THE SUDDEN death of Robin Cook, former British Foreign Minister and President of the Party of European Socialists, leaves a void in the political life of Britain. Cyprus and all Cypriots have lost a political ally.

POLICE have dismissed suggestions that breathalyser equipment being used by traffic police is faulty.

Several drivers have told the Cyprus Mail that they have been tested when clearly over the limit but came through the alcotest with a clean reading.

WITH bloodbaths on the island’s roads practically a daily phenomenon, Health Minister Andreas Gavrielides told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that plans to improve and centralise the ambulance system are in the making, although he could not offer any specifics about what these changes were or when they might take effect.

THE threat of burglary has increased with the August temperatures now that Cypriots are closing up shop and escaping to the beach or mountains.

POLICE in Ayia Napa are on the lookout for foreign men posing as Cypriot policemen and stealing money from tourists.

A source at Famagusta district police told the Cyprus Mail that undercover policemen had already sprung into action in an effort to quickly apprehend the culprits.

IT IS NOT the first time police act in a slapdash manner when dealing with mass protests, said Ombudswoman Iliana Nicolaou yesterday, referring to the violent scenes outside Moni cement factory during the truckers’ strike last month.

THE NEW head of the Competition Commission Giorgos Christophides, said on assuming his responsibilities on Tuesday that he would continue his predecessor’s efforts to open up the telecommunications market, currently dominated by CyTA. His predecessor was involved in a protracted legal battle with the Authority over its new mobile telephony rates, which he insisted were stifling free competition.

THE GOVERNMENT reacted yesterday to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s comments to a Turkish newspaper, saying it would be launching a “large-scale campaign” abroad to prove that Talat’s ultimate agenda was recognition of the pseudostate and not reunification.