Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, we take a look at the cost that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic had on the island's health service. Elsewhere, a sex education programme is about to be implemented in primary schools starting next November and a new tenders procedure inviting bids for a Cyprus-Greece ferry link should be rolled out soon. All this and more in today's briefing.

In today’s episode, the government has announced that it will investigate the possibility of price caps on essential goods, in a bid to deal with spiralling price increases. In other news, the defence minister has called for Cyprus to boost defence spending, in light of what he described as Turkey’s inflexible and increasingly hostile attitude. In covid-related news, people aged 60 and over will be able to get a booster shot against Covid-19 as of today.

In today's episode, the issues surrounding the opening up of the fenced-off area of Varosha in the north of the island, is on the agenda of the Council of Foreign Affairs of the European Union in Luxembourg later today. In other news, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has said, "There are no grounds for the start of new Cyprus talks." All these stories and more on your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, there's the latest on the coronavirus as booster shots for those aged 60 and above are expected. There's also the latest on worrying reports of surging costs, while the foreign minister has discussed the Varosha developments. Finally, the independent police watchdog has recommended the launch of criminal and disciplinary procedures against police officers in connection with a violent crackdown on a protest last February.

In today's episode, we discuss the temporary suspension of government support to the farmers hit by the massive increase in the price of animal feed. Elsewhere, the Turkish Cypriot side began a new phase of the opening up of Varosha and MPs are considering banning fireworks in the island altogether. All this and more in today's briefing

In today's episode, President Nicos Anastasiades said he is determined to solve all problems in the island's public hospitals. Elsewhere, Covid-19 booster shots are now available to the over 65s and controversial MP Andreas Themistocleous said he will not give up his parliamentary seat after his expulsion from Elam. All this and more in today's briefing

In today's episode, the state health services organisation has said “effective planning” proved decisive in ensuring the country’s low coronavirus mortality rate. In other news, police in Cyprus have arrested a so-called high value suspect as part of a European operation against an organised crime group involved in binary fraud; the state Audit Office has taken the Olympic Committee to task in a new report, and a version of Samuel Beckett’s iconic play 'Waiting for Godot', adapted into both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot dialects, has won two major awards at a theatre festival in Istanbul.

In today's episode, state hospitals are facing serious issues, as patients say they are suffering the consequences of tensions between health professionals and the organisation in charge of running them. In other news, President Nicos Anastasiades said that despite pressure, the Turkish demand to recognise the occupied areas so talks on solving the Cyprus problem can resume cannot be met. Education minister, Prodromos Prodomoou said zero tolerance will be shown for sexual offences in schools, and specialised tests are expected to show a cause of death for the one month old baby that died last week at the Makarios hospital.

In today’s episode, we discuss the latest on the coronavirus measures as some restrictions are expected to be tweaked. There’s also the ongoing coronavirus booster shot campaign, the continued fallout for former Elam MP Andreas Themistocleous and the reopening of the case linked to the death of a 26-year-old soldier in 2005, which appears to have been the result of foul play.

In today's episode, passports take centre stage, as the Cambodian government has rejected reports that Prime Minister Hun Sen has Cypriot nationality and passports from the island ranked 15th globally in terms of ease to travel to other countries.