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 the plant’s pumping station which have led to a “large volume of sewage” flowing into the sea.

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

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 highlights the need to resume negotiations, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Thursday.

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

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-hours after he escaped from a private clinic while supposedly under guard.

Also, the House on Monday voted by majority to limit cash transactions over €10,000 after the previous iteration had been referred back to parliament by the president.

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

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 change of leadership in Syria.

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

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’ Jale Refik Rogers said during a debate on the ‘health ministry’s’ 2025 budget. A Near East University study reported a 25% increase in cases over three years, with each HIV patient infecting an average of nine others.

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

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

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 condemned the violent incidents which unfolded over the weekend between teenagers and police officers across the country, leaving havoc in their wake.

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

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, MPs narrowly approved a bill on Thursday to increase the levy on net betting earnings from 3% to 4.5%, with the additional funds directed to football clubs and their academies. The legislation passed with 27 votes in favor and 25 against, sparking criticism over its implications.

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

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 Cyprus to return to a post-Assad state, raising local concerns over the impact a flood of returns may have on the island’s construction industry, manned largely by Syrians.

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