Cyprus Beat

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 ki...

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 vult...

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 ove...

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 Oct...

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 do...

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...

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...

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 Drac...

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 Aphrod...

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...

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...

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...

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. Elsewhe...

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 Giova...

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 sch...

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...

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...

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...

In today’s episode, we hear that a temporary ban has been placed on all off-duty Unficyp military personnel going to the north, following a row on a beach in Famagusta last week. We also hear that the Audit Office said it was carrying out audits of private donations to political parties for the years between 2016 to 2021. Elsewhere, a delegation of a European Parliament committee looking into the...

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 Men...

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...

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 -...

In today’s episode, we hear that a murder case is being investigated by the Police, after the body of a dead foreign woman was found in Nicosia’s Strovolos yesterday afternoon. There’s also the Bar Association’s investigation into 20 to 25 large legal firms; €70,000 in fines have been paid after they were named in various reports into the citizenship by investment scheme. In other news, the Foreig...

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....

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...