Israel hijacks a boat on the high seas: we talk to one of the founders of the Free Gaza Movement (pictured); should a different methodology be adopted for the Cyprus settlement negotiations? Animal rights activists demonstrate outside the Presidential Palace.

Deputy Minister to the President, Constantinos Petrides (pictured), says there's an urgent need for reform of the Civil Service, and his measures should be passed by Parliament before the summer recess; the Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, George Lakkotrypis, says things are getting better for Cyprus businesses; Irish experts share their best practices on entrepreneurship; you can broaden your horizons with a MOOC.

We discuss a conference on Trafficking in Women for Labour Exploitation in Domestic Work with three of the keynote speakers; hear about the International Lady Margaret Cavendish Conference from Professor Jim Fitzmaurice (pictured), and upcoming events - including a call for your videos by France's Arte TV. 

'Bloomsday' will be celebrated with a night of Irish Literature in Nicosia; the Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development urges us to "Say No to plastic bags"; the bi-communal Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage is preparing for the ceremony to mark the restoration of Othello's Tower in Famagusta (pictured)

Solar-powered cars take to the streets of Nicosia; environmental NGO's campaign against government proposals to legalise bird trapping (pictured); the UN and EU express "hope" for a Cyprus settlement; the Ecofestival celebrates natural products.

We discuss EU development goals for the Middle East and North Africa, and talk to Professor Farid Mirbagheri (pictured) about the political dynamics of the region; an exhibition to mark International Biodiversity Day; the Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival.

After almost 2 years, a Turkish Cypriot couple (pictured) are still waiting for the case brought against them for flying a Republic of Cyprus flag outside their shop in Famagusta to be heard in court; the Pharos International Chamber Music Festival gets under way with world-renowned musicians performing in unique settings; historic cars take to the roads 

We meet Cyprus' Eurovision hopeful John Karayiannis (pictured) and the composer of his song; European NGOs call on citizens to sign their 'Nature Alert'; the GSP stadium complex hopes to attract foreign athletes to train in Cyprus.

A popular movement hopes to open a crossing between Dherynia and Famagusta; Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was the topic of discussion at the University of Nicosia this week, sponsored by the Spanish embassy. It follwed a screening of the Bref documentary by Christina Pitouli (pictured) 

The European Parliament is clamping down on the use of plastic bags - we talk to Rapporteur Margrete Auken (pictured); Cypriot MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou talks about his work, and his desire for a Cyprus settlement.