Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides said some of his fiercest critics "have never accepted the Cypriot people's verdict in the 2023 presidential elections". Meanwhile, the Ierokipia municipality announced it is taking legal action against the Paphos district government and the consortium which operates the Paphos water treatment plant, near the village of Acheleia, over faults at t...

In today’s episode, ExxonMobil’s drilling rig will start drilling in mid-January at the ‘Electra’ target, located in Block 5 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), for approximately one month, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Thursday. Elsewhere, Pope Francis’ reference to the Cyprus problem in his Christmas message is “more proof” of the international interest in the matter that hi...

In today’s episode, under a deal signed Monday, the expansion of Cyprus’ two airports is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2025, aimed at growing passenger capacity to over 17 million from the current 12 million – a landmark step for the island’s economy and aviation prospects. Elsewhere, following a coordinated manhunt, police recaptured a Swedish fugitive in the Larnaca area almost 24-hou...

In today’s episode, a 52-year-old man is in critical condition at Nicosia General on Sunday after suffering severe burns from a fire in an abandoned house, the fire services said.  Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides said that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria must be safeguarded, and hoped that countries like Turkey would not attempt to exploit the gap created by the chang...

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday called for a roadmap to shape Syria’s future following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Speaking ahead of the European Council summit, he emphasized the need for a common EU approach alongside neighboring countries, highlighting Cyprus’ proximity to Syria. Elsewhere, HIV cases are rising in the north, Turkish Cypriot independent ‘MP’ J...

In today’s episode, a number of gaps remain in Gesy, particularly in terms of preventative medicine and long-term care. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal lodged by state pathologist Panicos Stavrianos against a Limassol district court ruling that conscript Thanasis Nicolaou had been strangled to death in 2005. Elsewhere, the state budget was voted through parliament. All this and mor...

In today’s episode, parliament approved a new law which will allow the transport minister to issue decrees to recall defective vehicles in light of recent issues with faulty airbags. Meanwhile, the police association said immediate and drastic measures must be taken to better equip the island's police force. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the Republic of Cyprus must have a leading role regarding Syria and its future, particularly due to its geographic proximity to the country, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday. Elsewhere, Volt has elected its new leadership during its in-house elections that put Andromachi Sophocleous and Panos Parras as the new party heads. Also, President Nikos Christodoulides con...

In today’s episode, a proposal to impose a 5% tax on bank profits, framed by Akel as a measure to aid vulnerable groups, was defeated in parliament on Thursday after a deadlocked vote of 25-25, with four abstentions. The bill, which Akel described as a “solidarity levy,” aimed to raise €100 million over two years to support housing and lending schemes for those impacted by inflation. Elsewhere, MP...

In today’s episode, dealers are legally obligated to replace faulty Takata airbags free of charge, the director of the road transport department, Andreas Louka, said on Wednesday.  Elsewhere, Disy and Akel on Wednesday were predictably on the opposite sides of the argument over the contentious ‘bank tax’ bill set to go to plenum on Thursday. Also, a number of Syrian nationals have already left Cyp...

In today’s episode, the UK and Cyprus have turned a page in their relationship, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday after welcoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the presidential palace. Elsewhere, the UK will support Cyprus in establishing a new National Sanctions Implementation Unit to crack down on illicit Russian finance flowing through Europe, Keir Starmer’s office announ...

In today’s episode, the developments in Syria, security, migration and the Cyprus problem will be among the key topics of discussion during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the island on Tuesday.  Elsewhere, some Syrian nationals in Cyprus are eyeing a return to their home country, Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides said on Monday after President Bashar al-Assad’s fall from...

In today’s episode, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pay an official visit to Cyprus tomorrow, the first such visit since 1971. Elsewhere, peaceful rallies were held by Syrians in Cyprus on Sunday after rebels announced the seizure of Damascus and the toppling of President Assad. Also, on November 30 total tourist arrivals to the island surpassed those seen for the whole of 2023, a record...

In today’s episode, Cyprus is turning to the west to renew its air defence systems. Meanwhile, the widow of Cypriot businessman Halil Falyali, who was assassinated in 2022, was one of 250 people indicted in Turkey following a large-scale investigation into money laundering and illegal gambling. Elsewhere, the Larnaca municipality announced its intention to hold a demonstration to protest the gover...

In today’s episode, Cyprus' National Guard is "on alert because the region is in a state of constant, prolonged instability". Meanwhile, two companies were fined €22,000 after a man fell to his death at a construction site. Elsewhere, unexploded mortar shells which were found on the grounds of what will soon be Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar's new official residence were detonated. All this an...

In today’s episode, people convicted for minor drug offences will be able to apply for a professional driver’s licence after a few years if an amendment to the law passes, which MPs hope will address the shortage of bus drivers. Elsewhere, HIV diagnoses fell by 26 per cent in 2023 in Cyprus, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said.  Also, MPs will next week discuss the lack of a legal framework sur...

In today’s episode, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis stressed the importance of his role on his first day in office. Meanwhile, trade unions approved a deal put forward by Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou to bring to an end almost a month’s worth of strikes in the concrete sector. Elsewhere, Health Minister Michael Damianos said he is “optimistic” that an ongoing dispu...

In today’s episode, Cyprus is preparing for potential NATO membership if Turkey lifts its objections, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday. He confirmed advanced discussions with the US on utilising NATO-related opportunities and with the EU regarding naval base upgrades, signaling significant developments in the country’s defence and security sector. Elsewhere, The House of Representa...

In today’s episode, Cyprus and Greece reaffirmed their commitment to "institutionalise intergovernmental summits". Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides said Greece and Cyprus are "strong supporters" of "upgrading" the European Union's relations with Jordan. Elsewhere, the police warned of the arrival of "dangerous" Polish football fans arriving in Cyprus ahead of Omonia's Europa Conference L...

In today’s episode, doctors working at state hospitals started a two-day strike on Tuesday morning as a dispute over performance-based bonuses paid by the state health services Okypy rolls on. Elsewhere, despite the rainfall so far during November already reaching 150 per cent of the average for the month, the island’s reservoirs remain largely empty. Also, Cypriot Member of the European Parliamen...

In today’s episode, doctors working at state hospitals went on strike. Meanwhile, Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas launched a scathing attack on the European Union's "hypocrisy" on the Cyprus problem. Elsewhere, Eurobank is set to raise its stake in Hellenic Bank to 93.47 per cent. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, a yellow weather warning for strong winds in Cyprus on Sunday saw chaos ensure around the island. Sticking with the weather, the first snowfall of the winter was recorded on Sunday in Troodos, and down as far as Prodromos. Elsewhere, a 10-day old seal, one of the rarest animals in Europe, was rescued off the coast of Cyprus, the ministry of agriculture announced on Sunday. All...

In today's episode, at the Economist summit in Nicosia, President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stressed the EU's diminishing role in addressing global crises, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Cyprus tax department has warned 19 football clubs to adhere to their tax repayment obligations or face legal action, including potential criminal...

In today's episode, at the Economist summit in Nicosia, President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stressed the EU's diminishing role in addressing global crises, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Cyprus tax department has warned 19 football clubs to adhere to their tax repayment obligations or face legal action, including potential criminal...

In today’s episode, the law mandating that public officials including the attorney-general declare their income was declared legal by the Supreme Constitutional Court. Meanwhile, a proposal to install CCTV cameras in public spaces and on busy streets sparked intense debate in the House legal committee. Elsewhere, hundreds of flamingos have returned to the Akrotiri salt lake. All this and more in t...