Turkish police detain 38, most of them journalists

2011-12-20

 

Police detained at least 38 people, most of them journalists, in dawn raids across Turkey today as part of an investigation into alleged links between Kurdish activists and armed separatist militants, security officials and media said.

Turkey already has some 70 reporters in jail, one of the highest numbers in the world, but says they are in prison for other crimes, not there for their work.

Jailing more journalists could fuel accusations that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government is intolerant of dissent and is trying to tame the media. But while the economy continues to grow rapidly, widespread public discontent is unlikely.

Russia's wealth gap wounds Putin

2011-12-20

Konstantin owns apartments in Moscow and London, drives a $150,000 Mercedes-Benz car and buys his groceries at the expensive Azbuka Vkusa store.

At the age of 44 he is part of Russia’s new generation of rich bankers, but is too cautious to let his full name be published in a country where the wealth gap generates anger and resentment.

Pensioner Lyudmila Rybakova can only dream of such a lifestyle. She has never even been to Azbuka Vkusa and makes ends meet by selling strings of dried mushrooms to supplement her 8,000 rouble ($250) monthly pension.

“With my pension? What would I buy there? It’s not for people like me. It’s for the rich. It’s just for the rich.”

British boy's chimney designed with Santa in mind

2011-12-20

A worried letter from six-year old Leo Park sparked a mammoth operation to test what is believed to be the world’s first chimney specifically designed to accommodate Santa Claus.

The little boy’s parents are having a house custom built and when Leo viewed the plans he was concerned that the chimney wasn’t big enough for Father Christmas and his famous belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly.

As he was penning his traditional letter to Santa, Leo decided to also write a heartfelt missive about the chimney design problem to Jeremy Paxton, who owns the estate on which the new house is being built.

Trickovski scores hat-trick as APOEL hammer AEK

2011-12-20

 

Ivan Trickovski scored his first hat-trick of the season as APOEL secured a crushing 3-0 victory over AEK Larnaca, to keep hold of the top spot ahead of Omonia and AEL on Monday night at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

“This was a very difficult game for us as we had many players out. I think that the final score does not reflect the actual proceedings on the pitch. In my opinion AEK player really well; however, I also think that we deservedly won,” said APOEL’s manager Ivan Jovanovic.

Cyprus IMF contribution could read €460 million

2011-12-20

Cyprus’ International Monetary Fund (IMF) contribution could reach almost €460 million if required, according to finance minister Kikis Kazamias.

Speaking after yesterday’s teleconference for EU finance ministers, Kazamias said the ministers discussed boosting IMF resources and transforming the European Financial Stabilisation Facility to the European Stability Mechanism (due to take effect in June 2012.)

Asked about the EU Summit decision to increase the European contribution to the IMF by €200 billion, according to which €150 billion would come from the eurozone and €50 billion from the other member states, Kazamias said that Great Britain has opposed this decision and that it will take its decision in the framework of the G20.

Foreign minister meets Hilary Clinton in Washington

2011-12-20

 

Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis will today meet her US counterpart Hillary Clinton as part of a three-day working visit to Washington.

Marcoullis yesterday met Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, House Committee on Foreign Affairs ranking democrat Howard Berman and leaders of the Greek community to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

They also exchanged views on promoting the Cyprus issue at decision centres in Washington, before Marcoullis’ visit to the offices of the Greek American Institute and meeting with American Jewish lobby leadership.

Last night she dined with members of Congress and their associates.

'Shoot arsonists to crush riots'

2011-12-20

British police should be ready to use “extraordinary measures” including shooting arsonists during future riots, a government watchdog said today.

The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Denis O’Connor, said that officers should consider using live ammunition to halt attacks on buildings when the lives of those inside might be at risk.

He said that police should also be prepared to use rubber bullets and water cannon to tackle rioters when petrol bombs or other missiles were being thrown.

Other situations which he said might require the use of rubber bullets or water cannon included attacks on the public witnessed by police, or threats to fire and ambulance staff called to deal with disorder.

SALE MISCELLANEOUS

2011-12-20

Two Nintendo 3DS, hardly used – almost brand new, plus one game, all bought from the United States last September , 160 Euros for both of them. Reason for sale: the difference in regions as regards games. Call: 9944212 or 99466974.

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On the offensive over poll result

2011-12-20

The government yesterday dismissed the notion that the outcome of Sunday’s municipal elections amounts to a thumbs-down for the AKEL administration.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou was responding to comments by DISY boss Nikos Anastassiades made after the final results were out on Sunday night.

 Pointing out that 26 out of the 38 candidates with DISY backing were elected to office, Anastassiades called this a show of force for the party.

 But his contentious remark was that the elections sent a clear message of disgruntlement with the administration of President Demetris Christofias.

 Going into defensive mode, the government yesterday accused DISY of seeking to turn Sunday’s result into a portent for the presidential elections of 2013.

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.