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International News December 11, 2013

US and Britain suspend aid to north Syria after Islamists seize weapons store

The United States and Britain suspended non-lethal aid to northern Syria after Islamist fighters seized Western-backed rebel weapons warehouses, highlighting fears that supplies could end up in the wrong hands.

The rebel Free Syrian Army fighting President Bashar al-Assad said the US and British moves were rushed and mistaken. “We hope our friends will rethink and wait for a few days when things will be clearer,” FSA spokesman Louay Meqdad said.

In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United…

International News December 11, 2013

South Africa hunts for mystery Mandela mimer

A fake sign language interpreter took to the stage during a mass memorial for anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, gesticulating gibberish before a global audience of millions and outraging deaf people across the world.

DeafSA, South Africa’s leading deaf association, condemned the presence of the unknown man at the memorial, which was attended by President Jacob Zuma and scores of world leaders including US President Barack Obama.

While dignitaries were addressing the crowd in the 95,000-seat Soccer City stadium, the young,…

International News December 11, 2013

“War Game” highlights risks of Britain’s EU exit

Britain’s renegotiation of its EU ties risks starting a chain of events that could lead to the 28-nation bloc’s paralysis or disintegration, politicians and analysts said on Wednesday.

German, French, Irish and Italian participants in a “war game” simulating the process said British attempts to repatriate powers would open Pandora’s Box, with other EU nations jockeying to win concessions and appeal to voters swayed by the rise of eurosceptic parties.

Renegotiating Britain’s place in Europe before an in/out referendum will…

Sport December 11, 2013

APOEL not giving up hope of Europa League progress

By Nemanja Bjedov
APOEL coach Giorgos Donis hopes his side can join already qualified Germans Eintracht Frankfurt in the knockout stage of the Europa League, as he returns to the city where he was born looking for a win on the final match day of the group stage.
“It is a really emotional journey for me to return to the place where I was born. Although I lived there for only six years of my life, my parents…

Business International News December 11, 2013

Brisk UK economic growth seen in 2014 fuelled by spending, house market

Britain’s economy will grow next year at the fastest pace since 2007, but economists polled by Reuters say the recovery is reliant on household spending and rising house prices.

The strength of the UK’s upturn over the last six months has been one of the biggest economic surprises of 2013, and there was a clear consensus that the momentum would carry through into next year.

Wednesday’s poll showed the UK economy will grow around 2.4 percent next year, far outpacing…

International News December 11, 2013

Ukrainian riot police withdraw after overnight move on demonstrators

Battalions of Ukrainian riot police withdrew on Wednesday from a protest camp after moving against demonstrators overnight in the authorities’ biggest attempt yet to reclaim streets after weeks of protests against President Viktor Yanukovich.

Columns of police abandoned positions around a protest camp and state buildings occupied by demonstrators enraged at Yanukovich’s decision to spurn an EU trade deal and move Ukraine further into Russia’s orbit.

Within hours, after meetings with US and European Union officials who had urged him to compromise,…

Football December 11, 2013

Galatasaray oust Juve with late Sneijder winner

Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder struck late to clinch a 1-0 win over Juventus and a Champions League last 16 spot at the expense of the Italians on Wednesday as they completed a match abandoned due to snow a day earlier.

Sneijder broke the deadlock in the 85th minute after being set up by a headed knock down from striker Didier Drogba, firing a low shot past Gianluigi Buffon in the Group B match which was again beset by snowy conditions that…

International News December 11, 2013

Thousands of South Africans queue to see Mandela lie in state

Thousands of people queued on Wednesday to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela, whose body lay in state in Pretoria in the building where the anti-apartheid hero was inaugurated in 1994 as South Africa’s first black president.

Several people fainted in the stifling heat as South Africans waited their turn to file past Mandela’s casket after family members, foreign dignitaries and celebrities paid their respects at the imposing Union Buildings, perched on a hill overlooking the city.

By afternoon the…

Business Local News Main December 11, 2013

President unveils €340mln stimulus package

By Poly Pantelides

PRESIDENT Nicos Anastasiades announced on Wednesday a series of measures worth €340m to rein in unemployment and support businesses.

Anastasiades said the measures had the potential to incorporate 7,500 unemployed in the economy, support 2,000 vulnerable families and a substantial number of businesses.

He warned however the measures did not solve any problems, merely alleviated them.

His government, the president said, would implement whatever policies and actions they could to help the economy recover as soon as…

Entertainment December 11, 2013

Bar review: Propaganda Cyprus Dance Bar, Limassol

By Eleni Messiou

Propaganda Cyprus Dance Bar is a brand new flashy addition to Limassol’s tourist area, aspiring to resemble the jet setting bars of big cities in Europe and America. By day Propaganda is a fusion food restaurant with a menu that aims to please all types of tastes and by night it turns into a luxury nightclub offering intriguing cocktails, as far as their names and their presentation. The scene is young, fresh and international.

The music is…

Local News December 11, 2013

Communities cut off by heavy snowfall (update 3)

Twenty-six communities in the Nicosia and Limassol districts have been cut off due to heavy snowfall, police said on Wednesday, as many roads in those areas remained closed.

Police said the snowfall has blocked access to the communities of Pano Amiantos, Ayios Demetrios, Paliomilos, Lemithou, Tris Elies, Kaminaria, Spilia, Kourdali, Kampos, Milikouri, Tsakkistra, Odou, Farmakas, Palehori, Alona, Polistipos, Askas, Fterikoudi, Apliki, Lagoudera, Ayia Irini, Pedhoulas, Moutoulas, Ikos, Gerakies, and Prodromos.

Many roads remained closed in the two districts, despite efforts…

Local News December 11, 2013

Delays in redundancy payments

Thousands of people who were made redundant by their employers are still waiting for their redundancy payments, while the labour ministry plays catch-up despite a Cabinet promise to process all applications by the end of the year.

The labour ministry said on Wednesday that the number of pending redundancy payments was reduced to 15,301 in October, from 16,308 in September. A few thousands lost their jobs last year and are still waiting for their redundancy payment.

In October last year,…

International News December 11, 2013

Suicide bomber attacks German troops near Kabul airport

A suicide bomber attacked a convoy of German troops near the international airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday, a military official said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Confirmation of the attack from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) came soon after a Reuters witness reported a large blast near the sprawling and heavily guarded facility, which is used by civilians and the military.

“We can confirm reports of a suicide bomber who attempted to…

Local News December 11, 2013

Bracing for bad weather

By Poly Pantelides

AUTHORITIES were bracing islandwide yesterday for the double whammy of strong winds and plunging temperatures, preparing shelters to aid society’s vulnerable and taking practical measures to minimise any impact from possible flooding, and to prevent accidents.

The meteorological office’s forecast also prompted police to issue a series of instructions to the public while police Chief Michalis Papageorgiou has told fire services and police to be on standby to respond to emergencies.

The met office has said it…

Comment December 11, 2013

Our View: The state cannot afford to be so generous to its officials

WE DO NOT know whether we should laugh or cry about the legislature’s inability to decide which state officials should be given a car and chauffeurs by the state. The issue was raised five months ago, but the deputies who undertook to tackle matter and place car eligibility on a rational basis have still not finalised their proposal. This would reportedly be ready by tomorrow when the House plenum is expected to vote on it.

Why has it been so…

Comment December 11, 2013

Cut interest rates, write debt off

By George Mountis

VARIOUS bankers have come out against cutting lending interest rates and in favour of extending the loan repayment period.

The reason is simple: an interest rate reduction of around 3 percent on the overall loan portfolio of Cypriot banks would entail an annual drop in interest payments by borrowers of some €1.74bn (or 3 percent of €58bn).

Falling revenues from interest (including interest on late payments) would seriously deplete banks’ profits as well as their capital…

Local News December 11, 2013

AG: individuals firms and organisations had a hand in banking collapse

By George Psyllides

A NUMBER of individuals, companies, and organisations contributed to the collapse of the banking system and the economy in general, the attorney-general said yesterday, as an ongoing probe is looking into whether certain actions constituted criminal offences.

The investigation, launched in July this year, goes as far back as 2006, when HSBC sold its stake in the now defunct Laiki Bank.

The investigation has “uncovered a complex network of companies, parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates,…

Football Sport December 11, 2013

Ronaldo sets record, Leverkusen, Olympiakos into last 16

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo set a Champions League group phase scoring record on Tuesday as Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiakos Piraeus reached the last 16 and snow forced Galatasaray’s match with Juventus to be abandoned.

Holders Bayern Munich’s record-breaking run of 10 consecutive Champions League wins came to an unceremonious end after Manchester City staged a memorable fightback after conceding two early goals to win 3-2 at the Allianz Arena.

However, Bayern still won Group D with City finishing in second…

Local News December 11, 2013

CBC board member suing the governor

By George Psyllides

A CENTRAL Bank (CBC) board-member is suing the governor over comments he made following publication of the damning findings of an internal investigation into his relationship with consultants Alvarez & Marsal (A&M)

Nicos Constantinou, who headed the audit committee’s probe, said he has filed a libel suit against Panicos Demetriades over his suggestion that his recent reappointment to the board was linked with the report.

The report said A&M, with Demetriades’ approval, and apparently without prior…

Business December 11, 2013

‘No employee should be left unpaid’

By Poly Pantelides

THE labour minister yesterday called private sector employers to pay their staff’s Christmas bonus, a long-standing practice that has been losing favour in the private sector as employers have been cutting down wages to reduce their costs.

Known as the 13th salary because it matches an employee’s normal monthly wage, the Christmas bonus is – in theory – a right protected by law. Labour minister Zeta Emilianidou has previously warned employers that not paying the 13th…