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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

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CYPRUS

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Crunch vote as AKEL reveals its plan: leave euro

APOEL crowned champions after ‘hardest’ title race

Helen Mirren crowned wned best actress at theatre eatre awards

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‘This country is not up to scratch’ Anastasiades says inaction, lack of transparency and bureaucracy have to be wiped out

By Poly Pantelides

S

TATE officials, including the President, will no longer be immune from prosecution, nor will they be able to stay in office indefinitely, President Nicos Anastasiades announced yesterday in an gesture aimed at restoring the public’s trust in government following the banking fiasco.

Recommended actions include forcing state officials to give regular income statements, publishing and justifying public tenders, implementing and monitoring the auditor-general’s reports, and defining state officials’ criminal and civil responsibilities.

The public has been right to judge politicians for never fulfilling their promises as soon as their electoral ambitions are met, said Anastasiades, who took over government in February. “I not only want to contradict this rule, but I want to implement every electoral commitment I have undertaken.”

He said that June 15 was the final deadline for completing all outstanding bills that Parliament will need to approve. The proposals have already been discussed by the cabinet or prepared as bills, Anastasiades said.

Cypriots are bracing themselves for years of austerity following a harsh and painful bailout that

has resulted in the second biggest bank, Laiki, shutting down and people’s bank deposits raided in the largest, the Bank of Cyprus.

Anastasiades said that the consequences of the economic crisis now made it imperative that they as the government substantiate “what were up until now empty promises”.

“That state has been accumulating faults for decades,for which we are all responsible,” Anastasiades said. Inaction, bureaucracy and lack of transparency have created abuse of the rules of good management, lack of meritocracy, corruption and complicity, he said.

“Despite its high maintenance cost, (the state) has been unable to provide the range and quality of service that a modern European state should offer.”

Public distrust in government has been growing over the last few years with almost 91 per cent believing corruption is a major problem in Cyprus, Transparency International Cyprus said last week.

According to the organisation’s polls, the public’s perception of corruption grew between 2010 and 2012, when the economy started obviously deteriorating and a munitions blast in Mari in 2011 devastated the country’s largest power station and killed 13 people.

TURN TO PAGE 3

KAZAMIAS CALLED TO ACCOUNT AT INQUIRY

Former Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias yesterday denied downplaying or misrepresenting the severity of the economic outlook during his brief stint in the previous administration. Kazamias was called to testify at the committee of inquiry into the economic disaster (Christos Theodorides) SEE STORY PAGE 4

Dad charged after letting nine-year-old drive Ferrari A MAN in southern India has been charged after allowing his nine-yearold son to drive his Ferrari, police in southern India said yesterday.

Inspector MV Verghese, in Kerala state, said Mohammed Nisham is charged with endangering the life of a child and allowing a minor to drive.

Nisham’s wife filmed the boy driving the sports car on his ninth birthday two weeks ago, with his five-year-old brother in the passenger seat.

The video went viral on YouTube and caused outrage across India,

causing police to file charges.

India’s economic boom has created a class of super-rich, whose excesses are frequently in the news.

Verghese said the boy’s father, who has a thriving tobacco and real estate business, owns a stable of 18 cars worth an estimated $4 million.

The boy has also apparently been allowed to drive the family’s Lamborghini and Bentley.

His mother said she is “proud of him - he’s been driving since he was five”.

“It was his ninth birthday, and since he was insisting for months, we al-

lowed him to drive the Ferrari,” she explained.

“He is a cautious and confident driver,” she told the television channel NDTV. “It’s not easy for a child to achieve such a feat at this young age,” she added.

Nisham has applied for bail and is expected to turn himself in at the police station close to his home near the port city of Kochi, Verghese said.

He said that police would likely impound the Ferrari while the case is ongoing.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

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Home PICTURE OF THE DAY

Weather Paralimni

Nicosia 35

27 Troodos

31 31

Larnaca

31

31

Paphos

Limassol

TODAY: Sunny and hot. Temperatures will reach 35C inland, 31C along the coast and 27 over higher ground OUTLOOK: Remaining settled YESTERDAY:

Max Temp Nicosia 35 Larnaca 32 Limassol 29 Paphos 31 Paralimni 31 Prodromos 26

-

Min 16 19 18 19 19 15

Humidity 9% 28% 41% 23% 18% 20%

SUNRISE: 05:56am

SUNSET: 7:31pm

Pollution Medium/Low Low/Low Medium/Low Medium Medium Medium

Air quality in Cyprus is assessed with the aid of a network of nine advanced monitoring stations. Data is recorded hourly.

Information provided by the Air Quality Section of the Department of Labour Inspection (DLI)

Worldwide Athens Budapest Bucharest Brussels Cairo Copenhagen Damascos Dublin Frankfurt Geneva Istanbul London

27 27 28 13 36 10 31 11 14 11 23 12

Clear Clear Clear Cloudy Clear Cloudy Clear Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Clear Cloudy

Madrid Manchester Moscow Oslo Paris Prague Rome Sarajevo Sofia Stockholm Tel Aviv Vienna

9 9 13 6 14 12 28 27 27 13 36 17

Cloudy Cloudy Clear Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Clear Clear Clear Cloudy

EXCHANGE

€

1.3115

€

0.8448

For a full list of exchange rates, see page 12

CHEMISTS NICOSIA N. Hadjicharalambous, 49C Prodromou Ave. Tel: 22451451, 22770444 (H) O. Solomou, corner Strovolos & Pythonos St, Strovolos. Tel: 22313123, 22375724 (H) M. Kitsa, 21C Kyriakou Matsi Ave., Tel: 22441780, 22420506 (H) G. Hatziapostolu, 75 Larnaca Ave., Tel: 22100029, 22779662 LIMASSOL Ari Terides, 181 Leontiou A Tel: 25340872, 25714469 (H) H. Papadopoullou, 20 Nafpliou St. Tel: 25355624,

25591887 (H) K. Skourou, 43 Panayioti Anagnostopoulou, Kato Polemidia, Tel: 25715991, 25332047 LARNACA Misiel, 24 Ermou St. Tel: 24621360, 24531859 (H) A. Clerides, 6 Patron St. Tel: 24622754, 24667765 (H) PAPHOS Evaggelos Manolis, 49 Aristoteli Savva Tel: 26930599, 26943628 PARALIMNI P. Yiallourou, 173 1st April St. Tel: 23825979, 23744771 (H)

Afghan farmers work in their poppy field in Khogyani District of Nangarhar province yesterday. Poppy cultivation is set to increase in both eastern and western provinces of the country, though will remain at a much lower level of cultivation as compared to Helmand and Kandahar provinces, the UN office on Drugs and Crimes said in its 2012 report (AFP)

QUICK CROSSWORD 2378 Across

Down

3 Medicinal root (9) 7 Clamorous (5) 8 Abscess (9) 9 Attractive young woman (5) 10 Dealing successfully (6) 13 Prominent feature (8) 15 Specified the articles (8) 17 Alcoholic drink (6) 20 Russian author (5) 21 Frolicking (9) 22 Outshine (5) 23 Inflamed (9)

1 Inject (9) 2 Hearing (9) 3 College (6) 4 Undo sandals (8) 5 Amass (3,2) 6 Punctuation mark (5) 11 Austrian city (9) 12 Region in which a precious metal is found (9) 14 Dismounted (8) 16 Attacked and robbed (6) 18 Corn (5) 19 Ruth’s mother-in-law (OT) (5)

For cryptic crossword and answers to the previous quick crossword see page 21

ON THIS DAY APRIL 30 1789

35 years ago, Sunday April 30, 1978

George Washington is inaugurated as the first president of the United States in New York.

The Turkish Cypriot proposals cannot under any circumstances justify the resumption of intercommunal talks, says the document prepared by the Greek Cypriot negotiator to the intercommunal talks Tasos Papadopoulos and which has been conveyed to the UN Secretary-general Dr Waldheim. The Cyprus government has already rejected the Turkish proposlas as unacceptable.

1945 German dictator Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his Berlin bunker.

45 years ago, Tuesday April 30, 1968 1952

Cyprus Mail Established 1945. Number 21,521 NICOSIA 24 Vass. Voulgaroctonou, P.O. Box 21144, 1502 Nicosia Tel: 22-818585, Fax: 22-676385 email: mail@cyprus-mail.com LIMASSOL 5A Nicolaou, Pentadromos Centre, Thessaloniki St, Tel: 25-761117, Fax: 25-761141 email: cyprusmail@cytanet.com.cy LARNACA Tel: 24-652243, Fax: 24-659982 PAPHOS 62 Apostolou Pavlou Avenue, Office 2, 8046 Paphos, Tel: 26 911383 Fax : 26 221049 email: paphos@cyprus-mail.com

WHAT THE MAIL SAID

Anne Frank’s dairies are published in English for the first time.

1975 The Vietnam War ends when Duong Van Minh, president of South Vietnam, surrenders unconditionally to North Vietnamese communist forces.

1993 Tennis player Monica Seles is stabbed in the back whilst competing in a tournament in Hamburg, Germany.

Dr Fazil Kuchuk has spoken against the integration of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and said they must continue to live in separate areas. In an interview with a West German correspondent released yesterday, the Turkish Cypriot leader also criticised the government for establishing trade and other relations with East European countries.

55 years ago, Wednesday April 30, 1958 The United Arab Republic and the Suez Canal Company today initalled an agreement on compensation terms for Egypt’s nationalisation of the Canal ending eight months of intermittent negotiations. Egypt will pay share-holders of the old Suez Canal Company about 29 million pounds sterling in seven installments over a period of six years under the agreement.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

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Full list of measures REGULATION OF STATE OFFICIALS - Amending constitution to clarify for what offences the President of the Republic may be prosecuted.

- Lifting members of parliament’s immunity for all offences, but preserving their freedom of speech during the exercise of their duty.

- Legally regulating ministers’ and independent officials’ civil and criminal responsibilities for actions and omissions committed while on duty.

- More state officials will be obliged to file income statements at fixed intervals. This includes commissioners, judges, and the heads of parties that are not in parliament.

A committee of auditors will be set up to investigate claims and publicly report any false claims.

- Parliament has already passed a government proposal to make binding the reports of committees of inquiries.

- Parliament has also accepted a government proposal to allow the attorney-general, and not just Cabinet, to appoint criminal investigators.

ANTI-CORRUPTION

President Nicos Anastasiades making his announcement

(Christos Theodorides)

‘This country is not up to scratch’ Proposals were welcomed by most (continued from front page) Former President Demetris Christofias ignored the political responsibility attributed to him by a state-appointed Anastasiades has inquiry. asked a committee of inquiry into the economy to investigate him with scrupulous attention.

And he yesterday proposed to have written in the constitution the nature of criminal and civil responsibilities of state officials, including the President, his ministers and independent officials.

Currently, the constitution states that the president is only liable to prosecution in the event of high treason or moral turpitude, but does not define what that means.

The constitution also protects members of parliament, who have been caught using

that protection to dodge fines.

They will no longer be immune from prosecution about “any offence” although their freedom of speech and action during their duty will be safeguarded, Anastasiades said.

The President said that the House had already accepted two measures to increase accountability: allowing the attorney-general – and not just Cabinet – to appoint criminal investigators as he sees fit, and making the findings of inquiries on state officials binding.

But in order to stop the complicity that arises from entrenched politicians, deputies will only be allowed to serve in Parliament for up to three consecutive terms (total of fifteen years) and the President for up to two consecutive terms (total of ten years), Anastasiades said.

And after years of the auditor-general’s reports on delays and waste across the board, each ministry will be obliged to install an internal body to monitor and implement reports and suggestions and report on their compliance when discussing their yearly budget in parliament.

Municipalities and local authorities will be penalised for not complying with the auditor-general’s report, Anastasiades said.

Anastasiades also said that the Commissioner for civil service reform Emanuella Moushioutta Lambrianidou is expected to present a master plan, while the public will be able to submit bills to parliament on collection of at least 10,000 signatures.

Political parties yesterday welcomed the proposals as positive.

- Tenders in the wider state sector will be fully justified and made public.

- A committee will be set up per ministry to monitor and implement suggestions and reports as per the auditor-general’s annual report.

- Departments in the wider state sector, including semi-governmental bodies, will be obliged to submit to parliament a full annual report on the action taken as per the auditor-general’s report, alongside with their annual budget submissions. Municipalities and communities will be obliged to comply with the auditor-general’s suggestions and will be penalised for non-compliance.

- Minutes will be taken during any meeting in the wider state sector where administrative decisions are taken. Such decisions will be published on the relevant authority’s website. Exceptions are in place for matters of state security, defence or international matters that involve confidential or pertain to personal data.

- The Ombudswoman will now be able to act as mediator with relevant services and will publish and report to Cabinet departments’ failure to comply with her recommendations.

- The criminal and civil responsibilities of state officials will be defined for any damage caused by inexcusable negligence or fraudulent behaviours that are part of complicity.

work experience.

- Candidates for hiring and promotion committees will be presented in a public hearing in Parliament, to promote transparency.

- Failed candidates will be given a full report on the reasons they were rejected.

- All members of the public will be given access to all public documents with the exception of international treaties of a confidential nature or involving personal data and matters of state security, or defence.

- An independent hiring and promotion committee will be set up for semi-governmental organisations, relieving the boards of the responsibility and allowing boards’ appointments to be on the basis of merit and not political expediencies.

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM - The Commissioner for civil service reform Emanuella Moushioutta Lambrianidou will present an action plan within three months to reform the state sector.

- Her mandate includes the following: - Simplifying structures and procedures .

- Merging, abolishing or strengthening services as needed.

- Modernising appraisal system for officials - Using technology and e-government - Training.

- Public-private collaborations.

- Improving services to the public.

- Reducing administrative expenses.

- Adopting code of ethics on transparency.

- A timeframe to implement the action plan by December 2013 at the latest.

- As part of a bill, goals will be set per ministry aiming to measure quality and efficiency and improve administrative procedures and simplify decision-making processes.

- A separate bill will institutionalise obligations of public law entities present action plans that are compatible with government policy and regulate the jurisdiction and duty of board members, including civil and criminal responsibilities.

- A bill for the creation of junior ministries to enable the state to work more effectively and smoothly has been submitted to parliament.

CIVIL SOCIETY - The public or interest groups can submit proposals to parliament if they manage to collect at least 10,000 statements of support.

- Voting registration will be automatic but failing to vote will be decriminalised.

- If parties agree, horizontal and electronic voting will be adopted.

TERMS OF OFFICE JUSTICE - The President may only remain in power for two consecutive terms, as may all elected officials with executive power such as mayors and community leaders.

- Members of parliament, municipal and community councillors may only serve for up to three consecutive terms.

MERITOCRACY - For hiring in the state or semi-governmental sector: written exams will be anonymous to the examiners. Interviews will be given less importance than academic qualifications or

- Administrative courts will be set up to alleviate the Supreme Court’s work load.

- District courts will be supported to increase efficiency.

- A special court will be set up to examine claims by bonds’ holders claiming to have been misled by banks.

- The office of a bank mediator will be set up in May to take up cases that would otherwise go to district courts.

- Administrative court decisions will be binding as long as they deal with the essence of the appeal.

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

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CBC defends chief over ‘simplistic’ government allegations THE Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) yesterday defended its governor from “simplistic” government allegations, saying he had prevented the disorderly bankruptcy of the island’s second-largest bank and thereby of the state itself, now in line for a bailout.

The government has taken Central Bank Governor Panicos Demetriades to task for allowing Popular Bank, also known as Laiki Bank, to receive emergency liquidity assistance (ELA), only to be wound down in a chaotic bailout last month.

The central bank rejected the allegations, however.“The simplistic and unsubstantiated allegation that the Central Bank of Cyprus governor ‘allowed’ the continuation of the provision of liquidity to Laiki bank through ELA is incorrect and is refuted,” a central bank document circulated in London said.

“On the contrary it is clearly evident that the governor, with his timely statements and actions, prevented a disorderly bankruptcy of Laiki bank and consequently the country itself.”

President Nicos Anastasiades took the issue up this month in a six-page letter to European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.

He accused Demetriades, an ECB governing council member, of failing to regulate and protect the banking system because he did not stop the flow of emergency funds to Laiki Bank.

Cyprus eventually had to accept the onerous terms of a European Union and International Monetary Fund bailout when the ECB threatened to cut off liquidity to the bank.

The CBC says Laiki was kept on a lifeline because the lack of a bank resolution mechanism at the time could have saddled the state with massive losses in the event of the bank collapsing as the state would have had to compensate depositors.

Under the terms of the island’s 10 billion euro bailout, Laiki is being wound down while depositors in the country’s largest lender, Bank of Cyprus, could see up to 60 per cent of their savings over €100,000 converted into equity to recapitalise the bank.

BoC converts portion of uninsured savings

Kazamias called to account at inquiry

BANK of Cyprus (BoC) said on Sunday it had carried out a conversion of uninsured cash deposits in the bank into equity, one of the conditions of international lenders to offer the cash-starved island financial aid.

The process, known as a ‘bail-in’, made depositors in the bank pay for its recapitalisation, after the institution was hit by massive losses from its exposure to debt-crippled Greece.

The island’s largest bank, said it had converted 37.5 per cent of deposits exceeding €100,000 on March 26, into “class A” shares – nominal value €1 -- with an additional 22.5 per cent held as a buffer for possible conversion in the future. Any loans or other financial obligations had been deducted before the conversion, the lender said.

Another 30 per cent would be temporarily frozen and held as deposits, BoC said.

A spokesman for the bank said he was not authorised to say what the percentage corresponded to in cash terms.

The precise recapitalisation needs of the bank will be concluded at the end of June.

The bail-in, including the dissolution of Cyprus’ second-biggest lender Popular Bank, is part of attempts by Cyprus to find €13 billion to shore up its economy.

The European Union and the International Monetary Fund are providing a further €10 billion to the island, one of the eurozone’s smallest economies.

Cyprus’ parliament is due to vote on the bailout today.

The EU and the IMF were expected to disburse a first tranche of aid to the island in May

Former minister denies downplaying the severity of the island’s economic outlook

By Elias Hazou

Kikis Kazamias on his way into the inquiry yesterday

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FORMER finance minister Kikis Kazamias yesterday denied downplaying or misrepresenting the severity of the economic outlook during his brief stint in the previous administration.

He highlighted also the poor interpersonal relations between former President Demetris Christofias and excentral banker Athanasios Orphanides, adding that the feelings were “mutual.”

Kazamias was testifying before the committee of inquiry probing the circumstances that led the economy to the brink of bankruptcy and to the ‘haircut’ decision of March this year. The panel is currently focusing on fiscal/governmental policies and decisions, most of which fall within the term of the previous administration.

Kazamias was appointed finance minister in early August 2011, weeks after a deadly munitions blast at a naval base, replacing Charilaos Stavrakis, who earlier also testified before the committee. Kazamias was in charge of implementing and negotiating the EU austerity measures within the government sector after the 2008 European sovereign debt crisis. He resigned in March 2012 citing health reasons.

Kazamias’ term coincided with the summer 2011 decision for the debt restructuring of Greek government bonds, known as PSI (Private Sec-

tor Involvement). The first PSI agreed in July 2011 called for a 21 per cent reduction in the the Net Present Value of the Greek bonds. The PSI was finalised in February 2012, when euro-area finance ministers finalised a second bailout package for Greece, which had the effect of raising the level of the ‘haircut’ from the initial 21 per cent to around 70 per cent.

On the Greek PSI, Kazamias said his understanding was that initially the two Cypriot banks - Laiki and Bank of Cyprus - were not in hot water because they had already made provisions for 15 per cent losses, a figure close to the 21 per cent Greek haircut.

It was only much later that the real impact of the PSI - a write-down of 72 per cent - became apparent, he said.

Up until early 2012, the situation for the banks was difficult but “manageable,” said Kazamias. The Bank of Cyprus could recapitalise on its own, whereas Laiki would need state support.

REMOTE POSSIBILITY The former economy chief was quizzed on a series of public statements he made in 2011 and early 2012 that seemed to signal that Cyprus’ economy was in the clear.

For instance, in one interview with Haravghi dated January 8, 2012, Kazamias said the likelihood of Cyprus requiring financial support from the EU had become more remote.

Five months later, the island applied for a rescue package.

Kazamias defended his comments as being accurate at the time, explaining that corrective action had been taken in the form of two fiscal packages decided in late 2011. On November 10, 2011 Kazamias spoke at length with the EU’s economic affairs chief Olli Rehn who had long voiced concern over the Cypriot economy.

After informing Rehn of the fiscal measures, said Kazamias, he received a letter from the European Commission expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by Cypriot authorities. Cyprus was removed from the list of countries under probation and as such, Kazamias argued, he had every reason to state that the economic situation had

improved.

On January 13, 2012, ratings agency Standard and Poor’s slashed Cyprus’ sovereign ratings to ‘junk’; Kazamias said the reason for the downgrade were the banks, not government finances.

Kazamias was next called out on comments he made in the same interview with Haravghi (days before the S&P downgrade), when he said “the banks are healthy, depositors have nothing to fear, and we urge them to close their ears.”

In another part of his testimony, Kazamias said that when he took over he discovered that relations between the finance ministry and the Central Bank were virtually “non-existent”, evidently referring to his predecessor.

On January 6, 2013 Kazamias told Kathimerini newspaper that relations between President Christofias and former central banker Orphanides were poor, adding that feelings between the two men were “mutual.”

The panel also reminded Kazamias that he had once said the political leadership demonstrated “timidity” and wanted to avoid suffering the political cost from unpopular austerity measures. Kazamias responded that his remarks were general and pertained to all successive governments.

The former finance minister sought to dispel the notion that the previous administration was primarily to blame for the country’s economic woes.

The government’s balance sheet posted a deficit surplus in 2007-2008; but during the five years thereafter, during the AKEL administration, a sequence of deficits led to a swelling of the public debt.

“The problems did not start in 2008,” Kazamias countered.

The surplus recorded in 20072008 was coincidental, he said, arising from the real estate bubble and the tax amnesty decision.

The committee will adjourn and reconvene on May 8 or 9, when Kazamias is set to reappear before it. The panel has already heard testimonies from the permanent secretary of the finance ministry Christos Patsalides, Auditorgeneral Chrystalla Yiorkadji and former finance minister Charilaos Stavrakis.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

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Georgiades to MPs: stop complaining Crunch vote as AKEL reveals their plan: leave the euro

By George Psyllides FINANCE Minister Haris Georgiades has urged parliament to ratify a bailout deal, despite the hardship it will bring, warning that the alternative would be economic collapse.

“Instead of seeking nonexistent alternative choices and dei ex machina, maybe we must decide to take control and our fate in our own hands,” Georgiades said during a joint meeting of the House Finance and Foreign Affairs Committees. “Instead of complaining, maybe we should recognise our own mistakes and start working to cover lost ground.”

The committees discussed the island’s bailout ahead of a vote to ratify the €10 billion deal today. If approved, it will only be with a slim majority as

Former President Demetris Christofias entering the AKEL offices yesterday the parties expected to vote in favour – DISY, DIKO and one MP from EVROKO – garner 29 votes out of the 56.

The finance minister told MPs that even with the bailout things would be tight for the state. Without the €3.4 billion that is earmarked for future deficits, “the difficulties would be incomparably bigger and the (austerity) meas-

ures would be nightmarish,” Georgiades said. The minister said the only way out was systematic work to encourage economic activity, entrepreneurship, investment, and employment.

“We must proceed with deep structural changes that will free our economy’s forces of production,” Georgiades said.

“We must create a new state

model and a new model of viable economic development.”

The new government received an economy that was on the brink, Georgiades said, with no time or room to negotiate. “Either the banks would have collapsed with a loss of all deposits, or we would have at least secured the first €100,000 for each depositor,” he said.

“We would have either lost the

(Christos Theodorides) two big banks, or we would have at least tried to save one.

Either the state would have gone bankrupt, without being in a position to pay wages and pensions, or we would have secured a second chance.”

Former ruling party AKEL was expected to vote against while EDEK was wavering between rejecting the deal or abstaining. AKEL yesterday

published its long-awaited alternative proposal to disengage from the bailout agreement, which was none other than leaving the eurozone in agreement with the EU. “In case it is adopted, implementing such a decision must be done through negotiations with the European Union, for a co-ordinated exit based on the principles of international law,” AKEL said in a statement. AKEL invited other parties and the government to enter a fruitful dialogue towards that direction and suggested that the question must be put to the people through a referendum.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides however, warned, that leaving the eurozone could mean leaving the EU. Speaking in parliament, Kasoulides said leaving the eurozone would be in violation of the accession treaty.

“We have no choice but to remain in the eurozone,” he said.

The Central Bank (CBC) said Cyprus should stick to the bailout programme.

“Other solutions, discussed in public, serve to destabilise and I think it is easy to understand how,” CBC senior director Giorgos Syrihas said. “Do you expect investors to come when we are discussing in public that we want to abandon our currency?”

Lillikas rallies anti-bailout supporters for demonstration today

By Elias Hazou A NEW political movement calling itself the ‘Citizens’ Alliance’ has vowed to fight a financial rescue deal between Cyprus and international lenders and to seek alternatives for placing the stricken economy on a path to recovery.

Unveiled this weekend in Nicosia, the movement is led provisionally by Giorgos Lillikas, who in the recent presidential elections garnered an impressive 26 per cent of the popular vote, nearly making it to the

runoff vote. His movement’s founding convention was held Sunday in the grounds of the State Fairs, where hundreds flocked to register. Elections to nominate the leadership are scheduled for later this year.

The platform demands a referendum to decide the question whether Cyprus should conclude a deal with international lenders - known as the troika- claiming that neither the President nor parliament have the right to make that decision on behalf of the people. In its first move yesterday, the ‘Citizens’ Alliance’

called on its own supporters as well as anyone else to stage a protest outside parliament today, when the House is set to take a crunch vote ratifying the loan deal.

The movement urged organised groups and trade unions to gather at the parliament at 3pm today to “unite our voices...with the sole demand of rejecting the memorandum.” Earlier, left-leaning union PEO had called a demonstration for the same purpose. The ‘Citizens’ Alliance’ warns MPs it is holding each and every one of them personally accountable for their

stance during today’s vote in parliament.

Lillikas argues the government stands no chance of adhering to the terms of the financial rescue plan, which he says will drag Cyprus into a recession spiral necessitating further bailouts in the future.

He says the government will be unable to meet its target and commitment to the troika - of slashing the deficit to 2.4 per cent this year, given that

GDP is projected to shrink by anywhere from 13 to 20 per cent.

Lillikas wants to extricate the Cypriot economy from the ‘neo-colonial subjugation’ of the troika. There is another way, he says, and does not rule out a euro-exit and a return to the old Cypriot currency, but only “after careful study.” Dubbed a political opportunist by his detractors, the 53-year-old politician

campaigned on an anti-troika plank in February’s general elections. Despite being knocked out of the race in the first round, shortly thereafter Lillikas had hinted at plans to create a new political party.

The movement includes former deputies from AKEL and the European Party, and has the backing of DIKO ‘rogue’ and firebrand MP Zacharias Koulias, among others.

Vacancy The U.S. Embassy in Nicosia is seeking an individual for the Local Guard Force Guard position. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with rotating shifts and rotating work days.

Applicants must have the required work and residency permits to be eligible for consideration.

Main responsibility: Performs guard services to safeguard the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, its annexes, official residences and other USG facilities.

Please visit the following website for detailed qualifications for the position and for application procedures: http://cyprus.usembassy.gov/theembassy/employment.html Applicants should send the DS-174 application for employment to: U.S. Embassy, HR Office, Local Guard Force Guard position, P.O. Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia or via E-mail to: VacanciesNicosia@state.gov to arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. May 8, 2013.

No telephone calls will be accepted. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

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Minister apologises over teargas incident at match ‘Mistakes were made’ says Ionas Nicolaou

By Peter Stevenson JUSTICE Minister Ionas Nicolaou yesterday apologised on behalf of the police after they fired teargas to quell violence but inadvertently harmed fans when it drifted into the stadium on Saturday.

Nicolaou also pledged that hooligans responsible for the trouble before, during and after the APOEL vs. AEK Larnaca match on Saturday afternoon at the GSP stadium would be arrested.

He was speaking after a meeting with Police Chief Michalis Papageorgiou.

“This is the reason we have taken certain decisions today with the aim of improving our ways and our behaviour as a police force,” he said. The minister added that certain decisions were taken about measures stadium managers would implement as well as measures which will be sent to the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) to be approved.

According to police reports a group of APOEL fans on their way to the GSP Stadium on Saturday stopped at the big roundabout next to the stadium and threw flares, setting dry shrubbery alight before the match. The fire was extinguished by the fire service.

Later on more APOEL fans opened a stadium storeroom

Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou heads up a meeting with police top brass on football violence and took tiles and chairs which they threw at police guarding the GSP’s south stand. Police used teargas to prevent the incident from escalating.

Four officers were injured and damage was caused to the stadium during the incident. Teargas drifted into the stadium affecting fans and small children as well as delaying the game’s kick-off by five minutes to allow the gas to clear.

“It would appear at first glance that problems arose from the throwing of teargas prior to the match and for that I would like to apologise on behalf of the police to the fans for the trouble which it caused, especially to young children,” Nicolaou said.

“Teargas should only be used in extenuating circumstances when there is imminent danger and for that we recognise that problems were caused due to our lack of training on the subject,” he stressed.

The minister revealed a special investigative team had been put together to look into the various incidents that took place before and after the match and said “arrests are imminent as the events which took place on Saturday cannot go unpunished.”

Nicolaou told the press, the team already had photographs and videos of the incidents and would study them to identify the culprits.

“There will be arrests very soon as certain individuals

have already been identified,” he said. He also said stadium facilities must be improved so fans can be properly checked.

“Attempts by groups of fans to enter stadiums without having to buy a ticket or attempts to bring prohibited items in must be stopped or prevented,” Nicolaou said.

He said there would be talks with the CFA regarding the sale of tickets and the use of identity cards by fans as they enter grounds so troublemakers can be singled out.

Nicolaou added there would be meetings with fan groups of the big teams to schedule measures for the next games including European matches which are due to start at the end of summer.

“We are also examining the possibility of implementing stricter measures that could be issued by the courts which would involve banning people who still have pending cases,” the Minister said.

Due to the financial crisis the new ticketing system has not been applied yet, Nicolaou revealed although the system’s use would be discussed with clubs at some point to help prevent any possible incidents.

The minister was also asked about reports of police brutality towards Omonia supporters last week and assured reporters that he had received a letter from the fans and had seen reports in the media that would be investigated.

Police and boy scouts join forces ‘Green’ buildings would help create more jobs TRAFFIC police and the Cyprus Scouts Association were yesterday offering an amnesty for the day to drivers who committed specific traffic violations.

The aim was to raise awareness among boy scouts, who passed warnings to the offending motorists. Separate events took place in Paphos and Paralimni. Offences included speaking on a mobile while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, not following road signs, and illegal parking, all of which are subject to on-the-spot fines.

Nicos Mitsides, the Cyprus Scouts Association district superintendent in Paphos thanked the police for joining the campaign. Mitsides said that the event was part of the celebrations for the 100 years of the Cyprus Scouts Association. “The mission of scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, thorough a value system based on the scout promise and the law. Our mission is to also help build a better world where people play a constructive role in society,” he said.

CYPRUS needs to face the challenges ahead and take advantage of the correct opportunities to create the conditions for a speedy recovery from the crisis, creating jobs in the process according to Labour Minister, Zeta Emilianidou.

Speaking at the Build-Up Skills workshop, the minister said the conference’s aim was to improve workforce skills in relation to saving and developing renewable energy sources in the fields of construction, maintenance and

renovation of buildings. “Our goal is the preparation of meeting EU member states’ energy targets ahead of the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy,” she said, adding that Cyprus’ energy targets included a 13 per cent contribution of renewable energy sources towards its total energy usage.

Emilianidou went on to say that the construction industry would be called on to face important challenges in the coming years to help buildings become more energy efficient which could create new

job openings. “Upcoming energy upgrades will require increased workforce skills, and the completion of the study of the current situation in Cyprus by the National Consortium programme, estimated that Cyprus will be required to train at least 4,500 people,” she said.

“Our country urgently needs to address the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities correctly to create the conditions for a speedy recovery from the financial crisis,” she said.

CYPRUS TODAY Tractor injuries OVER THE weekend two men were treated for injuries caused in two separate tractor accidents in Paphos.

George Stylianou, 50, was seriously injured on Saturday afternoon in a rural area of Kathika when his tractor overturned.

Stylianou is in the intensive care unit of Paphos general hospital. According to doctors his condition is serious but he has shown signs of improvement.

Socratis Vasiliadi, 60, received slight injuries to his legs when his tractor overturned on Sunday afternoon on the rural road between Ayia Marina Kelokedaron and Kelokedara. According to police the tractor , which was towing a wagon carrying a water tank, overturned on a turning.

In both cases the tractors did not have protective covers.

Busy weekend THE FIRE Services were called to extinguish a total of 221 fires over the weekend. The number is considered to be very high and in a statement yesterday the services called on the public to be especially careful.

The sharp increase in temperatures over the weekend and the reduced humidity in the atmosphere combined with strong winds were conducive for fires to start and spread.

The Fire Service reminded the public that starting a fire, throwing cigarette butts away or any other actions which could start a fire are prohibited.

School arson A FIRE was set in the Technical school in Nicosia after vandals broke in on Sunday at around 10.30pm, police said yesterday.

The perpetrators broke into an office, set fire to a couch and coffee table and also stole a computer.

They also broke into a classroom, took chairs and plastic bins which they later set fire to.

The Lykavitos police station is investigating.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

7

Home

Land registry scandal grows, implicating ten

YOUNG ATHLETE LOSES CANCER BATTLE

Latest suspension involves official who was also working as a real estate agent

By Poly Pantelides THE INTERIOR minister yesterday ordered the suspension of a land registry official who joins a growing number of his colleagues under disciplinary and/or criminal investigation in relation to corruption.

“One more employee was suspended, who was working as a real estate agent while being a land registry official,” Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos told reporters yesterday.

A court had already ordered the official to stop working in real estate if he were to continue working for the state’s land registry, he said. “He was working as a real estate agent while having available at his disposal the land registry’s entire infrastructure.”

“One has to wonder at such gall?” Hasikos said.

Hasikos has said that two others had already been suspended and legal services were due to okay the suspension of one more individual suspected of stealing from the state.

In total, over ten land registry officials are being investigated for corruption on a disciplinary and criminal level, Hasikos said.

Early last week, Hasikos

said that two other land registry officials had already been suspended. They are suspected of taking a fee to help Greek Cypriots sell their properties by applying to the Immoveable Property Commission, the body set up in the north to look at displaced Greek Cypriots’ property claims. Police are looking into criminal offences. Four others – also under investigation - are implicated in a scandal reported by the auditor-general Chrystalla Georghadji in her 2011 report, Hasikos said.

Georghadji was investigating a complaint filed in May last year involving employees’ data searches. She said that the land registry’s prior investigation was “inadequate”.

The auditor-general said that between January 2008 and June 2012 an unauthorised employee in Nicosia carried out a total of 20,411 data searches relating to 12,630 separate property owners. On average, the authorised employees issued about 23,000 search certificates during the same time period. The employee investigated by Georghadji would issue anything from 100 to 500 search certificates on a single day, whereas the three employees assigned to the task issue between 30 and 50

a day, Georghadji said.

A different unauthorised Paphos employee issued 4,722 search certificates relating to 3,666 separate property owners, again between January 2008 and June 2012 whereas his colleagues who were assigned to the task at hand issued zero certificates, Georghadji said.

Search certificates cost €1.71 to issue, consultant and chartered surveyor Pavlos Loizou said.

“They help a purchaser to acquire information about a piece of property,” he said.

The search can include the property area, its owner and when the land was purchased and for how much.

Applicants must identify themselves, their professional capacity and the reason they need the information.

The employees who bypassed the procedure violated personal data processing laws and deprived the state of revenue, Georghadji said in her report adding that the previous interior minister, Eleni Mavrou, had appointed an official to investigate “a number of employees”.

Hasikos said yesterday that the problems they were looking into were longstanding, but the government was no longer willing to tolerate the situation. The guilty will be punished, he said.

Study to determine any overlap between DEFA and KRETYK A STUDY is underway to assess the respective roles of the Natural Gas Public Company (DEFA) and the Cyprus National Hydrocarbons Company(KRETYK) and ensure there is no overlap, the energy and trade minister said yesterday.

Giorgos Lakkotrypis was speaking to newsmen shortly after meeting with the President.

The minister confirmed they discussed the “future” of the two entities.

Quizzed on whether the government was thinking about merging the two entities - as widely rumoured in the local media - Lakkotrypis said the Attorney-general’s office, assisted by Norwegian legal consultants, has initiated a study into “the institutional framework and jurisdictions of each organisation, which ought to be distinct.”

Asked to comment on remarks by DISY leader Averof Neophytou for the need of a moratorium on appointments to the civil service over the next three months, the minister said he agreed in principle.

“There needs to take place a rationalisation within all the organisations, of all the executive directors not only at DEFA but in other organisations as well,” he said.

The government is said to be wary of disbanding or reshuffling DEFA as that might create legal complications due to the fact the organisation is in the midst of assessing tenders for short-term purchases of natural gas.

It’s not clear what other motives, if any, lie behind the mooted restructuring of DEFA and

Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis KRETYK. Sources speculated the move may hide a political power play: DISY had always expressed reservations about the set-up of the two entities, particularly DEFA, thought to be dominated by personalities affiliated to the DIKO party.

The same sources wondered also why the energy regulatory authority (CERA) has so far been kept in the dark about the government’s intentions toward the two organisations.

Earlier this month the government decided to sack DEFA chairman Costas Ioannou over actions he took in his previous role as head of CERA. DEFA is a public utility tasked with distributing natural gas to the local market, while KRETYK is a state-controlled oil and gas company responsible for developing, managing, exporting and operating gas.

Cyprus’ sport was yesterday left mourning the death of 23-year-old athlete Marianna Zachariades who lost her battle with lymphoma after falling into a coma recently in Greece.

The Cypriot long-jumper had been suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma since 2011 and

was being nursed at the Attikon Hospital in Greece after recently falling into a coma. She had claimed a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the Mediterranean Games in Pescara in 2009, where she had set a Pancyprian record jump of 4.45m.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

8

Europe

Letta pledges growth push Lays out priorities of new coalition government

By James Mackenzie ITALY’S new Prime Minister Enrico Letta pledged to push for a change to the European Union’s focus on austerity and pursue growth and jobs in an inaugural speech yesterday laying out the priorities for his coalition government.

Speaking ahead of a confidence vote in the lower house, Letta said Italy could not afford to focus simply on trying to cut its huge public debt and needed a new emphasis on lifting the economy out of recession.

He was set to be backed by his own centre-left Democratic Party, Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party as well as centrists led by former prime minister Mario Monti, with a second vote in the Senate today.

New Italy PM Enrico Letta (R) said Italy could not afford to focus simply on trying to cut its huge public debt and needed a new emphasis on lifting the economy out of recession “We will die of fiscal consolidation alone, growth policies cannot wait any longer,” Letta said, noting that the country’s economic situation remains “serious” after more than a decade of stagnation.

However he pledged to

stick to Italy’s budget commitments to its European Union partners, announcing he would visit Brussels, Paris and Berlin this week.

Financial market reaction to Letta’s appointment and the end of months of political stalemate after last Feb-

ruary’s inconclusive election was positive, with bond yields falling and shares rising.

Italy’s cost of borrowing dropped to its lowest since October 2010 at an auction of medium and long term bonds on Monday.

But Letta, who was pushed into a coalition with Berlusconi after the centre-left fell short of a viable parliamentary majority in February, now faces a battle to maintain the unity of his government while passing potentially difficult reforms.

He paid tribute to two police officers shot by an unemployed man on Sunday as his cabinet was being sworn in and called for a calmer and more responsible political climate.

Responding to Berlusconi’s demands for an unpopular housing tax to be scrapped, Letta said payments due in June would be halted prior to a wider overhaul of property taxes but he did not promise to abolish the tax altogether.

He also said he hoped an increase in sales tax, which would see the main rate rise from 21 per cent to 22 per cent planned for July, could be delayed.

In a speech laying out an ambitious programme of reforms, Letta said the welfare system would have to be strengthened, taxes weighing on employment and young people would be cut and measures to get more women into the workforce would be passed.

He promised to change the current electoral law, which contributed heavily to the inconclusive election result in February and left Italy in political limbo for two months as the parties wrangled over forming a government.

He also said he would review the progress of reforms in 18 months’ time and, if he felt that he had been blocked by other parties he would not hesitate to assume the consequences, an apparent suggestion that he would resign.

EU to ban pesticides that endanger bees THE European Union will ban three of the world’s most widely-used pesticides for two years because of fears they are linked to a plunge in the population of bees critical to the production of crops.

The executive European Commission said yesterday it would press ahead with the ban on a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, produced mainly by Germany’s Bayer and Switzerland’s Syngenta, despite the EU’s 27-member states failing to reach an agreement on the matter.

The Commission proposed the ban in January after EU scientists said the chemicals posed an acute risk to honeybees, which pollinate many of the crops grown commercially in Europe.

However, pesticide manufacturers and some scientists say no link has been proven between the use of neonicotinoids and a sharp decline in bee numbers in Europe in recent years a phenomenon known as “colony collapse disorder”.

Basel-based Syngenta criticised the Commission’s decision, blaming declining bee numbers on habitat loss and diseases carried by parasites such as the Varroa mite.

“The proposal is based on poor science and ignores a

The pesticides are linked to a plunge in bee numbers wealth of evidence from the field that these pesticides do not damage the health of bees,” the company said in a statement.

The ban will hit sales of Syngenta’s popular Cruiser seed treatments, widely used to protect crops such as rapeseed and maize from aphids and other pests.

But it could boost sales of chemical alternatives to neonicotinoids produced by rival firms such as Dow Chemical, leading some scientists to point out that little is known about the effects of such older compounds on bee health.

Syngenta and Bayer say research shows a neonicotinoid ban could cost Europe billions of euros in lost crop yields.

EUROPE TODAY Explosion shakes Prague AN explosion in central Prague yesterday, probably caused by gas, injured as many as 40 people, officials said, and neighbouring buildings - including the National Theatre - had to be evacuated.

The explosion, in a building facing the Vltava river just a few dozen metres (yards) from the 19th-century theatre, was heard as far away as Prague Castle about a mile (1.6 km) away.

A police spokesman said the blast was probably caused by gas and that there had been about 15 people in the building, which included an office of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and an art gallery.

“We estimate up to 40 people were injured,” Zdenek Schwarz, the chief of Prague paramedics, said on Czech Television.

“These are mostly light injuries, cuts, bruises, injuries from glass. We estimate no more than four seriously injured, but this is preliminary information,” he said.

Greece collision TWO people drowned and eight are missing after two cargo ships collided off southwestern Greece early yesterday, the Greek coastguard said.

The drowned and missing crew were from the Pirireis, sailing under a Cook Islands flag, which was in a collision with the ConSouth carrier about 75 nautical miles off the islet of Sapienza, a coastguard official said.

The ConSouth, sailing under an AntiguaBarbuda flag, was not seriously damaged and its crew of 16 is safe.

“Pirireis had a crew of 17. The ConSouth ship recovered two drowned with eight still missing,” said the official who declined to be named.

Talks to resume RUSSIA and Japan said yesterday they would revive talks on ending a territorial dispute that has prevented them signing a treaty to formally end their WWII hostilities and, wary of China’s growing influence, agreed to thicken trade ties.

At the two G8 powers’ first Moscow summit for 10 years, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had China’s economic and political might in mind as they launched a new effort to warm up their relationship.

An end to the dispute over four Pacific islands is not in sight, but reviving longstalled talks is a first step to improving economic cooperation, which both sides say has failed to live up to its full potential.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

9

Britain

Ukip hits back at ‘clown’ jibes

Duchess hoax DJ to attend nurse inquest Inquest has been delayed until September

By Kiran Randhawa and Frank Thorne ONE of the Australian DJs behind a prank call to the Duchess of Cambridge’s hospital will give evidence at the inquest into the death of the nurse who answered the phone, it emerged yesterday.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was found hanged three days after she transferred the call to a colleague at the hospital where Kate was being treated for an extreme form of morning sickness.

Radio presenter Mel Greig said she was prepared to fly to Britain to attend the hearing into her death.

She said she was “determined to answer any questions surrounding her role in these tragic events” and would appear in person at Westminster coroner’s court or by video link.

Ms Greig and co-host Michael Christian posed as the Queen and Prince of Wales

in the call to King Edward VII’s hospital in London last December.

‘NEED FOR ANSWERS’ Saldanha transferred them to a colleague who then described the Duchess of Cambridge’s condition in detail.

In a statement Greig’s Sydney-based lawyers, Slater & Gordon, said: “Ms Saldanha’s suicide was a devastating tragedy and Ms Greig’s thoughts have been with the family ever since. Ms Greig fully understands their need for answers, which is why she has taken this step to appear as an individual at the inquest.”

They said the former 2Day FM presenter, who has not returned to work since the incident, will answer “any questions” the family or the coroner have. The statement added: “She is determined to address any questions surrounding her role in these tragic events as part of the inquest”.

The development came after it emerged Saldanha directly blamed the radio presenters in one of three suicide letters found by her hanged body.

The note said: “I hold the Radio Australians Mel Greig and Michael Christian responsible for this act. Please make them pay for my mortgage.”

“This will now allow the coroner to explore the role of the DJs in Jacintha’s tragic death.

The family feel this will give them the opportunity to ensure that all relevant parties are before the inquest, including the hospital, the DJs and the radio station.

“They are however distressed at the publication of the content of one of the suicide notes which of course was private.”

Greig’s lawyers said that she had been granted the right to appear at the inquest late last week, and her decision to attend was unrelated to reports of the suicide note. The inquest was originally set to re-open on Thursday but it

Prank callers: Mel Greig and her co-host Michael Christian posed as the Queen and Prince of Wales in the call to King Edward VII’s hospital in London last December has been delayed until September.

Saldanha was found dead in nurses’ accommodation close to the hospital just a few days after the call was broadcast.

She shared a home in Bristol with husband Benedict Barboza, 49, and their two chil-

dren, Junal, 17, and Lisha, 14.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, who is acting as the family spokesman, said: “The family of Jacintha Saldanha welcome the latest development concerning the application by the Australian DJ Mel Grieg to appear before the inquest.”

Dubai trio get four years British climber in Mount Everest brawl probe A DUBAI court sentenced three Britons to four years in jail on drug charges yesterday, a decision that may overshadow a visit to Britain by the United Arab Emirates president because of allegations that the defendants were tortured.

The three were convicted a day after British Prime Minister David Cameron voiced concern about the allegations and his spokesman said the case would be on the agenda of his talks this week with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

Grant Cameron, Karl Williams and Suneet Jeerh, all in their 20s, were arrested in July 2012 during a holiday in the UAE. Police said they had found a form of synthetic cannabis in their hire car.

All three had pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing and intending to sell illegal drugs and said police had subjected them to beatings and threatened them with guns - allegations the police deny.

UAE Judge Ali Attiyah Saad found the three guilty in Dubai Criminal Court and sentenced them to four years in jail each.

Defence lawyer Issa bin-Haider said the sentences indicated the court had dropped the charge of intent to sell illegal drugs, which would have carried a more severe punishment.

Abdel-Hamid Mahdi, who represents Grant Cameron, said he planned to appeal against the sentence, asking for clemency. It is common for convicts to be pardoned during UAE national and religious holidays, particularly first-time offenders.

A BRITISH mountaineer is among a group of foreigners under investigation for allegedly getting into a fight with local guides on Mount Everest.

The Nepalese authorities are looking into reports that three foreign climbers were involved in a brawl with a group of Sherpa guides 25,000ft up the highest mountain in the world.

The climbers claim they were victims of an unprovoked attack from the guides, while the Sherpas said they acted in retaliation to an incident where they were threatened.

According to a statement from British national Jonathan Griffith, the fight was to do with ropes fixed by the guides.

Sherpa guides, hired by climbers, are the first ones to fix the ropes on the routes so their clients can climb to the peak.

The fight is reported to have taken place on the Lhotse Face between Camp Two which lies at an altitude of 24,750ft (7,500m) and Camp Three at 27,390ft (8,300m).

Two of the climbers reportedly suffered minor injuries while it is claimed the third received a deep cut to his face.

Griffith told Sky News that as he and the

other two climbers, Swiss national Ueli Steck and Italian Simone Monro, side-stepped the ropes, one of the Sherpas began shouting and erratically banging the ice with his axe.

He said in a statement: “Still shouting down at the climbers, (the Sherpa) fixed his rope and abseiled down.

“As Ueli was soloing and therefore not attached to a rope it was natural that he should hold his hands up to take the impact of the force arriving on him from the lead climber abseiling right on to him.

“This prompted the lead climber to accuse Ueli Steck of ‘touching him’. In between hitting the ice with all his force and screaming at Ueli ‘why you touch me’ he said that they had kicked ice down on them and injured a Sherpa.

“By the time we had descended back to Camp Two some 100 Sherpas had grouped together and attacked us. They became instantly aggressive and not only punched and kicked us but threw many rocks as well”.

Griffith went on to say that a small group of Westerners saved them from “the out-of control mob”, acting as a buffer between the two groups.

UK INDEPENDENCE Party leader Nigel Farage has hit back at claims that his party is supported by racists and is against foreigners and immigrants.

Government minister Ken Clarke launched a savage attack and branded Ukip “clowns” as the parties prepare to go into the local elections on Thursday.

The veteran politician took the swipe after Ukip accused the Conservatives of running a “morally reprehensible” smear campaign against its would-be councillors.

Yesterday, Farage responded, saying: “They have lost the argument so Ken Clarke and others have decided that, rather than going for the ball, they are going to attack the player and that is exactly what this is about.”

Farage, whose party is fielding 1,700 candidates in the council elections, told ITV’s Daybreak that rival politicians are afraid of Ukip.

He said: “They know that the British public are genuinely concerned about opening up the door to Bulgaria and Romania next year.

“They are concerned because we have a million youngsters unemployed, we have wages being driven down and I am afraid a crime wave in London being caused

by Romanians already.

“These are tough subjects to talk about.

“All we are doing is talking the truth.

“There is nothing in Ukip that is racist in any way at all and Ken Clarke knows it.

“If he throws this abuse out, we will start having a proper debate.”

Farage’s Ukip party is fielding 1,700 candidates

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

10

World

Kenya chief justice denies taking bribe in election petition KENYA’S chief justice yesterday denied accusations he had received bribes to rule in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta in a petition challenging the outcome of last month’s election that was the biggest test yet of the newlyreformed judiciary.

Kenya’s Supreme Court, chaired by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, upheld Kenyatta’s victory, dismissing a petition by presidential contender Raila Odinga. Former Prime Minister Odinga accepted the verdict, helping douse tensions after tribal violence blighted the previous election five years before.

The judges’ unanimous decision was that Kenyatta had been “validly elected”, and that Odinga failed to offer enough evidence of malpractices to overturn the outcome of the vote.

Many Kenyans hailed the court’s role in helping the peaceful democratic transition in their country which has the biggest economy in east Africa.

But while Odinga and other opposition leaders have not accused the six-member Supreme Court of corruption, some Kenyans did make such charges online and even wished Mutunga dead.

“For me, the most hurtful al-

legation was that I had been bribed in the Presidential Petition.” Mutunga said in a statement. “I have never been offered a bribe in my life.”

Mutunga, a well-respected lawyer, was appointed in 2011 to reform a judiciary seen as in the pay of the political elite.

“I have no doubt in my mind that anybody who dares offer me a bribe, regardless of status, would be the first one I arrest under the constitution and the laws of this land.”

Mutunga said the online attacks on him were “indecent, vulgar, and unacceptable”.

The chief justice urged anyone with evidence of bribery to present it to the Judicial Service Commission.

Although Odinga, 68, accepted the ruling of the court, he said he did not fully agree with it, having alleged “rampant illegalities” in the vote.

The 51-year-old Kenyatta, who faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC), comfortably beat Odinga in total votes won, but only just avoided a run-off by edging above the 50-per cent mark.

He denies helping incite violence after the 2007 vote and says he will cooperate with the court to clear his name.

Supporters of cricket legend and chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) or Movement for Justice party, Imran Khan wave party flags as they listen to Khan’s address during a general election campaign meeting in Mur-

ree yesterday. Violence has spiked in the nuclear-armed country ahead of national elections on May 11 with at least 56 people killed in attacks on politicians and political parties since April 11, 2013.

(AFP)

Bangladesh building owner is led to court

By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir

Kenya’s Chief Justice Mutunga urged anyone with proof of bribery to present it to the Judicial Service Commission

Workers held back NORTH Korea held back seven of 50 remaining South Koreans at the suspended jointly run factory zone north of the heavily armed border yesterday, citing last-minute checks on taxes and wages.

The North withdrew its 53,000 workers from the complex this month amid spiralling tension between the two Koreas.

The North had prevented South Korean workers and supplies from getting into the zone since April 3.

The two Koreas remain technically at war under a mere truce that ended hostilities in their 1950-53 conflict and North Korea, angry at UN sanctions and joint South Korean-US military drills, had in recent weeks threatened both countries with nuclear attack.

South Korean officials said the seven were not at risk. But the delay was another complication in what had been a decade of experiment merging the affluent South’s capital and the North’s cheap labour as a trial on commercial co-operation.

“As the North has said in their statements about ensuring the safety of the people who will be returning, we do not consider them at risk but we will be closely watching until all of them are back,” a South Korean government official said.

The Kaesong project opened in 2004 as part of the so-called sunshine policy of engagement and optimism between the two Koreas, and 123 South Korean companies produced clothing, household goods and motorcycle helmets employing local workers.

The zone was a lucrative source of cash for the North, providing it with almost $90 million a year. South Korean manufacturers have been paying about $130 a month to North Korea for each of the workers they employed.

BANGLADESHI lawyers and protesters chanted “hang him, hang him” yesterday as the owner of a factory building that collapsed last week killing nearly 400 people was led into court dressed in a helmet and bullet-proof jacket, witnesses said.

The drama came as rescue officials said they were unlikely to find more survivors in the rubble of the building that collapsed last Wednesday, burying hundreds of garment workers in the country’s worst industrial accident.

Heavy cranes were being used to lift huge concrete blocks from the wreckage of Rana Plaza, where 385 people are now confirmed to have been killed. The building housed factories making clothes for Western brands.

Eight people have been arrested - four factory bosses, two engineers, building owner

Rescue officials say unlikely to find any more survivors Mohammed Sohel Rana and his father, Abdul Khalek. Police are looking for a fifth factory boss, David Mayor, who is a Spanish citizen.

Rana, a local leader of the ruling Awami League’s youth front, was shown on television being brought to Dhaka in handcuffs after he was seized in the border town of Benapole by the elite Rapid Action Battalion following a four-day manhunt.

Rana was arrested by police commandos on Sunday, apparently trying to flee to India.

“Put the killer on the gallows, he is not worthy of any mercy or lenient penalty,” one onlooker outside the court shouted. The court ordered that Rana be held for 15 days “on remand” for interrogation.

Khalek, who officials said was named in documents as a legal owner of the building, was arrested in Dhaka yesterday. Those being held face charges of faulty construction and causing unlawful death.

Bangladesh does carry out the death penalty for murder and for most serious categories of manslaughter.

Hundreds of the mostly female workers who are thought to have been inside the building when it caved in remain unaccounted for. A fire overnight further hampered the last desperate efforts to find survivors.

“We are giving the highest priority to saving people, but there is little hope of finding anyone alive,” army spokesman Shahinul Islam told reporters at the site.

About 2,500 people have been rescued from the wrecked building in the commercial suburb of Savar, about 30 km (20 miles) from the capital, Dhaka.

Late on Sunday, sparks from rescuers’ cutting equipment started a fire in the debris as they raced to save a woman who may have been the last survivor in the rubble. Her body was recovered yesterday afternoon.

“We could not save her, even though we heard her voice this morning,” a tearful rescue worker told reporters at the scene.

Officials said the eight-storey complex had been built on swampy ground without the correct permits, and more than 3,000 workers - most of them young women - entered the building last Wednesday morning despite warnings it was structurally unsafe. A bank and shops in the same building closed after a jolt was felt and cracks were noticed on some pillars on Tuesday.

South Africa’s Mandela is in good health and good spirits, says ANC ANTI-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela is in good health and good spirits, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress said yesterday, in the first update on his condition since he was discharged from hospital in early April.

President Jacob Zuma and other party leaders visited the 94-year-old former president at his Johannesburg home.

“After receiving a briefing from the medical team, the national officials are satisfied that President Mandela is in good health and is receiving the very best medical care,” the ANC said.

Zuma and the other leaders had found “Mandela in good shape and in good spirits”, the party added in a statement.

Mandela spent more than a week in hos-

pital being treated for pneumonia - the third health scare in four months for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

He stepped down as president in 1999 and has not been politically active for about a decade. But he is still revered at home and abroad for leading the long campaign against apartheid and then championing racial reconciliation.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

11

World WORLD TODAY Iraq fatalities AT least 23 people were killed in Iraq yesterday in a series of car bombs in Shi’ite Muslim areas and militant attacks, medics and police sources said, taking the week’s death toll to nearly 200 as sectarian violence intensifies.

Clashes have increased as the civil war in Syria puts strain on fragile relations between Sunnis and Shi’ites. The tensions are at their highest in Iraq since US troops pulled out more than a year ago.

The latest bout of bloodletting began when security forces raided a Sunni protest camp near Kirkuk last week triggering clashes that quickly spread to other Sunni areas including the western province of Anbar, which borders Syria and Jordan.

Iraq decided yesterday to close a border crossing with Jordan for two days starting today due to “organisational issues”, the interior minister said.

‘Tehran has not crossed red line’ PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday Iran had not crossed the “red line” he set for its nuclear programme, despite an assessment to the contrary by a former Israeli intelligence chief.

At the United Nations in September, Netanyahu drew a red line across a cartoon bomb to illustrate the point at which he said Iran will have amassed enough uranium at 20 per cent fissile purity to fuel one nuclear bomb if enriched further. He said then that Iran could reach that threshold by mid-2013.

Last week, Amos Yadlin, a former chief of Israeli military intelligence said “the Iranians have crossed the red line” Netanyahu drew at the UN General Assembly. Netanyahu said at a meeting yesterday of his Likud-Beitenu parliamentary faction that Iran’s nuclear activities remained short of his benchmark.

Bali ‘rape’ INDONESIAN police are searching for a man who allegedly raped an Australian woman at knifepoint inside her villa on the resort island of Bali.

Local police chief Captain Reinhard Habonaran Nainggolan said yesterday the 28-year-old woman was attacked on Saturday while on holiday with her family near popular Kuta beach.

He said a man broke into her room while she was sleeping, forcing her to open the safety box. After finding it empty, he allegedly raped her and stole three iPads, two mobile phones and a sum of cash.

PM survives deadly attack in Damascus State TV reports casualties, says Halki unhurt

By Dominic Evans SYRIAN Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus yesterday, state media and activists said, as rebels struck in the heart of President Bashar al-Assad’s capital.

Six people were killed in the blast, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, the latest in a series of rebel attacks on government targets including a December bombing which wounded Assad’s interior minister.

Halki wields little power but the attack highlighted the rebels’ growing ability to target symbols of Assad’s authority in a civil war which has cost more than 70,000 lives, according to the United Nations.

Assad picked Halki in August to replace Riyadh Hijab, who defected and escaped to neighbouring Jordan just weeks after a Damascus bombing which killed four of the president’s top security advisers.

In comments released by the state news agency SANA but not shown on television, Halki was quoted as condemning the attack as a sign of “bankruptcy and failure of the terrorist groups”, a reference to the rebels battling to overthrow Assad.

The blast shook the Mezze district soon after 9am (0600 GMT) and sent thick black smoke into the sky. The Observatory said one man accompanying Halki was killed as well as five passers-by.

State television showed firemen hosing down the charred and mangled remains of a car.

Close by was a large white bus, its windows blown out and its seats gutted by fire. Glass and debris were scattered across several lanes of a main road.

“The terrorist explosion in al-Mezze was an attempt to target the convoy of the prime minister. Doctor Wael al-Halki is well and not hurt at all,” state television said.

It later broadcast footage of Halki, who appeared composed and unruffled, chairing what it said was an economic committee.

Egypt’s Brotherhood out for revenge - Amr Moussa EGYPT’S ruling Muslim Brotherhood is trying to exact revenge on the judiciary for years of imprisonment and political exclusion, but is attacking the wrong target, opposition leader Amr Moussa said yesterday.

The elder statesman said Egypt faced an exceptional “to-be-or-not-to-be crisis” worse than after its 1967 defeat by Israel, and Islamist President Mohamed Mursi would do better to pursue national unity rather than division. Mursi appeared to back down when he agreed with senior judges on Sunday to seek a compromise on judicial reform instead of acting on proposals by his Islamist supporters to force more than 3,000 judges into retirement.

Moussa, 76, a former Arab League secretary-general and Egyptian foreign minister, said the assault on judicial independence should never have happened in the first place.

“This is not a concession.

This is what should have been done from the start,” he said in an interview in his liberal opposition Congress Party’s office, saying Mursi’s climbdown came after strong public disapproval.

Asked what had prompted the campaign against the judiciary, Moussa said: “I believe it is a strange feeling of revenge, of punishment. Some say that the judges were responsible for it (their imprisonment). In

Moussa said Egypt faced a to-be-or-not-to-be crisis fact this was not true. They got a lot of rulings from the judges that they were innocent.”

The Muslim Brotherhood was outlawed for much of its nearly 80-year existence, and its members were repeatedly imprisoned, tortured and barred from most political activity under former President Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in a 2011 uprising.

Moussa said the Brotherhood was wrong to brand him a “remnant” of the old regime, simply because he had served Mubarak for a decade as foreign minister. That argument had not prevented many Egyptians from voting for him in last year’s presidential election, when he came fifth.

“Egypt is not divided between the Muslim Brotherhood and others, or between people of today and people of yesterday.

Egypt is for all Egyptians... the previous regime is finished, is gone,” he said.

Mezze is part of a shrinking “Square of Security” in central Damascus, where many government and military institutions are based and where senior Syrian officials live.

Sheltered for nearly two years from the bloodshed and destruction ravaging much of the rest of Syria, it has been slowly sucked into violence as rebel forces based to the east of the capital launch mortar attacks and carry out bombings in the centre.

Assad has lost control of large areas of northern and eastern Syria, faces a growing challenge in the southern province of Deraa, and is battling rebels in many cities.

But his forces have been waging powerful ground offensives, backed by artillery and air strikes, against rebelheld territory around the

Rebel strike: cleaning takes place following a blast in the Mezze district of the Syrian capital Damascus yesterday capital and near the central city of Homs which links Damascus to the heartland of Assad’s minority Alawite sect in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean. As part of that counter-offensive, Assad’s forces probably used chemical weapons, the United States said last week.

Despite congressional pressure on President Barack Obama to do more to help the

rebels, he has made clear he is in no rush to intervene on the basis of evidence he said was preliminary.

Russia, which has criticised Western and Gulf Arab support for the anti-Assad fighters, said that attempts by Western countries to expand a UN inquiry into chemical weapons in Syria amounted to a pretext to intervene in the civil war.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

12

Business Bayer in $1b deal to buy Conceptus

Shares rise, dollar falls on central bank expectations

GERMANY’S Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) has agreed to buy US contraceptive devices maker Conceptus (CPTS.O) for $1.1 billion, aiming to underpin its position as the world’s largest women’s healthcare provider, Bayer, whose shares were down 2.3 per cent by 0823 GMT, will launch a public tender offer to acquire all Conceptus shares for $31.00 each in cash, in an offer agreed with Conceptus’s management, Bayer said yesterday.

That is a premium of 19.7 per cent over the stock’s closing price on Friday and a multiple of about 30 times the adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) that Conceptus is targeting for this year.

Shares in global healthcare equipment and services companies on average trade at nine times annual EBITDA, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine.

Bayer’s women’s healthcare business had sales of 3.15 billion euros ($4.1 billion) last year, from products including its Yasmin contraceptive pill and Mirena intrauterine device.

“Our experience in the field of gynecology combined with our sales and distribution expertise will help to further develop Conceptus’ business,” said Andreas Fibig, head of Bayer unit HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Conceptus, which makes inserts that are placed into the fallopian tubes as a permanent non-hormonal contraceptive, had $28.2 million in adjusted EBITDA last year on sales of $141 million.

The US company has forecast 2013 adjusted EBITDA of between $34 million and $37 million on sales of between $155 million and $159 million.

Disappointing growth outlook weighs on oil

Rates

Buying Selling Pound St

0.8448 0.8364

US Dollar

1.3115 1.2985

Australian $

1.2813 1.2497

Canadian Dol.

1.3415 1.3083

Swiss Fr

1.2334 1.2186

Denmark Kr

7.5494 7.3630 127.9632 126.4368

Norwegian Kr

7.7237 7.5329

Polish Zloty

4.2109

4.1069

Romanian Leu 4.4295 4.2557 Russian Ruble 41.3429 40.3221 Swedish Kr

WORLD shares gained and the dollar fell yesterday as investors counted on easy money from the US and eurozone central banks to offset the risk of further disappointing global economic data.

However, the euro gained ground as some investors had second thoughts about whether the European Central Bank will cut interest rates on Thursday, a prospect that pushed the common currency down around 1.3 per cent against the dollar last week.

“Last week it was all go, go go - everyone was factoring in a rate cut,” said Sarah Hewin, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank. “There’s a bit of a reconsideration now, and a look at the reasons why the ECB may decide just to make no move.”

A Reuters poll of 76 economists last Thursday showed only a narrow majority of 43 expected a 25 basis point cut at the ECB policy meeting, which would take its refinancing rate to a record low of 0.50 per cent.

By mid-morning yesterday the euro was up 0.5 per cent against a generally weaker dollar to $1.3095, though it remains well below a seven-week high of $1.3202 hit on April 16.

The dollar was also weaker against other major currencies, dropping 0.2 per cent to 97.84 yen after disappointing first quarter US data on Friday reaffirmed expectations

The euro gained ground as some investors had second thoughts about whether the European Central Bank will cut interest rates on Thursday the Federal Reserve will keep injecting cash into the economy.

The Fed is widely seen keeping its current pace of bond buying at $85 billion a month when the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee announces its decision at 1815 GMT tomorrow.

MSCI’s world equity index was up 0.2 per cent at 365.32 points, having gained 2.3 per cent last week, although its moves were affected by holidays in Japan and China.

US stocks index futures

pointed to modest gains later on Wall Street at the start of another week of heavy corporate earnings results which will feature Pfizer, Facebook and General Motors.

The market is also on watch for several readings on US manufacturing activity and the influential nonfarm payrolls report.

In Europe, a resolution of Italy’s two-month political stalemate through the formation of a new coalition government at the weekend boosted sentiment on the

bonds of heavily-indebted eurozone governments and the share market.

Italy’s five- and 10-year borrowing costs fell to their lowest level since October 2010 at a bond sale yesterday, while secondary market yields dropped 10 basis points to 3.97 per cent.

“Italian sovereign debt is benefiting from the twin effects of central bank liquidity support and political stability of sorts,” Nicholas Spiro, managing director of London-based consultancy Spiro

Lloyds takes £250m hit Santander CEO steps down after legal battle

These Bank of Cyprus rates for telegraphic transfer transactions (spot deals) apply to yesterday, but provide a good guide to today’s value against the euro.

Japan Yen

By Richard Hubbard

Sovereign Strategy, said.

The main Italian share index, the FTSE MIB, added 1.3 per cent, helping to lift the broad FTSE Eurofirst 300 index of top European shares by 0.15 per cent and adding to its 3.7 per cent gain last week.

The market saw little reaction to data showing confidence in the euro zone’s economy falling for a second straight month in April, which only added to poor German business confidence data revealed last week.

Germany’s DAX was up 0.4 per cent after the data while France’s CAC 40 was 0.7 per cent higher.

The uncertain outlook for economic growth, especially in the world’s two big oil consumers, the United States and China, kept crude prices under pressure, although gold rose 1 per cent as its recovery from recent lows continued.

Brent crude slipped 7 cents to $103.09 a barrel, after making its biggest weekly gain since November last week despite data showing the US economy grew less than expected in the first quarter. US oil was up 35 cents at $92.73 a barrel.

“Disappointing GDP data for the United States has raised concerns about the level of oil demand and led to some profit-taking after recent big gains,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

Gold futures, which often provide trading cues to cash gold, hit $1,472.20 an ounce before settling at $1,469 an ounce, up $16. Spot gold rose $6 to $1,470 an ounce.

The precious metal has enjoyed steady demand from buyers seeking the physical asset since it plunged to a two-year low of $1,321 on April 16, led by investors switching out of exchange-traded funds that hold gold and issue securities against it.

8.6564 8.4426

LLOYDS has taken a £250-million ($387.28 million) loss on a sale of its unprofitable Spanish banking business to Banco Sabadell, a deal that will help bolster the British bank’s capital.

Lloyd’s, 39 per cent owned by the government since a bailout in the financial crisis, will get a 1.8-per cent stake in Sabadell, Spain’s fifth biggest bank, as part of the transaction. The deal covers Lloyds’ private and retail banking business in Spain, but not the British bank’s corporate banking operations in the country.

The sale will boost Lloyds’ capital ratio by reducing its risk-weighted assets - against which capital is measured by £400 million, a source with knowledge of the transaction told Reuters.

Many banks in Europe have been shedding businesses and assets to meet tough new capital rules brought in to make banks safer after the financial crisis.

The sale is also part of Lloyds’ plans to narrow its focus to Britain, where it is the largest retail bank.

Lloyds is cutting its international presence from around 30 countries. It has sold operations or exited from 12 countries in the last two years and has said it wants its presence to be down to less than 15 countries by 2014.

The loss in Spain adds to billions of pounds of losses Lloyds has faced in Ireland and Australia. These were mainly due to ill-timed expansion there by HBOS, the British bank Lloyds bought in late 2008.

Lloyds’ Spanish business has total assets of £1.52 billion, which consist mainly of retail mortgages and deposits, with a large proportion on non-resident clients. It has 28 offices plus a local investment management business.

Lloyds will report its first quarter results today.

ALFREDO Saenz, 70-yearold chief executive of the eurozone’s biggest bank, Santander, stepped down yesterday after a prolonged legal battle over whether he should be barred from banking due to a criminal conviction.

Saenz was under intense pressure from Spain’s central bank, which was looking into whether he was fit to continue as a banker under new rules that give the regulator wide discretion when deciding such issues.

Santander said in a statement that Saenz, who has worked closely with chairman Emilio Botin for 20 years, was stepping down voluntarily and thanked him for his work at the bank, which has quadrupled in size over that time.

In an extraordinary meeting on Monday, Santander’s board named Javier Marin, a 46-year-old Botin confidante who has held several

Saenz had faced a legal fight over whether he should be barred from banking due to a criminal conviction executive positions within the group, as the bank’s new chief executive.

Saenz was seen as a skilled retail banker, while Botin was the dealmaker. Together they transformed the bank from a regional

lender to an international powerhouse.

Saenz was one of the few Santander executives that Botin would delegate to, according to a source who has worked with upper management at the bank, and the chairman had publicly defended the CEO and resisted pressure for him to step down.

A source with knowledge of the proceedings said Santander had had a number of conversations with the central bank over Saenz and his successor.

“Saenz’s voluntary resignation is a non-traumatic close to this chapter,” the source said.

Saenz’s stepping down lets the central bank off the hook in making a tough decision after a number of conflicting decisions by courts and the government.

“This is a very positive decision for banking stability and for Santander,” a central bank source said.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

13

Opinion

Let’s hope parties show a sense of responsibility TODAY the legislature will vote on the deeply unpopular memorandum of understanding which, in theory, should be passed with DIKO and DISY votes.

We say in theory because nobody knows whether all deputies of these two parties will show up and, if they do, that they will vote in favour of the memorandum’s ratification.

Without the legislature’s approval there would be no financial assistance from the EU and IMF, the state would default on its debt repayments and would have no money to meet its financial obligations, such as paying public sector salaries. In short, there is no alternative despite the stupid insistence of the demagogues that we should disengage from the memorandum.

Yesterday, the AKEL Central Committee proposed the disengagement from the memorandum and exit from the euro, but warned that the exit should be negotiated with the Eurogroup. First, however, there had to be a “productive political and social dialogue” on the matter which would subsequently be put to a referendum. This process would take months and it is not much help to today’s vote.

EDEK, the other anti-memorandum party, has not come up with an alternative either. It will hold a forum next month to discuss the country’s options and submit a proposal in June. Its former presidential candidate Giorgos Lillikas, meanwhile, held a meeting of his supporters on Sunday at which he announced the establishment of an anti-memorandum movement.

His speech was the familiar mix of heroic defiance and misinformation offering no alternative other than an implausible claim that the Chinese had offered president Anastasiades €10 billion to pre-buy our natural gas – the natural gas we have yet to find.

Both AKEL and Lillikas have called on people to join the anti-memorandum, protest gathering outside the legislature today. “People need to send a resounding message of resistance to the catastrophic consequences of the Eurogroup decisions,” said the party spokesman; Lillikas also spoke of resistance.

The truth is that any resistance now would be meaningless as all the austerity measures have been approved, the resolution of Laiki has been completed and confidence in the banking sector has been shattered. Rejection of the memorandum today would mean that we will receive no funds and the state would be declared bankrupt. Would anyone take such a risk based on Lillikas’ promise that the Chinese have offered us €10 billion?

But given the irresponsible populism that governs politics could anyone rule out the possibility of deputies rejecting the memorandum today, especially if they are urged to do so by AKEL’s protesters?

We just hope that the parties will show a sense of responsibility and approve the memorandum, because rejecting it would make things much worse than they are now.

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Israeli credibility is on the line over Iran I

SRAEL RISKS a loss of credibility over both its “red line” for Iran’s nuclear programme and its threat of military action, and its room for unilateral manoeuvre is shrinking.

After years of veiled warnings that Israel might strike the Islamic Republic, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out an ultimatum at the United Nations last September.

Iran, he said, must not amass enough uranium at 20 per cent fissile purity to fuel one bomb if enriched further. To ram the point home, he drew a red line across a cartoon bomb, guaranteeing him front page headlines around the world.

However, a respected Israeli ex-spymaster says Iran has skillfully circumvented the challenge. Other influential voices say the time has passed when Israel can hit out at Iran alone, leaving it dependent on US decision-makers.

"If there was a good window of opportunity to attack, it was six months ago - not necessarily today,” said Giora Eiland, a former Israeli national security adviser. Pressure from Washington, he said, had forced Israel to drop its strike plan.

Israel has long insisted on the need for a convincing military threat and setting clear lines beyond which Iran’s nuclear activity should not advance, calling this the only way to persuade Iran that it must bow to international pressure.

Serving officials argue that Netanyahu’s repeated warnings of the menace posed by Iran’s nuclear project have pushed the issue to the top of the global agenda and helped generate some of the toughest economic sanctions ever imposed on a nation.

But some officials have also questioned the wisdom of his red line, arguing that such brinkmanship can generate unwelcome ambiguity - as the United States has discovered with its contested stance on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Amos Yadlin, a former military intelligence chief who runs a Tel Aviv think-tank, suggested last week that Israel had also got itself into a tangle, saying Iran had expanded its nuclear capacity beyond the Israeli limit, without triggering alarms.

"Today it can be said that the Iranians have crossed the red line set by Netanyahu at the UN assembly,” Yadlin told a conference at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), which he heads.

Netanyahu’s office declined to respond to Yadlin’s remarks, noting that the prime minister, in recent public statements, had said Iran was “continuing to get closer to the red line”.

Tehran denies there is any military component to its nuclear activities, saying it is focused only on civilian energy needs. It charges that Israel, widely believed to have the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal, is the greater regional threat.

Keeping in step with Netanyahu, Israeli defence and

Analysis Crispin Balmer and Dan Williams military officials issued clear warnings this month that Israel was still prepared to go it alone against Iran, once more beating the drums of war after months of relative quiet.

"We will do what is necessary when it is necessary,” armed forces chief of staff Benny Gantz told Israel Radio on April 16.

But there is increasing scepticism within diplomatic circles about the viability of such an option. Envoys doubt that the Israeli military could now make much of a dent on Iran’s far-flung, well-fortified nuclear installations.

"If nothing happened last year, I struggle to see why it will happen this year,” said a top Western diplomat in Tel Aviv, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitivities.

Israeli President Shimon Peres has done little to bolster belief in unilateral action, making clear this month that he thought US President Barack Obama would be the one to go to war against Iran if nuclear diplomacy failed.

"He knows no one else will do it,” Peres told Israeli TV. The United States offered Netanyahu a new array of military hardware last week, including refuelling tankers that could be used to get fighter jets to and from Iranian targets.

However, Israel cannot match the sort of firepower that the United States could bring to a battlefield. For example, Israel lacks the biggest bunker-busting bombs that experts say would be needed to penetrate Iran’s underground Fordow enrichment plant.

Such limitations always cast doubt on a possible Israeli assault and the more time passes, the more the doubts grow.

Ehud Barak, the previous Israeli defence minister, said in November 2011 that within nine months it would prob-

‘The Israelis make no distinction between Iran developing the capacity to build an atomic bomb and having the actual weapon’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out an ultimatum ably be impossible to halt Iran because it was increasing the number of centrifuges and its network of sites, creating what he termed a “zone of immunity”. Seventeen months have gone by since then.

Washington has promised Israel it will not let Iran develop a nuclear bomb. Israelis get jittery, however, because they have set a very different clock for when they believe it would be necessary to intervene hence the importance of the red line.

The Israelis make no distinction between Iran developing the capacity to build an atomic bomb and having the actual weapon. Yadlin told the INSS conference that as soon as Tehran could put just one rudimentary device on a boat and sail it to an Israeli port, it was a de-facto nuclear-armed nation.

Some analysts question whether Iran would indeed attack Israel if it had an atom bomb, or even try to build one, rather than just establish an apparent nuclear capability to project deterrence and regional power. To fire a nuclear weapon at Israel, they say, could spell the ruin of the Islamic Republic in counterstrikes by a foe with a far bigger nuclear arsenal.

Gantz himself said last year he felt Iran’s leadership was “very rational” and unlikely to build an atomic bomb.

The US concern is to prevent Iran, which has called for Is-

rael’s destruction, from reaching the verge of acquiring a nuclear bomb - a nuance at variance with Israel’s position that provides a longer window of opportunity to continue diplomacy.

Exasperated by Washington’s refusal to set a clear ultimatum, Netanyahu came up with his 240-250 kg (530-550 pound) limit for 20 per cent enriched uranium, hoping this would concentrate minds. The Iranians stayed below this threshold by converting 110 kg of the gaseous material to solid form that they say is destined to power a research reactor.

Yadlin said that rather than turn all of this into solid reactor fuel, Iran had kept 80 kg of it in the interim powdered state. That, he said, could be converted back to original gas form in around a week, inflating the stockpile beyond 250 kg.

With the red line in possible jeopardy, and unilateral military action in doubt, one security official suggested that Israel might turn to covert sabotage, with renewed focus on those specifically working on the 20 per cent enrichment.

Five Iranian scientists and academics have been killed or attacked since 2010 in incidents believed to have targeted Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israel has remained silent about the attacks and other known acts of sabotage at Iranian sites.

14

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

Showbiz

Helen Mirren crowned best actress at theatre awards Curious Incident biggest winner with seven Olivier awards

Pain & Gain knocks Cruise from box office lead

By Lisa Richwine and Andrea Burzynski

By Belinda Goldsmith HELEN Mirren was crowned best actress at Britain’s top theatre awards on Sunday for reprising her Oscarwinning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth, while a play about a boy with autism was the night’s top winner, taking home seven Olivier prizes.

Mirren, 67, has won stellar reviews for starring in The Audience, Peter Morgan’s play about the private weekly meetings between the queen and the 12 British prime ministers during the six decades of her reign.

Mirren is no stranger to royalty having won an Academy award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA, one of the UK’s most prestigious entertainment honours, for the same role in the 2006 film The Queen that was also written

by Morgan.

The actress said the monarch deserved an Olivier, Britain’s equivalent of Broadway’s Tonys, after receiving an honorary BAFTA this month for supporting the film and TV industry.

The queen, 87, demonstrated her support for the film industry last year when she starred with actor Daniel Craig in a James Bond spoof at the opening of the London Olympic Games.

“Each time I play her I feel people are really responding to the queen,” Mirren told reporters after accepting her award from Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe at British theatre’s biggest night at London’s Royal Opera house.

“I feel I am rather coasting along on that love and respect,” added the actress who had been nominated three times previously for best actress at the Olivier awards.

Helen Mirren has won stellar reviews for starring in The Audience, Peter Morgan’s play about the private weekly meetings between the queen and the 12 British prime ministers during the six decades of her reign She beat Hattie Morahan in A Doll’s House, singerturned-actress Billie Piper in The Effect and Kristin Scott Thomas in Old Times to take home the leading female honour.

Mirren’s co-star, Richard McCabe, won the award for best supporting actor for playing the prime minister Harold Wilson.

But the biggest winner of the 37th Olivier awards was The Curious Incident Of

The Dog In The Night-Time that opened at the National Theatre in London in 2012 and transferred to London’s West End theatre district this year.

The play, based on Mark Haddon’s 2003 award-winning novel, won seven of the eight awards for which it was nominated, equalling a record set by Matilda the Musical in 2012.

It was named the best new play while Luke Treadaway

won the best actor statuette for playing 15-year-old Christopher, a maths prodigy with autism who sets out to solve the mystery of who killed his neighbour’s dog.

He beat Rupert Everett in Judas Kiss, Mark Rylance in Twelfth Night, Rafe Spall in Constellations, and James McAvoy in Macbeth for the top male prize.

“The book created such an amazing central character who people seem to relate

to even though he has behavioural problems and his way of viewing of the world,” Treadaway, 28, told Reuters on the red carpet ahead of the glitzy ceremony.

The prize for best new musical went to Top Hat, based on the film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, which received seven nominations and took home three prizes. It also won a sound award and best costume design.

Daft Punk snatch the Clint’s marriage ‘on the rocks’ top spot in UK charts FRENCH electronic duo Daft Punk notched up their first number one in Britain’s official singles charts on Sunday, dislodging London drum’n’bass quartet Rudimental who were pushed into the number two spot.

Daft Punk’s song Get Lucky, featuring the guest vocals of Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers on guitar, had entered the chart the previous week in the number three spot.

It racked up sales of 155,000 in the past week, the Official Charts Company said, the biggest one-week sales tally of the year.

Get Lucky is the lead single from the French duo’s upcoming fourth album Random Access Memories and is the outfit’s third biggest hit behind One More Time (2000) and Around The World (1997).

In the album charts, Canadian crooner Michael Buble’s To Be Loved held on to the number one spot for a second week.

To Be Loved is the follow-up to Buble’s festive album Christmas, which has sold 1.8 million copies in Britain since its release in October 2011.

Tape Deck Heart, an album from singer-songwriter Frank Turner who performed during the warm-up to the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, went straight into the number two spot.

Meanwhile, #willpower, a new album from will.i.am, debuted at number three.

Clint and Dina Eastwood have been married since 1996

CLINT Eastwood’s wife allegedly entered rehab because their marriage is on the rocks.

The legendary actor’s spouse Dina Eastwood - who appeared in her own E! reality show, Mrs. Eastwood and Company last year - checked herself into a rehab facility recently to be treated for depression and anxiety because she is reportedly considering filing for divorce.

The 47-year-old former TV news anchor, who is being treated at an exclusive rehab centre in Arizona, has been having serious issues within her marriage over the past few months, according to gossip website TMZ.com.

A source declined to specify the nature of the couple’s problems but insisted that Clint still believes they can save their marriage.

Dina has been married to the 82-year-old actor-and-director - with whom she has a 16-yearold daughter- since 1996.

MARK Wahlberg’s dark comedy Pain & Gain brought enough box office muscle to knock Tom Cruise out of the No.1 spot on movie charts in the United States and Canada.

Another box office heavyweight, Robert Downey Jr, scored big overseas with the international debut of Marvel superhero sequel Iron Man 3.

Pain & Gain took in $20 million at US and Canadian theatres over its first three days, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. Cruise’s sci-fi thriller, Oblivion, slipped to second place with $17.4 million.

Iron Man 3 hauled in $195.3 million in 42 international markets, distributor Walt Disney Co said, a total that surpassed the international opening of The Avengers.

The movie arrives in the United States and Canada on Friday to kick off Hollywood’s lucrative summer blockbuster season.

Receipts for Pain & Gain beat pre-weekend forecasts for a debut of at least $15 million. The film is based on the real-life story of Miami bodybuilders who kidnap a wealthy deli owner and plan to steal his fortune.

When their plot goes awry, the criminals scramble to escape being caught.

“We were estimating high teens, so anything with a two in front is good,” said Don Harris, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Paramount Pictures, the Viacom Inc unit that released the movie.

Paramount Pictures produced Pain & Gain for $26 million. Dwayne Johnson stars alongside Wahlberg in the film, which is directed

by Michael Bay of the blockbuster Transformers series.

Oblivion, a post-apocalyptic drama about the last humans on Earth, brought its two-week total in North America to $64.7 million.

Comcast Corp’s Universal Pictures estimated international sales through Sunday at $134.1 million, bringing the film’s worldwide total to $198.8 million.

Baseball drama 42, about Jackie Robinson’s debut as Major League Baseball’s first black player, finished in third place with $10.7 million domestically.

In fourth place, new romantic comedy The Big Wedding earned $7.5 million.

Despite a big-name cast including Robert DeNiro, Susan Sarandon and Katherine Heigl, the movie was savaged by critics. Only 6 percent of reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes website recommended the film.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp distributed The Big Wedding, and Millennium Films covered most of the $35 million production cost.

In the No.5 slot, animated Stone Age comedy The Croods grossed $6.6 million.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

15

Environment

Industrialised nations’ greenhouse gas emissions dipped in 2011 INDUSTRIALISED nations’ greenhouse gas emissions dipped 0.7 per cent in 2011, helped by a US shift from high-polluting coal in power plants and by Europe’s economic slowdown, data compiled by Reuters has showed.

For many years it has been a mantra that rich nations, historically the top polluters, should make the biggest cuts in emissions while emerging economies could burn more energy to help lift them from poverty.

But figures based on submissions by 42 industrialised nations this month used to judge compliance with UN treaties underscore how continued worldwide growth in emissions is increasingly led by China and other emerging economies.

Combined emissions in the 42 countries slipped to 17.1 billion tonnes in 2011 from 17.2 billion in 2010. That was down 6.4 per cent from levels in 1990, the UN benchmark year for judging progress in combating global warming.

“For the United States, it’s mainly a shift from coal to gas in power plants,” said Steffen Kallbekken, research director at the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, Oslo, said of the 2011 numbers.

“For Europe it’s primarily weak economic activity,” he said. Industrialised nations are trying to cut emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, to curb a rise in temperatures and avert heatwaves, floods, droughts and rising sea levels.

European Union emissions fell by 3.3 per cent in 2011, according to official accounting of gases ranging from carbon dioxide to methane.

That means EU emissions were 18.5 per cent below 1990 levels in 2011, apparently on target for a promised cut of at least 20 per cent by 2020 despite a plunge in the price of carbon dioxide on an EU market that has removed a main spur to action.

Elsewhere, emissions rose in 2011 in nations including Russia, Ja-

pan and Turkey. They were little changed in Canada and Australia.

The unexpectedly rapid rise of emissions in China and other emerging economies such as India and Brazil in recent years is pushing up global emissions and complicating talks among 200 nations on a new UN accord aiming to slow climate change.

Emerging economies are not obliged to submit annual emissions data to the UN Climate Change Secretariat.

Plants slow climate change by forming cloud sunshade Forests could offset one per cent of global warming

By Alister Doyle PLANTS help to slow climate change by emitting gases as temperatures rise that lead to the formation of a sunshade of clouds over the planet, scientists have said.

The tiny sun-dimming effect could offset about one per cent of warming worldwide and up to 30 per cent locally such as over vast northern forests in Siberia, Canada or the Nordic nations, they wrote in the journal Nature Geoscience.

While proportionally small, some scientists said the study provided further evidence of the importance of protecting forests, which help to slow climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases as they grow and to preserve wildlife.

Observations of forests from 11 sites around the world showed that plants emitted tiny particles that float on the wind as temperatures warm and act as seeds for water droplets that create clouds, they wrote.

Clouds’ white tops in turn reflect sunlight back into space and offset warming, they wrote.

The study focused on forests in Europe, North America, Russia and southern Africa. The effect is believed to be smaller over far hotter tropical forests such as in the Amazon or the Congo

basin.

“It’s a small effect - one per cent is not much,” said lead author Pauli Paasonen of the University of Helsinki and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria.

“If temperatures were to increase by 1 degree without this effect, they’d rise 0.99 degrees with it,” he said.

Many other tiny aerosols, such as human pollution from factories, cars and power plants, also have a sun-dimming effect that may be slowing the pace of climate change, blamed mainly on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

But there has been uncertainty about the role of nature, and of plants’ emissions of gases such as monoterpenes.

“Everyone knows the scent of the forest,” Ari Asmi, a University of Helsinki researcher who also worked on the study, said in a statement. “That scent is made up of these gases.”

It is unclear why plants emit more monoterpenes at higher temperatures - it may be a side-effect of trees’ natural air conditioning to reduce heat.

“Forests are providing an additional cooling. This is another reason why we should conserve and protect forests,” said Dominick Spracklen, an expert on plants and climate change at the University of Leeds

The damaging effects of warming may exceed the tiny benefits of more clouds

who was not involved in the study.

But the damaging effects of warming on forests, such as more wildfires or insect pests, may exceed tiny benefits of more clouds that would only come from healthy forests, he said.

Spracklen said plants’ cooling effect was tantalis-

ing evidence for people who believe the planet somehow acts as a self-regulating organism for life, sometimes known as the Gaia hypothesis.

One idea launched in 1987 was that warmer temperatures spur the growth of more algae in the upper oceans. These tiny plants

would in turn release more of the chemical dimethyl sulphide that seeds clouds to reflect sunlight.

“No one has yet proved that this effect exists,” he said.

The UN panel of leading climate scientists says that human emissions of greenhouse gases are driv-

ing up world temperatures and will lead to ever more floods, droughts, heatwaves and rising sea levels.

It says that it is at least 90 per cent certain that human activities, rather than natural variations in the climate, are to blame for most of the warming in the past half-century.

UK carbon footprint up 10% in 20 years ‘Metals recycling needs bigger role in design’ THE UK’s overall “carbon footprint” has grown by a tenth in the last two decades, the Government’s climate advisers have said.

The amount of emissions the country has produced domestically, for example from transport, power, heating and manufacturing in the UK, has fallen by around 20 per cent over two decades, the Committee on Climate Change said.

But increased imports of goods from overseas, which create emissions during their manufacture in other countries, are pushing up the overall total of greenhouse gases for which the UK is responsible, a new report said.

Concerns that policies which aim to cut carbon emissions in the UK are pushing manufacturing overseas are unfounded, however,

the report revealed.

The hike in imported emissions is down to rising incomes which increase demand for consumer goods that, as a result of globalisation, are mostly manufactured elsewhere.

The report also looked at the risk of pushing abroad industries which use large amounts of electricity, as a result of policies to cut emissions that will drive up energy bills.

It found that the risk is already being managed by Government policies and funding to protect energy-intensive industries, which are expected to increase household electricity bills by just £5 by 2020.

The committee’s chief executive, David Kennedy, said: “We would not expect to see industry in the UK closed down in the future because of low-carbon policies.”

DESIGNERS of everything from mobile phones to electric car batteries should make their products far easier to recycle to offset soaring demand for metals, two United Nations reports have recommended.

Products should be made to become “designer minerals” at the end of their lifetimes so they can more simply be broken up and stripped of metals ranging from copper to gold, according to the twin studies.

“Global metal needs will be three to nine times larger than all the metals currently used in the world” if demand in emerging economies rises to levels of rich nations, said Achim Steiner, head of the UN Environment Programme.

The total amount of steel in use in the United States, for instance, was an estimated 11 to 12 metric tonnes per person in 2010, compared with 1.5 tonnes in China.

“Product designers need to ensure that materials such as rare earth metals in products ranging from solar panels and wind turbine magnets to mobile phones can still be recovered easily when they reach the end of their life,” he said in a statement.

Recycling rates are low in most nations and electronic waste alone is estimated at between 20 to 50 million tonnes a year, or between three and seven kilos per person.

Most ends up dumped or burned, contaminating air, water and soil.

CYPRUS MAIL Tue

16

Reportage

Ageing deepens deb economic woes

Ageing population: Latvia has the world’s lowest birth rate meaning fewer young people like the members of Eurovision hopeful PeR

Growth and productivity to suffer as population gets older while emigration to make problem worse in some cases reports Alan Wheatley

L

ONG after the debt crisis is over, Europe will be grappling with an even more serious problem - how to pay for growing numbers of old people.

The population of some countries is stagnant or already shrinking, notably Germany’s. That will reduce savings and potential economic growth.

The workers who remain are getting older and so are less productive. That will hold back living standards.

And the ranks of retirees are swelling. That will threaten the financing of pensions and health care.

In the 27 countries of the European Union, each pensioner is today supported on average by four people of working age.

By 2050, this old-age support ratio will have fallen to just 2:1, according to United Nations and EU projections.

Latvia, which has applied to join the euro in 2014, is but an extreme example of these trends. By 2060 there will be four Latvians of working age for every three aged 65.

Because of emigration and low fertility, the Baltic state’s population shrank by 14 per cent, or 340,000 people, between 2000 and 2011, prompting warnings of an existential threat to the nation.

“I don’t want to make apocalyptic statements. I hope that the country can manage. But the alarm bell has rung,” said

Mihail Hazans, an economics professor at the University of Latvia and the county’s leading demographer.

Many European countries are raising the retirement age.

And some, including Britain, have favourable population profiles.

But Martins Kazaks, chief economist with Swedbank in Riga, said governments had yet to grasp the magnitude of the policy shifts required.

“If you define the tipping point as the point of no return, then in some respects we have passed it - and not only us, but most of Europe,” Kazaks said.

“With an ageing population and the burden of pensions and welfare, the growth rate is going to be lower. If you don’t do anything today, the future is going to be a lot more difficult,” he added.

Policymakers need look no farther than low-growth Japan to grasp the economic impact of population decline and ageing.

“Europe is the new Japan,” said Douglas Roberts, an economist with Standard Life in Edinburgh.

Apart from putting pension systems on a more sustainable footing, investing in education and training so that workers are more productive should be a policy priority, economists say. So should expanding child care to allow more women to join or stay in

the work force.

How to share out the cost of ageing spells potential political trouble, pitting cosseted pensioners against younger generations who are overtaxed and overworked.

George Magnus, a senior economic adviser to Swiss bank UBS in London, said it was understandable because of the euro zone crisis that the current focus was on the near-term affordability of welfare.

“But behind that is a very structural issue, which is really about the social model and the rights and obligations of citizens vis-a-vis the state. We are going to have to have that debate,” said Magnus, author of The Age of Aging.

Edward Hugh, an economist in Barcelona, agreed that the sovereign debt crisis gripping the developed world was at root about how to meet implicit liabilities for ever older populations: expectations of future levels of health care and pension provision may prove too optimistic.

As such, Hugh is critical of policymakers in Europe and at the International Monetary Fund for neglecting the impact of demographic change.

“In the absence of policies that acknowledge these issues exist and that then address them, none of the sustainability analyses - debt, financial sector, whatever are worth the paper they have

been written on,” he said.

Recession-hit Portugal also illustrates the vicious economic and fiscal circle that Hugh identifies in countries on the periphery of the euro zone as a result of demographics.

Portugal’s fertility rate, which stood at 1.32 last year, has been below the 2.1 replacement rate - the number of children each woman needs to have to maintain current population levels - since the early 1980s.

In 2012, only 90,000 children were born, the lowest number in more than a century, as economic fears gave couples pause.

In short, ageing is pre-programmed. By 2050, Portugal is projected to have more people aged 60 or over than

How to share out the cost of ageing spells potential political trouble, pitting cosseted pensioners against younger generations who are overtaxed and overworked any other EU member - 40 per cent of the population against 24 per cent today.

What’s more, some 100,000 to 120,000 Portuguese, or one per cent of the population, are emigrating every year to look for better-paid work, depleting the tax base and adding to the strain of financing

the welfare state.

“One of the biggest problems we have is holding on to employees,” said Joao Carlos Costa, general manager of Arpial, a metal-working firm in Lisbon.

Jose Cesario, secretary of state for Portuguese communities abroad, puts a brave

Europe has become the new Japan in terms of ageing populations

esday, April 30, 2013

17 Television

20

Crossword

21

Sport

bt-laden Europe’s Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis

face on the drain of brain and brawn.

Emigrants acquire valuable skills and remitted some €2.7 billion in 2012. Influential members of the Portuguese diaspora of around five million can also act as ‘ambassadors’ for the country, Cesario said in an interview.

But he acknowledged that both Switzerland and Luxembourg had urged him to slow the flow of emigration.

“It’s the fish that bites its own tail,” Cesario said, using a Portuguese proverb. “We can get emigrants to come back only if we have economic development, but we cannot do that without them.” If he had the solution, Portugal would not be in the situation it is, he added.

The same goes for Latvia.

“It’s a big challenge for Latvia, both for the economy and for our society.” Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis said. “What we need to concentrate on now is economic growth and job creation so that people see perspectives here in Latvia and so don’t have to leave.”

The government also hopes to lure back 100,000 emigrants, or a third of those who have left since the turn of the century, by 2030.

Given that Latvia is one of the poorest countries in the EU, that will not be easy.

“We’re not expecting people to pack their bags and be here on Monday,” said Dace Acule, a public policy researcher in Riga who has worked on a proposed package of incentives.

One emigrant unlikely to be tempted back is Datsa Gaile, who has been in Britain since 2006. She left Latvia because, as a single mother, she was unable to bring up her two sons on a wage of about 150 lats ($275) a month.

After a rocky start, she learned English, got a string of ever-better jobs and now runs Anglo Baltic News (www.anglobalticnews.co.uk), a website aimed at the estimated 100,000 Latvians in Britain.

“The main problem at the moment is that there are not enough jobs in Latvia. It’s a bit risky if you decide to go back,” said Gaile, who lives in Northampton, a town in central England that is home to 8,000 Latvians.

“Also, I have been away for almost eight years and my lifestyle has changed. People are different here. They have more opportunities in this country,” she added.

Professor Hazans of the University of Latvia said at most 20 per cent of recent emigrants might return. What’s more, his surveys show that the proportion of ‘firm stayers’, who have no thought of leaving Latvia, has fallen to a quarter from a third since 2010.

As in Portugal, a vicious economic circle becomes hard to break.

“Emigration sends a negative signal to foreign investors. It also sends a negative signal for domestic business startups,” Hazans said. “You think about how many potential customers you will have.”

The psychological harm of sustained emigration, which has accounted for two-thirds of Latvia’s population decline since 2000, is as striking as the economic damage. Women’s fertility rate has dropped to 1.1, one of the lowest in the world.

Acule, the policy researcher, spoke of the “demographic sadness” of a country where most people have a relative working abroad.

Hazans added: “The sense of bitterness is still very much there. Why? A feeling that if everyone is leaving the boat, the boat must be sinking.

Or if the boat is afloat and others are leaving, why am I staying?”

The imperative, then, is for Latvia to sustain its recovery from a deep recession in 2008/09, when output slumped by 20 per cent as the government opted for austerity rather than devalue its way out of the financial crisis.

Whether it be in Latvia or Portugal - or eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Romania - only more and better-paid jobs will stop the haemorrhaging of people and perhaps improve longer-term demographic prospects.

“If you get the chance to live and work normally in our country, it’s a luxury. It’s a luxury to be able to stay,” said Dace Beinare, an adviser with SOS Children’s Villages, a non-governmental organisation in Riga.

Childcare needs to improve to get women back into the workplace

28-32

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

18

What’s on

films

(K) All Audiences (12/15/18) No admittance to Under-12s/ 15s/ 18s (N/A) Not Available

Times are subject to change, so check first with cinemas before you head out

NICOSIA

1) also at 11.20am, 1.20pm and 3.15pm

The Host (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 2) at 5.25, 7.45 and 10.15pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 2) at 7.45 and 10.15pm.

Iron Man 3 (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 1) at 7.45pm (in 3D) and 5 and 10.30pm (in 2D); K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 1) at 7.45pm (in 3D) and 5 and 10.30pm (in 2D), weekends (and May 1) also at 11.30am and 2pm (in 2D) Olympus Has Fallen (18) K-Cineplex (Screen 4) at 5.30, 7.45 and 10.10pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 4) at 5.30, 7.45 and 10.10pm, weekends (and May 1) also at 11.30am and 3pm

Oblivion (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 7.45pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 3) at 7.45pm Silver Linings Playbook (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 5) at 7.45 and 10.15pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 5) at 7.45 and 10.15pm Zero Dark Thirty (15) K-Cineplex (Screen 6) at 10.10pm Zarafa (K) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) (in Greek) at 5.35pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 3) (in Greek) at 5.35pm, weekends (and May 1) also at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm

CINEMA WEBSITES: K-Cineplex: http://kcineplex.com, Friends of the Cinema Society: http://www.ofk.org.cy

LIMASSOL The Host (12) Rio 2 at 7.45 and 10.10pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 2) at 7.45 and 10.15pm Iron Man 3 (12) Rio 1 (in 2D) at 7.45 and 10.10pm, weekends also at 5pm; Rio 3 (in 3D) at 7.45pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 1) at 7.45pm (in 3D) and 5 and 10.30pm (in 2D) Olympus Has Fallen (18) Rio 5 at 7.45 and 10pm, weekends also at 5.15pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 4) at 5.30, 7.45 and 10.10pm Broken City (15) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 10.10pm

Broken City (15) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 10.10pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Cyprus (Screen 3) at 10.10pm.

The Croods (K) Rio 2 (in 3D, in Greek), weekends only at 5.15pm; Rio 4 (in 2D, in Greek) at 7.45pm; Rio 4 (in 2D, in English) at 10pm, weekends also at 5.15pm. Tel: 25-871410; K-Cineplex (Screen 2) (in Greek) at 5.30pm; KCineplex (Screen 5) (in English) at 5.30pm Oblivion (12) Rio 3 at 10.10pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 7.45pm Silver Linings Playbook (12) Rio 6 at 8 and 10.15pm, weekends also at 5.30pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 5) at 7.45 and 10.15pm Zarafa (K) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) (in Greek) at 5.35pm Oz the Great and Powerful (12) Rio 3, weekends only at 5.20pm

The Host

weekends also at 5pm

Broken City (15) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 10.10pm

Broken City (15) Rio 2 at 7.30pm, weekends also at 5.15pm

The Croods (K) K-Cineplex (Screen 5) (in Greek) at 5.30pm; K-Cineplex (Screen 6) (in English) at 5.30 and 7.50pm

The Croods (K) Rio 6 (in 3D, in Greek) at 7.30pm, weekends also at 3.15 and 5.15pm; Rio 6 (in 3D, in English) at 9.45pm; Rio 7 (in 3D, in English), weekends only at 3pm

Oblivion (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) at 7.45pm Silver Linings Playbook (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 5) at 7.45 and 10.15pm Zero Dark Thirty (15) K-Cineplex (Screen 6) at 10.10pm Zarafa (K) K-Cineplex (Screen 3) (in Greek) at 5.35pm

PAPHOS

LARNACA The Host (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 2) at 5.25, 7.45 and 10.15pm

The Croods (K) K-Cineplex (Screen 5) (in Greek) at 5.30pm; K-Cineplex (Screen Telephone no: 6) (in English) at 5.30 and 7.50pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of K-Cineplex: 7777-8383 Cyprus (Screen 2) (in Greek) at 5.30pm, weekends (and May Rio Limassol: 25-871410 1) also at 11.20am, 1.20pm and 3.15pm; K-Cineplex, Mall of Rio Paphos: 26-207000 Cyprus (Screen 5) (in English) at 5.30pm, weekends (and May

7.45 and 10.10pm

The Host (12) Rio 5 at 7.30 and 9.50pm

Iron Man 3 (12) K-Cineplex (Screen 1) at 7.45pm (in 3D) and 5 and 10.30pm (in 2D)

Iron Man 3 (12) Rio 1 (in 3D) at 7.30 and 9.50pm, weekends also at 2.30 and 5pm; Rio 4 (in 2D) at 7.30pm, weekends also at 2.30 and 5pm

Olympus Has Fallen (18) K-Cineplex (Screen 4) at 5.30,

Olympus Has Fallen (18) Rio 7 at 7.30 and 9.45pm,

Oblivion (12) Rio 4 at 9.50pm Silver Linings Playbook (12) Rio 3 at 7.30 and 9.45pm, weekends also at 5.15pm G.I. Joe: Retaliation (12) Rio 2 at 9.45pm Barbie in the Pink Shoes (K) Rio 5 (in Greek), weekends only at 3.30pm Sammy’s Great Escape (K) Rio 3 (in Greek), weekends only at 3.30pm

listings Today Music Gareth Emery Shark Energy Drink presents English Electronic dance music producer and DJ behind the decks. April 30.

Pavilion, Lakatameia, Nicosia. 10pm. €17/20. Tel: 99-310031 Stefanos Drousiotis Piano recital with Drousiotis interpreting works by S. Rachmaninoff, F. Chopin, L.V. Beethoven, F. Schubert and more. April 30. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 8.30pm. €12/10. Tel: 77-777745

Dance Athina – Thessaloniki A dance theatre performance about female feelings and emotions based on the book and TV series by Nikos Mouratides. The performance includes dance, drama and video art. April 30.

THOC Warehouse, Kampou 29 Strovolos, Nicosia. 8.30pm. Tel: 99-687853

Tomorrow Music Active Member Popular Greek hip-hop group perform live. May 1. Savino Live, 1

Watkins Street, Larnaca. 10.30pm.

€10. Tel: 24-620861/99-860304

Other Events The Living in Paphos Expo A free weekly show with Local Businesses, exhibitors, market stalls, car boot, charities and attractions for allwith daytime and evening live shows.

May1 and every Wednesday thereafter.

La Fontaine, on the Tombs of the Kings road, between Pentaras Tavern and St. George Hotel, Paphos. 2pm. Free.

Tel: 99-008577. livinginpaphos@ gmail.com. http://www.facebook.com/ livingin.paphos.1 May Day Market Full entertainments programme, arts & crafts, home made goods, children’s toys etc, & children’s Corner. May 1. Aphrodite Hills, Village square, shop courtyards, restaurant seating area, adventure playground and green area, Paphos.

11am- 4pm. Tel: 26-828045 Reggae Spring Gathering Party in the park with reggae and dub music, flea market and more. May 1.

Eirinis Garden (Municipal Garden), Nicosia. Midday-midnight. Free. Tel: 99-583947 Easter Egg Hunt & Games Easter fun and games for children aged 3-12. May 1. Herb Garden, Pano Akourdhalia, Paphos. 10am. €6 per child (with discounts for siblings). Tel: call 99-993412/99006012 bookings essential

Ongoing Theatre Kai Mi Heirotera Theatro Lexi presents comedy by Giorgos Tsiakkas which satirises Europe and Cyprus today. Until May 1. Latsia Municipal Theatre, 57 Yiannos Kranidiotis Avenue, Nicosia. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8.30pm and Sundays at 6.30pm. €15. In Greek. Tel: 22-878688 Gone With the Jobless A comedy performance by Marinos Hatzivasiliou who, together with other actors from the popular TV programme Patates, present a hilarious show with humour and laughter. Until May 5. Diachroniki Music Stage, 2 Yianni Koromia Street, Kaimakli, Nicosia. Every Sunday at 9pm. €15.

In Greek. Tel: 99-783455 A Steady Rain The theatre group D-tale presents two-character melodrama by Keith Huff. Until May 16. WhereHaus 612, 5 Michael Kousoulide, Pallouriotissa Industrial Area, Nicosia. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30pm. €12/15.

Tel: 99-535625 The Dispute The Main Stage of THOC presents tragic comedy by Pierre de Marivaux. Until May 17. THOC New Theatre Building, 9 Gregori Afxentiou, Nicosia. Friday and Saturday at

8.30pm and Sunday 6pm. In Greek.

€12/10. Tel: 77-772717 Playing Doctor Theatro Skala presents the contemporary American comedy by William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. Until May 26. Skala Theatre, 15 Kyriakou Matsi Street, Larnaca. On Saturdays at 8.30pm and Sunday at 6.30pm. In Greek. Tel: 24-652800 Egg Salad A new children’s play, in a new theatre presented by Aiora. Until May 26. Aiora Theatre, 4 Trion Ierarchon Street (Carrefour Volos Street), Limassol. Every Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 11am & 4pm. Adults €7/5. In Greek. Tel: 99-668843 Gethsemane A play about British public life by David Hare. Until May 31. THOC New Theatre Building, 9 Gregori Afxentiou, Nicosia. On specific days at 8.30pm and on Sundays at 6pm. In Greek. €12/6. Tel: 77-772717/22-864300 Centuries away from Alaska Dionysos Theatre presents play

by Akis Dimou, directed by Tonia Misiali. Until June 2. Dionysos Theatre, 29 Diagorou Street, Nicosia.

On Fridays and Saturdays at 8.30pm and Sundays at 6.30pm. In Greek. €15. Tel: 99-621845/22-818999 Sovrakaless Play based on the book by Terrence McNally and the film The Full Monty.

Until June 9. WhereHaus 612, 5 Michael Kousoulide, Pallouriotissa

Industrial Area, Nicosia. On Specific days at 8.30pm. In Greek. €15/12.

Tel: 70-000612

Exhibition Children’s Dialogues Group children’s art exhibition.

Throughout the exhibition there will be workshops and events that have been carefully designed by the creative children educators of Aigaia team. Until April 30. Aigaia School of Art and Design, 81 Agion Omologiton Avenue, Nicosia. Monday - Friday: 4pm-8pm. Saturday & Sunday: 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm.

Tel: 22-445757 Suicide Daughters of Atlas Sotiris Giannakou presents seven of his own poems illustrated by seven different artists. Until April 30. Morfi Gallery, 84 Agkyras Street, Limassol.

Monday-Saturday: 10am-1pm.

Tuesday-Friday: 5pm-8pm.Tel: 25378733. www.morfi.org Space, Colour, City – The City as a Large Home The exhibition presents twenty selected art works by young people of 17 to 22 years of age within the context of the art competition Space, Shade, State. Until April 30.

The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia, 15-17 Hippocrates Street, old Nicosia. Tel: 22-661475 Sutile Solo exhibition of appliqués by Susan Vargas. Until May 2. Gallery Gloria,

For a full guide to the week’s events and regular meetings, make sure you get a copy of the Sunday Mail

3 Zinonos Sozou Street, Nicosia.

Monday-Friday: 10.30pm-12.45pm and 5pm-8pm. Saturday: 10.30pm12.45pm. Tel: 22-760286 Random Walk Solo art exhibition by Dimitra Bista. Until May 4. 50-1 Gallery, 49 Ellados Street, Limassol. MondayFriday: 11am-1pm & 4pm-8pm.

Saturday: 12 midday-4pm. Email: info@50-1gallery.com A Fleur de Peau Group exhibition. Until May 4. Is Not Gallery, 11 Odysseus, Chrysaliniotissa, Nicosia. Monday-Saturday: 10am-1pm and 4pm-8pm. Tel: 22-343670 Alessandra Desole Solo painting exhibition. Until May 5. Dinos Art Café, 62-66 Irinis Street, Limassol. Monday-Saturday: 10.30am to midnight and Sunday: 4pm to midnight. Tel: 25-762030 Foundations and Remains An exhibition by controversial British artist/taxidermist Polly Morgan.

Until May 5. The Office Gallery 32 Kleanthis Christophides Street, Old Nicosia. Tel: 99-848495. www.theofficegallery.com Rusted Evidence Solo art exhibition by Toula Liasi.

Until May 11. Melina Merkouri Hall, Athina Avenue Nicosia. Opens daily: 10am-1pm and 4pm-8pm (closed May-3-6 for Easter holidays)

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

19 To have your event included for FREE in our listings, send details to: Arts Editor, Cyprus Mail, PO Box 21144, Nicosia. Fax: 22-676385.

Email: whatson@cyprus-mail.com Please send your information as early as possible. Include full details, a contact number and good quality photos

Coming Up Other Events Celebrate social inclusion While many countries have their own Independence Days, Cameroon has National Day, which is a National Holiday on May 20.

In Cameroon, National Day indicates the honour and pride of the people as a whole. Complete Independence was not granted to a largely colonised Cameroon till 1972. It is a solemn occasion, when Cameroonians the world over come together to participate in celebrations of their journey as a nation.

One of the most remarkable achievements of their nationhood is that Cameroonians, wherever they are, have fostered sincere ties of friendship within the communities they reside in. In view of the significantly growing Cameroonian population in Cyprus, building and sustaining a sense of community is a primary objective, particularly for the Cameroonian students in Cyprus.

Gathered under the umbrella of the International Organisation of Cameroonian Students, they share the same goals and face the same challenges as students in Cyprus, and fight to maintain a spirit of solidarity.

The International Organisation of Cameroonian Students in Cyprus is a non-profit organisation,, registered according to the Organiganisations and Institutions Actt of 1972, which endeavours to foster harmony among Cameroonian nian students in Cyprus and around und the world.

To foster growth and enhance nce co-operation with the Cypriot iot civil society and the environnment, the organisation has taken the initiatives to promote its ts activities on social inclusion n and intercultural diversity through educational, sport

and cultural events.

Cameroon’s National Day in Cyprus is celebrated in many different ways worldwide and, in the run-up to the big day, the International Organisation of Cameroonian Students in Cyprus is hosting a series of events. Cameroonians are football fanatics, so it’s only appropriate that events begin with a football game on Saturday at Strovolos Municipal Sports Centre, with the participation of Africans, Cypriots and other nationalities.

The following day the Catholic Church in Nicosia will be hosting religious celebrations, while next Wednesday the International Organisation of Cameroonian Students in Cyprus will visit African prisoners and the CareNursing-Rehabilitation Centre Materia Group.

On Saturday, May 11, there’s a seminar on Training for Youth Leaders Living in Europe at the NGO Support Centre. Share and celebrate Cameroonian culture through dance at Eleftheria Square on Sunday and, last but not least, on May 18, everyone is encouraged to enjoy the beauty of Africa with the African Culture Night at PEO. There will be food, a DJ, dancing, singing, an African fashion show and an educational focus on different cultures and backgrounds.

Cameroon National Day The International Organisation of Cameroonian Students in Cyprus organise a series of events in honour of their national holiday. Tel: 96622580/96486890/96301501

Cameroon National Day May 4. Football Game. Strovolos Municipality sports Centre, (Next to Makarios Hospital). 10am

May 11: seminar on Training for Youth Leaders Living in Europe at the NGO Support Centre. 8.30am-5pm.

May 5: Religious Celebration. Catholic Church, Nicosia. 11am

May 12: Traditional Dance.

Eleftheria Square. 4pm-7pm.

May 8: Visit African prisoners. 9am & visit Materia Group. 4pm

Tomorrow Other Events Party in the park Reggae soirees are quite common in Europe and out west, but pretty scarce here in the Mediterranean.

But that’s all set change tomorrow.

Easy Going Productions presents this year’s Reggae Spring Gathering at Eirinis Garden (Municipal Garden) in Nicosia.

From midday to midnight, crowds can peruse the Flea Market, drop the little ones off in the Kid’s Cor-

May 18: African Cultural Night with fashion show, African food, singing and dancing. PEO. 7.30pm

ner, join a percussion jam session, nibble on snacks and dance the night away to the sounds of roots reggae and dub music.

Tomorrow’s billing will see performances from Hajimike and Med Dred, Konstantinos, Roots Crew Soundsystem, Mrs HCN and Selector Red I. What better way to spend a summer evening than music outdoors, good food and good friends? Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening under the stars.

Reggae Spring Gathering Party in the park with reggae and dub music, flea market and more. May 1. Eirinis Garden (Municipal Garden), Nicosia. Midday-midnight.

Free. Tel: 99-583947

Paphos EXPO-sed as the place to be

Co-host for Living in Paphos Expo Pippa and her pet Buddy got to the semi-finals of the popular Britain’s Got Talent TV series, after wowing the judges with their amazing singing double-act

When people complain there is little to do in Paphos other than laze around at the beach, they obviously aren’t paying attention.

Paphos always has something going on. With unique events, markets, concerts and holiday festivities against a beautiful backdrop, the quality of life is second to none in Cyprus. So, if you’re looking for something to do this week that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, make sure to pay The Living in Paphos Expo a visit at La Fontaine.

The expo will have its season opening tomorrow, continuing every Wednesday thereafter. It will be jam-packed with activities, offering families, children and tourists alike the opportunity to discover what Paphos has to offer with local businesses selling goods or providing services.

The Expo is all about businesses coming together in times of financial crisis and spreading positive vibes. Creating a physical platform, the expo can help businesses raise their public profile while benefiting from serious networking time.

Those of you familiar with English television might remember Pippa Langhorne and her adorable dog Buddy. Langhorne came under the spotlight on Britain’s Got Talent series in 2011, as she and her singing dog made it to the semi-finals, with their opera-based act.

Now Langhorne and her pooch, who moved to Cyprus from the UK, will kick-start the event at 2pm, alongside her co-host, entertainer Ricky Gordon. With over 18 years in the industry, Gordon is sure to get the crowd on its feet with his huge repertoire spanning over five decades of hits.

It’s a family affair at The Living in Paphos Expo. Kid-friendly activities run all day long with bouncy castles, face painting, balloon modelling, dance shows, mini disco, open mike, pony rides, meet and greet with Gerry the Giraffe, pirate adventures and more, sure

to keep the little ones entertained. If you want a little respite from all the youthful energy, Bright Stars Nursery will be on hand with its free crèche service.

Adults meanwhile can busy themselves by exploring the plethora of stalls and activities available, which include auctions, wine tasting, cake decorating, healing products, FM perfumes, fitness classes, wedding planners, excursion bookers, pet corner and much more. There will also be charity fundraising and car boot sales, while Disney movies and football matches will play on screen. The best thing about this expo is that it’s all for free.

Looking for a way to promote your company?

Then look out for the business speed networking at 6pm. Similar to speed dating, business owners have 1 minute 30 seconds to jump from table to table pitching their services/products, exchanging cards to other prospective business people and moving on.

And that’s not all: an evening three-course dinner programme will begin with a pirate and magic show for the kids, leading to tributes on rotation with Pippa and Buddy, Michael Bublé, Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Adele, Lady gaga, Katy Perry and more. A variety show will continue with an array of entertainment and live stage shows ranging from 10 countries.

The Living in Paphos Expo A free weekly show with Local Businesses, exhibitors, market stalls, car boot, charities and attractions for all- with daytime and evening live shows. May 1 and every Wednesday thereafter. La Fontaine, on the Tombs of the Kings road, between Pentaras Tavern and St. George Hotel, Paphos. 2pm. Free. Tel: 99008577. livinginpaphos@gmail.comhttp://www.facebook.com/livingin.paphos.1

By Ledha Socratous

For a full listing of the day’s events see facing page

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

20

Television CYBC 1 06.45 08.15

Proti Enimerosi Kali Sas Mera

CYBC 2 08.00 17.00

Early morning entertainment magazine featuring segments on cooking, fashion, lifestyle issues and more.

11.00

Ekklisia Tis Kyprou (rpt)

17.50

Documentary series exploring the churches of Cyprus.

12.00

Apo Mera Se Mera Current affairs show.

15.30

Entehnos Local cultural show.

16.00 18.00 18.15

Mazi Sto CyBC News Kaftes Piperies

18.40 18.50 19.-0 21.00

Enas Parallilos Kosmos Ta Hamogela Tis Elpides Local documentary, travelling to Ethiopia and looking at the lives of ordinary people, especially women.

20.00 21.15

22.35

Jesus Of Nazereth Franco Zeffirelli’s award-winning drama chronicling the life of Christ, starring Robert Powell and Olivia Hussey. 1974. Part 1 of 4. See Pick Of The Day

23.35 23.45

News Repeats

08.40

Show where contestants try to outdo each other by throwing the perfect dinner party, which is then judged on its merits by their rivals.

09.30 09.40 10.30 11.20

Megastructures

23.45 00.30 05.45

15.45 16.40 17.30

Fila To Vatraho Sou (rpt) Max Adventures Einai Stigmes (rpt) Pansellinos (rpt) Tis Agapis Mahairia (rpt) Gamos Me Ta Ola Tou (rpt) News Mera Mesimeri Konstantinou Kai Elenis (rpt) The Vreis To Daskalo Sou (rpt) Ergazomeni Gynaika Oneiropagida (rpt) Yia Tin Agapi Sou

18.40 19.30

Aiyia Fuxia(rpt) Moses The Lawgiver

12.10

Discovery documentary series looking at the making of the greatest structures and machines ever created.

13.00 13.20 14.00

News In English News In Turkish Church Service FILM: Beyond The Blackboard

14.50

Brothers & Sisters (rpt) Fourth season. ‘Time After Time ’. Part one of two. The Walkers reminisce about their days at Ojai Foods in 1986, and try to get to the bottom of a secret that William’s arch-rival holds. However, when the truth is revealed, it affects them more than they anticipated.

News Vimata Stin Ammo Thids season of local period drama, based on true events.

22.00

Kids’ TV Kati Psinetai (rpt)

A newly qualified teacher tries to make a difference to the lives of homeless teenagers by setting up a makeshift classroom.

Fact-based drama, with Emily VanCamp and Steve Talley. 2011.

Live local cookery show.

19.00

ANTENNA

Classical Masterpieces: Beethoven More Repeats Euronews

With News at 18.00.

Biblical drama, part 2 of 6.

20.15 21.25

MEGA 06.00 07.00 08.00 08.10

Greek competitive cooking reality show, open to amateur and home chefs.

09.00 10.00 11.40 14.00 16.00 18.00 18.10 19.00 20.50 21.40 22.30 23.10

News The Passion The Bible

FILM: Hello Sister, Goodbye Life!

A college student learns her father and his second wife have died, leaving her the legal guardian of their daughter. Drama, starring Lacey Chabert.

2006.

00.00 00.05 00.30 01.40

15.20 17.10 18.00 18.05 18.40 19.30 20.20 21.30 22.30

00.00 01.00 03.20

News Yia Sena (rpt) Proino Mou (rpt)

News Sports News Radio Arvila Repeats

Protoselido Eleni Vasiliki (rpt) Aspra Balonia (rpt) Mesimeri Kai Kati Efta Ourani Kai Sinnefa Alites (rpt) Magazino Siga Min To’ Xeres (rpt) News Ti Tha Fame Simera Mama Anna Paola Efta Ourani Kai Sinnefa Alites News Aspra Balonia (rpt) FILM: Tristan & Isolde After the fall of the Roman Empire, English orphan Tristan meets and falls passionately in love with Irish princess Isolde, threatening the delicate peace between their countries. Romantic drama, starring James Franco. 2006.

Oi Vasiliades FILM: Legends Of The Fall The lives of three brothers and their father are thrown into turmoil when the youngest brings his fiancee home to live with them. Period drama, with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt.

1994.

Mini-series featuring dramatic accounts of the stories of the Bible

23.00

Klemmena Oneira (rpt) Proino Mou Enimerosi Tora Eheis Meson Yia Sena News Erastis Ditikon Proastion (rpt) Church Service News Klemmena Oneira

07.00 08.20 10.00 10.50 12.00 14.30

Greek drama series.

Biblical drama, part 2 of 6.

22.00

Retire News (rpt) Max Adventures Master Chef (rpt)

SIGMA

00.40 00.45 01.40

03.30

06.45 07.20 11.40 12.30 13.00

Se Fonto Kokkino (rpt) Eleni (rpt)

Exelixeis Sti Showbiz Kids’ TV Berdema (rpt) Star News Mesimeriani Meleti Showbiz news and gossip show hosted by Eleonora Meleti.

15.30 17.00

Kids’ TV Berdema Greek comedy series.

17.50

Fotis - Maria Live Entertainment magazine featuring segments on cooking, health, fashion, lifestyle issues and more. Hosted by Fotis Sergoulopoulos and Maria Bakodimou.

19.40

Mila Popular tear-jerking talk-show following women’s issues, with showbiz guests.

Hosted by Tatiana Stefanidou.

21.00 21.25

CAPITAL 06. 45 Kids’ TV 10.05 Kalitera En Ginetai (rpt) 10.35 Akti Oneiron (rpt) 11.00 Kouzina Me Apopsi 11.30 Capital Sports (rpt) 12.30 Milagros 13.20 Kids’ TV 14.30 Telemarketing 15.25 Top Models 16.15 Kalitera En Ginetai 16.50 Sabrina, To Koritsi Tis Agapis 17.40 Akti Oneiron 18.10 News 18.15 Sto Mati Tou Kiklona 19.15 News 19.50 Sports News 20.05 O Anthropos Tis Thalassas (rpt) 21.00 FILM: What Matters Most A man’s wealthy family forbid him to conduct a relationship with his childhood sweetheart, who doesn’t meet up to their lofty standards.

Drama, starring Chad Allen. 2001.

Exelixeis Sti Showbiz FILM: Grey Matters A single woman questions her sexuality when she falls in love with her brother’s new girlfriend. Romantic comedy, starring Heather Graham, Thomas Cavanagh and Bridget Moynahanr.

2006.

News Dekati Entoli (rpt) FILM: Joseph The biblical son of Jacob escapes from treachery and slavery to deliver his people from famine. Biblical drama, starring Ben Kingsley. 1995.Part 2 of 2.

02.40

PLUS TV

23.00

Ta Kopelia

23.40 00.50 01.50

LTV Sports News Star News Repeats

Local comedy series.

23.00

FILM: David’s Mother An over-protective mother struggles to come to terms with sending her mentally impaired teenage son to a special school.

Drama, with Kirstie Alley. 1994.

00.50

FILM: Field Of Honor A Dutch sergeant and his men are caught in a sneak attack during the Korean War. Historical drama, starring Everett McGill. 1986.

Red Riding Hood (LTV, 21.00)

01:05 The Impressions Show With Culshaw &... 01:35 Ideal 02:10 The Weakest Link 02:55 Only Fools and Horses 03:30 My Family 04:00 EastEnders 04:30 Doctors 04:55 The Impressions Show With Culshaw &... 05:30 Ideal 06:00 Only Fools and Horses 06:30 My Family 07:00 Garth And Bev 07:10 Tweenies 07:30 The Green Balloon Club 07:55 Fimbles 08:15 Garth And Bev 08:25 Tweenies 08:45 The Green Balloon Club 09:10 Fimbles 09:30 My Family 10:00 Only Fools and Horses 10:30 The Weakest Link 11:15 EastEnders 11:45 Doctors 12:15 Lark Rise To Candleford 13:05 Waking The Dead 13:55 My Family 14:25 Monarch Of The Glen 15:15 Only Fools and Horses 15:45 EastEnders 16:15 Doctors 16:45 The Weakest Link 17:30 Lark Rise To Candleford 18:20 Waking The Dead 19:10 EastEnders 19:40 Doctors 20:15 The Weakest Link 21:00 My Family 21:30 The Impressions Show With Culshaw &...

22:00 Lark Rise To Candleford 22:50 As Time Goes By 23:20 Rev. 23:50 Silk 00:40 After You’ve Gone

07:00 Sunrise Earth 07:55 Sons Of Guns 08:40 Prophets Of Science Fiction 09:30 Mekong: Soul Of A River 10:15 The Reinventors 11:05 Deadliest Catch 11:50 How Do They

Do It? 12:15 Mega World 13:05 Extreme Engineering 13:50 Cafe Racer 14:35 Secret Mediterranean 15:25 Mekong: Soul Of A River 16:10 Mythbusters 17:00 Storm Surfers 18:40 Cafe Racer 19:30 Secret Mediterranean 20:20 The Reinventors 21:10 Mekong: Soul Of A River 22:00 Storm Surfers 23:40 Deadliest Catch 00:30 The Reinventors 01:15 Mythbusters 02:05 Storm Surfers 03:40 Cafe Racer 04:30 Mekong: Soul Of A River 05:20 Secret Mediterranean 06:10 The Reinventors

09:30 Fitness: The Box 09:45 Football: Eurogoals 10:30 Snooker: World Championship Un. Kingdom 15:00 Tennis: Atp Tournament Portugal 16:30 Snooker: World Championship Un. Kingdom 19:30 Tennis: Atp Tournament Portugal 21:00 Snooker: World Championship Un. Kingdom 00:00 Fia World Touring Car Championship 00:30 Rally: Inside Erc 01:00 Car Racing: World Series By Renault Spain 01:30 Snooker: World Championship Un. Kingdom 02:15 Motorsports: The Grid

05:40 Desperate Housewives 7 06:25 Bones 07:10 Raising Hope 2 07:35 Friends With Benefits 08:00

Grey’s Anatomy 5 08:50 Donna Hay: Fast, Fresh, Simple 09:40 Desperate Housewives 7 10:25 Bones 11:10 Raising Hope 2 11:35 Friends With Benefits 12:00 Modern Family 4 12:25 New Girl 2 12:50 Jane By Design 13:40 Grey’s Anatomy 5 14:30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 7 15:20 Desperate Housewives 7 16:05 Bones 16:50 Raising Hope 2 17:15 Friends With Benefits 17:40 Grey’s Anatomy 5 18:30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 7 19:20 Desperate Housewives 8 20:10 Bones 21:00 Modern Family 4 21:25 New Girl 2 21:50 Jane By Design 22:40 Raising Hope 2 23:05 Friends With Benefits 23:30 Modern Family 4 23:55 New Girl 2 00:20 Jane By Design 01:10 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 7 02:00 Desperate Housewives 8 02:45 Raising Hope 2 03:10 Friends With Benefits 03:35 Surviving Suburbia 04:00 Grey’s Anatomy 5 04:50 Make It Or Break It 4

07:30 Action Zone (E) 08:00 Jackie Chan’s First Strike 09:30 ScoobyDoo! Pirates Ahoy! 10:45 Tom & Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers 12:00 Family Man 14:15 Wild Target 16:00 Love Affair 18:00 Redemption 20:00 LTV Sports News 21:00 Red Riding Hood 23:00 Messenger 01:00 Love Ranch 03:00 Paranormal Activity 04:30 Skellig 06:30 LTV Sports News (E)

Girls 20:30 Big Bang Theory 21:00 Southland 21:45 C.S.I. Miami 22:30 Closer 23:15 Fringe 00:05 I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell 02:00 Dance Flick 03:30 Friends 03:55 Privileged 04:40 Top Boy 05:35 Luck 06:30 Gossip Girl

07:00 Kids TV 15:45 Justice League Unlimited 16:10 Legion Of Super Heroes 16:35 Young Justice 17:00 Nba Action 17:30 Barclays Premier League World 18:00 Liga Bbva 2012-13 20:00 2009 Women’s Pro Billiards Tour 21:00 La Liga Review 2012-13 22:00 Barclays Premier League 2012-13 00:00 Auto Auction Shows 00:30 Planet Speed 01:00 Toyota Australian Football International 2012 02:00 2009 Women’s Pro Billiards Tour 03:00 Liga Bbva 2012-13 05:00 Barclays Premier League 2012-13

07:15 One Tree Hill 08:00 Two And A Half Men 08:30 C.S.I. New York 10:00 2 Broke Girls 10:45 Two And A Half Men 11:15 Hawaii Five-0 12:00 Ncis: Los Angeles 12:45 Gossip Girl 13:30 One Tree Hill 14:15 C.S.I. New York 16:00 Friends 16:25 Privileged 17:10 Top Boy 18:05 Luck 19:00 Gossip Girl 19:45 2 Broke

08:00 Something’s Gotta Give 10:15 Witches Of Eastwick 12:15 Brighton Rock 14:30 Carnage 16:00 Action Zone (E) 16:30 Scooby-Doo 18:00 Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’hoole 20:00 Mars Attacks!

22:00 Right Stuff 01:10 Daring!

TV 04:10 Prey 06:00 How Do You Know

05:50 House Of The Rising Sun 07:20 What’s Your Number? 09:10 Cine News 09:35 Sister 11:20 Films And Stars 11:55 Flicka 3: Best Friends 13:30 Five 15:00 The Portrait Of A Lady 17:25 Cine News 17:50 Opal Dream 19:20 Hollywood 1on1 22:00 Game Of Thrones 23:10 Five Minarets In New York 01:10 Miss Bala 03:05 Machine Gun Preacher

06:30 Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice 08:15 Cine News 08:50 Crimson Tide 10:45 Bridesmaids 12:55 The Dust Of Time 15:00 The Three

Musketeers 16:55 Hollywood Buzz 17:35 In Her Shoes 19:50 Unfaithful 22:00 We Bought A Zoo 00:10 The Grey 04:30 Gone Baby Gone

CER CHAMPIONSHIP 22:00 Pinks All Out Concord 23:00rag Race High 23:30 My Ride Rules

18:30 War Horse 21:00 The Bourne Identity 23:55 The Illusioninist 01:45 Drive 03:25 The Son Of No One

06:00 Only Hits 8:00 MTV GreekLips 9:00 MTV Hollywood Heights 10:00 MTV Plain Jane (Commissioned Version) 11:00 Pure Local 12:00 MTV VHI Pop up Video 12:30 MTV VHI Pop up Video 13:00 MTV Made 14:00 MTV Big Time Rush 14:30 MTV Victorious 15:00 MTV Hollywood Heights 16:00 MTV Crash Canyon 16:30 MTV Crash Canyon 17:00 MTV Pranked 17:30 MTV Pranked 18:00 MTV GreekLips 19:00 Only Hits 20:00 MTV The Hard Times Of RJ Berger 20:30 MTV The Hard Times Of RJ Berger 21:00 MTV Underemployed 22:00 MTV Catfish 23:00 MTV The Inbetweeners 23:30 MTV The Inbetweeners 00:00 MTV Jersey Shore 01:00 Only Hits

19:15 Wings Of The Dove 21:00 Captain America: The First Avenger 23:10 Habemus Papam 01:00 Oi Tempelides Tis Eforis Kiladas 02:55 Cine News 03:10 Blue Crush 2

00:00 Sports Unlimited 1:00 Golf Central International 02:00 MLB: Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves 05:00 Big Ten Softball Michigan At Nebraska 07:00 Morning Drive 08:00 Academy - Bernhard Langer: Driver 08:30 Playing Lessons - Ian Poulter 09:00 Golf Central International 10:00 MLB: Washington Nationals At Atlanta Braves 13:00rag Race High 13:30 My Ride Rules 14:00 Pinks All Out Concord 15:00 European Tour Ballantine’s Championship Final Rd. 18:00 PRE GAME(E) 18:45 CHAMPIONSHIP 2012-13: AEP VS OMONOIA (E) 20:45 POST GAME (E) 21:30 A DIVISION CYPRUS SOC-

07:00 Ziegfeld Follies 08:45 Never So Few 10:45 Ask Any Girl 12:20 It Started With A Kiss 14:00 The Year of Living Dangerously 15:55 Raintree County 19:00 The Comedians 22:00 The Formula 23:55 Brass Target 01:45 The Glass Slipper 03:20 Ziegfeld Follies 05:10 Never So Few

By Preston Wilder

Mars Attacks! (LTV3, 20.00) Mars attacks! Oh no! “Don’t run, we are your friends,” claim the little green men - then gleefully zap an allstar cast including Jack Nicholson (in a double role, as the US President and a sleazy hustler) and Pierce Brosnan, doing wonderful things with a pipe as a very 1950s scientist. The MVP is director Tim Burton, now making blockbusters like Alice in Wonderland - and this glorious sci-fi comedy wasn’t a hit but it still ranks among his most personal films, showing off his empathy with losers and misfits: everyone who’s smug or pompous (or indeed successful) gets it in the neck in this wild variation on War of the Worlds, everyone who’s klutzy or dreamy becomes a hero. The plot is

simple enough - Mars attacks! - the details deliberately cheesy (the Martians’ zappers look like toy guns) as you might expect from a film based on a series of kids’ trading cards - and meanwhile the Martians are singing backup for Tom Jones and carving their faces on Mt. Rushmore, not to mention the sinuous rhythms of the ‘Trojan whore’, one of the oddest scenes in 90s Hollywood. Great fun, and a perfect riposte to the gung-ho likes of Independence Day. Made in 1996.

Jesus of Nazareth (CyBC1, 22.00) Are there people who watch this every year? Have they now watched it two dozen times, meaning they can point out the mistakes (‘Look - the second Roman

Jesus of Nazareth

on the right is wearing a watch!’) and know all the dialogue by heart? Someday, I assume, there’s going to be a sea-change, and Easter week will no longer be packed with wall-to-wall Biblical fare (either that or some enterprising pay-TV platform will launch an Atheist Channel) - which is when we’ll look back fondly on Jesus of Nazareth, and appreciate its skilful storytelling not to mention that starry cast with a dozen Oscars between them. Robert Powell is poor tortured Jesus, put through his paces in the script by Anthony Burgess (of Clockwork Orange fame); “I am not ashamed to say that, as a man in my mid-30s, I cry like a baby every time I watch this epic,” says a fan at the Internet Movie Database. Part 1 of 4. Made in 1977.

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

21

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 2378 1

2

3

4

PREVIOUS DAY’S SOLUTIONS

5

6

7 8 9 10 13

12

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved, you solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

With the ‘X’ sudoku, the shaded X must also contain the numbers 1-9.

14

15 17 18

11

16

19 20

EASY

EASY

MEDIUM

HARD

21 22

1 Arising from chap eating out (9) 2 Put into shackles and held fast (9) 3 An attractive artist? (6) 4 The quality of a fine point (8) 5 Some vicar obsessed with a chocolate substitute (5) 6 Heavyweight, a novice according to key (5) 11 Vegetarians’ festive occasion? (9) 12 Owner died rearranging cover (9) 14 Summarise what isn’t there (8) 16 Outdated lines in confectionery (6) 18 Nut used to prepare casserole inside (5) 19 Provided with an opening but prevented from using it (5)

Rating EASY

3 Take the bypass in Kansas (5,4) 7 The reported style of a country house (5) 8 Strangely opposed to mixture of other bran (9) 9 Some soprano howling? Not at all (5) 10 Two beavers initially in the river eat a little at a time (6) 13 Dog to run swiftly along the channel (8) 15 Account for the growing excitement felt as a climax is reached (8) 17 Tagged another ingenious device (6) 20 Treat time as if it were money (5) 21 Forcible control of others on vandalised train (9) 22 Do some more stitching or more sewage work (5) 23 It is compulsory for fellow attorney, right-winger (9)

Rating HARD

Down

Rating MEDIUM

Across

Rating MEDIUM

23

Answers to crossword 2377

HOROSCOPE

CRYPTIC: Across – 1 Come to pass; 8 For; 9 Murderous; 10 School; 11 Canal; 13 Valise; 15 Pliers; 17 Rouen; 18 Oblate; 21 Galloping; 22 Now; 23 Unprepared. Down – 1 Café; 2 Miraculously; 3 Tempo; 4 Purple; 5 Stencil; 6 Counter-tenor; 7 Useless; 12 Over age; 14 Sundown; 16 Hosier; 19 Leg-up; 20 Awed.

QUICK: Across – 1 Calamitous; 8 Pas; 9 Spiritual; 10 Bonnet; 11 Odour; 13 Plenty; 15 Instil; 17 Caste; 18 Tipped; 21 Flagstone; 22 Lax; 23 Investment.

Down – 1 Cape; 2 Lose one’s seat; 3 Mason; 4 Thirty; 5 Unicorn; 6 Out of the blue; 7 Alertly; 12 Specify; 14 Treason; 16 Strobe; 19 Pleat; 20 Exit.

ARIES March 21 - April 20

LEO July 23 - August 22

SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21

Business and career matters look positive. A career decision may result in a chance to earn more money. You’re in a practical frame of mind and can achieve much today.

You might want to purchase a few things for the home, or perhaps think about investing in a makeover for yourself.

An alert frame of mind means you won’t miss a trick.

You may have to put on a more serious face and show the world what you’re made of. Career wise, you have great potential. Successes at work may endear you to a boss or superior. Home comforts and pleasant relationships make this a good night to invite friends or even work colleagues, over for a meal. You could benefit greatly as a result.

Innovative thinking may bring the answers you need as well as practical results. The more you overcome feelings of indulgence to complete work projects, the better your day should be. You can also learn a lot, provided you’re willing to go the extra mile to get information. Yet financial considerations may put the damper on a fun or leisure plan.

TAURUS April 21 - May 21

VIRGO August 23 - September 23

CAPRICORN December 22 - January 20

Your energy levels get a boost, and you seem to be in grand spirits overall. There doesn’t seem to be much to get you down, even though certain folks may try. You may have to use charm in order to win someone over. It could be hard work, but with the right approach you should get your way. A decision to travel may bring feelings of happiness.

You may be feeling lucky, romantic, compassionate and energetic all on the same day. Make this a special occasion by pursuing something that is very important to you in a deeply personal way. The desire to travel, not necessarily for fun, but to enlarge your perspective or perhaps to learn something new, may be worth acting upon too.

Romance may play a big part in the unfolding of the day.

Romantic notions may be tied to practical considerations.

Someone who shares your ideas and ideals may be the perfect catch, especially if they share your ambitions. A decision to tap into your entrepreneurial side and take a risk may be helped along with planning and foresight.

GEMINI May 22 - June 21

LIBRA September 24 - October 23

AQUARIUS January 21 - February 19

A coincidence may have a profound effect on you. There’s a hint of magic in the air, especially when you knuckle down and get on with things. A new job assignment or other work news should bring a helpful twist to matters.

Networking and socialising may bring you plenty of opportunities to make business connections. Later, some quiet time may appeal.

An active schedule may keep you busy at home. Words of love may be exchanged, or you may find yourself arguing and then making up later. Perhaps it’s you who has a need to express your feelings. You can also add to your income if you make the right moves and take a practical but inspired approach. All this can help you feel more secure.

The urge to linger in bed and ignore the alarm clock may have overwhelmed you. If you feel weary, try to schedule a period of relaxation or perhaps get a massage. The cosmos seems to be encouraging you to connect with your body’s rhythms rather than overriding them. Don’t allow pressures of work to dull your spirits or joie de vivre.

CANCER June 22 - July 22

SCORPIO October 24 - November 22

PISCES February 20 - March 20

There may be some serious, even heavy duty issues to attend to, especially if you and a sweetheart are clashing.

However, you do have what it takes to smooth over any ruffled feathers and restore calm. Set your sights on happier times later on. Persuade them out for a drink and a meal if you can. If not, call up a good friend and opt for a heartfelt chat.

People around you seem willing to co-operate. It’s a good day for teamwork too. You may make the best progress in a group situation. A decision may help matters to flow along. Don’t hesitate for too long or you may get left behind. An easy, relaxed and romantic atmosphere permeates the evening. Make time to unwind and put worries behind you.

Be careful about taking on a project at home that might be too ambitious. It may prove to be a bottomless pit that drains time and resources. A gung-ho approach to home improvements could cost you dear. Meanwhile, you’re all for connecting with friends and family. A reunion with school or college pals may be on the cards too, if you’re up for it.

22

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

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Nicosia - email: classified@cyprus-mail.com Limassol - email: limassol@cyprus-mail.com Paphos - email: paphos@cyprus-mail.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ***************************** “FREEMONTGROUP.COM is seeking a Company Administrator with relevant background to join our corporate services team in Dubai. Email jobs@freemontgroup.com for more information. Interviewing will take place in our Limassol office.” ***************************** FREEMONTGROUP.COM is seeking an accountant interested in working as: Accountant/ Company Administrator responsible for administering a portfolio of companies for clients and company accounts preparation and tax returns.

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Email jobs@freemontgroup. com for more information. ****************************** EXPERIENCED PADI Instructors wanted for a 5* IDC in Limassol MUST be fluent in BOTH Russian and English, with at least 5 Instructor Specialties. Please do not apply if you are not able to teach in both Russian and English. Contact jonathan@ dive-in-limassol.com with your CV. ******************************

JOB WANTED MAN FROM SRI LANKA 45 years is looking for a job, any job. Has driving licence, has release papers - living out call 96480440. ***************************** COUPLE FROM SRI LANKA are looking for a job, any job gardening, looking after old people, cleaning. Has driving licence. They have release papers - living in or out call 96499207 or 96757437 ******************************

MISCELLANEOUS ****************************** HELP WANTED and commission paid for advice regarding purchase of surplus Russian military items from Cypriot military. Please reply your details to info@rme-ltd.eu

***************************** WANTED: COUPLES OF EU CITIZENS LIVING IN CYPRUS We are currently conducting research as regards European families living in Cyprus. If both you and your spouse come from

the same or a different country of the EU (except Cyprus and Greece, e.g. both from Germany, or Germany and France), if you have children over 6, and if you are interested in taking part in some research financed by the University of Cyprus please contact us 96530033. Participants will complete a questionnaire and participate in a face-to-face interview. They will also receive a symbolic amount of money. ***************************** ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS CYPRUS Is drink costing you more than just money? AA could be the answer.

Meeting at the following locations/days. Call to speak to an AA member.

Ayia Napa Monday 97798043 Larnaca Tuesday (Polish spk) 96616589 Thursday 24645523 / 99259264 Limassol Tuesday / Wednesday / Friday / Saturday 25368265 / 99559322 Nicosia Sunday 99013596 Paphos Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday 99916331 / 99399240 Details of meetings are available on www.aa-europe.net *****************************

LESSON ***************************** PRIVATE TUITION Experienced, UK-qualified teacher offers full/ part-time private home tuition in Maths, English, Science, I.C.T.,Geography, History, Business Studies and Economics, from KS2 to iGCSE, AS and A2 levels. 9 years experience in Cyprus; references available.

Telephone 99318796 *****************************

HEALTH & FITNESS ***************************** FOR PRETTY WOMAN: anticellulite treatment, reflexology, aromatherapy massage against stress, back pains, headache.

Also spa for nails. Tel: 99986991 Nicosia area near Hilton *****************************

PERSONAL ***************************** GERMAN MAN, 50 years, searching for a nice women.

Mobile: 00491736590562 *****************************

Nicosia - tel: 22 818583 fax: 22 676385

She will remain small sized so she is ideal for a family with an apartment! For adoptions call 99 520 511 Monday-Friday between hours 10-2 or email ndsadoptions@gmail.com

SERVICES ***************************** KEEP YOUR HOME COOLER THIS SUMMER by having Windowfilm professionally fitted. Stops up to 86% of heat from entering your home!

Windowfilm increases privacy, blocks harmful uv-rays which cause fading, reduces glare and saves energy costs on air-con. Also keeps your home warmer in winter. Call Ian on 99979671

**************************** PROFESSIONAL UPHOLSTERY CLEANING, also carpets, rugs and mattresses.

Special offers now available.

FREE STAIN GUARD FOR LIMITED TIME For a quote call Rickys Cleaning Services on 99131044 (all areas) info@rcscyprus.net / www.rcs-cyprus. net **************************** K.D.FLYSCREENS LTD. We manufacture top quality sliding screens, opening doors and roller systems.

We also do repairs. For a FREE QUOTE please contact Phone: 99119582 Website: www.kdflyscreens.com **************************** SWIFT SERVICE AND REPAIRS air-cons, commercial and domestic fridges and freezers, ice machines, cool rooms, supply and fit air-cons VRV S. Call Nik on 99579602 Limassol **************************** DO YOU WANT A SHINY LOOKING FLOOR? Full repair & restoration of chipped, scratched, dull and stained, Marble, Terrazzo, Stone & Ceramic tiled floors and surfaces. Professional cleaning, repair & sealing of internal/external ceramic tiles & grout lines. For a free professional consultation & demonstration contact Mark at Premier on 70006766 All areas

PETS RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK Quality pedigree puppies for sale, Kennels club registered.

An excellent hunter, a good family dog, as well as a good guard dog. Lovely to have around, both parents can be seen. Price €500 for more info pls call 99046966 HONEY is a 3 month old pincher/ terrier mix. She is very small sized and very sweet and playful. Honey is looking for a loving family to be hers forever!

Limassol - tel: 25 761117 fax: 25 761141

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS ***************************** FOR SALE: Electric Cooker, Bosch 4 ceramic hotplates and oven, used 1 1/2 year, €300 For further information contact phone 99757511 ***************************** FOR SALE – PAPHOS CATERING EQUIPMENT 1. Industrial freezer – CORECO Height 200cm, width 68cm, depth 58cm 2. Electrolux Freezer, model EUC3109X, width-595mm, height-1800mm, depth623mm, freezing capacity-24kg/24hours, energy class A 3.

CONVOTHERM OVEN model-OBG 6.10Combi OvenSteamer with Gas Steam Generator Extra: Stand with stainless steel shelving, extractor fan, water supply system and gas installation connections, PLUS CHAFING TRAYS & THERMO BOXES, ALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AT REDUCED PRICES. PLEASE CALL: 99622678

FOR SALE BUSINESS/ PROPERTY/LAND PLOT FOR SALE IN KATO PLATRES in a pine tree area. It comes with title deeds, 1095 square feet. Tel. 99881051. ***************************** FOR SALE LAND in Anthoupoli (half plot) 288 sq.metres. for information 99621554.

PROPERTY TO LET NICOSIA ***************************** TO LET Villa Dasoupolis with pool mature garden €5000 Ayioi Omoloyitae 3 level house c/h a/c €3000 Mak/ssa f/f house 4 bedr., €1500 Strovolos f/f house 4 bedr., €1200 3 bedr., flat center f/f €1000 2 bedr., Acropolis/ Ma/ssa f/f €600 center 1 bedr.,f/f €550

Photos

www.markideses-

Paphos - tel: 26 911383 fax: 26221049

tates.com Markides 22378898 / 99464764 Reg.No. 487 E 16 **************************** FLATS/HOUSES FOR RENT studio Makarios Av. €300, Kennedy furnished €300, 1 bdrm Str/los €400, Hilton €400, 2 bdrm Lycavitos €480 fully equipped, Ag. Dometios ground floor + garden €450, Ag. Paylos rear house newly built €390, Acropolis furnished €450, 3 bdrm Ag. Omologites garden €700, Nikis Av. Furnished €500, Archangelos detached with pool €1,200, Acropolis independent ideal for office/residence €750, 4 bdrm Kwsta Theodorou new house €1,100, Mosfiloti unique villa with pool/landscaping €2,500. 99474839, 99646822. 21 PROPERTY FINDER LTD. Licenced & Registered Estate Agents A.M.627 A.A.108/E **************************** TO LET 1 bedroom upper floor house, large veranda near restaurant Periyiali in Acropolis 5 Aeantos Street €300 call 99680208 **************************** LUXURY HOUSES: 1. 4 bedr luxury detached house built in 3/4 of a plot, office space, central heating, full a/c, big sitting and dining area, separate big kitchen with family room and all the electrical appliances, blinds and curtains on all windows, aluminium shutters, big garden with grass, 3 wc, covered parking, in a quiet area – Strovolos €1000 (H4ST10051-R), (photos in the website) 2. 3 bedr luxury terraced house, 210sq.m,central heating, full a/c, marble floor in the sitting areas and solid parquet floor on stairs and bedrooms, 4 wc,3 bathrooms, 2 en suite, big verandas, electrical appliances in the kitchen, 3 covered parking spaces, roof garden access, in a quiet neighbourhood on Mon Parnas hill – Engomi €850 (photos in the website).

3. 3 bedr luxury semi detached house, a/ c for hot and cold in all the rooms, blinds, electrical appliances in the kitchen,2wc, big patio with tiles, in a quiet area in a dead end – Strovolos €550 (H3ST10002-R) (photos in the website) 4. 4 bedrs new luxury detached house,230sq.m,big sitting and dining area with solid parquet floor, big kitchen with cooker and oven,3wc,2 bathrooms, curtains on all windows, small garden, patio, central heating, full A/C, covered parking in a dead and near French Ambassador house- Strovolos €950

Larnaca - tel: 99 634725

classified contents Employment Opportunities pg 22 Employment Miscellaneous 22 Pets 22 Lessons 22 Health & Fitness 22 Personal 22 Services 22 For Sale Miscellaneous 22 For Sale Land/ Property Business 22 For Sale Motor vehicles -Properties Wanted -To Let Nicosia 22 To Let Limassol 25 To Let Larnaca 25 To Let Paphos 26 To Let Protaras, Ayia Napa, Paralimni -For Sale Nicosia 27 For Sale Limassol -For Sale Larnaca -For Sale Paphos 27 For Sale Ayia Napa -For Sale Famagusta Protaras 27 For Sale Athens -Property& Home Services display ads -Churches 26

abbreviations bdrm c/h a/c s/pool f/f apt pm pw sw nw st rd p/s c/l swb r/cass e/w

bedroom central heating air conditioning swimming pool fully furnished apartment per month per week south west north west street road power steering central locking short wheel base radio cassette electric windows

Please note tel nos. that begin with: 22 = Nicosia 23 = Paralimni/Protaras 24 = Larnaca 25 = Limassol 26 = Paphos

23

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA (H4ST10012-R) (photos in the website) 5. 4 bedr+ very big attic room separated in 2 rooms +separate room for the maid in the basement luxury fully renovated detached house with big sitting and dining room with fire place, big kitchen with electrical appliances sitting room and breakfast area, 3 bathrooms, floor heating independent with grass, a/c units, garden with grass and covered patio, in a quiet area near the International fair in the central part of Makedonitissa - €1500 AVAILABLE END OF MAY –(H4MAK0018-R) (photos in the website) 6. 3 bedr + attic room with shower and wc luxury detached house with central heating, a/c, fireplace, modern kitchen open plan with expensive electrical appliances, blinds, garden with grass, over flow swimming pool, covered parking in a quiet area. – Makedonitissa €1500 (H4MAK0023-R),

FOR RENT 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in Larnaca near new hospital. €400 per month including service charge and refuse collection Call 99358916

TO LET NICOSIA (photos on the website).

7. 4 bedr luxury detached house with 2 big extra rooms on the attic with shower and wc, central heating, air condition units, 360sq.m, solid parquet floor all the house except the kitchen, big sitting and dining areas with fire place, big separate kitchen with family room and breakfast area, big mature garden with grass and swimming pool, covered parking, in a quiet neighborhood close to Alfa Mega supermarket – Dasoupoli €2000 - Available middle of June (H4DAS0001-R) (photos in the website) 8. 3 bedr +office space luxury detached house with storage heaters, full a/c, 3 wc, 260 m², big kitchen with big family room opening to a big garden with grass, electrical appliances, covered parking, in a very quiet neighborhood in a dead end - Makedonitissa €2000 (H4MAK0034-R) (photos in the website)

English-Painter & Decorator Fully Qualified 30 years’ Experience SUMMER OFFER 30% OFF ALL AREAS • External & Internal painting • Damp Damage Repairs • Spritez Repairs • Free Estimates + very clean work • All areas. All types of woodwork stained and preserved • All work guaranteed

Tel. Tony on 99176557

TO LET NICOSIA 9. New modern luxury very good quality finished semi detached house built in 3 levels. Upstairs 1st level 3 bedrs all en suite+ laundry room, 2nd level big attic room which can be used for office space or bedroom.

Ground floor with 2 sitting areas ,dining area and breakfast area, kitchen with all the electrical appliances, central heating, full a/c units. Basement with kitchen with cooker and oven, dishwasher, microwave and 2 refrigerators, sitting room with fireplace, and 2 bedrooms with one bathroom.

Outside private fenced garden with artificial grass, bbq area and covered veranda. The house has blinds and shutters on all windows, false ceiling with spot lights throughout house, pressure system, covered parking, satellite dish, central music and network system, storage room, very good double glazed windows.

Behind General flooring in the centre of Makedonitissa -

TO LET NICOSIA €2000 (H4MAK0001-R), (photos on the website).

10. 4 bedrs new luxury detached house, 450sq.m, central heating, full a/c, office space, separate maid’s room, big kitchen with sitting room and fire place and all the electrical appliances, all the sitting areas viewing the garden with grass, blinds on all windows downstairs, very big bedrooms with parquet floor, main bedroom with jacuzzi,2 covered parking’s near Alpha Mega supermarket and English School. AVAILABLE END OF MAY 2013 – Strovolos €2200 (H4ST10001-R) (photos in the website)11. 4 bedr new luxury finished detached house with central heating independent, full a/c, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, big kitchen with cooker oven, dishwasher and big family room, aluminium shutters in all the house, separate big sitting and dining room with parquet floor, 2 covered parking, alarm system, big covered

SELECT Fencing & Decking Specialist For all your Garden and Security Fencing ♦ Quality approved workmanship ♦ 15 years experience + guaranteed work ♦ English workers ♦ also garden gates ♦ sheds ♦ chain link fencing ♦ free estimates ♦ all types of fencing & decking

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TO LET NICOSIA patio, SWIMMING POOL, in a newly built area near Falcon school – Strovolos €2000 (photos in the website).

12. 3 bedrs luxury 2 storey, FULLY RENOVATED LISTED HOUSE with high ceilings in the centre of Nicosia, 260sq.m, 2 small attic rooms, big sitting room upstairs, big sitting room and dining area downstairs, wooden floor, kitchen with all the electrical appliances, 2 bathrooms (one en suite),3wc,CH independent, A/C, big garden – Nicosia Centre €1400 (H4NIC0002-R), (photos in the website).

13. 4 bedrs luxury renovated detached house built in 3 plots of land,550sq.m aprox, central heating, full a/c, all

TO LET NICOSIA the bedrooms with en suite shower/bathroom, extra room upstairs for sitting room/office space/bedroom, solid parquet floor in bedrooms, big kitchen with granite and all the electrical appliances, maid’s room, big sitting areas with fire place and internal yard, big swimming pool 6 x 12,big mature garden with grass and big trees surrounding the house giving privacy, in a very quiet neighborhood near Acropolis park. Available in August €5500 – (H4DAS0006-R) (photos in the website) 14. 4 bedr very big luxury semi detached house 350sq.m, with big separate basement 80sq.m with 2 rooms, sitting room, kitchen and bathroom.

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24

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA ing areas upstairs, big kitchen with big family room and breakfast area, big bedrooms, 3 showers, 1 bathroom, central heating, full a/c, black out blinds on all windows, cooker and oven in the kitchen, covered parking and patio with bbq in a very quiet neighbourhood close to Makarios football stadium. CAN BE RENTED FURNISHED, PARTIALLY FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED - Makedonitissa €1500 (H4MAK0032-R), (photos in the website) 15. 4 bedrs new luxury detached house, all the bedrooms very big and all with big bathroom/ shower, sitting room upstairs, attic room with shower and wc, office space/maid’s room with shower and wc, central

TO LET NICOSIA heating, full AC,450sq.m, big sitting and dining areas, big kitchen with sitting area and fitted cooker and oven, 6wc, 2 covered parking, yard with tiles and SWIMMING POOL, bbq area in a very quiet neighbourhood near CYBC (RIK) station and near a neighbourhood park – Platy Aglantzias €2500 (H4AGZ0005-R), (photos in the website) For many more properties with photos visit our website at www.landtouristestates.com which is updated daily. LANDTOURIST ESTATES LTD 22-422225/96422225/96422226, www.landtouristestates.com ***************************** LUXURY FLATS:

TO LET NICOSIA 1. 3 bedr luxury finished spacious floor apartment with very big sitting and dining areas with family room with fire place, solid parquet floor all through, central heating independent, full a/c, all the bedrooms with en suite shower/bathroom, 4wc, big kitchen with all the electrical appliances, blinds on all windows, big covered veranda, covered parking, big storage room, on a small 3 storey building in a quiet neighbourhood – Agios Andreas- €1100 – A3AAD0005-R (photos on website).

2. 1 bedr spacious fully luxury renovated apartment,60sq.m, big sitting and dining room, big bedroom, fully newly modern furnished with LCD TV 32’, covered veranda, covered parking, storage heaters, full a/c, near Cyta, Laiki and Hellenic Bank headquarters – Dasoupolis €500 (photos in the website).

3. 1 bedr luxury GROUND FLOOR apartment with very

TO LET NICOSIA big verandas and garden,2 a/c for hot and cold, cooker, oven, washing machine, fridge in the kitchen, big bedroom, covered parking, storage room, off Kallipoleos street in a quiet area – Lykavitos €360(A1LYK0021-R), (photos in the website).

4. 2 bedr FULLY RENOVATED spacious apartment with laminate parquet floor, a/c for hot and cold in all the rooms, big sitting and dining room, separate kitchen, big bedrooms, FULLY NICELY FURNISHED, covered veranda with nice view, near the American Embassy - €450 (A2ENG0018-R) 5. 4 bedr new spacious luxury finished floor apartment with floor heating independent, full a/c, 3wc, electrical appliances in the kitchen, blinds on all windows, very big 50sq.m covered veranda, fireplace, covered parking and big over floor heated covered swimming pool on the ground floor, on a small 3 storey building in a quiet neighbourhood near a

KIOSK FOR SALE 20.000 EUROS (OVNO) PAPHOS PRICE INCLUDES ALL STOCK AND EQUIPMENT FOOD, DRINKS, CHILLED PRODUCTS, PET FOODS, CIGARETTES FROZEN PRODUCTS, HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, TOILETRIES. FREEZERS, CHILLER CABINET, ELECTRONIC TILL SYSTEM, SHELVING ETC INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD E-MAIL – midnight011963@gmail.com

TO LET NICOSIA playground and near Ippokration private hospital – Engomi €1500 (A4ENG0003-R) (photos in the website) 6. 1 bedr new luxury finished apartment with parquet floor, a/c for hot and cold, big bathroom, covered veranda, NEWLY MODERN FURNISHED, parking, off Kennedy Avenue near the centre – Nicosia Centre €450 (A1NIC0021-R), (photos in the website).

7. 2 bedr new luxury apartment with central heating independent, full a/c, 2wc, big sitting and dining room, separate kitchen with cooker and oven, blinds on all windows, covered veranda, solar heater, pressure system, covered parking, storage room, on a small building in a quiet neighborhood next to a playground, near Central offices of Cyta and Laiki Head quarters – Dasoupoli €500 (A2DAS0018-R), (photos in the website).

8. 2 bedr new modern luxury apartment with separate central heating, full a/c, 2bathrooms(one en suite), blinds on all windows, electrical appliances in the kitchen,

TO LET NICOSIA big sitting & dining room, big covered veranda, covered parking near Alpha Mega – Engomi €500. AVAILABLE END OF APRIL (A2ENG0014-R), (photos in the website).

9. New top quality 2 bedr apartment, 93sq.m+20sq.m veranda, on a small modern building with 6 flats only.

Central heating independent, full a/c, 2 bathrooms, 2wc, fully fitted kitchen with all the electrical appliances, water pressure system roller blinds and shutters on windows, big sitting and dining room, big bedrooms, covered parking and storage room, in a quiet neighbourhood near Akropolis park. – Acropolis €700 A2ACS0002-R (photos in the website) .

10. New luxury finished 1 bedr penthouse apartment with big verandah with nice view, in a small modern building,55sq.m,storage heaters,2 a/c, blinds on the windows, expensive electrical appliances (cooker, oven, extractor, refrigerator, washing machine, dryer), covered parking and storage room, off Kalippoleos street opposite

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25

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA Dessange Day Spa near the University – Lykavitos €420 (A1LYK0002-R), (photos in the website).

11. 2 bedr luxury apartment with a/c for hot and cold, separate kitchen, big covered veranda, FULLY NICELY FURNISHED, covered parking, near the Ministry of Education – Acropolis €550 (A2ACS0036-R), (photos in the website) 12. 2 bedr new modern luxury apartment with floor heating, full a/c, big sitting and dining room, big covered veranda 30sq.m, fully fitted kitchen with expensive electrical appliances, blinds, covered parking, on the 6th floor with plenty of view and nice breeze, in the centre off Kennedy avenue – Nicosia Centre €700 (A2NIC0031-R), (photos in the website).

13. New luxury finished 3 bedr penthouse (floor apartment) on the 5th floor,165sq.m+ big verandas(one bigger with bbq), solid parquet floor all the flat,3wc,2 bathrooms, central heating ind, full a/c, big separate Italian kitchen with electrical appliances and dining area, big sitting room, covered parking and storage room off Makarios Avenue walking distance to the centre €850 (A3NIC0030-R), (photos in the website).

14. 3 bedr spacious luxury finished apartment 150sq. m+30sq.m covered veranda, central heating independent with petrol, full wall a/c units,

TO LET NICOSIA solid parquet floor, expensive electrical appliances in the kitchen, 3wc, curtains and blinds on windows, 3 COVERED PARKING, storage room, near Pizza Hut in Strovolos €1100 (photos in the website).

15.

3 bedrs luxury penthouse,165sq.m+80sq.m verandah with bbq, central heating ind, full AC, 3 wc, 2 bathrooms, solid parquet floor all the flat, big kitchen with dining area, fully MODERN FURNISHED, covered parking off Athalassa Avenue near Stephanis Electronics and English school – Strovolos €800 (A3ST10013-R) (photos in the website) 16. New luxury finished 4 bed PENTHOUSE apartment in a small modern building, 186sq. m+90sq.m big veranda with nice view, separate floor heating, fully air conditioned, 4wc, 2 en suite bedrooms with shower,1 bathroom, solid parquet floor all through, big sitting and dining areas with electric modern shutters opening to the veranda, fully equipped kitchen with expensive electrical appliances, 2 parking places (1 covered), in a very quiet neighbourhood ,near the Russian Embassy. AVAILABLE END OF MARCH –Engomi €1900 (A4ENG0005-R) (photos in the website) For many more properties with photos visit our website at www.landtouristestates.com which is updated daily. LAND-

TO LET NICOSIA TOURIST ESTATES LTD 22422225 / 96-422225 / 96422226 www.landtouristestates.com ***************************** 2 BDRM flat in the centre of Nicosia. Rent €450. For information call 99453663, 99663927.

LIMASSOL TO LET Hebrew homes, by Limassol twin towers, Kosher or Free, 3 monthly let. Call 035799036312. ***************************** TO LET Large 4 bedroom unfurnished house in the village of Asomatos nr Akrotiri Limassol.

Fully A/C & Heating (storage heaters). 5 wc’s, large kitchen/ diner, lounge and sitting room.

Large loft with own shower/wc (suitable for office/playroom/ gym). Carport - prominent position in cul-de-sac - lots of parking. €850 pcm (negotiable). Available from April 2013.

Tel. 99831431 TRADITIONAL VILLAGE STONE HOUSE IN APESHIA. Very quiet village, 20mins from Limassol. Road to heritage school/Troodos. 2 bedrooms, office available top floor with veranda great view of mountains. Small courtyard with trees. Electric solar water. A/Ctoilet in main bedroom. Semi/ full furnished. Fitted kitchen with electrical appliances, fireplace. Toilet/shower. €550pm negotiable. Tel 96891800.

GROUND FLOOR HOUSE, furnished renovated this year.

TO LET LIMASSOL

TO LET LARNACA

TO LET LARNACA

Laminated parke floor, and big wardrobes in the 3 bedrooms.

Rent €590.00 Tel 99497576 99886775 *****************************

seperate kitchen, modcons, furnished. Flyscreens, ceiling fans, aircon. Three double bedrooms, balcony with seaviews. Bathroom.Downstairs toilet. Free internet. Digi box.

For prices email. josephina180149@yahoo.com Tel 99935294 **************************** FOR RENT fully furnished 1 bedroom flat near Larco hotel Larnaca. Price €370. Tel 99202543

Square area Larnaca - 2 bedroom flat in Phaneromenis area Larnaca. Call 96693375 **************************** 1. Superior Real Estate Larnaca. 3 bedroom detached unfurnished property set on a fantastic development in the village of Tersefanou. Available for immediate occupation.

Ref. TLL973. Tel 24815926

LARNACA ***************************** TO LET Impressive three bedroom first floor apartment, Pyla, 2klms beach.Quiet area. Large lounge, balcony,

1 BEDROOM flat in Ermou

2. Superior Real Estate Larnaca. 2 bedroom fully furnished apartment, nr the Metro/American Academy

UK House Offered in Exchange for Apartment or House in Cyprus A 100 sq. m. four bedroom Semi Detached house in the East Midlands, with a market value of £120,000, is offered in exchange for a 2 bedroom (minimum) apartment or house anywhere in Cyprus.

My house has been recently renovated at a cost of over £25,000 and is situated within less than three miles from Clumber Park.

If interested, please email Natalia at nzah50@hotmail.com for a detailed description of my property and please include the internal size in square metres and photos of what you are offering in exchange.

26

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

Advertiser TO LET LARNACA Larnaca. Ref. TLL1654 Please call to arrange a viewing Tel. 24815926 3. www.superiorrealestatelarnaca.com – LARGE RANGE OF RENTAL PROPERTIES. From studio apartments to 5 bedroom villa’s for rent, all properties have detailed descriptions, professional photographs. Interactive Virtual/ Video Tours. Please visit our website. www.superiorrealestatelarnaca.com 4. www.superiorrealestatelarnaca.com - License No. 419. LANDLORDS AVERTISE YOUR PROPERTY WITH US FOR FREE. Tel. 24815926 Email. info@superiorrealestatelarnaca.com ****************************

TO LET PAPHOS PAPHOS **************************** TREMITHOUSA- Modern 2 Double Bedroom Townhouse with Stunning Sea views, Large Secluded Terrace with Open Views, Roof Garden, Fitted Kitchen, A/C, U/F 350 Euros or F/F 400 Euros

TREMITHOUSA- Superb Detached 3 Bedroom Villa with Large Pool, F/F to a very High Standard, Mater En-Suite, Family Bathroom with Jacuzzi, Beautifully Fitted Kitchen, Utility, Separate Shower room, Spectacular Mountain and Sea views, Quite Cul-De-Sac location 700 Euros KISSONERGA- Beautiful De-

TO LET PAPHOS tached U/F 3 Bedroomed Villa, Large Pool,2 Bedrooms Upstairs Master En-suite, Family Bathroom, modern Fitted Kitchen, Downstairs Bedroom with En-suite Shower room, Low maintenance Garden, Large Terraces and Separate Storage Room 600 Euros TREMITHOUSA- Purpose Built Ground and First Floor 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments U/F and F/F, A/C, Parking From Only 150 Euros URGENTLY WANTED – 3 Bedroom U/F Detached Villas 600/700 MORE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 99862922 ***************************** 1. Sea Caves Paphos, luxury 3 bed unfurnished villa with private pool on a big plot. One bed downstairs, kitchen white goods include dish washer.

Spacious bedrooms, dressing room, balconies, separate outdoor storeroom, enclosed

TO LET PAPHOS garden. €1000 2. Secret Valley, 3 bed un/furnished villa with private pool on a big plot. Spacious living space, good sized bedrooms.

Pool and garden maintenance included in rent. Lovely sea and country side views. €700 3. Peyia, Beautiful 3 bed un/furnished villa with amazing sea views. Private pool, lovely garden, double bedrooms, master en suite. €500 4. Koili, brand new 4 bed unfurnished villa. Finished to a very high quality in a very quiet location. Italian kitchen, fire place, under floor heating, shutters, fly screens, pool, one bed downstairs. €850 PAPHOS TO RENT Tel: 99389198.

For listings and many other properties please visit our web www. paphotorent.com and give us a call. ***************************** PEYIA, luxury villa, 3 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully

SPECIAL OFFER In Kokkinotrimithia, 15km from Nicosia in a good area, (in the centre, opposite Maragos bakery, 41/2 acres or 7 plot with 90% building factor.

For more information please call 99673286, 99918830.

TO LET PAPHOS or part furnished, private pool, quiet location, paved garden area, sea and mountain views.

Sky satellite, €550 ono, please call: 99771532 – no agents FOR RENT a selection of 1 to 5 bedroom houses & apartments F/F & U/F Universal, Peyia, Tomb of the Kings, Tsada, Timi, Kato Paphos & Kissonerga Landlord & Owners please call 99329357 Or please view at our website www.cyprussands.com Fully Registered Company in Cyprus ***************************** MR RENT PAPHOS, THE LEADING PROPERTY RENTAL AGENCY IN PAPHOS OFFICE: 26271858 (00357) IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY TO RENT WE ARE THE RENTAL AGENCY TO CONTACT OFFERING FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & RENT COLLECTION SERVICE 1. CHLORAKA €600 a unique opportunity to rent a traditional stone village house in the village of Chloraka. This beautiful property has been lovingly restored and offers a spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom homes with plenty of character. A rustic hideaway offering large pretty courtyard with fruit trees. Off street parking.

Stunning real fire in living area & log burner in kitchen. Available furnished with solar panels, pressurised water system & storage space. Viewings highly recommended. website reference number: RTL_679 2. SECRET VALLEY €750 spa-

TO LET PAPHOS cious modern detached 3 bedroom villa situated on a corner plot in a peaceful residential area. Offering large private pool with a low maintained enclosed garden with sea views.

Off street parking. Fully furnished with modern furniture and includes gas central heating throughout. Modern fitted kitchen with granite worktops.

One bedroom on ground floor with bathroom. Pets allowed at owners discretion. Viewings highly recommended. website reference number: RTL_561 3. KAMARES TALA €850 a stunning detached villa offering 4 bedrooms plus office in a quiet & private residential area with large parking bay for numerous cars and covered off street parking. Offering spacious living accommodation and breathtaking views of the sea. This property includes a lift to all 4 floors. Luxury modern fitted kitchen with appliances. Lovely garden with spacious veranda & private pool. Available unfurnished. website reference number: RTL_669 4. SEA CAVES €850 price includes pool cleaning & gardening. Luxury modern detached 3 bedroom villas in a peaceful & private location.

Fully furnished with good quality modern furniture including a log burner for those winter months. Modern fitted kitchen with top brand appliances. Two bedrooms on ground floor with family bathroom & master bedroom & ensuite on upper level. Good

CHURCHES GRACE CHURCH, LARNACA 8 Ayiou Neofytou St Sundays 10 a.m.

Also Midweek Meetings Details: Colin 24530700 HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, PAPHOS GATE, NICOSIA Sunday Masses: Saturdays 6.30 pm, Sundays 8.00am, 9.30am & 6.30pm Weekday Masses: 6.30 pm Monday to Friday Tel: 22662132 Email: holcross@logos.cy.net

LARNAKA COMMUNITY CHURCH APHRODITE STREET, LARNAKA 10.00 AM MORNING SERVICE and SUNDAY SCHOOL For more details ring Fred 24365152

International EVANGELICAL CHURCH (Reformed) Limassol 352 St. Andrew’s Street (1½ blocks from Starbucks/Fat Boy) Sunday worship 10:30am Wednesday Bible Discussion 7pm For info: 99384742 ALL ARE WELCOME

St Helena’s Anglican Church, Larnaca St Helena’s Court, Grigoris Afx Sunday Service: Holy Communion 9.30 am

NICOSIA CHRISTIAN CENTRE 10 PINDOU STR, ENGOMI, NICOSIA, TEL. 22464375 SERVICES: SUNDAY 10AM, WEDNESDAY 8PM

Family oriented evangelical church Contemporary Christian Worship Sunday 10am (Holy Communion - 1st Sunday of the month) Sunday School (Juniors and Teens) Outreach and Evangelism Bible Studies

Tel. 99 293489, 99 279960 Email: immanuel.church.nicosia@gmail.com Website: www.immanuelchurchnicosia.org

ALL WELCOME Tel:24651327 office@sainthelenas.com

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST ANDREW AND ST JOHN THE BAPTIST MESA GEITONIA, LIMASSOL The Orthodox Liturgy in English served fortnightly on Saturdays at 9.00 am. We also hold a Discussion Group every Thursday evening at 7.30 pm For information please call Fr. Christopher Klitou Mobile: 99957144 Fax: 25710318 You can email us at: klitoux@logos.cy.net or visit our website: www.christopherklitou.com

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF LIMASSOL Clear exposition of the Bible in the presence of God, and relevant to our lives.

Our Sunday services start at 10:30 am sharp, and the Wednesday Bible discussion at 7 pm.

International Evangelical Church (Reformed) is located at 352 St. Andrew’s Street. 1½ blocks from Starbucks / Fat Boy, and 1 block from the Municipal Gardens, Zoo. For further information call Steve at 99384742, or email: iee.limassol@gmail.com All are welcome!

PROPHETIC CALL-OUT Grieved by preachers living in sin ? Pastors collaborating with idolaters?

Bored with just being a spectator?

In Prophecy there is no ‘us and them: Everyone contributes (1 Cor 14:26) 10am start 9/2/2013 God willing, Meet: Entrance Palaiopafos, Kouklia Instruments/shofars welcome

Open Door Baptist Church

St Barnabas’ Anglican Church 153 Leontiou A Street Limassol www.stbarnabas-cyprus.com Telephone: 25362713 - All welcome ALL SAINTS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH (ENGLISH) Sunday Divine Liturgy 8-10am. Followed by Fellowship hour (coffee) Services are now being held at the underground Chapel of All Saints of Cyprus at St. Panteleimonos Church Makedonitissa Archangelos (Engomi) For more info please contact Fr. Joseph Coleman Tel. 99938924

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AGIOS ARSENIOS, LIMASSOL (near Tsirion Stadium) The Orthodox Liturgy in English Saturday, 4 February at 8:30 am For information please contact: Father M. Spanou at 99 – 401365 (msspanou@googlemail.com)

9 Larnakos Street Katholiki Area Limassol Sundays: 9:45, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM Wednesdays: 7:30 PM 25 751193 or 99 758729 www.cbm-odbc.org

GRACE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Invites you to COME AND EXPERIEBNCE THE LOVE OF GOD WITH US Int. Christian Business Fellowship Meeting Centre Sundays: 10.00am Sunday School 11.00 am Main Service (Dine with us centre services) Wednesdays: Prayer meeting 6pm Address: To Arsinois Str., 1010 Nicosia (Next to Western Union Office to KISA) Contact: 99988900 or 97667932. \VISITORS ESPECIALLY WELCOME!!!

The Anglican Church of Paphos Ayia Kyriaki (St. Paul by the Pillar) Sunday 8.15am Holy Eucharist 6.00pm Sung Eucharist th 4 Sunday 6.00pm Choral Evensong Wednesday 9.00am Holy Eucharist 3rd Wednesday (BCP) St. Stephen’s, Tala st rd 1 & 3 Sunday 11.00 am Holy Eucharist 2nd & 4th Sunday 11.00am Morning Worship St. Luke’s, Prodromi 1st & 5th Sunday 9.30am Morning Worship 2nd , 3rd & 4th Sunday 9.30am Holy Eucharist 1st & 3rd Wednesday 9.30am Holy Eucharist 1st Sunday 6.00 p.m. Peace & Wholeness with Holy Eucharist 4th Sunday every quarter 9.30 am Holy Eucharist from BPC Church Office: 26-953044 Fax: 26-952486 Email: anglicancofp@cytanet.com.cy for directions to each church

DEUTSCHE GOTTESDIENSTE IN ZYPERN Nikosia: Am 1. und 3. Samstag im Monat in der St. Paul’s Cathedral um 18 Uhr Limassol: Am 2. Sonntag im Monat im Gemeindehaus in Germasogeia um 11 Uhr Am 4. Sonntag im Monat in der St. Barnabaskirche um 18 Uhr Paphos: Am 2. Samstag in der Kirche an der Paulussaeule um 16 Uhr Agia Napa: Am 4. Sonntag im Monat im Hof des Klosters um 9.30 Uhr Näheres Informationen durch Pfarrer Dr. Herold, Tel 25-317092 oder im Internet www.ev-kirche-zypern.de

St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Byron Avenue, Nicosia, 22 445221/22 677897

www.st-pauls-nicosia.com

Sunday 0930 : Holy Communion Sunday School in the hall 1800 : Evening Prayer Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 0830: Morning Prayer Wednesday 1030 : Holy Communion First Monday of each month 1930 : Guild of St Raphael Parish Office : Mon-Fri : 0900 – 1100 Saturday 1000-1200

Bookshop and Thrift Shop

27

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Advertiser sized low maintenance garden with private pool offering privacy & sea views. Shaded bbq area. Off street parking with shaded car port. website reference number: RTL_625 5. KAMARES TALA €900 a unique property combining modern and traditional. Situated in the sought after area of Kamares on a large plot with mature gardens & stunning private pool, offering total privacy and breathtaking sea views. Separate annex with modern shower room & separate kitchen. Guest room offering bedroom & shower room at pool level. Large modern office. Main house offering 2 further bedrooms plus a number of sitting rooms.

Perfect for those who require something completely different from the norm. Available furnished or part furnished. website reference number: RTL_673 6. PEYIA €950 we are delighted to offer this ultra modern 4 bedroom villa with luxury furnishings & fittings. Offering spacious accommodation with breathtaking sea views.

Furnishings & fittings are of a very high quality. Spacious living area with modern fitted kitchen & utility area. One bedroom on ground floor with ensuite & kitchenette. Guest wc. Private infinity pool & enclosed low maintenance garden. A must to see! website reference number: RTL_670 7. ST.GEORGE €1,100 a brand new stunning detached 3 bedroom villa with modern fitted

TO LET PAPHOS kitchen & bathrooms. Beautifully finished with detail mosaic flooring. One bedroom on ground floor with bathroom.

Enclosed landscaped garden with kidney shaped private pool. Situated in a quiet residential area. Available unfurnished though includes top brand kitchen appliances & blackout blinds. website reference number: RTL_678 8. CHLORAKA €1,800 substantial luxury 4 bedroom villa, spacious (350 sq meters), beautifully designed with unique detail. Conservatory with views of landscaped gardens. Large modern fitted kitchen, living room with working fireplace. Circular dining room with vaulted dome ceiling. Stunning private pool area. Available unfurnished. website reference number: RTL_579 Tel: 97790883 Tel: 99133422 office: 26271858 visit our website for many more properties www.mrrentpaphos.net email: info@ mrrent-paphos.net ***************************** FLOWRON PROPERTY RENTALS : Offering a full range of property services, the company you can TRUST.

ARMOU 2 bedroom townhouse situated in peaceful village, has great seaviews and communal pool. Property is walking distance to village square.

Downstairs consists of kitchen, sitting area and guest WC. Upstairs are 2 bedrooms, one ensuite shower and the other with ensuite bath. REF 1204

TO LET PAPHOS Amount €370 TIMI 4 bedroom large furnished house on outskirts of Timi Village in its own private grounds surrounded by fruit trees.

Very nice standard and lots of living space. Large quality kitchen. 3 large bedrooms upstairs, master with ensuite, family bathroom. Additional room used as office and upstairs loft. REF 1049 Amount €650 ARMOU 4 bedroom modern villa offered unfurnished. Woodburner and airconditioning throughout. Dowstairs is large living room, large kitchen, dining area and guest cloakroom.

Upstairs 4 bedrooms, Family bathroom. Private pool and great sea/mountain views.

REF 1001 Amount €900 SECRET VALLEY 4 bedroom large unfurnished villa in nice residential road. Private pool, gated, covered parking. Downstairs bedroom, sitting room, kitchen. Upstairs 3 bedrooms all with ensuite shower rooms. REF 1241 Amount €900 PEYIA 3 bedroom villa, unfurnished. Bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes and family bathroom. Airconditioning, flyscreens, fans and sat TV. Sitting/dining area, kitchen with white goods and guest cloakroom. Outside private pool with shaded offstreet parking and great mountain and seaviews. REF 1214 Amount €550

TO LET PAPHOS Outside has offstreet parking and a communal pool. Nice cosy bungalow in a nice location with stone features. REF 1224 Amount €500 TALA 3 bedroom part-furnished modern villa with quality interior Italian kitchen, central heating, private pool and great seaviews in peaceful residential location. REF 988 Amount €750 SEA CAVES 5 bedroom modern, fully furnished luxury villa in centre of Sea Caves/Coral Bay property with central heating double garage and downstairs bedroom. Outside – large grounds with private pool and beautiful seaviews.

REF 9999b Amount €1,800 Please call for a free viewing on 26600450 – 97616070 many more properties including commercial lettings on our website at www.flowron. com – Your Vision is our Mission LANDLORDS FLOWRON PROPERTY RENTALS WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU, WE WELCOME ALL PROPERTIES FROM STUDIOS VILLAS ***************************** PEYIA – 3 bedroom villa with modern quality furniture and finishes. Central heating, sky, alarm, infinity pool and stunning sea and mountain views €700 per month, call: 99389426 *****************************

TO LET PAPHOS BRAND NEW APT, opposite Poseidonio Gym, near Carrefour, F/F, a/c, great quality, 1 bdrm, from €340 p.m. Tel 99403261 *****************************

PROPERTY FOR SALE

FOR SALE LARNACA FRONT BEACH APARTMENT immaculate and unusually spacious open plan living, 2 double bedrooms, fantastic sea views, big veranda, parking, exclusive location. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity for your own dream property.

Title deeds. Realistic offers invited after highly recommended viewing. Telephone 99890128.

NICOSIA FOR SALE BEAUTIFUL VILLA, Nicosia, Strovolos 550sqm build in two lots 1250sqm. 6 bds, 6 bath, under floor heating, A/C, basement, two car garage, beautiful landscape, well, pool, quiet area, great for families. Motivated seller.

Price reduced 1.500000.Call 99432074 mpapadmd@gmail. com **************************** FOR SALE upper floor house 210 sq.m built on 301 sq. m land, Lapatsa area, Pereous 1a. 4 bedrooms with attic room (not finished), c/h ,4 a/c, aluminium doors& window, covered parking and storage room. Price €310.000 pm call 22431095 99330632.

LARNACA AMAZING SEASIDE WATER-

PAPHOS FOR SALE 2 bedroom maisonette with swimming pool, at Aphrodite Hills, Paphos. For info call 99-653146 ***************************** EXO-VRISI – 2 bed townhouse in quiet cul-de-sac. Panoramic sea views, car port, a/c, ceiling fans, tastefully furnished, plus all white goods, €105.000 o.n.o with title deeds Call : 26954147/ 99137828

PROTARAS FOR SALE special offer, €79, 000 first floor apartment in Protaras, fully furnished with 2 bedrooms and a swimming pool. Walking distance to the beach of Ayia Triada and all amenities. Tel: 97 608941.

AY MARINOUDA 2 bedroom bungalow in a quiet residential area, furnished, fireplace.

EMBA

TO LET PAPHOS

INDOOR MARKET & CAR BOOT SALE FRIDAY – SATURDAY – SUNDAY FRI 8:00AM – 2:00PM

FRESH VILLAGE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES WATCH REPAIRS & JEWELLERY POTTED FLOWERS NEW & USED HANDBAGS & CLOTHES SECOND HAND BOOKS COMPUTERS & TELEPHONE ACCESSORIES SECOND HAND FURNITURE & ANTIQUES INDIAN TAKE AWAY HOME MADE FRESH CAKES & PIES

STALLHOLDERS & CAR-BOOTERS WELCOME ALL ENQUIRIES CALL: 96533839/99771532

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

Sport IN BRIEF Ageless Wilkinson proves he’s Froome Tour de still the king of Twickenham wins Normandie

Jonny inspires Toulon to Heineken Cup final

By Mitch Phillips JONNY Wilkinson saw off numerous pretenders to his throne during his storied England career and on Sunday proved that he still remains peerless when it comes to winning big matches.

Four weeks shy of his 34th birthday and two years after retiring from internationals, Wilkinson returned to his old stomping ground of Twickenham to completely dominate the Heineken Cup semi-final.

He landed seven penalties and a classic drop goal to give Toulon a 24-12 victory over Saracens and a place in all-French final against Clermont Auvergne in Dublin on May 18.

Owen Farrell, the man now wearing Wilkinson’s England number 10 shirt and frequently compared favourably to the great man, briefly went toe to toe in a firsthalf kicking duel but it was the 21-year-old who blinked first, missing a long-range shot late in the first half.

From then on it was the familiar Twickenham routine of Wilkinson keeping his cool to mercilessly punish opponents’ errors and take the match beyond their reach

Jonny Wilkinson landed seven penalties and a classic drop goal to give Toulon a 24-12 victory over Saracens

while Farrell’s chief contribution was to blow his side’s best scoring opportunity with a wildly-thrown forward pass.

The entire afternoon was perfectly encapsulated in a 73rd-minute cameo, images of which are likely to join the annals of rugby classics.

With Toulon leading by six, Wilkinson lined up a dropgoal that would have given

them a crucial two-score cushion. Farrell was fastest out of the blocks to try to block it but got there just too late as the ball skimmed past him.

He duly flattened Wilkinson in the act - both men would have expected nothing less - then turned ruefully to see the ball limp over the bar.

Wilkinson gave Farrell a friendly pat on the shoulder

as the two men extricated themselves, both knowing the game had been decided.

“I said ‘good hit’ and told him it was a bit of a lucky one,” said Wilkinson, who also finished off Leicester in the quarter-finals with a drop goal having beaten them into submission from the tee.

“I’ve missed way more drop goals than I’ve got in

my career. It’s a good feeling when it comes off as you are rewarded for the work you’ve put in,” added the man whose drop goal won the World Cup for England 10 years ago with 12-year-old Farrell watching from home on TV. “With Owen I’ve got immense respect for the guy, I think he’s fabulous for English rugby.”

Horschel seals maiden PGA victory in New Orleans

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

Billy Horschel hit six straight birdies on his winning charge

AMERICAN Billy Horschel charged ahead with six consecutive birdies, then held his nerve down the stretch to win his maiden PGA Tour title by one shot at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in Avondale, Louisiana on Sunday.

Two strokes off the pace going into a weather-disrupted final round, Horschel took advantage of rain-softened conditions and preferred lies at the TPC Louisiana as he sealed his long-awaited breakthrough victory with an eight-under-par 64.

The slim 26-year-old, who had recorded top-10s in his three previous starts on the US circuit, stunningly drained a 26-foot birdie putt

at the par-five last to post a 20-under total of 268.

Horschel repeatedly pumped his right fist in delight after his ball disappeared into the cup for his ninth birdie of the day, then removed his cap to acknowledge loud cheers from the gallery packed around the 18th green.

“Oh man, it’s something I have worked so hard for and there are so many people I need to thank. And they all know who they are,” an emotional Horschel told Golf Channel after coping with two weather delays during the final round.

“And for that putt to go in ... I hadn’t made a long one all week and I said, ‘I am due for a long one, I am due for a long one. Just commit to it.’

“It came off the putter so

good and I am so happy it went in. This is unbelievable right now.”

Fellow American D.A. Points, playing with Horschel, had been tied for the lead with three holes remaining but settled for second place after closing with a seven-birdie 65.

British world number four Justin Rose, the highestranked player in the field, closed with a 69 to tie for 15th at 12 under, level with 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson (66) and four-times major winner Ernie Els (68).

China’s 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, after making his second consecutive cut on the PGA Tour, signed off with a two-over 74 to finish at four-over 292, stone last in the 71-strong field.

BRITON Chris Froome increased his prospects of a maiden Tour de France title by winning the Tour de Romandie stage race in solid fashion on Sunday.

Team Sky’s Froome, runner-up in last year’s Tour after riding as one of champion Bradley Wiggins’ domestiques, believes he will be the team leader this year in France although that remains to be made clear by the management.

Froome, who claimed the overall leader’s yellow jersey after the opening uphill time trial in the Swiss race, emulated the feats of Cadel Evans and Wiggins from 2011 and 2012. Both riders went on to win the Tour the same year.

The Kenya-born rider consolidated his lead with second place in Saturday’s mountainous stage and wrapped it up with third place in Sunday’s final time trial, which was won

by German Tony Martin ahead of Italy’s Adriano Malori.

Overall, Froome, who added to his Tour of Oman and Criterium International wins this season, beat Slovenian Simon Spilak of Katusha by 54 seconds, according to provisional results.

“It has been a really good week for us I am really happy with my condition now in the build-up to the Tour de France,” Froome said in a team statement.

Discus star joins 49ers BRITISH Olympic discus thrower Lawrence Okoye has signed for the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.

Okoye, who finished 12th in the discus at London 2012, has never played a competitive game of American football.

“It’s going to be a baptism of fire but I don’t set limits on myself,” the 21-year-old said.

Okoye, who stands at 6ft 6in and weighs 21 stone, turned down offers to play rugby union and was also accepted to study law at Oxford University.

He initially said he intended to carry on with the discus and aim for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

But he subsequently decided to switch to American football and impressed scouts at the Super Regional Combine despite having never played the sport.

49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said: “He’s just an Adonis. Just a great physical specimen of a man.”

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

29

Sport NZ keen to complete ‘unfinished business’ in England

Awesome Nadal is the master of Barcelona again

By Greg Stutchbury

Rafa first player to win four titles in 2013

By Mark Elkington RAFA Nadal became the first player to win four titles this year when he defeated fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro 6-4 6-3 to win the Barcelona Open for the eighth time in nine years on Sunday.

Since returning from a seven-month absence with a left knee injury in February, the world number five has reached the final at all six events he has played, his Barcelona triumph adding to the victories in Sao Paulo, Acapulco and Indian Wells.

“I’m very happy. It has been an important week for all the Spanish players here and especially for me,” Nadal told Spanish television.

“It is an enormous honour for me to win here again.”

Having lost his Monte Carlo Masters crown to world number one Novak Djokovic in last Sunday’s final, Nadal was on the back foot again against Almagro in a shaky opening.

The fourth seed made a whirlwind start, breaking Nadal’s first two service games in cloudy, drizzly conditions on the clay of the Real Club de Tenis.

Nadal battled back with three breaks of serve to take the first set, lifting the

rain-soaked crowd with one particular rally which he eventually won after having played a shot backwards between his legs.

The French Open champion broke again early in the second set and steadily pulled away to secure a 10th successive victory over his compatriot and a 39th consecutive win in Barcelona.

“Nico started really strongly, and it was very difficult at the start. The conditions were tough for both of us,” second seed Nadal said.

“It didn’t start very well for me but luckily I was able to get the very important break at 3-0 down.

“I’m pleased for Nico for his great week. He’s having a great season and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Almagro was able to make light of his defeat when asked about how he started like a motorbike.

He laughed and said: “Yes, well the motorbike got stuck in the rain.

“Rafa has shown once again why he is the best player in history on this surface. He is one of the greats on the tennis circuit and as Spaniards we are all very proud of him.

“I got a good start but the surface was tricky, though that cannot serve as an excuse, Rafa was the fair win-

ner.

“I’ll have another go next year, and try to win it then if Rafa lets me.”

On the WTA tour meanwhile, world number two Maria Sharapova saved her best performance of the week for last when she successfully defended her Stuttgart Grand Prix title with a 6-4 6-3 victory over second seed Li Na ofChina to kick off her clay-court season in style.

Sharapova, who had needed three sets in all her previous rounds in Stuttgart, found it easier against Li, taking revenge for her Australian Open straight-sets semi-final defeat to the Chinese.

“I thought I would play three sets. Li is a great opponent. I knew it would be one of the toughest matches because she had a great week,” said a beaming Sharapova before stepping into a luxury sports car, a gift from the tournament sponsors.

“I was very fortunate to be in this position today,” said the 26-year-old, who has also won the title in Indian Wells this year, in a courtside interview.

“Our head-to-head is pretty tight. She beat me in Australia and she beat me pretty well so I wanted revenge.”

I love this place: Rafa Nadal won the Barcelona Open for the eighth time in nine years

Khan ‘must move to America’

Former champion Amir Khan celebrates an unconvincing points win over Julio Diaz

AMIR Khan has been warned he must commit to a full-time future in the United States if he is to stand any chance of reclaiming the world title belts he has been without since losing to Danny Garcia last year.

Khan’s first fight in Britain for two years in Sheffield on Saturday night almost lurched to disaster as he was floored in round four and hurt numerous times before wobbling to a 12round win over Mexican Julio Diaz at the Motorpoint Arena.

For all its undoubted excitement it was a wholly unconvincing performance from Khan, who looked out on his feet at times in the 10th and 11th rounds before rallying for a deserved 115113, 115-112, 114-113 unanimous verdict.

Khan is now targeting a rematch with Garcia, who kept his own side of the bargain by scoring a thrilling unanimous decision win of his own over veteran and former Khan foe Zab Judah in Brooklyn later on Satur-

day night.

But Khan’s trainer Virgil Hunter has told the 26-yearold he must spend more time at his training base in San Francisco if he is serious about once again holding his own with his sport’s elite fighters.

Hunter said: “I’m convinced now that in his own mind Amir knows he’s got to work more and come to the gym more, and that he can’t just go off between fights.

“Amir has to acknowledge that right now he is at a disadvantage because of the distance between us.

“I see Amir for three months when he comes over here, so the opposition can creep ahead of you because all the top fighters are with their trainers all the time.

“It is something we are going to work on to see if we can bring him up to the level we need him to be at.”

However Khan, who fought at a career-heaviest 143lbs as he mulls a potential future move up to the welterweight division, appeared

less inclined to fully commit to a full-time training regime away from home.

Khan said: “I will probably fly to San Francisco in between fights and do minicamps. It’s going to be difficult. My whole family’s in England but I don’t mind travelling back and forth.”

Khan has no shortage of work to do with Hunter if he is serious about getting back in the ring with the likes of Garcia, after a performance which suggested he had learned little from his previous defeats.

The 33-year-old Diaz last fought for a world title in the lightweight division six years ago and boasted little on his recent record to suggest he would unduly detain Khan in what was clearly designed as a routine assignment.

Khan admitted: “It’s going to take time. I know I started making the same old mistakes again but this is a fight I needed, a tough 12round fight against a strong guy. I am going to improve as a fighter.”

A GALVANISED New Zealand headed to Britain yesterday determined to finish off a job they came so close to completing in a thrilling climax to their drawn Test series against Alastair Cook’s England at home last month.

Brendon McCullum’s underdogs had the entire Eden Park crowd on the edge of their seats as they got to within one wicket of achieving a remarkable 1-0 series victory over the world’s second ranked side late on the final day.

Poor weather undoubtedly played a part in the series, though as McCullum said after England’s final pair survived 19 nerve-jangling deliveries in Auckland, the hosts could have won it 2-1 had rain not intervened in Dunedin and Wellington.

Coach Mike Hesson echoed those sentiments yesterday as his side gathered in Auckland for their flight to England, with their first game of the tour, a three-day match against Derbyshire beginning on Saturday.

“The term ‘unfinished business’ reflects how we felt after that final day of the third Test at Eden Park last month,” Hesson wrote in his tour diary on the New Zealand Cricket website (www. blackcaps.co.nz).

“Being so close to victory over the second-best Test nation in the world was hard to swallow and I’ve never seen the guys so disappointed in the shed afterwards.

“I couldn’t have been prouder of their efforts but that was certainly little consolation at the time.”

The two-Test tour also includes three one-dayers before the International Cricket Council’s one-day Champions Trophy tournament. The trip ends with two Twenty20 internationals.

While the development of the one-day side is of importance for New Zealand Cricket given the format’s pre-eminence in focus ahead of the 2015 World Cup the country is co-hosting with Australia, the Test results will be critically monitored.

The team lifted their standard of play in the longest form of the game at home against England and their fighting spirit diminished memories of the side that limped home from South Africa having been thrashed 2-0 by the Proteas, which included being bowled out for 45 in the first innings of the first Test.

The top three of Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford and Kane Williamson blossomed as they gave the rest of the order a solid foundation to build on, while McCullum’s decision to drop down to six solidified the lower middle order.

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

Sport

Wenger convinced Arsenal will secure a top-four finish

Zanetti ruptures Achilles as Inter curse continues

By Brian Homewood

Van Persie scores on return to the Emirates

By Mike Collett ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes that if his team win their last three Premier League games they will qualify for the Champions League, but both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could yet scupper his hopes.

If Chelsea take at least nine points from their last four games, they will finish on 74 points. If Tottenham win their four remaining games, they would also finish on 74 points.

However, even if Arsenal won their remaining games against relegated Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic and Newcastle United, they would finish on 73 points and could miss out on a place in the Champions League for the first time in 16 years.

The key game is on May 8 when former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas takes his Spurs team to Stamford Bridge to face his old club.

If Spurs win that game - and their other three remaining games against Southampton, Stoke City and Sunderland - they will finish above Arsenal.

Chelsea will also finish above Arsenal even if they lose to Spurs and win their three other games at Manchester United and Aston Villa, and at home to Everton.

As it stands, champions Manchester United and Manchester City, who will almost certainly finish second, will

take two of the four Champions League spots.

Next come Chelsea on 65 points from 34 games, followed by Arsenal (64 points from 35 games) and Spurs (62 points from 34 games).

Everton (59 points) also have a mathematical chance of finishing in the top four and have three matches to play.

Wenger saw his side drop two points in a 1-1 draw with United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and said afterwards there was no more room for errors as the season reaches its climax.

Asked whether the point would be enough for Champions League qualification for a 16th successive season, Wenger replied: “If we win all our games it will be enough and I am convinced we will be there. We will be where we want to be at the end, I am sure of that.

“But you know there is no room for dropping points. We know that.”

Arsenal slipped from third to fourth in the table after Chelsea’s 2-0 home win over Swansea on Sunday, while Tottenham remained fifth after a 2-2 draw at Wigan on Saturday.

Wenger welcomed the return of former Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie back to the Emirates, even though he scored a penalty to give United a share of the points.

Arsenal fans booed their former favourite despite Wenger’s plea for him to be treated with respect.

“When he was here he didn’t

get that kind of reception,” the Frenchman added. “They loved him - today it was a bit of disappointed love.”

Wenger also laughed off Van Persie’s goal, saying: “He scored a penalty but it is not completely the same as scoring.

“He takes penalties very well and when he decided to take the penalty I knew there was an 80 percent chance he would score.

“Robin van Persie does a lot of things very well.”

Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead after two minutes before Van Persie equalised a minute before half-time.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson saluted Van Persie for staying cool as Arsenal fans tried to unsettle him with volleys of boos.

“He kept his nerve, that was important,” said Ferguson. “It was a difficult time for him, the chanting from the fans does not help, but he kept his cool.”

“Once we started getting some momentum going and a bit of heart, we looked like the team to win.

“We had some good headers in the first half, the goalkeeper has made a great save from one of them and Phil (Jones) has missed the other two.

“In the second half Wayne (Rooney) had a chance with a header and time and again the final ball let us down. We were the team making the chances. But credit to Arsenal, they kept fighting which is what we expected.”

Robin van Persie applauds the Arsenal fans after earning Manchester United a point against his former side

Dark clouds threaten to rain on PSG victory parade

By Julien Pretot

Off you go: David Beckham was shown a straight red card six minutes after coming on as a substitute

PARIS St Germain continued their march towards a first French league title since 1994 with a 1-0 win at Evian Thonon Gaillard on Sunday, yet the mood around the club is one of gloom not glory as their coronation approaches.

The victory took PSG nine points clear with four rounds remaining but the game ended on a sour note when Marco Verratti and David Beckham were sent off late in the second half and a mass brawl erupted after the final whistle.

Adding to the negativity surrounding PSG is the cloud of uncertainty hanging over coach Carlo Ancelotti’s future at a club whose success has been fuelled by an outlay of more than 200 million euros on transfers in two years.

“With Verratti and Beckham’s red cards, it is true that we lost control by the end,”

Ancelotti was quoted as saying in French media yesterday.

Verratti was given his marching orders when he picked up a second yellow card for arguing with the referee and the Italian midfielder was left feeling the wrath of Ancelotti as he trudged his way towards the dressing room.

“I had warned him. He was supposed not to talk to the referee. He has not understood that you need to be calm once you have a yellow card,” Ancelotti added.

Beckham was shown a straight red card for what appeared to be a dangerous lunge at Youssef Adnane just six minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The pressure is now also on Ancelotti, who has to decide whether he wants to continue in the job after a one-year contract extension was triggered by the victory that guaranteed PSG at least a secondplace finish in Ligue 1.

Sporting Director Leonardo, however, was quick to dismiss the notion that the uncertainty was weighing on the squad.

“Absolutely not,” he snapped. “Our players have enough experience not to be troubled by this.”

PSG will be crowned champions if they pick up more points than second-placed Marseille this weekend but they go into the match against Valenciennes on Sunday without several key players.

Beckham, Verratti and Thiago Motta are all suspended, leaving Ancelotti with a midfield conundrum to solve.

Keeper Salvatore Sirigu could also miss the game after being involved in the postmatch brawl.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is available after he stayed out of trouble on Sunday, said: “None of this matters. We won the game and we are the champions. Remember this.”

INTER Milan captain Javier Zanetti ruptured his Achilles’ tendon during the 1-0 loss at Palermo on Sunday, the latest mishap in a season coach Andrea Stramaccioni has described as cursed.

Italian media speculated that the Argentine - 40 in August - could be out for up to eight months and that, considering his age, the injury could even spell the end of his career.

Zanetti, who is two years older than his coach, dismissed the notion telling Inter’s website (www.inter. it): “My aim is to return stronger than before. I have to change tyres after many kilometres.

“We will decide when to operate. They haven’t told me a recovery time but my career is certainly not over, the important thing is to get better.”

Zanetti was speaking after having a scan near Milan which confirmed the rupture.

“It’s a big blow and we really didn’t need this injury to Javier,” Stramaccioni said earlier.

“Losing him today certainly hurts us in a very difficult moment.”

The remarkably consistent Zanetti has made more than 800 appearances for Inter, including over 600 in Serie A, since joining the club from Banfield in 1995 and has never before suffered a serious injury.

He has won five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and one Club World Cup and is also Argentina’s most capped player.

“I felt a pull at one point, I’m not sure if anyone touched me, and it really hurt,” Zanetti told Mediaset Premium. “I will overcome this as well.”

Inter have suffered a string of injuries in the last few weeks and were missing Rodrigo Palacio, Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano, Walter Gargano and Fredy Guarin for the trip to Sicily.

In the last few weeks, Stramaccioni’s team have dropped to seventh in Serie A, ending their hopes of Champions League football next season, been knocked out of the Europa League

by Tottenham Hotspur and been beaten by AS Roma in the Italian Cup semi-final.

“It’s a curse,” agreed defender Andrea Ranocchia, who took the armband from Zanetti in the 17th minute.

“We seem to be losing two players a game. It’s just incredible.

“With the misfortune that we have been suffering, we just have to give more. We have four games to go and we’re in an emergency.”

CYPRUS MAIL Tuesday, April 30, 2013

31

Sport

Newly-crowned player of the year Bale focused on football

QPR and Reading relegated after draw

Spurs star only third man to do ‘the double’ at awards

By Justin Palmer

By Paul Hirst NEWLY-CROWNED PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale dismissed talk of a summer transfer to Real Madrid as ‘speculation’.

Tottenham forward Bale picked up his second Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year Award on Sunday night.

The 23-year-old, who has scored 29 goals for club and country this term, also won the Young Player of the Year award, making him the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to do the double at the prestigious awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel in central London.

“It’s a massive honour,” the Welshman said.

“To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game.

“It’s great to win it and I am delighted.”

Ronaldo scooped both the young player and the main award in 2007, some 30 years after Andy Gray become the first professional to do so.

Bale won the senior award two seasons ago when he shot to fame with a series of scintillating displays domestically and in the Champions League.

Now he wants to take Spurs back in to Europe’s biggest club competition, but his manager Andre Villas-Boas claims he may lose the player if they do not qualify for the

Gareth Bale poses with his awards with PFA chief Gordon Taylor at the prestigious ceremony Champions League.

Bale insists he is not paying any attention to those who claim he is bound for the Spanish capital, though.

He said: “I just take no notice, it’s all speculation, I can’t do anything about it.

“I just concentrate on my football and play as well as I can and do my best for the team.”

Bale was one of two Spurs players included in the Team of the Year. Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie, who finished third in the running for the Player of the Year award, was one of four Manchester United players included in the best XI.

The night did not pass off with controversy. Luis Suarez’s name was booed on two occasions when it was read out to the crowd, which comprised of footballers and guests.

The choice of Reginald D Hunter as the comedian for the night was also controversial as he used the word ‘n*****’ during his act.

Hunter, a black stand-up comedian from Georgia in the United States, regularly uses the word during his acts, and that was the case during a 30-minute long performance.

The topic of racism in football has become an emotive

subject in football over the last two years in particular, with John Terry and Luis Suarez both receiving bans for racial abuse, although former England captain Terry was cleared of racism in a criminal trial.

But when asked whether it was a mistake to allow Hunter to perform PFA chief executive Taylor replied: “No, no, don’t be silly. Are you serious?

“I think there were a few raised eyebrows over the comedian, but that is the sort of thing you can’t control. It was unfortunate.

“He is a professional comedian.

“It’s a difficult subject in football and with him not being fully aware of how emotive it has been in football, that was probably a difficulty for him.”

Premier League Team of the Year: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Leighton Baines (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

No Benitez comment on Terry

By Matt McGeehan

John Terry, who made back-to back appearances for the first time since February, hinted at a possible England return

RAFAEL Benitez has refused to be drawn on the prospect of Chelsea captain John Terry making an England return.

The 32-year-old defender made back-toback appearances for the first time since February by featuring in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat of Swansea which saw Chelsea consolidate their position in the Barclays Premier League top four.

Terry has hinted at a possible England return but Benitez declined to comment on the prospect of the skipper coming out of international retirement which was prompted by his Football Association charge and subsequent ban for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

“That is not my business,” Benitez said.

“My business is to keep him as fit as possible for every game.

“I only speak to him about Chelsea.”

Another of Chelsea’s old guard attracted praise following the victory: Frank Lamp-

ard, after netting his 201st Chelsea goal.

After setting up Oscar’s opener, Lampard, who began the game as a substitute, converted a 45th-minute penalty to move within one of the club record held by the watching Bobby Tambling.

“Frank is a great player,” Benitez said. “I’m really pleased he’s scored another goal and hopefully he can score five between now and the end of the season and he’ll be much happier and we will be the same.”

The midfielder is 35 in June, out of contract this summer and his future is uncertain.

But he continues tirelessly to work for the Chelsea cause, with the Blues’ bid for a Champions League qualifying place now firmly in their own hands as they sit three points clear of Tottenham.

His appearance midway through the first half in place of dead-leg victim Ramires injected impetus into Chelsea’s play.

The goal was his 15th of the season and first following seven scoreless appearances, since moving to 200 goals against his former club West Ham on March 17.

QUEENS Park Rangers and Reading were relegated with a whimper from the Premier League in a passionless and scrappy 0-0 draw on Sunday that epitomised their dismal seasons and will cost millions of pounds in lost revenue.

Their faint survival hopes were finally extinguished at the Madejski stadium, Reading returning to the second tier after one season back among the elite and QPR needing to regroup after their big-spending gamble, before and during the season, failed to build a team worthy of the top flight.

Reading and QPR have 25 points with three matches to play, seven adrift of thirdbottom Wigan Athletic.

The bottom pair were condemned to the drop because Aston Villa play Wigan on the final day of the season on May 19, meaning one of those clubs will get to the 35-point mark which Reading and QPR cannot reach.

“I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again,” Reading manager Nigel Adkins, who replaced the sacked Brian McDermott last month, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

The financial impact of relegation this season from the world’s most popular domestic league is estimated to be between 40 million and 50 million pounds, with both missing out on a share of a three billion pounds TV deal for the Premier League starting next season.

Increased parachute payments are unlikely to soften the blow and QPR manager Harry Redknapp said it would be tough to bounce back next season.

“I haven’t thought about relegation today really. I thought it was done. A pretty near certainty wasn’t it?” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s been on the cards since last week. There is a lot of work to be done here. A lot of work to get promoted... make no mistakes about that. There are some good teams in the Championship.”

Joey Barton meanwhile launched a withering attack on the QPR squad just seconds after the club were relegated .

Barton, who is on a seasonlong loan at Marseille from QPR, was quick to offer an opinion on where it went wrong for the west London club.

“I can’t believe QPR have just been relegated and (Jose) Bosingwa was walking down the tunnel laughing,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Embarrassing. Show some guts man...

“Gutted for the club. Too many w*****s amongst the playing staff. All brought in by (former manager Mark) Hughes.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 CYPRUS MAIL

32 Ageless Wilkinson proves he’s still the king of Twickenham 28

Sport APOEL crowned champions after ‘hardest’ title race

By Nemanja Bjedov APOEL have secured their 22nd title with two matches remaining after closest rivals Anorthosis suffered a 4-0 thrashing by Omonia at the GSP Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

At the end of January Ivan Jovanovic’s men were trailing Anorthosis by six points, but they then rattled off eight straight wins before the playoffs and now find themselves seven points ahead of Omonia in second place, while Anorthosis dropped to third. From challenging for the title, they are now in danger of losing out in the race to qualify for Europe next season.

“It was the hardest and the weirdest championship. We started the season with a new team that included nine new players,” said Jovanovic.

“Our coach tried to build a new team which was not an easy job. I understand the frustration our fans experienced throughout the season, but I also believe that we deserved this title,” said APOEL captain Constantinos Charalambides.

“Overall, we had a lot of pressure on us this season.

We were constantly compared to last season’s team, because of the great success that was achieved. However, we stayed focused and committed to our goal.

“The championship lasts

for 32 games and the most consistent team wins in the end. It was hard for us to adjust when Ailton changed his plans at the last minute and left the team and then our top scorer Adorno got sidelined indefinitely with injury. We spent a lot of time this season just overcoming the difficulties we have faced and this is why we have deservedly been crowned champions,” Charalambides added.

AEK’s 1-0 victory over APOEL on Saturday helped the Larnaca side to close the gap between themselves and third place, which leads to Europa League qualifying next season. They are currently fourth with 61 points, just one point behind city rivals Anorthosis in third and two points behind Omonia.

Elsewhere on Sunday afternoon, Mirsad Jonuz’s Nea Salamina recovered from a 1-0 first half deficit to beat Alki 2-1 to spice up the relegation battle at the bottom.

They are now bottom with 27 points with two matches remaining, a single point behind Olympiakos Nicosia who were beaten 3-1 away at Ethnikos Achna.

The Achna side have 29 points, while Alki have secured their top-flight status with 32.

Next weekend, Nea Salamina host Olympiakos in what is a crucial match for both sides in their struggle to avoid the drop.

Party time: Nicosia giants APOEL have been crowned Cyprus champions for the 22nd time

Cyprus Standings Team 1 APOEL 2 Omonia 3 Anorthosis 4 AEK 5 AEL 6 Apollon 7 Doxa 8 E.N Paralimni 9 Alki 10 Ethnicos 11 Olympiakos 12 Nea Salamina

P 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

W 22 19 18 19 16 13 9 7 8 6 7 7

D 4 6 8 4 10 8 8 10 8 11 10 6

L 4 5 4 7 4 9 13 13 14 13 13 17

F 57 60 57 54 52 38 28 26 39 36 42 22

A Pts 14 70 22 63 28 62 24 61 29 58 27 47 44 35 42 31 50 32 47 29 51 28 42 27

Newly-crowned player of the year Bale focused on football 31

MADRID DELVE INTO ARCHIVES TO DIG UP PAST HEROIC FIGHTBACKS

Eyes on the prize: Jose Mourinho still believes his Real Madrid side can make the Champions League final despite a Robert Lewandowski-inspired 4-1 thrashing in Dortmund in the first leg last week

Real take comeback inspiration from Derby

By Mark Elkington

A

S they contemplate how to overturn a 4-1 deficit to reach the Champions League final, nine-time European Cup winners Real Madrid are taking inspiration from a similar feat against Derby County four decades ago.

The Spanish giants were caught cold by Borussia Dortmund in their semi-final first leg last week, when, despite being one of the favourites to step out at Wembley on May 25, they were left on the brink of a surprise elimination.

Since their return to Spain, Real have delved into their extensive archives to dig up past examples of heroic fightbacks to convince fans and players of tonight’s second-leg possibilities.

Real have overturned an identical scoreline once before in Europe’s elite club competition, against Derby in 1975.

Charlie George scored a hat-trick for the English champions in a 4-1 secondround triumph at the Baseball Ground, and he scored again in the return leg at the Bernabeu.

However, a Real side which included current Spain boss Vicente del Bosque levelled the tie to force extra time, and striker Santillana struck a 100th-minute decider

for a famous 5-1 victory, to progress 6-5 on aggregate.

“The games against Derby and Borussia Moenchengladbach (a similar comeback in the UEFA Cup) were incredible games,” Santillana told sports daily Marca.

“The Bernabeu, if you light the match, burns everything.”

Real coach Jose Mourinho hasn’t given up either, saying “nothing is impossible in football, the hope is still there.”

Much of Real’s hope of a comeback rests with Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the city derby against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, when a second-string side triumphed 2-1 at the Calderon.

Ronaldo is the Champions League’s leading scorer with 12 goals and has netted 51 times in 50 games for his club so far this season, but picked up a muscle problem in Dortmund and trained apart from the group again on Sunday.

Real will be wary of launching a cavalry charge at a Dortmund side unbeaten on their travels in Europe this year as it would leave their shaky defence even more exposed than usual.

They have the leakiest backline of the four teams remaining with 18 goals conceded, and have kept only one clean sheet in the competition so far.

The second leg is also a challenge to Real coach Jose Mourinho’s prestige as failure to progress from a third successive Champions League semi-final would test the patience of club president Florentino Perez.

With the La Liga title about to fall to Barcelona, and Real’s European campaign hanging by a thread, next month’s King’s Cup final might end up representing Mourinho’s last chance for major silverware this season.

On Saturday, Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp made 10 changes to the team that beat Real but they lacked none of their usual spark as they eased past Fortuna Duesseldorf 2-1 to tighten their hold on second spot with three games left in their domestic season.

“With 10 changes it was not very easy but we are pros and need to accept it,” captain Sebastian Kehl said on Saturday.

“We wanted to win to secure second spot and fill up on confidence ahead of Tuesday.”

Dortmund, who last week made sure of a Champions League group spot for next season, are looking to reach their first final since winning the trophy in 1997.

Klopp will have a full squad to choose from with midfielder Nuri Sahin’s Saturday showing, which includ-

ed the first goal, possibly earning him a starting spot against the team he joined from Dortmund in 2011.

“People had been saying for weeks there is only one team in Germany that can rotate and still win games,” said club CEO HansJoachim Watzke, in reference to fellow semi-finalists Bayern Munich, who are 4-0 up going into their second leg against Barcelona tomorrow.

“I am delighted that it has now worked for us twice in a row and to be able to show people that we have players who can do it.”

‘The Bernabeu, if you light the match, burns everything’