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.