Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, only two out of eight anaesthesiologists at Makarios hospital are willing to participate in abortions, it emerged on Monday, following a complaint that a woman was forced to endure for five days what should have been a two-day procedure. Elsewhere, former President Nicos Anastasiades welcomed the appointment of Gabrielle Louise McIntyre, who is meant to investigate corrupti...

In today’s episode, the status quo in Cyprus cannot be the island’s future, President Nikos Christodoulides reiterated on Sunday. The island is at a critical juncture in its history, he said. Elsewhere, a 29-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after he was believed to have been involved in an argument which saw him pull a gun out when he was involved in an incident with a group of youngsters. Also...

In today's episode, Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos will file a complaint to the police against both the Contractors Council and the Scientific and Technical Chamber where he’ll accuse of them of dereliction of duty, for having taken no disciplinary action against companies previously implicated in the Paphos sewerage board scandal. Elsewhere, the government pledged on Thursday it was working e...

In today’s episode, intense weather resulted in scenes dubbed as "biblical destruction". Meanwhile, the European Commission has greenlighted the use of Casgevy gene therapy to treat beta thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. Elsewhere, the "pay-as-you-throw" scheme is set to hit households in Cyprus in the pocket. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by...

In today's episode, intense weather overnight, including at least two tornados, resulted in scenes dubbed as “biblical destruction” in Limassol on Wednesday. Elsewhere, the row over local government reform continued on Tuesday, as Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the current law is not ideal and will create unequal benefits for citizens. Meanwhile, the government is handling the mat...

In today’s episode, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday that politics “has a duty to try the "impossible” as he evaluated the Cyprus problem. In other news, speculation was ongoing on Monday as to the fate of consumers regarding electricity costs as deliberations between the electricity authority (EAC) and the energy regulatory authority (Cera) continued. Elsewhere, opposi...

In today’s episode, UN Envoy Maria Angela Holguin will be back in Cyprus in mid-March. Meanwhile, the government is working on plans to offer incentives to young families and couples to resettle Maronite villages in the north. Elsewhere, police were trying to track who may have written "Koumas, die" on a Makarios statue in Paphos. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to...

In today’s episode, farmers protested in Nicosia and Paphos, following similar action from many of their European counterparts. Meanwhile, parliament will very soon hold hearings on what some have dubbed a "mega scandal". Elsewhere, Health Minister Michalis Damianos attended the inauguration of a supported living facility for people with mental health needs. All this and more in the Cypr...

In this episode, “None of the above” was the most popular option selected by voters in an opinion poll of voting intention for the next parliamentary elections conducted by Red Wolf PR company.  Meanwhile, the United States does not support a two-state solution in Cyprus, the deputy assistant secretary of state Jushua Huck said.   Elsewhere, Investigations continued on Wednesday following the bust...

In today's episode, the government on Tuesday hinted it may extend some of the relief measures it introduced last November – such as subsidising electricity bills – beyond the end of the month. Meanwhile, British High Commissioner in Nicosia Irfan Siddiq was summoned to the foreign ministry to be served with a demarche, following comments made in a newspaper interview, government spokesman Kon...

In today’s episode, Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat, wanted for selling Greek Cypriot properties in the north, will be extradited to Cyprus from Italy next week. Meanwhile, the government may have to make "painful decisions" regarding the liquefied natural gas terminal at Vasiliko. Elsewhere, British High Commissioner Irfan Siddiq drew the ire of both sides of the island after making...

In today's episode, Cyprus was once again the launchpad for British bombing raids in Yemen, as the United Kingdom, together with the United States, conducted its third round of strikes. Meanwhile, another pro-Palestine protest took place on Sunday, this time in Limassol. The protest took place on the Molos seafront promenade, with attention focused on the plight of the children in Gaza. Elsewh...

In today’s episode, Attorney-General George Savvides said he would be referring lawyer Efstathios Efstathiou to the Bar Association for potential disciplinary offences after the latter claimed the legal service was corrupt Meanwhile, the Health insurers' organisation has begun its comparison of doctors' salaries from 2022 and the second half of 2023 Elsewhere, Serdar Denktash said the 14-p...

In today’s episode, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou sought to ease concerns of a multi-million euro arbitration cost the government may be forced to pay out amid a halt in construction works at the liquefied natural gas terminal at Vasiliko. Meanwhile, a study found Cyprus to be in the top ten most xenophobic countries. Elsewhere, socioeconomic inequalities in Cyprus risk "further estran...

In today's episode, the most important thing is to listen, not just to leaders, but to society, the UN secretary general’s personal envoy to Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin said on Tuesday following her first meetings with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. Meanwhile, December 2023, with an average islandwide temperature of 14.5C, was the second warmest Decembe...

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides announced plans to create a “digital citizen” mobile application, on which people can access government services. Elsewhere, the cost of compensating every single Greek Cypriot for every single piece of land lost in 1974 may top £22.4 billion (€26.3bn), former Immovable Property Commission chairman Ayfer Said Erkmen has said.   In other news, ana...

In today's episode, UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy for Cyprus Maria Angela Holguin arrived in Cyprus on Sunday evening, according to the UN in Cyprus. Meanwhile, three men arrested under suspicion of rioting during the Ael-Apollon match last week, were remanded for four days by the Limassol district court on Sunday. Elsewhere, police conducted a raid on the central prisons on Sunday morni...

In today’s episode, House Speaker Annita Demetriou said lifetime benefits for the President and the House speaker need to be abolished. Meanwhile, a child died at the Makarios hospital after having been rescued from a wooden boat off the coast of Cyprus. Elsewhere, Archbishop Georgios said gay marriage would negate the gospel. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyp...

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides faced robust questioning following his speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Meanwhile, measures to tackle organised crime came under fire. Elsewhere, influencer and YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou announced he will stand in June's European Parliament elections. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you...

In this episode, the project team for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Vasiliko has recommended that Cyprus halt further payments to the Chinese-led contractor if the latter fails to conform to the contract, it transpired on Monday. In other news, police on Monday announced eight measures aimed at tackling organised crime and football violence. Elsewhere, following the discovery of a de...

In today's episode, a homeless woman was found dead in an abandoned home in Limassol over the weekend. An autopsy set to take place on Monday is expected to shed light on the cause of death. Meanwhile, a total of 190 migrants were rescued off the coast of Cape Greco in three separate boats, police said on Sunday. Elsewhere, a health ministry decision mandating all adult rape and sexual violenc...

In today's episode, police chief Stelios Papatheodorou proposed the deployment of armed police on the streets. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Mustafa Hurben was handed a small fine for his refusal to complete his military duties. Elsewhere, Antonis Antoniou of the Giovani Group plead not guilty to the charges he faces regarding the golden passports scandal. All this and more...

In today's episode, Attorney-general George Savvides strongly condemned Tuesday night’s attack on a public prosecutor’s car, which also prompted her colleagues to go on a work stoppage on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police are continuing investigations into the shooting in Aglandjia, while the 49-year-old victim of the attempted murder, travelled abroad without giving a police statement. Elsewhere,...

In today's episode, a Turkish Cypriot lawyer arrested in Italy over selling property in the north filed an objection to Cyprus’ extradition request on Tuesday, arguing the central prisons would not be safe for him. Meanwhile, investigations into the attempted murder on Monday afternoon in Aglandjia are progressing rapidly, police spokesperson Christos Andreou said. Elsewhere, following mountin...

In today’s episode, nothing untoward was found concerning the conduct of three senior members of the Olympic Committee, the Sports Ethics Committee said.  Meanwhile... a 50-point action plan for migrant integration is set to go for approval before cabinet at the beginning of March, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said.  Elsewhere, British citizens living outside their country, among whom ov...