dismissing the appellant’s claim that the sentence was excessive.

The court said the sentence reflected the offences, taking into consideration other offences the appellant had pleaded guilty to, including domestic violence.

The appellant had admitted to the burglary of a house in Limassol in May 2025. He had been handed concurrent sentences of three years for burglary and two years for theft.

In his appeal, the man said the court of first instance had not taken into account the fact that he was facing personal and psychological problems at the time of the offences, including taking drugs. He also said he was homeless, out of work and had no family to support him.

However, the court of appeals said the court of first instance had indeed taken all this into account, as well as the fact that he had abandoned the closed treatment programme he had been referred to.

The man had also been convicted for burglary and theft in the past and had ignored a restraining order forbidding him to approach or contact his wife.

“There is no reason at all to interfere with the sentence passed,” the court of appeals said.

A compensation proposal for professional fishermen in Zygi, who have faced restrictions on access to fishing grounds, is in the final stages of assessment and is expected to be presented shortly, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis said on Friday.

Senekis was speaking during a visit to Zygi alongside European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, where the two met local fishermen at the community council offices to discuss the challenges facing the sector.

The minister said small-scale coastal fishing was vital to the local economy and the preservation of a longstanding tradition, but fishermen were facing mounting operating costs and increasingly restricted access to fishing grounds.

“This is why we have prepared a compensation proposal for fishermen in the Zygi area. It is in the final stages of assessment and we will present it in the very near future and move forward to provide meaningful support to professional fishermen, small-scale coastal fishing and its sustainability,” Senekis said.

Kadis said access to fishing grounds had become a major concern, particularly as maritime developments, including the nearby energy centre, had reduced the areas available to local fishermen.

He noted that similar problems were being experienced across Europe and that the European Commission was revising the directive on maritime spatial planning, placing particular emphasis on safeguarding access to fishing grounds, especially for small-scale fishermen.

The commissioner also addressed rising energy costs, saying the Commission had activated a crisis mechanism under the relevant European fund, allowing member states to provide financial support to the fishing sector.

Cyprus was among the countries that had taken advantage of the provision to support fishermen facing higher energy costs, he said.

Kadis added that the Commission was considering extending the measure into 2027, as the existing provision covered 2026.

Giannos Stylianou, president of Zygi’s professional fishermen, welcomed the visit and said discussions had focused on restrictions affecting maritime space, energy costs and fuel prices.

“They showed us complete understanding. We are very satisfied and I believe they will stand by us and help us address this major and serious problem, particularly affecting our area,” Stylianou said.

The health ministry on Friday launched an information campaign aimed at promoting natural childbirth and reducing premature births.

“When there is no medical indication for a cesarean section, natural childbirth is generally the appropriate choice for the mother and baby,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the share of deliveries by cesarean section stood at 61.8 per cent in 2024, while a total of 13 per cent of births were premature.

The campaign is aimed at providing information to pregnant women and their families and is set to last throughout November, including World Prematurity Day on November 17.

The ministry appealed to pregnant women to inform themselves responsibly, discussing scientific data with their doctor and midwife in drawing up their personal birth plan.

It emphasised that decisions needed to be made based on comprehensive knowledge and said the ministry aimed to reduce the rate of cesarean sections to below 60 per cent in 2026.

With regard to the role of midwives, the ministry highlighted that all pregnant women have access to free visits from a community midwife through the general health scheme (Gesy).

The ministry called on all involved stakeholders to support the campaign, pointing out that valid information, evidence-based choices and cooperation can contribute to the reduction of caesarean sections when there is no medical need, as well as to the prevention of premature births.

Voters who backed the US president in the last election are saying they can’t vote for him today: ‘This is an abomination’

Outside the Ukrainian educational and cultural center in a quiet Pennsylvania suburb of Jenkintown, on the outskirts of Philadelphia, a banner expressed unqualified gratitude: “Thank you USA for supporting Ukraine.”

Inside, however, the sentiment was altogether different. Irene Skulsky, a retired teacher in her late 70s, voiced indignation at Donald Trump’s sudden turn against her ancestral homeland, which she believed had come close to killing her son, Darko, and a desire to punish his fellow Republicans at next week’s midterm elections.

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© Composite: Rita Liu/The Guardian/Getty Images

© Composite: Rita Liu/The Guardian/Getty Images

© Composite: Rita Liu/The Guardian/Getty Images

An employee for an accountant’s office in Paphos lost €6,000 when she received an email, appearing to be from a bank, asking her to update her personal details.

The police said on Friday that the woman followed the instructions and soon afterwards found the sum had been taken from her bank account.

She immediately filed a complaint with the police.

Following the incident, the police have repeated warnings against following links and uploading personal details.

The Republic of Cyprus has reiterated its position that the 2019 Turkey-Libya MoU on maritime delimitation is “null and void”.

Speaking during a UN Security Council open debate on emerging technologies and maritime security, Cyprus’ representative Maria Michail said “this purported agreement is null and void, does not comply with international law and, in particular, the rules pertaining to the conclusion of treaties as well as UNCLOS.”

“Geography cannot be changed, nor can the sovereign rights of states be disregarded through arbitrary maritime delimitations,” she said.

Michail added that “article 121 of UNCLOS clearly establishes the regime of islands and their entitlement to maritime zones.”

She stressed that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is fundamental to maritime security, legal certainty and the peaceful settlement of disputes, adding that its provisions reflecting customary international law are binding upon all states.

“The Mediterranean is our common sea. Its security and stability depend on good neighbourly relations grounded on respect for international law and the sovereign rights of all coastal states,” she said.

Addressing the main theme of the debate, she reaffirmed Cyprus’ position that “technological progress must remain anchored in international law”, particularly the UN Charter and UNCLOS.

‘Tis the season to get spooked, and these upcoming film screenings promise to do just that. Evenings all about the dark, mysterious and spine-chilling forces are coming up this weekend and throughout the first week of November, extending the Halloween spell.

Motherwitch

From October 30 to November 4, Premier Cinemas at the Nicosia Mall will screen Cyprus’ first horror and folk-gothic film, Motherwitch, directed by Minos Papas.

Set in 1882, the film follows Eleni, who reaches into the shadows to resurrect her lost children, but instead summons the ancient Kalikantzari of Cypriot lore. She must now confront the storm of her grief and anger, and lift the curse.

CyFi Fest Halloween Double Feature

On Saturday, October 31, CyFi Fest gets into the mood for its next edition next year and organises a pop-up Halloween Film night, featuring two movies at Apollon Cinema in Limassol.

The night begins with a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly’s iconic cult sci-fi classic.

Then, in a dark turn, the supernatural techno-horror film Bloat, directed by Pablo Absento, is screened, starring Ben McKenzie and Bojana Novakovic.

Introducing the film is producer Maria Zatulovskaya, whilst after the screening a live Q&A will take place.

Scary movie lovers are encouraged to attend dressed in their best Halloween or cosplay costume to win a special gift.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

In Larnaca, a Halloween film night is planned for October 31 at the Municipal Market.

This is another cinema evening by the Larnaca Cinema Society, which presents this classic film that blends music, comedy and horror.

The screening begins at 8pm and has free entrance, shown in the original English language.

Little Shop of Horrors

STYX Film Encounters brings another cult horror-musical special screening as soon as November arrives. The night of November 6 at Pantheon Theatre in Nicosia will feature a film screening of the 1986 film, Little Shop of Horrors, a live discussion and a themed pop-up flower shop.

The premise of the film begins in a rundown flower shop on Skid Row, where Seymour Krelborn, a shy and awkward assistant, discovers a mysterious plant that promises to transform his fortunes. As the strange plant attracts attention and brings unexpected success, Seymour discovers that keeping it alive requires increasingly disturbing sacrifices.

Packed with dark humour, songs and an extraordinary man-eating plant, the film has become a cult classic.

But that’s not all the event has in store. STYX collaborates with Groundt Plant Store to bring the film’s Mushnik’s Flower Shop to life. Plus, a post-screening discussion will invite musician Arsenis Agisilaou to the stage.

Audience members who come dressed up, either as characters from the film or in a Halloween costume, get in for free and enjoy priority entry.

Talk about immersive events this Halloween season!

Motherwitch

Cypriot folk gothic film, directed by Minos Papas. October 30-November 4. Premier Cinemas, Nicosia Mall. 7.45pm and 10pm. www.premiercinemas.com.cy

CyFi Fest Halloween Double Feature

Two film screenings: Donnie Darko and Bloat. October 31. Apollon Cinema, Limassol. 7.30pm. €5. www.geekotopos.org

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Film screening of cult horror-musical-comedy film. October 31. Municipal Market, Larnaca. 8pm. Free admission. In English, with Greek subtitles

Little Shop of Horrors (1986) — Halloween Special

Screening of the film Little Shop of Horrors, dress-up, plant decor and discussion. By STYX Film Encounters. November 6. Pantheon Theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. https://styxfilmencounters.com/event/little-shop-of-horrors-1986/

A 50-year-old woman was injured in a collision involving two cyclists and a car in Polis Chrysochous on Thursday afternoon, and police are searching for the second cyclist who left the scene.

The collision happened at around 3.30pm on the Polis Chrysochous to Androlikou road, police said.

An 80-year-old man was driving the car when it collided with a bicycle travelling ahead of it.

The bicycle was then pushed into a second cyclist riding alongside, causing both women to fall onto the road.

One cyclist left the scene and is being sought by police.

The other, aged 50, was taken first to Polis Chrysochous hospital and later transferred to Paphos general hospital for further treatment.

Doctors found she had suffered an orbital fracture and leg injuries. She remains in hospital for further treatment.

Police said the injured woman was residing illegally in Cyprus.

The 80-year-old driver was taken to a police station and questioned.

Investigations into the circumstances of the collision are continuing.

The Cyprus Animal Party has urged the education ministry to promote healthier food in schools and reconsider events such as Tsiknopempti, which are associated with meat consumption.

In a statement marking World Vegan Day on November 1, the party said schools should practise the healthy eating habits they teach pupils, rather than promote excessive meat consumption.

It cited findings presented to parliament on October 29 concerning meals provided to National Guard soldiers.

Meat is served seven times a week in military kitchens, eight times in frozen meals and nine times through catering, it said.

The party said it was not seeking to abolish traditions or impose vegan diets, but wanted more plant-based options, highlighting Cyprus’ locally available legumes and other plant foods.

It also called for greater emphasis on health, animal welfare and the environment.