Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, government officials pledged new measures to address distortions in public contract awards, following an Audit Office report showing that a few firms dominate state projects.  Elsewhere, operations at Limassol port resumed on Thursday after the heads of category A transporters’ associations agreed to suspend strike action following consultations with President Nikos Christodoul...

In today’s episode, trade unions on Wednesday accepted the government’s proposal for the future of the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA), before employers’ organisations promptly rejected it. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Wednesday both discussed relations between the European Union and Turkey with the bloc’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas....

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides has set a target for Cyprus to achieve water self-reliance by 2028 through the installation of two permanent desalination units.  Elsewhere, the findings of several high-profile corruption investigations are set to be released this month. Also, a report by the Audit Office found that the Social Support Fund, chaired by the First Lady and financed...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides called for an “immediate” response from parliament to pass his tax reform plans into law, to allow them to be implemented by the beginning of next year. President Nikos Christodoulides also told new United Nations special representative in Cyprus Khassim Diagne of his “political will” to “create the appropriate conditions for the resumption of ta...

In today’s episode, “everyone will be judged at the negotiating table”, President Nikos Christodoulides said, responding to comments by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on peace talks. Meanwhile, an official at a semi-governmental organisation almost got in trouble with the anti-corruption authority after flaunting their wealth on social media, media reports said. Also, Cyprus was ranked 30th...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, Cyprus insists on staying committed to the proposed electrical link, the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), despite doubts from the European Investment Bank (EIB) about its financial viability.  Elsewhere, the north’s ‘prime minister’ and head of the UBP party, Unal Ustel, on Monday ruled out the option of early elections, saying his ‘government’ was a “government of action, not e...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, organised crime in Cyprus is now often imported from abroad, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said. Meanwhile, Senegalese diplomat Khassim Diagne, who will serve as the UN’s new special representative and head of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) has arrived in Cyprus to formally assume his duties, the UN said. Elsewhere, United States President Donald Trump has nomi...

In today’s episode, the government sought to downplay worries that – amid the persistent drought – Cyprus will dry out, insisting it has taken a series of actions ensuring adequate water supply. Meanwhile, Sunday’s Turkish Cypriot leadership election result was “a reaction from the Turkish Cypriot people” Turkish Cypriot perpetual candidate Arif Salih Kirdag said after achieving a career high of t...

In today’s episode, three men,aged 58, 39, and 30, have been remanded for eight days in connection with the murder of businessman Stavros Demosthenous.  Elsewhere, deals were signed for the commercial development of the Kronos gas reservoir in Cyprus's Block 6. Also, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas warned MPs of a recruitment crisis threatening the National Guard's future. All this and mor...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the governments of Cyprus and Greece moved to ease tensions over the €1.9 billion Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) on Thursday, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the project.  Elsewhere, Separate meetings on Thursday between trade unions, employers’ organisations and the ministers of labour and finance failed to resolve the deadlock over the cost-of-living allowance...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, public works exceeding €1 billion were awarded to Cyfield, Iacovou Brothers, and Cybarco between 2015 and 2024, the audit service reported. Elsewhere, Cyprus’ contribution to Gaza’s reconstruction will become clearer as US President Trump’s peace plan is implemented, government sources said. Also, Akel MP Nikos Kettiros called for the Pancyprian Refugee Gathering exhibition in...

In today’s episode, Cyprus’ initiative on security, the rebuilding of Gaza and the humanitarian aspect was presented to leaders attending the Sharm El Sheikh conference on Gaza by President Nikos Christodoulides. Elsewhere, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Monday accused Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou of “fake news” over the matter of the Great Sea Interconnector, after the latter had...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the government is to begin introducing artificial intelligence into the civil service to “support civil servants in their work”, Research Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Also, the new air traffic control centre which opened in the Nicosia district village of Kokkinotrimithia on Wednesday is “important for our national identity and for...

In today’s episode, the Civil Defence Force has issued safety advice after the Meteorological Department warned of isolated strong storms and high winds.  Elsewhere, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou said that “we are committed to social dialogue,” expressing hope for an agreement on the future of the Cost-of-Living Allowance (CoLA) despite employers’ groups suspending talks. Also, the House Labo...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, Cyprus will not be blackmailed by Admie, President Nikos Christodoulides said following reports the Greek company had objected to the government only agreeing to paying €25 million towards the cost of the Great Sea Interconnector, which would link the electricity grids of Greece, Cyprus and Israel. Elsewhere, a teenager was killed in a traffic accident overnight, police said on...

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.