The handling by the government of the invitation from the US President for Cyprus to participate in the Peace Council, the absence of the President of the Republic’s spouse, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, from the House Institutions Committee, and the arrests linked to last Saturday’s incident in central Larnaca dominate Friday’s newspaper front pages.
Alithia runs its main headline under the title “Storm on the Hill,” writing that the spouse of the President of the Republic avoided appearing before Parliament, citing a meeting with European ministers. Elsewhere, it refers to a “checkmate move” by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, reporting that he is proposing four new crossing points in Nicosia, Mia Milia, Pyroi and Louroutzina. In another article, it refers to “Davos without Christodoulides,” writing that the upgrade of Cyprus’s role ultimately took place remotely.
Politis, under the headline “He did not go to Davos, but he did not say no either,” writes in its main story that the President of the Republic did not dare to outright reject Trump’s invitation for Cyprus to join the Peace Council. In another report, it states that the Turkish Cypriot leader says he is ready to discuss new crossing points ahead of the arrival of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy. Elsewhere, it writes that the arrest of Ioanna Fotiou, known as Annie Alexui, is a difficult undertaking.
Phileleftheros, with the main headline “Arrests of prominent names,” reports that two well-known businessmen from Larnaca were arrested as part of a major police operation following last Saturday’s incident in the city centre. In another article, it reports on a Cabinet decision to reduce water consumption by 10%. Elsewhere, it writes that the son-in-law of the US President presented a Gaza reconstruction plan at Davos, requiring investments of $25 billion.
Haravgi headlines its main story “‘Nothing reprehensible’, but the scandal ‘cries out’!”, referring to the absence of the President of the Republic’s spouse from yesterday’s session of the House Audit Committee regarding the controversial video scandal. Elsewhere, it writes that the younger generation is being held hostage by unpaid “internships” without rights. In another article, it reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader is calling for the opening of new crossing points in Mia Milia, Pyroi and Louroutzina.
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the headline “MPs demand investor names be released,” writes in its main story that lawmakers are pressing for transparency amid allegations related to the controversial video. In another article, it refers to yesterday’s statements by the Foreign Minister, reporting that Cyprus is waiting for a common EU position regarding the Peace Council and Gaza. Elsewhere, it reports that a study shows fire suppression in Cyprus is no longer sufficient.
The weekly newspaper Gnomi headlines its main story “Christodoulides subservient to fascist US President Donald Trump,” in relation to the Greenland issue and the wider Western crisis, writing that he proved inadequate to the circumstances and to his institutional role within the EU. Elsewhere, it reports on a social support fund referred to as the “Philippa fund,” claiming that a company suddenly donated €900,000 and that it appears in a government co-funded project. In another article, it reports strong reactions to the creation of an energy storage park in Alambra.
The weekly To Pontiki headlines its main story “The degradation of the Cyprus problem,” writing that invasion and occupation have been reduced to VAT for trade between “north” and “south.” In another article, it reports that Trump’s rift with Europe over Greenland is a double-edged sword for Russia. Elsewhere, it writes that space alters the structure and position of astronauts’ brains, according to a study.
Decisions by a “court” regarding an appeal process in a case involving a person convicted of sexual harassment of a minor, the situation in the health sector, the rejection by a French court of a request by the Republic of Cyprus for the extradition of a suspect in the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties, and developments in the fake diplomas case dominate the front pages of Turkish Cypriot newspapers.
Avrupa headlines “The first positive decision by the court,” writing that for the first time in the “judicial history” of the breakaway regime, a single-judge “district court” allowed defence lawyers of a person convicted of sexual harassment of a minor to appeal against the “criminal court” judges’ ruling, claiming it was based, among other things, on false accusations. Elsewhere, it reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan signed, on behalf of the Turkish President, the founding document of the US President’s Peace Council in Davos. No other stories appear on its front page.
Halkin Sesi headlines “Doctors concerned,” reporting that tensions flared during a meeting between “MPs” and representatives of doctors’ and dentists’ unions over changes to “legislation” governing medical and pharmaceutical schools, leading to the walkout of CTP “MPs” in protest over the admissions system. It also reports on two police dogs, Loukoum and Pamir, stationed at the illegal airport in the occupied areas and at Kyrenia port, which detected drugs in passengers’ luggage. Elsewhere, it writes that the “police” arrested five individuals during an operation targeting illegal activity.
Kibris headlines “‘France said stop’ to the Greek Cypriot side,” reporting that a French court rejected a request by the Republic of Cyprus for the extradition of Behdad Jafari, described as a “citizen of the TRNC,” who was arrested in France and is allegedly involved in cases of usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties. It also features statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, who said it is wrong for individuals to pay the price for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. Elsewhere, it reports comments by the “health minister” on staffing shortages in hospitals and the arrest of four individuals after police dogs detected drugs in their luggage.
Yeni Duzen headlines “Who pressured Serdal Gunduz?” referring to court proceedings in the fake diplomas case. It writes that a witness testified that one of the shareholders of the illegal university, Serdal Gunduz, asked for bureaucracy and procedures to be bypassed in order to issue a diploma to Fatos Unal, former president of women’s organisations in occupied Kyrenia from the National Unity Party. It also reports that Gunduz, in testimony given in February 2025, referred to pressure and favouritism linked to the party, while elsewhere it presents a chronological account of Unal’s enrolment at the “university.”