Cyprus’ hydrocarbon exploration programme will resume in the second half of 2021, Minister of Energy Natasa Pilides has said, before admitting that the coronavirus pandemic made drilling projects “increasingly complex.”

Cyprus has welcomed new regulations drafted by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by existing ships once these are implemented in about six months.

Leondios Kostrikis, Professor of Biotechnology and Virology at the University of Cyprus, does neither confirm nor denies the various scenarios about new restrictive measures against COVID-19, however, he believes that any measures will be valid also during Christmas holiday.

The Council of Ministers has approved a proposal tabled by the Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou for the purchase of an additional 400,000 rapid antigen tests to bolster efforts toward monitoring the island’s epidemiological situation and limiting the spread of coronavirus.

The Polemi, Stroumbi and Yiolou communities on Tuesdsay asked to be included in the interior ministry’s mountainous and rural areas housing programme, citing a demographic turning point.

House prices in Cyprus continued their upward trend in the second quarter of 2020, recording a quarterly increase of 0.9%, compared to an increase of 0.4% in the year’s first quarter.

The cost of electricity is expected to be reduced in 2022, as the market opens to competition and the project to bring natural gas is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said on Tuesday.

Foreign investors’ interest in Cyprus remains robust despite the scrapping of the Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programme, MPs were assured on Tuesday.

Cyprus’ state budget 2021 is not affected by the recent surge of coronavirus cases which has led to a local lockdown of Limassol and Paphos, triggering more financial support for employees and businesses.

A total of four traditional Cypriot products, Zivania, Ouzo, Commandaria wine and Loukoumi Geroskipou – a type of Cypriot delight – have all been included in a list of EU protected geographic indications (PGIs) that will be recognised by China under a new agreement.