EUROPEAN Commission President Romano Prodi said yesterday the UN plan was a promising turn of events and urged the two sides not to let the opportunity slip.

CENTRAL Bank Governor Christodoulos Christodoulou met senior officials yesterday to discuss a “workable banking system” within the parameters outlined in the UN settlement to advise President Glafcos Clerides during possible future negotiations with Turkish Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash.

IN ADDITION to the topographical and political concerns posed by the lengthy United Nations peace plan, one provision has been raising eyebrows on both sides of the Green Line: mandatory Greek and Turkish language instruction.

SECTIONS of Ledra and Onasagorou Streets will reopen to full-time traffic on November 25 after hosting pedestrian shoppers for just over a decade. The decision to make the area a semi-pedestrian zone is part of a series of measures taken by the Nicosia municipality to revive the old city, despite calls from some shopkeepers to keep the area a fully pedestrianised zone.

POLICE yesterday announced that from today members of the public could call a special hotline to report crimes, give information or even file complaints against officers.

New Chief of Police Tassos Panayiotou said the line – 1460 – would be linked to the force’s HQ and staffed around the clock.

CYPRUS Airways yesterday launched its new interactive website allowing passengers to book and pay for their flights online anywhere in the world.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, CY Chairman Haris Loizides said the new site would provide customers with extensive functionality and services.

TWO BRITONS yesterday began jail terms after admitting to involvement in what police described as the biggest ever ecstasy haul in Cyprus, while a third was released after the charges were dropped.

RUSSIAN oil company Lukoil yesterday unveiled the first of its 16 petrol stations in Cyprus.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Commerce and Industry Minister Nicos Rolandis welcomed the company, saying it would create a competitive environment in the Cyprus Market.

SEVEN specialists from the Nicosia general hospital started working at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre without a hitch on Monday, reports said yesterday.

A 51-YEAR-OLD Larnaca airport employee was yesterday remanded in eight-day custody for allegedly smuggling foreign workers from Lebanon into the country, reported CyBC.