ALITHIA: “Environmentalists disagree over new Defence Ministry building”. The Green Party has expressed its concern over plans to go ahead and build the new Defence Ministry in the area opposite the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia. The Party’s Nicosia district committee said such a development would destroy yet another one of the capital’s historical monuments. Instead, they suggested building a multiplex arts and culture centre, with open grounds where trees can be planted.
PHILELEFTHEROS: “After the bill he pulled out a knife”. A 33-year-old Limassol man was arrested in connection with pulling out a knife and threatening a pub owner after the pair had a disagreement over the bill. An off-duty police officer, who was at the scene tried to intervene, but the man threatened him as well. A second off-duty officer also present in the pub promptly arrested the 33-year-old on charges of being caught in the act of a crime.
MACHI: “Earthquake would cause chaos to schools”. If a fire or earthquake were to hit public schools there would be absolute pandemonium because teachers and students have not been told how to deal with such a situation. Moreover parents have not been informed what the procedure to pick up their children will be in such an emergency. The parents’ association plans to bring up the matter at a meeting with the Education Minster next week and said students should start having safety procedure exercises.
POLITIS: “No lawyer for Onoufrios”. A Limassol court has been unable to appoint a lawyer to defend convicted bomber Andreas Onoufrios who escaped from prison and was caught a couple of months ago. According to Onoufrios, none of the court appointed attorneys accepted to take on his case, where he faces charges of possession and transporting explosive materials, breaking and entering tools, fingerprint tools and a fuse wire. The court has promised to find him suitable defence lawyer so he can have a fair trial.
HARAVGHI: “779 new positions in the civil service”. The Finance Ministry lodged a supplementary budget before the House, which includes the creation of 779 addition places within the government, the abolition of two positions, the transfer of 2,720 places and the renaming of 28 job titles. These changes will all be included in the annual £15,069,109 budget.
KYPROS SIMERA: “Uncontrollable fuel price increases”. Fuel price increases have spun out of control, as the government constantly imposes new increases, which result in crippling families’ budgets. Fuel price increases also have a knock-on effect on other products and only burden consumers more. Although price increases are global, there are times the government is trying to benefit from the scheme and that is unacceptable.
