Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, we hear that the Ukrainian president will address Cyprus’ parliament while a request has been made by the US for the National Guard to hand over its Russian-made weapons systems to Ukraine. There’s also new speed cameras which have been fitted in police patrol cars, a further rise in electricity bills and confirmation that March’s unseasonable deep freeze broke a slew of record...

In today's episode, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has called on the public to be patient until Thursday when announcements are expected to be made over the relaxation of coronavirus measures. Elsewhere, as the war rages on in Ukraine, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that almost 15,000 Ukrainians are currently being hosted in Cyprus, a third of whom were living here when Russia invaded...

In today’s episode, Cyprus faces a serious problem coping with the number of migrants arriving here daily, while the current Ukraine refugee crisis means less attention and resources diverted to people coming in from other countries, the interior minister has said. Meanwhile, another 50 unaccompanied minors have been transferred from Pournara reception centre for asylum- seekers to a Paphos-based...

In today's episode, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, said that while Cyprus would inevitably be affected by rising inflation and deteriorating growth, its economy was better equipped to handle the crisis than it was previously. In other news, the cabinet has approved a bill giving trade and energy minister, Natasa Pilides, the power to set a maximum gross profit margin for trader...

In today's episode, a senior government official said that three individuals subject to the EU sanctions in relation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine hold a Cyprus passport, adding that checks are ongoing. Elsewhere, the British High Commission has apologised for a UK defence ministry video which displayed a truncated map of Cyprus that did not include the north or the British bases. In other news,...

In today's episode, Cyprus will have to examine all citizenships and residency permits given to Russian or Belarusian nationals "significantly supporting the war in Ukraine" under orders from Brussels. Elsewhere, a new record of 6,494 Covid-19 infections were detected on Monday from 115,930 tests, a positivity rate of 5.6 per cent. In other news, legendary rock band Scorpions will be performing at...

In today's episode, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris will discuss the increased migration flow from Turkey with EU officials in Brussels on Monday. Elsewhere, ahead of visit her visit to Cyprus tomorrow, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said she was optimistic Cyprus can weather the current economic storm brought about by the war in Ukraine. In other news, police are warning the pub...

In today’s episode, Cyprus supermarkets are not expected to experience stock shortages due to the war in Ukraine, executive secretary of the Supermarkets Association (PASYPE) Andreas Hadjiadamou has said.  In other news, the highest number of first-time asylum applicants relative to the population in the EU in 2021 was recorded in Cyprus, with 14,799 first-time applicants per million resident...

In today's episode, nine young Somali migrants camped outside the Hope for Children shelter in old Nicosia say they will not leave until their situation is resolved. The boys have been in the Pournara reception centre for between five and seven months. Elsewhere, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the administration of a Covid booster jab to children aged 12 and over and the rollout of a fourth vacci...

In today's episode, ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum - consortium partners in Block 10 of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone - have found "high-quality natural gas" in the ‘Glaucus-2’ appraisal well, the energy ministry said yesterday, but there appear concerns over quantity. In other news, bus drivers in Nicosia and Larnaca yesterday decided to continue strike action launched on Saturday after they we...

In today's episode, Disy leader Averof Neophytou was unanimously ratified as the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, during Disy’s Supreme Council session on Sunday. His candidacy was ratified unanimously by a show of hands. Elsewhere, The Test-to-Stay measure went into effect on Monday morning at kindergartens, pre-primary and special schools. The decision was taken by the...

In today's episode, procedures have been set in motion to help some 8,000 Ukrainians who have come to Cyprus as refugees or are stranded here because of Russia’s invasion of their country. In other news, a fourth Covid-19 vaccine dose has been deemed “inevitable” amongst the general population and not just for the elderly or vulnerable groups, while the current testing programme may be trimmed, an...

In today's episode, Energy Minister Natasa Pilides has expressed caution over prospects for reviving EastMed pipeline as she said that, even if the pipeline project kicked off immediately, it would not provide a solution to the energy crisis that Europe is experiencing as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Elsewhere, House president Annita Demetriou unveiled the monument for the four Egypti...

In today's episode, the finance ministry has revised its forecast for inflation this year from an initial 1.5 per cent to 4 per cent, as petrol prices surge in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Elsewhere, annual vaccinations against Covid-19 are on the cards for the elderly, vulnerable and immunosuppressed as part of a return to normality, state epidemiologist Michalis Voniatis said on Tue...

In today's episode, we hear how the government has vowed to resolve the seemingly chronic challenge of overcrowding at the Pournara reception centre.  President Anastasiades visited Pournara yesterday after criticism from other officials. The government subsequently announced changes to the procedures at the centre. Elsewhere, the NGO Hope for Children announced that it has teamed up with vol...

In today’s episode, President Nicos Anastasiades was this morning due to visit the Pournara migrant camp in Kokkinotrimithia to see for himself the conditions there, after they have been widely criticised over the last few days. In other news, the British Bases have said they are proud of the “fantastic job” pilots operating out of RAF Akrotiri were doing defending the skies above Eastern Europe,...

In today's episode, the president is in Brussels attending an EU meeting to address the sanctions on Russia - where he said Cyprus fully understands what is now happening in Ukraine as the island is itself an occupied country. He accused Turkey of undermining sanctions and serving its own interests. Elsewhere, authorities have said they are investigating the possibility of abuse of a second child...

In today's episode, police have hailed a whopping 132kg cannabis drugs bust at Limassol port which they say is a “major blow to drug traffickers." And still on crime, four arrests were made on Wednesday and one on Thursday in the case involving officials at the transport department allegedly doctoring documents to pass off damaged second hand luxury cars as new. In other news, almost 3,000 Ukraini...

In today's episode, following an increase in the price for many goods and a shortage of grains on the market, the council of ministers is set to approve the government purchase of 36,000 tons of barley and corn. Meanwhile, a merchant ship carrying fourteen 40-foot containers of food and medical aid for Ukraine left Cyprus on Tuesday. In other news, the cost of renovating the facades of the buildin...

In today’s episode, Cyprus has collected enough donations for the war-torn people of Ukraine to fill 15 shipping containers, in its biggest-ever humanitarian drive. In other news, the Covid SafePass requirement is to be lifted from certain businesses as of today, and the owners of homes in Pissouri that have either been destroyed or seriously damaged by an ongoing landslide and are still crumbling...

In today’s episode, the problems Cyprus is facing from the EU ban on Russian flights and the wider implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the island’s economy are set to be a key point of debate in a series of upcoming top government meetings. In other news, tax on petrol is to be cut by seven cents a litre while the period for the reduced VAT on electricity costs is to be extended, the...

In today's episode, the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues as we hear that local volunteers are helping out stranded tourists in Cyprus, as over 100 Ukrainians were on holiday when the tanks rolled in.  And as for Covid-19, there are further relaxations of the restrictive measures as PCR and rapid test requirements for vaccinated person crossing the green line has been scrapp...

In today's episode, despite the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Cyprus’ goal of attracting more tourists this year than last is achievable, Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios has said. Meanwhile, the first evacuation of 42 civilians, including children and elderly, has been successfully completed, Cyprus foreign ministry spokesman Demetris Demetriou said on Tuesday. In other news, the further ea...

In today's episode, the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to dominate the headlines. Russia’s ambassador to Cyprus bluntly said that the EU and the island have shot themselves in the foot by imposing sanctions. Meanwhile, prominent Nicosia lawyer Achilleas Demetriades officially announced his candidacy for the 2023 presidential elections. In other news, British actress Elizabeth...

In today’s episode, thousands of Ukrainians and Russians living in Cyprus are concerned about the war and the impact it will have on loved ones back home, including the relations between Ukrainians and Russians living in Cyprus. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades is departing for Saudi Arabia today and will meet for talks with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and Film on Screen Holdings...