Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, the government on Tuesday activated the national ‘Estia’ action plan for the reception of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Israel, as the first emergency flight was operated by the Portuguese air force.

The plan entails Cyprus acting as a hub for third country nationals fleeing the country before being repatriated to their own countries of origin.

Meanwhile, the Audit Office added fuel to the fire after Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos once again criticised the city’s airport, speaking of “unacceptable manipulations” on behalf of the former government regarding the concession agreement for its development and management.

Elsewhere, two men have been remanded in custody for eight days after posing as doctors to scam thousands of euros out of the elderly in Limassol. The pair are believed to have stolen between €2,500 and €3,000.

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

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides reiterated his deep concern regarding the unfolding situation in Israel, underlining the shock and sympathy felt by the whole of Cyprus. In other news, construction on the road between the villages of Pyla and Arsos is set to begin later this month after a “mutual understanding” was found to solve the buffer zone dispute on Monday. And the assignment of army conscripts to 'easy' posts appears to be based not on merit, but rather on a soldier's family background and connections, the auditor-general said in a report released Monday.
All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit www.cyprus-mail.com

In today's episode, the majority of Cypriots who wanted to leave Israel have already done so and now only a small number remain, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Gotsis, said on Monday morning.

Security in and around the island has been heightened and developments are being closely monitored, President Nikos Christodoulides assured.

Meanwhile, this week Cyprus will be collecting aid for ethnic Armenian refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh area, following a military intervention by Azerbaijan, which saw thousand flee.

Elsewhere, Christodoulides said on Sunday that the Republic of Cyprus has given the UN the all-clear to appoint UN adviser to evaluate the prospects of restarting talks on the Cyprus issue.

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

In today’s episode, the issue of multiple pensions being given to state officials will be discussed at the house finance committee in two weeks, following an uproar that President Nikos Christodoulides is receiving a pension in addition to his salary as president.

Elsewhere, the Ayia Napa gang rape trial began with an adjournment at the Famagusta criminal court.

There’s also the signing of a contract to install 4,450 new bus stops and shelters and upgrade over 1,000 existing bus stops.

All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, MPs highlighted the years of blunders over waste management which led to an EU early warning report saying Cyprus would fail to meet targets by 2025.

Elsewhere, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos delivered the state budget for 2024 with a promise of cost-of-living relief measures by the end of the month – and a look ahead to next year’s ‘green taxes.’

There’s also the announcement from the sports ethics committee that it recommended criminal proceedings be brought against Cyprus Football Association (CFA) president Giorgos Koumas, while his lawyers hit back saying his right to be innocent until proven guilty is being violated.

All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, a new carbon tax is on the way, the government confirmed on Tuesday, at a time when households are already heaving under the pressure of rising fuel prices impacting the cost of living.
Meanwhile, a 47-year-old Syrian national arrested in Chlorakas on August 31 for burglary, spreading fake news, instigating violence, inciting others to commit a crime and knife-wielding is set to face trial on October 12.
Elsewhere, Limassol “has all the qualifications needed” to be named European Capital of Culture 2030, mayor Nicos Nicolaides said, outlining the town’s bid for the title.
All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the Council of Europe’s Group of States Against Corruption (Greco) said in a report on Monday that while Cyprus’ legislation says all the right things on paper, the fight against corruption is compromised by institutional flaws. In other news, the justice minister said that the appointment of a new police chief is the sole responsibility of the president, as speculation grew about a possible reshuffle at the top of the police force. And Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that faster processing times of asylum applications have received a boost with the recruitment of 25 additional examiners.

All these stories and more in your Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. For more news updates, visit ww.cyprus-mail.com

In today's episode, Cyprus on Sunday marked 63 years since its independence, with a parade in the capital attracting scores of people. European Parliament president Roberta Metsola also attended following an official invitation by President Nikos Christodoulides, where he said her presence sent powerful messages.

In a speech after the parade, where members of the national guard illustrated a show of strength, the president described Cyprus as "the most precious thing we have" and vowed to protect it above all else.

Elsewhere, two people have been remanded for three days in connection with the death of a 29-year-old Serbian national, who was run over Limassol. Police on Sunday said the case was being treated as manslaughter.

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

Amid mounting complaints over the cost of living, the government on Thursday said it may bring back electricity and fuel tax subsidies in the near future.

Speaking to public broadcaster CyBC, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos did not rule out reinstating subsidies on electricity bills or the lower VAT rate on motor and heating fuel.

Elsewhere, Unficyp said they have no intention of abandoning the Ledra Palace hotel, and that no official request has been filed by majority stakeholder – the church – despite Archbishop Georgios raising the issue with President Nikos Christodoulides.

Meanwhile, organisers of a kolokasi tasting evening on Friday are hoping to bring this love-it-or-hate-it vegetable new fans by pairing it with raspberries and making kolokasi cocktails.

In today’s episode, the council of ministers approved the first budget of the new government with promises of

Elsewhere, trade unions say the vulnerable section of society is much larger than official statistics show and more must be done to tackle the cost of living.

In other news, Russia's ambassador to Nicosia said Cyprus' tourism has lost a billion euros thanks to sanctions placed on his country and closing its skies to Russian aircraft.

All these and more in your Daily News Briefing, brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.