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In today’s episode, government officials pledged new measures to address distortions in public contract awards, following an Audit Office report showing that a few firms dominate state projects.  Elsewhere, operations at Limassol port resumed on Thursday after the heads of category A transporters’ associations agreed to suspend strike action following consultations with President Nikos Christodoulides and Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades. Also, Parliament passed a law tightening up the rules on owning certain types of firearms, giving the chief of police total discretion on the granting of gun permits. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail Newspaper.

In today’s episode, trade unions on Wednesday accepted the government’s proposal for the future of the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA), before employers’ organisations promptly rejected it. Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Wednesday both discussed relations between the European Union and Turkey with the bloc’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman’s first trip to Turkey since being elected to the office is expected to take place between Tuesday and Friday next week, the Cyprus Mail understands. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail Newspaper.

In today’s episode, President Nikos Christodoulides has set a target for Cyprus to achieve water self-reliance by 2028 through the installation of two permanent desalination units.  Elsewhere, the findings of several high-profile corruption investigations are set to be released this month. Also, a report by the Audit Office found that the Social Support Fund, chaired by the First Lady and financed by private donors, raises concerns over possible conflicts of interest. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail Newspaper.

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 called for an “immediate” response from parliament to pass his tax reform plans into law, to allow them to be implemented by the beginning of next year. President Nikos Christodoulides also told new United Nations special representative in Cyprus Khassim Diagne of his “political will” to “create the appropriate conditions for the resumption of talks” to solve the Cyprus problem. Elsewhere, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades and the commissioner for gender equality Josie Christodoulou welcomed on Wednesday the installation of new female silhouettes on pedestrian traffic lights in Nicosia. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail Newspaper. 

In today’s episode, “everyone will be judged at the negotiating table”, President Nikos Christodoulides said, responding to comments by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman on peace talks. Meanwhile, an official at a semi-governmental organisation almost got in trouble with the anti-corruption authority after flaunting their wealth on social media, media reports said. Also, Cyprus was ranked 30th out of 143 countries in this year’s edition of the World Justice Project (WJP)’s annual rule of law index, moving up a single place since last year. 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, Cyprus insists on staying committed to the proposed electrical link, the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), despite doubts from the European Investment Bank (EIB) about its financial viability.  Elsewhere, the north’s ‘prime minister’ and head of the UBP party, Unal Ustel, on Monday ruled out the option of early elections, saying his ‘government’ was a “government of action, not election.” Also, the future of Akrotiri’s vital salt lake is at the center of a new 25-year conservation plan aimed at protecting the area’s unique ecosystem. 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, organised crime in Cyprus is now often imported from abroad, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said. Meanwhile, Senegalese diplomat Khassim Diagne, who will serve as the UN’s new special representative and head of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) has arrived in Cyprus to formally assume his duties, the UN said. Elsewhere, United States President Donald Trump has nominated John Breslow of the state of Arizona to be the country’s new ambassador in Nicosia. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, the government sought to downplay worries that – amid the persistent drought – Cyprus will dry out, insisting it has taken a series of actions ensuring adequate water supply. Meanwhile, Sunday’s Turkish Cypriot leadership election result was “a reaction from the Turkish Cypriot people” Turkish Cypriot perpetual candidate Arif Salih Kirdag said after achieving a career high of third place. Also, more than 150 athletes aged up to 87 relived moments from their swimming careers at the 8th international veterans’ games, held this weekend at the Limassol Olympic swimming pool. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.

In today’s episode, three men,aged 58, 39, and 30, have been remanded for eight days in connection with the murder of businessman Stavros Demosthenous.  Elsewhere, deals were signed for the commercial development of the Kronos gas reservoir in Cyprus's Block 6. Also, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas warned MPs of a recruitment crisis threatening the National Guard's future. 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 governments of Cyprus and Greece moved to ease tensions over the €1.9 billion Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) on Thursday, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the project.  Elsewhere, Separate meetings on Thursday between trade unions, employers’ organisations and the ministers of labour and finance failed to resolve the deadlock over the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA). Also, Cyprus remains committed to safeguarding peace, security, territorial integrity and its sovereign rights, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Thursday at the conclusion of a military exercise at Kalo Chorio. All this and more in today’s Daily News Briefing brought to you by the Cyprus Mail.