Greek Press

PHILELEFTHEROS “The plan remains on the table” AKEL does not see that the Annan plan has come to an end. It is still on the table, according to the General Secretary Demetris Christofias and will be re-negotiated as soon as possible. Christofias on Wednesday had a meeting with DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades, and outlined that discussions must be had with President Tassos Papadopoulos.

POLITIS “Commission adopts the T/Cs” The European Commission will now have control over the free movement of all products produced in the North, in consultation with the government, as agreed in Brussels on Wednesday. Any changes made by the government must first be agreed to by the Commission. Diplomatic sources told Politis that the Commission would have the first word.

MACHI “Search for Atlantis begins” One of the world’s largest mysteries is set to be unveiled, as explorer and author of the book The Uncovering of Atlantis Robert Sarmast will soon begin a sea exploration around the island. Sarmast claims his research points towards Cyprus being all that remains of the lost city of Atlantis. Sarmast has been exploring the possibility of finding Atlantis for the past 10 years.

ALITHIA “A slap from the UN for Tassos” Yet another slap in the face was given to Cyprus from the UN over President Papadopoulos’ behaviour in the recent referendum, which could lead to Greek Cypriots taking the blame for permanent partition on the island. The Turkish Cypriots who were once accused of being the ones responsible for a divided island have now won international sympathy. Prendergast has blamed the Greek Cypriots’ resounding no in the referendum on President Papadopoulos.

HARAVGHI “Cigarette tax to change” It is likely that as of today the taxation on cigarettes will change, as the Finance Ministry has suggested a change in consumer tax. According to information, the government is suggesting that the consumer tax be divided into fixed and proportionate taxes. The bill will be discussed by the House Finance Committee and will most likely be passed. According to the bill the price of one cigarette packet, which today costs £1.65, will rise to £2.60.

SIMERINI “Zivanaris died yesterday” Well-known businessman Michalakis Zivanaris died on Wednesday at the age of 70. He was the President of the Empoyers’ and Industrialists’ Federation Association of Cyprus and president of CyTA and APOEL. He was also the first elected mayor of Engomi. His funeral was due to take place yesterday.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.