CYPRUS’ handling of the Gaza flotilla affair has been inexplicable from beginning to end. On Monday the strongest of words issued from President Demetris Christofias condemning the deaths of pro-Palestinian activists who tried to break the blockade on Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry also issued a statement reiterating its position for the “immediate, continuing and unconditional access of humanitarian aid, commercial products and people to and from Gaza”

NGOs “should be left to act freely in the framework of the legitimacy and the respect of law” it said.

A BRITISH woman living in Episkopi spoke of her anger last night as her partner remained locked up in an Israeli prison.

Ruth Baker told the Cyprus Mail that her long-term partner Denis Healey was being detained after captaining the Challenger One which was part of the Free Gaza Movement flotilla that was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday.

“I have heard nothing at all from Denis, the British Foreign Office rang me today and said he was being held at Beersheba prison, but they can’t confirm this until the consular people have visited the prison, which has not happened yet,” she said.

BUS OWNERS were warned yesterday that they were running out of time to accept a deal to retire from the business or participate in the new transportation system, set to start on July 5, unless deputies agree to postpone it as some suggested.

The professional drivers are seeking payments totalling around €50 million, when the state is only willing to offer €3 million, the House Communications and Works Ministry heard yesterday.

Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis – who joined Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis to attend yesterday’s parliamentary session – warned bus drivers that time was running out to make up their minds.

BOTH wards at Nicosia’s Makarios hospital are full following a recent outbreak of gastroenteritis.

At least 40 children have been admitted for treatment for the common viral infection which was brought on by fluctuating weather conditions.

Head of the hospital’s paediatric department, Dr Andreas Hadjidemetriou, said the reason a number of children needed hospitalisation was because gastroenteritis symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea, which in turn brought about dehydration.

“Some children, particularly infants, need to receive fluids intravenously for their rehydration… Their treatment needs some care and monitoring,” he said.

According to Hadjidemetriou both departments, with 20 beds each, were full.

CYPRUS must rein in public spending and re-direct it to development projects to help lift its economy out of its worst recession in three decades, central bank Governor Athanasios Orphanides said yesterday.

Orphanides, who is also a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, said problems in the economy needed to be tackled comprehensively, and with backing from across the island’s political and economic spectrum.

“Cutting back on non-productive public spending is necessary, because only then can resources be freed up and directed to economic growth and curbing unemployment,” said Orphanides, who was an introductory speaker at a book presentation in Nicosia.

THE HOUSE Commerce Committee has decided to appoint a special committee to deal with red tape as a means of saving the state millions in lost man hours, it said yesterday.

Speaking after the Committee meeting, Committee Chairman, DISY’s Lefteris Christoforou said parliament deemed that bureaucracy was a major hitch in the state’s growth, especially when it turned against the rights and best interests of Cypriots.

“In a time of economic crisis reducing bureaucracy will lead to a significant increase of public funds and a reduction in expenditure so we have decided to appoint a special committee that will be continually occupied with the issue so we can combat bureaucracy effectively,” said Christoforou.

DRIVERS of hybrid cars will be allowed to park free of charge for a period of one year in public parking spaces in Strovolos municipality.

Strovolos Mayor Savvas Eliophotou said the idea behind the initiative was one of the municipality’s many ways to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20 per cent by 2020.

Eliophotou said the municipality had signed the European Covenant of Mayors for local, sustainable energy along with cities in 39 other countries. Other Cyprus municipalities that have signed the Covenant include Larnaca, Ayios Athanasios, Latsia, Lefkara and Paralimni.

Signatories of the Covenant of Mayors contribute towards the EU policy to fight against climate through the implementation of their Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP).

NO CRIMINAL charges or disciplinary action will be taken against the female teacher of a Larnaca high school accused of sexually exploiting two of her male pupils, said Education Minister Andreas Demetriou yesterday.

The minister said he had received the Attorney-general’s opinion on the matter which ruled out the possibility of disciplinary charges or a criminal investigation into the actions of the teacher.

He further charged sections of the media with conducting an attack against public education while setting up a “public tribunal” for the teacher in question before hearing the results of the ministry’s own investigations.