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September 26 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, deputy government spokeswoman Doxa Komodromou has resigned from her position, the presidential palace said on Monday. In other news, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said on Monday that he would “never accept” the appointment of a United Nations special envoy to Cyprus. And the ministry of finance has extended the deadline for submission of tax returns until the end of October. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 22 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, state hospital workers are set to go on strike after failing to reach an agreement with state health services (Okypy) regarding collective labour agreements and pay rises. Meanwhile, every single employee at the Presidential palace will have their overtime payments examined by the audit service. Elsewhere, the Nicosia municipality unveiled a new parking app with real time updates. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 21 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Christodoulides called on his Turkish counterpart Erdogan to work together to send a message of peace for both Cyprus and Turkey. Meanwhile, football referees will return to the pitch this weekend, they announced on Wednesday following a meeting with the Cyprus Football Association and internal meetings. Earlier this week, they had called an “indefinite strike” after a bomb threat against referee Menelaos Antoniou on Monday. Elsewhere, crimefighting in Cyprus took a peculiar twist on Wednesday morning when a man dressed as Batman descended on Limassol district court. The man strode into the building, complete with fluttering cape, tight leather trousers, shinpads and body armour, all in black. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 20 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, fuel prices are set to increase “by four or five cents per week until at least the end of the month,” chairman of the Petrol Station Owners’ Association Christos Christodoulou said on Tuesday. In other news, the appointment of a special UN envoy for Cyprus remained at the top of President Nikos Christodoulides’ agenda as he met with EU officials on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. And commercial banks have so far offered insufficient support amid interest rate hikes, the House commerce committee heard on Tuesday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 19 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the government will withdraw its request for the University of Cyprus to pay overtime to Doxa Komodromou and inform the university that it will have to claim the money back. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides said a meeting between UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday will “determine the next moves on the Cyprus problem”. There’s also Great British Bake Off personality Paul Hollywood who is reportedly set to wed his partner Melissa Spalding in Cyprus this week. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the government is expected to announce unilateral measures towards the Turkish Cypriot community this week, President Nikos Christodoulides said from New York on Sunday. He also mentioned that he has suggestions for confidence-building measures in everyday life. Meanwhile, the demand for halloumi cheese from foreign markets is on the rise, according to Agriculture Minister, Petros Xenophontos. Elsewhere, a patient at the Paphos general hospital was found dead in an indoor garden of the facility on Sunday morning. The 78-year-old British man was treated in the third floor of the public hospital since Wednesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the government decided to set up an interdepartmental team as a focal point for drawing up policies to stem the flow of irregular migrants. Meanwhile, MPs heard that the country's illiteracy rate stands near 10 per cent. Elsewhere, construction of the road between Pyla and Arsos recommenced outside the buffer zone. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 14 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, unless the Turkish government “drastically changes course”, Turkey’s EU accession process cannot resume, the European Parliament said on Wednesday, passing the progress report for the country. Meanwhile, Auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides on Wednesday welcomed the withdrawal of a request for overtime pay by deputy government spokesperson Doxa Komodromou, in what was the first time ever that overtime pay was requested for a state official. Elsewhere, the zero VAT rate for necessities will be extended for a further six months, while coffee and sugar have been added to the list of products, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos announced on Wednesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Tuesday met the bosses of commercial banks in a crunch meeting aimed at getting lenders to provide some relief to customers to compensate for rising interest rates and mortgage payments. In other news, the five Israeli nationals accused of gang raping a British tourist in Ayia Napa had their remand renewed on Tuesday after the judge said there is “reasonable suspicion” they may be implicated in the case. And Cyprus police are pushing back against the possibility of reducing the €300 fines imposed by recently installed traffic cameras. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades declined to say whether Cyprus’ traffic problem can be solved, instead saying that the state is offering options to commuters. Traffic is once again the office talking point in the congested capital, as the end of summer holidays and the first day of schools reopening led to miserable commutes. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ambassador to Cyprus has not ruled out the possibility of direct flights from Russia to the north. He said there had been interest from both Turkish Cypriot politicians and Russian citizens for the move. Elsewhere, Cyprus’ imports of products from Turkey have skyrocketed over the past few years, soaring to €184.5 million in 2022 compared to just €4.6m in 2013. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 11 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the large fire that broke out in the Akrounta area of Limassol was reported to be under control but suspicions remain that arson may have been at play. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday said he was ready to work with Disy as soon as the party deems that this is in the interest of the country - but Disy swiftly stated it will remain in opposition. There’s also the update that moves are underway to establish Volt Cyprus, a political party which will focus on resolving the Cyprus problem, modernising the country and European integration. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the international community must “commit itself to a two-state solution” to the Cyprus problem if negotiations for reunification fail yet again, according to former British foreign secretary Jack Straw. In other news, authorities continue to be lax in collecting income tax, and as a result the state is losing millions each year, the auditor-general said in parliament on Thursday. And the government on Thursday revealed that it will soon bring a bill that will allow the justice minister to issue a decree barring access to websites deemed to have racist or xenophobic content, while also promising other steps to keep an eye on such behaviours in the physical world. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Deputies grilled Cyprus's police chief on institutionalised racism. Police descended on Nicosia's old town to shore up their presence amid rumours of potential violent protests. Meanwhile, 13 people arrested during racist riots in Limassol will appear in criminal court in October. Elsewhere, Israeli mining magnate Beny Steinmetz has been conditionally released from custody. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 6 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the government is working to highlight Cyprus as an unattractive destination for migration, ministers told the ad hoc House committee on demographics on Tuesday. In other news, an anti-migrant protest set to have taken place outside the presidential palace on Wednesday was cancelled on Tuesday with organisers saying an “out of control” situation would have sent the wrong message. And after 72 hours, extensive search efforts led by the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) has failed to find the crew member of the commercial ship Contship Oak reported lost at sea. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, more than 1,000 people descended on Limassol to attend an anti-fascist protest organised by AKEL; the protest was organised in response to the violent anti-migrant riots, which took place in the city last Friday. In other news, a 20-year-old British tourist reported she was gangraped at her Ayia Napa hotel; five Israeli nationals were arrested and remanded for eight days. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis, reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce their cooperation in energy. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 4 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a tripartite meeting between leaders of Cyprus, Greece, Israel will be held on Monday, to discuss regional issues of interest. President Nikos Christodoulides and his team will hold meetings with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meanwhile, on Sunday, the president said he considers the upcoming UN General Assembly and October’s European Council Summit to be of decisive importance as regards prospects for the resumption of Cyprus peace talks. Elsewhere, police are also searching for three men that attacked delivery drivers and robbed them in Limassol overnight on Saturday in continued racial violence from Friday night’s anti-migration protest, where far-right nationalists laid ruin to the city and attacked foreigners. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 1 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, another Cypriot firefighting team will be leaving for Thessaloniki today, to deal with forest fires that have burned large areas of the country, fire services spokesman Andreas Kettis said on Thursday. In other news, sunbeds will be placed on Lara beach whether there is a permit for them or not, Inia’s community leader said on Thursday, enflaming environmentalists and going against everything the agriculture minister had pledged a day earlier. And police in Paphos arrested a 27-year-old man on Thursday evening in relation to an investigation into an alleged kidnapping which reportedly took place during the troubles seen in Chlorakas earlier this week. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

August 31 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, sunbeds and umbrellas will never be accepted on Lara beach, Agriculture Minister Petros Xenophontos said as he announced the much-anticipated Akamas local development plan, which was updated with new measures approved by the cabinet on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the state will take all measures necessary to ensure public safety after the riots and violence in Chlorakas, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said after a cabinet meeting. Elsewhere, auditor general Odysseas Michaelides slammed the Jho Low parody account on X (formerly Twitter), accusing it on “obscenely slandering” him and “consciously spreading lies against those it wants to destroy”. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 29 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, political parties on Monday condemned the attacks on people and homes in Chlorakas during an anti-migrant protest overnight, while far-right opposition Elam has instead blamed the attacks on migrants. The government deplored the attacks on migrants, their cars and properties, with government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis saying violence is not acceptable in a civilised country. In other news, the United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča met President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Monday in separate meetings. And the auditor office said on Monday that health ministry permanent secretary Christina Yiannaki’s Egyptian dentistry degree is “authentic”, after weeks of speculation over its validity. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

August 30 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, every means available to the government will be used to ensure safety in Chlorakas after two days of violent clashes, President Christodoulides saıd; the violence is believed to have been instigated by ELAM. In other news, the impact of technical problems in UK air traffic control systems was also felt in Cyprus, causing some flights to be cancelled and others to be delayed. And most of the migrants registered to have been living at the Ayios Nikolaos development in Chlorakas are legally residing in Cyprus, with 219 of the 221 registered legally on the island either as asylum seekers or with protected status. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

August 28 Daily News Briefing

August 25 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, visiting US Senator Robert Menendez on Thursday called on the United Nations Security Council to immediately pass a resolution denouncing recent Turkish actions in the buffer zone in Pyla and said his country should move from “condemnation to action” in its overall approach to the Cyprus issue. Elsewhere, four trade unions representing workers in the Electricity Authority of Cyprus on Thursday pilloried plans for the EuroAsia interconnector, warning that Cypriot taxpayers may end up getting saddled with even higher electricity bills. There’s also the announcement that British bases police found an improvised explosive device during a search of residential properties in the village of Trachoni in the Akrotiri base area. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 24 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, police in Limassol carried out operations against a “criminal organisation involved in the smuggling of irregular migrants to Cyprus”, with five arrested and four more wanted. Elsewhere, the US system is a “perfect example” of a federal state to be emulated, according to president of the Pancyprian Association of America, Philip Christopher. There’s also the announcement that a district officer is being investigated after she allegedly asked a woman why she was bothering to renew her elderly parents’ IDs as they were bedridden. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 23 Daily News Briefing

In today's news, the foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed its “satisfaction” with the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of Friday’s incident in the buffer zone in Pyla, and it “expects an immediate end to the illegal actions of the Turkish side, based on the call of the UNSC to remove all illegal constructions and prevent further such actions, military or non-military, within and along the ceasefire line. In other news, the relocation operation of migrants housed in the troubled Ayios Nikolaos apartment complex in Chlorakas was completed on Tuesday, Paphos CID chief Michalis Nikolaou told the Cyprus Mail. And the consumers association has called on the government to reinstate the fuel subsidy for two months as petrol prices are up 18 cents per litre from the time it was scrapped back on July 1. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

August 22 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the United Nations Security Council late on Monday expressed its deep concern over the developments in Pyla, in which three UN peacekeepers were attacked after a confrontation with the north. Elsewhere, the government yesterday decided migrants protesting over their living conditions in an apartment complex in Chlorakas should be kicked out and relocated to Kofinou. Also, in 2021 Cyprus ranked fourth in the EU in terms of the number of practicing doctors per capita, according to data just released by Eurostat. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the UN Security Council is expected to discuss on Monday the incident in the buffer zone at Pyla with the attacks against UN peacekeepers as well as the Turkish plans in the area. In other news, a total of 86 people were rescued off the coast of Cyprus on Sunday afternoon, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Larnaca said. Elsewhere, between 18,000 and 19,000 hunters were estimated to head out on Sunday as this year’s hunting season began, according to the spokesperson of Cyprus’ Game and Fauna Service, Petros Anayiotos. All this and more in today’s daily news briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 18 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou has called on the government to take immediate measures to deal with the negative trends shown by economic indicators in the second quarter of this year - warning that there are signs of a looming crisis. Elsewhere, two Cypriot passport holders were arrested in Singapore as part of an anti-money laundering bust, spurring Cyprus’ interior ministry to assure it would assess the case and revoke their citizenship if necessary. Authorities in Singapore seized assets including properties and luxury cars worth about €498 million. There’s also the update that legal action has been initiated against the bus driver who went viral on social media after taunting the priest at the Apostolos Andreas monastery, according to the north’s ‘interior minister’ Dursun Oguz. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 17 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, outdoor jobs in the mountains were banned on Wednesday afternoon, the labour inspection department announced, after the mountain regions recorded the highest temperatures in over 25 years. In other news, most of the property being sold to foreigners in the north is on Greek Cypriot land, reports said on Wednesday, citing data released at the end of July. And human trafficker arrests are increasing in Cyprus, but the sentences imposed by the courts are very low, state broadcaster CYBC reported on Wednesday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

August 14 Daily News Briefing jon

In today's episode, with the summer at its peak, deputy minister for tourism Constantinos Koumis said tourist arrivals to the island have increased by 32 per cent this year, and expressed the hope that visitors will continue to flow to the island until November. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres intends to make moves to solve the Cyprus problem before the end of his mandate, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Sunday. Elsewhere, as today marks 18 years since the Helios plane crash, a memorial service for 16 victims was held in Paralimni. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 14 Daily News Briefing

In todays episode and with the summer at its peak, deputy minister for tourism Constantinos Koumis said tourist arrivals to the island have increased by 32 per cent this year, and expressed the hope that visitors will continue to flow to the island until November. Elsewhere, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres intends to make moves to solve the Cyprus problem before the end of his mandate, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Sunday. Meanwhile, Britain remains unwavering in its support for efforts for a UN-based solution to the Cyprus problem and encourages all sides to persevere and pursue a solution, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 11 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the attorney-general’s office filed an appeal on Thursday over Briton David Hunter’s two-year sentence for killing his terminally ill wife. The appeal is on both the grounds of Hunter’s sentence as well the verdict. He was found guilty of manslaughter rather than premeditated murder. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court rejected a case brought forward by Turkish Cypriots in mixed marriages with Turkish nationals seeking Cyprus citizenship for their children, citing that the individuals involved in the case are not “stateless”. Elsewhere, the education ministry has pledged a total of €149 million for the maintenance and improvement of school buildings across Cyprus. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 10 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the government insists that the ongoing row between health minister Popi Kanari and the ministry’s permanent secretary Christina Yiannaki is an “internal matter for the ministry”. Kanari and Yiannaki have been engaged in a very public war of words since Monday, when Kanari called on Yiannaki to provide proof of her dentistry degree from Cairo university, and proof that she could speak English. Yiannaki has so far refused. Elsewhere, the Cyprus Public Transport announced that from September 1 the cost of a single route bus ticket in the Larnaca and Nicosia districts will increase from €2 to €2.40. There’s also the development that Cyprus, along with all countries that imposed sanctions on Russia, have had their double taxation agreements suspended. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 9 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Director of the Forestry Department Charalambos Alexandrou said due to the relentless heatwave this July, the number of fires within the department’s area of responsibility totalled 70. In other news, drivers got hit with substantial price hikes at the petrol pump on Tuesday, with officials saying the public should probably brace for even more bad news. And a new reception centre for migrants in Limnes is a milestone in strengthening Cyprus' capacity to manage migration pressures more effectively, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Tuesday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit ⁠www.cyprus-mail.com⁠

August 8 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the fire in the foothills of the Limassol mountains is completely under control and has no active front though firefighting forces remain vigilant in the area on Tuesday. Elsewhere, July 2023 broke multiple heat records as the Cleon weather system smothered Cyprus. The island saw temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius for 16 days in a row. There’s also claims by Edek leader Marinos Sizopoulos that the Electricity Authority (EAC) had 'cheated' some customers out of the subsidies from May to June. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the fire in the Alassa dam area of Limassol on Monday was surveyed and assessed via a helicopter, with fire-response coordinator, Director Andreas Gregoriou from the agriculture ministry on board, as well as the chief of the fire service and the head of the forestry department. The fire is estimated to have burned 7.5 to 10 square kilometres of agricultural and wild lands, according to this latest assessment. Meanwhile, the transport ministry will sign the works contract for the Limnes Migrant Reception project on Tuesday. This is the contract for the creation of the Limnes Reception Centre and the Pre-Departure Centre in Menoyia, Larnaca. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months. Elsewhere, police on Sunday arrested a suspect in a case of premeditated murder committed in the afternoon in Nicosia. According to a police announcement, the victim is 40-year-old Athanasios Kotslis, from Greece. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you…

August 4 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, private hospitals asserted on Thursday that they cannot – and will not – renew their contract with the Health Insurance Organisation on what they say is a take-it-or-leave-it basis, warning that this could leave the national health system in limbo. Elsewhere, controversy broke out on Thursday following the Famagusta mayor’s invitation to Turkish Cypriots to an anti-occupation event which will take place in the municipality on Saturday. Also, authorities have come together to take coordinated action over rising sea pollution in Limassol, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping announced. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 03 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, embattled former Kiti bishop Chrysostomos has still not left the accommodation at the metropolis despite having been requested to do so after being found guilty of sexual assault. Elsewhere, the audit service slammed President Nikos Christodoulides’ security detail on Wednesday, saying it should have been “significantly reduced” well over a month ago after he and his family decided to move into the presidential palace residence. Also, President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday travelled to Ramallah, Palestine, where he met with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and agreed to a trilateral summit with Greece. All this and much more in today’s Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 2 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, controversial barbed wire fencing along stretches of the buffer zone may start being removed in September. Elsewhere, British bases authorities are optimistic they will be able to keep bird trapping at record low levels as the blackcap migration period begins. Also, bilateral relations were underlined on Tuesday as President Nikos Christodoulides met Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 1 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, British pensioner David Hunter was released from prison after the Paphos criminal court handed him a two-year prison sentence on the count of manslaughter. Elsewhere, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Cyprus and said Greece and Cyprus “have common goals” concerning the Cyprus problem. There’s also Lawyer Achilleas Demetriades’ comments that a truth commission would be ‘a new page for the Missing in Cyprus’. Demetriades said truth commissions have been set up all over the world, and that he originally got the idea during Nelson Mandela’s visit to Cyprus. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 31 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is due in Cyprus on an official visit. One of the main topics on the agenda today will be EU-Turkish relations, President Nikos Christodoulides said, adding that progress in this respect runs through Cyprus. Elsewhere, the Cyprus-Greece ferry from Larnaca to Piraeus marked its first journey over the weekend. There’s also the new yellow alert issued by the met office on Sunday, warning of high temperatures again today. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 28 Daily News Briefing

July 27 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, A&E departments all over Cyprus have recorded increased attendance in recent days due to the severe heatwave gripping the country, with the coastal towns worst hit because of the increased numbers of visitors. Elsewhere, the Bishop of Karpasia, Christophoros, has denied reports that he had verbally agreed to the construction of a masjid, a Muslim place of worship, on the grounds of the Apostolos Andreas monastery in Karpasia. There’s also the upcoming meeting between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, which has been described as a significant step towards efforts to resume negotiations by the government spokesman. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 26 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the first few days of operation of the new terminal at the north’s Tymbou airport have been plagued by power cuts and other technical issues. After being officially opened in an extravagant ceremony and seeing commercial passenger services commence on Friday morning, things have been far from plain sailing. In other news, the fire in the Paphos forest that was contained on Tuesday saw the forestry department and the electricity authority (EAC) disagreeing over whether the blaze was caused by unsuitable cable installations. And authorities have reportedly awarded 61 permits for gold prospecting on the island, while another 15 applications are pending. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

July 25 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Facebook has disabled a support group page for auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides, citing violations of its community standards. The social media platform deactivated the page after receiving numerous complaints about it, possibly including from attorney-general Giorgos Savvides. Meanwhile, two new fixed traffic cameras were switched on in Limassol on Monday morning, bringing the total number of fixed traffic cameras in the country to seven. Elsewhere, the British Veterinary Association, has posted a statement on its website, calling on UK visitors to the island to take precautions against cat covid or feline infectious peritonitis. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas on Sunday ‘warmly’ welcomed the US Senator Robert Menendez’s proposed amendment to the National Defence Appropriations Act (NDAA) extending to three years from one the renewal period on arms sales to Cyprus. Meanwhile, there is no information about the exact number of Cypriots in Rhodes, where a wildfire has been raging for six days, said the director of consular affairs at the foreign ministry Omiros Mavromatis on Sunday. Elsewhere, taxi drivers have turned the outdoor area of the Larnaca airport into a “coffee shop” with authorities seeking appropriate measures to put an end to their inappropriate behaviour, Transport Minister Alexis Vafiades said on Sunday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the current status quo is not and will never be accepted and cannot be the future of Cyprus, President Christodoulides said on Thursday, the 49th anniversary of the first leg of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

July 20 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Cyprus marks the ‘black anniversaries’ of coup and invasion on the 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion. Sirens blared across the island at 5:20am as a reminder of the first landing of Turkish commandos on the shores of Pente Mili in Kyrenia. Elsewhere, a deal was signed for the EuroAsia Interconnector, but the cost has spiraled. The company - EuroAsia Interconnector - signed a record-breaking subsea cable deal with Nexans on Wednesday, however the positive development was overshadowed by Energy Minister George Papanastasiou confirming rumours that the project’s costs had jumped 23 per cent. There’s also the announcement that the government is aiming for ‘photovoltaics on every roof’ with a proposal providing free installation of solar panels to vulnerable people in exchange for a small bimonthly tariff to the electricity authority. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 19 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Turkey’s approach on the Cyprus problem remains one of the main points of disagreement between the EU and Turkey, an EU official said during a briefing ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, which will be held on Thursday in Brussels. In other news, Larnaca airport raised the alarm on Tuesday afternoon after an incoming aircraft from Israel had a burst tyre while landing, causing the closing of the runway. And Cyprus’ fiscal council noted significant delays in the implementation of commitments related to the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), in its interim report published on Tuesday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

July 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, air quality had reverted back to normal levels on Monday afternoon in Geri, after a recycling plant in the area burned to the ground. Meanwhile, hospitals are ready to handle any further cases of heatstroke and vulnerable groups must exert caution, according to a top health official. State health services organisation spokesman Pambos Charilaou said on Monday morning that three elderly patients are receiving treatment for heatstroke, a day after a 90-year-old man was reported to have died. Elsewhere, a 103-person lawsuit against the state for its Covid policy was rejected at Nicosia district court on procedural grounds. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 17 Daily News Briefing

July 14 Daily News Briefing

July 13 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the attorney-general’s office in Nicosia on Wednesday night as they decried a “corrupt government [and] corrupt attorney general” over the lack of action in the Thanasis Nicolaou case. Elsewhere, international news outlets were reporting on the decimation of cats in Cyprus from a feline coronavirus strain, saying that 300,000 cats had died - however, the source for that figure said he was misunderstood. There’s also the met office’s yellow warning of extreme high temperatures for Thursday with the “Cleon” heatwave set to hit Cyprus. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 43 degrees inland, while even the highest mountainous areas on the island could see temperatures as high as 36 degrees. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, pop singer Michalis Hadjiyiannis submitted his resignation as Deputy Minister of Culture on Tuesday after a little over four months in the job. In other news, City of Dreams Mediterranean, Europe’s first integrated casino resort, had its grand opening on Tuesday night, attended by President Christodoulides. And four advisors working for the government were unlawfully employed and procedures to end their employment should begin immediately, the Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides has ordered in report issued by his office. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

July 11 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, buying petrol in the north will not be penalised provided it is not for commercial purposes, the customs department said yesterday as they attempted to clarify confusions which were largely brought about by its own officials. Elsewhere, the three defendants in the case of missing 31-year-old Angelos Perikleous – presumed dead – pleaded not guilty to all charges read out to them at Nicosia criminal court on Monday. Also, a marathon session in parliament yesterday failed to avoid a showdown at the House plenum for later this week, where MPs will be voting on a contentious bill tabled by Akel allowing debtors to obtain a court injunction setting aside foreclosure proceedings. All this and more in the Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 10 Daily News Briefing

July 7 Daily News Briefing

July 6 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, foreclosures have been suspended until the end of October, while a special judicial procedure will be created to deal with non-performing loans. Elsewhere, Cyprus has bucked a Europe-wide trend of increased consumption of illicit cigarettes, according to the latest annual study into the matter by KPMG. There’s also the concerns raised by the scientific and technical chamber regarding the tendering process of public works, saying that as it currently stands it is vulnerable to abuses of power. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

July 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the leaders of the two sides should promote more contact and cooperation as well as the opening of more crossing points, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday in his two separate reports covering developments on the island over the past six months. In other news, a Turkish Cypriot with American citizenship has been awarded €345,000 in compensation for loss of use of his properties in Limassol and also had ownership of the property returned to him. And proper reforms are needed to ensure justice is properly served in Cyprus, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said on Tuesday, ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s Rule of Law report later this month. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

July 4 Daily News Briefing

July 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, an autopsy today is expected to establish the exact cause of death of a six-year-old girl late on Saturday afternoon in a jet ski accident on Lady’s Mile beach in Limassol. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos is set to have a meeting in New York next week with the UN secretary general to underline the island’s readiness to restart negotiations, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday. Elsewhere, pieces of concrete fell from the ceiling into a cell, hitting an inmate in the prison early on Sunday, guards of the Isotita union announced. Fortunately, the union said, the prisoner was on the bottom bunk so was not seriously hurt. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 30 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the price of petrol is set to rise by 8.32 cents per litre and heating fuel by 6.38 cents, with petrol station owners saying they have no choice but to add the additional cost. In other news, President Nikos Christodoulides is satisfied by the paragraph about the Cyprus problem in the draft conclusions of the European Council, which held its summit meeting on Thursday. And the deputy ministry of research and innovation has no staff in place to prevent a cyberattack, it emerged on Thursday at the House audit committee. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

June 29 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, following the attorney-general’s announcement that no evidence of criminal wrongdoing has come up in the case of the 2005 death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, his mother Andriana said they would take the case to the European Court of human rights. Elsewhere, the cabinet decided fuel subsidies will be scrapped but electricity bill subsidies will continue albeit more targeted towards vulnerable groups. There’s also the environment department’s warning that there is more water than usual for this time of year at the Paralimni lake, meaning that there are more flamingos. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 28 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, with tankers blocking central roads in Nicosia, the association of petrol station owners on Tuesday protested unfair competition from illegal imports of fuel from the north as the finance ministry said the protest served no purpose. Meanwhile, No evidence of criminal wrongdoing has come up in the case of the 2005 death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, and therefore the state will be taking no more action, the attorney-general said. Elsewhere, the tourism industry faces “important environmental and economic challenges ahead,” President Christodoulides warned on Tuesday addressing the Cyprus Hoteliers’ Association’s (Pasyxe) general assembly in Nicosia. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 27 Daily News Briefing

June 26 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, resistance to proposed reforms comes from the effort to protect specific interests but the government will not succumb to such pressures, Justice Minister Anna Koukkides Procopiou said on Sunday. Meanwhile, Paphos bishop Tychikos on Sunday denied allegations that the church refused to bury non-Christians in local cemeteries. Elsewhere, the sustainable use of pesticide regulation in the EU will be among the topics discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers Council, which is taking place in Luxembourg on June 26-27. Agriculture Minister Petros Xenophontos travelled to Luxembourg to participate in the Council’s works. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 23 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Cyprus does not currently have the capacity to absorb the full amount of the renewable energy it produces, meaning that the excess amount could be transported to Israel. Elsewhere, the foreign and local experts that will undertake investigations into the controversial ‘golden passports’ issue have been named by the independent authority against corruption. There’s also the release of a trailer for a documentary into the tragic events surrounding serial killer ‘Orestis’ Metaxas. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, it is high time a solution to the issue of ‘trapped buyers’ is found, the House labour committee concluded on Wednesday, as deputies stressed their determination to tackle the almost 100,000 property owners who remain without their title deeds. Meanwhile, Attorney-General Giorgos Savvides appealed the ‘manifestly inadequate’ 11-year prison sentence recently imposed on a man for sexually abusing two minors under the age of 13. Elsewhere, twenty-five Cypriot musicians aspire to break the Guinness World Record by playing on one piano at the same time sending the message that music remains the main form of socialisation. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 21 Daily News Briefing

June 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, farmers demonstrated in front of the EU House on Monday with hundreds of tractors and pickup trucks, over the controversial nature bill currently being debated in the EU parliament, which will see further axing of pesticide use. Meanwhile, given the large drop in fuel prices compared to a year ago the ending of the VAT on fuel is justified, the president of the Cyprus Consumers Association said. Elsewhere, parliament on Monday gave the green light for unlocking more than 1,800 positions in the public sector, as requested by the government. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 19 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Turkey’s direct interventions in the north of Cyprus are putting at risk the prospects for the resumption of Cyprus talks, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has said. In other news, Israel, due to estimated shortfalls in domestic electricity production in the coming years, is keen on seeing the creation of the electricity interconnector with Cyprus, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Sunday. And Cyprus is attempting to lure more tourists from the Middle East but it’s proving to be an uphill battle, Deputy Minister for Tourism Costas Koumis says. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

June 16 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, in talks in Jerusalem on Thursday, Cyprus and Israel discussed cooperation in the development of regional gas infrastructure, such as the ‘Cyprus Gateway’ initiative aiming to transfer natural gas via the island to Europe. Meanwhile, plans were announced by the government for the creation of a new deputy ministry of migration and asylum. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou explained that the new deputy ministry will aim to better deal with the issue of migration and offer better protection to those legally migrating to Cyprus. Elsewhere, the north’s sheep and goat pox issue appears to have spread close to the capital, with six farm animals in the northern Nicosia suburb of Mandres culled on Thursday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, fuel and electricity prices are set to rise as of July 1 following the expiration of relief measures for consumers introduced last year. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides is set to have a call with UN secretary general Antonio Guterres to discuss developments over a more active role for the EU in resolving the Cyprus problem. There’s also the comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that he could return to the negotiating table if the sovereign rights of the north are recognised. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 14 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, former Kiti bishop Chrysostomos will be put on a sabbatical until his appeal against a guilty sexual assault verdict concludes, the Holy Synod has decided. In other news, Europe will not be whole until Cyprus is reunited, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said on Tuesday as she welcomed President Nikos Christodoulides to Strasbourg. And Cyprus Airways carried more than four times the number of passengers in May than the same month last year. A total of 66,998 passengers flew with Cyprus Airways in May, surpassing last year’s May figures, when, according to Cyprus Airways, only 14,735 passengers were carried. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

June 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, nearly two years after the catastrophic fires of July 2021, which left four dead and forced the evacuation of ten villages, a 69-year-old man was sentenced to eight years in jail by the Limassol criminal court on Monday. Meanwhile, Τurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made the north of Cyprus the destination of his first overseas visit following his reelection last month. Elsewhere, former Kiti Bishop Chrysostomos, who was found guilty of sexual assault, might be placed on a forced sabbatical by the Holy Synod, since filing an appeal against the ruling by the Larnaca district court. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 12 Daily News Briefing

June 09 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, over €30 million in pandemic support was disbursed to almost 5,000 beneficiaries who did not qualify, and no effort has been made to recover the money, MPs heard on Thursday. Elsewhere, by a nearly unanimous vote, and under the watchful eye of Brussels, parliament on Thursday passed a law allowing for a reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent levied on first homes. Also, a trial for two Greek Cypriot suspects that beat 25-year-old Turkish Cypriot Asya Karaali last weekend in Ayia Napa is set to start on July 6. All this and much more in the Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a bill aiming to regulate the contentious issue of government advisors was discussed at the House institutions committee on Wednesday. After weeks of ridicule over questionable appointments for ministerial advisors, the government shared an unofficial draft of the bill with MPs. Meanwhile, the Nicosia criminal court threw out the ‘golden passports’ case on Wednesday, citing a change in the court composition. As a result, the case will have to be refiled, but in the meantime, it has left all four defendants temporarily acquitted of all charges. Elsewhere, complaints are on the rise from Gesy patients about specialists and personal doctors charging increased fees. According to the complaints patients are being told by physicians that Gesy has increased certain co-payments. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the five youths who assaulted a food courier on Saturday “showed great remorse for their actions,” Limassol police spokesman Lefteris Kyriacou said on Tuesday. In other news, the 24-year-old suspect facing charges of the premeditated murder of missing 31-year-old Angelos Perikleous – presumed dead – appeared in Nicosia criminal court on Tuesday. And experts on Tuesday warned that challenges in the real estate market amounted to a “giant problem” as the impact of external issues including inflation and high interest rates are becoming increasingly felt by consumers and constructors alike. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

June 6 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the environment department gave the green light for a large photovoltaic park in Trimiklini, despite the local community’s initial objections. In other news, police on Tuesday reported that a third person seems to have been involved in the assault of a 25-year-old Turkish Cypriot woman in Ayia Napa. And the government will make full use of recommendations by the Group of States against Corruption, according to an official statement on Tuesday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

June 02 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Larnaca criminal court erupted into chants of “filthy rapist” after former Kiti bishop Chrysostomos was handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence for three years. Elsewhere, Health Minister Dr Popi Kanari said that Covid-19 prevented the adoption of quality checks within the national health scheme, an issue the new government plans to tackle. In other news, the family of a 17-year-old who died in a car accident has accused the police of lying to the public saying that no justice has been served, 11 years after the teen’s death. All this and much more in today’s News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

June 01 Daily News Briefing

May 31 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, tourism to Cyprus seems to have recovered from Russian sanctions as arrivals so far this year are eight per cent higher than the record year of 2019 and 38 per cent higher than last year, Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis told MPs. In other news, the sports ethics committee has appointed investigators to look into four top-flight matches, which were played in the last fortnight following claims of suspicious betting activity. And in 22 state primary schools in Nicosia, Cypriot pupils are in the minority, MPs heard on Tuesday as some said the shrinking population on the island has become critical. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

May 30 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the president vowed that Cyprus is shifting gears to end its energy isolation and it is uniquely positioned to contribute to the Eastern Mediterranean’s energy solutions. Elsewhere, the European Commission disagreed with parliament’s compromise proposal over reduced VAT on homes, amid an impending deadline just over a week from now. There’s also Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar congratulating Turkey’s president Recep Tayyp Erdogan following his victory in the presidential elections on Sunday. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 29 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou said the energy workshop taking place on Monday in Nicosia is the first significant milestone in shaping the decisions for the national energy policy. Meanwhile, authorities are investigating the causes of the fire that broke out near Akamas area over the weekend and destroyed 300,000 square metres of forest vegetation. Elsewhere, the ease with which student visas are issued, the inadequate legal framework, and the general lack of controls in the northern part of Cyprus is increasing human smuggling and trafficking through universities. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 26 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus is partly to blame for Cyprus’ energy woes and high prices, but the state has let the people down, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Thursday. Meanwhile, German chancellor Olaf Scholz said it will take great courage to break the impasse on the Cyprus problem negotiations, questioning whether all sides have enough willpower to do so. Elsewhere, the Cyprus Football Association has strongly denied what it called “offensive claims” moved by the former chairman of the sports ethics committee Andreas Papacharalambous during the House ethics committee on Wednesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 25 Daily News Briefing

May 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, retired British miner David Hunter did everything he could to help his terminally ill wife Janice as her condition deteriorated in the last few years of her life and became increasingly depressed, the Paphos criminal court heard on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Attorney-general Giorgos Savvides said that the audit service is engaging in character assassination and overstepping the lines of free speech, as the two offices continued to exchange barbs. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides pledged to gradually restore shift allowances and overtime pay for civil servants by 2025. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 23 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides delivered a stinging verbal attack on the auditor-general, whom he accused of a deliberate and concerted campaign to blacken his name, vowing that he would no longer put up with this situation. In other news, Medical experts and cancer patients alike hope to see new and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease on the island with the inauguration of the Nicola David-Pinedo Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) on Monday. And President Nikos Christodoulides will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin later this week where they will discuss the Cyprus problem and the proposal for greater EU involvement in the process. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

May 22 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Cyprus strongly condemned Turkey’s move to reserve areas for naval exercises encompassing north Famagusta. Elsewhere, over 90 per cent of Greek nationals living in Cyprus cast their vote for Greece’s parliamentary elections, which ended with New Democracy having a clear lead. There’s also the latest Cyprus Mail report which detailed the ongoing stress caused to residents in Pissouri who continue to worry about the future of their homes, over a problem that is ongoing for 12 years. After a landslide which tore properties apart, residents have been pleading to the state to help. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 19 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, cabinet revoked the Cypriot citizenship of Malaysian-born Jho Low, a fugitive wanted internationally for allegedly orchestrating the theft of $4.5 billion from the Southeast Asian country’s sovereign wealth fund. Elsewhere, three law firms have been reported to the police over suspicions they have violated EU sanctions, the Cyprus Bar Association said. There’s also the row between the auditor-general and the attorney-general as they continue to tangle over the status of the latter, and what Europe's anti-corruption body has to say on the issue. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Christodoulides discussed his proposal for a more active EU role in the efforts to resume talks and reach a solution of the Cyprus problem, as well as the next steps forward during separate meetings he had with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and European Council President Charles Michel. Meanwhile, Cyprus is 29th out of 49 countries in the Council of Europe when it comes to LGBTI+ rights, ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides said. Elsewhere, police announced they have identified the skull found in Koloni as belonging to 79-year-old Briton Ann Naisbitt, who had been reported as missing since the beginning of April. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 17 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz against his extradition to Germany, as President Nikos Christodoulides said he will raise the issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin next week while on a state visit. In other news, MPs on Tuesday sought to put an end to the discrimination among refugees by amending the law to allow everyone living in refugee housing to have title deeds. And police officers on Tuesday unearthed gun casings believed to be connected to the death of Angelos Perikleous, who has been missing for almost a month. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

May 16 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, British pensioner David Hunter, who killed wife, told the court he ‘regretted what he had to do’. Elsewhere, the payment of the cost of living allowance could saddle taxpayers with a whopping €1.2 billion over the next three-year period, it was reported on Monday. In other news, the energy minister said Cyprus and Israel are working on a deal for a pipeline carrying natural gas from both countries to the island, where it will be liquefied for export to Europe and potentially elsewhere. All this and much more in the daily Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 15 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Diko is proud to have played a decisive role in the “selection, support and election of Nikos Christodoulides to the presidency of the Republic,” party leader Nicholas Papadopoulos said on Sunday saying the party had backed “an independent candidate who was not part of the traditional political system”. Meanwhile, the traffic police have been kept busy with more than 2,300 traffic violations recorded in the seven days till Sunday. Elsewhere, a human skull found by a farmer in Koloni on Sunday will be sent for specialised examinations, Paphos police spokesman Michalis Nicolaou said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 12 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the government promised to deliver a ‘road map’ on tackling traffic congestion – but also pollution from vehicles – while warning that Cyprus could end up paying tens of millions for carbon allowances for emissions from transport. In other news, Nicosia criminal court on Thursday handed down sentences to four persons, having found them guilty of fraudulently securing papers allowing asylum applicants to stay permanently on the island. And Cyprus’ Eurovision entrant Andrew Lambrou on Thursday secured a spot in Saturday night’s grand final in Liverpool. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

May 11 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, following heavy criticism in the last few days about people being given government jobs they were not qualified for, President Nikos Christodoulides said a bill will be drawn up to deal with the issue of consultant appointments. In other news, there has been no impact to Cyprus’ financial stability as a result of recent US and UK sanctions, only to its international reputation, Central Bank of Cyprus governor Constantinos Herodotou said. Elsewhere, the 24-hour strike to be held today by public hospital doctors in protest over uncertainty in medical malpractice suit insurance is unnecessary, spokesman of the state health services organisation Okypy Charalambos Charilaou said. All this and much more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 10 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides said the government has received the first batch of information on natural and legal persons included on the US sanctions list, while two more packages are expected soon. In other news, a final call by David Hunter’s defence team to have his wife’s killing tried as manslaughter as opposed to premeditated murder failed on Tuesday, after the judge said there was enough evidence to continue the case on the charge of premeditated murder. And the use of methamphetamine and other stimulant drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines are below the EU average in Cyprus with cannabis remaining the drug of choice on the island in 2022, according to the drugs squad YKAN. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

May 9 Daily News Briefing

May 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, authorities were looking for a 25-year-old man to shed light into the premediated murder case of a 35-year-old woman whose body was found in a Germasoya apartment early on Sunday. The woman was found half-naked, bound and gagged on the ground of the Limassol apartment around 1am. Meanwhile, the uncle of the man suspected of killing 31-year-old Andreas Perikleous, a 24-year-old hacker, will lead police to possible burial sites. Elsewhere, Disy’s newly-elected leader and House President Annita Demetriou said the right-wing party is a model of democratic operation and will move forward with unity as she announced the 25 elected members of its political bureau. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 5 Daily News Briefing

In this episode, former President Nicos Anastasiades deemed the claims made by the former chairman of the sports ethics committee Andreas Papacharalambous “false, unfounded and vulgar.” Elsewhere, trade unions on Thursday gave a thumbs-down to a mediation proposal by the government for a new deal on the cost of living allowance (CoLA), while employers grudgingly agreed to the proposal so as to maintain calm in the labour market. In other news, there is nothing for the government to investigate, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Thursday about the sale of properties in Varosha last week, citing that the documents that were notarised are private sale agreements. All this and much more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 4 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, speaking after a meeting with President Christodoulides French President Emmanuel Macron said Cyprus can count on France’s support in the efforts to find a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem and in the field of defence, should the island require military assistance. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot media reported that no sales transaction was made for the three hotels in Varosha through the immovable property commission. Elsewhere, Cyprus’ ranking in world press freedom jumped 10 spots this year to be 55th out of 180 countries across the world. The published figures, however, reveal growing concerns of self-censorship. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

May 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Greek Cypriots who sold their property in Varosha did so because they can see no light at the end of the Cyprus problem tunnel and are enduring economic hardships, Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou said on Tuesday. In other news, a 24-year-old hacker was re-arrested in Limassol on Tuesday for charges of the premeditated murder of Andreas Perikleous, aged 31. And the cabinet on Tuesday approved zero VAT on certain consumer goods, in a stated bid to provide some relief amid current inflationary pressures. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit ⁠www.cyprus-mail.com⁠

May 02 Daily News Briefing

April 28 Daily News Briefing

April 27 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, over 700 people have been evacuated from Sudan to Cyprus so far, as the island continues to be used as a hub to get Europeans out of the African nation. Elsewhere, oil major Chevron will shortly begin drilling in the Aphrodite field to confirm further deposit quantities. Meanwhile, a large fire at the Russian cultural centre in Nicosia was extinguished in hours on Wednesday but not before it appeared to engulf the building in flames and send a huge smoke plume into the air above it. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 26 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides vowed that Cyprus will do whatever is possible to prevent further damage to the country’s reputation, adding that no one will be protected if they are found violating the sanctions. In other news, the mother of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, whose lifeless body was found under a bridge in Alassa back in 2005, slammed the authorities on Facebook on Tuesday in a post directly accusing army officers of dealing drugs. And communities hosting large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers gave out another 'SOS', complaining of rising crime, squatting and general nuisance. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

Cyprus News Digest - April 25, 2023

April 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Cyprus on Sunday marked 20 years since the checkpoints opened, paving the way for countless Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to come closer. Bicommunal initiative group United Cyprus, called for more checkpoints to open, highlighting how this has facilitated economic development for both sides. Elsewhere, Greek jets last weekend were rescuing a number of people from Sudan including Cypriots. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said he was coordinating with other EU counterparts for evacuation operations, noting Cypriots were also on the list of those to be rescued. Meanwhile, In other news, President Nikos Christodoulides has not excluded the possibility of more sanctions from the US and UK to come, which may also affect Cypriots. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the government said it is gearing into action to tackle the migration crisis, with funding aimed at expanding reception centres, speeding up asylum seeker applications, and increasing voluntary returns to 1,000 a month. Elsewhere, hackers made good on their threat to release a trove of personal data stolen from the Open University of Cyprus, after a deadline for payment of ransom elapsed. There’s also the announcement that the police forces’ top units responded to a mock terrorist attack on Thursday to assess their readiness, in a simulation of terror strikes which included an attack on Kykkos monastery. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the finance ministry confirmed that it may reduce VAT on key goods, with reports indicating these may be slashed on items such as bread, milk and baby food. The finance ministry confirmed news that these discussions were under way with the commerce ministry, but that even if agreed between the two parties they would need EU approval to confirm the rate cuts, as VAT is regulated by Europe. Elsewhere, police in Cyprus have lost trace of an Israeli professor who was arrested on February 16 at Larnaca airport on suspicion of arms trafficking to Libya and China between 2015 and 2023. Meanwhile, the government announced that a national sanctions implementation unit will be set up in Cyprus, which will cooperate with the respective department in the UK. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 19 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the Cyprus government on Tuesday stressed it was ready to explore whether there were grounds to begin criminal proceedings against sanctioned Cypriots who have been named by the US and UK for knowingly assisting Russian oligarchs to hide their assets. In other news, Greek and Turkish Cypriots have become more estranged since the “spectacular collapse” of talks in 2017, according to the latest Crisis Group report on Cyprus – which argues that small, but meaningful, steps can be taken to lay the groundwork for future developments. And the north launched a new airline on Tuesday as Fly Kibris’ maiden flight saw an Airbus A320 travel from Tymbou to Istanbul, with flights scheduled later for Iran, Kosovo, Azerbaijan and other destinations. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

April 18 Daily News Briefing

April 14 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides hastily convened a meeting at the palace on Thursday evening to discuss US and UK sanctions that have led to a punishing blow to Cypriot individuals and companies deemed ‘financial fixers’ for Russian oligarchs. The government has called the matter “especially serious” as local banks also moved to immediately freeze the accounts of the individuals in order to uphold their own credibility, a number of sources confirmed to the Cyprus Mail. Elsewhere, hundreds of needy Cypriot families are receiving support from volunteers or local communities to put food on their table this Easter but demand is up while donations are down at least in Nicosia as inflation continues to bite across the board. In other news, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou on Thursday floated the idea of importing natural gas quantities from reservoirs in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, to be used for power generation, coupled with exports of liquefied n…

April 13 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the UK government imposed sanctions on two alleged Cypriot “financial fixers” for “knowingly assisting” sanctioned Russia oligarchs to hide their assets in complex financial networks. Elsewhere, doctors at a private medical centre in Limassol have asked to be given time to relocate, following a majority decision by shareholders to be inducted into the national health system. There’s also the development that Cyprus police rejected a request from the Greek football authority to host the cup final on the island, a few days after Greece’s media reported it was a done deal, while authorities in Nicosia said they had never even received a request. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, eighty per cent of the state’s services have been restored, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Wednesday, following the leak on Monday afternoon in the basement of the Ministry of Finance that caused them to be taken offline. In other news, footage of clashes between unaccompanied minors at a Paphos accommodation centre has prompted the city’s mayor to warn that the state is responsible “should the worst happen." And two white rhinoceros that were moved from another zoo located in South Africa are the newest additions to the animals at Paphos zoo, and are settling into their new enclosure. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

April 11 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, deputy shipping minister called the addition of the Larnaca port to the Cyprus-Greece ferry link “a success for the country and for its economy.” She said the new programme for this summer registered a huge demand. Elswhere, smart cameras have been installed in “sensitive” areas, such as parks and squares, with more on the way – pending a green light from the personal data commissioner. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides said the upcoming establishment of the National Security Council in Cyprus was long overdue. Christodoulides said that “Geopolitical changes and the constant redistribution of power in the region mandates the operation of such a mechanism”. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 10 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a man has come forward after police said they were seeking information following the hospitalisation of a 31-year-old woman in critical condition following in a traffic accident in the early hours on Sunday. Elsewhere, the broader services sector in Cyprus recorded an increase of 6.6 per cent year-on-year in 2022, with accommodation and food services, information and communication and transport and storage recording the most significant increas Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected in the north on April 18, where he is set to officially open the new passenger terminal at Tymbou airport. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 7 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the House passed a law making some 1,000 former bank employees eligible for unemployment benefits, in what some commentators earlier called a scandalous arrangement. Elsewhere, civil servants can start and finish work half an hour earlier after the plenum approved amendments to their working hours to alleviate traffic issues. There’s also comments by Finance Minister Makis Keravnos who stated that there are no concerns over an increase in bad loans for Cyprus’ banks. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 6 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides arrived in Egypt for a two-day visit on Wednesday afternoon where he discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Elsewhere,Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides said the auditor general had mounted a sexist attack against her for six years. “Today was the pinnacle of a sexist behaviour ongoing for six years. It was behaviour that saw me as simply the wife of a husband and not a woman with her own personality,” she said. Meanwhile, vets have appealed to the health ministry for hospital-grade vaccines for cats amid an upsurge of the fatal disease caused by feline coronavirus. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Spain stands by Cyprus in its search for a just and viable solution to the island’s political problem, while its prime minister on Tuesday said it would take the initiative to bring the two sides on the island together. In other news, well known Cypriot soft drinks company KEAN on Tuesday announced an in principle agreement to sell the company’s shares to BBF, marking a change in ownership after 74 years of operation. And high school students and teachers on the island have developed a prototype robot powered with ChatGPT artificial intelligence technology to harness and improve teaching experiences in the classroom. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

April 4 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the Audit service and the Attorney-general engaged in a war of words after the latter accused the former of lying about a European Commission communiqué that sided with Auditor-general Oydsseas Michaelides on the finance ministry’s decision, which awarded no-bid contracts connected to the Hermes airport concession agreement. In other news, forty-seven areas on the island are still classified as dangerous due to landmines or other active remnants of war such as unexploded artillery shells, bombs and grenades, data reported on the Unficyp website reveals. Meanwhile, the press and information office launched a five-year campaign titled ‘Journalists Matter’ starting with a discussion on how protecting journalists is paramount to protecting democracy. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

April 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the main goal is a solution to the national problem that provides for an independent and sovereign state, Government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said on Sunday. Speaking at the memorial service of the Eoka 1955-59 fighters, Letymbiotis said the government is “working for the end of the occupation, the reunification of our country through the achievement of a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem”. Elsewhere, the importance of a more active European Union involvement in the Cyprus problem negotiations was highlighted by Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Prince Albert II of Monaco arrived in Cyprus on Sunday as a guest of John Christodoulou to attend the award ceremony of a student competition held by Yianis Christodoulou Foundation. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 31 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Ersin Tatar said Greek Cypriots cannot tolerate the voice of Turkish Cypriots - after students protested the Turkish Cypriot leader as he was heading to a conference at King’s College London. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides laid out his approach on the Cyprus issue, consisting of “cultivating a positive agenda and a positive climate”, during the first National Council session held under his administration. There’s also the issue of firefighting helicopters - with those at the disposal of the authorities being subpar and may even not be airworthy, legislators heard. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 30 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, sports fans will be subjected to random alcohol and drugs tests on entry to sports venues while a permanent police team will be established to cover high-risk matches, according to a Wednesday cabinet decision aiming to curb violence in sports stadiums. Justice Minister Anna Prokopiou announced the decisions following the outbreak of violence at a basketball match on Sunday. Elsewhere, around 27 migrants for every 1,000 people arrived in Cyprus from outside the EU in 2021, data released by Eurostat showed, also revealing 22.7 per cent of the island’s citizens were born overseas. Meanwhile, all the relevant services are better staffed and better equipped to deal with fires than they were last year, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 29 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides warned on Tuesday that fans need to behave otherwise all sporting matches will be held without spectators, following violent clashes at a basketball semi-final at the weekend. In other news, MPs on Tuesday urged the government to do something about rising interest rates, particularly to shield vulnerable borrowers and prevent bad loans from proliferating - although none had a clear idea as to how this might be done. And the European Commission said on Tuesday it had awarded the first PDO certificate for halloumi (or hellim in Turkish) to a Turkish Cypriot producer. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 28 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said he has issued 'strong advice' to commercial banks to focus on loan restructuring for distressed borrowers, as well as to increase deposit rates and contain lending rates amid a high interest-rate environment set to further squeeze consumers. In other news, delivery drivers in Nicosia held a demonstration outside the offices of PEO union following the death of a moped rider last week. And government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis denied there being a rift between Nicosia and Athens over the latter supporting Ankara’s bid for a senior role at a UN agency. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 27 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou will promote a plan to the cabinet for restoration of refugee apartment buildings found to be inadequate. Elsewhere, Cyprus signed an agreement to cooperate with the New Jersey National Guard, Defence Minister Michalis Giorgallas said, adding a delegation of US group will be visiting Cyprus later this week. Meanwhile, the Cyprus basketball federation said all future matches will be cancelled until further notice, following rioting at a semi-final match between Anorthosis and Apollon. Fans at the basketball semi-finals fought with police officers on Sunday, and set fire to a bus stop and offices following the match, the fire services reported. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Christodoulides said he hoped to ‘break the deadlock’ in the Cyprus peace process, also pitching to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres his proposal for a more active involvement of the European Union. Elsewhere, one in ten Greek Cypriots travel to Turkey or to the north to receive dental care, the House health committee heard on Thursday. Meanwhile, all public transport will be offered for free this Saturday as part of a campaign marking Earth Hour 2023. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 23 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, he interior ministry rejected suggestions it had been well aware of rampant abuse at the online appointment system of the migration department for months, but wilfully chose to look the other way. A damning report pointed the finger at former interior minister Nicos Nouris, claiming that he had known about shady agents selling appointment slots but “closed his eyes” to the matter. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides met with key EU officials where he presented the case for greater EU involvement in the efforts to break the impasse on the Cyprus problem. Meanwhile, the US State Department’s annual human rights report on Cyprus emphasised the challenges faced by asylum seekers while it also singled out overcrowding at the prisons. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the Cyprus banking system is resilient and able to cope with the ongoing issues faced by Credit Suisse, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday, echoing the Central Bank’s own assurances from a day earlier. Elsewhere, the Paphos district court renewed the remand of the 31-year-old suspect in the case of Lesya Bykova’s death for three more days, pending the outcome of a second autopsy performed on the body. Meanwhile, the government will spend €100 million over ten years to fix the problems at refugee apartment buildings, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the Central Bank governor will meet with the CEOs of Cyprus’ two major banks today in light of the Credit Suisse rescue. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides leaves for Brussels today, aiming to promote his proposal for more active involvement of the European Union in the Cyprus issue. There’s also the demonstration being held by dozens of the Kurdish cultural organisation “Theophilos” members at the front of the justice ministry over the ongoing extradition trial of Kurdish politician Kenan Ayaz. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides begins his contacts in Brussels this coming week, aiming among other things to promote his proposal for a more active involvement of the European Union in the Cyprus issue. In other news, the online platform to make appointments at the immigration department has been taken down following abuse of the system exposed by the Cyprus Mail. And a woman aged 33 has been remanded for eight days by the Larnaca court after police said they found almost 17 kilos of cannabis in her luggage when she arrived on a flight from South Africa via Cairo on Saturday night. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 17 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides and Finance Minister Makis Keravnos are in constant contact with Central Bank governor Constantinos Herodotou, following a 30 per cent slump in shares of Credit Suisse bank in Switzerland. Elsewhere, lawmakers hounded the government for taking its time delivering legislation to tighten up the earthquake-proofing of buildings, saying that lives are at stake. Meanwhile, legislators said they will seek higher state subsidies for assisted reproduction, as one in six couples were said to face infertility issues. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 16 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a 32-year-old man on Wednesday was handed a three-year jail sentence by Limassol district court after being found guilty of causing a triple fatal car accident in 2017 that ended the lives of Andreas Yasemi, 32, Dimitris Savva, also 32, and Panayiotis Stefanou, 26. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides met with UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on Wednesday, in efforts to find a way forward in stalled Cyprus problem negotiations. Meanwhile, about 30 flights to and from Cyprus will be hit by a 24-hour nationwide strike in Greece, estimated to impact almost 3,000 travellers. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Cyprus-based Indie gaming company Apella Games has won a major battle against tech giant Apple Inc., which tried to block the startup from registering its name and logo with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, claiming the mark was visually, phonetically, and conceptually similar to Apple’s. Elsewhere, a decision to reduce the frequency of which blood tests can be carried out on the national health scheme (Gesy) on Tuesday caused outrage among patients. There’s also the president’s statement from Greece that there is ‘no time to lose’ in the effort to resume Cyprus problem negotiations. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 14 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis announced on Monday that their governments will institutionalise a coordination body, as a new chapter in Athens and Nicosia relations. In other news, Police confirmed foul play in the case of a 28-year-old woman found dead in the vicinity of Petra tou Romiou in Paphos on Saturday morning. And a British company is being grilled by the agriculture ministry over its ‘buffalomi’ product – a “halloumi style cheese” made from buffalo milk. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 13 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Annita Demetriou this weekend became the first female leader of one of the island’s main political parties although the task ahead of the new DISY leader is not a simple one. In other news, boat owners at Larnaca marina on Sunday held a demonstration against plans by private developer Kition Ocean Marina to raise docking fees for the second time in a year. And the enthronement of new Bishop of Paphos took place on Sunday afternoon. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 10 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the House voted against another extension to a freeze on property repossessions. Elsewhere, the auditor-general lambasted the University of Cyprus, over a series of alleged irregularities – including their keeping on the payroll a Nobel laureate past his retirement. There’s also the update that Larnaca will in August and September become part of the Cyprus-Greece ferry service as the city’s port will share the timetable with Limassol. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 9 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, on international women’s day yesterday, The House education committee heard that men are getting paid up to four times more than female athletes. The issue arose during a discussion to amend the law to ensure gender equality in sport. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides said that gender equality issues are high on the agenda and relevant policies will be promoted in all ministries and deputy ministries. Meanwhile, intrepid mountaineer Evgenios Staroselskiy aims to raise the Cypriot flag over the world’s deadliest summit: K2, otherwise known as the Savage Mountain. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, electricity prices must come down, as expensive energy is sapping people’s disposable income and also raising the cost of production for businesses, new Energy Minister George Papanastasiou stressed on Tuesday. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides said he has a number of political people in mind from EU member states that could play a constructive role in resolving the Cyprus problem. Meanwhile, the adoption of increased security around House Speaker Annita Demetriou and some of her family members, has nothing to do with her having filed a police report of fake news, police announced. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the funerals for the two Cypriots who died in the fatal train crash in Greece last week, were held on Monday. In other news, Health Minister Popi Kanari said the government aims to improve OKYPY hospitals. She stressed efforts should be focused on improving GESY. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos’ office on Monday denied a report that claimed he said the national health scheme was a black hole of funds. And a 26-year-old of Cypriot origin was arrested in Athens after trying to remove pieces of stone and marble from the Acropolis as souvenirs. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 6 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the remains of two Cypriots who died in the tragic train crash in Greece arrived in Cyprus on Sunday evening. Their funerals are set to take place today, where the families have asked for privacy away from the media. In other news, several traffic cameras will become operational across Cyprus starting Monday, police warned on Sunday. And Cyprus has scored 94.4 out of 100 in the World Bank’s Women, Business, and Law index for 2023. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

March 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the body of one of the missing Cypriots aboard a train that crashed in Tempi, Greece was identified late on Thursday night. The 23-year-old student, Kyprianos Papaioannou from Avgorou, was identified among the dozens of victims of the deadly collision two days ago using DNA testing. Another Cypriot, 24-year-old dentistry student Anastasia Adamidou from Paphos, remains missing. Elsewhere, in an extraordinary plenary session convened yesterday, the House passed a law extending by another two months a reduction on fuel tax – a matter that should have been addressed before the government switchover. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate reached close to 7 per cent for the last quarter of 2022, figures published by the Cyprus Statistical Service showed, while unemployment among young people stood close to 20 per cent All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 2 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, two Cypriot nationals were on board one of the two trains that collided in Larissa, northern Greece on Tuesday night, and are still missing. Local media named then as Kypros Papaioannou and Anastasia Adamidou. The crash has killed at least 38 people and injured dozens of others. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides called on his new ministers to raise the bar high and keep their tone low, as his new cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday. In his speech, Christodoulides pledged his government would be one “for all Cypriots” and would be ruled by transparency, respect and hard work. Meanwhile, the first ever crossover organ transplant involving Cyprus and Israel took place on Wednesday after two kidneys were exchanged at the old Larnaca airport in the morning. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

March 1 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Nikos Christodoulides was officially sworn in as the eighth president - as he vowed that “the Cypriot people will be at the centre of all our policies”. Elsewhere, a woman developed large bedsores after she was hospitalised for a month and her wounds remained untreated, with a doctor claiming that it again shows the “shortcomings” of the national general health scheme Gesy when it comes to elderly care. There’s also the latest February rainfall figures, and a positive announcement from BirdLife Cyprus on reduced trapping with nets. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 28 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, President-elect Nikos Christodoulides announced his cabinet on Green Monday. It included some high-profile names including well-known singer Michalis Hadjiyiannis as Deputy Minister of Culture, as well as former Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou to the post of Interior Minister. In other news, maternal deaths in Cyprus more than doubled in the past 20 years, making it one of the worst performers across the globe, a report by the World Health Organisation revealed on Monday. And cities in Cyprus emptied on Monday as most people headed out into nature for picnics to celebrate the start of the Orthodox Eastern Lenten period. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 24 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, there’s the latest on the new president’s meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. Elsewhere, the agriculture minister is pleased over the finalisation of the Akamas local plan. There’s also calls from the Kokkinotrimithia community leader for the Pournara migrant reception centre to be relocated. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 23 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, cabinet on Wednesday decided to postpone implementing the Akamas local development plan for another six months. The cabinet decision also entails a four-month window allowing for objections to the plan for the environmentally sensitive area and one of the few undeveloped coastal regions in Cyprus. Elsewhere, after years of delays and shifting timetables, work has begun in Vasiliko for the construction of a jetty to facilitate a floating LNG storage and regasification unit but the completion date has been kicked down the road again, and at an extra cost of €25m. Meanwhile, the percentage of foreign workers a company is allowed to employ and include into collective agreements has been raised from 30 to 50 per cent. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, current Disy leader Averof Neophytou on Tuesday bowed out of the race for the next party leader on Tuesday, in what has narrowed down to a face-off between House President Annita Demetriou and MP Demetris Demetriou. Elsewhere, the Briton accused of killing his terminally ill wife, David Hunter had a “poor showing” in court remembering events that were convenient for him and his case, the state prosecutor argued on Tuesday at Paphos criminal court. Meanwhile, around 1,000 people severely affected by the earthquake that devastated entire cities in Turkey and Syria on February 6 are currently seeking refuge in the north, Turkish Cypriot ‘welfare minister’ Hassan Tatsoi said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, an earthquake was felt in Cyprus and in southern Turkey, Syria and Lebanon about 7pm on Monday. In other news, House President Annita Demetriou is poised to throw her hat in the running for DISY’s upcoming leadership elections, ahead of the deadline for submitting candidacies today. And an investigation has been launched into an incident regarding a patient who was left naked and uncovered on her bed at the Limassol General Hospital last week. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President-elect Nikos Christodoulides will do everything possible to achieve some kind of result during his informal meeting next week with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, he said on Sunday. In other news, Archimandrite Tychik*o*s Vry*o*nis, Archimandrite Ioannis Ioannou and Bishop Amathountos Nikolaos have made the top three in the elections for a new bishop of Paphos; the Synod will now decide who will be the 70th bishop for the district. And police on Sunday, during an island wide sweep, arrested 21 people who were on the island illegally, according to an announcement. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 17 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, there’s the latest on President-elect Nikos Christodoulides who will meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar next week. Elsewhere, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said his time in politics has come to a close after 10 years. There’s also the continued aid drive by Cyprus for the earthquake victims in neighbouring Turkey and Syria. And don’t miss the latest carnival updates, with major festivities returning for the first time in over two years. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 16 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President-elect Nikos Christodoulides met with Disy leader Averof Neophytou at the former’s political office on Wednesday, with both saying it was time to turn the page on the bitterness of the election campaign. Left-wing Akel made a similar assertion, after its general-secretary Stefanos Stefanou held a meeting with Christodoulides. Stefanou heard Christodoulides’ plans to draw people from across the political spectrum for the new government but concluded Akel would not participate if asked. Elsewhere, civil engineers called on the state to subsidise the anti-seismic upgrading of buildings, following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The Association of Civil Engineers released a video showing the disrepair of buildings around the island. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, as the leadership race in the island’s largest party heats up, its current number two Harris Georgiades has announced his candidacy. In other news, a man who committed the “extremely vile” crimes of sexually abusing three children and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a “blatantly inadequate sentence” has now had his sentence extended for a further five years by the Supreme Court, it emerged on Tuesday. And details emerged on Tuesday of the shocking working conditions under which 14 Indian workers were employed at a Famagusta livestock farm. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 14 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a day after Nikos Christodoulides was voted in as Cyprus’ elected president, the horse trading over cabinet members appeared to be in full swing. The president-elect has highlighted his cabinet will be formed by new faces, people who have not served as ministers before. In other news, a Turkish Cypriot mother and earthquake survivor, who lost her 11-year-old daughter in the wreckage of the Isias hotel in Turkey, described yesterday the tragedy that befell the school group that had gone there for a volleyball tournament. And for the second day in a row, police urged businesses to pay extra attention to their online accounts and transactions after stating that a Limassol-based company found out that unknown people hacked into its servers and stole around €339,000. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Nikos Christodoulides was on Sunday voted the eighth President of the Republic, with the day ending in a declaration ceremony at Eleftheria Stadium in Nicosia which rocked to cheers of his name, applause and loud music. Christodoulides, aged 49, secured 51.97 per cent of the vote. Speaking from the podium, he said “the Cypriot people have spoken,” and called on everyone to leave the past behind and look together to the future united. Meanwhile, turnout for the election reached 72.2 per cent of registered voters, a small increase from the first round last week. That meant that 405,086 people cast a vote. Voting abroad stood at 67.9 per cent compared to 73.8 per cent last Sunday. Elsewhere, all the Turkish Cypriots who died in the devastating earthquakes in Turkey have now been returned to the island as the last of the funerals were held on Sunday. Thirteen funerals were held in Famagusta, Prastio and Ayios Sergios, all for people part of the group from the Famagu…

February 10 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades may take a public position in relation to the situation shaping up in the second round of the elections on Sunday after ruling Disy decided that party members should adopt a conscience vote between Nikos Christodoulides and Akel-backed Andreas Mavroyiannis. Meanwhile, hope is dwindling for the group of Turkish Cypriots trapped under the rubble of the Isias hotel in Adiyaman, who are yet to be recovered, the north’s ‘education minister’ Nazim Cavusoglu said, four days after the catastrophic earthquake. Elsewhere, Troodos was hit with a 20-year record deep freeze as temperatures dropped to -12.5 Celsius overnight on Wednesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 9 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, dozens of Turkish Cypriot children remained buried for a third day yesterday under the rubble of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands across southern Turkey and in Syria. Also, Turkey has accepted Cyprus’ offer to send rescue teams to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by the devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of over 16,000 people. Disy’s parliamentary leader and long-standing MP Nicos Tornaritis has come out in support of Nikos Christodoulides ahead of the second round of the presidential election. Other big names to back the front-runner are former Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou and Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis. The met office issued an orange weather warning overnight on Wednesday, warning of extremely low temperatures on the mountains. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the marathon Disy political bureau meeting on Tuesday night called to settle its stance going into the second round of the presidential election eventually backed a free vote and a party place in the opposition. Meanwhile, seven Turkish Cypriots were reported dead on Tuesday from the large-scale earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria the day before, while efforts continued to uncover more survivors. Elsewhere, Cypriot sommelier Sotiris Neophytidis will represent the island at the Best Sommelier of World contest in Paris, which started on Tuesday and will last until Sunday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 7 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, DISY leader Averof Neophytou met the two remaining candidates on Monday as the party continued to deliberate on its course in the presidential election following Neophytou’s exclusion from the final round, a decision that is expected today. In other news, the Cyprus government on Monday said it was saddened by the fatal earthquakes in Turkey and said it is ready to send help. Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, its spokesman Demetris Demetriou said: “It is a humanitarian issue and there is no room for politics in these cases.” And a 23-year-old man found guilty in a drug trafficking case involving around 13 kilograms of cannabis was sentenced to nine years in jail on Monday by the Larnaca criminal court. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 6 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, presidential hopefuls Nikos Christodoulides and Andreas Mavroyiannis will fight it out in the runoff this week after a tough battle on Sunday, which has left out DISY leader Averof Neophytou. Elsewhere, a number of voters have reported they received text messages from presidential candidates calling on them to go vote. Meanwhile, Archbishop Georgios voted in Paphos, singling out the Cyprus problem as his main concern. And an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale at a depth of 10km was recorded in the early hours of Monday in southern Turkey, which was felt all over Cyprus. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

February 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Energy Minister Natasa Pilides announced that another €35 million is being allocated in subsidies for people to upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient following the success of the previous round of grants. Meanwhile, Cyprus has been classed as a ‘flawed democracy’, ranking 37th in the list of countries analysed by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Democracy Index. Elsewhere, reservoirs in Cyprus are less full than last year despite frequent rain over the past week, with total reserves standing at 67 per cent compared with 76 per cent this time last year. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 2 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, with independent candidate Achilleas Demetriades being the latest to publish his detailed funding for the election campaign, presidential hopeful Nikos Christodoulides is left as one of the ‘bigger’ candidates that has yet to reveal any details as to the source of his election funds. Meanwhile, the children’s specially designated accidents and emergencies department has started operating at Nicosia general hospital, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela announced on Wednesday. Elsewhere, the state appears to be in no rush to set up and launch more traffic cameras as 35,000 fines remain unpaid. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

February 1 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, AKEL-backed presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis on Tuesday accused his rival Nikos Christodoulides of stealing one of his ideas – for the third time. In other news, the head of the fledgling deputy ministry for research and innovation on Tuesday, Kyriakos Kokkinos, said the digital journey of the government has started. And Cyprus Airways will start three weekly flights to Dubai in March, it announced yesterday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 31 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Wind Energy Association Secretary Christos Tsingis said yesterday that the state must immediately install a centralised renewable energy storage system, and that it was unacceptable for the public to be encouraged to continue with residential photovoltaic installations. In other news, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris admitted mistakes in the management of the citizenship-by-investment scheme, but said that by late 2020 – when the programme was nixed – many flaws had been corrected compared to the situation at its inception in 2007. And hundreds of animals are being poisoned daily, and the stray dog crisis is worse than ever, according to the Cyprus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA). All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 30 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) will be extended for a period of one year instead of the usual six months. Elsewhere, the final step in removing oil and gas facilities from Larnaca’s beachfront has taken place, opening the way for its development. There’s also the theft of a bronze statue in Paphos and the agriculture ministry’s clarification that there is no move to forbid anyone from feeding stray cats in public places. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 27 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Cyprus came to a standstill yesterday as thousands of workers across all sectors went on a three-hour, island-wide strike over an impasse between the government and unions on the full restoration of the cost-of-living allowance. Meanwhile, President Nicos Anastasiades ‘challenged’ UN Special Representative Colin Stewart to set the record straight by either denying or confirming negative comments the latter allegedly made about the Greek Cypriot side. Elsewhere, two ancient Cypriot coins and a part of a wall mural were turned over to the government at the embassy in Washington DC, after they were illegally imported to the US seven years ago, the antiquities department announced. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 26 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Cyprus will go into an effective standstill for three hours on Thursday, disrupting everything from schools, airlines, court cases and public transport and other sectors. The nationwide strike set to begin at 12pm and end at 3pm is linked to demands for the cost-of-living allowance. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man suspected of beating to death a 16-year-old girl in the north surrendered himself to the Greek Cypriot police. Elsewhere, the UN in Cyprus has pointed the finger at the Greek Cypriot side for only complaining over the Cyprus stalemate and doing nothing to rectify it. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 25 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the transport ministry has warned that a general strike being held around the island on Thursday is set to affect travellers as airlines operating at Larnaca and Paphos airports are scrambling to reschedule flights. Elsewhere, Lycavitos police station in Nicosia appears to have been among the targets of a criminal organisation based in Greece. There’s also the announcement that a second dog park is set to open in Strovolos and is designed for small dogs, while the non-commissioned officer who called homosexuality unnatural in a TikTok video may face criminal charges. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 24 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, police on Monday rejected claims of “amateur handling” of anti-riot operations during violent incidents on Sunday during the memorial for EOKA leader Grivas Digenis in Limassol. In other news, presidential candidate Averof Neophytou unveiled his income tax proposal, dubbing it "the most radical reform ever in Cyprus" and claiming it would generate major savings for nearly 130,000 families. And a record €21,000 fine has been imposed for the killing of rare wild birds using poison baits, BirdLife Cyprus said on Monday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 23 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, an investigation team has been set up to identify those involved in throwing stones and Molotov cocktails on Sunday during a fight that broke out in Limassol during a memorial service for Eoka leader Georgios Grivas Digenis. In other news, “One of the priorities of the existing government was to create the conditions for the provision of high quality medical and pharmaceutical services to society,” President Nicos Anastasiades said on Sunday opening a new wing at Famagusta hospital. And the foundation stone of a “cutting edge” project to transform the picturesque Liopetri harbour has been laid. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Russia could not have expected Cyprus to disagree with Europe's collective decisions and ought to engage in a little self-criticism, President Nicos Anastasiades said. His comments came as a response to statements made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who said that Moscow had noted the transformation of Cyprus’ leadership. Meanwhile, Health Minster Michalis Hadjipantela said that over 300 children will be examined by orthopaedic doctors visiting Cyprus from the Shriners Hospital in the US. Elsewhere, the price of holidays from Britain to Cyprus has risen by 15 per cent in the last year. The average cost of a seven-day package holiday this summer in Cyprus is estimated to be £809 compared with £705 last year. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 19 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, David Hunter’s daughter begged him over the phone to stay alive in the minutes after he killed his terminally ill wife Janice and then attempted suicide. Paphos court on Wednesday was shown video footage between Hunter and his daughter in which she sought to focus the 74-year-old on staying alive. Meanwhile, Peo trade union said on Wednesday that about three out of four workers are estimated to participate in a nationwide strike next week to demand the full restoration of cost-of-living allowance. Elsewhere, a massive bust on untaxed tobacco products led to the arrest of two suspects in Limassol, as customs officials found 390,640 smuggled cigarettes. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Cyprus is “one of the weakest links” in international efforts to seize the assets of sanctioned Russian nationals, while the island hosts dozens of active shell companies that can be traced back to Russian oligarchs, a report by the American news network CBS showed. Meanwhile, the education ministry said on Tuesday it will find an alternative solution for the 250 students who failed to take the Modern Greek exam on Monday after the initial exam was cancelled when one topic was leaked by a teacher. Elsewhere, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to visit Cyprus in mid-February following the presidential elections. He will first visit Nicosia and then move on to Athens and Ankara, with CNN Greece stating that his focus is to calm tempers in the region. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 17 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the modern Greek exam being sat by final year students was cancelled on Monday 30 minutes in, as topics on the paper were reportedly leaked by a teacher. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades and his wife Andri met King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at Balmoral Castle on Monday, where the two signed a memorandum of understanding on future civilian developments in the British bases areas of Cyprus. And authorities on Monday were assessing the damage from extreme weather conditions in the Larnaca and Famagusta districts ahead of the cabinet meeting tomorrow. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 16 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Larnaca and Famagusta were battered by rains and thunderstorms which left people trapped in their homes and cars, as fire services scrambled to rescue members of the public. In health developments, Assistant Professor of infectious diseases at the medical school of the University of Cyprus Dr. Maria Koliou said it is a matter of time before the Kraken covid variant arrives to Cyprus. And President Nicos Anastasiades hailed the biggest achievements he said his administration managed to accomplish, including measures tackling corruption, the national health service, and a strong economy. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, a crucial meeting between trade unions and employers’ organisations has ended in deadlock over reinstating the cost of living allowance (CoLA), with the labour minister – acting as mediator –scrambling find the sweet spot by early next week amid the threat of widespread strikes. Meanwhile, doctors and nurses at state hospitals have decided to go on a two-hour work stoppage next week, in a bid to exert pressure for having certain collective agreements renewed. In a joint statement, the unions said they were taking the action because the state health services organisation had not kept up its obligations in drawing up a new collective agreement for staff. Elsewhere, the rising cost of living, poverty and migration are the biggest concerns among citizens in Cyprus, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, according to the latest Henley Passport Index the Cyprus passport has been ranked 16th in the world in terms of the number of destinations its holders can access without a prior visa, dropping one spot on the table compared to last year. Holders of a Cyprus passport can travel visa-free to 177 destinations. In other news, a secondary education biology book caused an uproar on social media after a page circulated that suggests abstinence from sex before marriage is the only way to truly prevent infection with STDs. Elsewhere, Princess Anne met President Nicos Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday as part of her two-day visit to Cyprus. Anastasiades gifted Princess Anne a silver replica of a 4th century BC goblet, as well as a photographic album of Cypriot veterans of the Second World War, while she presented the President with a signed portrait of her. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 11 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, patients organisations expressed outrage on Tuesday over allegations that an elderly person was found tied to their hospital bed using bedsheets. Demanding the state health services (Okypy) investigate the matter, they also said there were damning complaints of lax Covid-19 measures, leading to elderly people contracting the virus. In other news, as the February presidential elections approach, the ballot paper for the first round has been given the go-ahead after the 14 candidates gave their final stamp of approval. Elsewhere, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides has charged Akel-backed independent presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis with taking a populist stance on the economy, criticising his proposed policies and saying it was Akel that brought on the 2013 financial crisis. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 10 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, President Nicos Anastasiades decided to refer the contentious law that deals with pre-primary education to the Supreme Court. In other news, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne will undertake an official visit to Cyprus from Tuesday to Wednesday, it was announced by the British High Commission. And the price of petrol fell by 44 cents per litre on January 8 from its historic high of €1.8 per litre recorded in July, according to the Cyprus Consumers Association. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 9 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Archbishop Georgios was enthroned as the 76th head of the church on Sunday afternoon, in a ceremony at the Apostolos Varnavas Cathedral in Nicosia. In other news, three fire engines extinguished a fire which broke out in a propane tank valve on Sunday, in the yard of a Larnaca residence. And a woman, aged 53, from Romania, a permanent resident of Paphos, died in a fatal road collision in the early hours of this morning. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the UN secretary general’s mission of good offices report detailed a bleak review and outlook for the Cyprus problem, despite a poll finding that a majority hope for a mutually agreed settlement as soon as possible. In other news, plans are being set in motion to create a national suicide prevention scheme the health ministry said on Wednesday as records show a spike in suicides during the 2013 financial crisis, when they were six times higher than almost a decade before. Elsewhere, nightlife is thriving once again and people in the industry are upbeat after a festive period in which clubs and bars were working at full capacity. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 4 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the EU has agreed on a “coordinated approach” to the changing Covid situation, adding that included implications for increased travel from China. There’s also the strange case of dozens of kilos of cannabis washing ashore along Famagusta beaches, in both the government-controlled areas and the north. Elsewhere, the police announced that over 100 people have been arrested in Paphos in the past year for offences related to domestic violence while six more remain wanted. Finally, the labour minister said that a meeting between all sides has been set for next week in a bid to clinch some arrangement staving off strike action threatened by trade unions of the Electricity Authority. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

January 3 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela said there is “No reason for concern so far” regarding the surge in China Covid cases, as some nations began imposing restrictions on travellers from the Asian country. In other news, Labour Minister Kyriacos Koushos said that one of Cyprus’ largest reforms has been implemented starting this year with the national minimum wage now in force. And authorities in the north of the island have reportedly seized several packets containing 75 kilograms of cannabis that washed up on the beach. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

January 2 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, A young mother was killed on Saturday night in a car accident that occurred after 10pm on the Akrotiri – Kolossi road near the village of Trachoni. In other news, as of 1 January 2023, Cyprus will for the first time be implementing a minimum wage set at €940 per month. And reflecting on his 10 years in the post, President Nicos Anastasiades said that Cyprus has endured and overcome several challenges including the financial crisis, the global Covid-19 pandemic, but “the open wound” of the country is the unresolved Cyprus problem. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 30 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela is threatening to revoke the licences of doctors working in a private hospital in Nicosia who turned away two women in urgent need of medical treatment on Christmas Eve. Hadjipantela also spoke of a third incident that took place at an A&E department of a private hospital in another district on Wednesday night where a patient was told to seek help at a public hospital. In other news, Cyprus and India have signed a letter of intent for a ‘migration and mobility partnership’, initiating the process for an eventual agreement on migration between the two nations. Elsewhere, vandals defaced a street sign bearing the name of the late former President Demetris Christofias, put up in the Nicosia suburb of Geri only on Wednesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 29 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Cyprus this year recorded the lowest number of deaths from road collisions since the start of data-keeping. There’s also second phase of the electric vehicle scheme, with a €10m budget aimed at offering 2,518 grants. Elsewhere, the Supreme Court has agreed to an appeal reducing the prison sentence of a man who killed his father in Lefkara from 16 years in jail to 12. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 28 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, some 1,300 people will be hired in the police force and the fire department during the course of 2023. According to a briefing to parliament given by Justice Minister Stefi Drakou during the next year the police will be beefed up by 700 constables and around 300 special police officers. In other news, the “indifference” shown by the public about taking part in elections for the new Archbishop are a matter for concern, the new prelate said on Tuesday. The turn out in the people’s vote last Sunday was only 30.2 per cent. Elsewhere, a new survey shows that three-quarters of Cypriots are unsatisfied with the justice system, while many retain reservations about the impartiality of judges. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 27 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos gave an overview of several solutions to the island’s chronic traffic issues in the coming years, aimed at significant improvements or even possibly a solution to the traffic problems in Cyprus. In other news, newly elected Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios said Cyprus was still waiting for its freedom and that people are expecting the Church to give solutions. And Turkey has accused Cyprus of increasing tension in the Eastern Mediterranean after a consortium of Italian and French energy companies found more natural gas off the island. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 23 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, there’s the latest on the prison saga as the director’s lawyers hit out against the legal service’s decision to not proceed with action against drug-squad chief Michalis Katsounotos. Elsewhere, trade unions gave the government and employers a two-week ultimatum to agree to the full reinstatement of the cost of living allowance (CoLA), dangling the threat of industrial action otherwise. There’s also the latest on the trial of the 74-year-old Briton accused of the murder of his wife in Tremithousa last December. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Between two and three trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been uncovered in exploratory drilling in block six of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone, the energy ministry announced. In other news, After more than a week of strikes, Wolt delivery drivers agreed to put a halt to their protests and resume work. The agreement was made after a timeline was set to resolve the differences between employees and employers. Elsewhere, The Cypriot flag will be flown on Antarctica’s highest peak on Christmas day, in a historic first. The expedition to Mount Vinson will be part of Seven Summits Cyprus, which aims to raise the Cyprus flag on the world’s highest peaks. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 21 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, in an unexpected turn of events, the charges faced by the 74-year-old Briton accused of the murder of his terminally ill wife in Tremithousa last December remained unchanged despite hopes it would be mitigated to manslaughter, as his trial continued on Tuesday. In other news, the four-year-old child hospitalised with strep-A is too ill to be transferred to Israel for the time being but the health ministry is on standby for any changes to the decision. Elsewhere, Cyprus’ coastal Pissouri and Kalopanayiotis in the mountains made it onto the UN’s ‘Best Tourism Villages’ of 2022, alongside 30 others ranging from Austria to Vietnam. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 20 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, nurses of PASYDY union on Monday condemned the recent verbal and physical attack against an ambulance worker, a day after PASYNO nurses’ union threatened to take legal measures over the incident. In other news, speculation about who will become the next archbishop took off on Monday, following the results of the popular vote the day before, with some analysts giving Paphos bishop Georgios a clear advantage while others predict a tie between him and Limassol bishop Athanasios within the Holy Synod. And despite a lower demand for meat this year, butchers have said they will need to import lamb from Greece. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 19 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Bishop Athanasios of Limassol won the popular vote in the election for Archbishop on Sunday, meaning the Holy Synod will chose between him, Isaias of Tamasos and Georgios of Paphos as to who will be the next leader of the Church. In other news, demonstrators at Limassol Zoo on Sunday said they would continue their protests until the facility is closed down. And nurses’ union PASYNO has threatened to take legal measures against the ministry of health and the state health services OKYPY after another member was attacked while treating a patient, this time in Limassol. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 16 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the EU Council yesterday called on Ankara to stop all actions that could potentially upgrade the breakaway state in the north of the island, a development welcomed by the foreign ministry. In other news, some 200 Wolt drivers were striking across Nicosia and Limassol yesterday, over accusations they were being exploited and getting pay cuts amid increasing costs. Elsewhere, candidacies for the February 2023 presidential elections will be formally submitted on January 5, the interior ministry said yesterday, while December 27 is the cutoff for registering in voter rolls. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 15 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the labour minister appeared doubtful on Wednesday that an agreement can be reached soon with electricity authority workers after a strike threat was called off at the last moment. In other news, the New Cyprus museum – with a price tag of €144m – will be the number one tourist attraction for the millions of Cyprus’ visitors, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said on Wednesday. The minister has set high expectations for the project’s success, stating that it will be one of most important museums in Europe. Elsewhere, Cypriots remain amongst the most skeptical of the EU’s handling of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with only 53 per cent approving overall of the bloc’s support for Kyiv. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 14 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Electricity Authority (EAC) unions called off a strike planned for Tuesday in an eleventh hour decision on Tuesday evening, which means there will be no power cuts. The U-turn was due to the intervention of Labour Minister Kyriacos Koushos, who has committed to arranging meetings between unions and the ministers of energy and finance in the coming week. In other news, the row over the cutting of a line from a play with an LGBTI+ message is still ongoing as children’s rights commissioner Despo Michaelidou blasted the education ministry and saying the move should be reversed. Elsewhere, dozens of Cypriots stranded at Stanstead airport for over a day after their Ryanair flight did not depart on Monday morning as scheduled finally arrived on the island on Tuesday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 13 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode we heat that power cuts will take place from Wednesday if there is increased electricity demand or adverse weather conditions, as a result of a strike by the electricity authority staff that will partially suspend operation of the Dhekelia power plant. In other news, the 33-year-old who admitted to murdering two Russian women in late 2021 was handed a 25-year prison sentence yesterday morning. Elsewhere, the Cyprus Theatre Organisation yesterday slammed the education ministry for its special committee that approves theatrical productions for schools, calling it ‘backwards’ and an ‘instrument of censorship,’ following criticism for removing a line from a play. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 12 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the interior minister is disappointed that no agreement has been reached in Brussels with regard to a proposed regulation to address situations of weaponising migration and asylum. There’s also the latest poll on the presidential elections which appears to show that since October, favourite, Nikos Christodoulides has seen a slight drop in support while Akel-backed Andreas Mavroyiannis' support has grown. Elsewhere, it was announced that parking at the old Nicosia hospital ends today as construction of the new Cyprus Museum begins. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 09 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, trade unions representing workers at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus have announced measures as of next week that could potentially lead to rolling power cuts, including over Christmas during periods of peak power usage. The government has in turn accused the unions of misleading the public while hinting at strong action of its own. In other news, the House on Thursday gave the nod to the state budget for fiscal year 2023, in what was parliament’s final act of the year before going into mandatory recess ahead of the coming presidential elections. Elsewhere, President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar have agreed to meet again following their brief discussion during a reception at Ledra Palace, government announced on Thursday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 8 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar attended a reception at the Ledra Palace Hotel, hosted by the United Nations on Wednesday. All parties involved stressed that this is a social meeting, from which nothing is expected. In other news, eligible students at Cyprus-based universities are to receive a €500 living allowance amidst a price hike in rents and a shortage of student accommodations. Students abroad will also be granted €200 to cover the price of their plane ticket. Elsewhere, the Council of Ministers approved a law amendment proposal requiring that all car crashes be logged in the road transport department database. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Justice Minister Stephie Dracou said yesterday she will call a meeting with the police following the violent clashes between fans at football match in Limassol. The clashes between Ael and Apollon fans that broke out after the match was cancelled on Sunday resulted in a police officer being injured and shops in the area neighbouring Tsirion stadium damaged. In other news, junior opposition party Dipa on Tuesday confirmed they would be voting for the 2023 state budget, making parliament's passage of the bill all but a foregone conclusion. Elsewhere, four out of ten university students say it is easy for them to access illegal substances within 24 hours if they wanted to, according to a recent survey by the Cyprus Addictions Authority. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 06 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, we hear that AEL football club lashed out at police yesterday over the decision to postpone a derby with Apollon citing safety reasons after football fans started throwing rocks and firecrackers on the pitch. In other news, the injury of a six-year-old during an attempted murder in Oroklini over the weekend has ignited fears there may be heavy payback, while the charge against the 74-year-old Briton that admitted to killing his wife in their home in Tremithousa, near Paphos, in December 2021 will change from pre-meditated murder to manslaughter. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, there have been major price hikes for basic necessities in November compared to the previous month, according to the Cyprus Consumers Association. In other news, police are searching for clues on who may be behind an attempted murder case in Larnaca, that left a six-year-old child and 42-year-old man injured. And a large number of interventions by the Ombudswoman’s office this year concerned the “inalienable” right of children with disabilities to equal and non-discriminatory or inclusive access to education. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

December 2 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the HIO has faced renewed criticism for paying extortionate rates on medicines - far more than the government used to before the rollout of the national health system, Gesy. Elsewhere, Cyprus has repatriated close to 7,000 migrants during 2022 and is a model within the EU for such returns, according to the interior minister. There’s also the latest from the candidate for the position of the US Ambassador to Cyprus - Julie Fisher - who said she would use the full weight of her office to support Cypriot-led, UN-facilitated efforts to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality for all Cypriots. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

December 1 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, House President Annita Demetriou criticised Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou over sex education in schools’ interference. In other news, MPs discussed a bill to ban LGBTI+ conversion therapy with individuals facing up to three years in jail for carrying out such “pseudo practices.” And petrol stations are set to reduce the price of fuel in the upcoming days, according to the president of the Cyprus Consumers’ Association, Marios Drousiotis. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 30 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday said the government, and the president cannot remain indifferent on claims on corruption, with the anti-corruption authority set to investigate allegations made in books by former presidential adviser Makarios Droushiotis. The author said in three recently published volumes that corruption was rife across all levels of government. In other news, the director of the central prisons Anna Aristotelous will meet Anastasiades on Tuesday to discuss “current issues” and clarify any ongoing misunderstandings. Elsewhere, a four-episode UK series named Love Rat is due to be filmed in Cyprus. The series, produced by Clapperboard Studios and distributed internationally by Entertainment One (eOne), will be shown on Channel 5. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 29 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the election campaign team of presidential candidate Nikos Christodoulides opted for total radio silence yesterday amid a swirling political uproar after reveals about a 'secret deal' he struck up with his main backers, junior opposition party DIKO. In other news, central prisons director Anna Aristotelous’ lawyers said there is a clear attempt to undermine her after she reported police corruption; and a swathe of the Karpasia peninsula is being carved into a military zone at the orders of the ‘government’ in the north, reports said yesterday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 28 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, in an interview published in the Sunday edition of the German newspaper Die Welt, President Nicos Anastasiades said that Cyprus could supply the European Union with natural gas much sooner, if Brussels strengthened its support for the development of the supply infrastructure. In other news, the island’s former Foreign Minister and current presidential frontrunner Nikos Christodoulides allegedly came to a secret agreement with centrist party DIKO in return for the party’s backing in the elections, local media reported on Sunday. And, one death per day from coronavirus is recorded, according to Michalis Voniatis, member of the scientific advisory group in Cyprus. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 25 - Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, members of the public have reported that shops are taking advantage of today’s Black Friday shopping spree to enforce some shady pricing practices, the consumer protection service of the ministry of commerce said. In other news, opposition legislators piled on public broadcaster Cybc yesterday and accused it of devolving into mouthpiece for the government, during a discussion of the organisation’s budget for 2023, coming up for a vote at the plenum in early December. Elsewhere, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake shook Cyprus early on Thursday. According to the department of geological survey, the epicentre was 30 kilometres northeast of Paphos. All this and more in the Cyprus Beay briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the finance ministry denounced the 12-hour strike by electricity authority workers which kept customer service centres closed resulting in “unnecessary inconvenience”. In other news, the 300 contract officers’ posts for the policing of the buffer zone to stem illegal migration have not yet been filled and the deadline has been extended, police spokesman Christos Andreou said yesterday. Elsewhere, the interior ministry issued an apology yesterday, after letters went out to dead people to register to vote. The issue came to light, after a father published a letter online from the civil registry and migration department, asking for a person due to turn 18 to register to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 23 Daily News Briefing

November 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, conditions at Paphos general hospital are “tragic, appalling and utterly shameful," Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos said yesterday, calling on patients to publish footage of conditions on social media. In other news, low-cost airline Ryanair announced five new routes departing from Paphos airport starting next summer yesterday, as well as an increase in the airport-based fleet from two to four aircrafts. And the first large-scale Christmas village, which will be held in Polis Chrysochou this year, has given tourist shops and restaurants the incentive to remain open in the winter for the first time. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, cases of animal cruelty have shown a ‘frightening’ increase, while since the beginning of the year, the Animal Police has investigated 57 criminal cases, according to head of the department Vyron Vyronos. In other news, children are right to be angry with the state of the world, Commissioner Despo Michaelidou said to mark International Children's Rights Day, and a 27-year-old was arrested on Sunday for attacking a woman and an off-duty police officer at the A&E at Nicosia general hospital. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the vast majority of Cypriots, more than two thirds, feel dissatisfied, anxious and angry about the general state of affairs in the country, while almost 70 per cent think that corruption is endemic, a new presidential-election poll has revealed. In other news, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will remain committed to being involved in the process of finding common ground to restart Cyprus talks, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas Miroslav Jenca said on Thursday. Elsewhere, Cyprus is seeing a growing interest from the international film industry, with a Cyprus-USA co-production currently in the final stage of production. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 17 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the two additional supreme courts envisioned within the justice reform package passed in summer – and aimed at speeding up the snail’s pace rate of court cases – are to be shelved until July 1. In other news, Cyprus' health services will get an €80m revamp through the Cyprus Tomorrow plan, which includes the completion of the first phase of the long-awaited new mental hospital. Elsewhere, Russia’s war in Ukraine is looking to play a significant role in the upcoming elections for archbishop, with the throne’s hopefuls making statements on the unity and stance of the church. The Bishop of Tamasos Isaias denounced the Russian Patriarchate categorically, because it supported the war in Ukraine. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 16 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, overcrowding is a perennial problem at the central prison but has grown worse in recent years, the ombudswoman said on Tuesday after completing an investigation, and calling for immediate action to solve the problem. In other news, thousands of students protested across the island on Tuesday, condemning 39 years since the north’s unilateral declaration of independence. President Nicos Anastasiades said “the sad anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo-state is another reminder of Turkey’s illegal actions. Elsewhere, the pay gap between men and women in Cyprus is 9 per cent, meaning that women on the island earn 91 cents for every euro earned by men, Commissioner for Gender Equality Iosifina Antoniou said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the elections for a new archbishop will be held on December 18, the Holy Synod said yesterday. Nominations will be submitted on November 22. In other news, “2022 has been the most successful in terms of fire management and prevention efforts for decades,” the forestry department said yesterday. And the House human rights committee debated a proposed bill to create a specialised queue for vulnerable groups at public and private sector services including pregnant women. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 14 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the Holy Synod is set to meet this morning to discuss the next steps forward regarding the election of a new archbishop. In other news, Labour minister Kyriacos Koushos is to begin meetings this week with unions and labour associations over the cost-of-living allowance. And a row has been brewing over the status of the unrecognized, breakaway state in the north ‘TRNC’. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 11 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday called France a ‘key strategic partner’ of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, welcoming the growing ties between Nicosia and Paris on a range of issues of common interest. Anastasiades held a working meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, during which he conveyed his thanks for the “excellent relations” between the two leaders over the last few years. In other news, businesses and residents of the Lykavitos area in Nicosia voiced ‘desperation’ on Thursday over the restricting of a section of upper Makarios Avenue to one-way traffic, saying the change had adversely affected their livelihoods and day-to-day movements. Elsewhere, members of the public were able to view Archbishop Chrysostomos as of Thursday morning laid out so that people could pay their respects to the Church prelate. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 10 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the House legal affairs committee yesterday held an in-depth discussion on the spyware case investigated by the European parliament’s Pega committee and the involvement of Cyprus. The group of MEPs visited Cyprus last week and on Tuesday said Cyprus had become a centre for the export of surveillance software. In other news, the Cypriot captain of the “Prudent Warrior” ship was repatriated yesterday, after months of being held in Iran in a diplomatic dispute between Athens and Tehran. Elsewhere, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay arrived in the north on Wednesday and visited the construction site of the controversial ‘Kulliye’ project, an Islamic government complex. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 9 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, officials are upbeat that the UK tourism market is buoyant, with Cyprus now setting its sights on the US. Deputy Tourism Minister Savvas Perdios said in terms of arrivals from Britain, the island had welcomed 90 per cent of the number that visited in 2019, a record year. In other news, a report on the use of Pegasus software presented at the EU parliament on Tuesday by the Pega committee said that Cyprus has become a centre for the export of surveillance software in recent years. Elsewhere, President Nicos Anastasiades spoke at the UN climate conference COP27 in Egypt on Tuesday, emphasising that Cyprus is fully prepared to reduce its CO2 emissions. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 8 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the funeral of Archbishop Chrysostomos II, head of the independent Church of Cyprus, who died yesterday morning will be held on Saturday at 12pm at the Apostolos Varnava cathedral at the archbishopric. With the passing of Archbishop Chrysostomos II, the caretaker of the Church of Cyprus will now initiate procedures for elections leading to the nomination of a new Prelate. In other news, a compromise over CoLA (Cost of Living Allowance) seems unlikely at the moment, Labour Minister Kyriacos Koushos said yesterday after a meeting between unions and employers. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

November 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, head of the Autocephalous Church of Cyprus has died aged 81 after a long battle with cancer. According to an announcement from his doctors, the Archbishop passed away peacefully at 6.40am on Monday. A session of the Holy Synod is expected to convene within the day and government events have been cancelled. In other news, three more inmates were arrested in connection with the murder of a Turkish Cypriot at the Nicosia central prisons on October 27, police said. It is understood that he had been bludgeoned to death. Elsewhere, The met office has issued a yellow warning for storms and rain today between 12 noon and 8pm. Rainfall is expected to vary between 35 and 50 millimetres per hour, with possible hail. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 4 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that tuberculosis and HIV positive cases at the Pournara reception centre for asylum seekers have been screened and there is ‘no cause for concern’ - after the interior ministry released alarming stats. Elsewhere, the transport ministry has called on airport employees and companies to respect the relevant decrees and regulations, a day after an unlawful work stoppage caused travel chaos at Paphos airport. There’s also the latest on the Cyprus-Greece ferry, a driving test scandal in Paphos, and a giant strawberry sculpture in Derynia. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 3 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the attorney general said yesterday that the independent criminal investigation findings on the infamous ‘spy van’ case in 2019 cannot be made public as they are part of a criminal investigation. The AG spoke to journalists after meeting members of the European parliament’s committee of inquiry on Pegasus and other spyware (Pega) - currently in Cyprus to shed light on the ‘spy van’ affair, as well as other spyware cases in Greece. In other news, thousands of passengers were stranded at Paphos airport on Wednesday amidst a protest by ground staff which affected around 20 flights. Elsewhere, the BQ1 Omicron variant is expected to be confirmed in Cyprus, too, according to a government Covid advisor – but offered that it appears no more severe than those causing current infections. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 2 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, medicine shortages have been the biggest problem for patients during the first nine months of the year, head of the patients’ association Marios Kouloumas said on Tuesday. According to Kouloumas, the observatory of the association said that the majority of complaints they received from January to September this year referred to medicine shortages. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday that his main concern was preserving the unity of Disy. He was responding to suggestions that he was not fully behind the party’s presidential candidate Averof Neophytou. Elsewhere, for the second year in a row, Christmas villages will be set up in Derynia, Polis Chrysochous, Fikardou, Agros, Kyperounta, Kalopanayiotis and Kalavasos throughout the festive period. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

November 1 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, ten people working at the prison have been suspended after a Turkish Cypriot inmate at the Nicosia central prisons was beaten to death. In other news, the police chief did not rule out the possibility of banning fans from football games following fights that broke out before, during and after a match between Apollon and Apoel at the Tsirion stadium on Sunday; and electricity prices rose sharply - by almost a third - in Cyprus during the first half of the year, according to data just released by Eurostat. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 31 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the leader of the People’s Party in the north, Kudret Ozersay, accused the United States of putting its own national interests ahead of regional stability and “violating” airspace in the north of the island as a means of sending a message to the Turkish Cypriot side following the US lifting a decades-old arms embargo against Cyprus. In other news, two men are wanted by Larnaca police in a case involving the attempted murder of a 34-year-old man in a hit-and-run that took place on Saturday night; and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar demanded the identification and conviction of those responsible for the death of a 41-year-old Turkish Cypriot inmate at the Central Prisons in Nicosia last week. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 28 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode we hear that during the two years of restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, police carried out 3.2 million checks on the public and issued 42,482 fines, raking in almost €6 million for state coffers from the 16,474 fines that were paid. There’s also the opening of Makarios Avenue in Nicosia as a “shared space” for pedestrians and authorised vehicles, in what the municipality hopes will lead to more environmentally friendly use of the road. Elsewhere the Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) said they were currently assessing a bid by a foreign investment fund to acquire a second major hospital in Nicosia, amid concerns that the concentration of hospitals under a single holding company may lead to an oligopoly in the healthcare sector. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday that Paphos has re-emerged as a ‘centre of intellect’, and praised the mayor and the local council for their diligent efforts in u…

October 27 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the use of spyware software will be the focus of discussions between Cypriot and EU lawmakers, which will meet on November 2 - after links to the island became a point of interest in a Greece eavesdropping scandal. There’s also the postponement of a key ‘golden passport’ scandal trial to November 30. Elsewhere, a police officer has been suspended after he was caught trying to smuggle irregular migrants from the north to the government-controlled areas last month. And don’t miss the bizarre case of a man being identified via DNA tests as the person who torched a schoolroom 15 years ago. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 26 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Cypriot courts did not violate the right to a fair trial of three people sentenced to life in prison for the 2010 murder of the Dias publishing group CEO Andis Hadjicostis, according to a European Court of Human Rights ruling. In other news, tensions are rising in and around the buffer zone after a Greek Cypriot farmer on Tuesday was approached by Turkish military personnel near Denia in Nicosia. Elsewhere, the two doctors at the Makarios children’s hospital who were suspended pending an investigation into the death of one of their patients have reportedly appealed their suspension. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 25 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the health condition of Archbishop Chrysostomos remains critical, according to the latest medical announcement issued on Monday. Newer medical announcement will be issued depending on the progress of the archbishop’s health. In other news, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides yesterday defended the 2023 state budget as being a "responsible" one, with substantially augmented spending on social assistance as well as growth-oriented projects. Elsewhere, a 24-year-old cycled around the entire island in just one day over the weekend to raise funds for thyroid cancer. The incredible feat, accomplished by Alexandros Agrotis, began from Deryneia on Saturday afternoon, where he began a journey through the state-controlled areas through the night. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 24 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican today as part of his third official visit there during his ten-year term. In other news, a new species of dangerous mosquito, Aedes albopictus, has been found in Limassol, according to reports on Sunday, and the amount of water that has poured into the island’s dams so far this month has broken previous records according to weather portal KitasWeather. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 21 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the row over dangerous buildings has reignited after a small part of an apartment building in Limassol detached and fell to the pavement – with a similar, but separate incident occurring later on Thursday. Elsewhere, Nicos Christodoulides looks set to wipe the floor with his rivals in the 2023 presidential race, the latest poll published by state broadcaster CyBC has shown. There’s also the latest on Makarios Avenue in Nicosia - which will be closed to private vehicles as of October 27 once redevelopment works have been completed. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 20 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the state health services has vowed significant spending on the national health service Gesy with a projected €250 million for 2022-2024, while also acknowledging complaints and the need to constantly improve. In other news, Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos III arrived yesterday to visit Archbishop Chrysostomos II, who has been fighting intestinal cancer. According to reports, the archbishop’s health has been deteriorating in recent hours, prompting the patriarch’s visit. Elsewhere, the public service commission has suspended director of Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis for three months. The reason is the instances of Brucellosis found in cattle in a Larnaca livestock farm, which resulted in the need to cull approximately 1,200 animals. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 19 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the Cyprus economy is expected to grow by 5.7 per cent this year, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday addressing The Economist conference in Nicosia. In other news, a 69-year-old man who admitted shooting his son with a shotgun after a family argument has been sentenced to five years in jail. Elsewhere, works and renovations have begun on the Cetinkaya football pitch located in the buffer zone, after the north struck an agreement with Unficyp, reports said on Tuesday. The Cetinkaya field, which is located down the road from Ledra Palace in the buffer zone, will be turned over to the team after the works are completed, and is set to be named Taksim field, so called ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 18 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, torrential rains and storms battered the island yesterday, with rainfall expected to continue through to Thursday. Larnaca experienced heavy flooding while parts of Nicosia were similarly affected. According to fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis, by around 3pm they received some 90 calls for help from across Larnaca district. Off-duty firefighters were called in to assist. Civil Defence crews were also deployed. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades yesterday sought to play down comments he made about the three main candidates being partners – which drew strong reactions from all political camps. The president said that the media was fussing over what was in fact a humorous remark, after saying that he would have influence over whoever was elected. Elsewhere, Australian Cypriot singer Andrew Lambrou will represent Cyprus in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 17 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, a day of isolated thunderstorms on Sunday left several roads across Cyprus flooded, including the highway between Limassol and Paphos. In other news, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said Cyprus will not sit idly amid the flow of irregular migrants from the north; and increasing prices for coffee and ingredients such as sugar and milk may leave a dent on the island’s coffee culture. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 14 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that President Nicos Anastasiades said that as things stand Cyprus will not send weapons to Ukraine, following the buzz generated by earlier remarks from the government spokesman. In other news, authorities yesterday did not rule out foul play after a body in an advanced state of decomposition was found outside Limassol general hospital. Elsewhere, Cyprus is in the final stages of implementing a policy that aims to mitigate the emerging challenges of climate change on a regional level, which will be presented on the sidelines of the United Nations World Summit on Climate Change COP27, taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on November 8. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the trial of David Hunter, who faces charges of the pre-meditated murder of his wife, has been postponed for fifth time since his arrest last December. He has been held in custody since then. The new date was set for November 18, 2022. In other news, the barbed wire along the green line to discourage irregular migrants arriving from the north was produced in Turkey, it was reported yesterday. According to a report in the north, the company responsible for placing the barbed wire along the green line in Akaki and Peristerona to stop irregular migrants is a Greek company, which gets it materials from Turkey. Elsewhere,the cabinet yesterday decided to initiate the withdrawal of citizenship from three investors and seven of their dependents after an investigation by the interior ministry. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Tuesday he had made both correct and wrong decisions during his term as leader. “The countdown to the end of the term has begun and I will be watching the country’s progress from afar. At some point I hope some of the important reforms during my presidency will be recognised,” Anastasiades said. In other news, the final plan for the Akamas proposed by the environment department is being examined to find a balanced solution, according to Interior Minister Nicos Nouris. Elsewhere, as a response to further violent behaviour, the Larnaca district court has banned a 22-year-old man from attending sporting events until his trial date in November after he admitted to bringing flares to an Anorthosis-Apollon clash on Monday. A second person arrested, aged 19, denied all accusations against him. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 11 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the new head of the embattled Health Insurance Organisation which runs Gesy said yesterday they are committed to tackling all outstanding issues affecting the agency, beginning with their budget for fiscal year 2023. Stavros Michail – appointed to the job only last week – said they would work hard throughout the week so that they prepare their budget and forward it to the ministries of health and finance. In other news, the possibility of building a railway, co-financed with the European Union, was floated on Monday after a meeting between government officials and visiting EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean. Elsewhere, the two people arrested in connection with crowd violence during a football match between Apoel and Karmiotissa on Friday will appear in court on October 12. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 10 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Sunday that as long as the international community, including the EU turns a blind eye to Turkey's belligerence, it rewards the aggressor. He was addressing an anti-occupation event by Morphou residents in Astromeritis and said nothing else could explain the behaviour of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. In other news, Famagusta police are close to solving 25 residential burglaries after the arrest of a suspect during a stakeout at a housing complex and the discovery of stolen property in his possession. The suspect, a 24-year-old man, was identified by CID Famagusta who, as police said, participated in a coordinated operation at a residential complex where a number of burglaries and thefts have been committed, with the aim of identifying the perpetrator. Elsewhere, EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean is in Cyprus to attend the opening of the Maritime Cyprus conference in Limassol, which takes place today. All this and more in…

October 7 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday told Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan the Cyprus problem needs to be solved and efforts made to revive stalled peace talks. The two chatted briefly on the sidelines of a European summit in Prague, amid a backdrop of increasingly bellicose rhetoric from Turkey directed at Greece and Cyprus over maritime jurisdictions in the eastern Mediterranean. In other news, Cyprus is facing a 122 per cent increase in irregular migrant arrivals in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2021, mainly due to arrivals from Turkey to the north of the island and then over the Green Line, according to the EU’s 2022 report on migration and asylum. Elsewhere, the health ministry signed a joint declaration of intent with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) regional office for Europe for the establishment of an office in Larnaca. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 06 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, a UN report delivered in Nicosia said yesterday said Europe should show "far greater ambition" on climate change because its overall greenhouse gas emissions are still rising, and so countries must embrace recycling, tighten air quality and spend more on the environment. In other news, the fifth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is set to begin today. Elsewhere, Unficyp has not received any notification about the north’s request to leave their stations in a month if they do not recognise the breakaway regime, the force’s spokesperson told Cyprus Mail yesterday. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 5 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, Nicosia on Tuesday expressed concern over an agreement signed between Turkey and the Government of National Unity in Libya, which is expected to escalate tensions between Ankara and Athens. In other news, police received the conclusions of the latest report into the 2005 death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou. Attorney General George Savvides delivered the circumstances of the 26-year-old conscript’s death, initially attributed to suicide, to the deputy chief of the police. This third inquiry points to murder. Elsewhere, Property sales in the first nine months of 2022 are up by 37.2 per cent, recording the most activity in the real estate market since 2008, land registry data showed. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

October 04 Daily News Briefing

Good morning! In today’s episode, we hear that Attorney-general George Savvides said his office will be turning over part of the report into the 2005 death of a soldier to the family after they had repeatedly requested the file. Elsewhere, firefighters on either side of the divide were busy on Sunday as numerous fires broke out across the island. There’s also news that a 25-year-old man remained in hospital on Monday after being seriously injured during violence following Sunday night’s football match between Apoel and Ael at Nicosia’s GSP stadium. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

October 03 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the US Pentagon has announced Cyprus’ membership in the State Partnership programme and the cooperation between the Cyprus National Guard and the United States National Guard. Elsewhere, firefighters on either side of the divide were busy on Sunday as numerous fires broke out across the island. There’s also news that Famagusta police are investigating a case of alleged assault causing actual bodily harm, threat and distress involving an underage student at a primary school as the victim. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 30 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the UN Special Representative in Cyprus Colin Stewart has warned that the scenario of a mutually agreed solution to the Cyprus problem is fading and will not be available much longer. Elsewhere, a source apprised of the negotiations has told the Cyprus Mail that the government’s withdrawal from talks with airport operators Hermes is but a smokescreen intended to kick the can down the road. There’s also the news Turkey will reinforce its military presence in the north after the United States lifted defence trade restrictions on Cyprus. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 29 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that Cyprus’ first crematorium is set to begin operations by 2024, six years after the relevant law was first passed. Elsewhere, Police said they will carry out a risk assessment on security issues to his person, raised by state medical examiner Panicos Stavrianos in connection with the death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou. There’s also the news that eight vultures were released into the wild on Wednesday after being sent to the island from Spain to help boost the population in Cyprus. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 28 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that all signs are pointing towards a return to normality within the tourism industry - according to experts in the sector. Elsewhere, an app has been launched called Fix Cyprus whereby the public can report issues such as broken traffic lights and vandalism directly to public sector authorities. There’s also the update that Andreas Soudjis - imprisoned in the north over the use of walkie talkies and taking photographs of a military area - will be released on October 7. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 27 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that in an apparent jurisdictional spat, a British Bases court has rejected Cypriot authorities' request that they put on trial two suspects arrested in the summer - after Sovereign Base Areas police and officers of Cyprus’ drug squad Ykan seized about 18kg of cocaine hidden in a fruit container. Elsewhere, a fifth Covid vaccine dose could be available by the end of October, while the cabinet just under two weeks ago approved the new bivalent jabs for fourth shots. There’s also condemnation from the Animal Party after what it described as an unprovoked attack on two activists, a man and a woman, who were staging a protest against animal cruelty on Ledra Street All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 26 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, around 70 ground staff at Paphos Airport staged a lightning two-hour strike on Saturday night over possible redundancies, affecting a total of eight flights where passengers could not collect their luggage. In other news, the annual Pride Parade kicked off on Sunday with a focus on marriage equality as well as raising awareness on issues the local LGBTI+ community faces; and dozens of Greek Cypriots protested in front of the Iranian embassy in Nicosia in support of the struggle for freedom in Iran and the protests that have been taking place there following the death of Mahsa Amini. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news direct from Cyprus, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 23 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, traffic congestion on roads can initially be alleviated through the promotion of mass transit – more bus lanes – and eventually with the construction of a tram system in Nicosia and Limassol, MPs heard on Thursday. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades' meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was cancelled. The meeting had been planned in advance and was also due to address reports that direct flights from Russia were to begin to Ercan airport in the north. Elsewhere, an increase in the positivity rate of coronavirus infections among students was registered after the start of the new school year, according to epidemiologist and member of the health ministry monitoring unit Valentinos Silvestros. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 22 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, one in two workers is the victim of bullying, MPs heard on Wednesday at the House legal affairs committee as it kicked off a debate into making bullying a specific criminal offence. In other news, a 65-year-old man has been jailed for nine months after being found guilty of 57 counts including bestiality and otherwise harming animals – having repeatedly snuck into a small farm unit and sexually assaulted the livestock. Elsewhere, the leadership in the north appears to be having second thoughts about opening more crossing points, with the possibility of allowing private vehicles to pass through the Ledra Palace checkpoint. The checkpoint can currently only be used by pedestrians and diplomatic vehicles, but the report said authorities in the north are now considering allowing other vehicles to use it to All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 21 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, government sources on Tuesday denied there are plans to launch direct flights from Russia to the north, branding reports saying this as “detached from reality”. The Russian embassy in Nicosia followed a similar line, telling the Russian state agency PIA-Novosti it “refutes any negotiations for the opening of a direct air connection”. In other news, Justice Minister Stephie Dracou said there was never a commitment to upgrade pay grades for prison guards, as affected members of Isotita union continued their indefinite strike with a demo outside the finance ministry. Elsewhere, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos on Tuesday welcomed the arrival of the first large cruise ship, the Rhapsody of the Seas, to Ayia Napa Marina. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 20 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the trial of British pensioner, David Hunter, who is facing the charge of premeditated murder of his terminally ill wife, began in Paphos criminal court on Monday, just over nine months after he admitted killing her. They had been married for 56 years. Elsewhere, the energy ministers of Cyprus and Israel are seeking a swift settlement to the dispute over the Aphrodite gas reservoir. There’s also the latest from Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides who said that Cyprus is aligning itself with the West as part of a strategic policy, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 19 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, the grace period for selling halloumi that is not PDO registered is over, and from today only that which does can be sold, Agiculture Minister Costas Kadis said. In other news, oil companies operating the Aphrodite gas field have approved a €192 million investment to start drilling, Israeli company NewMed said on Sunday, and Defence Minister Charalambos Petrides has called the total lifting of the US arms embargo against Cyprus a “historic decision." All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 16 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, criminal acts were committed in the case of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou who died in 2005, one of the investigators charged with the third inquiry has said. In other news, a probe expected to wrap up by year’s end should give a clearer picture as to how many individuals are practicing medicine without the necessary qualifications, having taken advantage of flaws in the registration and licensing process, and Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said the ministry would examine a bullying incident at a Limassol gymnasium. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 15 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that cabinet approved the health ministry’s recommendation to proceed with the new ‘bivalent’ Covid vaccines as booster doses for those aged 12 and above. There’s also warm wishes between the UK and Cyprus as they expressed their commitment to deepening relations. Elsewhere, the government spun the new minimum wage in a positive light, saying that in terms of purchasing power, the €940 a month, seen by unions as inadequate, was in fact worth €1,036 in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS). And don’t miss the latest on Damianos and Kostis - two adult green sea turtles who were released back into the wild. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 14 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the source of a bad smell that has been troubling Nicosia residents in the areas of Aglandjia, Pallouriotissa and Kaimakli for the last two weeks has been located In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades on Tuesday said that Cyprus Tomorrow, the government’s recovery and resilience plan constitutes his legacy – as he reaches the end of his ten-year term. Elsewhere, two new Covid vaccines are to arrive in Cyprus by next week. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 13 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, four key players allegedly involved in the ‘golden passport’ scandal – two of whom leading protagonists in Al Jazeera’s undercover report – would stand trial in the criminal court on October 26, the Nicosia district court decided on Monday. The defendants are former House president Demetris Syllouris, former Akel MP and developer Christakis Giovanis, senior lawyer for the Giovanis Group Antonis Antoniou and lawyer Andreas Pittadjis. In other news, the outdated and inefficient system under which public hospitals operate will be replaced in two years with the introduction of the €46m digital healthcare system. This is the biggest amount ever spent on digitalisation. Elsewhere, President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday said he hoped the close relations between Cyprus and the UK would continue, after signing the book of condolences for Queen Elizabeth II, at the British High Commission. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus…

September 12 Daily News Briefing

In today's episode, the EU has recognised the instrumentalisation, or weaponisation, of migration by Turkey through Cyprus' Green Line, the interior ministry has announced. The development offers new possibilities to deal with illegal immigration. Elsewhere, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools reopen this morning. For the 2022-2023 school year, 50,038 children will be in primary schools classes, 12,803 in public kindergartens and 537 in special schools. In other news, in a letter to King Charles, the president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis, expressed "deep sorrow" for the loss of Queen Elizabeth. Karaolis noted that Queen Elizabeth had welcomed all of presidents of the Republic throughout her 70-year reign from President Makarios down to President Nicos Anastasiades. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 9 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the nation's figurehead, and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died peacefully at her home in Scotland on Thursday aged 96. In Cyprus, President Nicos Anastasiades joined the international community in offering condolences for the passing of The Queen. In other news, the government said Thursday it wants to mandate airbags for professional motorcyclists, especially for food delivery drivers, after a spate of serious road accidents, and construction of the 11km-long four-lane highway between Astromeritis and Evrychou is to begin as soon as possible, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos has announced. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 8 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the Royal Bank of Scotland has given the Turkish Cypriot ‘finance ministry’ until September 15 to return its property in Kyrenia which includes the well-known Jasmine Court Hotel. Elsewhere, a Paphos company engaged in limestone extraction has been fined €23,000 for failing to implement safety and health regulations leading to the death of an employee. There’s also the latest procedures to decrease the number of stray dogs - in a bill aiming to revise the national dogs law, eight days after a stray dog attack against a boy in Limassol. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

September 7 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the petrol station owners have threatened to report the Republic to the European Commission over its alleged inaction as the public buys petrol from the north. Elsewhere, the Green Party has demanded the closure of all zoos operating in Cyprus, both private and government-run. There’s also the latest on the passport scandal, with Larnaca criminal court expected to deliver its judgment in the first trial on November 4. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

Cyprus News Digest - September 05, 2022

Good morning! In today’s episode, we hear that European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will be in Cyprus on Friday, in order to discuss the latest gas find in the island's EEZ with President Nicos Anastasiades, among other issues. We also hear that the positions of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership make it difficult to try to restart Cyprus talks, as stated by Greek Cypriot negotiator Menelaos Menelou. Elsewhere, twelve irregular migrants who arrived in Cyprus' waters on a speedboat have been taken to the Pournara reception centre, authorities said on Sunday. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

Cyprus News Digest - September 02, 2022

The Cyprus News Digest, in collaboration with the Cyprus Mail, brings you an in-depth analysis of some of the latest developments in local and international. Presented by Rosie Charalambous, this week: * Dog shelters in Cyprus are bursting at the seams as owners abandon their pets * Special fish traps may help to control the invasive lionfish * Credit bureaus hold your financial data - does it make borrowers and lenders more responsible?

September 2 Daily News Briefing

Good morning! In today’s episode, we hear that Main opposition Akel is seeking to turn up the heat on the government, revealing that several beneficiaries of the ‘golden passports’ scheme made significant donations to the ruling party. We also hear that a man his wife had a case registered against them at the Limassol court yesterday, after being arrested in connection with an attack on a foreign woman who was renting from them, which was captured on video. Elsewhere, a 64-year-old suspected of murdering a 55-year-old woman has been remanded for eight days by the Nicosia District Court. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

September 1 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that the monthly minimum wage has been set at €940 and will be implemented at the start of the new year - although not everyone is satisfied. There’s also the announcement that facemasks are no longer mandatory and children will return to school without having to undergo Covid tests. Elsewhere, police arrested a 64-year-old man in connection with the death of a woman - meanwhile police are also on alert after a clip went viral which shows a middle-aged man beating a female asylum seeker. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 31 Daily News Briefing

August 30 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear that from next month halloumi from all cheese factories in Cyprus will be made based on the PDO specifications. There’s also the warning that irregular immigration is becoming “Cyprus’ second national problem”, a planned protest by parents and students against the likely upcoming Covid measures in schools, and the trouble between Turkey and Cyprus over the island’s EEZ. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

August 29 Daily News Briefing

In today’s episode, we hear about the welcome development of the discovery of a new gas field offshore Cyprus, although it is estimated that it will not make much of an impact in regional or global markets. There’s also the latest on the discussions to be held with the EU in order to include Cyprus in plans for the bloc’s energy independence following the invasion of Ukraine Elsewhere, a video is doing the rounds on social media which shows someone driving on the highway at 256km/hr when the limit is 100. All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com