Cyprus Mail

The defence ministry announced on Friday the launch of the digital service “e-registration” for conscripts of the national guard intake, with the platform now open for the submission of selection data declarations. The system will remain available until midnight on May 3 and is accessible through the government portal under the “Military Service” section. Access requires users to create and verify a citizen profile on gov.cy.

Volt has denied any distancing from parliamentary candidate Makarios Drousiotis, as police findings and contested digital evidence continue to shape the ‘Sandy’ case.

Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz had reopened to commercial shipping following a ceasefire agreement linked to the Lebanon conflict, as US President Donald Trump said talks to end the war with Iran could take place “soon”. Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X that the strait was “open for all commercial vessels” for the duration of a US-brokered 10-day truce agreed on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon to halt fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that a ceasefire agreed by his country should lead to “permanent agreements”, in his first televised address since a US-brokered deal ended six weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The ceasefire, reached on Thursday, halted hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group. Its text предусматривает that Israel and Lebanon will hold direct talks aimed at producing “peace between the two countries”.

Armenia was formally named “Destination of the Year 2026” during an award ceremony in Nicosia, with officials highlighting its cultural heritage and growing appeal among Cypriot travellers. The event, held at the Pharos Arts Foundation on Ermou Street, was organised in cooperation with the Cyprus Travel Writers and Journalists Society and brought together diplomats, tourism professionals, media representatives and industry stakeholders.

A 22-year-old convict was injured on Friday after being attacked by two other inmates at the central prisons. In a statement issued by the justice ministry, the incident occurred at around 7.25pm under circumstances that remain under investigation. Prison staff intervened immediately and “brought the situation under control”. The injured man was transported by ambulance to Nicosia general hospital, where he received first aid treatment and was later kept in for observation as a precaution.

The Transport Ministry confirmed on Friday that two bids have been submitted for the design and construction of the Paphos–Polis Chrysochous highway section from Ayia Marinouda to Stroumbi, Cyfield submitted the lower offer at €124,850,000, while Araco in a joint venture with Geostroy bid €128,935,480. The ministry said the tender concerns “the completion of the design and construction” of the first phase of the highway, covering approximately 15.5 kilometres.

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos took part on Friday in a video conference of heads of state and government focused on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, representing President Nikos Christodoulides. The meeting, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, brought together representatives from 49 countries along with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The Defence ministry confirmed on Friday that ten Cypriot participants have secured involvement in the European Defence Fund (EDF) projects, with expected European Commission funding of approximately €14 million. The announcement follows the Commission’s evaluation report on Wednesday for proposals submitted under the EDF work programme. A total of 57 projects were selected for funding across the EU, with an overall budget exceeding €1 billion.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday called for an end to “maximalist approaches which attempt to exclude” both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean, during his address at the Antalya diplomacy forum.