THE SLAPDASH improvisation of economic policy by the government seems to have no end. Every few days, another misguided and badly-thought out idea, allegedly aimed at reducing the budget deficit, is mentioned by an AKEL deputy on orders directly from the presidential palace. The objective is to test public reaction, because the government is not only afraid to take unpopular decisions, it is in a quandary about what it should do.

A CROWDED court house yesterday watched graphic footage of the crime scene where media boss Andis Hadjicostis was murdered outside his Nicosia home.

It was day two of the trial of television presenter Elena Skordelli, 42, her 37-year-old brother Tasos Krasopoulis, and meat supplier Andreas Gregoriou, 33, who have been charged with the premeditated murder of the Sigma boss.

The three defendants are accused of conspiring to murder Hadjicostis, specifically meeting to discuss the matter in the Nicosia village of Pera Orinis at some point in December last year, along with Gregoris Xenofontos – the alleged shooter — and Theophanis Hadjigeorgiou.

TO THE many thousands of loyal followers who saw the Pope last weekend, the trip seemed to run like clockwork; the visits were punctual, the speeches moderate and even the protests were muted.

But those playing closer attention might have spotted a number of faux pas, ranging from inappropriate giving of gifts to improper dress in the presence of the Holy Father.

Reports suggest there were no fewer than five instances where Vatican protocols were violated by Cypriot state officials over the weekend.

FRIENDS of a Swedish tourist who had been missing for nearly a week were relieved last night after learning that he had been found safe but confused in Larnaca.

Olof Victor Hugo Ronnerdag, 21, was found wandering the streets of Larnaca yesterday lunchtime, with police describing him as being physically unharmed but ‘totally confused’.

“He remembers nothing. We will talk to him at the station. We do not know where he has been during these days but we will know everything soon,” said police spokesman Yiannos Kyriakidis.

Ronnerdag apparently told police he had no recollection of the past five days and was surprised that he had been the focus of a massive search.

A 31-YEAR-OLD Paphos man was seriously injured in an accident early yesterday afternoon on a Paphos building site.

According to a police report, the man was found lying on the ground by a colleague at around 2pm, having apparently been flattened by a wheelbarrow containing floor-tiles.

The man was taken to Paphos General Hospital, where he was found to have suffered a contusion to the brain and a cerebral haemorrhage.

Due to his critical condition, the 31-year-old was moved to Nicosia General Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment.

The Paphos Minor Crimes Unit is looking into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

THE FINANCE Minister’s refusal to present Parliament with an Accountant-general’s report on the viability of the two state airlines yesterday caused a row at the House Watchdog Committee.

Some MPs viewed the minister’s move as contempt for parliamentary regulations.

Accountant-general Lazaros Lazarou, who along with the Finance Ministry, was in charge of carrying out the viability study, informed the Committee yesterday that he had orders from the ministry not to present the study – despite being asked to do so a fortnight ago.

A BRITISH couple is planning to sue an Avgorou property developer, after he allegedly sold them an unfinished and illegally built house, demanded additional payments and then waged a campaign of harassment that has “destroyed” their lives.

Janet and Keith Smith say the harassment began after they learned their first lawyer was simultaneously representing the developer, and had stalled their planned legal action. Having appointed a new lawyer, the couple said their home was attacked, cement thrown in their pool and their car tyres slashed.