In today's episode, a six-year jail term for a child rape conviction was “manifestly inadequate” the Supreme Court ruled as it moved to increase the jail time to nine years. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades on Tuesday promised that the highway connecting Paphos and Polis Chrysochous will be ready within the next three years, as local r…

In today’s episode, the transparency commissioner resisted calls for a targeted investigation of former President Nicos Anastasiades regarding the "golden passport" scandal. Meanwhile, the public works department terminated its contract with Intrakat for the construction of the motorway between Paphos and Polis Chrysochous. Elsewhere, a British Roy…

In today’s episode, Disy is ready to collaborate with President Nikos Christodoulides, party leader Annita Demetriou said. Meanwhile, a 67-year-old man was seriously injured after his vehicle overturned, and the fire brigade rescued a hunter who had injured himself after falling into a ravine. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought t…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informally in Budapest at the European Political Community (EPC) summit, where they discussed the Cyprus issue. Elsewhere, for the past four years, the government has been paying €6,000 monthly for autism facilities that remain inactive, the House health …

In today’s episode, a ruling coalition 'MP' in the north accused the opposition of "illegally occupying" the north's 'parliament'. Meanwhile, thousands of cars in Cyprus may have defective airbags. Elsewhere, women in Cyprus are living longer than men. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.…

In today's episode, the body of a 63-year-old electrician, a Greek Cypriot, was recovered on Monday afternoon following a fire at a polyurethane manufacturing plant in Dromolaxia’s industrial area. Meanwhile, after severe floods at Paphos General Hospital, the nurses' union Pasyno on Monday condemned the “miserable conditions” in which nurses must …

In today's episode, the Paphos general hospital, which flooded during heavy rain on Saturday night, was “built with a lot of shoddy work”, the town’s mayor Phedonas Phedonos said. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos pledged to further deepen relations between Cyprus and Qatar after meeting the country’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdul…

In today’s episode, Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides said a group of migrants stranded in the buffer zone will be relocated "in the next two to three weeks". Meanwhile, parliament approved amendments increasing penalties for inciting violence or hatred based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and raising the penalty points thresh…

In today’s episode, United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he remains optimistic about the prospect of a solution to the Cyprus problem, following a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides at the White House. Elsewhere, former Transport Minister Marios Demetriades and some of his relatives linked to the family law firm have been r…

In today's episode, officials on Tuesday reiterated there currently exists no practical way to bring down energy costs, which have a knock-on effect on the prices of goods, as one MP warned that certain segments of the population face “annihilation” due to the high cost of living. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos rubbished the idea t…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides heralded his invitation to meet United States President Joe Biden at the White House. Meanwhile, a 20-day-old baby died and six more remained in intensive care after being fed ethanol while in hospital. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides announced that the government is "very close" to making announcements regarding Cyprus' entry into the US visa waver programme. Meanwhile, the British bases reported the seizure of 312 illegally trapped blackcaps, or 'ambelopoulia' during checks at crossing points. All this and more in the Cyprus …

In today’s episode, a deal regarding the delivery of the floating storage and re-gasification unit (Fsru) that is part of the liquefied natural gas project at Vasiliko has been reached by the Cyprus government and the Chinese CPP-Metron Consortium, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou announced. Elsewhere, more than 20 actions worth over €30 millio…

In today’s episode, the police control systems at airports and checkpoints have been restored after the country was targeted by six cyber attacks. Meanwhile, Disy called for a "holistic" approach to tackling the problem of affordable housing. Elsewhere, MEP Fidias Panayiotou called for a protest against the government's ban of mobile phones from sc…

In today’s episode, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou will be travelling to Apia, Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting taking place between 21 and 26 October, an announcement said on Sunday. Elsewhere, Cyprus' government portal was the victim of a cyberattack Sunday but the authorities coped with the incident successfully, th…

In today's episode, all eyes are fixed on whether the two leaders in Cyprus will be willing and able to engage sufficiently to allow an informal five-party meeting with the three guarantor powers to take place in the coming months. Meanwhile, two new cases involving assaults and robberies against food delivery workers were reported during Tuesday n…

In today’s episode, the informal tripartite dinner meeting with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders in New York was described “very good” by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Elsewhere, marketing fresh fruit and vegetables is still “seriously problematic”, with exorbitant retail prices and profits of up to 342 per cent, the Cyprus Consumers …

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are on the “same page” regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem, that there cannot be a solution outside the agreed framework. Meanwhile, MPs have criticised the transfer of human trafficking oversight to the deputy ministry of migration, arguing that th…

In today's episode, Cyprus’ first natural gas extraction will most likely be from the Kronos reservoir in block 6, which may be in 2027, Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said on Sunday. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides is travelling to London on Monday after an invitation by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Elsewhere, a delivery d…

In today’s episode, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos announced on Thursday that measures to tackle the high cost of living will be reintroduced, including zero VAT on diapers, baby milk, female hygiene products, and fruits and vegetables Elsewhere, Newly appointed auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou expressed confidence on Thursday that any dis…

In today’s episode, a scientist of Cypriot origin has been awarded the 2024 Nobel peace price for chemistry. Meanwhile, Cyprus was elected to a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the first time. Elsewhere, more than 2,000 people from 20 different countries have arrived in Cyprus from Lebanon as part of facilitated departures amid t…

In today's episode, the Republic of Cyprus was told on Tuesday to pay around €50,000 in damages to two asylum seekers for degrading treatment and pushback as they sought refuge in Cyprus from Lebanon, in a European Court of Human Rights ruling. Meanwhile, the first West Nile virus case seen in Cyprus this year has been detected in an elderly man fr…

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides is in a “position of strength” ahead of his informal dinner with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Monday. Meanwhile, ongoing and unacceptable dangers faced by their staff are a grave issue, nurses’ u…

In today’s episode, a European Court of Justice ruling has scuppered Cyprus' plans to declare parts of Syria as safe, with a view to returning migrants to those parts of Syria. Meanwhile, Mehmet Tulek, whose daughter Asya was one of the 24 Cypriot children who were killed when the Isias hotel in the southeastern Turkish city of Adiyaman collapsed d…

In today’s episode, a Lockheed C-130 aircraft provided by the Greek Defence Ministry arrived at Larnaca airport on Thursday, facilitating the evacuation of Cypriot citizens from Lebanon. Elsewhere, the European Commission has sued Cyprus for failing to implement an EU directive mandating a global minimum corporate tax rate. Also, two-thirds of swim…

In today's episode, the government on Wednesday was bracing for heightened security measures as an all-out war in Middle East loomed, prompting diplomats to flee Beirut in boats docking in Cyprus. Meanwhile, Cyprus was the likely launchpad for the military support offered by the United Kingdom to defend Israel from a volley of Iranian missiles laun…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides fired his police chief. Meanwhile, hundreds of demonstrators lined up outside the Akrotiri base to protest the ongoing killing in Gaza. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, the government on Wednesday said it was at its highest level of preparedness for evacuations from the region, as Britain announced 700 troops were being deployed to Cyprus to help UK nationals leave Lebanon. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides addressed the 79th United Nations General Assembly, focusing on Cyprus’ role in…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides appointed Andreas Papaconstantinou as the new auditor-general. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the federal model for a solution to the Cyprus problem has "completely lost its validity". Elsewhere, Christodoulides' favourability ratings are now lower than those of late Presid…

In today's episode, Diko MP Zacharias Koulias’ plan to appoint a new auditor-general as acting president was thwarted by House President Annita Demetriou, who cancelled her overseas trip to prevent his move. Meanwhile, the number of migrants arriving in Cyprus through irregular means has significantly dropped in 2024, with just over 5,000 arrivals …

In today’s episode, thousands of people gathered on Sunday to protest former Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides’ dismissal by the Supreme Constitutional Court. Elsewhere, ten suspects were charged on Sunday for rioting outside Alphamega stadium in Limassol ahead of a scheduled Ael-Apollon match. Also, port police rescued a British couple in Limas…

In today’s episode, legal experts have labelled the dismissal of Odysseas Michaelides as auditor-general a landmark case in Cypriot justice. Lawyer Achilleas Emilianides called the ruling harsh, portraying Michaelides as one of the worst officials ever, despite his ten years of service. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Min…

In today’s episode, Attorney-General Odysseas Michaelides was fired. Outside court, he said the system has "successfully beheaded me", and claimed there had been a coordinated effort by Cyprus' establishment to have him removed from his position. Elsewhere, the now-infamous Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University in Morphou was paying invoices…

In today’s episode, the government greenlit Cyprus' participation in the Great Sea Interconnector. Meanwhile, revenue generated from gambling in 2023 exceeded €1 billion. Elsewhere, the British bases' environmental experts recorded a total of 382 sea turtles on their beaches this year. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by…

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday said the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) should take responsibility over the violence which unfolded ahead of an Ael-Apollon match on Sunday and not try to hide behind their powers allowing them to run their own house. Meanwhile, intense discussions are set to take place on Tuesday reg…

In today's episode, “exemplary” punishment will be meted out to four men who were arrested after serious incidents of football violence at the Ael-Apollo match in Limassol, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said on Monday. Meanwhile, Cyprus ‘had no other choice’ but to bring in US experts to help with corruption-related investigations, President N…

In today’s episode, Turkey condemned this week's signing of a roadmap to boost two-way defence cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides spoke of "progress" between Cyprus and Greece regarding the Great Sea Interconnector. Elsewhere, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said dange…

In today’s episode, United States sanctions imposed on entities and individuals on Cyprus are not targeting the country but oligarchs and arms traders who enable Russia to continued to waging its war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the supreme constitutional court rejected an appeal filed by a Syrian businessman against the revocation of his Cypriot citizen…

In today's episode, in between performing the largest concerts the island has ever seen, music superstar Ed Sheeran visited the British base of Dhekelia where he met forces personnelle and every gave an intimate performance on a beach there. Meanwhile, MPs were apparently shocked to hear the government’s proposal that currently serving state offici…

In today’s episode, the eagerly-awaited meeting, which will help the government decided whether to give the green light to the Great Sea Interconnector project, will be held at the presidential palace today. Elsewhere, parties and deputies tabled 11 different bills at the House finance committee on Monday, all aimed at regulating the payment of mul…

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides is to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on September 23, according to reports. Meanwhile, television series Famagusta’s director Andreas Georgiou said the message the series was intended to convey was “to love each other”. Elsewhere, villagers from the Limassol district o…

In today’s episode, the auditor-general's office currently cannot determine the full extent of Covid-19 benefit funds given to ineligible applicants. Meanwhile, the government postponed its decision on the regulatory framework for the Great Sea Interconnector project to next Tuesday. Elsewhere, the Immovable Property Commission has settled a total …

In today's episode, cabinet’s final decision over the regulatory framework of the leg of the Great Sea Interconnector project which runs between Crete and Cyprus was delayed for another day, with an extraordinary cabinet meeting now scheduled for Thursday. Meanwhile, pharmacies across Cyprus are threatening to close on holidays and nights starting …

In today’s episode, a massive volume of evidence has been gathered by investigators looking into the suspicious naturalisation of foreign investors, with the fourth case alone – involving former Transport Minister Marios Demetriades – filling 200 box files. Elsewhere, the Committee on Missing Persons has identified 52 per cent of the remains of tho…

In today's episode, former Transport Minister in the Anastasiades government Marios Demetriades has been charged in the golden passports scandal, for offences related to corruption, bribery and money laundering. Meanwhile, Health Minister Michael Damianos on Monday hailed the finding of eight kidney cross-transplant pairs between Cyprus and Israel.…

In today’s episode, stakeholders in the Aphrodite natural gas field submitted to the government a new development plan for the field. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar was outraged over streaming service Netflix's decision to show the television series 'Famagusta'. Elsewhere, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said this school year w…

In today’s episode, cabinet approved a bill which will create the role of a "patient advocate". Meanwhile, Cyprus expressed satisfaction with the outcome of informal discussions between European Union foreign ministers and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Elsewhere, a pitbull which mauled its owner was shot dead by its owner's neighbour. All t…

In today’s episode, Cyprus’ authorities “have not seen” the financing plan for the Great Sea Interconnector project, the finance ministry’s permanent secretary George Panteli said. Elsewhere, Police announced the arrest for sexual crimes of the 64-year-old man involved in the Limassol investigation, which had started off last week with the man repo…

In today's episode, a total of 184 deaths in Cyprus have been attributed to drug overdoses since 2004, data released by the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC) shows. Meanwhile, around 20,000 hunters went out on Sunday, the first day of the pheasant hunting season, game fund spokesman Petros Anayiotos said on Tuesday. Elsewhere, the police …

In today’s episode, Cyprus has seen the second largest drop in the number of firefighters within its ranks across 12 European Union member states. Meanwhile, 94 people have been arrested so far this year in connection with human smuggling offences. Elsewhere, over 100 British medical personnel have been deployed to the British bases in Cyprus as th…