Thursday's Greek Cypriot press leads on the National Guard's findings on the Kalo Chorio fire, tax authority investigations into individuals named in Makarios Drousiotis' book "Mafia State," an 86% rise in building permits for residential apartment blocks, low pensions, and the priorities of the new House of Representatives.
Alithia leads with "We caught the small fry, let the big fish go," on the findings of the National Guard investigator into the Kalo Chorio fire, reporting that disciplinary responsibility is expected to fall on National Guard officers of lower rank than the brigadier who led the investigation. Elsewhere, it reports that the government will present its pension reform proposals on 19 August. In another item, it reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said the UN Secretary-General had given the two leaders tasks requiring weekly meetings.
Politis, under the headline "In deep water over tax affairs," leads with a three-member committee at the Tax Commissioner's office "combing through" those implicated in "Mafia State." Elsewhere, it reports that Cyprus remains without a legal framework for medically assisted dying, although society now appears ready for one. In another item, it reports that the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Police and the State General Laboratory are expected to acquire expertise in protecting the griffon vulture, the Bonelli's eagle and the long-legged buzzard through a European biodiversity programme.
Phileleftheros leads on an 86% rise in building permits for residential apartment blocks, under the headline "Huge increase in apartments," noting that the market is responding to demand and the cost of living by increasing housing supply. Elsewhere, it reports that Larnaca's historic port building is being demolished, calling it the end of an era for the 1963 structure, which was deemed dangerous. In another item, it reports a record number of driving offences in the first half of 2026.
Haravgi leads with "A pension that isn't enough to live on," reporting that AKEL is calling for the poverty line to be revised from €794 to at least €1,103, as calculated by the Statistical Service. Elsewhere, it reports on yesterday's protest by workers in the Education Ministry's support programmes, who are demanding recognition of their actual years of service and contribution. In another item, it reports that youth unemployment has risen globally.
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the headline "Busy days ahead for new House," leads with the focus of parliament's work after the summer recess being the role of the Attorney General and the strengthening of the Anti-Corruption Authority. Elsewhere, it reports that thousands of euros were lost in a scam involving online accommodation bookings. In another item, it reports that a report on the state of pet hotels is expected next month.
Turkish Cypriot papers on Thursday focus on an appeal to the Human Rights Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly over a 30-year "sentence" handed down in the north to a man convicted of a sexual offence, "police" figures on the total number of "offences" and the detection rate, and a call by the Republican Turkish Party for the "assembly" to convene, after it said security and crime are political issues.
Avrupa, under the headline "The 30-year prison case before the Grand National Assembly of Turkey," leads on the case of Fatih Gazioğlu, "convicted" of a sexual offence and "sentenced" to 30 years in "prison," where he has already spent six years while his appeal remains pending; it reports that his lawyers in Turkey have appealed to the Human Rights Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Elsewhere, it reports that the "interior minister," Dursun Oğuz, failed to keep his promise to investigate a complaint by a 51-year-old "detainee," who alleged he was subjected to a degrading body search in prison. In another item, it reports that Pakistanis, following people from Turkey, have begun to organise politically.
Halkın Sesi, leading with "Unyielding against crime," publishes figures from the "general police directorate" showing that the total number of offences fell from 3,943 in 2021 to 2,751 in the first seven months of 2026, with the detection rate exceeding 99%. Elsewhere, it reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), citing "security gaps" and rising crime, has called for an emergency session of the "assembly." In another item, it refers to an "ugly provocation in Deryneia" during memorial events for Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, claiming that slogans were chanted that caused tension, and reports that security measures in the area have been increased.
Kıbrıs, under the headline "Decrease in crime," also publishes the "general police directorate" figures for the 2021-2026 period, reporting a detection rate of 99.13%. Elsewhere, it publishes a statement by the "tourism minister," Fikri Ataoğlu, that 36 million Turkish lira will be made available as financial support to tourist accommodation providers without casino revenue. In another item, it reports that support for the agricultural sector has increased by 321%, according to statements by the "agriculture minister," Hüseyin Çavuş, who said the aim is to increase productivity and expand the use of technology.
Yeni Düzen leads with "The security crisis is not a police matter, it's political," reporting that the CTP is calling for an emergency session of the "assembly" on the subject of security. Elsewhere, it publishes a statement by CTP leader Sıla Usar İncirli that "the failure to prevent crime" is linked to a lack of control over the "illegal" entry and residence of people in the north. In another item, citing the annual report of the "supreme court" for 2025, it reports that 9,870 debt cases were opened in the "district courts," with around 80% of cases involving financial disputes.
