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

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

In today’s episode, the grid’s capacity to meet Cyprus’ electricity demand on Monday evening would be “limited”, the transmission system operator (TSO) said, as Cyprus’ energy consumption spikes amid freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, the police were on Monday subjected to questions by the House human rights committee over the arrest of three people…

In today’s episode, the met office on Sunday issued a new orange weather warning for extremely low temperatures as the weather system ‘Coral’ continues to affect the island. Also, no electricity cuts are expected despite elevated levels of demand for power as the weather system Coral hits Cyprus, the spokeswoman of the Cyprus Transmission System Op…

In today’s episode, Cyprus’ first crematorium is now expected to open in summer 2026, following further delays, Golden Leaves Cyprus announced. Elsewhere, the Paphos-Polis Chrysochous highway will “give a future” to the region’s residents, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades told the House audit committee on Thursday, reaffirming the project will ha…

In today’s episode, over 90 per cent of fires in Cyprus last year were caused by human activity, the fire service said on Tuesday. Elsewhere, it’s “only a matter of time” before all the affected vehicle distributors in Cyprus have enough airbags to carry out the replacements required by the government’s recall decree, Transport Minister Alexis Vafe…

In today’s episode, Cyprus and Egypt signed two agreements concerning the exploitation of natural gas resources under the seabed in the eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, at least 14 wild donkeys were found to have been shot dead in Karpasia. Elsewhere, the Uefa Europa League and Europa Conference League trophies will both be on display in Cyprus on…

In today’s episode, the government remained silent over whether it plans to attend French President Emmanuel Macron's pan-European "emergency summit" on security and defence. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot opposition party CTP 'MP' Dogus Derya said Cypriot women should be invited to the Cyprus problem negotiating table, not to the army. Elsewhere, resi…

In today’s episode, Cyprus has reinforced its maritime security by adding ten new patrol vessels to the marine and port police. Meanwhile, former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said it is "not fair" to blame Turkey for the failure of talks to solve the Cyprus problem at Crans Montana in 2017. Elsewhere, Pakistan "fully supports the cause of …

In today’s episode, cabinet approved women the right to voluntarily enlist in the National Guard. Meanwhile, the police seized over 600 kilograms of cannabis in 2024. Elsewhere, Donald Trump and his supporters continued to ramp up their criticism of judges who they say have stymied his second-term agenda. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefi…

In today’s episode, bomb threats were on Tuesday sent to more than 300 state and private schools, the police confirmed. Elsewhere, Cyprus has made significant progress in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, climbing both in score and global position, the Cyprus Integrity Forum said. Also, police believe that a fire which was started in a three-ge…

In today’s episode, electricity prices are unlikely to drop until at least 2027. Meanwhile, the number of complaints made by patients was 17 per cent higher in January than in the first month of last year. Elsewhere, high-profile figures within the Turkish Cypriot community issued statements remembering the life of businessman Asil Nadir, who died …

In today’s episode, United Nations Under Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, is in Cyprus for meetings with Cypriot leaders. Elsewhere, the digital platform e-kalathi (e-basket) will operate on Monday for a 10-day pilot phase with real prices for 478 essential products to begin with, the energy ministry said…

In today’s episode, Finance Minister Makis Keravnos announced that the first compensation payments for depositors and bondholders affected by the 2013 bank bail-in will be issued by June. Elsewhere, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will visit Cyprus on February 10 for separate meetings with the island’s leaders, President Nikos Christodo…

In today’s episode, the recall of vehicles fitted with deadly Takata airbags is proving a nightmare for Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, and not least because the grieving father of a young man killed in one airbag-linked accident is an old classmate of the minister. Elsewhere, Toyota’s dealership in Cyprus is set to make a whopping €4.8 million…

In today’s episode, more than 1,500 cancer-related deaths and 4,000 new cases of the disease are reported in Cyprus every year, associations linked to the disease said on Tuesday, World Cancer Day. Elsewhere, the threats made to President Nikos Christodoulides over social media may have originated from somewhere in the north, reports said on Tuesda…

In today’s episode, the transport ministry issued two decrees on Monday regulating the recall of over 80,000 automobiles, with the priority being a total of 276 vehicles which are set to be immobilised immediately. Meanwhile, two men were on Monday handed prison sentences of 45,376 and a half years each in Turkey for operating a ponzi scheme which …

In today’s episode, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed that decrees for the recall of vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags will be issued on Monday. The airbags, which can explode in high heat or humidity, have been linked to fatalities, including two recent deaths in Cyprus. Elsewhere, President Christodoulides presented his vision…

In today’s episode, a modern, digital Cyprus, which will be a model of transparency and accountability, socially sensitive and proud of its role in the region, is President Nikos Christodoulides’ vision for the year ahead presented on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Cyprus is rapidly running out of the antipsychotic drug Seroquel with the higher dosages espe…

In today’s episode, Russian billionaire and former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich avoided paying tax on his fleet of yachts through a scheme based in Cyprus. Meanwhile, the government insisted Paphos airport is safe after Israeli airlines suspended their operations in and out of it. Elsewhere, Turkish Cypriot chief negotiator Gunes On…

In today’s episode, large sums of money and luxury cars were confiscated as part of a European clampdown on organised crime linked to money laundering in Cyprus. Meanwhile, the construction of a new crematorium in Paphos may not be complete until next year. Elsewhere, the north's 'finance minister' defended his 'ministry's' use of stolen vehicles f…

In today’s episode, a demonstration was held in Nicosia’s central Eleftheria square over the train crash which killed 57 people between the Greek villages of Tempi and Evangelismos on the mainline between Athens and Thessaloniki. Elsewhere, a ceremony was heled in Limassol on Saturday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the death of George Griva…

In today’s episode, five football clubs offered to pay a third of the tax debt they owe immediately. Meanwhile, the government is "on the right track" to be able to solve problems faced by Cyprus' "trapped buyers", interior ministry permanent secretary Elikkos Elia said. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mai…

In today’s episode, the north’s energy supply may be in peril after a boat carrying fuel oil to power its power stations was seized by the Turkish authorities as part of a large-scale investigation into a corruption scandal. Elsewhere, the government insisted that it retain sole discretion in setting price caps for bottled water at designated point…

In today’s episode, the potential loss of 1.3 million cubic metres of water from the Mavrokolympos dam near Paphos remains a real threat following a leak detected, the Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou minister said on Monday. The European Commission has welcomed discussions between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ers…

In today’s episode, Cyprus issued a Navtex on Sunday in relation to the start of drilling at the ‘Electra’ field, in bloc 5 of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides will have a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus, Colin …

In today’s episode, the United States’ decision to allow the Republic of Cyprus to purchase military hardware directly is “a development of historic importance”, President Nikos Christodoulides said. Meanwhile, United Nations under-secretary-general for peacebuilding Rosemary DiCarlo will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on February 10, Tata…

In today’s episode, Cyprus has been authorised to buy military hardware directly from the United States government. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides hailed the ceasefire agreement struck between the State of Israel and insurgent group Hamas in Gaza Elsewhere, Turkish Cypriot opposition party CTP leader Tufan Erhurman leads the way in the …

In today’s episode, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou has condemned the recent 5 per cent price increase announced by concrete manufacturers, describing it as unprecedented, unjustified, and driven by profiteering motives. Meanwhile, shamishi was named as the “worst-rated” Cypriot food by users of popular gastronomic tourism website Taste Atlas. A…

In today’s episode, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis rejected accusations of a police cover-up in the death of a 24-year-old Pakistani national, calling the claims by political parties premature and unsubstantiated. Elsewhere, a Nicosia football club will be facing trial this week over the non-payment of €2.3 million in social insurance contribut…

In today’s episode, an independent investigator has been appointed over the death of a 24-year-old Pakistani national, who was shot at by police, it was decided on Sunday. Elsewhere, the situation in public hospitals is manageable, Health Minister Michalis Damianos said on Sunday, amid hospital bed shortages resulting from a spike in the number of …

In today’s episode, hundreds of demonstrators on Thursday afternoon booed Israeli president Isaac Herzog and shouted “killer go home” as he departed the presidential palace in Nicosia after a meeting there with President Nikos Christodoulides. Elsewhere, expecting the Greek Cypriots to recognise the north as an independent country is “futile”, form…

In today’s episode, four police officers are to be suspended following the escape and subsequent capture of the Romanian who escaped while in custody at hospital. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus’ trilateral cooperation with Egypt and Greece has as one of its main objectives “the promotion of peace and stability in the region”…

In today’s episode, the Greek state-owned asset management company Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRDAF) was on Tuesday awarded control of the Larnaca port. Elsewhere, a donkey found to have been shot multiple times by a hunter is in a “critical condition” after being taken in for treatment by the Tashkent nature park in the Kyrenia dist…

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed his commitment to resuming talks on the Cyprus issue and expressed readiness to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. Speaking during Epiphany celebrations at Ayia Napa, he revealed preparations for an expanded Cyprus conference, potentially in March, though UN confirmation is pendin…

In today’s episode, January will be a "very busy period" with regard to the Cyprus problem, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said. Meanwhile, Paphos' "Vrysouthkia Kelpetri" winter swimmers' club took its first dip in the sea of the year on New Year's Day. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.…

In today’s episode, while Jimmy Carter’s election as president of the United States in 1976 may have been a close-run contest, it was greeted with almost unanimous elation in Cyprus. Elsewhere, the United States may offer financial assistance to the Republic of Cyprus to upgrade the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos, President Nikos Christodoul…

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 pla…

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” o…

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 …

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 no…

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 risin…

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 bud…

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 bri…

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 part…

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 sche…

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…

In today’s episode, the UK and Cyprus have turned a page in their relationship, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday after welcoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the presidential palace. Elsewhere, the UK will support Cyprus in establishing a new National Sanctions Implementation Unit to crack down on illicit Russian finance fl…

In today’s episode, the developments in Syria, security, migration and the Cyprus problem will be among the key topics of discussion during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the island on Tuesday. Elsewhere, some Syrian nationals in Cyprus are eyeing a return to their home country, Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides said on Mo…

In today’s episode, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pay an official visit to Cyprus tomorrow, the first such visit since 1971. Elsewhere, peaceful rallies were held by Syrians in Cyprus on Sunday after rebels announced the seizure of Damascus and the toppling of President Assad. Also, on November 30 total tourist arrivals to the island sur…