TWO Syrian nationals were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of smuggling double cabin vans, with media reports suggesting the two may have ties to Islamic extremists.

Under questioning, the two men, aged 46 and 39, admitted to smuggling vans into the occupied areas and exporting them from Kyrenia harbour.

Both – permanent residents of Cyprus – have reportedly denied being linked to Islamic groups.

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), police believe Syria to have been the vans’ intended…

LABOUR, pensioner and farmer unions are mobilising for a mass rally planned for next week to protest a meeting here of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB).

Society Reacts and Demands, a platform of some 20 groups, is hoping to draw thousands to a demo outside the international conference centre in Nicosia, where the ECB officials will be meeting.

Three pre-gatherings will be held, at the Journalists House, at the headquarters of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and…

By Constantinos Psillides

A TOTAL of 110 traffic cameras will be installed throughout the island by the end of the year, according to Communication, Transportation and Works permanent secretary Alecos Michaelides.

He told the Cyprus Mail that authorities plan to install 90 stationary traffic cameras and 20 mobile ones, with the latter  transported in police cars.

“Our goal is to make the roads safer,” said the permanent secretary, pointing out that there are still some issues to iron out.

“They…

PARLIAMENT on Thursday passed another law suspending the enforcement of foreclosures until March 19.

The vote was 30 for, 19 against, and one abstention.

The current suspension of foreclosures legislation was set to expire on March 2, with opposition MPs now extending that to March 19.

The reason cited for the extension was to allow time to study and pass the insolvency framework – a set of laws governing personal and corporate bankruptcy – which the opposition says will act…