A MASS exodus of mainland Turks from the north reached its fifth day yesterday, prompting estimates that as many as 10,000 may have left since the Turkish Cypriot authorities began their clampdown on illegal immigration on July 1.
At Kyrenia port yesterday, several thousand sought to board ships to the Turkish mainland or face fines for staying beyond the July 1 amnesty.
Sir,
I agree with yesterday’s letter on the state of Pissouri beach, which is a disgrace.
Sir,
Since the opening of the checkpoints, many people, including tourists, have crossed over to see sights that were not available to them in the past.
Among the many cars crossing each day is a growing number of hire cars with the familiar red number plate and ‘Z’ registration.
PHARMACISTS across the island yesterday shut shop for two hours in protest at the government’s medicines policy, which they say has led to serious shortages in recent months.
Several chemists closed down from 11am to 1pm, in what president of the Pharmacists’ Association Nicos Nouris called a “spontaneous action”.
TWO Syrian illegal immigrants shot themselves in the foot when they stole a moped that had just been used in a robbery in the centre of Limassol.
It all started when a thief snatched a bag with around £18,000 belonging to a petrol station owner on his way to the bank to deposit the money.
IN A BIZARRE turn of events, employers and trade unions have come together under a common agenda: to attack the government on its handling of the social insurance fund.
As of July 1, retirement age in the public sector has been upped from 60 to 63 on a voluntary basis; this arrangement will remain in place until July 1, 2008, when retirement will become mandatory at the age of 63.
TURKISH Cypriot villagers, originally from Tylliria on the north western coast of the island, are asking to move back and have made an official request to the government.
Reports yesterday said the government was considering the request and would given an answer by December.
A MAN forcefully unzipped his ex-girlfriend to check whether she had had sex with another man, a Nicosia district court heard yesterday.
The 29-year-old suspect from Limassol could also face charges of assault and causing grievous bodily harm on suspicion of slashing an off-duty police officer with what is thought to be a Stanley knife.
THE CYPRUS International Institute (CII) for the Environment and Public Health, established by the Harvard School of Public Health and the government, will be launching its research and academic work in September, it emerged 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.
