Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, parents keeping their primary school children away from class in protest over Covid-19 restrictions could face legal sanctions In other news, newly appointed UNSG Special Representative Colin Stewart pledged to work towards finding “a mutually accepted way forward” during his term. Elsewhere, over 20 per cent of footballers in Cyprus that took part in a survey said they had tak...

In today’s episode, mandatory self-isolation for Omicron cases and their close contacts will come into effect from tomorrow to prevent the spread of new variant of concern. In other news, the cabinet has approved cuts in VAT on household power bills as part of its policy to tackle the fallout from the rise in the price of electricity, and Lefkara has been recognised as one of the ‘Best Tourism Vil...

In today's episode, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, will present to the European Union Foreign Affairs Council the options document for the Union's response to illegal actions of Turkey in Varosha. In other news, a 30-year-old man from Syria arrested in connection with the double murder of two Russian tourists in Limassol was remanded for eight days....

In today's episode, the government plans to go ahead with taxation reform, including raising the corporation rate and introducing carbon tax and fossil fuels taxes to achieve the country’s environmental objectives. In other news, two inmates at the central prisons in Nicosia held their nuptials on Thursday, and a Netflix crew has filmed the wedding for a documentary set for release in 2022; a Gree...

In today's episode, we hear that an action plan envisages over 300 Covid-19 beds and 65 ICU beds, while a 51-year-old primary school teacher died yesterday after reportedly refusing hospital treatment.  There's also over 100 students and teaches from a single Limassol school reportedly self-isolating. Elsewhere, Diko MP Zaharias Koulias has called for parliament to finally have a say on the p...

In today's episode, Nicosia's mayor proudly unveiled the revamped Makarios Avenue just in time for Christmas. There's the latest on Covid-19: all over 18s are now eligible for boosters, while the government has said that there are fewer absences at schools over the measures. All this and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, a Syrian man was remanded in custody for eight days in Limassol yesterday over the premeditated murder of two women whose bodies were found in Kato Amiandos village. In other news, Covid-19 cases continue to rise with 706 new infections reported on Monday, a day which also saw the also saw the introduction of stricter measures aimed at stopping the recently identified and poten...

In today's episode, the bodies of two Russian women missing since November were found early on Sunday morning at a holiday home in Kato Amiantos after a man suspected of abducting them confessed to their murder. In other news, torrential rains and hail that fell in a short period of time in and around Larnaca created problems in several communities and at Larnaca airport. All this and more in the...

In today's episode, Pope Francis began his visit by praising Cyprus as being geographically small, but historically great. The latest Covid measures were also announced, while police are investigating attacks at primary schools across the island. There's also the latest on the death of a 77-year-old in Polis and the announcement that police have issued a public plea for information to help locate...

In today's episode, we bring you the latest on the Covid-19 restrictive measures which are to be discussed during the council of ministers meeting - such as a work-from-home order for up to 20 per cent of a business' workforce.  Disgruntled parents are also continuing their protests over the measures imposed at schools, such as the mask mandate.  There's also an investigation into possib...

In today's episode, Cyprus continues to reel under the pressure of increasing migrant arrivals, as the interior ministry said yesterday the figures are 70 per cent higher than the previous year. In other news, teachers’ and parents’ associations have condemned threats against educators as some parents continued to protest against Covid measures for schoolchildren. Elsewhere, a shot went off from a...

In today's episode, stricter measures at airports and the crossing points with the north are likely, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas said yesterday. EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said stopping flights from southern Africa was a necessary step in trying to deal with the new Omicron variant. In other news, investigations are continuing into the disappearance of two women from Russi...

In today’s news, the health ministry has announced that non-urgent operations are to be postponed as the state healthcare services organisation OKYPY is preparing for a possible increase in hospitalisations following the emergence of the new Coronavirus variant. Elsewehere, the association of recreation centres Osika has called on the state to support the businesses that have remained open and rea...

In today’s episode, Covid-19 once again dominates the news cycle as it was announced that children from the age of five will be eligible for the vaccine. There’s also the fallout following the announcement of new restrictions, as parents plan to protest. On a positive note, there’s the latest on Cyprus’ push for electric car use.

In today's episode, the government has announced new measures to fight the Covid surge, including mask mandates for children aged six and above and a SafePass for those between six and 11. In other news, police are cracking down on immigrants residing in Cyprus without the proper permits and, in the north, Turkish Cypriot newspapers have described the continued freefall of the Turkish lira as a to...

In today's episode, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has said the aim of the new Covid-19 measures to be announced on Wednesday is to save the Christmas holidays. In other news, some six million kilos of Halloumi remain unsold mainly because of the pandemic and Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos accused his town’s police of turning a blind eye to the activities of a well-known drug dealer and a...

In today’s episode, the European Commission will be drafting proposals to harmonise the duration of the validity of the Covid-19 vaccination certificate, while Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas has discussed new measures with his scientific advisory team as infections continue to spiral. In other Covid-related news, the first antiviral pill for the virus is expected to be made available in Cy...

In today's news, a subsidy scheme for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is set for approval next month, however there are some concerns with certain aspects of its feasibility. In other news, an apparent tweak to the UK’s Covid travel rules could dampen plans for those Cypriot residents hoping to visit the UK for Christmas, and Cyprus' health minister is meeting the virus scientific advisory co...

In today's episode, we hear that further cuts to electricity bills are on the way to help households tackle the rise in prices. There are also positive developments on the offshore natural gas projects. Another arrest has been made in the bizarre alleged plot to murder the chairman of the Limassol school commission Dinos Ellinas. And from Monday, vaccinated people crossing to and from the north mu...

In today's episode, the remains of a woman initially reported to have been removed from her grave have been finally located inside it. Elsewhere, Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis watched yesterday as the first batch of halloumi made according to protected designation of origin specifications was produced and 25 Griffon vultures are set to arrive in Cyprus from Spain tomorrow in an effort to stren...

In today's episode, a new neonatal ICU is to be created to facilitate the work of medical professionals and to allow parents to spend more time with their premature babies. Staying with health, coronavirus boosters will be available for all those aged 40 and above as of today. Elsewhere, a music video for a pop song shot in Varosha has caused offence among Greek Cypriots. All this and more in toda...

In this episode, we outline the rollout of booster shots for all adults in Cyprus, which was approved by the cabinet on Monday. No additional restrictive measures will be introduced for the time being. Elswehere, student demonstrations marked the 38th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriots unilateral declaration of independence and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the options paper on...

In today's episode, DNA tests are set to confirm the identity of the driver of a car killed in a crash early Sunday morning. In other news, a blue Black Friday looms as a chip shortage bites, leaving shoppers in Cyprus with fewer products to choose from, and a crucial government plan to improve treatment for dementia sufferers is still being assessed. All these stories and more on your Daily News...

In today's episode we discuss Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas' upcoming meeting with the coronavirus advisory team in an apparent bid to hash out differences of opinion. We also look at the migration issue in the island, as Interior Minister Nicos Nouris on Thursday said there was no magic solution to tackling the problem. Meanwhile, authorities were forced to mobilise on Thursday to re-app...

In today's episode, the government will seek the European Commission's permission to suspend asylum applications from irregular migrants entering the country via the buffer zone. We also discuss the Covid-19 situation in Cyprus and the strong winds in Nicosia on Wednesday. This and more in today's briefing.