By Alexandria Sage and Leigh Thomas

Growing numbers of French railway employees returned to work on Thursday after lawmakers voted to approve the broad outline of a railway reform that has triggered a nine-day strike.

Deputies in the National Assembly approved late on Wednesday the new structure of France’s ageing railway system, which will bring state-owned railways company SNCF and track owner RFF into the same holding company while maintaining separate operations.

The reform, designed to prepare the system ahead of European Union moves to liberalise Europe’s transport routes, has worried unions for railway workers who fear their generous benefits will be eroded as more competition comes to the sector.

To allay those concerns, deputies voted for amendments that maintain the “inseparable and integral character” of the new entities, and the establishment of a works council.

Support for the strike among rail workers waned on Thursday with SNCF reporting that only 10.5 percent of its 150,000 workers were participating.

A small core of workers voted to pursue a strike which has forced hundreds of cancellations and huge delays across France.

“The strike is extended because there are still rail workers protesting today,” said Gilbert Garrel, an official at the CGT union’s branch for rail workers.

Earlier the CGT’s head, Thierry Lepaon, acknowledged the strike had reached a “turning point” after the vote in parliament, although he refused to declare it completely over.

A final parliamentary vote on the reform is due on June 24.

On Thursday, seven out of ten trains were expected to run, in what SNCF called “ongoing improvement” of service.

“It’s time to get back to work,” the head of SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, told Le Parisien daily. “We’ve lost 153 million euros … a third of our last year’s results. That’s huge.”

The Socialist government of President Francois Hollande has said the reform – which has been in the works since 2011 – is necessary and overdue.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, under pressure to stand firm, has insisted the government will not back down on the reform, and while he has said he will not force unions to stop the strike, he has called for it to end.

Valls called on Wednesday for a parliamentary report to study solutions to the 44 billion euros ($60 billion) in debt carried by SNCF, which unions want the government to absorb.

By Constantinos Psillides

A bill aimed at tackling football-related violence was introduced at the House on Thursday, with Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou making clear he wanted it voted on as it stood.

“Today we are taking the fist step in our journey to change the unacceptable state our football is currently in. This journey won’t be easy or short but its one we have to see through to the end,” said Nicolaou during a press conference.

The most controversial element introduced in the bill is the so called “fan card”. In an attempt to thwart anonymity, the state will require football clubs to only sell tickets to fans who have registered their personal information with the club. The state has been trying to introduce the “fan card” for quite some time but football clubs have always been reluctant, being pressured by their respective fan clubs who strongly oppose lifting anonymity.

Police access to personal data of fans will be upon request since football clubs are the ones keeping records.

“I know that the bill will get some of the fans and teams upset. We are willing to discuss some improvements on the bill but we will not render it ineffective because some fans reacted. Our only option is to work together and take decisive action without hesitation,” said Nicolaou.

Seats in the stadiums from now on will also have to be numbered so police will know exactly who sits where during the match.

The bill also calls for increased jail sentences as well as imposing bans on fans, depending on previous incidents the fan was involved in.

It also calls for a ban on alcoholic drinks inside stadium grounds, upgrading surveillance equipment, and will also make throwing objects on the pitch a criminal offence. Shouting racial or insult slurs by fans will also be made a criminal offence, under the proposed legislation.

Making one’s face unrecognisable either by scarf, helmet or any other clothing will also be forbidden, not only within the stadium but around it as well.

During the press conference, the justice minister talked about upgraded surveilliance equipment that was put to the test during the cup final between APOEL and Ermis. Nicolaou said the new cameras could detect the lighting of flares in the stands and follow the perpetrators movements.

Nicolaou made clear that he was open to discussion with all political parties on ways  to improve the bill but will not accept taking out elements that would reduce its effectiveness.

“We are ready to devote as much time as needed into discussing the provisions of the bill and ways to improve it. What we won’t accept is turning this bill into an a la carte menu where everyone can take provisions off and add restrictions,” he said.

The justice ministry will push for the bill to be approved within the next two months so that it can be implemented in time for next season.

The bill was deemed essential after the recent clashes between AEL and APOEL which resulted in the interruption of the May 17 championship final when a flare was thrown by an AEL fan, hitting and injuring one of the APOEL players who had to be hospitalised.

By Elias Hazou

Energy giant China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) is reportedly in talks to buy 30 to 40 per cent of the Aphrodite gas field in Cyprus’ offshore Block 12.

According to Israeli business news site Globes, CNOOC is interested in Block 12 as the estimated reserves there – around 4 trillion cubic feet – are ideally suited for a Floating Liquid Natural Gas (FLNG) solution. That would allow the Chinese outfit to export gas to Chinese companies, Globes writes.

Government officials here could not be reached for comment, but late Thursday the government spokesman, on a live show broadcast by CyBC, confirmed the Chinese company’s interest in Block 12.

Noble Energy owns 70 per cent of the rights of the Aphrodite field, and Delek Group energy exploration units Avner Oil and Delek Drilling Limited Partnershipown 15 per cent each.

Globes also recently reported that Australia’s Woodside, specialising in floating technology solutions, was sounding out Noble for a possible partnership in Block 12.

Noble has long been seeking a strategic partner in the concession. According to gas expert Charles Ellinas, in April of last year Noble, having opened its so-called ‘data room’ – access to information relating to the Aphrodite gas prospect – received interest from several companies and/or consortia, after which it shortlisted five companies as possible partners, including ENI and Total, and possibly CNOOC.

Ellinas said that, under its business principle, Noble tends to keep around 40 per cent of the working interest in concessions, thus spreading the risk.

This is standard practice in the industry.

CNOOC has on several occasions been mentioned in the media as being interested in the Cypriot offshore prospects.

Globes reported that CNOOC had in the past also expressed an interest in buying into Israel’s Leviathan gas field, but Noble had opted to begin negotiations with Woodside instead.

Woodside had planned to buy 25 per cent of Leviathan for $2.71 billion but withdrew due to disagreements over export priorities following Noble, Delek and Ratio’s preference for a regional pipeline rather than an FLNG for exports to East Asia.

Fitch Ratings on Thursday described Cyprus` return to the international markets as positive, but said it did not mean market access would be permanent as risks to the economy remained.

On Wednesday, Cyprus issued a five-year bond that was oversubscribed by four times as offers reached €2 billion enabling the authorities to issue bonds worth of €750 million.

“Cyprus` return to the international bond market is positive for the sovereign, helping it meet funding needs and improving its financing flexibility,” Fitch said in a press release, adding however that “it is not certain that market access will be permanent, and the high level of sovereign risk in Cyprus is reflected in its `B-` rating.”
The agency said the issue came 15 months after Cyprus entered its €10b EU-IMF programme and three years after it lost international market access. It adds that other bailed-out countries such as Ireland and Portugal took 20 months to return to the markets, whereas Greece took approximately four years.
“Issuing five-year bonds strengthens financing buffers within Cyprus`s EU-IMF programme, which already includes a buffer of more than €2 billion,” Fitch notes, adding that “proceeds will be used to partly repay a government bond issued to Bank of Cyprus as part of its restructuring.”
It also notes that the Cypriot authorities plan a smooth bond redemption profile through future operations, as the island`s debt repayments are set to increase to around €1 billion in 2016 and €1.5 billion in 2017.
Recalling that “good implementation of the EU-IMF programme and better-than-expected fiscal and economic performance saw us revise our Outlook on the sovereign`s `B-` Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Rating (IDR) to Stable from Negative last month, and upgrade the Local-Currency IDR to `B-` from `CCC`,”, Fitch notes that “the equalisation of the IDRs reflected the reduced risk of restructuring of local law bonds.
“Cyprus has outperformed its programme targets (the primary fiscal deficit in 2013 was 2% of GDP, versus a programme forecast of 3.1%), partly because the GDP contraction following the collapse of the financial sector was not severe as forecast. Government expenditure control has also been tight,” the agency adds.
It pointed out however that “Cyprus’ continued deep economic and financial adjustment still poses significant risks to creditworthiness. Medium-term targets under the programme remain ambitious. The ratio of gross general government debt to GDP is high and will peak at 126.3% of GDP in 2016 under our baseline projections,” with the failure to reduce primary deficit further considered as the main risk to debt sustainability.
“Although not as bad as feared last year, the recession will remain deep (we forecast a 3.9% GDP contraction in 2014). The core domestic financial sector has been recapitalised, but asset quality has deteriorated,” Fitch said. It added that Cyprus` return to the market reflected the strong performance of peripheral eurozone sovereign debt this year, with Greek, Portuguese, and Irish yields all falling substantially.
“This will be beneficial for funding costs, debt sustainability and wider economic sentiment. However, the fall in yields is not necessarily commensurate with a fall in credit risk,” the agency concludes. (CNA)

TURKISH Cypriot police are investigating a case of counterfeit euro notes which they claim came from the government-controlled areas.

According to Thursday’s Kibris, €265,600 worth of counterfeit money in the form of €50 fake notes were found. Four people have been arrested, including one Greek Cypriot.

The four were allegedly trying to spend the fake notes in supermarkets, various companies and elsewhere.

By Evie Andreou

PRESIDENT Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday night presided at the official opening of the new Limassol Marina, describing it as “a jewel for Limassol and for Cyprus”.

“In times of economic recession, projects of this magnitude are rarely completed,” he said. “But the Limassol Marina is here and is already operating to remind everyone that the Cypriots are determined not just to stand on our feet, but to move ahead,” he said.

The new state-of-the-art project would place Cyprus on the map, especially for tourism, he said.  The commercial zone with its shops and restaurants would also be a huge attraction for foreigners and locals alike.

The marina, Anastasiades added, would employ directly and indirectly 800 people and contribute millions to the state and the economy.

He stressed the importance of investments especially in the current climate and reassured the business community of the government’s determination to assist and support businessmen and attract investments.

With its moto ‘Living on the Sea’ and its goal to position Cyprus on the yachting map, attract  investments, change the face of Limassol town, revitalise the cultural centre, improve the quality of Cyprus’ tourism, and to create new jobs, the marina opened its doors to the public on June 9.

Visitors can now walk along the promenade or eat or drink coffee at the various cafés and restaurants. There are 40 shops, 12 restaurants a yacht club, fitness and spa club, cultural centre, a marine training school and parking space for up to 750 cars. The yacht club and the shopping, spa and fitness facilities will open later this month.

The marina is located to the west of the old port, taking over the entire seaside area from the old to the new port.

The marina, which is estimated to have cost €300m is being managed under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) agreement; Limassol Marina Ltd (LML), the joint venture company which owns the project, will manage the marina for 53 years, and will retain profit rights for a further 37 years.

It is the first full service marina in Cyprus. It has a capacity of 650 berths, for yachts up to 115m in length. Every berth has access to fresh water, electricity, fibre optic network providing high speed broadband, high-speed wireless internet and telephone, fuel and waste removal.  The Marina welcomed the first residents and yachts in 2013.

It also has 236 luxury residences, 162 apartments and 74 villas.

COLOMBIA moved to the brink of their first appearance in the World Cup knockout round in nearly a quarter of a century when they beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in another action-packed World Cup clash on Thursday to take firm control of Group C.

The South Americans, who fell to Cameroon at the last-16 stage in Italy in 1990 with a team featuring the likes of Rene Higuita and Carlos Valderrama, had not qualified for soccer’s global showpiece since 1998.

They were deserved winners in an entertaining encounter in Brasilia and have now won two games at a finals for the first time in five appearances.

After a tight first half the game exploded into life with three goals in nine minutes midway through the second, starting when Colombia’s James Rodriguez beat substitute Didier Drogba to the ball and thumped in a header from a 64th-minute Juan Cuadrado corner.

Juan Quintero ran clear to make it 2-0 after 70 minutes after Rodriguez had robbed Serey Die in midfield but Gervinho cut in through three defenders to score an excellent individual goal three minutes later to halve the deficit.

Colombia held out reasonably comfortably, though, to the delight of thousands of their yellow-clad fans thronging the national stadium, and top the standings with six points ahead of Ivory Coast on three.

“We have had two wins with players who are playing their first World Cup,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said at a news conference.

“It’s very positive for us but we can’t get ahead of ourselves,” added the Argentine, who was in charge of his native country when they beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the group stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Hordes of travelling Colombia fans transformed the giant arena in the Brazilian capital into a sea of yellow, with only a handful of patches of the orange of Ivory Coast, and gave a rousing rendition of the national anthem before kickoff.

“It was very tough, but the team showed class and personality, and we scored at the right time,” Quintero said.

“At the end, we gave them the ball, but that’s normal because you can’t overrun a team like Ivory Coast. We ended tight and we stuck to our tactics.”

Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi said his team had not deserved to lose and a draw would have been a fair result.

“We need to recover and be proud of ourselves,” he told a news conference.

“I feel we lost unfairly today and we need to fight for a victory against Greece,” added the Frenchman.

“A very experienced Colombia team waited for us to make mistakes and we did make mistakes.”

Ivory Coast have never made it to the knockout round, finishing third in their group on their debut in 2006 and again in South Africa four years ago.

Colombia play Japan on Tuesday in Cuiaba, when Ivory Coast take on Greece in Fortaleza.

LUIS Suarez struck twice including a dramatic late winner to earn Uruguay a 2-1 victory over England in a pulsating World Cup Group D match on Thursday night.

Restored to the lineup after injury, Suarez nodded home Edinson Cavani’s cross in the 39th minute and after Wayne Rooney equalised in the second half the Uruguayan took advantage of slack defending to slam home the winner five minutes from time.

The result left England, who lost 2-1 to Italy in their opener, bottom of the group and with little hope of reaching the last 16. Italy play Costa Rica in the other group match on Friday.

After a tense start at the Corinthians arena the game burst to life when Rooney, restored to his more favoured central role, whipped a wicked free kick just wide of Fernando Muslera’s post with ten minutes gone.

Rooney went even closer after half an hour when he met Steven Gerrard’s inswinger but his close-range header smacked back off the woodwork while he landed in the net.

With England fans jeering Suarez’s every touch, the stage was set for him to turn the game on its head.

A lucky break in midfield sent the ball out wide to Cavani and Suarez escaped the attentions of Phil Jagielka to nod back across England goalkeeper Joe Hart for a 1-0 lead.

Suarez, who had been well policed by England’s centre backs until that point, wheeled away with a huge smile on his face, kissing his wrists and gesturing frantically in delight.

After the break, Uruguay had England on the ropes and Cavani should have done better when put clean through on Hart by Suarez, but the rampaging forward screwed his shot wide.

England gradually regained the initiative with Rooney, widely criticised for his performance against Italy, at the heart of all their best work.

The number 10, who had never scored in the World Cup, picked up the scraps from a Leighton Baines delivery and brought a terrific save out of Muslera in the 55th minute.

Just as it looked like England would never find the net Rooney breathed new life into them.

Full back Glen Johnson worked his way into the box after delightful work by Sturridge, and his square ball was rammed home by Rooney at the far post, sending the massed ranks of England fans behind the goal into a frenzy.

England were in the ascendancy but when Gerrard failed to deal with Muslera’s punt Suarez was away, outpacing Gary Cahill and slamming the ball past Hart.

England pushed for an equaliser but Uruguay held firm, picking up three points that could go a long way to putting them in the knockout stages.

By Joseph Ax

New York City has agreed to pay $40 million to five men who were convicted, and later exonerated, of brutally raping a female jogger in Central Park in 1989, settling a long-fought civil rights lawsuit, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The violent attack, which became known as the Central Park jogger case, made national headlines as a sign that the city’s crime rate had spiraled out of control, while the outcome of the prosecution raised questions about race and the justice system.

The victim was white and the defendants all black or Hispanic.

The five men - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam - were between 14 and 16 years of age at the time of the rape and confessed after lengthy police interrogations.

Each soon recanted, insisting they had admitted to the crime under the duress of exhaustion and coercion from police officers. Another man confessed to the crime years later.

The victim, Trisha Meili, a 28-year-old investment banker, nearly died from the attack and was left with no memory of it.

The settlement still requires approval from the city’s comptroller and from the federal judge in Manhattan who has overseen the case, Deborah Batts, according to the person familiar with the matter.

As in most cases in which the city settles civil rights claims, the municipal government likely will not admit wrongdoing, the person said.

Jonathan Moore, one of the lawyers for the men, declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the city’s Law Department also declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

The deal comes six months after Mayor Bill de Blasio, who called for a settlement during his campaign, took office. His predecessor, Michael Bloomberg, had long resisted settling the case, with city lawyers repeatedly saying the convictions withstood legal scrutiny regardless of whether they were later vacated.

In January, the city asked for the litigation to be put on hold to explore a resolution.

The settlement was first reported on Thursday by The New York Times.

The five men were convicted in 1990 amid intense media coverage. A dozen years later, murderer and serial rapist Matias Reyes confessed to the crime, and DNA tied him to the rape.

An internal review by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which moved to throw out the convictions in 2002, found that the boys’ original confessions included “troubling discrepancies.”

A judge vacated the convictions. By then, however, all five had been released from prison after serving between five and 13 years.

They sued the city in 2003 for wrongful conviction and violation of their civil rights, seeking $250 million in damages.

The lawsuit gained renewed attention in 2012, when famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns released Central Park Five,  a movie that cast the men as victims of racial tensions and a rush to judgment.

By Richard Balmforth

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday announced a week-long ceasefire in the fight against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country, his website said.

But he said government forces should defend themselves if, during that time, they came under attack from the rebels.

“Ukrainian army, cease fire!” it quoted him as telling military officers during a visit to the centre of the “anti-terrorist operation” in the east.

“But this does not mean that we will not fight back in the event of aggression towards our military. We will do everything to defend the territory of our state,” the website quoted him as adding.

Poroshenko, who has said the declaration of a ceasefire will allow him formally to launch a peace plan for the region, spoke after receiving a report from an army commander that the border with Russia was defended.

Ukraine has said that the separatist unrest has been fomented by Moscow and that separatist rebels have been supported and armed by volunteer fighters from Russia, though this is denied by the Kremlin.

By Toby Davis

Costa Rica produced another huge upset to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time on Friday with Bryan Ruiz’s goal securing a 1-0 Group D win over Italy that also ensured England were eliminated.

Ruiz headed powerfully home a minute before halftime to leave Costa Rica fans dancing in the sunshine at Recife’s Pernambuco arena.

“We kept up our heads. It was a beautiful match… The people of Costa Rica deserve this. They supported the team and me. This was for them,” said ecstatic coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

Costa Rica top the group with six points, having already beaten Uruguay in their first game, while Italy, three points adrift, now need at least a draw from their final game against Uruguay, also on three points, to go through on goal difference.

“We knew this would be a particularly tough group. We will try to recover all our energy for the Uruguay game,” said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.

“We didn’t get our tactics wrong. They were very, very aggressive and we were trying to find different ways into the game but we didn’t manage it.”

In making the last 16 for the first time in 24 years, the Central Americans ensured England became the latest team to make a surprise early exit, leaving at the group stages for the first time since 1958.

The midday sun reduced the early stages to shadow boxing, with Italy hogging the ball but strolling round the pitch at walking pace while Costa Rica were busy but cautious.

Costa Rica’s back-five pushed high up the pitch to compress the space as Italy sat back and looked to hit on the break, a tactic which almost paid dividends on the half-hour mark as Mario Balotelli was sent clear by a superb through ball from Andrea Pirlo.

But the striker, who headed the winner in Italy’s opening win over England, miscontrolled the ball with his first touch and then tried and failed to lob keeper Kaylor Nevas with his second.

As the first half was drawing to a close, Costa Rica showed why they can pose such a threat.

In the space of three minutes, Oscar Duarte headed fractionally over, Joel Campbell had a penalty appeal waved away by Chilean referee Enrique Osses and Ruiz headed them in front.

Junior Diaz floated a beautiful cross to the far post and Ruiz arrived to head it in off the underside of the bar and over the line, with the decision to award a goal confirmed on the big screen.

Italy brought on Antonio Cassano at halftime, but Costa Rica expertly took the sting out of the match, reducing their opponents only to glimpses of goal, while they continued to look threatening on the counter.

By Mark Gleeson

RAMPANT France sparkled in a 5-2 mauling of neighbours Switzerland in World Cup Group E last night to move closer to knockout phase four years after one of their darkest days.

France, that beat Honduras 3-0 in their opening game, top the standings with six points and will advance if Ecuador and Honduras draw later.

Goals within 66 seconds from Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi put France 2-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes at the Fonte Nova arena and on their way to a comfortable triumph on the anniversary of the Knysna bus strike at the last tournament in South Africa.

The diminutive Mathieu Valbuena scored a third five minutes before halftime after Karim Benzema’s 32nd-minute penalty was saved by Diego Benaglio.

But Benzema kept up a rich vein of recent scoring form as he grabbed France’s fourth in the 67th minute and Moussa Sissoko added the fifth.

Substitute Blerim Dzemaili hammered home a low free nine minutes from time and a volley from Granit Xhaka in the 87th minute gave the Swiss a second late consolation goal.

The emphatic win continued France’s World Cup rehabilitation as they seek to bury the ghosts of four years ago when a player revolt left their reputation stained.

Giroud, restored to the starting line-up, rose firmly after 17 minutes to head home Valbuena’s corner for the first goal and from the kickoff, Valon Behrami’s errant pass was picked by Benzema who surged forward to set up Matuidi from the left.

A needless trip on Benzema by Swiss centre back Johan Djourou just past the half-hour mark brought a penalty but Benzema’s spot-kick was saved by Benaglio and Yohan Cabaye crashed the follow-up against the crossbar.

Giroud ran deep from his own half on a swift-counter attack to set up Valbuena for the third and France were comfortably in command at halftime.

Paul Pogba’s exquisite pass with the outside of his boot allowed Benzema to turn and score the fourth through the goalkeeper’s legs before the striker turned provider for Sissoko.

Benzema thought he had added a sixth in stoppage-time but the referee blew the final whistle moments before his volley hit the net.

By Angelos Anastasiou

CYPRUS Airways chairman Tony Antoniou on Friday refuted press allegations that he had passed personal expenses of about €2,500 onto the cash-strapped airline, saying that these were inaccurate.

Finance Minister Harris Georgiades reportedly sent a letter to Antoniou, asking him to comment on allegations made by company insiders that he was responsible for financial irregularities and awarded a major contract after bypassing tender procedures, daily Politis reported on Friday.

According to the paper, Antoniou had allegedly charged personal expenses to the company’s books, including speeding fines and his car servicing tab, which had cost over €1,000, as well as the purchase of 480 bottles of wine. The report also claimed that the chairman had personally assigned a project worth more than €86,000 without engaging the carrier’s tender department.

Antoniou admitted on Friday he had received Georgiades’ letter but fell short of a clean dismissal of the accusations.

“I received a letter from the Finance Minister last Tuesday, in which he asked me to answer certain questions,” he said. “Comprehensive answers to these questions will be prepared today and forwarded to the Finance Minister, and I categorically state that everything relating to these minor issues – these are not very serious matters – will be evidenced.”

Though not denying the items listed in Georgiades’ letter were true, Antoniou implied that he was in a position to offer adequate explanations.

“There are several inaccuracies in the allegations,” he said, and asked the press to be “a little patient.”

“Once the evidence is given to the Finance Minister I will call the press for full disclosure,” he said.

But when asked whether he had charged personal expenses to Cyprus Airways, Antoniou abandoned his plan of secrecy and offered the crux of his defence.

“I want to be unequivocal,” he said. “I have been using my own car daily and on weekends, I have not accepted a company car, nor have I accepted a salary, like others, I have accepted nothing at all.”

“My sole aim during my time at the helm of Cyprus Airways has been to serve from a position in which both myself and the board feel that we have what it takes to save the national carrier,” he concluded.

Predictably, pilots’ union PASYPI – in the midst of a gruelling battle with the airline’s board over downsizing decisions – weighed in, in an effort to score some easy points during the chairman’s moment of weakness.

“Reading today’s reports, we stress the significance of control with regard to contracts worth millions from government companies,” PASYPI’s statement read. “We also stress that investigations should be carried out in order to avoid mismanagement and scandals.”

The statement also referred to a House Watchdog committee session that had been scheduled and postponed on June 10 by committee chairman Georgios Georgiou, which was set to discuss the sale of Cyprus Airways’ assets. The cancellation of the session had caused the protesting pilots – who had viciously opposed the planned sale of the company’s sole remaining Heathrow time slot – to erupt.

“The postponement of the Watchdog committee session, which had been set to discuss the sale of Cyprus Airways’ assets was a serious mistake, since the required parliamentary control over transactions worth tens of millions had not been performed.”

Meanwhile, PASYPI representatives met with a delegation from the Green party yesterday, in which they argued in favour of replacing the airline’s current management with a team of experts to settle all scores.

“There is a dire need to hire a company of professionals with a track record and expertise in restructuring airlines, so that they can take over not just the running of the company, but also to find a strategic investor, as well as promote Cyprus Airways’ case in the European Competition Authority,” said the union’s secretary Chrysanthos Hadjichrysanthou.

“Our union feels that with the right decisions by the government and the House, Cyprus Airways will remain a vital lung for the Cyprus economy. Should Cyprus Airways be wound down, not only would unemployment increase, but it would also deprive the economy of the income, meaning that the money Cypriots would spend to travel abroad would end up abroad.”

By Evie Andreou

WORLD Refugee Day is being celebrated as a mark of the courage and resilience of ordinary people in extra-ordinary circumstances, Damtew Dessalenge, representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus said on Friday.

To mark World Refugee Day, which was on June 20, the UNHCR representation hosted a press conference to raise awareness on the human stories behind each war and conflict.

Dessalenge paid homage to the world’s refugees and criticised the treatment of refugees in Cyprus, mentioning the recent hunger strike of four political refugees demanding to be granted Cypriot citizenship, who after a 15 year-stay on the island their status is still in limbo.

He said that “refugees are the great survivors of our time and they deserve our encouragement, support and respect and that if given the chance each can make a positive contribution to the whole society, economically, socially, and culturally.”

“Unfortunately, refugees are not always given this chance in their country of asylum and they are not actively encouraged and supported to reach their full potential but  they are left instead to drift through day to day existence.”

He added that the severe economic crisis in Cyprus has had a disproportionate impact on many refugees and asylum seekers as they have lost their jobs and seen their social protection reduced, appealing for respect, understanding and support so that they can nurture and realise their hope.

George Markopouliotis, head of the European Commission’s representation in Cyprus said that the EU is determined to keep providing protection to the world’s displaced and keep receiving anyone seeking asylum due to conflict and persecution.

He said that the EU has created various programmes aimed to support member states that receive refugees such as the European Refugee Fund which has given more than €610m between 2008-2013, €10m of which to Cyprus. The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund is another programme, which has a 2014-2020 budget of €3.1bn of which Cyprus will receive €32m.

Markopouliotis elaborated on the new Common European Asylum System (CEAS) which will end the huge differences in regards to asylum applications. The system will provide easier access to asylum granting procedures, it will contribute to fair, faster and better asylum granting decisions and it will ensure that anyone in danger of facing persecution in their country will not be forced to return.

Makis Polydorou, head of the Interior ministry’s Asylum Services, said that Cyprus is actively participating in the EU’s programmes such as the CEAS and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), and that the expansion of the Kofinou asylum reception centre will be ready by the end of August. The centre’s capacity will be increased from hosting 70 people to 400. Furthermore, it is in the process of creating a reception centre that will be able to accommodate a large number of people in cases of mass evacuations, as in the 2006 Lebanon crisis.

Despite all these though, Cyprus is currently not in a position to receive more refugees, said Polydorou. He added that since 2002 Cyprus had to deal with a disproportionately large burden compared to other EU member-states. He said that since 2002, Cyprus has examined asylum applications concerning 50,000 people.

He stressed the importance of burden sharing and said that there should be an equal distribution and re-distribution of refugees and asylum seekers in the EU member-states according to their size and economic power.

The campaign for World Refugee Day 2014 in Cyprus is hosted on the website www.unhcr.org.cy/refugeestories . It presents stories of refugees in Cyprus, in English and Greek. It also includes a video message by humanitarian ambassador and musician Alkinoos Ioannidis for World Refugee Day.

By Evie Andreou

THE promotion of the Zenobia shipwreck as a diver’s destination is the goal of the Zenobia Week taking place next week in Larnaca.

The week of events will take place between June 23-30 and its organisers, Larnaca municipality, the Larnaca Tourism Board and the Larnaca-Napa Sea Cruises, aim at the international promotion of the wreck, which is considered among the world’s ten best diving sites.

Larnaca mayor Andreas Louroudjiatis said that representatives of international diving organisations have been invited, as well as foreign journalists from diving magazines.

Tourism Board chairman  Dinos Lefkaritis said that the Zenobia attracts more that 60,000 divers a year bringing significant income to the tourism sector and that diving tourism can very well become a specialised form of tourism that could inject oxygen into the town’s economy. Lefkaritis added that they have submitted proposals to the Environment ministry for the creation of an underwater thematic park in Larnaca.

The Zenobia sank off Larnaca in June 1980 on her maiden voyage. The vessel was loaded with 108 lorries, refrigeration units, toys, food as well as animals.

Even though were also were also 140 passengers aboard, there were no casualties but it has since claimed the lives of six divers, the latest being a 57-year-old Briton on March 13.

The Zenobia has been turned into an artificial reef that hosts thousands of fish species such as groupers, barracudas, tuna, bream and wrasse, and divers can watch corals, sea ​​anemones and various microorganisms.

The wreck is easily accessible as it can be reached within ten minutes by boat and the visibility around the wreck is excellent. The water temperature is good all year long.

During the week there activities have been planned to suit everyone.

For non-divers, there are free 45-minute cruises for the public twice daily from the Larnaca marina to the Zenobia wreck with glass bottom boats with time for swimming.

For divers, several diving schools offer 20 per cent discounts on diving sessions to the Zenobia wreck or on wreck specialty course.

Seminars are also being organised on safety and decompression on June  25 and a seminar on diving and the marine environment on June 27.

There is also an underwater scooter demonstration on June 28, a free dive (apnea) contest on June 29 and an underwater photographic competition with prizes of up to €1,000.

Volunteers are needed for the two sea cleaning and environmental awareness campaigns; the Scuba Schools International SSI will clean the sea in all towns on June 23 and CYMEPA will clean Mckenzie Beach on June 28.

Throughout the week there will be an outdoor Underwater World Photography Exhibition at the entrance of the Larnaca Marina with photographs from the Zenobia and the surrounding marine life and an exhibition with original items from the Zenobia at the Larnaca Municipal Historical Archives – Museum in Europe Square.

For information visit www.zenobiaweek.com

THE coalition of small businesses and self-employed workers will set up a bank by the end of the year to help its members have access to low-interest loans.

According to public broadcaster CyBC, the coalition met with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday to discuss the matter.

The broadcaster quoted the head of the coalition, Stavros Alambritis, as saying that the specialised bank aims to begin operations by the end of the year, starting with a working capital of €5m, the minimum required to set up a financial institution, as stipulated by SEC regulations.

The coalition aims to raise the money by issuing 5,000 shares worth €1,000 each. In turn, this will enable it to set up the bank and make available low-interest loans to support small businesses (with no more than 49 employees), and self-employed workers, with interest capped at 2.0 per cent.

Once established, the bank will seek to draw capital from the European Development Bank and European Central Bank.

The coalition’s general assembly will discuss the issue tomorrow at 11am.

By Stefanos Evripidou

AN 86-year-old philosophy student who came top of his class this year is thinking of taking up a second degree, this time in history.

Speaking to public broadcaster CyBC on Friday, octogenarian Andreas Zacharoudes said his thirst for knowledge has yet to be quenched.

Born in 1928, Zacharoudes said in his youth he wanted to study literature but his family did not have the money for him to do so.

At 82, he decided to enrol in the School of Philosophy at the University of Cyprus. Four years later, he came top of the philosophy class of 2014.

The father of two and grandfather of four described his fellow students as “very good kids” who would help him whenever he needed answers to questions.

“I spent four years, and if my wife hadn’t been sick, they would have been the best years of my life,” he said.

“I’m thinking about doing a second degree in history, just following the courses without actually doing the degree,” he added.

Zacharoudes speaks five languages and is computer-literate.

“I feel very happy because I feel the people around me are happy with me and proud of me.”

THE father of Famagusta businessman Phanos Kalopsidiotis was shot dead Friday night outside his home in Paralimni.

According to Famagusta police spokesman Giorgos Economou, police were called to the scene after shots were heard at around 9.30pm, where they found the 77-year-old Ioannis Theophanous, alias Kalopsidiotis, dead outside his home.

The police spokesman said Theophanous was in his house with his wife when at around 9.30pm, he went out to switch off the lights.

On walking outside, he was shot and killed.

Around two hours after the killing, investigators were still at the scene of the crime, waiting for the state pathologist to show up.

Economou could not give any more information at time of going to press.

The victim’s son, Phanos Kalopsidiotis, is believed to have been the target of hit men in the past.

On June 23, 2012, five men– three Greek Cypriots and two Romanians – were shot dead on a side street in the heart of Ayia Napa’s nightclub scene, near the popular Red Square bar.

Four of the victims were working for Phanos Kalopsidiotis, who Famagusta police believe was the culprits’ real target.

By Angelos Anastasiou

COURTS were inundated in 2013 with four times as many appeals as in other years, with the bulk related to government decisions on implementing the bailout agreement with the Troika, lawmakers were told by justice ministry officials.

In a letter responding to AKEL deputy Aristos Damianou’s question, acting permanent undersecretary at the Justice ministry Andreas Louka said that in 2013 alone, 6,563 cases were submitted to the Supreme Court, while the annual average until that point had been about 1,800. Three out of four of new cases brought before the court last year – 4,892 out of 6,563 – relate to measures taken by the government and the Central Bank of Cyprus aimed at consolidating the financial sector.

But things are expected to get even worse once Administrative Courts are established, as a massive flurry of appeals are expected in relation to the sale of bank bonds to depositors, which were never repaid. The courts, jurisdictionally responsible for adjudicating bank bond cases, are expected to be set up in September, provided the House votes for their establishment before the summer break.

According to Louka, the Supreme Court tries on average 1,200 to 1,500 cases a year, though it was able to get through 3,828 cases in 2013 – mainly because several similar cases by public servants were bundled together in trial.

Meanwhile, slow adjudication times are also plaguing the appeals process. As of last March, a total of 7,860 appeals were pending, leading to estimates of five-year adjudication periods. However, it is expected that the establishment of Administrative Courts will ease pressure on the Supreme Court, allowing it to focus on its appellate function.

The information listed in Louka’s letter will facilitate discussion at the Legal Affairs committee during the upcoming deliberations on the Administrative Courts bill, which has already drawn some expressions of concern.

A fire that broke out in the Mosfiloti area in Larnaca on Saturday around lunch time was brought under control some 40 minutes later, authorities said.

The fire broke out around 1pm and burned two hectares of private land covered with trees and wild vegetation. Thirty firefighters and 11 fire engines responded to the incident.

The cause is being investigated.