Fuel terminal ‘a threat to nature’

2012-01-08

ONE OF the last wildernesses left on the island is being threatened by the planned creation of a huge fuel terminal off the north coast, environmentalists and locals claim.

The Karpas peninsula has long been the sought-after jewel in the crown for investors hungry to exploit its sandy beaches, unspoiled maquis and carob-covered hills. 

But fortunately for nature, politics have connived to keep the investors largely at bay, primarily because of the internationally-unrecognised status of the north, a factor that makes investors wary of parting with their cash.

Our View: Unions and employers heading for clash over CoLA

2012-01-08

TOMORROW unions and employer organisations could be headed for a confrontation as the latter announced on Tuesday that they would seek an official wage freeze and suspension of the Cost of Living Allowance (CoLA) for collective agreements in the private sector for two years.

Unions, other than DEOK, stayed quiet, saying they preferred to wait until tomorrow’s meeting before saying anything, because they didn’t want to create a problem beforehand.

If DEOK’s negative comments were anything to go by, the other main unions are not likely to welcome the employers’ proposals in any way, shape or form.  

There is no doubt that Cypriot companies are suffering. Otherwise there would not be over 32,000 people unemployed.

Tales from the Coffeeshop: Inconclusive talks keep Cyprob going

2012-01-08

WE WOULD like to apologise to buyers of the Sunday Mail because the last two paragraphs of the previous Shop were not published in the newspaper edition, even though they were included in the online version.

 We do not know how this happened, but the omission led some customers to ask why our predictions for 2012 did not go beyond April. This was because they had not read the final paragraph which advertised today’s edition, saying, “Join us next week to find out how the stand-off with Turkey will develop, the other presidential candidates and whether comrade Tof will give in to the pressure to stand again.”

Air traffic controllers work to rule hits flights

2012-01-08

TEN flights were affected when air traffic controllers at Larnaca Airport held a work-to-rule, starting at 11pm Friday and ending 4am yesterday.

The controllers said the industrial action was part of their ongoing protest against parliament’s decision to include them in the package of austerity measures to help the ailing economy.

The work-to-rule follows a 12-hour strike in mid December, straight after the decision was announced to include them in the package, which provides, among others, for temporary pay freezes for all public sector workers.

Hermes Airports’ spokesman Adamos Aspris yesterday called on everyone to consider how their actions were affecting the state’s economy and the lives of hundreds of passengers.

Arrests after drunken brawl in hospital

2012-01-08

TWO MEN from Ireland were yesterday arrested after attacking two men and causing damages to Paralimni General Hospital.

According to the police, an officer on duty at the hospital called the local police station to say there were two injured men – apparently inebriated – quarrelling inside the hospital.

“Without reason, they started causing damages to the building, breaking the glass window on one of the doors,” the police spokesman told the Sunday Mail.

Another policeman arrived at the hospital, where along with his colleague, they approached the two men to take down their details.

Measures to help unemployed ‘soon’

2012-01-08

THE GOVERNMENT is planning to announce measures that will help reduce unemployment figures soon, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday.

According to Stefanou, Cyprus is facing problems with rising unemployment figures, though he said these increases were not among the highest of the EU.

“Cyprus continues to be below the average in unemployment figures in the eurozone and the EU,” said Stefanou.

However according to data released by Eurostat this week Cyprus is one of the countries within the EU that has seen unemployment increase the most between November 2010 and November 2011.

Minister heads to Israel

2012-01-08

DEFENCE Minister Demetris Eliades will travel to Israel today following an invitation from his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Barak.

According to an official announcement, this would be the first ever official visit of a Cypriot defence minister to Israel.

During his stay, Eliades will sign agreements on defence cooperation and protection and exchange of classified information.

Eliades will also meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos.

Meanwhile on Monday, a main opposition DISY delegation headed by party chief Nicos Anastassiades will also be travelling to Israel for talks with Israeli officials.

The trip follows an invitation from Foreign Minister Lieberman, DISY said.

Honeymoon packages

2012-01-08

EMIRATES Holidays has announced honeymoon packages to Dubai, Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Maldives in collaboration with Let’s Go Plus. 

The offers will be available to those visiting the Wedding Exhibition at the Cyprus State Fair Ground in Nicosia which will take place between January 13 and January 15. 

To rope couples in, Emirates Holidays are offering a holiday prize to Dubai to visitors of the exhibition.  

Couples need to submit part of their numbered entrance ticket to participate in a raffle draw for two economy class return tickets to Dubai including a three-night bed and breakfast stay at a five-star hotel. 

The draw is only available to couples. 

Water care still needed

2012-01-08

THE Agriculture Minister has called on the public to be careful with water usage, as water levels in the reservoirs are lower than last year.

However, minister Sophoclis Aletraris said that with the completion of another two desalination plants by the end of this year, Cyprus’ water supply will become completely independent from the rainfall.

“We had some quantities of water in the reservoirs, we had significant rainfall and inflow, but I have to say that we are way behind last year’s figures and the public must continue to be careful with water usage and be frugal,” said Aletraris.

Police to fine drivers who use highway incorrectly

2012-01-08

POLICE will on Monday begin fining drivers who do not use the new three-lane Nicosia-Limassol highway correctly, they said.

According to police, since the opening of the three lanes on November 10 they have issued warnings to 1,700 drivers caught not using the lanes correctly.

Apart from leaflets to inform drivers, police also released a how-to video which aired on various channels.

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.