A PROJECT which aims to help girls be treated as equals with boys, so that one day Cyprus could have more women in Parliament and in decision-making generally, is under way on the island.

MISS India, Lara Dutta, was crowned Miss Universe at 6am yesterday morning, as the fraught and glittery beauty pageant finally came to a close in the Eleftheria Stadium, Nicosia.

NICOS Rolandis, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, yesterday heralded the Miss Universe pageant as a universal success.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, he said “the pageant’s objectives were fully achieved and I thought it was a great performance”.

PRESIDENT Glafcos Clerides is expected to leave Evangelistria Clinic in Nicosia on Tuesday, doctors said yesterday.

Clerides underwent surgery last Friday to remove a polyp growth from his large intestine. Yesterday his doctors told reporters that the president would be leaving the clinic at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

FORMER Polish United Nations Representative Zbigniew Wlosowicz will be the new Acting UN Special Representative in Cyprus and Unficyp Chief of Mission when the term of the incumbent James Holger expires on May 31, the Cyprus News Agency said yesterday.