In today’s episode, Cyprus will go into an effective standstill for three hours on Thursday, disrupting everything from schools, airlines, court cases and public transport and other sectors.

The nationwide strike set to begin at 12pm and end at 3pm is linked to demands for the cost-of-living allowance.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man suspected of beating to death a 16-year-old girl in the north surrendered himself to the Greek Cypriot police.

Elsewhere, the UN in Cyprus has pointed the finger at the Greek Cypriot side for only complaining over the Cyprus stalemate and doing nothing to rectify it.

All this and more in the Cyprus Beat briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.