Energy system undergoing ‘a total restructuring’
Cyprus aims to solve its energy storage problem within the next 18 to 24 months, so that the energy generated from renewables doesn’t go to waste, the energy minister said on ...
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EU warns Cyprus over failure on anti-money laundering directive
The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Cyprus for the latter’s failure to correctly transpose the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
The letter of formal notice to Cyprus is ...
Akel says it’s determined not to let spyware probe drop
Opposition Akel on Monday said it will hand over material to the independent anti-corruption authority regarding the use of spyware, vowing not to drop the issue until some accountability has ...
‘Strategic Investments’ law passed, raises concerns over ministerial discretion
The House on Thursday passed a law that fast-tracks ‘strategic investments’ and regulates licensing procedures and timeframes, but some MPs decried the discretionary powers given to the minister and senior ...
Second supplementary budget approved despite complaints
Despite complaining about wasteful expenditures, MPs on Thursday gave the nod to the government’s second supplementary budget for fiscal year 2023.
The €361 million budget bill passed with 45 votes for, and ...
Report highlights need for clear guidelines on immigrant repatriation
In a just-published report on Thursday, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) said that persons being returned ...
House strikes down debtors’ rights bill
After a fiery debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday, showcasing vastly divergent ideas about the relationship between debtors and banks, the plenum voted down two bills which the ...
Some 42 children diagnosed with cancer every year
Every year 42 new cases of cancer in children are recorded in Cyprus, a stable but worrying trend, although survival rates remained very high, a paediatrician and oncologist said on Tuesday.
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Loan demand declines as banks tighten criteria
Demand for loans from businesses and individuals alike declined during the first quarter of the year as banks tightened up their lending criteria and raised interest rates, according to a ...
State will spend €60m on Cost of Living Allowance
The state will spend €60 million more this fiscal year as a result of the increase since June in the Cost of Living Allowance (CoLA), MPs heard on Tuesday.
The funds ...
Showdown looms at the House over foreclosures
A marathon session in parliament on Monday failed to avoid a showdown at the House plenum for later this week, where MPs will be voting on a contentious bill tabled ...
Parliament highlights lack of support for Alzheimer’s patients
The lack of dedicated facilities for Alzheimer’s patients and the almost total absence of state support came up in parliament on Thursday, with government officials promising to take a ...
Investigation launched into fertilizer scam
The Department of Environment is investigating a suspected scam where contaminated vegetable compost (fertilizer) may have been supplied to farmers, officials said on Tuesday.
The suspected fraud and potential embezzlement ...
New courts should ‘enhance people’s trust’
The new look to the top tier of justice on the island – after 60 years of operation a restructure will see three new courts operating – was branded as “historic” by the ...
GMI forms move online (updated)
Applications for Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) can now be filed online, the government said on Tuesday.
Deputy minister for social welfare Marilena Evangelou was speaking at the House labour committee.
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Tax scheme to attract high earners to Cyprus
The Tax Department said on Tuesday that an amending law providing for income tax exemptions for non-residents of Cyprus has come into effect, and that the relevant tax form would ...
‘Mortgage to rent’ scheme nearing completion
The government will soon roll out its ‘Mortgage to Rent’ scheme after getting the green light from the European Commission, a senior official briefed MPs on Monday.
Giorgos Panteli, permanent ...
Legislation to eliminate mid-term exams at high schools passed
The House on Thursday passed legislation scrapping mid-term exams at public high schools while keeping one final exam at the end of the academic year which will carry a 30 per ...
Government spent €440 million to offset energy crisis impact, says minister
The government has spent some €440 million to cushion consumers from the financial impact of the ongoing global energy crisis, while making other moves aimed at driving down the cost of ...
MPs threaten sit-downs over snub from ministers
MPs on Tuesday threatened to turn activist and do sit-downs blocking the entrances of ministry buildings, in protest at what they call an ongoing snub by government officials.
At the ...
No evidence of criminal wrongdoing in dead conscript case
No evidence of criminal wrongdoing has come up in the case of the 2005 death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou, and therefore the state will be taking no more action, the ...
Indictments refiled in golden passports case
The indictments in the ‘golden passports’ case have been re-filed as promised, attorney-general Giorgos Savvides said on Tuesday.
“We said we would, and we did,” Savvides told reporters.
Taking questions ...
Government mulls extending electricity bill subsidy
The government is mulling extending the scheme for subsidising electricity bills, but has yet to firm up a decision, an official told MPs on Monday.
Melina Katsounotou, head of the ...
MPs told tinkering with foreclosures threatens whole system
Despite dire warnings from the government and the Central Bank, MPs on Monday decided to send on to the House plenum for a vote four legislative proposals amending the foreclosures ...