Rosie Charalambous Podcasts

What should the government do about the rising cost of electricity, and is a price cap on petrol and diesel a realistic solution to soaring fuel prices?

Citizens mobilise to protest against plans for development in the sensitive Akamas Peninsula; a Japanese-inspired kite flying contest will take place across the green line in Nicosia

Cyprus' first ever Veterinary School opens in September - and could greatly improve animal welfare on the island; robots will be in action at the upcoming Robotex competition, and lack of care for the environment is again making headlines

We look in depth at the state of the Cyprus economy and discuss the geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean in light of elections next year both in Cyprus and Turkey - is the annexation of north Cyprus a possibility?

Are we about to destroy Cyprus' last area of outstanding natural beauty? Did a Spanish spy plot to overthrow north African leaders from his base in Cyprus in the 19th century?

For the first time in 20 years Cypriots can travel to the European mainland by sea; Pianosfest2 showcases 4 talented Cypriot pianists; a bicommunal children's party in the park aims to raise funds for children with cancer

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce calls on the government to tackle food insecurity; high blood pressure, hypertension, is a silent killer that affects over one billion people globally; one of Europe's preeminent chamber music festivals kicks off next week

A huge blow to Cyprus' most endangered species as 3 vultures are found dead; do the proposals for a minimum wage need tweaking before becoming law? A local charity is asking for musical instruments you no longer use.

Proposed legislation for a minimum wage excludes some of the most vulnerable groups of workers; 5G now covers all of Cyprus; the newly appointed Deputy Minister for Culture outlines his priorities; May 8th is International Thalassemia Day

Ypsonas becomes the first Municipality in Cyprus to sign a zero waste pledge; the Cities & Communities Programme Coordinator at Zero Waste Europe explains how we can reduce our negative impact on the planet.

Long awaited local government reform may be scuppered (and with it a tranche of EU funding) by the President's refusal to sign off the relevant Bill; choking Saharan dust has plagued the island this week, with high levels of particulate matter threatening public health

The law banning single use plastics in Cyprus has been put back yet again - until September; dead animals from Limassol zoo are found dumped in a landfill; a new campaign for gender equality invites public participation

If Vladimir Putin succeeds in toppling the Ukrainian government, the road ahead will be fraught with difficulties; how and when will the abuses in Cyprus' national health service be fixed?

Women, peace-building and climate change in a divided Cyprus; are new synergies needed for success? Women bear the brunt of conflict: the basics are ignored; Cyprus marks World Oral Health Day with free checkups.

Can an independent candidate for next year's presidential election buck voting trends in Cyprus? The Auditor General releases a damning report on developments in the Akamas peninsula

Will sanctions on Russia have the desired effect - or will the West's energy needs come first, and what are the alternatives? Demonstrators gather in Nicosia to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Systematic gender discrimination in the Cyprus national guard is under the spotlight; a lizard is added to the island's rich list of endemic species; efforts continue to promote sustainable tourism and the reduction of plastic

A catalogue of delays, failures and incompetence in the energy sector is costing Cypriot taxpayers millions of Euros.

Are plans to make bicycle helmets compulsory detracting from the lack of proper road safety infrastructure in Cyprus? Disabled people who use assistance dogs are facing discrimination, which is illegal under EU law.

Are both sides in Cyprus are using the issue of Varosha for their own political ends? After a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court will the Ayia Napa rape case now be fully and properly investigated and those accused face justice? Buses in Nicosia and Larnaca now offer 5G connectivity.

Cyprus drops down the corruption rankings; a new law aims to protect whistleblowers, but will it work? The cold snap will continue for the next few days but milder conditions are expected in February.

Dead flamingo indicates that Cyprus' wetlands are poisoned with lead pellets; government policies are exacerbating tension between refugees and host communities, as well as infringing human rights

Although still critically endangered, the Mediterranean monk seal is breeding off the Cyprus coast and its numbers are slowly increasing; after recovering from injury, a Cypriot in the USA joins the 500-mile AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride

How serious is Cyprus about the European Green Deal and sustainable mobility solutions? If citizens understood the true cost of car ownership (almost 400 euros per month) they might look for more cost effective alternatives, but are these available?

Cyprus will participate for the first time in the World Poetry Slam Championship; the Italian ambassador leaves with fond memories of Cyprus; the EU Commission Representation in Cyprus hosts an online discussion about migration and integration

Despite Covid restrictions, the Christmas mountain villages will go ahead; Italy honours Rita Severis for her contribution to bilateral cultural relations, and before leaving the island, the UN special advisor tells Cypriots not to give up hope for a Cyprus solution

Could the Omicron Covid variant bring herd immunity? The EU Commission Vice President lambasts some MEPs about migration; Cypriots take to the streets to save the Akamas peninsula from unbridled development; it's been Italian cuisine week

Birds flown in from Spain give a welcome boost to Cyprus' endangered Griffon Vulture population; will funding for the revamp of central Nicosia be withdrawn if cars are allowed to circulate? As Native Americans mark Thanksgiving we discuss the impact of their culture on US society

New research is studying antibodies in relation to Covid19; the outgoing head of UNFICYP addresses the 17th Annual Cyprus Summit; we talk to the leader of a project studying the epidemiology of dementia in Cyprus.

The Parliamentary Ethics Committee discusses ways to ensure transparency in MP's declarations of assets; the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage receives the Europa Nostra Award; Cyprus was an important stop-off for 15th century travellers to the Middle East

Gender equality isn't just about women: Sweden's Coordinator of Feminist Foreign Policy gives us the bigger picture; should Ecocide be added to the remit of the International Criminal Court? Larnaca goes digital with a virtual reality tour

Parliament ponders changes to maternity leave; dry stone walls can protect areas ravaged by wildfires and courses are being run to teach this ancient technique; young and old are invited to take part in the Nicosia City Run

300,000 trees in Nicosia is getting back to work after lockdown; can you meet Birdlife Cyprus' latest challenge? A new exhibition examines Cypriot identity.

Scientists from 20 countries meet in Cyprus next week with plans to address climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean region; after 2 years, the Cyprus Robotics competition returns; Let's Do It Cyprus prepares for a national clean-up campaign

Cyprus' Deputy Minister for research and Innovation says the island's digital transformation is on track; everything students need to know can be found at the British Council's Study UK event; the Cyprus Forum aims to inform policy makers

We meet a Palestinian refugee whose life is the subject of a book about gender, identity and worth; and are you up for the Cyprus Space Apps challenge?

Cyprus falls to Tier 2 in the Trafficking in Persons report, and victims aren't getting the support they should; a new tourist route offers hands-on experiences of the real Cyprus; an upcoming theatre production of 'Love, Loss and what I Wore'.

As electricity prices rise, lobby groups are holding back reforms in the energy sector; booster jabs are on the cards for the over 65s but are they needed? Live music will be popping up in streets all over Cyprus next week

The Cyprus Medical Association cannot sanction doctors being investigated for unethical behaviour or criminal offences until the lengthy judicial process is complete - until then, they can keep practising; a new App can take you on tours of Nicosia's monuments.

Will rescinding some Turkish Cypriot passports take Cyprus closer to partition? A new book looks at identity, belonging and sexuality in the Arab world; and two months of culture are upcoming with the Kypria Festival

A new website maps holy sites for all faiths in Cyprus as a tool for reconciliation; come Christmas, mountain villages will turn into a winter wonderland; a free water station is installed at the island's first plastic-free beach

Fewer Covid tests means fewer recorded cases: will that move Cyprus up to the green category? The tourism sector is having to rely on 'staycations'; all work under direct sunlight should cease during the heatwave.

President Erdogan announces the opening of part of Varosha in occupied Famagusta; a mob trashes the Sigma media headquarters; the Swedish embassy issues a 7-day sustainability challenge

Cyprus gets a rap over the knuckles from the European Court of Human Rights; volunteers are needed at Zero Food Waste Cyprus and we look at other stories making the headlines this week

After the devastating wildfires, the authorities are called on to investigate the conditions under which agricultural workers are employed; many small businesses don't have the wherewithal or knowledge to implement health and safety rules; despite a spike in covid cases, hoteliers remain optimistic

Time is running out for Greek Cypriots to lay claim to their properties in the occupied areas of Cyprus; the healing power of lavender: free workshops kick off in Platres this weekend.

There's been a spike in cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, and young Cypriots are shunning the chance to get vaccinated; Cyprus' first 'sustainable park' is planned for Nicosia; we meet a musician who has emerged from lockdown with a new album that reflects on society and who we are.

Serious lead pollution has been found near Larnaca Salt Lake; the Chamber of Commerce explains its call for a deferment of the implementation of the single-use plastics directive; and you're invited to "re-discover your food" on Sunday

It's been on the cards for several years, but Cyprus businesses are asking for more time to implement the ban on single use plastic; the Health Ministry backtracks on which vaccinations are available to non-GESY patients

16 months after closing, the crossings between north and south Cyprus open today; we discuss voting trends in the wake of the parliamentary elections; and fewer women MPs is a blow for gender equality.