Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, a proposal to establish a humanitarian aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza was "received positively" by Israel, President Nikos Christodoulides said. Elsewhere, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said the government is working towards making Cyprus energy independent. There was also an attempted murder in Nicosia. All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought...

In today’s episode, Yermasogia awoke to a shocking gangster-like execution after a 55-year-old man was gunned down by two hooded attackers firing from a Kalashnikov type rifle and a pistol. Elsewhere, personnel at Pournara migrant reception centre will be increased to accelerate the asylum application processing time - as concerns grow over the crisis in the Middle East.  There’s also the warning...

In today’s episode, Cyprus’ foreign ministry is advising Cypriot nationals to avoid all travel to Lebanon, calling on citizens abroad to register with the online registration platform Connect2CY. Elsewhere, Cyprus has reached out to the EU for help including requesting items such as tents, after 194 migrants arrived to the island’s shores, it emerged on Sunday. There’s also UN special representati...

In today's episode, the United Nations Secretary-General has picked the person who will act as envoy to Cyprus with the task of kickstarting stalled reunification talks, it emerged on Thursday. In other news, President Nikos Christodoulides has discussed with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts an “idea” for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea. And police have confiscated 500kg of synthe...

In today’s episode, healthcare workers in public hospitals went on a nationwide strike amid demands for equal pay. In other news, the House ethics committee examined potential squandering of public money in relation to the large delegation sent to Malta by the Olympic Committee (KOE) for the Games of the Small States of Europe. Elsewhere, ten men arrested on suspicion of being in a people smugglin...

In today's episode, a doctors and nurses strike at all state hospitals will go ahead today after an eleventh-hour meeting between the state health services organisation (OKYPY) and trade union representatives failed to reach agreement. In other news, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou warned developments in Israel and Gaza could impact Lebanon’s ability to monitor its shores, raising the r...

In today's episode, the proposed state budget for 2024 focuses on fiscal stability and achieving greater strides towards the ‘green transition’ and digital transformation, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said on Monday. Meanwhile, a seven-year-old girl is in very serious condition at the Makarios children’s hospital after suffering a brain hematoma in an apparent freak accident on the highway....

In today's episode, Israeli leaders requested Cyprus to convey the ‘real’ situation in Israel to the European Union, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday after his visit in Tel Aviv this weekend. Christodoulides held separate meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening following his attendance at the International...

In today’s episode, the government announced the reinstatement of the electricity subsidy as part of a raft of measures aimed at helping people through the cost-of-living crisis. Elsewhere, Cyprus has become a net recipient of European Union funds. There’s also outrage in the halloumi community, as Cyprus cheesemakers' association chairman Marios Constantinou said the Agriculture Ministry inst...

In today’s episode, the EAC announced it will take the energy regulatory authority to court to appeal Cera’s rejection of its request for a 25 per cent increase in basic tariffs. Elsewhere, Cyprus is preparing for further increases in arrivals from Israel, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said. There’s also praise from health officials for a female shopper’s quick action that saved the life of...

In today's episode, Cyprus will make every attempt to deescalate the situation in Israel, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday night after an EU Council teleconference on the situation there. In other news, the Presidential palace “seeks to be a beacon of ecological awareness,"  First lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides said on Tuesday launching a campaign to reduce landfill...

In today’s episode, Cyprus has received 26 requests from 26 countries for support in transporting third-country nationals currently in Gaza or Israel to their home countries via the island. Meanwhile, TUS Airways announced the resumption of flights to and from Tel Aviv, effective from Tuesday. Elsewhere, Green Party MP Alexandra Attalidou announced she was resigning from the party, slamming it for...

In today's episode, A ship with over 2,000 people on board is expected to leave Israel on Monday as the US embassy evacuates it nationals by sea to Cyprus. Meanwhile, with three gold and two silver medals, Cyprus ranked third in The Economist’s economic pentathlon which calculated how the 27 EU member states perform on the five major challenges facing them, namely demand/inflation, debt, demog...

In today’s episode, the interior minister informed the House interior committee of his plans to create a Deputy Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Elsewhere, the House plenum passed a resolution condemning the recent attacks by Hamas in Israel – though not unanimously. There’s also the European General Court’s decision to reject Cyprus’ application to mark the word “Grilloumi”, describing the case...

In today’s episode, the feeling of uncertainty weighed heavily at Larnaca airport as Israelis fled for safety in Cyprus or desperately tried to return to reunite with their families back home. Meanwhile, arrivals continued at both airports and ports as authorities on the island dealt with thousands of people fleeing Israel. Elsewhere, all charges against lawyer Andreas Pittadjis in the golden pass...

In today's episode, the government on Tuesday activated the national ‘Estia’ action plan for the reception of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Israel, as the first emergency flight was operated by the Portuguese air force. The plan entails Cyprus acting as a hub for third country nationals fleeing the country before being repatriated to their own countries of origin. Meanwhile, the Audit...

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides reiterated his deep concern regarding the unfolding situation in Israel, underlining the shock and sympathy felt by the whole of Cyprus. In other news, construction on the road between the villages of Pyla and Arsos is set to begin later this month after a “mutual understanding” was found to solve the buffer zone dispute on Monday. And the assign...

In today's episode, the majority of Cypriots who wanted to leave Israel have already done so and now only a small number remain, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Gotsis, said on Monday morning. Security in and around the island has been heightened and developments are being closely monitored, President Nikos Christodoulides assured. Meanwhile, this week Cyprus will...

In today’s episode, the issue of multiple pensions being given to state officials will be discussed at the house finance committee in two weeks, following an uproar that President Nikos Christodoulides is receiving a pension in addition to his salary as president. Elsewhere, the Ayia Napa gang rape trial began with an adjournment at the Famagusta criminal court. There’s also the signing of a contr...

In today’s episode, MPs highlighted the years of blunders over waste management which led to an EU early warning report saying Cyprus would fail to meet targets by 2025. Elsewhere, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos delivered the state budget for 2024 with a promise of cost-of-living relief measures by the end of the month – and a look ahead to next year’s ‘green taxes.’ There’s also the announcement...

In today's episode, a new carbon tax is on the way, the government confirmed on Tuesday, at a time when households are already heaving under the pressure of rising fuel prices impacting the cost of living. Meanwhile, a 47-year-old Syrian national arrested in Chlorakas on August 31 for burglary, spreading fake news, instigating violence, inciting others to commit a crime and knife-wielding is s...

In today’s episode, the Council of Europe’s Group of States Against Corruption (Greco) said in a report on Monday that while Cyprus’ legislation says all the right things on paper, the fight against corruption is compromised by institutional flaws. In other news, the justice minister said that the appointment of a new police chief is the sole responsibility of the president, as speculation grew ab...

In today's episode, Cyprus on Sunday marked 63 years since its independence, with a parade in the capital attracting scores of people. European Parliament president Roberta Metsola also attended following an official invitation by President Nikos Christodoulides, where he said her presence sent powerful messages. In a speech after the parade, where members of the national guard illustrated a s...

Amid mounting complaints over the cost of living, the government on Thursday said it may bring back electricity and fuel tax subsidies in the near future. Speaking to public broadcaster CyBC, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos did not rule out reinstating subsidies on electricity bills or the lower VAT rate on motor and heating fuel. Elsewhere, Unficyp said they have no intention of abandoning the Le...

In today’s episode, the council of ministers approved the first budget of the new government with promises of effective support for the middle class and fiscal responsibility. Elsewhere, trade unions say the vulnerable section of society is much larger than official statistics show and more must be done to tackle the cost of living. In other news, Russia's ambassador to Nicosia said Cyprus&#39...