The Cyprus News Digest

Despite government assurances in the Spring that Cyprus was better prepared than ever before for the wildfire season, we clearly weren't: two people dead, hundreds of homes and hectares of protected forests destroyed. We discuss what should have been done - and what needs to be done the soonest to avoid another catastr

The destruction of the Pentakomo coastline continues unabated pending another court hearing at the end of August; a symbolic demonstration took place at the Palestinian embassy in Nicosia this week; music fans head to Katydata this weekend for the Windcraft Festival

There's no end in sight for the Vassiliko project: past mistakes have left many tricky issues to resolve and we can expect to continue paying exorbitant electricity prices for several years; there's anger at a proposed new bill before Parliament that will muzzle citizens' opposition and their right to demonstrate.

Cypriot scientists make a breakthrough in identifying genetic markers that could lead to breast and ovarian cancers; despite the Middle East ceasefire we may still see an impact on oil prices, and in Cyprus that usually means an increase in our electricity bills. 

We hear the inside story of the Madleen as she sailed to break the blockade of Gaza and was hijacked by Israeli forces; citizens in Nicosia protest against the Municipal Council's plans to reopen Makarios Avenue to traffic; the Zero Trace festival takes place this weekend in Limassol.

As attempts to solve the Cyprus problem falter again, the property issue is taking on new dimensions that could impact both sides; we hear from a doctor who was on the Madleen, sailing to break Israel's blockade of Gaza when it was boarded by Israeli forces in a clear act of piracy.