Cyprus Beat

In today's episode, Cyprus remains dangerously unprepared for wildfires, Green MP Charalambos Theopemptou said.Meanwhile, former volunteer commissioner Yiannakis Yiannaki was acquitted of five of the eight charges he faced regarding the forgery of a high school diploma, a university degree and a letter of recommendation.Elsewhere, the Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for the authorities to use specialised software to identify the IP addresses of people who distribute images of child sexual abuse on the internet.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos defended his actions during the wildfire which tore through the Limassol district and killed two people last month, saying he could not go above the heads of cabinet and direct the emergency services' response to the fire.Meanwhile, outgoing United Nations special representative in Cyprus Colin Stewart said a solution to the Cyprus problem is “not for the United Nations to impose”.Elsewhere, bus drivers in Larnaca on Tuesday evening rejected a proposal of new terms presented to them by the labour ministry, with their indefinite strike as such set to continue.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, president Nikos Christodoulides said Monday that the U.S. Elsewhere, UN envoy Colin Stewart urged both sides in Cyprus to "listen to each other" during his farewell meeting with President Christodoulides on Monday.Also, a man died and another was injured on Monday in two separate sea incidents, prompting fresh warnings from Cyprus' Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC).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, two of the five Greek Cypriots arrested near Galatia, north Cyprus, on suspicion of espionage have been remanded in custody for a further three months, possibly until the end of October, pending trial. Elsewhere, a newly enacted law allowing state officials to waive their pensions while in active service has proven ineffective, media reported Thursday.Also, a standoff has erupted between private pharmacists and the health ministry over proposed reforms to pharmacy opening hours.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, cabinet decided on the amount of aid for victims of last week's wildfire that swept through Limassol villages, leaving hundreds of people homeless and wrecking businesses.Meanwhile, the 112 emergency alert system is moving forward on schedule and could be awarded by September if no appeals are filed, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou confirmed.Also, all residences and businesses impacted by last week's fire will be subsidised by up to €500 in their last issued electricity bill, the EAC announced.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, local mayors in Limassol say there is still no clear plan from Civil Defence on how to distribute aid collected for wildfire victims, with volunteer centres overwhelmed and some temporarily closed due to lack of coordination. Elsewhere, a national Public Warning System is now expected by mid-2026, after a previous tender was scrapped over objections. Civil Defence revised and relaunched the process, amid criticism over the system's absence during recent wildfires. Also, a senior official told a Nicosia court that land registry records used in the trial of Israeli developer Simon Aykut are reliable.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.

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

In today's episode, firefighters continued to battle a massive wildfire in Limassol district on Thursday, with at least 120 square kilometres burned, two people confirmed dead, and dozens of homes and vehicles destroyed. Elsewhere, Cyprus has received international support as it struggles to contain the massive wildfire in Limassol district.Also, mobile speed cameras in the Limassol district will not be in operation until Monday, the police said on Thursday.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, statements made by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the north on Sunday were branded a “blatant offence to international and European law,” by government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis on Monday.Elsewhere, the Road Transport Department (TOM) will undergo a total overhaul as part of measures to be implemented after a report prepared by the inquiry commission into the history of faulty airbags, the transport ministry announced on Monday.Also, the mother of the late national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou has published a statement on social media, claiming fresh scientific evidence points to strangulation as the cause of her son's death.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, Cyprus marked 51 years since the Turkish invasion of 1974, on Sunday.Elsewhere, According to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), more than 800 individuals are still unaccounted for.Also, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis stressed that diplomatic efforts will continue despite Turkey's rigid stance.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, the second enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem to be held this year drew to a close on Thursday evening, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres swiftly announcing that further such meetings will take place in the coming months.Elsewhere, over 900 cases of child abuse have been reported in Cyprus over the past three years, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said on Thursday, as the national strategy and action plan for 2025–2028 was unveiled. Also, people using pay-as-you-go SIM and e-SIM cards in Cyprus must now register their identity with their service provider by November 10, the communications commissioner's office announced on Thursday.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, Thursday 2am Cyprus time marked the start of the second enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem this year, held at the UN's headquarters in New York. Elsewhere, the rape complaint, for which Cyprus was chastised by the European Court of Human Rights for violating key human rights, is set to be reopened - though Deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides will not take part in the proceedings. Also, Police on Wednesday issued another warning after a 32-year-old woman lost €14,085 to scammers.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, motorists are facing possible delays on Wednesday as crews work on the Nicosia-Larnaca motorway. Elsewhere, Cyprus marked 51 years since the Greek junta-backed coup which ousted Archbishop Makarios III in 1974.Also, Turkish Cypriot opposition leader Tufan Erhurman on Tuesday urged President Nikos Christodoulides to show true commitment to solving the Cyprus problem.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, the week ahead will be “critical” for the Cyprus problem, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Sunday.Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar doubled down on his opposition to the appointment of Johannes Hahn as the European Union's envoy for the Cyprus problem.Elsewhere, it's “too early to judge” whether or not last year's sweeping government reforms were a success, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou 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, the European Commission's 2025 rule of law report, released Wednesday, praised Cyprus for its reforms in the legal service, particularly efforts to separate the attorney-general's advisory and prosecutorial roles. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides hailed Cyprus' “excellent relations” with Lebanon during Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's visit to Nicosia on Wednesday.Also, an 80-year-old man was murdered at his Limassol home early Wednesday, with his 47-year-old son admitting to the stabbing.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought you by the Cyprus Mail.

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

In today's episode, drilling at the Pegasus-1 well has detected a 350-metre column of natural gas, the government announced on Monday, giving no more clues about the significance of the find – but separately sources told the Cyprus Mail that the “news from Pegasus is good”.Elsewhere, the United Nations is “working hard to get results” on confidence-building measures regarding the Cyprus problem ahead of next week's enlarged meeting in New York, UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin said.Also, Cyprus was touted as a potential location for a planned camp to be built to house Palestinian people who are to be “temporarily” relocated out of Gaza, according to reports.All this and more in todays' Daily News Briefing brought you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, the results of the latest drilling in Cyprus' EEZ, at the Pegasus site in Blok 10 are set to be announced today by Energy Minister George Papanastasiou.Elsewhere, a disagreement over land boundaries is behind an attempted murder in Paphos on Saturday night, assistant Paphos police chief Michalis Nicolaou said on Sunday.Also, conditions for the resumption of negotiations must be created at the upcoming enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem in New York, deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou said on Sunday.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. 

In today's episode, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that Cyprus violated key human rights in its handling of a rape case involving Disy politician Andreas Ttaouxis, sharply criticising the authorities and deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides. Also, President Nikos Christodoulides will travel to New York for an expanded UN-led meeting on the Cyprus problem, to be held on July 16 and 17, without political party leaders, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Thursday.Elsewhere, former district court judge Doria Varoshiotou will appeal her dismissal at the end of her two-year probation, her lawyer Achilleas Demetriades said Thursday.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, Cyprus' Cabinet has approved draft laws to modernise the country's legal and audit services, seen as a key pledge of President Nikos Christodoulides' government. Elsewhere, Cyprus' government has urged the Supreme Judicial Council to publicly explain why Doria Varoshiotou was denied a permanent judgeship.Also, the parents of a 22-month-old child hospitalised with severe burns were remanded for five days on Wednesday in Limassol.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, the design of new ‘smart' bus stops across the country is “unprecedented and unacceptable” due to poor visibility for passengers and drivers, the Audit Office said on Tuesday in a report into the issue, in which it also criticised the department of public works.Elsewhere, one day after the shortage of lifeguards in Larnaca was lamented, a similar situation was reported in Limassol where only 43 out of 79 approved lifeguard positions have been filled.Also, Cyprus ranks first worldwide for the share of female OnlyFans content creators according to newly released statistics from a marketing company specialising in adult content.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. 

In today's episode, the prisons department on Monday sought to rubbish allegations of unhygienic conditions for inmates – including tainted food and unclean showers – attributing such claims to “ulterior motives”.Elsewhere, Cyprus' rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2026 offers a “unique opportunity” for the country to promote itself “as a trustworthy partner, with added value in a region of crucial importance”, President Nikos Christodoulides said.Also, only 11 of 19 lifeguard towers in Larnaca have any lifeguards, district supervisor of Larnaca lifeguards Savvas Ioannou, said on Monday.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, a holidaymaker in Ayia Napa has reported valuables worth over eleven thousand euros stolen from his beach bag while swimming on Saturday.Elsewhere, Cyprus has finally joined a Europe-wide push to protect people in bars and clubs, years after other EU nations rolled out safety schemes like ‘Ask for Angela'.Also, Cyprus' agriculture minister says climate change and rising costs are putting big pressure on the country's farmers.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, a law designed to help thousands of ‘trapped buyers' get a title deed on their property which they have paid for in full was passed by the House plenum on Thursday as the government hailed the development.Elsewhere, the government's plan for the introduction of courses in foreign languages at state universities is to serve interests other than those of the universities themselves, Akel warned on Thursday.Also, the European People's Party on Thursday offered its support to Cyprus' efforts to join Europe's Schengen zone.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, the cabinet suspended former head of the central prisons Anna Aristotelous from her present post at the defence ministry on Wednesday over the classified state documents found in the residence of the prisons' chief warden.Elsewhere, the permanent criminal court of Paphos will announce its sentence on July 8 for convicted murderer Doros Theofanous, known as “the hairdresser”, who escaped from custody last year.Also, the central government has allocated €8 million worth of funding to Cyprus' five district governments to deal with “water supply and water loss issues”, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Wednesday.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, there are “about 14” British Typhoon fighter jets currently stationed at the United Kingdom's Akrotiri base in Cyprus, the country's parliamentary under-secretary of state for the armed forces Luke Pollard said on Monday night.Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday said Cyprus is counting on the European Union's support to bring about a return to negotiations on the Cyprus problem.Also, road safety in Cyprus appears to have taken a downward path, with the number of fatalities rising by 21 per cent in 2024, according to a European report.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, efforts to repatriate Israelis continued on Thursday, with 21 outbound flights from Cyprus and the Crown Iris cruise ship departing Limassol, carrying around 1,600 Israelis home. Also, petrol prices in Cyprus have begun to rise due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, with two fuel importers already increasing wholesale rates, and others expected to follow, petrol station owners' association chairman Savvas Prokopiou said on Thursday.Elsewhere, hotels and tourist accommodations in Cyprus operating without full permits have been granted another one-year extension to comply, following a unanimous vote by MPs on Thursday.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, the United Kingdom's bases in Cyprus are “hugely important at this time”, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said, amid an escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Elsewhere, there has been “no wave of cancellations” of tourist bookings in Cyprus in recent days while the conflict Israel and Iran has escalated, Cyprus chamber of commerce and industry (Keve) chairman Philokypros Rousounides said on Tuesday.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, India expects to finalise a free trade agreement with the EU by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, while Cyprus, which assumes the EU presidency in 2026, said better ties would be its priority.Elsewhere, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Sunday confirmed the country would increase its presence in the Middle East, with the BBC reporting this increased presence will include Typhoon fighter jets and air-to-air refueler aircraft.Also, the drug problem in the island's schools has risen to the level of organised crime involving recruitment, trafficking and distribution and the failure to put a stop to it is systemic, MPs heard on Monday.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.

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, President Nikos Christodoulides met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday during the Ocean Conference in Nice.Elsewhere, Cyprus celebrated the Kataklysmos festival on Monday, a water-linked tradition marking 50 days after Easter.Also, Police launched an investigation on Monday after a quad bike was found burning in Ayia Napa at around 2.45am.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday laid the foundation stone for Phase 2 of Cyprus' airport expansion project, which is set to increase capacity to over 17 million passengers annually by 2027. Elsewhere, the old state fairgrounds in Nicosia will be transformed into a 250,000-square-metre nature park, scrapping earlier plans for a tech hub and commercial development, MPs heard on Thursday.Also, lawmakers on Thursday voiced frustration over continued delays in expanding the neonatal intensive care unit at Makarios Hospital, with construction stalled due to a legal dispute between the contractor and the state health services organisation (Okypy).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, House president Annita Demetriou spent over €18,700 on hotel accommodation during a July 2023 trip to London, with €15,172 covering rooms for her entourage of eight—including officials, CyBC staff, and a security guard—and €3,621 for her own stay, according to a report by the audit office. Elsewhere, Nicosia municipality is under fire over its decision to partly reopen Makarios avenue to private vehicles, a move critics say undermines sustainable urban mobility goals.Also, the government has no plans to scrap the 12 per cent pension ‘penalty' for those retiring early at 63, Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou told MPs on Tuesday, sparking a heated exchange in parliament.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.

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 government pledged that it would cover the state health services organisation (Okypy)'s financial deficits until the end of next year, with the deficits expected to reach around €70 million.Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides on Wednesday said he would be open to Turkish participation in the European Union's €150 billion defence programme, “if Turkey means what it says” in relation to the strengthening of its relations with the EU.Elsewhere, banana farmers in the Paphos district are “on the brink of disaster” over ongoing water shortages which are impacting the island.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail. 

In today's episode, President Nikos Christodoulides vowed that arrests of individuals accused of usurping Greek Cypriot-owned property in northern Cyprus “will certainly not stop, no matter what Tatar says.” Elsewhere, a new audit report has revealed financial irregularities among all seven political parties represented in Cyprus' parliament during the 2016–2021 term.Also, Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis dismissed accusations that President Nikos Christodoulides used the presidential jet for a domestic flight between Larnaca and Paphos as “ridiculous” and “a joke.”All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, a peaceful protest was held on Sunday evening in Paphos over the suspension of Metropolitan Bishop Tychikos. It began at 6.30pm in Town Hall Square, organised by parishioners from the Holy Metropolis of Paphos. Elsewhere, three men aged 30, 39 and 41 were remanded in custody for eight days on Sunday in connection with recent house burglaries in Paphos.Also, Parliament's finance committee will on Monday begin discussing a bill offering tax breaks to skilled Cypriots abroad, aiming to reverse brain drain under the “Minds in Cyprus” campaign.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today's episode, parliament on Thursday approved a constitutional amendment lowering the voting age to 17, with the change to take effect from July 1, 2027. The first election to include 17-year-old voters will be the 2028 presidential election.Elsewhere, Cyprus spent €500 million on migration management between 2021 and 2024, a third of which came from EU funds, Auditor-general Andreas Papaconstantinou told the House audit committee on Thursday. Around 41,000 asylum applications were filed during this period, 78 per cent via the north and 22 per cent by sea.All this and more in today's Daily News Briefing brought other you by the Cyprus Mail.