December 20 Daily News Briefing

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 Swedish fugitive in the Larnaca area almost 24-hours after he escaped from a private clinic while supposedly under guard. Also, the House on Monday voted by majority to limit cash transactions over €10,000 after the previous iteration had been referred back to parliament by the president. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 not attempt to exploit the gap created by the change of leadership in Syria. All this and much more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 rising in the north, Turkish Cypriot independent ‘MP’ Jale Refik Rogers said during a debate on the ‘health ministry’s’ 2025 budget. A Near East University study reported a 25% increase in cases over three years, with each HIV patient infecting an average of nine others. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 budget was voted through parliament. All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 party heads. Also, President Nikos Christodoulides condemned the violent incidents which unfolded over the weekend between teenagers and police officers across the country, leaving havoc in their wake. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 schemes for those impacted by inflation. Elsewhere, MPs narrowly approved a bill on Thursday to increase the levy on net betting earnings from 3% to 4.5%, with the additional funds directed to football clubs and their academies. The legislation passed with 27 votes in favor and 25 against, sparking criticism over its implications. All this and much more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

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 number of Syrian nationals have already left Cyprus to return to a post-Assad state, raising local concerns over the impact a flood of returns may have on the island’s construction industry, manned largely by Syrians. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by The Cyprus Mail.

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 flowing through Europe, Keir Starmer’s office announced on Tuesday, after his meeting described as historic with President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia. All this and much more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by The Cyprus Mail.

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 Monday after President Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power. Also, the financial wellbeing of Cypriot citizens has marked a significant decline, according to the results of the Financial Wellbeing Index 2024. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.