THE CABINET is today expected to approve legislation bringing Cyprus’ anti-smoking laws in line with EU norms and putting an end to cigarette advertising.

Health Minister Frixos Savvides outlined the anticipated changes during a World No-Tobacco Day news conference yesterday.

TESTS at the Limassol kindergarten shut down by parents because they said an electrical sub-station had caused leukaemia to four pupils, have shown electromagnetic emissions to be seven times the accepted levels, Parents’ Association Spokesman Michalis Michail said yesterday.

THE SPAT between Akel and Disy continued without letup yesterday as the two parties exchanged fire over the alleged existence of a ‘paramilitary’ group that Akel claims is harboured by Disy.

THE CYPRUS Hotel Association (Pasyxe) yesterday said that higher tourism arrivals and receipts should not give the impression that all was well in the industry.

SHARE prices fell marginally yesterday as slight gains in most sectors were offset by a one percent slide in the sector representing blue chips Louis and Globalsoft.com.

The CSE all-share index was down 0.71 points, or 0.13 per cent to a close of 528.69. There were thin fluctuations, with an intraday high and low difference of just two points.

BROKERS meet today to discuss increasing the security collateral of brokerages — which hasn’t changed since the market was dabbling in maximum volumes of two million pounds daily.

MOODY’S ratings agency yesterday cut Cyprus’s A-2/P-1 foreign debt and deposits ratings outlook to negative from stable, citing lack of timely fiscal reform.

The effective downgrade comes hard on the heels of a damning IMF report last week which warned the government to shore up its economy ahead of European Union accession scheduled after 2003.

A PLEASURE cruiser went up in flames yesterday, injuring the captain and sending 41 tourists diving for their lives into the sea.

The glass-bottomed Lady Diana from Ayia Napa harbour had anchored about 500 metres off the beach at Konnos bay near Cape Greco in the Famagusta District to allow the passengers to have a swim.

DESPITE a government plea for calm, the fur flew yesterday afternoon as the House Defence committee discussed Akel allegations that Disy was harbouring a ‘paramilitary’ secretariat.

The head-on clash between the left-wing opposition and right-wing governing party continued outside the House of Representatives too.

THE METEORIC rise in the cost of electricity is the latest burden to hit the consumer, spurred forward by increasing oil prices and a rising dollar.

Fixed since 1983 on the basis of £50 per metric tonne, but fluctuating according to the price of oil, Electricity Authority oil tariffs had enjoyed a record low in recent years.