Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed that decrees for the recall of vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags will be issued on Monday. The airbags, which can explode in high heat or humidity, have been linked to fatalities, including two recent deaths in Cyprus.

Elsewhere, President Christodoulides presented his vision for Cyprus, but reactions were divided. Government supporters praised his focus on economic growth, infrastructure, and security, while opposition parties, including Akel and Disy, criticized the lack of concrete action.

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, a modern, digital Cyprus, which will be a model of transparency and accountability, socially sensitive and proud of its role in the region, is President Nikos Christodoulides’ vision for the year ahead presented on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Cyprus is rapidly running out of the antipsychotic drug Seroquel with the higher dosages especially being in short supply since early October.

Also, opposition party Akel on Wednesday demanded answers from the government regarding the extent and nature of Israeli security involvement in the island’s airports.

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing.

In today’s episode, Russian billionaire and former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich avoided paying tax on his fleet of yachts through a scheme based in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the government insisted Paphos airport is safe after Israeli airlines suspended their operations in and out of it.

Elsewhere, Turkish Cypriot chief negotiator Gunes Onar confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that a meeting over the opening of new crossing points will go ahead on Thursday.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, large sums of money and luxury cars were confiscated as part of a European clampdown on organised crime linked to money laundering in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the construction of a new crematorium in Paphos may not be complete until next year.

Elsewhere, the north's 'finance minister' defended his 'ministry's' use of stolen vehicles for official purposes.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, a demonstration was held in Nicosia’s central Eleftheria square over the train crash which killed 57 people between the Greek villages of Tempi and Evangelismos on the mainline between Athens and Thessaloniki.

Elsewhere, a ceremony was heled in Limassol on Saturday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the death of George Grivas, the leader of Eoka between 1955 and 1959 and the founder of Eoka B.

Also, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou expressed his opposition to what he described as the government’s efforts to “integrate Cyprus into Nato”.

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, five football clubs offered to pay a third of the tax debt they owe immediately.

Meanwhile, the government is "on the right track" to be able to solve problems faced by Cyprus' "trapped buyers", interior ministry permanent secretary Elikkos Elia said.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the north’s energy supply may be in peril after a boat carrying fuel oil to power its power stations was seized by the Turkish authorities as part of a large-scale investigation into a corruption scandal.

Elsewhere, the government insisted that it retain sole discretion in setting price caps for bottled water at designated points of sale, under a bill being discussed in parliament.

Also, a balcony on the second floor of an apartment building in the Limassol suburb of Yermasoyia collapsed and fell on to the first-floor balcony below it.

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the potential loss of 1.3 million cubic metres of water from the Mavrokolympos dam near Paphos remains a real threat following a leak detected, the Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou minister said on Monday.

The European Commission has welcomed discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar regarding the potential opening of new crossing points.

The Department of Public Works has announced the start of roadworks at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point in Nicosia on Wednesday.

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. 

In today’s episode, Cyprus issued a Navtex on Sunday in relation to the start of drilling at the ‘Electra’ field, in bloc 5 of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides will have a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin Stewart on Monday at the latter's residence in the UN Protected Area at Nicosia Airport.

Police are investigating an attempted murder in Limassol, after three young men were injured in a knife fight, an announcement said on Sunday. 

All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the United States’ decision to allow the Republic of Cyprus to purchase military hardware directly is “a development of historic importance”, President Nikos Christodoulides said.

Meanwhile, United Nations under-secretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on February 10, Tatar’s office announced.

Elsewhere, lawyers representing journalist Ali Kismir, who faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of having “insulted” the Turkish Cypriot armed forces, requested that the case against him be referred to the north’s constitutional court on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.