Cyprus Beat

In today’s episode, the government is to begin introducing artificial intelligence into the civil service to “support civil servants in their work”, Research Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

Also, the new air traffic control centre which opened in the Nicosia district village of Kokkinotrimithia on Wednesday is “important for our national identity and for the future of our country”, President Nikos Christodoulides said.

Elsewhere, the funeral service for Katie Clerides, who died on Monday at the age of 76 after battling cancer, was held on Wednesday in Nicosia, among relatives, friends, politicians, members of the public and the leadership of Disy, the party her father founded.

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

In today’s episode, the Civil Defence Force has issued safety advice after the Meteorological Department warned of isolated strong storms and high winds. 

Elsewhere, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou said that “we are committed to social dialogue,” expressing hope for an agreement on the future of the Cost-of-Living Allowance (CoLA) despite employers’ groups suspending talks.

Also, the House Labour Committee on Tuesday discussed plans to modernise the decades‑old disability pension law.

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

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, Cyprus will not be blackmailed by Admie, President Nikos Christodoulides said following reports the Greek company had objected to the government only agreeing to paying €25 million towards the cost of the Great Sea Interconnector, which would link the electricity grids of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

Elsewhere, a teenager was killed in a traffic accident overnight, police said on Sunday.

Also, almost one million visits are made each month to the government portal gov.cy, while users of the Digital Citizen app have tripled in the last quarter, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou said.

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

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides marked the 65th anniversary of Cyprus’ independence on Wednesday with a speech highlighting resilience, reform and renewed hopes for peace. 

Elsewhere, Cyprus on Wednesday officially launched its competitive electricity market, a reform Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said will eventually lower costs.

Also, the United Nations will formally scrap the post of special adviser on Cyprus as part of sweeping budget cuts.

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

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, social welfare services staff are holding a 24‑hour strike on Monday over a dispute on disability programme coordination. 

Elsewhere, a traffic collision at around 12.30pm on Sunday in Linopetra, Limassol, left a man dead.

Also, a 32-year-old man died early on Sunday after falling from the second floor of a building in Zakaki, Limassol.

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

In today’s episode, attorney-general George Savvides announced that he will not prosecute former auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides for contempt of court, despite finding “sufficient evidence” to do so.

Elsewhere, the government is considering its options after the European Commission ordered Cyprus to repay €67.2 million in grants for the Vasiliko liquefied natural gas terminal, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said.

Also, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis announced a series of measures to strengthen safety and restore order in Nicosia’s old city. Speaking at Ledra police station, he said the goal is “for the old city of Nicosia to regain its rightful place, with safe and peaceful coexistence of residents, businesspeople, students and visitors.”

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

The Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.