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TALES FROM THE COFFEESHOP: KINDNESS IN A TIME OF CRISIS INSIDE Cyprus Fame at last for creator of Cyprus gangnam 5

Cyprus Special history saves schools 6-7

World Egyptian military urges dialogue to avert disaster 11

Reportage Why rich firms are keeping it in the family centre

Sport Torres brace powers Chelsea win over Black Cats 48

PAGE 17

Officials size up vital bank report Rumoured amount ranges between ¤9 and ¤10 billion, and could make debt unsustainable

By George Psyllides

C

YPRUS yesterday received a preliminary report outlining how much money would be necessary to recapitalise its banks but an official overall figure was not immediately available.

The amount needed to recapitalise the island’s banks is key to concluding a comprehensive bailout deal with international lenders.

“The steering committee is looking at the report from this morning, particularly the methodology used to establish the preliminary needs for the recapitalisation of the banks,” said Central Bank spokeswoman Aliki Stylianou.

The report was delivered in the early morning hours and had been expected to be made public at noon.

The interim report, which comes ahead of a final assessment expected in January, did not contain a figure on the total amount required for the

bailout, Stylianou told state radio.

“Some time is required for the steering committee to assess the methodology used to reach a conclusion on the figures,” she said.

The steering committee is made up of representatives from EU institutions and the IMF or troika and Cypriot authorities.

Stylianou added that further information would be provided after the procedure was completed, possibly tomorrow.

But it was not long before reports started surfacing regarding the amount.

Web-based portal Stockwatch said the figure in the report ranged between €9 and €10 billion while Sigmalive was more specific, putting it between €9.1 and €9.5 billion.

The bailout requirement report was carried out by Pimco, an investment company best known as the world’s biggest bond trader.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Japan’s Akiko Suzuki performing during the women’s free skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Sochi, Russia yesterday. She won a bronze medal

Aussie DJs feel backlash after nurse suicide in wake of prank call ANGER is mounting against two Australian radio presenters after a nurse who was duped into helping reveal details about the Duchess of Cambridge’s health apparently took her own life.

Jacintha Saldanha was pronounced dead on Friday morning at an address near the King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London, where the pregnant Duchess had been treated for a severe form of morning sickness.

The nurse, reportedly a mother of two, was the victim of two DJs from the Sydney-based station

2Day FM, who impersonated the Queen and the Prince of Wales.

She answered their call and, believing they were members of the Royal Family, put them through to another nurse who described Kate’s condition in detail.

In a statement Friday night, Saldanha’s family said they were “deeply saddened” by the death and asked for privacy.

They said: “We as a family are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Jacintha. We would ask

that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

The two presenters, Mel Greig and Michael Christian, apologised for their actions, as did their radio station.

They have now been taken off the air and the station has been inundated with complaints.

But Rhys Holleran, chief executive of 2Day FM’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo, stood

TURN TO PAGE 10

2 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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Money in language

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Overseas students can visit Cyprus and take intensive English language courses

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Paphos P h

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TODAY: Overcast with scattered showers. Temperatures will reach 18C inland, 19C along the coasts and 7C over higher ground OUTLOOK: More drizzle and rain due. Temperatures will fall slightly

YESTERDAY

Nicosia Larnaca Limassol Paphos Paralimni Prodromos

max/min temp 18 - 9 20 - 10 20 - 9 19 - 12 20 - 10 10 - 2

Humidity 45% 44% 49% 50% 34% 74%

SUNRISE: 06.43 am

SUNSET: 16.34 pm

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Red tape is limiting the expansion of potentially lucrative language tourism

By Peter Stevenson TRAVELLING to Cyprus to learn English could provide the tourist sector with a much needed boost during this period of economic crisis.

Although Cyprus’ English language tourism (ELT) industry is growing with rising demand from overseas students wishing to take various language programmes on the island, insiders say red tape and bureaucracy is blocking the industry’s attempt to expand further.

“This is a phenomenal new industry which appears to have bypassed Cyprus,” said director of the English Learning Centre in Limassol and Malvern House Cyprus, Yiota Kontolouca.

“Malta is one twenty-ninth the size of Cyprus and shares

some of the same characteristics yet it is the fifth most popular destination worldwide for ELT,” she added.

According to statistics gathered by the centre, Malta benefits from 100,000 students a year, which in turn contributes approximately 1.5 per cent of the country’s GDP. The English Language Centre began bringing groups to Cyprus in 2004 and in 2007 formed a partnership with a British language school, Malvern House London. It offers courses all year round and currently co-operates with the Xenion School in Paralimni, American Academy in Larnaca and the Pascal English School.

In 2009 Cyprus had just 637 English language tourists but by the end of this year the number of tourists will rise to almost 2,000. According to

Malvern House’s calculations that number could reach 16,000 by the year 2020 if the government adopts the centre’s suggestions. In 2012 the estimated contribution to the Cyprus economy is around €3 million but that figure could sky rocket to approximately €124 million by 2020.

“The infrastructure already exists on the island. There are hotels and educational institutes, but there needs to be more help given by the government,” she explained.

The key sticking points to expansion were presented to the House education committee last month.

“It’s a very positive idea,” the head of the committee, Nicos Tornaritis told the Sunday Mail. “The ministry of education, the ministry of commerce, industry and tourism and the Cyprus tourist organisation (CTO) need

to co-operate and get approval from parliament for this proposal that will help the economy,” he added.

The CTO says it’s interested, but says it cannot act without government input.

“This is a scheme that definitely interests us, but it is down to the government to promote it,” said head of CTO, Alecos Orountiotis.

Once the big hurdle of official government recognition is overcome, the English Learning Centre would be able to set up a regulatory body to assure quality standards on the island. This would not only deal with the quality of teachers and teaching institutes but how students are picked up from the airport and treated while they are here.

“This is not a quick, Mickey Mouse set up,” Kontolouca added.

Another vital point that needs to be addressed is the issuing of visas to students who are looking to visit Cyprus to learn English.

Students from non-EU countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Japan and from the Middle East have shown an interest in the programmes offered by Malvern House Cyprus, but due to visa restrictions they are not always able to attend.

Courses last anywhere between one week and twelve weeks and the English Language Centre hopes to prolong the length of students’ stay from an average of two and a half to nine weeks.

“Students from non-EU countries can only stay 12 weeks, therefore we only offer courses lasting that long,” Kontolouca said. Many of these students do not receive visas or struggle to renew their visas as the industry is not recognised yet, according to Kontolouca.

“Once these issues are resolved then we can move forward and raise awareness of Cyprus as a credible ELT destination.”

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3 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Officials sizing up long-awaited banking report (Continued from front page) It involved an asset review of five Cyprus-based banks and a stress test to determine the capital needs of each. It also covered a representative sample of co-operative credit institutions.

A rough working assumption for Cyprus’ bailout deal has been that the banks need around €10 billion to recapitalise, almost 60 per cent of Cyprus’ entire annual output.

The banks’ regulatory capital was depleted by a writedown on Greek bond holdings in early 2012, the result of a deal brokered by EU leaders to make Greece’s debt mountain more manageable.

Unable to raise the necessary capital from private funds, the banks sought assistance from the cash-strapped state, which in turn resorted to international lenders, collectively known as the troika.

Sigmalive said the report did not specify the amount needed by individual banks.

Finance Minister Vassos Shiarly said on Friday that if the recapitalisation amount were €10 billion - it includes the €1.8 billion state assistance for the Popular Bank and some €1.4 billion in convertible bonds - it would raise the island’s debt to GDP ratio to around 140 per cent from the current 85 per cent.

That could spell trouble for Cyprus as the IMF considers any debt over 120 per cent un-

sustainable.

By doing so the IMF is effectively trying to put pressure on the EU to expedite deployment of its permanent bailout mechanism, the ESM (European Stability Mechanism), which will directly fund troubled banks and remove the burden from the state.

This is so far being opposed by several European nations, including paymaster Germany, which do not want the ESM undertaking any socalled legacy debt - debt dating back to before the ESM was established in October.

If Cyprus’ debt is eventually deemed unsustainable, it may be forced to agree to further measures above those already reached with the troika, including privatisation of semi-government organisations - something the current administration opposes.

Cyprus and the troika had struck a preliminary agreement pending disclosure of the amount needed for the banks.

The government has already submitted to parliament legislation related to the terms of the agreement, which are expected to be approved before Thursday, the scheduled date of a Eurogroup meeting that will discuss the island’s bailout.

By doing so, Cyprus hopes it will be viewed in a more positive way by its eurozone partners.

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DIKO plays down charges of rusfeti ‘We spoke to MP. OK, he got the position. Very satisfied’

By George Psyllides CENTRIST DIKO party yesterday sought to play down a newspaper report suggesting its leader, Marios Garoyian, engaged in nepotism.

Daily Phileleftheros published copies of faxes sent from Garoyian’s office, when he was House president, with the personal details of people and the service the party allegedly did for them.

The lists were sent to DIKO MPs ahead of the May 2011 general elections and their task was to secure the vote of the people named on the list.

Under the heading “cases with a positive outcome” the documents listed what the issue was and what action had been undertaken.

They mainly concluded with the phrase “OK, done.”

In response to yesterday’s allegations, DIKO issued a written statement saying “the support for a just request or resolution of a problem that causes a citizen distress does not constitute rusfeti (as nepotism is known in Cyprus) when it is done on the basis of the principles of equality.”

The party said it is well known that politicians are frequently the recipients of complaints and requests about various matters.

The list dates to when Marios Garoyian was House president DIKO said the report made interpretations and created impressions that did not correspond with reality and suggested that its aim was to cause damage ahead of the presidential elections.

DIKO is officially backing main opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades in February’s poll but some party officials have disagreed with the alliance.

The party said certain facts in the report did not even concern the time when Garoyian was House president.

“Neither do they present any evidence, which leads to the conclusion that satisfying a just request had inflicted injustice on anyone else,” DIKO said.

One of the cases on the documents, which only concern the Limassol district, is of

someone who wanted a permanent position at the state broadcaster CyBC. “We spoke to M.P (name not disclosed by newspaper) OK, he got the position. I informed him. Very satisfied,” said the comments on the lists.

Another case concerned a temporary employee at the Limassol District Administration. “He wants to be a permanent supervisor. We have arranged an appointment with Votsis. For us the matter is closed.”

It can only be assumed that the comment referred to DIKO MP Angelos Votsis.

It is not the first time such information has become public, nor will it come as a surprise as it is well known that clientelism is a major component of Cypriot political life.

In 2010, AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou’s secretary accidentally sent the media an email containing requests received by the party for favours.

Kyprianou rejected criticism, saying every day piles of demands arrived at his and other politicians’ offices without exception.

“The issue is not what demands reach your office; the issue is what you do from then on,” Kyprianou said at the time. “The Cypriot people can judge us for the things we do.”

Bus drivers end strike BUS services returned to normal yesterday after Nicosia and Limassol drivers ended their strike following the mediation of Communications Minister Efthimios Flourentzos.

Drivers went on strike last week over the companies’ failure to pay their wages. Companies said they had cash flow problems because the government had not transferred the agreed funds.

Tasos Michaelides, director of Nicosia bus company OSEL, said drivers returned to work at 11.45 following a proposal tabled by Flourentzos.

Despite the agreement, Michaelides said his company will go to court in a bid to resolve an outstanding dispute over the amount of rent paid for the buses.

The two sides agreed that the government would provide the company with a letter that it would use to secure cash from a bank.

“If the bank gives us this money we will be able to pay the December and 13th salaries and cover other obligations we have,” Michaelides said.

A similar arrangement was made with Limassol public transport company EMEL.

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4 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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The flat that changed a life

By Zoe Christodoulides

A

S MANY brace themselves for an extremely tough festive season, one couple are happier than ever, rejoicing that they finally feel comfortable within their own home for the first time in years.

The former owners of the well known Shamrock pub in Nicosia, Kate and Salvador Martinez have just recently moved into a spacious ground floor flat in the Danai Estate in Mammari. The large and colourful complex situated just outside Nicosia boasts panoramic views of the Troodos Mountain range and green fields as far as the eye can see.

But it’s not the idyllic view that has made these two excited. Paraplegic Salvador’s contentment comes from finally having the chance to move around in his wheelchair as he pleases within a complex specially designed for wheelchair access and mobility. Purchased with the help of government aid, the new building includes all the amenities to suit his specific needs.

Government aid has provided much-needed made to measure accommodation for disabled former jockey Salvador and Kate Martinez in their new home which is wheelchair friendly (Christos Theodorides)

Salvador in his kitchen where the doors have been widened for his wheelchair. The new housing estate (below)

DISADVANTAGES

GRATEFUL “I’m so very grateful,” enthuses the 59-year-old of Spanish and French descent.

“My life has changed completely. You can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to be cooped up in a flat where you can barely move because nothing is catered to anyone in a wheelchair.”

Left paralysed from the hips down after a bad car accident in Nicosia over 30 years ago, the former jockey saw his life change from one moment to the next. “Life can be very weird. I spent so many years riding as a jockey and never had a tragic accident. Then one day in the car changed everything forever,” he says with a slight frown. “But we had to be so grateful that he

rent for an apartment that I could just about move around in,” points out Salvador. “The help they have given us is tremendous.”

With Salvador relying on benefits to get by financially, he is also keen to praise the authorities for the monetary help that has been given to him since he had his accident. “My disability benefit from the social insurance has been a huge help. I also get all my medical supplies for free and all the medical support I could ask for.”

The couple have also been helped by the Cyprus Paraplegic Association and believe the support they have received is better than in many other places.

“A few years back we packed up our things and decided to give things a shot in Ireland because we were a bit tired of things in Cyprus. But we only lasted a few months because it was just terrible, we hardly received any help from the state at all. But you live and learn, and it made us appreciate how well treated we are here,” says Salvador.

was alive,” interjects his 52year-old Irish wife. “That’s really what we have to give thanks for.”

Kate and Salvador have been inseparable for 32 years and have spent most of their married life in Cyprus.

“I just don’t know what I would have done without her next to me through all of it, thank god for Kate and at least I’m still here,” he exclaims.

“It could be worse. I might be a paraplegic but I can still move my arms and drive a car and do all sorts of other things.” At this point he wheels himself over to the

Cyprus Handicrafts

tiled island in the centre of their kitchen. “I decorated this. I laid down all the tiles.

It looks good doesn’t it?”

As the couple shows me around their spacious flat and surrounding gardens, every little detail has been catered for including a spacious wet room/shower room, larger than average doors, and ramps at every entry point.

“Until now we were throwing away extortionate rent on places that were just about large enough for a wheelchair,” says Salvador. “But even those weren’t great. Although apartments by law now have to be designed for wheelchair

access, they hardly ever are.

Once you get through the door the rooms are always much too small and the bathrooms are ridiculous.”

But as the years went by in inadequate rented accommodation, the couple was completely unaware of the fact that the government could help them move into a far more suitable home.

“It was my hairdresser that mentioned it to me just by chance,” recalls Kate. “We were pointed to the Cyprus Land Development Corporation where we filled in the appropriate forms and they took a look into our background.”

Lefkara handmade lace, embroideries, crochet and needlework. Woven cotton cloth in traditional Lefkoniko, Karpass and Phiti styles. Handwoven traditional costumes, leather goods, silverware, copperware, pottery, mosaic, wood-carved items, baskets and other rush-made articles.

CYPRUS HANDICRAFT SERVICE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISM

Established back in 1980 under state social policy, the corporation provides low income families, young couples, and those with disabilities with a chance to acquire their own reasonably priced housing with favourable repayment terms. In line with government objectives, it usually involves revitalising more remote or run down areas in town while also expanding building works in less developed spots in the countryside.

Kate and Salvador were given the option of housing in Palouriotissa/Kaimakli, Ayia Varvara or Mammari on very desirable terms. Once deciding on the desirable Mammari three bedroom ground floor flat priced at €138 000, they were immediately given a €20, 000 discount due to Salvador’s disability. VAT was then set at 5 per cent instead of the usual 15 per cent and the Land Development Corporation then granted the couple a loan to buy the house, with a very low interest rate. “We now have to pay back €540 each month for our own lovely property but before that, we were paying out over €700 on

Although Salvador is happily settled in his new home, he still has to put up with a good few disadvantages in daily life.

“I think the worst thing is going to the supermarket and finding all the disabled parking spots have been taken.

People have to realise that those spaces are there for a reason for those in need,” he says.

As for going out and getting by around town, Salvador proposes that more ramps are needed outside the entrance of buildings. “Toilets can also be a huge problem.

Would you believe there are still very many places that don’t have a toilet for disabled people? Many of the older places around don’t comply with EU regulations and it means that people like me can’t enjoy going for a drink or visiting a certain restaurant.”

But drinks out or not, Salvador is delighted to be spending Christmas in his new home as he points towards the vibrant flower bed outside the window.

“All this space around here is geared to me. I could never have enjoyed anything like this before; there was no outside for someone in my position. This is real freedom and I’m just loving every moment.”

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5 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

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Nicolas Jovani (right) in a still from the YouTube video

Six hundred thousand hits for Cyprus-style Gangnam

By Peter Stevenson FOR Nicolas Jovani, YouTube has provided a stab at fame on an island that had so-far shunned his attempts at stardom.

“OPA Cyprus Style”, Jovani’s local parody of the hugely famous song “Gangnam Style”

by South Korean pop sensation PSY, has amassed more than 600,000 views just one month after being uploaded.

While it still has a long way to go before it betters the original which is now the mostwatched video on YouTube ever with more than 800 million views, “OPA Cyprus Style” is now being sung and imitated by thousands of children and teens in Cyprus.

“After being given small parts on different TV series the reaction I got was that I wasn’t good enough or funny enough,” Jovani said.

By day, Jovani is a behindthe-scenes technician at a leading TV channel and for years has been itching to get in front of the cameras but had only managed to land a selection of cameo appearances on local TV shows. “Because the island is small and there aren’t many TV series, if you don’t get accepted, then you’re not left with much of a

PSY: the original Gangnam choice but to get exposure on YouTube,” he added.

“I got together with some friends, people from my neighbourhood and some of my family to make a funny video just for ourselves,” he explained. “I didn’t have a clue it was going to become so popular, I can’t even go to the Mall without being mobbed by people wanting photographs and autographs.”

Jovani attributes the video’s popularity to the fact that Cyprus television is full of gloomy programmes.

“I think it’s really important now, during the economic crisis, that we watch things that cheer us up instead of all these depressing dramas on TV,” he said.

There has been a host of Gangnam Style parodies uploaded to YouTube since the original song’s release in July

but Jovani’s version was the first one from Cyprus. “Finally” and “We could hardly wait for the Cypriot version” were some of the responses that the video received according to Jovani.

“We are Cypriots, the centre of the world,” the song begins, “All the Cypriots are bankrupt and owe the banks money, they don’t care, they just have their fun and let everyone else shout about it,” the song continues.

The song covers other aspects of Cypriot society including cabarets, donkeys, goats, Facebook, Nike trainers, fried food and being on a diet.

“I just used different experiences from my own life that I thought would be funny to ridicule, unaware that it would be so relevant to the majority of people on the island,” Jovani joked.

So has fame arrived at last?

Well, last night he performed his hit live at Club Nuovo in Nicosia despite not really being a singer.

“It shows how popular the song has become that I was asked to perform at one of the top clubs in Nicosia even though I’m not a proper singer,” he said.

OPA Cyprus Style can be viewed at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YhHKstK-iPU

6 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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History keeps them safe Their special place in Cyprus’ history means two small schools in old Nicosia should avoid closure as part of education minstry cuts

By Poly Pantelides UR POST-TROIKA world is meant to be a leaner, meaner place, where waste is cut away and cold, hardheaded logic holds sway.

Amongst the many cuts in budget our international lenders have demanded in return for a bailout, those imposed on the education ministry must stand as amongst the hardest to enforce because schools are perceived as the guardians of our culture and history. And with that comes the heavy burden of decidedly illogical emotional baggage.

Cuts in education force tough choices as was made clear this week when teachers protested at the House against austerity measures that could translate into hundreds of lost jobs for contract teachers. The education budget for 2013, meanwhile, has been slashed by 7.5 per cent or 78 million euros to 966.9 million euros.

Nowhere is the conflict between hard logic and emotional, historical attachment apparently more evident than in two primary schools in the old city of Nicosia which the Sunday Mail visited this week.

Just outside the city walls on the busy Stasinou avenue stands one of the country’s best-known and prestigious primary schools: the grand, imposing Elenion primary school with just 59 students.

Within easy walking distance a bit further to the east is Ayios Antonios primary school with 96 students. Choose to turn left into the city walls and the windy narrow streets will soon take you to the primary schools of Phaneromeni with its 93 students or Ayios Kassianos that has only 58 students.

Although these primary schools are maintaining these modest numbers, they are not growing, as fewer local children now live within the old town. These schools were built for an earlier time when Nicosia’s population was still focused in or around the old city.

As a sign of its reluctance to do the obvious and amalgamate schools into more viable units, just this week, the education ministry decided to place a moratorium on transfers from those schools to others elsewhere in Nicosia, to stop numbers from declining.

Efforts are also made to inform and - even encourage - those who work in the old city to enrol their children in the schools.

For the head teachers of the two smallest schools, Elenion and Ayios Kassianos, closing down or joining forces is quite simply not an option.

As a sign of her determination, Ayios Kassianos’ head teacher and former pupil, Flora Tsiola-Kepola, personally found 15 students for the first grade.

Kepola’s love for her school is infectious.

She shows me old relics: notes from the school’s first head teachers, a punishment record book, beautiful photographs she paid to have printed from the press and information office for a school celebration.

She took the time to track down nuggets of history and write them down for the Sunday Mail. The formerly all-girls school had 148 students in 1928-1929 and 211 students in 1940-41. In 1941, the military used the building while Nicosia was evacuated but in 19421943, 266 students returned to the premises in what is now the buffer zone. During the intercommunal fighting of 1964, the school was abandoned and its 182 students were housed

O

The pupils and teachers of Ayios Kassianos. Clockwise from left: a punishment book from the 1940s, the crumbling original Ayios Kassianos school in the buffer zone, and a visit from Archbishop Makarios to the school in the late 1950s (Photos: Christos Theodorides)

in a private home. Its present premises are basic, cramped and unimposing and in sharp contrast to the crumbling beauty of the original built in 1923.

That building - not used since 1964 - can be seen on the edge of the buffer zone standing behind vegetation grown over what used to be a paved road. The building is in an obvious state of disrepair, a ghost of its past self.

As far Tsiola-Kepola is concerned the school’s present location is only temporary, even after 48 years. “The school is in the buffer zone, waiting,” she said.

“The remains of the school are crumbling,” she said, adding that Ayios Kassianos is a reminder of a historical thread that must not be cut.

“We must not let go of these historical schools as we had to let go of the Ayios Kassianos school building. We owe it to our history to hold on to them,” Kepola said.

But - cool logic rears its ugly head - schools even for 58 pupils are expensive and need equipment, photocopiers, computers and the like, that along with the cost of books comes to “several hundred thousands” a year according to the head of the education, ministry’s primary education Elpidoforos Neocleous.

One teacher costs the state on average between €30,000 and €35,000 a year with social insurance contributions etc., Neocleous said.

So should we be looking at merging these smaller schools, like those in old Nicosia that are so close to each other, to at least limit the inevitable expenses that come in tow regardless of school size? According to the education ministry, small though they are Ayios Kassianos and the Elenion are viable institutions.

“The legislation says that in order to shut

down, the school has to have fewer than 15 students,” Neocleous said.

Fifteen is a low threshold and though the education ministry would be within the bounds of the law in keeping such small numbers, still a school of 16 students seems too small to function properly. And although Neocleous made it clear there was no intention to close down the old Nicosia schools, he did concede that small schools in rural areas would be problematic for students and they did close the rural schools down when possible.

But he said, “because [the old Nicosia] schools have a satisfactory number of students we won’t close them down. On the contrary we help them out”.

That help accords a special status for the historically important Elenion where, however small its classes might be, they are kept intact and are not combined with other classes. Only one other school shares that honour, the one in Paphos’ isolated village of Pomos. In all other cases, the ministry has been enforcing regulation stating that when the number of students drops below 20 in primary classes, classes should be combined,

Neocleous said. So if there are 11 students in first and second grade, a combined class is formed instead of having two separate classes taught by two different teachers.

But at any rate, the Nicosia schools in question “have 60 students more or less, they are in separate classes, the children are socialised, and benefit. In rural areas, there we encourage the creation of district schools,” Neocleous said.

Two examples are the district primary schools in the Nicosia district of Asinou that now has 100 students from the surrounding villages, and Peristerona with 145 students.

In other districts, there is Paphos’ Timi district school with 96 students and in Limassol, Avdimou district school has 58 students.

But in the old Nicosia, the education ministry is not encouraging the creation of a district school and different schools within walking distance of each other stand proud - and separate.

Of these, the Elenion primary school, just outside the city walls, is the grandest.

Founded in 1925 by a well-to-do Nicosia trader, Kostantinos Loizides, the Elenion originally a boy’s school - is named in honour of Loizides’ beloved daughter Eleni who had died young.

The Elenion, built to cater for a once-wealthy and populous area, has a distinguished list of alumni including two former presidents, Glafcos Clerides and Tassos Papadopoulos, and 2010 Nobel prize winner Christopher Pissarides, many of whom returned to the school for its often-packed events.

“All graduates adore this school. They have an almost inexplicable love for it,” Elenion’s head teacher Lia Kitromilides said.

For its head teacher, even though student numbers rarely now top 60, the school is more than the gorgeous stately building that

7 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Home

Inside and outside the grand premises of the Elenion primary school where classes of eight are quite normal. Below: photograph of the class of former president Glafcos Clerides who attended the school in the early 1930s

houses it. It is a living organism and the legacy of a man who intended it to be used as a school. Which is why, when the previous education minister attempted to turn the premises into a natural history museum, the storm of protest from parents and its mostly well-connected alumni was swift and fierce. The plan was quickly shelved. “[Loizides] intended the building to be a school,” Kitromilides said, referring to the legal status of the building.

“There’s so much work done here... It would be unthinkable to shut down such an educational institution,” she said.

Kitromilides, who is in her third year as Elenion’s head teacher, leads a dedicated, enthusiastic staff.

Beautifully decorated classrooms are a testament to the teachers’ efforts to create an interesting environment and the school’s central position also means that the students are within walking access of a plethora of museums, Kitromilides said.

Being a small school of 59 students means that students receive special attention, Kitromilides said. Both Ayios Kassianos’ Kepola and Elenion’s Kitromilides spoke of the plethora of projects and activities that their schools are engaged in and the special attention they can pay their students.

For example, the children and the Elenion are part of an ongoing education reform in a real way: the school won a health education competition last year and the work produced for that competition will be part of teaching aid material that all primary schools will be

able to benefit from. And the children of both schools are actively involved in the city’s community life. Kepola says that the schools infuse life in the old city. “Abandoning them, would be akin to letting the area decline,” she said.

But are there too many schools in old Nicosia? Should the crisis force us to be more practically minded about them? After all, village schools have been shut down to make way for a more sensible district school. If those children can cheerily get on a school bus to get to classes, could the old Nicosia city children not also happily adapt to one or two bigger schools in their area?

“Each school has its own history, its own culture and status in our country,” said Kitromilides.

“I want to believe that the crisis will not result in schools shutting down,” she added.

“We love the children and the school very much. Sometimes when I stay in after hours I will walk around asking, ‘is there anyone still here?’ and out come two or three teachers still working away.”

8 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

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Is it the end, or just Just when we thought our lives had got tough enough, there are thousands out there telling us the world will end on December 21

By Bejay Browne

W

ILL THE world end on December 21, 2012? Probably not, but doom mongers and thousands of other believers across the globe are preparing for the end.

Call it what you will: the apocalypse, armageddon, fifth-dimensional consciousness shift, they all lead to death, destruction and the obliteration of the human race and in some cases the planet, and life as we know it.

Is it all pure speculation being fed by an internet filled with sci-fi fiction, survival extremists, religious fanatics, new-age spiritualists, cult leaders and conspiracy theorists, or are the prophecies convincing?

Most of the prophecies are based on a variety of interpretations of the Mayan and Hopi Indian predictions - that the known world will end on December 21.

For centuries the doomsday phenomenon has predicted that certain cataclysmic events will occur on this date. It is also a date that features prominently as the end of a cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, also known as the Maya - or Mayan Long Count calendar.

For thousands of years humanity has been fascinated by the concept that ‘the end of the world is nigh’.

Ideas ranging from a nuclear holocaust, disease, natural disasters, asteroids, world wars, anarchy, revolt and polar shifts have left many believers feeling jittery as the end of 2012 approaches.

But for those in Cyprus that are concerned about these and other variations of global annihilation, reassurance is at hand.

Larnaca-based Dr George Georgiou, who is a holistic therapist qualified in natural healing, is preparing for “any eventuality” and has been running a number of weekend workshops entitled: Preparing for a crisis.

The courses are held at what Georgiou describes a sanctuary, called ‘Seraphim’ in the Troodos mountains.

Accommodation consists of a wooden hut, a caravan or a purpose-built cave, where partici-

Scene from 2012, the Hollywood version of the end of the world, which starred John Cusack. Holistic therapist George Georgiou’s Seraphim caves in the Troodos mountains where he can help participants prepare for ‘any eventuality’ pants sleep on Mexican hammocks.

“We are living in difficult times and 2012 has seen many global changes that are predicted to continue and worsen. Many people are unaware of these changes; let alone how to survive these difficult times,” says Georgiou on his website. It was not possible to interview him in person.

Georgiou says the year 2012 is embedded in the mass consciousness of mankind. It marks the end of a cycle spanning thousands of years, and now is the time to prepare for eventualities, he says.

“There is no way to predict these things, but anyone who has been following global changes over the last few years knows that things are already happening and escalating. It is therefore only a matter of joining the dots and using a little common sense to conclude that the possibility is likely we could experience one or more of these events at some point in the future.”

Whether you believe the world is coming to an end or not, many people admit to feeling tense and tired, although this could be due to financial strain and worry created by the global economic crisis.

A number of the potential doomsday scenarios have a tinge of ‘Hollywood’ to them, a popular one involves the earth being hit by a large asteroid, where the impact would cause global earthquakes and tsunamis that could cross the globe. This would in turn create a huge amount of dust which would block out the sun, and which could wipe out most life as we know it.

But according to NASA scientists, there is no scientific evidence to back up this or numer-

ous other similar claims. They state instead that “the date merely marks the start of a new beginning”, and is “just another day”.

According to recent reports, NASA scientists have studied and analysed the possibility of the earth ending in 2012, but have concluded that December 21 will be nothing more than the normal winter solstice.

“There is simply no scientific evidence to support any claims of an apocalypse on Earth in December 2012,” it said.

Nick Pope is a former MoD UFO investigator and an expert on mysteries and conspiracy theories. In a recent newspaper article, Pope acknowledged that although little is known of the Mayans - a Central American civilisation skilled in mathematics and astronomy - many believe this ancient culture had secret knowledge that enabled them to predict when the world would end.

“There are many different and odd theories about what exactly might happen. Some be-

lieve a mysterious celestial object known as Planet X, or Nibiru, is returning to our solar system and will bring cosmic catastrophe. Others think a rapid “polar shift” - a sudden reversal of the Earth’s rotation - will bring global destruction.”

He stressed: “The good news is that all previous predictions of the end of the world have proved to be false.”

But there are some who still fear the end of the world will be brought about by a planet named ‘Nibiru’ or ‘Planet X’ coming close to the earth and causing a plethora of disasters.

The name ‘Nibiru’ is derived from the works of the late ancient astronaut writer Zecharia Sitchin - 1920-2010 - and his interpretations of Babylonian and Sumerian mythology. Sitchin however denied any connection between his work and various claims of a coming apocalypse.

David Morrison is a senior scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute at NASA Ames Research Centre in California. He says that he wanted to reassure the public Nibiru didn’t exist, after receiving a letter from a worried 12year-old girl, who told him that she and her friends were anxious that the earth was about to be destroyed by a collision with this large planet.

Morrison said: “there is no credible evidence that the planet (Nibiru) exists”. He added that he hopes that the non-arrival of Nibiru will serve as a teaching moment for the public, instructing us all on “rational thought and baloney detection.”

Aside from the doomsday mongers, and the sceptics, there are others who view the date of December 21 with a more measured approach,

TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE An artist’s interpretation of Nibiru

THE Scouts are renowned for always being prepared for a crisis.

Here Simon Carter, assistant director of the Scouts in Britain, gives his top tips for surviving an apocalypse.

Get into a team “You need to work with others to survive. You are stronger together as a team because you have complementary sets of skills. One person might be particularly good at building shelters, another setting traps.

It is about pooling skills and experience. If you are thinking about setting off alone, find some friends and

quickly. Not only does your physical condition depend on it, your mental health will too. Humans are tribal people and they work better in teams having people to talk to.”

Brush up on basic skills “If you are a Scout, you know how to light a fire, how to cook, how to make a shelter. Those basic skills are really important and you can learn them very quickly. There are probably going to be no computers or electricity in the postapocalyptic world so get a basic essential guide, there are loads around in the library. Such as Scouting For Boys - it was written in 1908 but it will still be relevant

after the apocalypse. It is the most likely tool for survival that people can find easily.”

Come up with a plan “You need both a short-term plan and a long-term plan. In the short term, it is about getting food, water and shelter. In the long term, you need to think about what you are going to do in two, three, four, five years’ time.

“Having enthusiasm and a plan gives hope, and hope keeps you alive. The longer-term plan is about creating a better and more tolerant world. I know that sounds terrible esoteric if you’re in a world that has just finished, but that is what gives you hope for the future.”

Scouting classic from 1908

9 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

World

another day?

Mayan temples in Guatemala: Walls are adorned with unique paintings, many relating to the Mayan calendar believing that it signifies a time when earth and humanity will undergo a positive spiritual awakening. This will mean the start of a new era.

Linda Leblanc, director of Paphos based not-for-profit NGO ‘Psychognosia’ which disseminates information about anomalous phenomena said: “We have had many people over the years ask our opinion about 2012. We feel that indeed these are times of change but that doesn’t necessarily mean only at the physical level and that transformation takes place on other levels as well.”

Since the beginning of recorded time, there have been hundreds of thousands of

predictions for the end of the world and yet mankind is still here.

“In general, we feel it’s a wise precaution no matter what to have basic emergency supplies on hand. We live in an active earthquake zone and everyone should have items such as candles, matches, bandages, a gas lamp, torches and food - such as nuts, dried goods and bottled water close at hand,” said Leblanc.

On a lighter note, Leblanc quipped: “I remember the day when I realised that there might be something to worry about. On 21 December 2012, the EU presidency will still be in the hands of President Christofias.”

The Mayan calender (above). The name ‘Nibiru’ is derived from the works of the writer on ancient astronauts the late Zecharia Sitchin (left)

Misinterpretation of ancient artefacts According to one expert the prediction about December 21 is a simple misinterpretation of ancient artefacts.

Professor Mark Van Stone, (pictured right) the author of 2012: Science And Prophecy Of The Ancient Maya, traces the start of the 2012 apocalypse prophecy back to 1904, when German scholars said a Mayan picture of a sky dragon pouring water from above proved they were predicting a great flood.

Other predictions then made it into subsequent academic books on the Maya and soon became enshrined in popular mythology.

Van Stone, who teaches art history at Southwestern College, California, said the speculation comes down to a few inscriptions that indicate the Ancient Mayan calendar has been counting down since 3114BC and will hit zero on December 21.

“The Maya indicated there was a 5,000-year cycle that ended on a creation date. Scholars, and eventually everyone else, inferred that when the calendar reached that date again in 2012 that it would stop,” he told the Press Association this week.

“When I started writing my book, I thought that I would find evidence to support the scholarly idea that the clock would actually stop this time.

“It seems very reasonable. But in fact I found no evidence the Maya ever thought that. I found several examples that suggest the opposite.”

When the calendar reaches zero on December 21 it will just restart, according to Van Stone.

10 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

World

Australian DJs feel backlash after suicide (continued from front page) by the two DJs, and said they were shocked and devastated by the news of Saldanha’s death.

At a news conference in Melbourne he said: “This is a tragic event that could not have been reasonably foreseen and we’re deeply saddened by it.

“I spoke to both presenters early this morning and it’s fair to say they’re completely shattered.”

Holleran said the pair had been offered counselling, adding: “These people aren’t machines, they’re human beings. We’re all affected by this.”

He would not say who came up with the idea for the call, only that “these things are often done collaboratively”.

He said he was confident the station hadn’t broken any laws, noting that

WORLD TODAY Berlusconi to run in election FORMER Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday he would run to become the country’s leader for a fifth time, confirming his return to politics after months of indecision.

“I’m going to race to win,” Berlusconi told reporters at the practice field for AC Milan, the football club he controls. “And again I’m doing it out of a sense of responsibility.”

The 76-year-old media tycoon resigned in 2011 as prime minister as Italy teetered on the edge of a Greek-style debt crisis and he was dogged by a sex-scandal which included allegations he was involved with an underage prostitute.

The announcement he would run in his sixth national election came just two days after his People of Liberty (PDL) party withdrew support for Mario Monti’s government, bringing the country close to a snap election a few months short of the natural end of the legislature.

Corsica violence A MAN was killed and bombs caused damage to around 20 holiday homes in a spate of overnight violence in Corsica ahead of the French island’s national identity day yesterday.

Corsica has long been dogged by bloodshed linked to demands for independence from France as well as feuding criminal gangs.

The latest violence came two weeks after Interior Minister Manuel Valls and Justice Minister Christiane Taubira visited from Paris to promise increased resources to improve security.

Investigative sources said a 32-year-old man who claimed to be a member of the National Front for the Liberation of Corsica was arrested in the town of Calvi on Friday, just before the violence erupted, when explosives were found in his car. A 32-year-old man was shot dead in his car in Calvi during the violence.

prank calls in radio have been happening “for decades”.

In the wake of the tragedy Southern Cross Austereo said that, by mutual consent, the hosts would not be returning to their show until further notice.

In a statement, Southern Cross Austereo said: “Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital, and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world.

“SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy.”

The news of Saldanha’s death has led the headlines in the Australian media, with calls for the DJs to be sacked.

It was reported the advertisers are already deserting the radio station, including supermarket giant Coles and telecommunications company Telstra.

There has been an angry backlash from people in Australia, and almost 14,000 people have left comments on the station’s Facebook page.

Many called for the pair to be sacked permanently, and others said they had “blood on their hands”.

Maris Haryadi wrote: “Love it when what you expect to be worldwide sensation turns into worldwide condemnation! Hope you learn your lesson now”, while Gary Dowdell called their action “infantile, plain disgusting behaviour”.

Shattered: Sydney-based 2Day FM radio presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian carried out the prank call

Weak plan to extend Kyoto pushes climate talks to brink Qatar plan proposes to extend Kyoto until 2020

By Alister Doyle and Barbara Lewis WEAK proposals to extend until 2020 a shrivelled U.N. plan to fight climate change pushed marathon talks to the brink of collapse yesterday.

Delegates from nearly 200 nations spent hours poring over a package deal put forward by the host, OPEC member Qatar, that would also postpone until 2013 a row over demands from developing nations for more cash to help them cope with global warming.

Developing nations were divided over the modest deal that all sides said fell short of recommendations by scientists for tougher action to try to avert more heatwaves, sandstorms, floods, droughts and rising sea levels.

“They face two unpalatable options - accept a weak text or risk the collapse of the entire talks,” said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

The draft deal would extend the Kyoto Protocol for eight years. It had obliged about 35 industrialised nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by an average of at least 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the period from 2008 to 2012.

Kyoto will expire at the end

World Wildlife Fund activists pose for a picture before a march to demand action to address climate change in Doha on December 1, 2012 of 2012 if it is not extended and has been weakened by the withdrawals of Russia, Japan and Canada. The United States never ratified it, and its backers, led by the European Union and Australia, account for just 15 per cent of world greenhouse gas emissions.

Expiry of Kyoto would leave the world with no legally binding deal to confront global warming, merely a patchwork of national laws to rein in rising carbon emissions.

The two-week UN meeting in the Qatari capital had been due to end on Friday

but the talks went on past midday yesterday.

“I believe this is a package we can all live with,” conference president Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah said as he presented the Qatari proposal early yesterday.

Most importantly, the pro-

posal would keep alive hopes for a new, global UN deal to fight climate change due to be agreed by 2015 and enter into force by 2020 after past failures.

The 2015 deal would set goals for all nations, including emerging economies led by China and India that have no targets under Kyoto.

Qatar proposes that parties to Kyoto would have to revisit their targets for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2014, perhaps to make tougher goals, a concession to developing nations that had wanted Kyoto extended by only five years.

In a blow to the demands of developing nations for a clear timetable for a promised tenfold increase in aid to $100 billion a year by 2020, the draft deal merely agreed to put off decisions to 2013.

“The only thing that negotiators seem to be able to agree on is to defer difficult decisions to the next meeting,” said Kumi Naidoo, head of environmental group Greenpeace.

The United States, Europe and other developed nations, facing an economic slowdown at home, have refused to set a timetable for a rise in aid.

The document also outlined possible ways to meet developing nations’ demands for a new mechanism, including insurance, to help them confront losses and damage caused by rising sea levels or storms linked to climate change.

World carbon dioxide emissions are set to rise by 2.6 per cent this year, and are more than 50 per cent higher than in 1990. Recent growth has come mostly from emerging nations, led by China and India.

Myanmar govt apology to monks for injuries MYANMAR’S government has apologised for injuries, including serious burns, suffered last month by monks and others when riot police cleared camps set up to protest against evictions caused by the expansion of a copper mine.

Minister of Religious Affairs Myint Maung made a formal apology to 29 senior monks and said police regretted the incident, state-owned television reported late on Friday.

Activists said at least 50 people had been injured when riot police moved in at the Monywa mine in the northwest region of Sagaing on November 29. That

included more than 20 Buddhist monks, some with burns blamed on incendiary devices thrown by police.

The mine is operated by the militaryowned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd working with a unit of China North Industries Corp, a Chinese weapons manufacturer.

Anger had grown at the heavy-handed police intervention, reminiscent of the way dissent was stifled under the junta that ruled Myanmar for half a century until President Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian, reformist government took office in March 2011.

As monks protested around the country, Thein Sein quickly asked opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to head an investigation into the incident and the copper mine project.

“The policemen who had to discharge their duties were extremely sorrowful that monks, some novices and other persons were wounded in the copper mining project incident,” Myint Maung told the monks, adding that the government would do its utmost to ensure such “undesirable incidents” did not happen again.

Injured monks seen after the November 29 crackdown

11 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

World Meshaal vows never to recognise Israel

Egyptian military urges dialogue to avert catastrophe Army statement halts state radio and TV

By Alistair Lyon and Tamim Elyan EGYPT’S military said yesterday only dialogue could avert “catastrophe”, stepping into a crisis pitting an Islamist president against opponents of his drive to reshape a nation in turmoil since Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow.

An army statement, which state radio and television interrupted their programmes to read out, told feuding factions that a solution to the upheaval in the most populous Arab nation should not contradict “legitimacy and the rules of democracy”.

That sounded like a swipe at protesters who have besieged the palace of freely-elected President Mohamed Mursi and who have called for his removal, going beyond mainstream opposition demands for him to retract a decree that expanded his powers.

The statement also called

for a “serious” national dialogue - perhaps one more credible than talks convened

by Mursi yesterday in the absence of opposition leaders.

They insist he must first scrap his November 22 decree, defer next week’s popular vote on a new constitution and allow the text to be revised.

STABILITY CRAVED Deep rifts have emerged over the destiny of a country of 83 million where Mubarak’s ouster after 30 years of autocratic rule led to a messy army-led transition, with the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies winning two elections.

Many Egyptians crave a return to stability and economic recovery.

The spokesman for the main Islamist coalition demanded that the referendum go ahead on time on the constitution drafted by an Islamist-led assembly from which liberals had walked out.

The army, which ran Egypt for months after Mubarak fell in February 2011, again cast itself primarily as the neutral guarantor of the nation and a military source said there was no plan to retake control of the country or its turbulent streets.

“The armed forces affirm that dialogue is the best and only way to reach consensus,” the statement said. “The opposite of that will bring us to a dark tunnel that will result in catastrophe and that is something we will not allow.”

The military, however, did seem poised to take a more active role in security arrangements for the December 15 referendum.

A cabinet source said the cabinet had discussed reviving the army’s ability to make arrests if it were called upon to back up police, who normally provide security for elections.

Mursi’s office said the “national dialogue”, chaired by the president, had begun with

An Egyptian protester sweeps the street near army tanks outside the presidential palace in Cairo yesterday about 40 political and other public figures discussing “means to reach a solution to differences over the referendum ... and the constitutional decree”.

The instability in Egypt worries the West, especially the US, which has given Cairo billions of dollars in military and other aid since it made peace

with Israel in 1979.

The army issued its statement while protesters were still camped out by the gates of the presidential palace. The tens of thousands of Mursi foes who surged past tanks and barbed wire to reach the palace gates on Friday night had dispersed. But a hard core stayed overnight in tents.

HAMAS leader Khaled Meshaal, making his first ever visit to the Gaza Strip, vowed yesterday never to recognise Israel and said his Islamist group would never abandon its claim to all Israeli territory.

“Palestine is ours from the river to the sea and from the south to the north. There will be no concession on an inch of the land,” he told a sea of supporters at an openair rally, the highlight of his three-day stay in Gaza.

“We will never recognise the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation and therefore there is no legitimacy for Israel, no matter how long it will take.”

In an uncompromising speech, Meshaal also vowed to free Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, indicating Islamist militants would try to kidnap Israeli soldiers to use as a bargaining chip.

Israel last year released 1,027 Palestinians from its jails in return for the liberation of Gilad Shalit, a conscript soldier who was seized by Palestinian guerrillas in 2006 and hidden for more than five years in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinian detainees remain in Israel.

The Jewish state says many of them are terrorists. Hamas calls them freedom fighters.

12 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Opinion We’re all showing a shameful lack of public spirit EVERY DAY a new interest group protests against the provisions of the memorandum and argues that provisions affecting its members must be rejected. They all want to be exempted, for constitutional or financial or social or emotional or moral reasons and each group believes it is entitled to preferential treatment. By Thursday when the first bills of the bailout were being approved at the legislature more than a dozen different groups had protested or complained about allegedly unfair provisions.

Underworked and overpaid teachers have been at the vanguard of the protests, issuing verbose announcements against wealth and threatening work stoppages. On Wednesday they held a demonstration outside the legislature, supposedly in support of teachers on temporary work contracts, but in reality because they are opposed to working an extra period a week a provision of the memorandum.

This was obvious as the protests continued after the education

ministry made it clear that contracts of all teachers would be renewed. In short, the EU’s second best-paid teachers demonstrated against having to teach an extra period a week.

Policemen protested about being paid only a third of their overtime entitlement in cash and threatened to impose an overtime ban (they also moaned about losing their plain clothes allowance) while non-commissioned officers of the National Guard also moaned about losing an allowance. Electricity Authority workers, fearing their privileges were under threat either from privatisation or an end to the authority’s monopoly, took out an advert calling for a referendum on the bailout. As for state hospital doctors, they were outraged that they would have to pay for healthcare, in line with the new regulations which make free care available only to low income earners.

It is sad that well-educated members of our society, to whom people look up to, are incapa-

Cyprus Mail

ble of setting the good example by putting aside their personal interest for the general good. And though we have come to expect such self-interested behaviour from state doctors and teachers, it was very disappointing to see judges showing no public spirit when their incomes were affected. Large numbers of district court judges filed appeals against last year’s small cut to their pay on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. To avoid having to rule on the issue, the Supreme Court proposed that judges gave the equivalent of the pay cut, in a monthly contribution. This would mean that judges’ pensions and retirement bonus would be calculated on the full wage.

If Supreme Court judges were more public-spirited, they would have proposed an amendment of the constitution, instead of a compromise that, ultimately, was in their personal interest. How-

ever, it would appear that this is no longer an issue, as the Attorney General has said the pay cuts and all other measures included in the bailout were being imposed under the ‘law of necessity’, implying that no group could appeal against their constitutionality. This was also an answer to unions arguing that changing collective agreements unilaterally was a violation of the law.

How ironic that many politicians, including the president, have been waxing lyrical about the spirit and resourcefulness shown by Cypriots after the 1974 catastrophe and calling for a repeat performance. They ignore that we live in a different era, an era governed by self-interest and an appalling sense of entitlement cultivated by decades of union rule. For decades organised groups have been securing privileges for their members - be they lawyers, doctors, air-traffic controllers, civil servants etc - with the support of self-interested politicians concerned only about votes.

And even though these privileges/rights have driven the state to bankruptcy they still refuse to give them up. Each group wants to be exempted but is happy for the other groups to make the necessary sacrifices. This is how entrenched the sense of entitlement is - people only want to take, never to give. Nobody seems capable of seeing beyond their narrow personal interest while notions such as the common good, sense of community and public spirit have disappeared from our vocabulary in the era of the ‘me culture’.

Cyprus is going through the most difficult period since 1974 and the only concern of the best looked after members of our society - those with secure, well-paid jobs - is to get out of contributing anything to help the country. It is a shameful attitude, considering there are more than 40,000 unemployed and more people are slipping below the poverty line each day.

But it seems we have become too selfish to care.

Letters to the Editor

Not everyone can learn a new languge Further to your prolific contributor, Clive Turner, and his observations and opinions about learning Greek in last Sunday’s issue I concur with what he says.

A point in turn, which this esteemed newspaper highlighted a couple of years ago, was my experience with the courts. I was issued with a court order in Greek. Later, I did a bit of research and it transpires that under article 12 under the linguistic Right of the Cyprus Constitution section 5: ‘Every person charged with an offence has the following minimum rights: (a) to be informed promptly and in a language which he understands and detail of the nature and grounds of the charge preferred against him’. This article, one suspects, has been enshrined in the constitution at the time of its conception.

In this day and age basic human rights of this nature should be obligatory to all government departments.

To be told that one should learn Greek by a government officer is, in my view,

offensive. There are many reasons why people are unable to learn a new language and they should not be penalized by officialdom. Cyprus has failed to recognise that being in the Euro family one is part of a multicultural concept.

Rather than harangue some of its community with negative remarks the administration should be seeking ways of using modern interactive communication applications. Communicating in any language is now possible. Of course only a caring and progressive administration would know about such things.

For those who are interested I did start taking Greek lessons but stopped when the Cyprus Pound became the Euro. The reason was simple. On one visit to a restaurant I approached the waiter and endeavoured to converse in Greek. For my effort all I got was: Please speak English I am from Poland! Nearly ten years on and it hasn’t changed.

Peter Stammers, Mesogi

Be grateful Cypriots speak English In reply to Clive Turner’s letter of last week, I would just like to ask him which other EU countries, apart from Greece and Cyprus, have official information published in the Greek language.

The UK has a Greek speaking community a lot larger than the British population of Cyprus, but I don’t ever remember seeing instructions on medicines in Greek or being asked by the council if I required them to send my local tax bill in Greek.

In fact I am sure that if someone in the UK complained about receiving an official document in English which they couldn’t understand, they would get a very similar response to that given by Mr Andreou.

You should be grateful that so many Cypriots speak good English and can help you out in these situations, that is of course if you know any.

Martin Rodger, Nicosia

Paradise lost as history about to repeat itself It is with much sadness that we, the overseas Greek Cypriots, have been following the economic and political developments on the island.

Cyprus should have been the jewel of the Mediterranean and instead it’s what many would call a banana republic, a paradise lost, a place where the same few have ruled since 1960 and have driven the island to the brink of economic disaster.

A place built on false promises. A place where people, especially the youth, have lost hope.

From the ‘50’s through the mid ‘70’s poverty and war forced many to migrate to countries like England, Australia and the U.S. in pursuit of jobs, hope and a better future for their families. In the last 30 years migration was minimal and many of us accidentally stayed abroad due to love or post graduate jobs and in general left Cyprus with much better memories.

It looks like history is about to repeat itself. Cyprus, due to the incompetency of its politicians and the greed of the elite

few, will once again force its young away from its shores.

Unemployment and corruption will drive the younger generations to pursue hope and happiness in places far away.

The songs of Kazantzidis about xenitia (foreign lands) will once again become relevant to mothers and fathers across the island.

Everyone has contributed to this situation and everyone is part of the problem.

Cyprus has a highly educated population which somehow has either stayed silent over the years by showing complete apathy or became part of the establishment through conformity.

Apathy and conformity are both equally dangerous. Unless a cultural mindset shift takes place, the Troika loans will only encourage the continuation of the reckless behaviour of the politicians and the elite few.

A call to action is in desperate need.

What’s stopping educated, independent, progressive citizens with no political af-

filiations to organize and challenge the establishment? A new movement by the people and for the people.

A new movement with a vision to make Cyprus the jewel of the Mediterranean, corruption free with best-in-class education and health care systems. A new movement where the youth will have hope once again and where senior citizens will be able to live their golden years with dignity.

Today, in Cyprus, visionaries are in great need. Visionaries are wanted. Cyprus needs you to come out of hibernation and speak up. Do it for your children, otherwise they will end up living five thousand miles away from you. If you don’t do it, no one will do it for you.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”. Now it’s time for you to dream big and take action.

Leaflet delivery or casing homes?

Covered in your paper over the last few weeks there appears to have been a considerable increase in crime, mainly on private property.

Less than two weeks ago a neighbour was broken into between the hours of 07.30 – 11.00 - yes broad daylight - and the only items taken were made of gold which apparently is so easy to sell on, no questions asked, receiving good money per gramme.

The other day I was outside cleaning around the front of my house when I noticed a person standing on the opposite side of the road looking over the front of my house.

Okay, he might have been just looking or admiring it, but what made me a little suspicious was that as soon as he saw me looking he said: ‘kalimera’ and gave me a supermarket flyer.

Before I forget, he was not Cypriot. Then I noticed that he was not on his own as

another person was compiling flyers and placing them in next door’s letter box. He seemed to be taking longer than normal to do this.

Normally they are sorted prior to delivery, stopping momentarily just to place in the box or on fence.

What really got me thinking is that I had never seen them being delivered by two people. For sure one was delivering flyers but the other only had a few flyers in his hand so was he delivering, keeping company or casing properties for access, ideal cover when you come to think of it?

I could be wrong in my assumption but with the high unemployment situation a mock cover is a reality. In no way do I tar those that deliver flyers with the same brush.

Most earn little for what they do and are just doing a job to earn some bread.

PL, Limassol

Nicolas Nicolaou, New Jersey, US

Housing benefits for refugees no longer necessary I think the easiest way to cut a large chunk from the government budget would be to stop all payments to refugees. After 38 years there are no true refugees anymore. All have been rehoused and given land to compensate them for their losses. Children born after 1974 are still being given grants to build houses when it should be their parents, or themselves, footing the bill.

Last year’s decision to give refugee status to daughters of refugees has only deepened the hole that this government finds themselves in.

Alan Morton, Famagusta

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13 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Opinion

Sea change in Middle East Palestine and Israel are no longer at the political epicentre of this troubled region Comment

A Syrian refugee girl on the Syrian Turkish border: President Assad’s regime will fall. It is only a question of when

Joschka Fischer

W

HEN hostilities flared in Gaza last month, it seemed like the same old story was repeating itself. The world again witnessed a bloody and senseless surge of violence between Israel and Hamas, in which the main victims were innocent civilians maimed and killed on both sides.

This time, however, things were not what they seemed, because the Middle East has undergone a significant change in the past two years. The political epicentre of this troubled region has shifted from the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians toward the Persian Gulf and the struggle for regional mastery between Iran on one side and Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and now Egypt on the other. In the emerging struggle between the region’s Shia and Sunni powers, the old Middle East conflict has become a sideshow.

TWO ISSUES

KEY CONFRONTATION Today, the key confrontation in this power struggle is Syria’s civil war, where all of the region’s major players are represented either directly or indirectly, because that is where the battle for regional hegemony will largely be decided. This much is clear: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Alawite/Shia power base will not be able to maintain control against the Sunni majority in the country and the region as a whole. The only question is when the regime will fall.

When it does, it will be a major defeat for Iran, not only entailing the loss of its main Arab ally, but also jeopardising the position of its client, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

At the same time, a variant of the Muslim Brotherhood will come to power in Syria, as has been or will be the case almost everywhere in the Middle East as a result of the “Arab Awakening”.

From Israel’s viewpoint, the rise to power of Sunni political Islam throughout the region over the past two years will lead to an ambivalent outcome. While the weakening and rollback of Iran serves Israeli strategic interests, Israel will have to reckon with Sunni Islamist power everywhere in its vicinity, leading directly to a strengthening of Hamas.

The rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and its offshoots has come at the expense of secular Arab nationalism and the military dictatorships that supported it. Thus, the Brothers’ rise has de facto also decided the internal Palestinian power struggle.

With the recent war in Gaza, the Palestin-

lomatic defeat for Israel and a demonstration of its growing international isolation, but it does not imply a return to a twostate solution.

Paradoxically, the position of Hamas fits the political right in Israel, because it, too, puts little stock in a two-state solution. And neither the Israeli left (of which little remains) nor Fatah is strong enough to maintain the two-state option. For Israel, a future as a bi-national state entails a high long-term risk, unless the option of a West Bank-Jordan confederation, lost in the 1980s, is rediscovered. This is again a possibility.

Indeed, after the Assad regime falls, Jordan could prove to be the next crisis hotspot, which might revive the debate over Jordan as the “real” Palestinian state.

Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank would then have a different foundation and take on new political significance.

While I do not believe that a West BankJordan confederation could ever be a viable option, it might be the last nail in the coffin of a two-state solution.

ian national movement will align itself, under Hamas’ leadership, with this regional development. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party will be unable to offer much opposition - all the more so in view of Hamas’s break with Iran (despite ongoing arms deliveries) a year ago.

This development most likely means the end of prospects for a two-state solution, because neither Israel nor Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood has any interest in it. Hamas and the Brothers reject territorial compromise, because, for them, a Palestinian state means a Palestine that incorporates all of Israel.

This is by no means a tactical position or an expression of political naiveté. On

the contrary, the territorial question has morphed into a religious one, and has thus fundamentally redefined the conflict.

Hamas is playing a long game. As long as it lacks the strength to achieve its more ambitious objectives, its intransigence in no way precludes negotiations with Israel or even peace treaties, as long as such agreements advance its long-term goals.

But such agreements will produce only truces of shorter or longer duration, not a comprehensive settlement that ends the conflict.

The recent success of Abbas in the United Nations General Assembly - securing observer-state status for Palestine - will not alter the basic aspects of this trend.

Palestine’s promotion is an alarming dip-

Along with Syria, two issues will determine this new Middle East’s future: Egypt’s path under the Muslim Brotherhood, and the outcome of confrontation with Iran over its nuclear programme and regional role.

The Egyptian question is already high on the agenda; indeed, it spilled into the streets after President Mohamed Mursi’s non-violent coup attempt. Mursi’s timing was remarkable: the day after winning international acclaim for his successful efforts to broker a truce in Gaza, he staged a frontal assault on Egypt’s nascent democracy.

The question now is whether the Brothers will prevail, both in the streets and by means of Egypt’s new constitution (which they largely wrote). If they do, will the West withdraw its support for Egyptian democracy in the name of “stability”? It would be a bad mistake.

The question of what to do about Iran’s nuclear programme will also return with a vengeance in January, after US President Barack Obama’s second inauguration and Israel’s general election, and will demand an answer within a few months.

The new Middle East bodes poorly for the coming year. But one thing has not changed: it is still the Middle East, where it is nearly impossible to know what might be waiting around the corner.

Joschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign minister and vice-chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader in the German Green Party for almost 20 years © Project Syndicate 2012

Bank employees should not escape unscathed Comment Loucas Charalambous IN MY LAST few articles I wrote about how provocative and unjustified the reaction of the union bosses of the public employees was to the measures contained in the memorandum. I showed with figures that even after the cuts envisaged by the measures, employees in the broader public sector would still be considered privileged in comparison to their private sector colleagues.

For the sake of fairness, however, it should be mentioned that apart from public and semi-governmental employees, there is another privileged group of workers that, for the time being, have been left untouched by austerity. I refer to

the bank employees, and I refer to all of them from the top executives down to the lowest clerical officer.

There is little doubt that the running of the banks, in the last 20 years or so, is one of the reasons we have arrived at bankruptcy today. It would therefore be fair for the contribution of this group of workers to be similar to that of the public employees.

Their contribution could be said to be of more critical importance as it would serve the need of the economy for a lower cost of money, so that when the recapitalisation takes place the banks would be able to introduce some liquidity to the market and help recovery. Put simply, the operational costs of the banks must be reduced so that

interest rates can come down.

Staff costs are a big part of banks’ operational costs. Laiki Bank has already gone ahead with significant pay cuts, some of which are as high as 20 per cent. But the other banks have not touched wages. This seems especially odd in the case of the Bank of Cyprus which will be bailed out by the state.

Wages at the banks are, generally, higher than those in the public sector. The average wage is about €48,000 while the average cost per employee is close to €60,000, when at a good private company the average cost per employee is not higher than €30,000. In short, pay cuts similar to those imposed in the public sector would not cause serious problems for the employees of the rest of the banks.

It would also contribute to the lowering of the labour costs which, combined with the savings from the necessary downsizing, would allow for a reduction in interest rates that are currently prohibitive. Any cuts in pay and benefits, it goes without saying, should start from the very top of the banks which should set an example.

Recently I went through the accounts of the Bank of Cyprus of the last 10 years and noted the salaries that were being paid to their top executives. Just a cursory look at the astronomical amounts being paid was enough to illustrate the incredibly irresponsible behaviour of the board which led Cyprus’ biggest company, with a hundred-year history, to the brink of bankruptcy.

I will just mention, as an example, the CEO of the bank, Andreas Eliades, whose pay and provocative benefits were in excess of one million euro per annum for most years.

This waste of money must stop and be replaced by a more measured and responsible approach to pay. All the bank staff should be prepared to make a small sacrifice on the wage front if they are to contribute to our society’s effort to deal with the economic crisis it is facing.

In fact this is a moral obligation given the banks are the main cause of our current problems. The banks must not only take from the memorandum. It would be fair and just for their well-looked after employees to give something as well.

14 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Opinion

The public sector really must do more with less But are those top executives up to the task?

Comment Theodore Panayotou

W

E LIVE in the era of systemic uncertainty. Only two things can be predicted with total certainty about the future. The first is that tomorrow will be very different from today.

The second is that tomorrow we will be asked to do more with less. Why is it so? And, are top executives in the public sector up to the task?

The two inexorable forces of globalisation and information technology have already determined that there is only one game in town, the competition in the global market, in which speed and value for money (low cost and high quality) are all that counts. In this world, competition is with the mega-countries of China, India and other emerging economies, which host almost half the world’s population and have incredibly low labour costs but with access to the same markets, capital and technologies as Europe does. As a result, the centre of gravity of the global economy is moving their way like water moves to lower ground.

There is only one way for economies in Europe (and North America) to compete: to increase their speed of response, to cut cost, to differentiate their products and increase their quality and to move up market in order to be capable of absorbing their higher labour costs. To do this the private sector, which is fighting in the trenches of the frontline to remain competitive, requires faster and better public services at lower cost. This means that the public sector will be increasingly asked to do more and better with less: fewer civil servants, less bureaucracy and reduced budgets.

At the same time, the public in Europe is asking for more and better social services, health and education as well as more protection of the environment and the global climate. Hence the trillion dollar - or should it be euro - question: how can the public sector in Europe respond to the growing demand from both citizens and businesses for increased and better services costing less money and employing fewer civil servants? This is needed not just because of the present recession and tight budgets, but is here to stay because of the competition from the lower-cost, more agile emerging economies in a global market with instantaneous communication, free movement of capital, technology and even labour.

The answer is to be found as always in institutional and technological innovation and change. On the institutional side, the right incentives must be created for raising public sector productivity, efficiency and speed (more with less). These incentives can be provided through results-based performance and result-based management, i.e. by linking salary increases, promotion and bonuses with objectives and performance. This, in turn, requires that public sector productivity is measured at the organisational level and performance is assessed at the individual level.

The role of top executives and senior public managers here is pivotal in terms of both assessment and motivation. They are to set the strategic vision and the strategic priorities as well as the measures of performance and cost effectiveness which are critical for value crea-

The public’s demands of its civil service is growing: inefficiency and over-burdened bureaucracy are no longer acceptable tion and delivery of value for money to stakeholders, both citizens and businesses. There is no shortcut or alternative to “managing by objectives, managing by results”.

Flexibility and inter-changeability of public servants are critical for cost effectiveness in a world of uncertainty and constant change.

Both of these qualities require acquisition of transferable skills, including change management and a can do attitude. Involving the stakeholders, be they citizens or businesses, is key to value creation since only they know what they want and how much they value it.

Employment of information technology to a degree that we have E-Government in practice, not just in name, across the board is a sine qua non for increasing speed, lowering cost, and delivering more and better public services with fewer civil servants, less bureaucracy and tighter budgets. Knowledge management and integrated operation systems can have dramatic effects on raising cost effectiveness and improving problem-solving and decision making thereby adding value while cutting costs. Where an integrated EGovernment and knowledge management have been implemented, savings of the order of 30-50 per cent have been attained on top of those attained by linking rewards to productivity and managing by objectives.

Achieving more with less is imperative in a world of pervasive uncertainty, resource scarcity and constant change. It is also quite feasible. But, are the top executives and senior public managers up to the task of managing change of the scale and speed required? Potentially yes; pragmatically no, with certain exceptions, of course, of both countries and individuals. Continuous executive development is key to preparing top executives and managers not only to implement changes but more importantly to train, mentor and motivate, if not also inspire, lower-level managers and employees to adopt a mindset of service and value creation, to embrace change and risk-taking, and to respond rapidly and flexibly.

Beyond structured training, top executives can learn from each other, through interaction

‘Achieving more with less is imperative in a world of pervasive uncertainty, resource scarcity and constant change’ and knowledge management, and from their colleagues in other EU countries, through exchange of experiences and best practices.

Lifelong learning should be part and parcel of public executives’ life and for that matter of all civil servants if they are to deliver value for money in a world where change is the only constant.

In conclusion, a leaner and more agile and efficient public sector is called for to meet the challenges ahead for Europe. The role of top executives and senior public managers is pivotal in bringing it about. To succeed they must acquire new skills and new mindsets through continuous professional development and exchange of experiences and best practices across the sector and across the Union. It can be done. It must be done since survival depends on it. But survival, of course is not mandatory; it is optional.

Many countries in Northern Europe saw the shifting sands of the global economy and have acted to defend their competitiveness by ensuring that, their public sector, regardless of its size, remains productive and responsive.

Some countries in Southern Europe, notably, Cyprus, Greece, and Portugal, have ignored the winds of global competition and failed to change, allowing a slow moving, highcost and low-productivity public sector to eat into their competitiveness to such an extent that they needed a bailout from European institutions and the International Monetary Fund. For them doing more with less is no

longer an option; it is an absolute necessity.

Doing less with less would sink them deeper into recession.

On a positive note, the current economic crisis has brought to the surface a festering problem and created the pressures for governments around Europe to find the political will to bring about changes that were unthinkable only a couple of years ago. It is hoped that the changes underway are not viewed as temporary responses to the crisis but as permanent and systemic transformations that will put Europe on a more solid ground to compete globally.

Top public sector executives have a crucial role to play in this regard, for it is they who will ensure that fewer resources, human and financial, do not mean doing less but doing more with less. Their tools are public sector innovations, such as E-Government and management by objectives and results, as well as training and development of themselves and their people.

Management and public administration schools should come to their assistance. Responding to this need my own school, the Cyprus International Institute of Management, a non-for-profit postgraduate institution which has been grappling with these issues for years, has turned its executive leadership programme and its Master in Public Sector Management into “doing more with less” training and development platforms.

From Top Executives’ Role and Development in Times of Crisis, the keynote address delivered to the EU-Cyprus Presidency Meeting of the Directors Generals of the EU-27 ministries and departments. Dr Theodore Panayotou is professor and director of the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM) and served as professor of economics and the environment at Harvard University.

He has been a consultant to the UN and to governments in the US, China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and Cyprus. He has published and was recognised for his contribution to the Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007

15 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Opinion Inviting the troika inside the city walls

uotes of the week “I found it quite difficult to keep it to myself”.

Prime Minister David Cameron, after being handed a note during a Downing Street policy meeting about the Duchess of Cambridge’s pregnancy

on her self-image “How do you decide who is going to win?”.

What Margaret Thatcher once reportedly asked when introduced to jockeys at Towcester races

“I for one hope it’s a girl”.

Lord Archer

A complete overhaul of entire systems is urgently required

We deserve a haunting from our forefathers Comment Hermes Solomon

A

1930S-TYPE depression is predicted to begin in 2013, and will remain in place for the next five years, this due to what I believe to be a G20 conspiracy to reduce world industrial output to a level conducive to combating climate change. And will bankers and billionaires profit from this depression like they did the worldwide recession? Oh, those ‘soulless bastards’ responsible for our woes! Booms and recessions, followed by depressions, are not simply acts of God. But the Turkish economy, which suffered virtual collapse in 2001, is now booming. Some say savings and investment turned Turkey around, while Cyprus squandered its wealth, developers digging holes so deep in the ground that they bumped into their forefathers turning in their graves moaning, “Remember how we survived on black bread, olives and an onion for years to pay for your education, only for you to fail to save and re-invest profits during Cyprus’ golden era - a 10 yearlong period of unmerited wealth, which will never come again.”

Now we must reap the reward of decades of fiscal folly - long term and massive unemployment - while the troika restructures the economy, their Memorandum of Understanding on Specific Economic Policy Conditionality available on: http://blogs.r.ftdata.co.uk/brusselsblog/files/2012/12/CyprusMoU.pdf Read it and weep!

I am pitiless. I have been shouting profligacy and corruption from the rooftops for years, repeatedly predicting that the Cyprus economy was heading for a collapse - a selection of those very articles collected two years ago in a book aptly entitled, Cyprus on the Rocks.

We had to wait till now to be told by the troika that we were on the rocks rather than taking evasive/decisive ac-

tion years ago, when the truth was already scrawled across the concrete walls of our minds. Had we straightened the crooked back then, we would not now have to pick up the broken remains of an economy worth little more than a handful of dust. We even had the gall to pretend we’d escape the ‘Greek tragedy’. But we are Greeks, aren’t we?

Bloody fools more like!

Kr Solon hails from the mountain village of Agros. A wise and gentle octogenarian, he runs a beautiful bookshop (first opened on Byron Street in 1969 and moved to Byzantiou in 1995) with the help of his lovely daughter, Christiana. They have just rationalised and refurbished it, offering comfortable and brighter surroundings, innumerable subdivisions of open plan, fully stocked bookshelves with lounges and sofas, tables, Wi-Fi access as well as refreshments. Kr Solon hopes, as does Christiana, that by investing in tomorrow, if not belatedly, sales will increase.

But when I suggested they offered an Amazon-like online postal service, combining a comprehensive index of categorised titles accompanied by a detailed price list, I was told that they’d already reduced staff numbers by half and were struggling to survive; producing a website was simply beyond their capabilities and pocket, nobody at the store possessing the expertise to either generate an index or operate such a site.

And that’s what’s wrong with so many businesses in Cyprus; they do not possess a level of professionalism/competence required to succeed in today’s highly competitive world. The same can be said of our government and its administration, banks, land registries, Inland Revenue, Migration department, courthouses and insurance companies - amateurish, all of them! A complete overhaul of entire systems is urgently required rather than just tinkering with what has remained unchanged for donkeys’ years.

Unfortunately, those qualified to accomplish any such overhaul have been sacrificed at the altar of political and trade union self-interest from the time the island won its independence until the day the ‘victory trophy’ troika was reluctantly dragged inside the ‘city walls’.

Until that day, the self-interested sur-

vived unscathed, since nobody of consequence was deemed to be watching – nobody, that is, who could bring any of the self-interested to book for their piratic pillaging of our treasury and abuse of a naïve, cowardly and mostly complicit citizenry.

Our heroic and industrious Ombudswoman, Eliza Savvidou, and Accountant General, Chrystalla Georghadji have fought relentlessly for accountability and change (rationalisation) - in reality, ‘pissing in the wind’ against a decadent and unworkable government and its fat, donkey-laden administration.

But now, at last, past accusations/indictments will be carried forward into the current account and those ‘soulless bastards’, who have thus far escaped justice, will be tried and convicted of incompetence, extortion, indifference, corruption or embezzlement, and no end of other crimes visited upon this 52 yearlong, brutally savaged and exploited half banana republic. To quote the Venetian historian, Pesaro, “Cypriots are liars, cheats and thieves!” Mind you, what did he expect given our 80 year heartless subjugation by Venice.

That well-worn maxim, ‘Beware of gifts borne by Greeks’ is about to be changed to ‘Beware of the troika bearing gifts’. And I don’t expect the troika to be any kinder to us than were the Venetians.

The former intentionally misquoted aphorism should read ‘Danaos et dona ferentes’ (‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts’) taken from Virgil’s Aeneid, but who, here, apart from the troika, has ever studied the detail in the small print? Had Virgil been an ancient Greek poet, and not a Roman, we might have listened, so besotted, and now bankrupted, are we with our presumed Greek origins!

Wake up Cyprus. We are at last moving into the real world. Stop pretending we can escape retribution with a delusional economic upturn when we are only now on the way down. We must first restructure our entire administration in accordance with troika demands before attempting to claw our way back up the walls of a pro-rata much deeper, self-inflicted abyss than that of Ireland, Spain, and probably, Greece.

Who do we expect to send us food parcels first - the Turks?

“My husband is like ‘It only took you nine years to get people to like you’.

I’m like ‘It took me nine years to like you, too’”.

Pop singer Pink “You should have saw his face when he saw me”.

Mike Tyson, claiming he once found Brad Pitt in bed with his now ex-wife actress Robin Givens

“It felt like the summoning of the Five Families in The Godfather”.

Daily Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher jokes on Twitter after a summit on the Leveson recommendations at 10 Downing Street was attended by 19 editors and industry representatives, nine Whitehall officials and four ministers, including the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary “Wearing a dog collar in a fashion shoot was quite a powerful experience”.

The Rev Sally Hitchiner, 32, who donned tight silver leather trousers worth over £1,000 for a ‘Vicar Wears Prada’ photoshoot “Sometimes I forget I am 44 and I think ‘I must get those hot pants out of retirement’. And then some mornings I look in the mirror and I see 94 not 44. That is the reality before the make-up.”

Pop star Kylie Minogue

“I was shocked. The first thing you pray for after a first night is that you should avoid disgrace.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the vilification”.

Herbert Kretzmer, lyricist of Les Miserables, recalls the “horrendous” reviews received by the subsequently recordbreaking musical - now a feature film “Dave and I have a history. I have been a guest on his show several times, and if you include references to my pant suits, I’m on at least once a week”.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on chat show host David Letterman

“Oh dear, our stick insect has escaped”.

A momentous Tweet from Sarah Brown, wife of former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown “I feel slightly uncomfortable about artists turning a scribble into a meal”.

Sculptor Antony Gormley says he does not sign napkins to pay the bill in a restaurant

16 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

News Review Speedy deal EUROGROUP president Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday night urged Cyprus and the EU/IMF to seal the deal on a bailout as soon as possible. Euro zone finance ministers met on Monday to discuss the terms of a Greek debt buy-back and review a Cypriot bailout. The Eurogroup will discuss the interim results of the due diligence exercise on the capital needs of the financial sector and its implications for programme financing on December 13 Juncker said after the meeting.

Price rises FOOD PRODUCERS on Monday warned that the prices of staple items like milk, bread and meat would rise, adding to the woes of Cypriot households already contemplating shrinking incomes as a result of austerity measures and tax hikes on the way. Food producers warned that the ever-rising price of grain has left them with no choice but to increase the retail price of their products in January meaning milk, bread and meat will go up.

Bus strike PUBLIC transport islandwide, except for Paphos, ground to a halt on Monday as drivers in the Nicosia, Larnaca, Limas-

Out of this world: Miss Universe 2012 contestants (left to right): Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus, Miss Czech Republic Tereza Chlebovska, Miss Peru Nicole Faveron and Miss Cyprus Ioanna Yiannakou pose in their swimwear at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Las Vegas

Tears and strikes over austerity sol and Famagusta districts staged a strike over wages. Bus drivers on intercity buses and school buses also took part in the strike called after drivers did not receive their November salaries. The strike, which is ongoing, left thousands of people inconvenienced.

CyTA protest SEMI-STATE telecoms company CyTA on Monday put off a decision on whether to loan the government €120 million from its pension fund, as employees demonstrated against the idea. The CyTA board convened to discuss the potential loan, with one eye on finding ways to ensure its repayment, and another on maintaining peaceful labour relations with staff by safeguarding their pension interests.

No decision was taken.

Necessary evil PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias on Tuesday made it clear there was no going back on the bailout deal and its contents, which he warned would be painful. In a televised address to the nation, Christofias called for unity and responsible action from all to “overcome the difficulties” brought about by Cyprus’ recourse to the European Stability Mechanism.

Christofias, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, flanked by the flags of Cyprus and the EU, said Cyprus had no choice but to turn to outsiders for help after its largest banks took huge losses on exposure to debt-crippled Greece and looked to the state for aid.

Needy kids OVER 8,000 school children are in need of financial assistance, said the Education Ministry’s permanent secretary Olympia Stylianou on Tuesday. Speaking after a meeting of the House Education Committee, Stylianou said the ministry has called a broad meeting of stakeholders to work out a system for providing assistance to needy pupils. Earlier in the week, known businessman Nicolas Shacolas said his family and the Shacolas Group would provide food for a year to poor primary school children in 2013.

The exact method of providing help will be organised in co-ordination with the education ministry, said Shacolas.

Tax jeopardy DEVELOPERS are unhappy with a new immovable property tax regime, agreed

Over 8,000 school children are in need of financial assistance, said the Education Ministry

as part of the island’s bailout, saying it will jeopardise the already badly-hit sector’s prospects. In a written statement, the developers’ association warned that implementation of the new regime would lead many people to sell their properties because of the high tax. This will in turn force the value of mortgaged property down and create fresh recapitalisation needs for the banks, the developers said.

Chinese tourists THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation (CTO) is bringing tour operators from Hong Kong to Cyprus to meet their Cypriot counterparts, hoteliers and other stakeholders as part of efforts to attract tourism from the Chinese city next autumn. The aim initially is to reach 100,000 tourists belonging to China’s high-income bracket. According to the CTO, the Hong Kong tour operators will arrive in Cyprus in March.

Job losses GOING ON 8,000 jobs were lost in Cyprus in the past 12 months, bringing the total number of unemployed people to 39,522 at the end of November, figures released

on Wednesday revealed. The figure represents a 24.2 per cent increase in job losses since November 2011, roughly translating to 21 redundancies on average every day over the past year. In total, job losses over the past year totalled 7,696.

Prison concern THE COUNCIL of Europe’s anti-torture committee on Thursday released a report criticising the continued ill treatment by police in Cyprus and prison overcrowding. Persons held in police establishments in Cyprus continue to run a “serious risk” of ill treatment, according to the report by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

Busking legal FOLLOWING the Nicosia police chief’s apology to a group of busking musicians who were charged with “illegal fundraising” during a musical festival, the Attorney-general is due to confirm that street artists are not breaking any laws. Police officers charged a festival’s organiser last week with “illegal fundraising” during

QUOTES OF THE WEEK “I’ve had to walk 5km on foot, in the rain because of the strike” Cameroonian refugee on the bus strike “I am the last person who will attempt to idealise this memorandum and attempt to whitewash things... there are many measures which are truly painful, and measures which, under other circumstances I would not even discuss” President Demetris Christofias “We expect complete financial transparency from Cyprus relating to money laundering issues, which fulfil EU standards and international requirements. We also expect quick implementation of all requirements that international organisations make” German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (right) “We are the best in water management in the whole of Europe” Agriculture minister Sophoclis Aletraris

“He does all the running and I do all the running around” Nicole Simpson, wife of David Simpson who was running 145km for charity “We think that at immovable property is once more used as the easy way out to cover the state’s financing needs, eeds, without considering sidering the effects such a choice would have on the future growth of the e sector and employment” t” The association ation of developers ers “There is no o longer any room for complacency, cy, neither personal nor party arty aspirations” Finance minnister Vassos s Shiarly

“My concern and priority has always been for the good of the workers, of the common people.

I assure you that I shall continue to fight for these values to my last breath” President Demetris Christofi as C event in tears at a PEO ev [at court for “I saw him here [a when he came the first time] whe sorts of lies to to spread all sort enjoying evesave his hide, enj attorney-general rything the attorn offer” has to offe Murder trial Murd suspect Elena sus Skordelli on Sko key witness Fanos HadjiFan georgiou geo “D “Drivers are not n responsible for the si situation” sit MP Antonis M Antoniou on An the buses strike st

an event organised by non-governmental organisation, Multi-Arts Crossings (MAX) that had been cleared ahead of time with Nicosia municipality.

The beginning UNDER THE threat ‘bailout or bust’, legislators on Thursday approved the first batch of tax hikes and salary cuts, giving Cypriots a glimpse of even tougher times ahead. The three items passed by the plenum relate to tax hikes on tobacco and alcohol, an increase in VAT, and across-the-board salary cuts for the broader public sector – and that’s just for starters. All three bills were passed by unanimous vote.

‘Most crucial’ THE 2013 budget is perhaps the most crucial parliament would have to approve in the island’s modern history, Finance Minister Vassos Shiarly said on Thursday, as he urged parties to put their differences aside for the good of the country. Shiarly said Cyprus recession will extend through 2013 as austerity measures taken under an EU/IMF bailout weigh, even as they lay the foundations for future growth.

He said 2013 would also be “particularly difficult” because of a poor external environment and the need to recapitalise a banking sector exposed to Greece.

President’s tears PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias broke down in tears on Thursday night during an impassioned speech before delegates of left-wing trade union PEO. The head of state became emotional while talking about looming austerity measures resulting from an expected foreign bailout.

As president, Christofias was appearing before the congress of PEO for the last time; the incumbent will not be running for re-election.

Killing tourism HOTELIERS on Thursday warned the restructuring of immovable property tax (IPT) as provided in the draft memorandum with the troika, would put them out of business and kill off any competitive edge Cyprus has over neighbouring countries. Increases in the immovable property tax (IPT) regime, agreed as part of the island’s bailout, make Cyprus an extremely expensive tourism destination, they argued.

17 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Coffeeshop

Kindness in a time of crisis THE ALTRUISM and sense of community of the highest-paid members of our society really warms the heart.

As if it were not bad enough having the judges taking the government to court because it had cut four or five per cent from their fat salaries last year, this week we had the state hospital doctors moaning because their earnings disqualified them for free healthcare, which they enjoyed until recently. The decision was “unacceptable, unethical and immoral”, said the doctors’ representative.

Then we had the Central Bank governor sending a letter to the legislature asking that Central Bank employees be exempted from the public sector pay cuts, because the approval of the European Central Bank was needed.

Failure to inform the ECB could lead to legal action against the cuts on the grounds that the correct procedure had been violated, wrote Professor Panicos.

Was he being serious? Was there half a chance the ECB, which is part of the troika, would create a problem because it had not been informed about the pay cuts? And why had the finance ministry not written to the ECB to inform it about the pay cuts it planned to impose on Central Bank staff? The cuts had been decided more than two weeks ago.

The Central Bank defended itself by claiming it wanted the correct procedure to be followed. But why did it not inform the finance ministry, which has the responsibility to inform the ECB about cuts, about this obligation two weeks ago instead of raising the matter on the day the bill was sent to the legislature for approval?

The governor’s second in command, Spyros Stavrinakis, who had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against last year’s pay cut which reduced his earnings by a couple of hundred euro, I am informed by Central Bank sources, had nothing to do with this oversight that would have ensured no pay cuts for a few more months.

dressing his commie comrades at a PEO conference.

He shed a few tears for them, when declaring that “my concern and priority has always been for the good of the workers and the ordinary man”. It was a bit gay, the way he choked up and took a folded handkerchief to gently wipe the tears from his eyes. He sniffed a bit and then used the hanky to blow his nose. That was it.

As far as tearful, presidential performances go, it came a very poor second to that of the Ethnarch during his referendum address.

And the macho Ethnarch did not pull out a gay hanky to wipe the tears and blow his nose, like some little old lady reminiscing about her schooldays.

WE WERE bitterly disappointed with comrade Tof’s address to the Kyproulla nation on Tuesday. It was depressingly predictable, as he told us that the banks and Athanasios Orphanides were to blame for all our woes including the need for a bailout.

He even told a big lie, claiming that Orph’s decision to allow the merger of Egnatia Bank and Popular Bank had added debts of €4.5 billion to the latter’s balance sheet. The debts would have been there even if Egnatia remained a subsidiary of Popular.

Apart from the banks and Orph, the opposition parties were to blame for the tough austerity measures of the bailout because they had kept undermining the government’s negotiating position in the talks with the troika. As always, he had done nothing wrong, but his speechwriter cleverly included a phrase that misleadingly suggested some humility on the comrade’s part “We do not make a claim of infallibility,” the comrade said. This was the second lie of his speech, as he did not elaborate. He gave not a single example of his fallibility or admitted to having been wrong about anything.

EVERYONE was singing the praises of big businessman Nicos Shacolas, after he announced that he would pay for all primary school children whose parents could not afford to give them a morning snack or the money to buy one at school.

Overnight, Shacolas the ultra-successful entrepreneur was declared a philanthropist, his generosity inspiring fawning comments by politicians, newspaper writers and parents’ associations all of whom concluded that such actions “prove that human compassion still exists”.

The offer of the snack would begin in the new year, after the Christmas holidays, though the logistics have not yet been decided. There appears to have been some disagreement between the education ministry perm sec and the chairman of the committee set up by Shacolas to decide how the help would be given.

The ministry would like the assistance in cash, so that it could give coupons which needy kids could use to buy a morning snack from the school canteen. Currently, the ministry gives coupons worth €1.60 to poor kids. The total cost for the businessman – as after the new year there will be 80 school days left and there are, according to the education ministry 4,670 poor children in primary schools - if he paid for the €1.60 coupons would be €597,760, a significant amount.

This was not what Shacolas had in mind. His committee, under the Cyprus University President Charis Charalambous, proposed that one of his companies would make sandwiches for poor children. Of course delivering the sandwiches to primary schools all over the island every day does not seem very practical and it involves a significant additional cost.

It remains to be seen how Shacolas’ commendable act of charity will be implemented.

THE BIGGEST disappointment was that he kept his emotions under control. He did not cry once during the address. But he made amends on Thursday, when he was in more familiar surroundings, ad-

THE INITIATIVE was announced

by Shacolas at an event of the Sophia Foundation for children held in Nicosia last weekend. The event was held to mark the completion of the new building of the

A few tears, but Tof’s performance did not come close to the Ethnarch’s manly outpour in 2003 Makarios orphanage in Kenya, undertaken by the Foundation, which was set up and is run by Shacolas’ philanthropist daughter Marina, who helps poor children in Kenya.

At the weekend event, Marina honoured her father for the help he gave to the Foundation as well as her very good friends Mr and Mrs Pattichis (owners of the Phil media group) and her other very good friend Stavros Christodoulou (head of Phil’s lifestyle magazines department) whom she described as the ‘spiritual father’ of Sophia.

It was all rather cozy and familiar, but you could not criticise the event as it inspired Shacolas to make his announcement about offering help to poor primary school kids. The gushing praise for his daughter’s philanthropy by some speakers during the event, had obviously fired up the father’s philanthropic instincts.

AFTER reading last week’s item about the AKEL ‘award for contribution to sport’ which was given to Charalambos Koukoularides posthumously, a Coffeeshop regular informed us of another, much bigger, contribution made by the deceased. It was a contribution to the boosting of state teachers’ wage, for which he received no award or recognition.

In 1981Koukoularides was working as sports advisor for the then president Spy Kyp. A PE teacher by profession, Koukoularides persuaded his boss to make the pay of PE teachers the same as secondary teachers. Until then, teachers could climb two pay scales higher.

Spy asked what this would cost and how many PE teachers there were and once he realised it would cost a small amount of money he did the favour. This was around February of that year.

In May, when the secondary teachers heard what had happened, their representatives went to Spy to protest about this injustice, insisting that they should always be able to go two pay scales higher than their PE colleagues, because they received their qualifications from university after four years’ study while the gymnasts needed only three years study at the pedagogical academy. Spy agreed and put secondary teachers on to higher pay scales.

By October, primary school teachers, who were on the same pay scales as PE teachers, heard what had happened and also demanded that they were given the two higher pay scales awarded to the PE folk.

Their wish was also granted by Spy, but this did not leave Koukoularides happy as the object of the exercise - to put PE teachers of the same scales as teachers - was not achieved.

All this piece of innocent rusfeti did achieve was for Spy to increase the top earnings of all the teachers significantly. Is it any wonder we have the second best-paid teachers in the EU and a bankrupt state as an added bonus.

HIGH-EARNING, underworked teachers were out on the streets protesting last Wednesday because the memorandum stipulated that they would have to do an extra period of teaching a week. Their laziness is legendary.

Of course, to cover the real motive, the union claimed the work-shy secondary school teachers did not want to do the extra period because this would lead to some 500 teachers working on contracts not having their contracts renewed in September. The demonstration went ahead even after assurances by the education ministry perm sec that all contracts would be renewed in September.

The attempt to deflect attention away from their laziness was evident during the demo, with placards stating ‘No cuts to education’ and ‘No to the sell-out of education’. Teachers are so committed to education that record numbers have abandoned it, in the last few months, taking early retirement for fear that after a bailout their retirement bonus and pension would be slightly reduced.

THE ONLY people who are entitled to protest in the streets and start riots against the bailout are smokers of hand-rolling tobacco, the price of which has doubled thanks to the government’s new taxes. A 40g pouch that cost €5.20 will now sell for €9.50.

What are we smokers supposed to do now? We can’t give up because we want to help the government achieve the forecasted tax revenue target. If we gave up, the govern-

ment would not meet its tax revenue targets and there might be a need for second bailout.

SOME restaurants have lowered their prices as a result of the recession, but the fish taverns continue to charge the full whack, especially if the customer is stupid enough, like I was two weeks ago, to order a big fish.

It does not matter if the restaurant is at the higher or lower end of the market, when you order a big fish, you will be pay for it in gold, at the current world price, because it has always been marketed as an expensive food item.

We were a company of four at the Strovolos fish restaurant Family Nest two weeks ago and decided to share a big fish, despite my warning that, in my experience, ‘big fish’ is synonymous with ‘overpriced’.

Two of us went to the display fridge to choose our fish and the waitress pulled some big sea creature from under the ice to show us and informed us it was a ‘vlachos’. My fellow diner immediately nodded his assent and we went back to our table, with me grumbling with a touch of slight exaggeration that we would pay a fortune for it.

Of course, I stupidly did not ask how much it would cost, so I could not complain when the bill arrived and I was proved correct. The Vlachos had cost €108 (its weight was written on the bill, next to the price so we would not think we had been ripped off, paying €60 per kilo) which meant we were charged €27 a head.

If some effort had been put into preparing it, the price might have been justified, but how much effort is needed to place a fish on the charcoal for 15 minutes, chuck it on a serving dish, sprinkle a bit of parsley over it? And it was accompanied by a bowl of lemon and olive oil dressing that was not even properly mixed.

I am not quite sure what the moral of this story is, but it might be that for big fish, restaurants will always charge the maximum price a fool would pay. Not even the recession has changed this pricing policy because there is no shortage of us fools.

SIXTY-SEVEN days left for the comrade to commit his first ever mistake as president.

18 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

World in pictures

An Indian Naga tribesman talks on his mobile during the Hornbill Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the sixteen Naga tribes (AFP)

A Palestinian girl holds the barrel of a gun during a march

by Hamas’ armed wing in Beit Hanun (AFP)

Dancers perform during the premiere of the show Forever Crazy of the Paris cabaret Crazy Horse in Munich (AFP)

This NASA image shows a global view of Earth’s city lights in Europe and North Africa and the Middle East at night.

The data was acquired over nine days in April and 13 days in October (AFP)

A would-be immigrant is helped to get on board a Spanish emergency services boat off the Spanish coast (AFP)

Cubans participate in a Mayan ritual at Bacuranao beach in Havana to celebrate the beginning of a new era (AFP)

Roofs covered with snow in Freudenberg, western Germany

Santa Claus decorations at the Galeries Lafayette Paris department store, ahead of the Christmas celebrations (AFP)

A child watches as Congolese government army soldiers return to the military barracks (AFP)

19 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Lifestyle

When Harry met Swifty She’s the American sweetheart who swiped Britain’s Styles. Has Ms Swift finally met her match, asks Maxine Frith

HAYLOR HISTORIES Taylor’s totty 1. Joe Jonas 2. Taylor Lautner 3. John Mayer 4. Jake Gyllenhaal 5. Patrick Schwarzenegger 6. Conor Kennedy Harry’s harem 1. Pixie Geldof 2. Cara Delevingne 3. Natalie Imbruglia 4. Caggie Dunlop 5. Lucy Horobin 6. Emily Atack 7. Emma Ostilly 8. Caroline Flack

D

escribed as “preternaturally ambitious”

by American Vogue in a recent interview, Taylor Swift may only be 22 but she’s achieved plenty already. She is worth an estimated $165 million, having sold 26 million albums and 70 million downloads. She has also won 128 awards for her four albums so far. And if that route to fame wasn’t enough, she’s now started dating One Direction’s 18-year-old heartthrob Harry Styles.

This is a girl whose family relocated from their Pennsylvania home to Tennessee when she was 14 so that she could pursue her dream of bagging a recording contract in Nashville, the capital of country music.

She became the youngest singer songwriter ever hired at the Sony/ATV Tree publishing house and at 15 ditched her record company and manager because they wanted to wait until she was 18 before releasing her debut album. “I genuinely felt I was running out of time,” she said of the move, without a hint of irony.

Her father Scott, a banker with Merrill Lynch, then bought a three per cent stake in a fledgling record company… one of whose first signings was, guess who? Taylor’s eponymous first album was released in 2006 and instantly became a huge critical and commercial success.

She released her fourth album, Red, last month, and now has a clothing range, beauty deals

New direction: a winter stroll in New York’s Central Park with Harry Styles. Below: the $165 million girl. Inset: with Taylor Lautner in 2009 and fragrance line, all of which helped her beat teen star Justin Bieber to the top of Forbes’ list of topearning stars under 30 this year.

Not bad for someone whose success is based on convincing lovelorn suburban teenage girls that she’s just like them.

THE MEN (AND THE MUSIC) Taylor’s roll call of ex-boyfriends reads like a tween’s poster-plastered bedroom wall - and they’ve inspired some of her greatest hits.

Before her most recent hook-up with Styles, there was a romance with pop singer Joe Jonas which lasted for four months in 2008 - he allegedly ended it with a 27-second phone call that inspired the hits Forever and Always and Last Kiss.

Twilight actor Taylor Lautner was next up -

the couple dated between October and December in 2009 after meeting on the set of the film Valentine’s Day but she broke up with him before writing the hit Back to December about their relationship. She said in an interview: “I’ve never apologised to someone in song before. This is about a person who was incredible to me, just perfect to me and I was really careless with him.”

Other exes haven’t fared quite so well when it comes to being immortalised in the Swift oeuvre. Musician John Mayer, who was 32 at the time, romanced her from November 2009 to February 2010 but the relationship soured amid reports of his philandering.

True to form, Taylor got her own back with Dear John, a song which Mayer said “humiliated” him with lyrics that included “Don’t too young to you think 19’s 1 with?/Your dark be played w games when I loved twisted gam you so.”

A song on Red called I Trouble is Knew You Were W to be about also rumoured rumou him.

Not one to hang about when it comes com to love, dated actor Jake Taylor date Gyllenhaal Gyllenha between October Octobe and December 201 2010, cementing her A-l A-list status but breaking her heart in break the process when he pr dumped her, got back dump together and then toget dumped her again dum within a matter of wit weeks. w The song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, also

this time.

West stormed the MTV Awards stage in 2009 to protest after Taylor was given the gong for best music video over Beyoncé.

His intervention may have left Swift speechless on stage but plenty of people were prepared to speak up for her, including President Obama, who weighed in, calling West a “jackass”.

The star was forced to issue a grovelling apology - perhaps one of the few times that a female country star has ended up looking harder than a male rapper.

WHERE WILL IT END? from Red, has been attributed to him, although Jonas and Mayer are also candidates.

All of which must mean Conor Kennedy is quaking in his boots. The 18-yearold Kennedy scion began dating her in July, sparking a media frenzy, but the romance petered out in October amid reports that Taylor had come on too strong and scared him with her obsession with his family.

With former boyfriends like this it’s hardly surprising that Taylor has had her fair share of “meet the ex” moments on the red carpet.

Last weekend she and Jonas studiously avoided each other at a charity ball in LA while earlier this week she looked awkward as she accepted a philanthropy award from Conor’s aunt Ethel Kennedy before dashing off to watch a One Direction concert. Memo to Master Styles: you may just have met your match here.

THE CONTROVERSY (AND THE MUSIC) Despite the best efforts of the paparazzi and the drama surrounding her love life, Taylor has managed to avoid the Lindsay Lohan/Britney Spears route from teen star to rehab recividist. She regularly tops the lists of tween role models and recently said she only drinks occasionally - and it has to taste of “candy and sparkles”.

Her romance with Conor Kennedy provided some negative headlines when it was alleged she gate crashed a Kennedy wedding and was asked to leave - twice - by the bride’s mother.

How she will cope with the notoriously venomous reaction of Harry’s One Direction fanbase to any of his girlfriends remains to be seen but given that she came off the victor in a spat with rapper Kanye West, even they may be cowed

Given that Taylor recently admitted that she’s already “fretting” about where she will be at 30, it seems the Swift juggernaut is not about to stop any time soon. After small roles in CSI and the ensemble romance film Valentine’s Day she has spent an increasing amount of time at her LA home rather than her Nashville apartment and is said to be looking for the perfect movie role.

Despite her split from Conor she’s also pushing ahead with plans to buy a huge beachside house near the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, and is now said to be looking at property in north London as she contemplates a long-distance romance with Harry. The new couple have even acquired a nickname - Haylor, cementing their status as Generation Z’s answer to Brangelina.

Can America’s sweetheart tame Britain’s boyband serial seducer? Watch this space.

20

SUNDAY MAIL •

Lifestyle

GENERATION GAM

Carolina Herrera with her daughters Patricia (left) and Carolina Jr

Manolo Blahnik and his niece Kristina in 2010

MEET THE HERRERAS Carolina Herrera, 73 Grew up in Venezuela, the daughter of the Governor of Caracas. She moved to New York in 1980 where she bebel, helped by gan her own label, or Diana Vreethe Vogue editor rred to Caroland, who referred mbe’. She has lina as ‘la bombe’. s and lives in four daughters th her second Manhattan with aldo Herrera, husband Reinaldo ects editor for a special projects Vanity Fair. h my daugh“Working with ter Carolina is wonderful as a very good because she has rong style and eye, her own strong fighting she is always fi ghting for the best quality. Even though ghter, it’s not she’s my daughter, hard to tell herr when I don’t like something.. Likewise she e. never lies to me. dn’t want to “Carolina didn’t ashion side of go into the fashion the business - she went into tead. I cannot fragrances instead. bout what my m say anything about rs are going to granddaughters his new genwant to do; this es their mind eration changes utes. every five minutes.

“When we are with family, we never talk about busig ness. We have other things ike the tel-to talk about, like rothers & evision show Brothers na recomSisters. Carolina mended it to me and d to my I’ve been glued .” iPad ever since.” era Carolina Herrera de Báez, 43 ive The creative rodirector of Caro-

lina Herrera Fragrances. She lives in Madrid with her husband Miguel Báez, a former bullfighter, and their three children, Olimpia, Miguel and Atalanta.

“W When I was “When growing up in

New York in the 1980s, girls my age didn’t care so much about fashion. We tried to emulate Cyndi Lauper and Madonna, and I don’t think I knew who Versace was until he died. My mother talked about her job naturally, everything she did was just motherly, so I never thought of it in an ext extraordinary way.

Until, of cou course, I realised in my late twenties tw that she was a great d designer.

“But never iin a million years did I think th that I would end up working w with her. When I started I wa was still at a film production c company in New York.

“My relatio relationship with my mother is b based on trust: she trusts m me to create the perfumes an and then I show them to her. I would never do a pherom pheromone perfume or something like lik Lady Gaga’s perfume. Ev Even though I’m the boss’ da daughter, I put in 100 per cent cent.

“I wasn’t pushed into anything in my career so I wouldn’t want to push my children into the busin ne ss.” ness.”

FOLLOW FOLLOWING UNCLE’S IN UNC FOOT FOOTSTEPS Mano Blahnik, 69 Manolo Ra Raised on a banan nana plantation in the Canary Islan lands. He opened his first boutique

Whether it’s creating bejewelled eggs o stiletto, it’s always important to keep i luxury business dynasties talk money, Hannah Nathanson and Lucy H on Old Church Street in 1973, with a loan of £2,000. His designs have been worn by everyone from Princess Diana to Jackie Onassis and Madonna (who said his shoes were “as good as sex, and they last longer”), and his empire has spread from Stockholm to Seoul. He lives in Bath in two adjoining Georgian terraced houses with 25,000 shoes.

“My niece Kristina and I disagree all the time, on anything and everything. We are both creative and very opinionated. Disagreement challenges ideas so that they can be made better, which is a good thing.

“Kristina handles the business side of things at Manolo Blahnik - all the collaborations and marketing. I hate all that stuff. The only thing I like to do is shoes, which I’ve been doing for 40 years, so it’s good that Kristina does all the rest.

“Do I admire Kristina?

She’s my niece, so I don’t really see her as a person. She’s OK, and she does her thing in the office. If you have a family, you just have to accept them how they are. The only thing I resent is that Kristina is always on a plane gallivanting around; I joke that

she should be an air hostess.

“Money is not important to me. What is important is that I can always say that Manolo Blahnik is a family company.

People who talk about money and commercialisation upset

joined Manolo Blahnik in 2009, and lives in London.

“My Uncle Manolo’s Old Church Street store was where I grew up; it was both my home and playground.

I would get the bus there

‘My Uncle Manolo’s Old Church Street st home and pplayground.

I would gget the b yg leftover shoe boxes gs I do to me. I do the things wise life have fun, otherwise isn’t worth living. I don’t ever want to stop drawing and I’ll keep doing alysed it until I get paralysed o stop and they have to assion, me. This is my passion, e love.” this is a true, true Kristina Blahnik, 37 Is the daughter of Manoelina, who lo’s sister Evangelina, irector of is managing director Manolo Blahnik. Although she acquired her first Manod six, she lo handbag aged hitect until worked as an architect ata Nature 2009, running Data Associates for ten years with her former husband ith.

She Nick Leith-Smith.

21 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

special report

Christmas

atasteof

There’s no denying it, the festive season is upon us. A few ideas how to spend it

Ten gifts for €10 With the crisis biting, we have tracked down the best value presents.

Compiled by Zoe Christodoulides 1.Whittard Hangover Coffee The hangover blend is a special combination of Arabica and Robusta ground coffee set to revive body and mind.

Price: €3.60 2. Common Ground jigsaw This 54 piece jigsaw puzzle is inspired by a painting named ‘Common Ground’ by local artist Marlen Karletidou.

From: Zampelas Art Museum, Tel: 22-456099 Price: €10 3. Princess Fashion Design book A cute princess fashion on design book geared for or girls il between the age of 3 and 8 with stickers and colouring uring in.

From: Early Learning Centre Price: €8.50 4. Family sized Gingerbread Man This gingerbread man is designed to keep the whole family entertained as everyone ne pitches in to decorate him with a bit of colourful rful pizzazz.

From: Debenhams Price: €10 5. Cranberry Gift Cube A lovely box set for a bit of feminine pampering, this contains cranberry shower gel and a rich body butter ideal for keeping skin moist during the cold winter months.

From: The Body Shop Price: €10 6. Christmas wine glass Everyone can enjoy their Christmas tipple with this glamorous wine glass designed especially for the festive season.

Zara Home Price: €6.99 7. Trivia on the Loo Ideal for lads with a sense of humour, this book is filled with a variety of funny and entertaining snippets of information to get the mind ticking.

From: Next Price: €7 8. Teneues diary Calling out to all fashionistas, s, this magnetic week to view diary will give the ladies a chance to start their year ahead in true style. With a wide variety of designs available, there’s plenty to suit uit male tastes too.

From: Soloneion Bookshop,, Tel: 22- 666799 Price: €9.95 9. Strala House A quirky little decorative gift which sees a gingerbread house come to life with the use of LED lighting. Available in both white and brown.

From: IKEA Price: €4.99 10. Vintage Vinyl bowl The new, handmade local Art Pop collection boasts some lovely bowls made from vintage vinyls.

From: Art Pop Cyprus, Tel: 99-664686 Price: €5

Christmas offers to entice Cyprus shoppers

By Bejay Browne STORES across Cyprus are hoping a slew of special offers will entice shoppers to part with their cash in the run up to Christmas. With holiday spending counting for a large chunk of annual turnover, it is important for stores of all sizes to see cash flowing through their tills.

With many people not expected to get their 13th salaries this year most are finding themselves swamped with text messages promising a good deal from countless stores. But, Haridemous Papadopoulos, President of the Paphos branch of the shop keepers union POVEK said that despite steps being taken to encourage shoppers into stores, the outlook for small shop keepers in particular, remained bleak.

He said: “People are very nervous about spending money, many are out of work and most of those in work won’t be receiving their thirteenth salaries this year. The

offers available in the large supermarkets are making it difficult for the smaller shops to encourage customers to buy in their stores, it’s hard for them to compete”.

Supermarket chain Carrefour has reduced the prices of selected, wines, beers and whiskies, and is also currently offering a 50 per cent discount on all toys exclusive to Carrefour. These include an exclusive Babrie now priced at €9, from €18 and a Speed track with ten cars down to €20 from €40.

One Carrefour shopper laden down with bags and an artificial tree said: “Even though my family is struggling, it’s Christmas and we still want to make it special for our kids. Of course we will have the usual tree and decorations, turkey and the trimmings and presents as well, but we have had to tighten our belts considerably this year.” She added: “These special offers really help.”

If cosmetics and ‘smellies’ are more your bag, there are

a number of shops offering festive discounts. One such store is Beautyline which stock branded cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances in their 15 stores across Cyprus.

And according to Chryso Christodoulou, manger of the two Paphos branches, their main Christmas offer is proving popular with shoppers. “When you make purchases of €60 at our stores you are given a €10 voucher to spend on anything you like.”

In addition, the stores have a number of fragrances for both men and women from as little as €12.

Beautyline is among the stores to have sent out SMS messages about the offers.

“Our customers like to be made aware of what is on offer. It’s a good way to help people save money; it helps sales as well and is good advertising,” Christodoulou said.

The store manager says that this year, people are willing to make purchases and want to give gifts, but added

that shoppers prefer to spend their money on more economically priced products, in particular body products.

More offers are available at Electroline’s nine stores across Cyprus.

“If you’re looking for a Christmas bargain, we have a number of interesting offers. For example, steam irons are down in price from €40 to €29, steam presses are at a special price of €165 and we have a 42inch HD ready LG LED Smart TV for only €599,” Electroline said in a statement.

Debenhams is currently offering 20 per cent off all women’s dresses, bags and shoes, and for Ermes club card holders, there is a 50 per cent bonus on redeemed points. If you redeem 1,000 points you would usually get a €10 voucher, now you will get this plus a €5 voucher to spend on fashion and home items. This will run until December 24.

The store said: ““Many people are cashing in their points and it’s very busy.”

22 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

atasteofChristmas

Goodies for foodies ies If you want to give something a little more personal this Christmas, try one of these food inspired gifts Merry Berry Liqueur Makes 1.2litres and keeps for up to six months 750g white or dark rum 425g caster sugar 425g mixed frozen berries 1 tsp vanilla extract •Place all the ingredients into a large, clean bowl. Stir with a clean spoon, then cover well with clingfilm.

Leave to infuse for at least two weeks, or up to a month, in a cool, dark place. Give it an occasional stir.

•To giftwrap, strain through a sieve lined with kitchen paper into a large clean jug.

Then use a funnel to decant into pretty sterilised bottles.

Attach a label with instructions and a use by date. You can drink as is, or with soda, fresh mint and crushed ice as a long drink.

Spiced Plum and Fig Jam Makes 1.8kg 350g figs, stalks trimmed and flesh chopped 1kg plums, halved, stones removed and flesh chopped Juice and finely grated zest of 1 orange 1 tsp each ground cloves and cinnamon 1.2kg caster sugar •Put the figs, plums, orange zest and juice and 50ml water in a large preserving pan. Cover and cook gently for 20minutes until soft, squashing the fruit occasionally with a wooden spoon.

•Uncover, stir in the spices

and sugar, then heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Bubble for 25-30 minutes until the setting point is reached.

To test for setting point, drop a spoonful of jam on a chilled saucer and leave to cool slightly. Push your finger through the jam – if the surface wrinkles, it is ready.

If not, return to heat.

•Take the pan off the heat and remove surface scum with a metal spoon. Pot the jam into pretty sterilised jars, cover with wax discs (optional) and airtight lids.

Attach a label with storage instructions. (Store in a cool, dark place for up to six months, and in the fridge once opened.)

Salame de Noce (chocolate and walnut salami) Makes 2 (each cuts into 12 slices) 100g dried figs, roughly chopped 100g dates, pitted 150g mixed peel 150g shelled walnuts

NOW AVAILABLE

2013 Gift catalogue

50g dark chocolate, finely chopped 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 1 ½ tsp ground black pepper 100g caster sugar •Mince the figs into a paste in a food processor and set aside in a bowl. Repeat with the dates and peel and add to the bowl. Crush twothirds of the walnuts in the food processor until very finely chopped. Add the chocolate, spices and whole walnuts to the bowl and mix well.

•Put the sugar in a pan with 2 tbsp water and heat gently, stirring, until dissolved.

Continue to heat until the sugar syrup turns golden.

Add the syrup to the bowl and mix well.

•Divide into 2 equal portions and spoon each one along the middle of a sheet of baking paper. Roll up each portion into a 14cm long and 5-6cm diameter salami.

Twist the paper at each end to help squish everything together. Chill for 1 hour.

•To giftwrap, remove baking paper and wrap in decorative cellophane. Attach a label with ingredients and keep by date (one month).

New collaboration for La Maison Du Vin and Zampartas winery LA MAISON Du Vin, a leader in retail and wholesale trade of selected wines since 1998, has formed a new innovative collaboration with Zampartas winery.

The two companies’ objective is to develop their network but also to provide additional services and products to further upgrade and cultivate the wine industry.

La Maison Du Vin will now be supplying Zampartas wines to selected shops, hotels and restaurants in the districts of Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta.

Zampartas winery was founded in 2006 and although it is relatively new to the wine industry its wines have won over wine lovers

chocolates w wine storage cabinets

la Maison du Vin Limassol: Ayiou Athanasiou 49, Linopetra, 25736220 • Nicosia: 37 Kennedy Ave., 22442235

www.LaMaisonDuVin.com.cy

and oenologists worldwide, winning dozens of honorary distinctions and awards, placing it among the best Cypriot wineries.

Akis Zampartas, commenting on behalf of the winery, said “I am very optimistic about the future of Cypriot wine making and this collaboration with La Maison Du Vin will definitely help on the correct path to further develop wine placement and promotion especially for Zampartas wines.”

Victor Papadopoulos of La Maison Du Vin added “We are especially pleased with this strategic co-operation between us and Zampartas winery. La Maison Du Vin prides itself on its wide

range of quality products and through this collaboration we will be able to further develop and promote the local wine industry.”

La Maison Du Vin customers can now view the new Christmas catalogue which is available online at www. lamaisonduvin.com.cy and in both shops in Nicosia and Limasol. The catalogue includes a wide range of products at special prices, also corporate gifts and original Christmas gifts for all tastes. A special package of Zampartas is available in the stores.

For more information visit the website www. lamaisonduvin.com.cy

23 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

atasteofChristmas a

What wine to serve with the turkey?

George Kassianos talks you through what wines to enjoy on Christmas Day t started a month before Christmas, inevitable question of what wine to pair with Christmas lunch. But choosing wines to match festive foods should be a pleasure not a pain.

Although ultimately the choice of which wine to serve with a particular dish comes down to personal preference there are some classic partnerships that are hard to beat and the general guidelines regarding getting the balance right are just as applicable at Christmas as at any other time.

You have planned the ultimate feast, the best china and silverware is already washed, dried and the glassware is polished. The Christmas table decorations are in place.

Now it is time to pay some attention to your wine selection.

I

Breakfast Why not start Christmas morning with a ‘flute of festive fizz’? Match the saltiness of smoked salmon with pancakes or even better with blinis. And my favourite, what about smoked salmon with scrambled eggs with a sparkling wine such as a delicate Champagne, a light and bubbly Prosecco or aromatic pink fizz from Spain’s Cava. If you prefer to really get serious start the proceedings with Cava cocktails or bucks fizz as an aperitif. Better though let someone else cook.

Starters Let us assume that most of us go traditional, salads and dips with vegetables. Leafygreen salads are always exciting, made with a wide array of seasonal greens served with either a classic olive oil lemon dressing with feta cheese or aged balsamic vinaigrette. We must not forget the mustard vinaigrette.

As for the wine, both vinaigrettes have a good amount of acidity. Therefore, for these

starters I recommend a crisp white wine with balanced acidity, forward citrus notes, round stone fruit flavours and a hint of minerality.

There is nothing better that our own Xinisteri, the citrus and vegetal notes harmonise with the acidity of the dressing without accentuating it.

Other wines include whites based on Sauvignon Blanc grape, unoaked Chardonnay (Cyprus has excellent choices or a good value Chablis), Vermentino from Sardinia, Pinot Gris from Veneto, Albariño from northwest Spain, Robola from Cephalonia Greece and Grüner Veltliner from Austria .

Back to smoked salmon - a dish that often puts in an appearance on the festive table, but beware, it is surprisingly tricky to partner. Crisp, light oak whites and sparkling wines work, as does Fino Sherry and spicy Gewürztraminer, Chablis and Champagne.

A Cypriot oaked Chardonnay will be hard to beat. Most of these wines also have the weight and richness to follow through to the main course of roast turkey or goose If you are serving seafood with an exotic twist, scallops or prawns with a little chilli, coriander or lime say, look to the New World where more upfront flavours cope best when east meets west in the kitchen. Sauvignon Blanc always works well and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc fits the bill nicely.

Melon is not particularly easy to partner, it requires something on the rounder side; a rosé might be fun and there is plenty of them on the island – try a medium dry one Beaujolais will be fantastic with rustic meat pâtés or charcuterie platters; it would be just the job. Rich game pâtés made from wild boar or venison would be better with full-bodied reds with some oomph. Wines from France’s south west come to mind or maybe a Rhône-style red from the New

World, or even a young vintage Maratheftiko. The richest of liver pâtés like foie gras are traditionally paired with sweet Sauternes, but it is always difficult to follow such a heady mix The Main course Christmas main courses should sing with wine matches that compare and contrast the flavours. Chicken, turkey and guinea fowl go well with a wide variety of wines, from rich, buttery whites, to spice-laden reds and are the perfect foil for your best ma-

2004 vintages When it comes to Christmas day lunch, it is often the trimmings that present the biggest challenge so gutsy, full-throttle reds are the choice of many. A spicy Syrah, Cyprus, Rhône or Rhône-style red from the New World would be a good bet, packed with plenty of Grenache and Syrah.

Roast goose calls for trenchant reds or rich whites with enough sweetness of fruit and acidity to cut through the fat. The sweet berry flavours of an Australian Cabernet might be ideal, For whites, Alsace Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris, or a dry German Riesling are particularly successful, they would positively sing the carols.

Room for Dessert Puddings, and especially those as rich as Christmas Pudding, can sometimes be the kiss of death to wine, making even dessert wines taste dry. Fortified wines are a much better bet, and there is only one name that comes to mind - chilled Commandaria. Alternatively, other suggestions are wines especially those made from the Moschato grape. Ring the changes with sweet Moschato wines from Greece and Cyprus.

ture bottles. Classic partners might include white Burgundy, or New World style Chardonnay. If you prefer to serve red, the ripe red-berry flavours of Pinot Noir work beautifully, both Burgundy’s and New World Pinot from California, Chile and New Zealand. A young Maratheftiko would make some beating. Zinfandel from California is an excellent partner to roast turkey, but a roast turkey with caramelised edge is best served with traditional Claret (red Bordeaux), 2002 to

The cheeseboard Much is written on the subject of matching cheese and wine but a sensible option and good all-rounder would be a bottle of vintage Commandaria. Aged treasures of the sun are drier in style than with livelier acidity making it a good partner for a wide variety of cheeses and equally delicious served chilled as an aperitif. Port is an obvious alternative fortified wine, a common choice at Christmas. But again, consider choosing a Tawny, which is also lovely served chilled before the meal.

24 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

atasteofChristmas

For snacks with h a great taste For over 40 years Snack has been producing a range of cold meats and deli items INCE 1976 Snack sausages and meat products have enriched the tasty choices for families with savoury and always quality temptations.

Snack meat products are famous for their delicious taste, but also for the high

S

standards of quality and hygiene. At all production stages, from the selection of the purest ingredients, processing, packing to delivery, international certified quality management systems (ISO 9001) and hygiene and security of food (HACCP) are im-

plemented.

The primary aim of Snack meat products was and remains the satisfaction of all the different needs of their customers. Thus, the list of products includes a large number of different kinds, such as the traditional Cy-

prus products lountza, hiromeri, Cyprus sausages, products for sandwiches such as ham, turkey fillet, bacon, mortadella and various other specialised products such as Italian coppa, black forest, pastrami, honey ham and many others.

In recent years, the company has invested in machines of the latest technology to meet its continuously increasing needs in production, but also to secure a higher quality level in its products. Furthermore, the daily control of the manufactured products by the Quality Control Department and the continuous training of the staff, guarantee that only the best products end up in your plates!

In 2010, Snackfood made a significant step in upgrading its premises with the construction of a new building on Pangratiou street in Strovolos industrial area.

The new, modern building

reducing daily salt intake by adults, many Snack meat products had their salt content reduced by 10 per cent.

This became possible with the new pioneering technology Fresher Under Pressure, that allows SNACK products

is built with high standards of functionality, safety and hygiene. A few months later the company opens its first delicatessen, called Snack Deli. Snack Deli is a high standard delicatessen, created exclusively to offer only the best quality deli products.

In a modern and stylish environment, one can choose from a wide variety of freshly cut products or from a selection of packaged goods as well. There is also the possibility to order unique platters of cold cuts and cheeses ng guests at home when having or during busitings ness meetings at the office.

Snack Deli also offers fresh sandwichess and salads during lunch time..

In 2011, fole tenlowing the dencies off contemporary diet uggests that suggests

to retain their freshness for a longer period of time, without losing any of their wonderful taste!

The new line of Snack prepacked or deli meat products with 10 per cent less salt is the best choice for everyone following a balanced diet.

Enjoy them fresh and delicious, from the moment you open the package to the very last slice!

A few months later the company opens its first delicatessen, called Snack Deli.

Snack Deli is a high standard delicatessen, created exclusively to offer only the best quality deli products

Snack products can be found in supermarkets, all over Cyprus

25 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Christmas

A rural retreat combining barefoot luxury with cutting-edge design ITUATED in the rolling hills above Paphos, just 15 minutes away from the spectacular coastline, Minthis Hills will be one of the most distinctive and exclusive residential resorts in the Mediterranean. Enjoying views as vast as they are captivating it’s a resort that celebrates its surroundings, with inspired Mediterranean architecture, dedicated service and a liberating sense of space.

Spanning five million square metres of untamed nature, Minthis Hills offers pure escapism. At 560 metres above sea level, it’s a serene haven benefitting from cool breezes and low humidity, known for its stunning mountain vistas. The resort is located in a wine producing region dotted with quaint traditional villages, and has an abundance of golden beaches and pebble bays within easy reach.

Its tranquil location and dramatic landscape provide the perfect setting for five-star resort living, yet it’s just a ten-minute drive from Paphos.

Minthis Hills has brought a new dimension to Mediterranean living. Distinctive contemporary architecture inspired by local culture blends seamlessly with nature. Each residence is a fluid series of indoor and outdoor spaces, to be enjoyed year-round. Designed by world-renowned architects Woods Bagot, the Minthis Hills residences exude uninhibited elegance. Inspiration was drawn from traditional Mediterranean architecture, characterised by open spaces, water features and private courtyards. Reflecting Cypriot character and style, they incorporate traditional stone and rich wooden detail. By engaging these elements with a luxurious modern edge, Woods Bagot has achieved exquisite timeless designs which fully exploit their spectacular setting. Each residence will feature a bespoke garden designed to follow the overall Minthis Hills landscaping principles and concept.

The concept fuses luxury with sustainability; infinity pools and lawns are merged with indigenous Mediterranean planting requiring low maintenance and minimal water, while boundaries are created with planting thus providing privacy to the residents.

S

The Masterplan Influenced by the inherent beauty of the Minthis Hills site, the area’s rich heritage and abundant sun, a masterplan was created to preserve and enhance the natural features, minimise site intervention and maximise views. Designed to create a harmonious balance between contemporary design and environment the masterplan integrates the residences into the landscape, nestling them along the natural contours of the land to protect the hilltops and ridges. The organic arrangement maximises the views, frontage and privacy of each residence while providing ample space for the clubhouse and amenities to form the heart of the resort. Minthis Hills is an eco-conscious development that respects the heritage, natural resources and traditional values of Cyprus. On a site spanning almost five million square metres, just two per cent will be built on while the rest will remain recreational space and untamed nature.

Leisure & Relaxation Minthis Hills promises rewarding leisure time, be it relaxing enjoyment or sporting pursuits, residents have a myriad of options to choose from.

CLUBHOUSE

A championship golf course, tennis courts, and nature trails are a sample of the on-site activities, or residents can simply relax and rejuvenate in the resort’s luxurious spa.

Minthis Hills facilities • Clubhouse • Spa • Fitness centre • Indoor heated pool • Meditation deck • 18-hole championship golf course • Driving range • Tennis courts • Sports grounds • Jogging routes • Nature trail • Winery • Mini market • Playgrounds • Children’s club • Pro-shop • Equestrian centre • Restaurants, cocktail bar, juice bar & taverna • Business centre and conference facilities Minthis Hills show home is now open!

The Minthis Hills Callisto showhouse is a true masterpiece in architectural design.

Clients can now experience first-hand the incredible architecture, mesmerising views, luxurious finish, enchanting landscaping and flawless attention to detail that constitute a Minthis Hills home. The property features three lavish bedrooms, each with private ensuite. The property is a full smart home, enabling remote control of lighting, shading, climate control and audio. The floor-to-ceiling folding doors fitted throughout the property, a key feature of the Minthis Hills designs, blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, enabling optimal enjoyment of this truly unique location.

The upper floor features an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, leading out to a large terrace, complete with fireplace and open barbecue, offering the perfect space for entertaining. The master suite and guest powder room are also located on the upper level. The lower floor is centred around a large recreational room which can be fully opened on either side to create a breezeway from the courtyard to the infinity pool terrace. The floor also features a sauna with shower room, a staff living area, and two of the bedrooms.

The showhouse is located on phase 1a, enjoying fantastic, uninterrupted views of the Troodos mountain range. Phase 1a is just a few minutes’ walk from the clubhouse, spa and village square with their wealth of amenities.

The clubhouse The impressive clubhouse architecture has been complemented by designer interiors and commissioned sculptures providing an ideal social atmosphere. The open plan design features expansive glass walls, ensuring spectacular views of the 18-hole championship golf course and Troodos mountain range. The restaurant is exceptional, unsurprisingly, as the culinary team were trained by the Alain Ducasse Training Centre in Paris. The menu features contemporary Mediterranean cuisine complemented by French accents, while the bar offers an impressive collection of local and international wines and cocktails.

Indulge your seasonal spirit at Minthis Hills

the perfect venue for a memorable Christmas!

Festive Dining Celebrate in style at the clubhouse with its iconic contemporary design, sophisticated interiors and exceptional setting. Our award winning culinary team have created a range of tempting menus; enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner or Boxing Day lunch in the festively bedecked restaurant, accompanied by seasonal background music. t Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner €45 per adult, €25 for children under 12 t #PYJOH %BZ #VòFU -VODI û per adult, €20 for children under 12

Festive Events At Minthis Hills you can rest assured that your Christmas party will be the perfect occasion, be it festive cocktails, a corporate gathering or a lavish dinner, every aspect will be tailored to your needs. t $PNQMJNFOUBSZ SPPN IJSF BOE EFDPSBUJPO t $ISJTUNBT #FMMJOJ T BOE TVNQUVPVT DBOBQÏT t *OEJWJEVBM QSJOUFE NFOVT BOE QMBDF DBSET GPS BMM ZPVS HVFTUT

For more information visit www.minthishills. com or Tel: 26 848800

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Book early to avoid disappointment.

T +357

26 642 775, F +357 26 642 776, E clubhouse@minthishills.com, W www.minthishills.com Minthis Hills, Tsada, Pafos

part of the

family

26 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

atasteofChristmas Look the party with no tights or a black jump suit

Eight Christmas party Here are the hard-and-fast rules to ensure you have the maximum 1. Thou shalt avoid head-totoe sequins...

Look at the t top far right. Do y you see how the d delicate sleeve, d detailed with sm small, shimmerin ing sequins, is jux juxtaposed with a loose lo ďŹ tting silk T-s T-shirt in a contra trasting shade?

Go Good. Now be sur sure to bear in min mind its subtle com composition when shop shopping for sparkly stu stuff this December. W While there is nothin wrong with nothing sequin too much of sequins goo thing can be a good disast disastrous.

Beware seq of sequins of the stiff scratch variety and scratchy avoid shimmering a all costs. shoes at

2. Thou shalt not dismiss leather‌ If there’s the one thing we’ve g got to grips with in 2012 it is the univerap sal appeal of leather.

Be it in a skirt (boxy, p not pencil), shorts (loose ďŹ tting, not

bum clenching), or trousers (inspired by The Bridge’s Saga Noren), the luxurious textile is now a regular ďŹ xture in our wardrobes.

So why the hell not wear it to your Christmas party? If you’re bold and brave, opt for a butter-soft shift in the fabric, and if an effortless “this old thing?â€? look is your aim, team a leather skirt with a cashmere sweater and heels. A leather skirt with a metallic ďŹ nish is the perfect way to add a hint of festivity to an otherwise unassuming look.

3. Thou shalt avoid six-inch stilettos‌ Victoria Beckham might be able to carry them off but on us mere mortals sky-high stilettos look daft. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to be the Plain Jane in ats (though that is undoubtedly a cool look to attempt if you’re game) but rather that you choose a mid-height heel that allows you to hop, skip and sprint as your heart desires.

4. Thou shall learn to ‘double bag’...

Now this is where things get tricky. Mostly because

the majority of us will have to face our Christmas party fresh off the back of a day in the ofďŹ ce. Invest in a stylish clutch or document wallet that is slim and small enough to slip into the top of your work-bag and big enough to hold a lipstick and a mobile phone. Come

evening, check the big bag into the cloakroom.

5. Thou shalt avoid Santa Claus red...

And instead embrace oxblood and boozy claret which are far superior alternatives, particularly dur-

ing the winter months. The joy of claret is that it warms skintone instead of draining all the life out of it in the way that a primary hue of red can. Plus it looks a whole lot less cheesy. For a bold way to wear claret, team with matching accessories.

Much joy in your own mini cake When only the best will do I WAS 12 when I had my ďŹ rst cupcake, and still feel a childish delight in my heart when I bite into one now! So much happiness in one mouthful!

Such joy in having your own little mini cake. The comfort of biting in to that smooth butter cream frosting and getting messy.

In an effort to go back in time I started baking cupcakes for friends and family.

Kids love decorating them and grown ups love to try them.

When you think of cupcakes you think of a child’s dessert, but at Sweet Lavender Cupcakes they love to include everyone. Decorations start from jelly bears, confetti and marshmallows

Sweedt er lavenakes Cupc

for kids’ birthdays to romantic owers for tea gatherings and elegant single colour pyramids for your dinner parties or cocktails.

Every cupcake is homemade and created with love.

The company has also added ďŹ ve different avours of brownies, cookies, pecan pie and cakes for every occassion. Each order is very important and special.

Sweet S w lavender de Cupcakes

Lambis G Constantinides Ltd 7 Andreas Avraamides Street, Strovolos, PO Box 21586, 1511 Nicosia, Tel: 22 514489, Fax: 22 514571, lambis@lambis.com.cy

company aims at supplying its clients with the best quality products available internationally in its line of activities. Their motto is: ‘Excellent Quality of Products and Continuous Expansion by constant and better Service to our clients and the Cypriot public’.

Lines of activity are: Fine Foodstuffs and Beverages, Household products, small Electrical Appliances and Giftware, Hotel Equipment and Supplies. Also Duty Free activities.

Today, the new generation of the family is taking more initiative in the direction of the company, thus ensuring continuation and an ever expanding future.

FOR THE FRIENDS OF TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS Just arrived

If I were a cupcake what avour would I be?

What ever the avour, it’s made to put a smile on your face!!

FRESHLY MADE EVERY DAY Flavours:

Tel: 22 351352 / 99 671685 Stadiu 63B, Strovolos Email: doxa.amc@cytanet.com.cy Web: sweetlavandercupcakes.com

LAMBIS G Constantinides has operated in its present form since 1966, when Lambis himself took over from his father’s and uncle’s ďŹ rm. He soon gave the company a new impetus, dynamism and expansive activity, leading it to its present position.

The company bears an excellent business tradition is fully aware of its duty and obligation towards its numerous clients, who embrace Lambis G Constantinides Ltd and its products with great conďŹ dence and appreciation.

Working with perseverance and absolute dedication to its task and role in the Cyprus market, the

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Finest selection of French Liqueur Chocolates (ďŹ lled with renowned brands), PralinĂŠ-ďŹ lled Chocolates in beautiful Gift boxes, original Xmas Chocolate Novelties and Decorations, French Biscuits made of pure butter in exquisite collectors’ tin boxes, French Bonbons in original tin boxes for gifts, French home-made Jams and Marmalades “Le Père Mathieuâ€?. Also the world-famous GEORGES BRUCK FOIE GRAS de STRASBOURG (Goose and Duck) for the connoisseurs of ďŹ ne foods.

For your Parties and Festive Table a superb variety of very reasonably priced French Wines (red, rosĂŠ and white): Château Saint HonorĂŠ, Saint Valentin, La Vie en Rose, Saint Amour, la Belle Epoque and other. The ďŹ ne CATTIER “DE TRIOMPHEâ€? Champagne and the unique ApĂŠritif KIR ROYAL made of Champagne and Cassis Liqueur, COGNAC and other.

French and German Porcelaine Tableware, INOX Cutlery 18/10, TEFAL non-stick and DEMEYERE stainless steel Cookware, ďŹ re-resistant Glass Ovenware PYREX, ARCUISINE and PYROFLAM. Quality Giftware Made in Europe at reasonable prices.

Available exclusively at our Showrooms LAMBIS G. CONSTANTINIDES LTD., 7 Andreas Avraamides Str., Strovolos, (between Athalassa Ave. and Aretaieion Hospital), Tel. 22 514489, and SAINT HONORE Shop, 4C Diagoras Str., Nicosia, Tel. 22669193.

27 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Christmas

commandments fun this festive season says Karen Dacre Razzle dazzle: stand out from the party crowd without comitting fashion heresies

Street in the tin not be your goal. For successful results, opt for subtle peplums in matching shades and avoid if your hips are one of your curvier assets.

Stylish sequins

7. Thou shalt not hide behind opaque tights…

The benefit of not wearing tights is simple: there are few dresses on earth that don’t look better hanging over bare legs rather than over two dreary black sticks of boringness. Be warned, though: this is by no means a green light to dig out those American tan tights your nana gave you.

8. Thou shall celebrate the black jumpsuit...

6. Thou shalt approach the peplum with caution…

Peplums are the Christmas cake of the fashion world, disgusting or delicious, depending on who you ask.

They are best approached slowly - and soberly - should looking like the last Quality

I’m all about jumpsuits this winter. They’re so easy to wear and have a remarkable ability to let you dabble in eveningwear without making you feel as though you’ve stepped out in costume. I think it’s got something to do with the loose fitting shape of the trousers – you can’t possibly feel on edge with your hands in your pockets. And there’s a little black jumpsuit out there to suit a host of body shapes.

Eat, drink, shop - Limoncello Deli-Bar AT LIMONCELLO, they are in Love with Food.

They love high quality food and drink. They love the stories about it, the people who produce it, the places it comes from.

They believe that fantastic elemental cooking requires fantastic elements, and those have to come from the baker, the grocer, the greengrocer, the butcher, the fishmonger, and all the local tradesmen and women who make these elements available to them under their own roof, at the historic Ayios Antonios Market.

The philosophy is simple: sharing a passion for high quality, fresh food at affordable prices, in a place that joins retail, dining and culture, a place where it’s delightfully

easy to shop well, drink well and eat well.

To that end, during the day the Delicatessen offers exceptional Italian cheese & salami for the everyday at-homechef (or nibbler), as well as versatile catering services.

Limoncello by-night then transforms into a casual yet intimate Wine-Bar, offering an

eclectic, creative food menu, and of course an extensive selection of wine by the glass, and beer.

The best part is you don’t even need to get all dressed up to come here.

Limoncello Deli-Bar at Ayios Antonios Market Opening Hours: Mon & Tue 09:30-18:00 (Retail & Lunch Only)

Wed-to-Sat 12:00-01:00 (Retail, Lunch, Drinks & Dinner)

Eat Drink Shop Delicatessen by Day

great food

Wine-Bar by Night

wine by glass

Unique, Historic Atmosphere

catering

Limoncello Deli-Bar at Ayios Antonios Market Opening Hours: Mon & Tue 09:30-18:00 (Retail & Lunch Only)

Wed-to-Sat 12:00-01:00 (Retail, Lunch, Drinks & Dinner) Tel: 7000-97-87 (for reservations) limoncello.delibar@gmail.com

28 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

atasteofChristmas

Top 10 Christmas lights displays THERE’S nothing like a good holiday lights display to spark off the festive season. Just the thought of a steaming hot drink cupped in your gloved hands, a woollen cap on your head, a fluffy scarf wrapping you up tight as you soak up the seasonal spirit in a city sparkling with the glow of lights has prompted online travel adviser Cheapflights. com to offer its list of Top 10 Christmas lights displays.

Watch Cyprus’ European aspirations THE heptagonal coin in this watch inadvertently depicts Cyprus’ political aspirations towards Europe.

It shows the abduction (to Crete) of the Phoenician princess Europa by Zeus transfigured into a white bull. The inscription reads, in Cyprosyllabic, ‘‘King Timocharis’’, King

of Marion about the 4th century BC. Marion was one of ten small kingdoms in Cyprus, situated in the northwest, founded in the 7th century BC and wealthy from copper, silver and gold mines nearby as well as from trade through its important port.

1. Singapore Every evening from November 20 to January 2, Orchard Road and Marina Bay in Singapore are lit up in full-on seasonal splendour with its Christmas in the Tropics light display.

2. Toronto, Canada In Toronto, the annual Cavalcade of Lights marks the official start of the holiday season with music, skating, dancing and a whole heap of Christmas lights. Now in its 46th year, the Cavalcade was created in 1967 to showcase Toronto’s newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.

3. Paris, France With a name like the City of Lights you’d expect Paris to shine at Christmas and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. With the sparkling

Eiffel Tower, glitzy ChampsÉlysées and starry streets, the city feels like a real-life fairy tale after dark.

4. Medellin, Colombia In December, the city’s thoroughfares, roads and parks are covered in thousands of fairy lights, with the most impressive displays found in Avenue la Playa and the Medellín River. Every year thousands flock to the Medellin River to gaze at the million dollar displays.

5. Kobe, Japan Christmas lights have become a popular attraction in cities across Japan and none is more beautiful than the Kobe Luminarie.

After the Kobe earthquake of 1995, Italy donated thousands of hand-painted bulbs to the city and these were transformed into an intricate, gothic-style luminarie.

6. Baltimore, Maryland 34th Street in Baltimore for the 62nd year, will see the “Christmas Street” light display turn an unassuming neighbourhood into a wonderland with some of the most fantastic, and quirky, lights in North America.

7. Vilnius, Lithuania For the Christmas season, Lithuania’s capital city Vilnius gets covered in colourful garlands of electric

Lights fantastic: the Kobe Luminarie lights and the country’s largest ‘Christmas tree’ (the Vilnius television tower under a vale of lights) is lit up.

8. Vienna, Austria From mid-November 10 of Vienna’s city squares are transformed into beautiful Christmas Markets decorated with bushy trees and strings of twinkling fairy lights hanging from every available surface.

9. Berlin, Germany Germany is the home of Christmas Lights so it’s no wonder the country’s capital really shines during the

holiday season. Berlin’s illuminations are such a draw that visitors with a passion for photography can sign up for special guided tours of the lights.

10. Disney, Los Angeles, California USA The happiest place on earth gets even merrier over the holiday season as Disneyland is transformed into an extravagant winter wonderland right in the heart of California. The Main Street Christmas Fantasy Parade sees all of Disney’s most popular characters dressed up in their holiday best.

Immerse yourself in the world of an elite black operations squad RELEASING his first book at the end of July 2012, local author David Baker is already listed in the Top 10 Bestsellers in Men’s Adventure Fic-

tion and Lad Lit on Amazon. co.uk. And anyone who considers themselves to come under one of these categories will love this new novel.

VIPER is loaded with nonstop intrigue and suspense.

A thrilling, plot twisting read with real-life parallels or possibilities to chew on. The perfect gift for him or her.

VIPER, an elite ‘Black’ Operations squad, formed in Margaret Thatcher’s era following the Iranian siege in London continues to this day. A closely guarded British secret sanctioned only by the serving British Prime Minister, and handed down from one PM to the other. The Vipers are in Cyprus and have hunted down their latest prey.

This is his first book in the series and David is currently working on Viper 2, The Master of Tomorrows Spawn.

But don’t just take our word for it. What do readers think?

Reviews from amazon readers say: ‘It makes such a change to read something that you can not put down. From the outset you are hooked. David has a unique style of writing and it is very refreshing. As the plot was unfolding, he made you assume the outcome of events. But I got it wrong each time. He was always a few steps ahead as the sus-

pense continued throughout.

‘This story is so believable it is scary. I hope these types of Elite units do exist for our sakes! This will one day make an absolutely brilliant film, or series. Looking forward to his next book. Well done New Author.’

‘This is the best book I’ve read in a very long time.

‘An ingenious story, told by an ingenious writer. Full of first class thrills and action.

As the story was unfolding, I assumed the outcome of events, but the writer was always a few steps ahead as the twists and suspense continued throughout. A plausible scenario. When can we see the movie?

‘Love it’ ‘Wow! From the minute I read the extract of Viper online I could not wait for the full book to be released on Kindle. I bought this book at 08-00 today and finished at 16-00, I couldn’t put it down!

It was Leather, Childs and a bit of Mission Impossible thrown in for good measure! I cannot wait for his next book, if it is half as good as this one David is onto a winner, Viper is a must read book!’

To purchase your copy visit www.amazon.co.uk David Baker Viper on Kindle version £2.53 or paperback £9.99 or it can be purchased at KP KYRIAKOU Bookshop Near Curium roundabout Limassol €13.50. For that extra special gift get a signed copy from the Author sent via a Cyprus courier, all for €15 from dlbaker@spidernet.com.cy

29

• December 9, 2012

MES

or perfecting the ultimate it in the clan. Here three mothers and Manolos to Hunter Johnston every day after school and turn leftover shoe boxes into Wendy houses. One Christmas Manolo had matched all the shoes in the shop window with different colours of jelly beans and each afternoon I

til I saw the Princess of Wales talking with Manolo in 1993.

“I started working at Manolo Blahnik full-time in 2009.

My granny was very sick throughout most of that year, and my mother and un-

tore was where I grew up; it was both my bus there everyy dayy after school and turn into Wendy houses’ would sneak downstairs and steal a handful of sweets.

By the end of the season I had halved the display and no one could work out where they had gone.

“Every aspect of Manolo Blahnik was run from the store until the late 1990s.

Manolo himself would either be upstairs designing, while my mother did the accounts, or downstairs chatting to customers on the shop floor. I wasn’t aware of the prestige of the brand u n -

c cle wanted to be with her in tthe Canary Islands. In May M Manolo was meant to be goiing to visit the factory in Millan, which was producing his s shoes for the following year’s s spring/summer collection, b but by that point he was lloath to leave her. I had been rrunning my own architectture practice for about ten y years, but had fallen out of llove with my career, so I sugg gested that I could go and p produce the collection that M Manolo had designed.

“I don’t know anybody as c cultured or as well read and c creative as my uncle. I adm mire him more than anyone e else.”

Faberge: Sarah (left) and her cousin Tatiana

FABERGÉ FAMILY VALUES Sarah Fabergé, 54 Fabergé was started by Sarah and Tatiana Fabergé’s great-great-grandfather Gustav Fabergé in 1842. His son Peter Carl Fabergé took over in 1870 and became the jeweller for the Russian Imperial Court, renowned for creating those dazzling Imperial Eggs. The Fabergé family fled Russia during the 1917 revolution, and production stopped. In later years Peter Carl’s sons continued to create jewellery in Europe, but in 1951 lost the right to sell under the Fabergé name.

In 2007, Unilever, which had acquired the trademarks to the brand, sold the rights to Fabergé to a consortium, Pallinghurst Resources, which returned it to the family. Sarah lives in London with her son Josh, 22.

“It is both a blessing and a curse to have the name Fabergé. People expect you to be particularly gifted or that the name is naturally enchanted.

I only understood the enormity of the heritage when my father Theo took me to Rus-

sia for the first time when I was 16. We went to the Hermitage Museum to see pieces that had been made by my great-grandfather; it was incredibly moving for us both.

“My father was a very gifted craftsman, and it was wonderful that he knew just before he died that we had the rights to the Fabergé name again.

“When we were approached to relaunch Fabergé in 2007 I was initially sceptical. My cousin Tatiana and I have seen many different guises of Fabergé over the years, some good and some not. Now we advise on its heritage and DNA. Fabergé evokes certain ideas and one has to work hard to live up to that.

“My son Josh was involved in our recent advertising campaign, shot by Mario Testino.

We felt that rather than hire models it would be in keeping to use family members instead.

He is interested in his heritage, and I would love him to work at Fabergé one day and continue our wonderful history.”

Tatiana Fabergé, 82 Studied jewellery design in Paris and worked at CERN before writing three books

about the history story of Fabergé. She lives near Geneva. “ Fa b e r g é ’ s ter first chapter tly ended abruptly uswith the Ruslusian Revolution when my family fled the sited country. I visited Russia in 1965 with my mother, who worked for the ns. My faUnited Nations. ther did not want to accompany us as he had too emories, but he many sad memories, had never been bitter about the Revolution; in fact, my parents were quite philosophical about it. It taught them to put things into perspective, and they used to tell me: ‘Forget about it; when you’ve lost everything during the Revolution, small things don’t matter.’

“Throughout the 20th century, the Fabergé name, although separated from us despite all our attempts, showed an extraordinary resilience.

It had always been a dream of ours to bring the Fabergé name back to its former glory, and so it was a very big mo-

ment to be able to relaunch in 2007.

Peter Carl would be extremely proud of what we’re doing today.

“In some ways I am similar to my great-grandfather – I also love animals and I like to travel. However, he used to journey with no luggage and buy his clothes and toiletries when he arrived at his destination. On one occasion when he arrived at the Negresco Hotel in Nice with no bags at all, the doorman was suspicious and refused him entry.

Thankfully, a Russian grand duke was passing by and called out a greeting to him, and so he was allowed in.”

30 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Property Measures suggested by the troika are not good news for the real estate industry

LEGAL ISSUES WITH GEORGE COUCOUNIS

Recovery of house by the landlord

When our government borrows troika money

By Antonis Loizou FRICS ORDINARILY when a company or a person wishes to borrow from a bank, he lays down, hopefully, honestly, his situation and his requirements, the bank considers the situation and turns down or agrees on the loan amount and its terms (its own).

The economic situation in Cyprus is well known. So quite correctly the Cyprus government invited the troika to look at the country’s economy in order to secure a loan. Unlike what some countries think (e.g. Germany), this is a loan to be paid back and it is not a handout, neither is it a burden on the German and other EU countries, since all countries, including Cyprus, contribute towards the World Bank/IMF etc.

The situation in Greece must not be confused to that of Cyprus. In Greece they are now on the third bailout plan, since the previous two were not adhered to. Quite rightly, the EU partners are most unhappy as is the international financial community wondering whether Greece will manage this third time. Just as a contrast between Cyprus v Greece on these matters, a certain Greek MP during these most difficult times in Greece became for “one day” the speaker of the House and on the same day he engaged his daughter on a permanent job! Another chairman of a political party had a list of tax evaders given by the IMF for two years

before passing it on to the tax authorities! As far as the tax collection system is concerned the capability of the government in Greece to collect depends on how many handouts a tax offender will offer the tax man (an inheritance from the Ottoman system 400 years ago!).

Despite our failings in Cyprus, this sort of thing does not happen, not to a notable extent. Of course there are kickbacks etc to political parties and others in government but not in such a provocative way.

So, and as we happened to be one of the offices involved with the troika people and Pimco, examining the securities value, we have a difficult task to explain that we are not the same and having said that, it is notable that in the troika group which includes consultants from Greece they (the Greeks) are the most aggressive, presumably judging for their own country’s state of affairs.

Having said that, the highest paid employees in Cyprus are those who draw “red” lines on what they can or not accept and this with this government’s encouragement.

For most middle of the road thinkers in Cyprus, the troika suggestions, to an extent are reasonable under the present circumstances by reducing governmental salaries and other handouts to the civil service and to all those in the semi government organisations.

What is revealed so far for some of the banks it is equally shocking. Yet and

WHAT YOU GET FOR

notwithstanding that their bank job is in jeopardy, they are one of the many to object to their pay cuts (albeit they have a point on the way it was done).

Regarding the troika and the real estate market, the group, in our opinion, should examine the country’s conditions and the way to help solve the problem and not force the sale of houses etc of people. As a Cyprus economy we do not need punishment, but advice, guidance and help, bearing in mind in addition local attitudes, and not to impose foreign unknown measures on people. Forced sale in Cyprus of real estate within 18 months and with no titles, coupled with increasing taxes makes the situation most difficult and what will it achieve? The demolition of the market, the reduction of the security values to the banks which will again generate a vicious circle.

We must say that we are also disappointed by the troika’s measures which are without concern to the social structure and attitudes, but only based on pure economic criteria regardless. In our opinion, increasing taxes and forcing people to leave their homes during times of recession will make things worse causing a social upheaval of unknown magnitude. Cyprus needs time and help for a period of time and not punishment.

Antonis Loizou & Associates Ltd – Property Valuers & Property Consultants, www.aloizou.com.cy, ala-HQ@ aloizou.com.cy

€700,000

How much: €700,000 What you get: This luxury four-bedroom house located in a quiet and convenient area on the east beach in Limassol comes with a private swimming pool and covered garage.

From: www.bestcyprushomes.com Tel: 25 321001

THE recovery of a house by the landlord is one of the reasons an order for repossession may be issued, provided it is reasonably claimed for such purpose, or for the residence of his spouse, child or dependent parent or when the landlord is a family company for residence of one of its members and the court considers it reasonable to issue the order. The amendment of the Rent Control Law no longer requires the obligation on the landlord to find another house or to pay compensation to the tenant and the statutory tenant can be evicted without any compensation. The amendment indicates the intention of the legislator to facilitate evictions from a house so that the landlord who reasonably claims repossession to succeed in the eviction of the tenant if there is another similar house with reasonable rent for the tenant to reside.

Reasonable rent means the market rent and not the one payable by the tenant to the landlord.

The requirements provided by the Rent Control Law for the recovery of possession of a house for residence purposes are: (a) the house to be in an area controlled by the Rent Control Law, (b) the tenant to be statutory, (c) the house to be reasonably claimed by the landlord to reside, (d) the landlord to have sent at least one month’s notice to the tenant before filing the application, and (e) the inconvenience caused by the issue of the eviction order to be less than the one caused due its refusal. The court must also consider the inconvenience, after taking into account all the circumstances of the case, including: (a) whether the tenant is a displaced or a suffering person, (b) if there is another house available with reasonable rent for the tenant to reside, (c) if the landlord purchased the property after 23.4.83 in order to

acquire its possession, and (d) the court considers reasonable the issue of the eviction order.

The provisions of the law and their interpretation through the judgments of the Supreme Court were examined by the Rent Control Court of Limassol in a recent judgment, where the landlord claimed repossession of his house to reside, since an eviction order was issued against him being a tenant. He did not own any other house and he served a notice to the tenant terminating the tenancy and claiming delivery of the house within one month, in accordance with the law. The tenant, even though he alleged that finding another house was difficult, finally admitted that there are similar houses, but the rent is high and that he did not look for another house. The court found that all the provisions set out in the law were met. The tenancy was contractual from month to month, since the rent was paid monthly. Therefore, for the tenant to become statutory, he had to remain in possession of the house after the expiration or the termination of the first tenancy or he had to be statutory before the enforcement of the law. However, given the fact that he was served with a notice terminating the tenancy but he remained in the house, he became statutory.

The court decided to issue the order since it was reasonable and no inconvenience would be caused to the tenant, since he did not live in the house any longer, having been separated. The term “tenant” includes also his wife even though they were separated, but the landlord did not claim her eviction.

George Coucounis is a lawyer specialising in the Immovable Property Law, based in Larnaca, Tel: 24 818288, coucounis.law@ cytanet.com.cy, www.coucounislaw.com

compiled by Peter Stevenson

How much: €700,000 What you get: This stunning four-bedroom villa is situated next to Aphrodite Hills golf course between Limassol and Paphos. It comes with its own six-seater Jacuzzi and swimming pool.

From: www.cyprusproperties.com.cy Tel: 24 655800

How much: €699,800 What you get: This luxurious four-bedroom house is in Aradippou in Larnaca and comes with three bathrooms and a garage.

From: www.buysellcyprus.com Tel: 26 200000

31 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Property

Architect Niemeyer dies, age 104 Renowned for designing Brazil’s futuristic capital

By Jeb Blount

O

SCAR Niemeyer, a towering patriarch of modern architecture who shaped the look of contemporary Brazil and whose inventive, curved designs left their mark on cities worldwide, died late on Wednesday. He was 104.

Niemeyer had been battling kidney and stomach ailments in a Rio de Janeiro hospital since early November. His death was the result of a lung infection developed this week, the hospital said, little more than a week before he would have turned 105.

President Dilma Rousseff, whose office sits among the landmark buildings Niemeyer designed for the modernist capital city of Brasilia, paid tribute by calling him “a revolutionary, the mentor of a new architecture, beautiful, logical, and, as he himself defined it, inventive.”

Starting in the 1930s, Niemeyer’s career spanned nine decades. His distinctive glass and white-concrete buildings include such landmarks as the UN Secretariat in New York, the Communist Party headquarters in Paris and the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Brasilia.

He won the 1988 Pritzker Architecture Prize, considered the Nobel Prize of Architecture for the Brasilia cathedral. Its Crown of Thorns cupola fills the church with light and a sense of soaring grandeur even though most of the building is underground.

It was one of dozens of public structures he designed for Brazil’s made-to-order capital, a city that helped define “space-age” style.

After flying over Niemeyer’s pod-like Congress, futuristic presidential palace and modular ministries in 1961, Yuri Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut and first man in space, said “the impression was like arriving on another planet.”

In his home city of Rio de Janeiro, Niemeyer’s many projects include the Sambadrome stadium for Carnival parades. Perched across the bay from Rio is the “flying saucer” he designed for the

Niteroi Museum of Contemporary Art. The collection of government buildings in Brasilia, though, remain his most monumental and enduring achievement. Built from scratch in a wild and nearly uninhabited part of Brazil’s remote central plateau in just four years, it opened in 1960.

While the airplane-shaped city was planned and laid out

by Niemeyer’s friend Lucio Costa, Niemeyer designed nearly every important government building in the city.

An ardent communist who continued working from his Copacabana beach penthouse apartment in Rio until days before his death, Niemeyer became a national icon ranking alongside Bossa Nova pioneer Tom Jobim and soccer legend Pelé.

His architecture, though, regularly trumped his politics.

Georges Pompidou, a rightwing Gaullist former French president, said Niemeyer’s design for the Communist Party of France headquarters in Paris “was the only good thing those commies ever did,” according to Niemeyer’s memoirs.

Prada, the fashion company known for providing expensive bags and wallets, thought the Communist Party building in Paris so cool it rented it for a fashion show.

Even the 1964-1985 Brazilian military government that forced Niemeyer into exile in the 1960s eventually found his buildings congenial to its dreams of making Brazil “the country of the future.”

His work is celebrated for innovative use of light and space, experimentation with reinforced concrete for aesthetic value and his selfdescribed “architectural invention” style that produced buildings resembling abstract sculpture.

Initially influenced by the angular modernism of FrenchSwiss architect Le Corbusier, who worked with Niemeyer and Costa on a visit to Brazil in the 1930s, his style evolved toward rounded buildings that he said were inspired by the curves of Rio’s sunbathing women as well as beaches

The Planalto Palace in Brasilia, one of the works of architect Oscar Niemeyer. Below: Oscar Niemeyer and Brasilia’s cathedral

and verdant hills.

“That is the architecture I do, looking for new, different forms. Surprise is key in all art,” Niemeyer said in an interview in 2006. “The artistic capability of reinforced concrete is so fantastic - that is the way to go.”

“Whatever you think of his buildings, Niemeyer has stamped on the world a Brazilian style of architecture,” Dennis Sharp, a British architect and author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture, once said of Niemeyer.

Niemeyer’s legacy is heavily associated with his communist views. He was a close friend of Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and an enemy of Brazil’s 21-year military dictatorship.

“There are only two communists left in the world, Niemeyer and myself,” Castro once joked.

Niemeyer remained politically active after returning to Brazil, taking up the cause of a militant and sometimes violent movement of landless peasants. He said in 2010 that he was a great admirer of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former labour leader who was

Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2010.

Niemeyer once built a house in a Rio slum for his former driver and gave apartments and offices as presents to others. Despite his egalitarian views, Niemeyer had no illusions that his buildings were helping to improve social justice.

Far from the model city Niemeyer had envisioned, Brasilia today is in many ways the epitome of inequality.

Planned for 500,000 people,

the city is now home to more than 2.5 million and VIPs keep to themselves in fencedin villas while the poor live in distant satellite towns.

“It seemed like a new era was coming, but Brazil is the same crap - a country of the very poor and the very rich,” he said in another interview in 2001.

In a 2010 interview in his office, he was quick to blame Costa for things many dislike about Brasilia, such as its rigid ordering into homogenous

“hotel,” “government,” “residential” and even “mansion” and “media” districts that can make finding a newspaper or groceries a chore.

“I just did the buildings,” he said. “All that other stuff was Costa.”

Despite Niemeyer’s atheism, one of his first significant early works was a church built in homage to St Francis, part of a complex of modern buildings in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

That work won the confidence of the city’s mayor Juscelino Kubitschek. When he became president, he tapped Niemeyer to help realise the dream of opening up Brazil’s interior by moving the capital from coastal Rio to the empty plains of central Brazil.

Despite years of bohemian living, Niemeyer remained married for 76 years to Annita Baldo, his first wife. He married his second wife, longtime aide Vera Lucia Cabreira, in 2006 at the age of 99. She survives him, as do four grandchildren.

Niemeyer’s only daughter, an architect, designer and gallery owner, Anna Maria, died on June 6 at the age of 82.

Vienna tops quality of life global survey of cities

By Derek Brooks AUSTRIA’S capital offers its residents the best quality of life of any city in the world and Baghdad the worst, according to the latest global survey from consultant group Mercer.

The Austrian capital with 1.7 million residents came top of the survey for the fourth year in a row, boasting a vibrant cultural scene alongside comprehensive health care and moderate but rising housing costs. Its opulent architecture from the time of the Habsburg empire makes it a tourist magnet.

The reliable public transport system costs just €1 a day for an annual pass in a city governed by left-leaning Social Democrats and

environmentalist Greens.

“The city is so international... I have been waiting for buses and heard over 10 languages being spoken at one stop,” said American Dawn Gartlehner, 42, a law firm manager who has lived in Vienna for more than 15 years.

“The city caters to all kinds of people, all ages and all walks of life. You can have a wonderful day here spending all the money in your bank account but have an equally great time spending nothing at all.”

Mercer conducts its annual survey to help companies and organisations set compensation for staff on international assignments. It uses 39 factors such as political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport.

Despite its sovereign debt crisis,

Europe has 15 of the world’s top 25 cities in the 2012 survey. Germany and Switzerland each have three in the top 10. The lowestranking city in western Europe was Athens, gripped by deep economic woes.

“Overall, European cities continue to have high quality of living as a result of a combination of increased stability, rising living standards and advanced city infrastructures,” said Slagin Parakatil, senior researcher at Mercer.

Canadian cities dominated rankings in the Americas region, with Vancouver at number five retaining the top spot and Honolulu at 28 the most pleasant US urban centre.

New Zealand’s Auckland at number three is still atop the

Asia Pacific region’s charts, while Dubai at 73 gets best marks in the Middle East and Africa.

But that region also has 15 cities in the bottom 20, including Lagos, Nigeria; Bamako, Mali; Khartoum, Sudan; and N’Djamena, Chad. Iraq’s capital Baghdad was ranked lowest in the world.

Vienna has held the top spot in the Mercer rankings since 2009.

Yet the city is not without complaints.

Jennifer Stepper, an American designer who has lived in Vienna for 18 years, noted that visiting friends often comment about how unfriendly waiters and shopkeepers are. But it no longer bothers her “Now I realise it is just the way of the Viennese. Like the rest of us, they have their quirks.”

32 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Business & Jobs Starbucks back on expansion path in Americas, China STARBUCKS Corp plans to increase the number of its cafes in the Americas by more than 20 pe rcent by opening more than 3,000 new shops there in the next five years as it looks to rely on tea and juice as much as coffee.

The world’s largest coffee chain is also finished with acquisitions for now, after buying juice seller Evolution Fresh for $30 million and Bay Bread LLC’s La Boulange Bakery for $100 million over the last 13 months. Starbucks also plans to close its $620 million purchase of tea store chain Teavana Holdings Inc by year-end.

The company also announced expansion plans for the China/Asia Pacific region for the next three years.

“We’re pretty full up at this time in terms of our resources and capabilities,” Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz said at Starbucks’ investor conference in New York on Wednesday. “At this moment in time, we have enough to handle.”

WEAK LINK Food has long been a weak link at Starbucks, which plans to roll out sweet and savoury La Boulange pastries and other goodies at 2,500 of its company-operated U.S. shops by the end of next year. Starbucks also expects to have Evolution Fresh juices in more than 5,000 U.S. stores by then.

Evolution Fresh should be slightly accretive in fiscal 2013 and La Boulange will follow in fiscal 2014, Starbucks’ Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead said.

The company also is experimenting with new retail concepts.

It has opened four Evolution Fresh juice stores and one Tazo tea shop in the United States, and it plans to add “tea bars” to existing Teavana stores.

The goal at Teavana is to replicate the success the company had adding coffee drinks at its early Starbucks stores, which sold whole bean coffee.

“There is always a risk when you take on all these brands,” Bernstein Re-

Currencies USD GBP CHF JPY AUD CAD SEK

search analyst Sara Senatore said, but she added that Starbucks had mitigated that risk by making deals that fit with its longterm growth plans.

Schultz admitted that Starbucks’ growth in 2007 and 2008 - the years before its business plunged with the financial crisis was “undisciplined.” The company is not returning to that prior strategy of “growth for growth’s sake,” he said.

Starbucks’ consumer packaged goods business, which sells such items as whole bean coffee and bottled drinks through grocery stores and other retailers, could one day be as large as the cafe chain, Schultz said.

When Starbucks’ fiscal year ended on September 30, the company had 18,066 shops around the world, with just over 12,900 in the Americas. The United States dominates that region and will get more than half of the 3,000 planned new stores that the company announced this week.

Starbucks expects China to overtake Canada as its second-largest market in 2014. The fast-growing China/Asia Pacific region will have nearly 4,000 cafes by the end of 2013, including 1,000 in mainland China, where Starbucks said it was on track to have 1,500 cafes in 70 cities in 2015.

ROBUST John Culver, president of Starbucks’ China/Asia Pacific business, said sales at established stores in the region remain robust in October and November, following a 10 per cent increase in the fiscal fourth quarter that ended September 30.

“We have seen the momentum we had in the fourth quarter carry over,” Culver said.

CEO Schultz told Reuters that Starbucks is in talks about paying income taxes in the UK, even though the company has not made a profit in that market for many years. The move followed criticism from lawmakers and the media over strategies that let it minimise payments.

07-Dec-2012

1,2919 0,8048 1,2037 106,29 1,2244 1,2718 8,5189

1,2997 0,8096 1,2133 107,14 1,2489 1,2972 8,6893

30-Nov-2012

1,2964 0,8081 1,1996 106,71 1,2338 1,2776 8,5690

1,3042 0,8129 1,2092 107,56 1,2585 1,3032 8,7404

All eyes on the US fiscal cliff

Investment Bill Blevins

The negotiations may lead to stockmarket volatility as happened in last year’s debate

Bill Blevins is Financial Correspondent at Blevins Franks International

NO SOONER was the US Presidential election done and dusted than attention turned to the looming “fiscal cliff”.

Over in the US it is big news, with the financial markets and commentators following the story closely. It is also causing concern here in Europe, since damage to the US economy could have worldwide implications. Stockmarkets do not like uncertainty, so there may be some volatility as the political debates progress.

What is the fiscal cliff?

The term describes the coincidental impacts of: 1 The scheduled increase in tax rates, partly related to the expiration of the Bush-era tax rates; 2 Spending cuts tied to the automatic $1.2 trillion in cuts over 10 years. The 2013 cuts will amount to around £100bn. At the same time there will be £380 billion of tax rises; £110 billion from the sunset of the Bush era rates.

Taxes In the early 2000s President Bush introduced tax cuts, including lowering the marginal tax rates for higher earners. He intended this to be a permanent reform, but had to compromise and make them temporary. They should have expired in 2010, but were extended for two years because the economy was too weak to handle tax rises.

Spending One of the resolutions of August 2011’s tense debt ceiling negotiations called for the creation of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. It was charged with forming a plan by November 2011 to find $900 billion in federal spending cuts over 10 years. If it failed to reach agreement, drastic cuts of $1.2 trillion would be implemented over 10 years.

It failed.

Can this be resolved?

Most analysts believe these issues will be addressed, though it will probably be tough going along the way. With the unemployment rate near 8% and the economy growing at around 2%, it is hard to imagine that elected officials from either side will allow these issues to move completely over the fiscal cliff.

The Republicans and Democrats have promised to work together to reach an agreement.

President Obama has been clear that he wants to raise tax rates on individuals earning over $250,000, while letting the lower rates remain at 2012 levels. The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker Boehner, has since stated publicly that he will consider increased revenues if it is part of lowering marginal rates and broadening the base.

Obama and Boehner reportedly came very close to a ‘grand bargain’ in summer 2010 on these same topics, so there is some type of blueprint to work from. However the last meaningful tax reform in the US was back in 1986, and that took almost a year to work out.

It is hard to imagine that the US will introduce any meaningful tax reform between now and 2013, but it may take steps forward. There could be agreement to move the marginal rates now and look at tax reform next year. Changes to the tax rates could also happen early 2013.

There is no denying the spending cuts are tough. Again there have been previous discussions that could aid today’s negotiations. It is likely that in the end there will be less than $100 billion of cuts in 2013 - but still significant cuts - and both sides could agree on reforms for the coming years.

23-Nov-2012

1,2852 0,8057 1,1996 105,60 1,2271 1,2732 8,5198

1,2929 0,8105 1,2092 106,44 1,2516 1,2987 8,6902

1wk 1mth 2mth 3mth 6mth 1yr

USD 0,19 0,21 0,26 0,31 0,52 0,86

EUR 0,02 0,05 0,09 0,13 0,23 0,47

Damage to the US economy could have global implications What next?

An agreement that changes the trajectory of the growth in the US national deficit, and shows real commitment to addressing fiscal imbalances, could be very empowering for the US and global economies. With politicians from both parties needing to avoid the fiscal cliff, we expect some sort of agreement to be formed. However we can also expect negotiations to be fraught.

The negotiations may lead to stockmarket volatility, as happened with last year’s debate. Short-term declines should not however detract from the long-term potential of stockmarket investing.

For advice on investing in the current climate speak to a wealth management advisory firm like Blevins Franks.

Blevins Franks specialises in providing personalised wealth management advice to British expatriates living here in Cyprus. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com

GBP 0,49 0,50 0,51 0,52 0,67 1,03

CHF -0,03 -0,02 -0,01 0,01 0,08 0,27

JPY 0,10 0,13 0,15 0,18 0,29 0,50

LIBOR RATES (London Interbank Borrowing Rates) AS AT 10/12/2012

CAD 1,00 1,06 1,15 1,24 1,52 1,94

AUD 3,09 3,15 3,19 3,26 3,40 3,73

33 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Business & Jobs

Why benefits to Turkish Cypriots have made sense Republic’s assistance to Turkish Cypriots poised to fall in light of troika bailout Comment Costas Apostolides VER THE past few months the issue of the benefits the Turkish Cypriots receive from the Republic of Cyprus (ROC), or the Greek Cypriot Community have repeatedly been brought up in the media in a negative light, either as a nationalistic expression of disagreement or the cost of them not paying taxes particularly during a time of economic crisis.

There is clearly no understanding as to the political advisability of providing assistance to all the citizens of the Republic. Over 82,000 Turkish Cypriots are registered as citizens.

In any case, the assistance to Turkish Cypriots will be affected by the negotiations with the troika regarding budget provisions, more restrictive regulations and reduced assistance in general. In this respect the austerity budget has not been openly discussed, but will come up in the budget debates. It appears that already the government has proposed cuts in assistance to Turkish Cypriots arising from new conditions proposed in the budget. Details were not available at the time of writing.

On March 10, 2003 the then Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, rejected the early versions of the Annan Plan for the reunification of Cyprus for a second time (the first was at Copenhagen in December 2002), and there was intense pressure for the Turkish side to do something to appease the international community. As a result, on April 23, 2003 and following agreement through the UN, the crossing points were opened across the Green Line. On April 30 in response and as a good will gesture, the government of Tassos Papadopoulos announced a series of measures of assistance for the Turkish Cypriot citizens of the ROC living north of the Green Line. This had in effect been prepared about two years either, but the announcement had been delayed.

O

The main aim of the measures was to allow Turkish Cypriots that live in northern Cyprus to enjoy to the extent possible, the rights and benefits offered by the ROC to its citizens. All the measures were designed to comply with Cyprus law and it was emphasised that in accordance with the opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding Namibia, such measures do not imply recognition of the regime in northern Cyprus. On this basis the regime in northern Cyprus was described by the European Court of Human Rights as a “subordinate administration of Turkey”. Within this context Greek Cypriots crossing the Green Line also do not recognise the regime.

In summary the measures were as follows: Movement of locally produced goods across the Green Line, and other goods for personal use.

Trade regarding Cyprus goods locally produced by the Turkish Cypriot community and their export to Europe (subject to EU approval).

Movement of people and vehicles, opening of more checkpoints (now seven).

Employment of Turkish Cypriots.

Construction contracts (on condition that the companies meet legal provisions).

Employment of Turkish Cypriot graduates, recognising their qualifications (without recognising the universities in the occupied area).

Vocational training, participation in EU educational programmes, and scholarships.

Teaching of Greek for Turkish Cypriots and Turkish for Greek Cypriots.

Participation of Turkish Cypriots in sports.

Participation of Turkish Cypriots in activities abroad.

Measures for family members of Turkish Cypriot missing persons.

A proposal for a joint committee on humanitarian affairs.

Facilities for the issuing of birth certificates, identity cards and other certificates.

Provision of health services and cooperation on health matters.

Cooperation on demining.

Encouragement of cooperation between local authorities.

Checkpoint queue: social insurance payments and VAT on purchases paid by Turkish Cypriots have been close to covering the benefits they have received from the Republic Telecommunications with the Turkish Cypriot community and Turkey.

Participation of Turkish Cypriots in elections.

Establishment of an Office for Turkish Cypriot Affairs.

Not all the measures were implemented in practice, but there has been significant Turkish Cypriot employment in the Republic, substantial use of health services, movement of vehicles and people and training in Greek, while progress has been made with the “missing” and demining (though not completed on the Turkish Cypriot side). Furthermore, communications by phone and internet are now possible through Turkey, though Greek Cypriot mobile phones are not active in northern Cyprus or Turkey.

Papadopoulos himself stated in an interview in 2003 that the estimated budget cost of the measures was between C£12 mln (€20 mln) and C£17mln (€29 mln) a year. This, however, does not reflect the benefits from employment, which in 2008 were estimated at €45 mln, trade €7 mln, public health €4 mln, and pensions almost €19 mln. This figure excludes expenditures by Turkish Cypriots and tourists in northern Cyprus who

Italian families have lost 40 per cent of their wealth in the past decade

By Naomi O’Leary THE wealth of Italian families has fallen more than 40 per cent in the last 10 years according to a study released on Friday, as a prolonged recession after years of stagnation hits households.

Financial net worth per family fell 40.5 per cent to 15,600 euros in 2011 from 26,000 euros a decade earlier, according to Rome-based thinktank Censis.

The findings show the scale of the challenge facing the country, still dogged by recession after a year under a technocrat government appointed to save Italy from a

debt crisis built up over years of high spending and stagnant growth.

Almost all who responded to the survey said they had cut back on luxury purchases to try to reduce their spending, while 73 per cent said they had sought out special offers and bought cheaper food.

“I try to save on clothes shopping and household necessities. The prices keep going up but my pension stays the same so I have to be careful,” pensioner Clara Francetti told Reuters as she browsed discount socks at a market stall in Rome.

“Holidays? Out of the question!”

Four in 10 families had given

up a holiday and cut down on clothes shopping, while 65.8 per cent said they drove their cars and motor-bikes less to save on fuel, the study said.

Low consumer spending has long been a weakness of the Italian economy, compounded by salaries that have lagged behind inflation over the last decade.

One in 10 families sold gold and jewels in the last two years to raise cash, the study said. Shops that buy gold for cash have proliferated as struggling Italians sell their valuables to pay the bills.

Just under 18 per cent of families were not able to cover all their expenses with their salary, the study found. Roman

housewife Selma, 36, said she had stopped eating breakfast at cafes to save money.

“It has affected everything, from food shopping down.

I count everything,” Selma said as she shopped at a stall offering a deal of three woollen jumpers for 10 euros.

“I have two children. I spend less on myself to be sure of having enough for them.”

The study noted an increasingly uneven spread of wealth throughout society, with the number of families with a net wealth of over 500,000 euros almost doubling, while the share of total wealth held by middle class families dropped 18 percentage points to 48.3 per cent.

across the Green Line.

One of the complaints often heard is that the Turkish Cypriots receive such benefits but do not pay taxes in the area controlled by the Republic. This is only true of income tax and local taxes, as those working are mostly registered with the social security scheme and contribute towards it. More importantly, purchases by Turkish Cypriots are considerable south of the Green Line and were estimated at €122 mln in 2008, which implies VAT payments of between €12mln and €18mln. Assuming that social insurance pensions are based on contributions, then taxes paid by Turkish Cypriots were close to covering benefits.

Unfortunately the provisions of the measures were not well publicised and are not understood by most Greek Cypriots. With the troika memorandum, these benefits to the Turkish Cypriots will, like those to Greek Cypriots, be reduced. It is also possible that they may be curtailed in part or in whole if residence in the government-controlled area becomes a condition.

Costas Apostolides is chairman of EMS Economic Management Ltd Costas.a@highwaycommunications.com

Developed countries wages showed no growth in 2012 AVERAGE salaries in developed countries are expected to have risen by no more than inflation this year, the International Labour Organisation said on Friday.

Developed country wages failed to keep up with inflation in both 2008 and 2011, but remained about 5 per cent above the 2000 level in real terms, the ILO said in its Global Wage Report, published every two years.

“So far as we can tell for 2012 at this stage the trend seems to be for zero per cent growth - flatlining,” ILO Director General Guy Ryder told a news conference in Geneva.

The report said governments in the euro zone and countries with big deficits should avoid squeezing labour with a “race to the bottom” in wages.

Ryder said governments should adopt policies that encourage companies to invest their cash piles and encourage banks to lend to small businesses.

Minimum wage policies, which were used until 2009 as social protection to help the most vulnerable workers, were now rising only in line with inflation or even fell in real terms, the ILO said.

In Greece the minimum wage has fallen by more than a fifth, from 877 euros per month to 684 euros, the report said.

34 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Business & Jobs

Christmas: a brand new line of economic thinking A comparison shows the advantages of Christmas economics over the standard approach HE CHRISTMAS season is a particularly good time to think about the fundamental weaknesses of conventional economic theory. Frenzied shopping for gifts cannot easily be reconciled with the standard model’s dour “economic man”, a creature “who inevitably does that by which he may obtain the greatest amount of necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries, with the smallest quantity of labour and physical self-denial”, in the classic definition of John Stuart Mill. The joyful Christmas season is also a good period to offer praise for a line of economic thinking which draws on a much more flattering view of human nature.

Historically, this approach has been closely associated with the Catholic Church, but “Catholic Economics” is a misleading title, since the thinking is not denominational – for example, Justin Welby, the incoming leader of the Church of England, is a fan.

It is not really religious; many atheists would reject the conventional assumption that people always and everywhere calculate their selfish advantage.

In honour of the season, I will use “Christmas economics” to describe this anti-Scrooge analysis, which is based on what might be called the Christmas economic person.

Unlike the simple and narrowly rational economic man, this is a complicated creature, largely motivated by the desire to be and to do good, but also prone to greed and foolishness. That combination is illogical, but it is realistic; people always show a frustrating mix of virtue and vice.

A comparison shows the advantages of Christmas economics over the standard approach.

Consider the difference between the conventional idea of a market and “giving in order to acquire”, a phrase used by Pope Benedict XVI in his Caritas in Veritate. Note that the economists’ market is not a physical place to shop, like a supermarket. It is a conceptual place where purely self-interested economic men trade with one another until they are all as satisfied as they possibly can be, a state known as equilibrium.

It is certainly possible to analyse the real economy as if it were mostly made

T

Analysis Edward Hadasr up of many approximations of these egoists’ markets, but the picture is unattractive.

To start, such markets are universally disappointing. Since each participant is assumed to want as attractive a deal as possible – consumers want lower prices and workers higher wages, while producers want higher prices and lower wages – no wishes can ever be fully gratified. More profoundly, these economic agents are dreadful people, utterly lacking in the spirit of fair play, let alone that of generosity.

This market model has been sharply criticised ever since it first made its appearance, but a coherent alternative has been

‘Enter the idea of a relationship founded upon mutual gifts, with some accommodation for greed’

If everyone is looking for a fair deal, then the deals struck will indeed be fair

lacking. Enter the idea of a relationship founded upon mutual gifts, with some accommodation for greed.

This “logic of exchange” begins with two attributes of human nature. Generosity leads me to offer my skills, money, products or whatever else I can give to the world. The desire for justice leads me to want a fair return for these gifts.

In this view, economic relations should basically be satisfying to all. If everyone is looking for a fair deal, then the deals struck will indeed be fair. Thus

exchange becomes not a divisive search for individual advantage, but a common exercise of virtue. If there is enough trust, then precise contracts, which conventional economists consider the normal market relationship, are superfluous.

Sadly, such trust is often lacking. Along with the constructive powers of generosity and justice, the disruptive force of greed plays a role in these exchanges. The desire to obtain an unfairly favourable deal erodes trust and leads to discord, not the economists’ equilibrium.

Christmas economics includes more than roughly equal exchanges. It also takes in “a logic of public

obligation”, in which taxes and government services are considered expressions of generosity, and “quota of gratuitousness and communion”, the generous spirit behind voluntary work, debt forgiveness and the striving for professional excellence without consideration of possible rewards.

The Christmas view is certainly more complimentary about human nature than the economists’ one.

Is it also more realistic?

In my experience, the shift from one perspective to the other is a bit like the adjustment to a much stronger pair of glasses; at first everything is blurry and there are headaches, but after a while the world

looks much clearer. The new perspective makes better sense of the industrial economy, which relies extensively on shared commitments and fair dealing.

It provides a clearer explanation of why selfish people are so damaging in the workplace.

It helps explain why financial markets, which typically allow greed full rein, are so prone to disaster. It considers sacrificial labour – of parents for children, employees for colleagues or company, and soldiers for their country – to be normal, rather than an aberration.

My seasonal wish: that Christmas economics receives the attention it so richly deserves.

Euro zone retail sales fall sharply in October SHOPPERS in the euro zone cut back on spending by the biggest margin in six months in October, economizing on everything from clothes to medical goods and offering little hope of a consumer-led recovery from recession.

The volume of retail trade in the 17 countries using the euro fell 1.2 per cent in October from September, the biggest drop since April, the EU’s statistics office Eurostat said.

That was worse than the 0.1 per cent fall forecast by economists in a Reuters poll.

In a further sign of the difficult times for euro zone households, September’s reading was revised down to -0.6 per cent from an earlier -0.2 per cent estimate.

The euro zone’s economy, which generates about a fifth of global output, slipped into recession in the third quarter of this year and is expected to contract for all of this year, its second shrinkage since 2009, and a recovery is still far off.

“We think that the fourth quarter will be the worst in terms of growth,” said Evelyn Herrmann, an economist at BNP Paribas.

“With periphery countries contracting and even the core going through a cyclical downswing at the end of this year, euro zone gross domestic product is likely to fall by some 0.4 per cent (in the last three months of 2012),” she said.

Households in the euro zone have been struggling since the global financial crisis of 2008/2009, constrained by disposable incomes that grew only during the brief recovery of 2010. That weakness has fed back into the downturn, and the bloc’s overall output is expected to shrink at least 0.4 per cent this year.

Business surveys show an easing in the rate of contraction in euro zone services activity in November, with the shrinkage in manufacturing moderating to a seven-month low, helped by the European Central Bank’s plan to buy the bonds of governments that has quietened concerns about a euro zone break up.

But government spending cutbacks aimed at bringing down record budget deficits are having a big impact on the real economy, economists say, and with euro zone unemployment at a record high with nearly 19 million people out of work, retail trade is suffering.

Spending on food, drinks and tobacco fell 0.8 per cent in October and shopping for non-food products including clothing, furniture and medical goods dropped 1.4 per cent.

Motorists in the euro zone also economized on fuel spending for the third month running because of high oil prices.

Despite tepid global demand for oil as economies worldwide feel the impact of the euro zone debt crisis, Brent crude rose to near $120 a barrel in August and remained high in September and October.

35 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

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LUXURIOUS APARTMENT FOR RENT A luxurious one floor apartment situated in central Nicosia in an area of exceptional Beauty at 3 Museum Street, is available

TO LET NICOSIA to let. It has been recently renovated and consists of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, big dining and sitting rooms, kitchen and a huge veranda. Approximate covered area 250 sqm. Monthly rent €1400.00 o.n.o. Tel: 99622370. www. parcon.com.cy *****************************

FLATS / HOUSES FOR RENT: studio Aglantzia €350, 1bdrm Ag. Andreas furnished €425, Hilton €400, Strovolos €350, Acropolis €380, Kennedy furnished €400, 2bdrm Ag. Dometios €400, Lykavitos €550, Kennedy €400, Acropolis rear house €300, 3bdrm m/ ssa with garden €500, Str/ los €400, Acropolis €550, 4 bdrm new house Dasoupolis €1,200, Acropolis g/f €800. 21 PROPERTY FINDER A.M. 627 A.A.108 / E 99474839, 99646822

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

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MODERN 2 BDRM, first floor flat in attractive building in Anthoupolis, very quiet area between the Grammar School and the European University, also very convenient for Pascal and Highgate Schools and the University of Nicosia. Large front veranda, all appliances, modern fittings, light and bright. Furnished or unfurnished €550p.m. Call 99900177.

3 BEDROOMS flat on second floor in a block of six flats, in a nice position at Strovolos area, fully a/c, c/h, covered parking place for one car, recently painted.

Rent €650pm. (furnished if required). Tel: 97773358.

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2

ROOMS €125 each, near McDonald’s Engomi only Philippine girls. Call 99663927.

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FOR RENT 3 B/R apartment fully furnished close to Central Bank. 3 W.C., fully air-conditioned extra storeroom, owned covered parking. Excellent condition. Information: Tel. 99621554

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LUXURY HOUSES: 1. 5 bedrs detached house, 550sq.m, built in 2 big plots of land, big garden with grass, big swimming pool with extra fence for children and big covered patio with bbq area, big reception areas with marble floor, fire place and bar, big kitchen with all electrical appliances and sitting room with fire place, maid’s room, floor heating, full a/c, blinds on the windows, master bedroom with en suite bathroom and shower, big bathroom for the other 3 bedrooms

English-Painter & Decorator

SELEC Fencing & Decking Specialist

Fully Qualified 30 years’ Experience

For all your Garden and Security Fencing

ALL AREAS • External & Internal painting • Damp Damage Repairs • Spritze Repairs • Free Estimates + very clean work • All areas. All types of woodwork stained and preserved • All work guaranteed

Tel. Tony on 99176557

♦ Quality approved workmanship ♦ 15 years experience + guaranteed work ♦ English workers ♦ also garden gates ♦ sheds ♦ chain link fencing ♦ free estimates ♦ all types of fencing & decking

Tel. SELEC fencing 99176557

37 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Advertiser

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

and extra shower in the 5th bedroom - Strovolos €2500 (H5ST10001-R), (photos in the website).

2. H3AR0004-R, 3 bedr luxury detached house with central heating, full a/c, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, parquet floor throughout the house, big sitting and dining area, big kitchen with family room opening onto the swimming pool which has big covered area with wooden deck, bbq area, covered parking, in a very quiet area behind Apoel football training ground - Archagelos €1700 (photos in website).

3. 2 bedr fully renovated semi detached house 120 sq. m, a/c for hot and cold, small yard, FULLY FURNSIHED or not, double glazed windows with aluminum shutters, in a quiet area off Nikis behind Burger King - ACROPOLIS €650 (H2ACS0001-R), (photos in the website).

4. 3 bedr luxury semi-detached house with character, 200sq.m, central heating, full ac, sitting and dining room with fire place, big kitchen with cooker and oven, dishwasher and refrigerator, nice mature garden with flowers, trees and small garden with grass, covered parking, 3wc, 2

bathrooms in a quiet neighborhood. Available middle of January. Agios Andreas - €1200 - H3AAD0001-R (photos in website).

5. 4 bedr new luxury detached house, separate maid’s room, central heating, full Ac, 260sq.m, big kitchen with all the electrical appliances, blinds on all the windows, 4wc, 2 showers, 1 bathroom, 2 covered parking, big garden with grass in a quiet neighbourhood in a dead end near French Ambassador house - Strovolos €1400 (H4ST10045-R), (photos in the website).

6. 3 bedr+big attic room with shower and wc luxury new house, 210sq.m, central heating, full a/c, 4wc, blinds on all windows, cooker and oven in the kitchen, small garden, covered parking near Alpha Mega supermarket - STROVOLOS €1200 (H4ST10007-R), (photos in the website).

7. 3 bedr detached ground floor house with separate maid’s room, with very big garden with grass(200sq.m) and covered patio with bbq and bar, central heating, full a/c, 180sq.m, FULLY FURNISHED or NOT, 2 covered parking, storage room, in a very quiet neighbor-

hood opposite Acropolis park - Acropolis - €1200 H3ACS0004-R (photos in website).

8. H4LAK0002-R, 3 bedr + office space luxury detached house, built on a big plot, 350sq. m, big swimming pool with cover, garden with grass, big sitting and dining room, separate family room, central heating, a/c, curtains on all the windows, cooker, dishwasher and dryer, parquet floor throughout the house,3wc, 2 bathrooms, 2 covered parking in a quiet area on the borders of Strovolos with Lakatamia - Lakatamia€1600 (photos in website).

9. 3 bedr upstairs and 2 separate bedroom in the basement luxury detached house(all the bedrooms with en suite bathrooms/ shower), also separate kitchen and sitting room in the basement which has also separate entrance from the house, central heating, full a/c, solid parquet floor all the house, big sitting and dining room with fire place, big fully equipped kitchen with breakfast area and family room, big overfloor, swimming pool with covered patio area with fully equipped bar(bbq, fridge, freezer, cooker),

mature garden around the house, 2 parking places, alarm system near the Cyprus Conference CentrePLATY AGLANTZIAS €3500 (H5PAG0002-R), (photos in the website).

10. 4 bedr semi detached house with central heating, 4 a/c, 3 wc, 2 bathrooms, 180sq.m, electrical appliances, small yard, bbq area, off Kostantinoupoleos street near French ambassador residence.- STROVOLOS €700 (H4ST10043-R), (photos in the website).

11. 4 bedr luxury semi detached house with good size garden with grass, big covered patio with bbq area, central heating, a/c units, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, 2 covered parking, FULLY FURNISHED AND EQUIPPED, in a quiet area in a dead end close to all amenities and schools.

- ANTHOUPOLIS €1300 (H4ANT0002-R), (photos in the website).

12. H4AGZ0010-R, 3 bedr RENOVATED GROUND FLOOR HOUSE with big separate 1 bedroom flat with multi room, big sitting and dining room , separate tv room, big kitchen with family room and fitted cooker and oven, 3wc, 2 bathrooms, very big 5 X 6

bedrooms with solid parquet floor, central heating with petrol independent, a/c units, double glazed windows with shutters, big verandas around the house, in a very quiet neighbourhood 200metres from FRENCH school and near Athalassas park - Aglantzia - €1300 (photos in website).

13. 3 bedr ground floor house with big separate 80sq,m room with shower and wc for multi use, central heating independent, full a/c, 2wc, 2 shower,1 bathroom, fully furnished, small garden, bbq area, parking, on a small building in a very quiet area near Agios Vasilios church. Strovolos - €900 - H4ST10028-R (photos in website).

14. 3 bedr + big attic room with shower and wc luxury new house,210sq.m, central heating, full a/c, 4wc, blinds on all windows, cooker and oven in the kitchen, small garden, covered parking near Alpha Mega supermarket - Strovolos - €1200 – H4ST10007-R (photos in website).

15. 3 bedr detached house with extra room for office, 250sq.m, central heating independent, 4a/c, big renovated kitchen with

cooker and oven, big sitting and dining room with parquet floor and fire place, 1bathroom, 2 shower, 3wc, 2 covered parking, double glazed windows and shutters in bedrooms, big verandas surrounded by trees and bushes off 28th October street in the central part of Makedonitissa - Makedonitissa - €1100 – H3MAK0004-R (photos in 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: 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 throught, 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

38 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO NICOSIA

in a quiet neighborhood – Agios Andreas- € 1300 – A3AAD0005-R (photos in website).

2. AINIC0006- R, 1 bedr., fully furnished and equipped apartment, 50sq.m, 2AC for hot and cold, covered verandah, covered parking, nice view, off Makarios avenue between Hilton and DEBENHAMS shop. Nicosia centre, € 450 (photos in website).

3. 3 bedr new luxury big apartment 150sq.m+big 25sq.m veranda with very nice view, big sitting and dining areas, big separate kitchen with all the electrical appliances, big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, storage heaters, full a/c, shutters and blinds on the windows, covered parking in a quiet neighborhood off Prodromou close Ministry od Defence – Engomi- € 700 – A3ENG0026-R (photos in website).

4. A1DAS0010-R, 1 bedr luxury spacious apartment with big sitting and dining room, big bathroom, big bedroom with shutters, covered veranda, storage heaters, 2a/c, cooker and oven in the kitchen, covered parking in a quiet area in a small modern building near Acropolis Park. Dasoupolis €400 (photos in

website).

5. 2 bedr new luxury modern furnished apartment , central heating ind, 2 a/c, big covered veranda and covered parking in a quiet area behind the Municipal building – Agios Dometios - € 660 - A2ADO0004-R (photos in website).

6. 2 bedr luxury spacious apartment on a small modern building with central heating independent(with petrol), full a/c, solid parquet floor, big bedrooms, big sitting room with open plan kitchen, big covered veranda, FULLY MODERN FURNISHED, covered parking off Makarios avenue in a quiet area near the centre – Nicosia Centre- € 800 – A2NIC0030-R (photos in website).

7. 4 bedr luxury floor apartment,250sq.m, office, maid’s room, central heating ind, full hidden wall unit a/c,2 showers, 1 bathroom, 3wc, parquet floor, big kitchen with cooker and oven, bbq on the veranda in the kitchen, big sitting area, roller blinds on all the windows, alarm system, big veranda on a small building off Athalasas avenue near Alpha Mega supermarket and Areteion hospital – Dasoupolis - €

1100 - A4DAS0002-R (photos in website).

8. A1ACS0007- R, 1 bedr luxury spacious apartment with 2 a/c for hot and cold, electrical appliances in the kitchen, big bedroom, covered veranda, blinds, covered parking, in a quiet area near Acropolis park.

NICELY FURNISHED. Acropolis €450 (photos in website).

9. 3 bedr new luxury finished PENTHOUSE apartment 150sq.m internal areas+120sq. verandas, solid parquet floor all the flat, big bedrooms, big sitting and dining room, big semi separate kitchen with electrical appliances, home cine ma with big screen, LCD tv, covered parking in a quiet neighborhood near CYTA, Laiki + Hellenic bank headquarters and French school. CAN BE RENTED ALSO expensive MODERN furnished – Dasoupolis - € 1200 - A3DAS0019-R (photos in website).

10. A2AOM0009-R 2 bedr luxury finished apartment in a small building with 4 flats only, central heating with petrol independent, full a/c, 2 bedrooms with en-suite bathroom/shower, separate guest wc, NICE MODERN EXPENSIVE

FURNITURE, big covered veranda, covered parking, storage room, in a very quiet neighbourhood very close to Junior school and the park - Agioi Omologites - € 800 (photos in website).

11. 3 bedr luxury spacious ground floor apartment with separate entrance, big verandas and garden, big sitting and din-

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA ing room, central heating independent, full a/c, 2wc, very big master bedroom, electrical appliances in the kitchen, aluminum shutters on windows, parquet laminate floor all the flat, covered parking, storage room, in a very quiet neighbourhood in a dead end street, off Athalasas Avenue behind Stephanis near English School €700 (A3ST10030-R), (photos in

the website).

12. A2LYK0006-R, 2 bedr penthouse apartment with big veranda 60sq.m, storage heaters, full a/c, 2 bathrooms (one en suite), big sitting room, big separate kitchen with cooker and oven, blinds, covered parking near Agios Antonios market CLOSE TO THE UNIVERSITY. Lykavitos €510 (photos in website).

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39 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Advertiser

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET NICOSIA

TO LET LARNACA

TO LET PAPHOS

13. 3 bedr luxury apartment with central heating independent, full a/c, 2 bathrooms, parquet floor, big sitting and dining area, big covered veranda, covered parking, storage room, blinds, shutters in the bedrooms, big kitchen with all expensive electrical appliances, off Makarios avenue near the centre – Nicosia Centre- € 800 – A3NIC0025-R (photos in website).

14. 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, fire place, covered parking and big overfloor heated covered swimming pool on the ground floor, on a small 3 storey building in a quiet neighborhood near a playground and near Ippokration private hospital Engomi - €2000 - A4ENG0003-R (photos in website).

15. 2 bedrs new luxury apartment, sitting room open plan with kitchen which includes cooker, oven, refrigerator and washing machine, 2 wc, central heating, full AC, blinds on the windows, very big covered verandas, covered parking and storage room in a dead end off Athalassas avenue near Laiki popular bank and Hellenic bank headquarters. - DASOUPOLI €550 (A2DAS0006-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 / 96-422225 / 96422226 www.landtouristestates. com

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FULLY FURNISHED one bedroom flat near Larco hotel Larnaca. Price €370.

Tel: 99202543

detached villa, secluded position, large private pool, a/c, and parking. Unfurnished. Very nice well worth seeing. €800 pcm reduced 4. Peyia Unfurnished 2 bed 2 bathroom house, a/c, ceiling fans, fly screens, storage, satellite TV, private parking, swimming pool, From €350 pcm REDUCED THIS IS JUST A SMALL SELCTION OF PROPERTIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND MANY MORE PLEASE CALL EITHER 96 545 174 OR E-MAIL ON info@ unique-consultancy.eu LANDLORDS; WE NEED YOUR PROPERTIES NOW. PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY FOR RENT.

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2 BDRM flat in the centre of Nicosia. Rent €450. For information call 99453663, 99663927.

LARNACA

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LIMASSOL ****************************

4

BEDROOM HOUSE IN EPISKOPI Split level 4-year- old house detached with central heating, a/c all over the house, lounge dinning room, separate kitchen, utility room, en-suite master bedroom, parking, three wcs. Price 800 euros (negotiable) 25337400

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3 BEDROOM HOUSE IN YPSONAS 3-year-old two storey detached house situated in a private area of Ypsonas with separate kitchen, lounge dinning room,garden, parking ensuite master bedroom a/c all over house. 25 337400 Price 700 euros

FOR RENT spacious 3 bedroom apartment with balcony situated in centre of town, semi furnished.

Please call 99311152 ****************************

FOR RENT 2 bed, 2 bath, new built apartment, in a quiet scenic location In Alethriko, Larnaca 5 min. to Larnaka, 5 min. to the beach Fully furnished, A/C, communal pool, under covered parking, Long term rent, €350.00 per month For more info pls call 99639378 ****************************

PAPHOS

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2

BEDROOM COTTAGE FOR RENT IN LANIA VILLAGE in a quiet and peaceful area, fully furnished, storage heaters, a/c, rent €300 per month. Minimum contract 1 year. Info mob 99548855

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FOR RENT new ground floor terrace studios for rent in Kouka village (20 minutes from Limassol) in a quiet and peaceful area fully furnished €180 per month minimum contract 1 year.

For info mob 99548855 *****************************

GROUND FLOOR HOUSE, furnished renovated this year. Laminated parke floor, and big wardrobes in the 3 bedrooms. Rent €590.00 Tel 99497576 99886775

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TO LET 3 bdrm detached villa & pool. Fully furnished.

2 bdrms en suite, garage with r/m control, garden, lovely view. Near Tsada Golf Course. Price €750 per month. Tel. 99603330. *****************************

Long Term Rentals 1. Chlorakas 1 bed ground floor furnished apartment with central heating, communal pool and parking, sky TV. €335 pcm including all bills 2. Tala 2 bed quality furnished apartment. Stunning sea views, large balcony, well kept gardens, communal pool, quiet area. €375 pcm 3. Chlorakas Large 4 bed

1. UNIVERSAL – superb 2 bed furnished apartment for rent. Lovely quiet complex with pool, private parking, entry phone system & storage room. €350 per month.

2. UNIVERSAL – one bed furnished apartment on 2nd floor, small quiet well maintained complex with sea views. €300 per month.

3. UNIVERSAL – 2 two bed, 2 bath apartments on superb quiet complex, with 3 pools, gym, sauna, jaccuzi & bowling green. 1 apt furnished, 1 unfurnished from €400 per month.

4. TALA – 2 two bed, 2 bath villa style apts on stunning quiet complex with 4 pools, with off road and underground parking. 1 apt furnished 1 U/F from €360 per month.

TO LET PAPHOS PLEASE CALL 96203009 *****************************

FOR RENT A selection of 1 to 5 bedroom houses & apartments F/F & U/F Universal, Peyia, Tomb of the Kings, Tsada, Timi, Chlorakas & Kato Paphos Landlord & Owners please call 99329357 Or please view at are website www.cyprussands. com Fully Registered Company in Cyprus *****************************

1. MANDRIA, 2 bedroom apartment, fully furnished with modern furniture, separate kitchen, communal swimming pool, air conditioning throught, 2 balconies euro 375 p/m o.N.O 2. SEA CAVES, 3 bedroom bungalow, specially fitted for people with disabilities , stunning sea views, free wi-fi, fully furnished with modern furniture, swimming pool, all bedrooms with en-sute, utility room, air conditioning throughout, shutters, very green and secluded area euro 1100 p/m o.N.O 3. EMBA, 2 bedroom apartment, 2 bathroom, modern furnished, air conditioned throughout, communal swimming pool, covered parking, close to all amenities, euro 330 p/m 4. CHLORAKA, 3 bedroom furnished villa with pool, amazing views, master ensuite, in cul-de-sac, fully airconditioned with fireplace, euro 700 p/m PLEASE CALL : 99 387842 *****************************

CHLORAKAS, 2 bedroom apartment, fully furnished, large veranda, very quiet location, communal pool, Euro 280 – o.n.o Please call: 99699019 /26910140 *****************************

A DELIGHTFUL AND SPACIOUS 1 bedroom apartment, F/F, top floor, new, located at a peaceful location just 500 from St. George hotel in Chloraka.

A+ quality apt. Within walking distance to amenities, part of a beautiful building with swimming pool, list and other amenities. Only €250p/m Other apts also available near Carrefour in the Centre of Paphos. Call 99403261, 26934650

TO LET PAPHOS *****************************

PAPHOS RENTALS SECTION TREMITHOUSA Very sought after location, Modern 2 Bedroom, F/F, Town House, Lovely Communal Pool, Sea views, Early viewing highly recommended, 400 Euros PAPHOS - Very large 3 Bedroom Apt , Fully Furnished to a very high standard ,Would suit 3 Professionals sharing, Within close proximity to Hospital and Court, Central Heating, 2 Bathrooms, Laundry, 350 Euros.

TALA - Luxurious 4 Bedroom, F/F to a very high standard, 2 bathrooms, 2 en-suite, Swimming Pool, Landscaped Garden and Spectacular Views, 700 Euros.

EMPA - Immaculate, Spacious 2 Bedroom, U/F, House, Large kitchen, Patio, Quiet location, Must be seen, 300 Euros WANTED - 2 bedroom furnished properties MORE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 99862922 *****************************

FLOWRON PROPERTY RENTALS, YOUR NUMBER ONE CHOICE FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES. LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, CALL THE EXPERTS TODAY!!

TIMI 3 bed modern villa with wood burner, Ac, offered fully furnished. Spacious living areas with 2 sitting areas, big kitchen,3 upstairs bedrooms, master on suite shower, family bathroom, Small private pool, off street parking.

Quite location not far from the village amenities. Paphos Town. Ref: 722 price €600 KISSONERGRA A bed luxury villa on its own private grounds, with fantastic views of the sea, private pool, Modem Furnishings, quality appliances, downstairs bedroom, large kitchen, upstairs bedroom with en suite, family bathroom.

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• OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH & NEW YEAR’S EVE CALL PETER NOW FOR ANY ENQUIRIES: 96870774 – PAPHOS

40 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

TO LET PAPHOS

Ref 0000 Price €950 ANARITA A 3 bed villa offered furnished , with private pool, in nice quiet cul-de-sac, off street parking, AC. quality kitchen, 3 bedrooms upstairs. Ref 855 price €600 PEGEIA A superb character 4 bedroom villa, with beams, fire place, central heating. Italian kitchen, sitting and dining areas, 3 good size bedroom, with downstairs bedroom with en suite. Outside mature gardens, private pool, fantastic views, peaceful location. Ref: 765 Price €900 Mandria A modern unfurnished 4 bed Villa with private pool. Downstairs bedroom with shower, sitting room with log burner, 3 bedrooms upstairs, master bed with en suite shower room. Property has private fence and pets are welcome. Ref 1174 price €700 YEROSKIPOU 2 bed furnished apartment with communal pool, gym, under cover parking on modern new complex Apartment is furnished, with bathroom, modern kitchen and blinds + AC Ref: 1164 price €350

ARMOU A 3 bedroom fully furnished bungalow with private pool. Nice clean modern property with log burner, 3 good size bedrooms, master en suite, large family bathroom, garage, fantastic views of the sea. Ref 854 Price €750 MANDRIA Modern 2 bedroom apartment, offered furnished. Property is modern and has a large outside veranda, great views, large communal pool. Not far from all local amenities. Ref: 882 Price €400 Please call for a free viewing on Office 26600450 Mobile: 97614070 many more properties on our website at www.flowron. com - www.paphospropertycyprus.com LANDLORDS IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY FOR RENT, PLEASE CALL US!!!!!!

Your Vision is our Mission

BRAND NEW APT, opposite Poseidonio Gym, near Carrefour, F/F, a/c, great quality, 1 bdrm, from €340p.m.Tel 99403261

furnished apartment in handy location close to the shopping areas. Large open plan living area and dining area.. Fully fitted dining/kitchen with appliances . Guest WC. Utilty room. 3 double bedrooms one with en-suite. Family bathroom. Balcony & and parking. €500.00 a month.

Suit non-drivers!

3. TOMB OF THE KINGS – 3 bed fully furnished apartment in established block. Own entrance via stairway. Open plan living area. Dining kitchen.

3 bedrooms and family bathroom. A/C, sat TV. Internet available. Large balcony area. Parking. €350.00 per month 4. TALA - 3 bed 3 bath quality furnished villa.

Set in enclosed gardens the villa consists of open plan living area with dining space. Fully fitted kitchen with all appliances, door to rear garden.

Storage room. Ground floor bedroom with adjacent shower. Stairs to two double bedrooms both en-suite, one with Jacuzzi tub. Small seating area with adjacent balcony.

Pool and off street parking. Landscaped gardens €750.00 per month or close offers only

5. SEA CAVES – 2 bed, 2 bath fully furnished large townhouse set in quiet location. Open plan living area. Fully fitted kitchen.

2 double bedrooms and family bathroom. Garden area and parking. Realistically priced. Suit retired people or those wanting a quiet area. €400.00 per month 6. UNIVERSAL AREA. 2 bed fully furnished apartment. Living area, fitted kitchen. 2 double bedrooms and family bathroom. A/C, Enclosed garden area. Comm pool and parking. Euros 375.00 a month or offers. 1 & 2 bed apartments available on Universal starting at €250 per month.

7. LOWER PEYIA - 3 bed, 2.5 bath part furnished villa situated in quiet cul du sac. Open plan living and dining area with doors out to pool and garden. Very large breakfast fitted kitchen. Doors out to garden and pool. Separate guest WC. Stairs to 3 double bedrooms. Master bedroom very large with en-suite shower. Family bathroom. Private pool, gardens, shutters. €550.00 per month or close offers only.

8. STROUMBI– 3 bed 2.5 bath large unfurnished villa in quiet village area.

Spacious open plan living area with feature fireplace and dining space Good sized fitted kitchen and breakfast area. Guest WC with storage area.3 double bedrooms. Master with en-suite bathroom.

Family bathroom. Enclosed gardens, pool and off street parking. Realistically priced €550.00 per month. OVNO FOR FULL LISTINGS OF APARTMENTS/TOWNHOUSES AND VILLA PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS. ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR LONG TERM RENTAL LANDLORDS/OWNERS PLEASE CALL. PLEASE CALL 97648440 or email:- inforentals@ aol.com

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PEYIA – 3 bedroom villa with modern quality furniture and finishes. Central heating, sky, alarm, infinity pool and stunnning sea and mountain views €700 per month, call: 99389426 ****************************

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RENTAL POINT - PAPHOS PROPERTIES AVAILABLE TO RENT IN THE PAPHOS DISTRICT. JUST A SMALL SAMPLE OF AVAILABLE PROPERTIES. ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR LONG TERM RENTAL. CALL 97648440 FOR MORE INFORMATION. LANDLORDS CALL IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY FOR RENT.!!!

1. MESA CHORIO – 2 bed 2 bath fully furnished ground floor apartment set on an elevated position in this prestigious development. Open plan living area. Good sized kitchen.

2 double, bedrooms, master with en-suite shower room. Family bathroom.

Large patio areas with enclosed gardens and lovely sea views. Covered parking and security gates..

Comm swimming pool and landscaped gardens. €425.00 a month. 2 bed apartment same complex €400.00 a month.

2 MESOGI 3 bed 3 bath

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REFURBISHED stone-built village house located in Kili Paphos. Consists of 3 large rooms 1 small. Traditional wood burnt fireplace, fully tiled secluded yard and garage. Tel: 99210610. ****************************

41 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

FOR SALE NICOSIA

FOR SALE NICOSIA

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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NICOSIA

FOR SALE PENTHOUSE between Armenias Str and Hilton Hotel. 3 bedroom, main bedroom with shower, c/h, fireplace,

Advertiser FOR SALE NICOSIA large verandas. For more information please call: 99467596. ******************************

PAPHOS *****************************

FOR SALE PAPHOS

FOR SALE PAPHOS

FOR SALE PAPHOS

KATO PAPHOS UNIVERSAL, large 2 bedroom apartment, ground floor, 1 bathroom, kitchen, large veranda, private parking, A/C, satellite TV. Near bus route, shops, banks, quiet apartment. Full furniture. Communal pool.

92 sq.m covered area. Full TITLE DEEDS. REDUCED €92,000 PAPHOS 1 bedroom apartment, fantastic central location, lounge/kitchen, bathroom, veranda, covered parking, communal pool, Furnished. Near all amenities. TITLE DEEDS NOW REDUCED €45,000.

1 BEDROOM APARTMENT, TOMBS OF KINGS AREA, close to the sea, large private roof terrace with electric and water, covered parking, veranda, furnished, swimming pool. Full TITLE DEEDS, was €95,000 reduced to €65,000.

Chlorakas, 2 bedroom townhouse. Exceptional sea views. New kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom.

Private parking, On mains sewage system. Commu-

nal pool. A/C, quality fixtures. Fully furnished. Security barrier. FULL TITLE DEEDS Now €92,000 Call 99716390.

U SEFUL PHONE NUMBERS POLICE DIVISION HQ

HOSPITALS ........ 1400

Nicosia ........................22 802 020 Limassol ......................25 805 050 Larnaca .......................24 804 040 Paphos ........................26 806 060 Famagusta ..................23 803 030

Nicosia General .............22-801400 Nicosia Makarios ...........22-405000 Limassol Old ................25-305333 Limassol New ................25-801100 Larnaca Old...................24-630312 Larnaca New .................24-630300 Paphos ..........................26-821800 Famagusta ....................23-821211

Drug Law Enforcement Unit ......................................... 1498 (Confidential Information) Rescue Co-ordination Centre ............................. 1441 (Immediate Response Service for Aeronautical or Maritime Accident & Incidents) Game Fund Service: (Wildlife and hunting) Central offices (Nicosia): 22867786, 22-867897 Nicosia: 22-664606, 99-445697 Limassol: 25-343800, 99-445728, Larnaca/Famagusta: 24-805128, 99-634325 Paphos: 26-306211, 99-445679 Forest Fires ..................... 1407

Narcotics Helpline ......... 1410 (Outside hours.............. 22-304160) AIDS Advisory Bureau ................................ 22-302826 Domestic Violence Centre .......................................... 1440 (Emergency Centre for Victims) Drug Info & Poison Control ............... 1401 Cyprus Samaritans ... 77777267 Police Duty Officer ......... 1499 (Confidential Information) Airports Larnaca ..........................77778833 Paphos ...........................77778833

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UNIVERSAL AREA, 3 bedroom detached villa, covered area 122 sqm, master bedroom en-suite, air conditioned throughout, all white goods, solar panels, garden irrigation, plot size 273 sqm, communal pool, euro 165.000 o.v.n.o.

– title deeds available Call : 99682644- no agents 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. ******************************

FOR SALE Well-kept detached bungalow on the edge of Pano Kivides. Quiet location with open view. Kitchen/diner 5.55m x 3.75 Separate lounge of similar size. Two bedrooms, with A/C, fitted wardrobes.

Good size bathroom. Mains drainage. Entrance hall, used as an office. Gas CH. All new double glazed windows. Conservatory 7.26m x 2.46m. Outside, plot in excess of 700 sq. m.. Large covered area including brick built workshop 5.3m x 4.8m . Hot tub. Car port, TITLE DEEDS. Euros 198000. Private sale. No agents. No VAT. Why pay for a building site with no services when you could move into a comfortable home, with no hassle, but lots of potential, for less?

Tel. 99995906 or 99995992.

42 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Advertiser FOR PAPHIAKOS ANIMAL WELFARE SOS HELPLINE, 24 HOUR MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICE - CALL 99655581 CONTACT DETAILS FOR PAPHIAKOS. Paphiakos & C.C.P. Animal Welfare Education/Information Centre, No. 12 Dedalos Building, 8049 Kato Paphos PO Box 61272 8132 Kato Paphos Web. www.cyprusanimalwelfare.com www.facebook/paphiakos Email info@cyprusanimalwelfare.com Larnaca Emergency Service - The contact point for animal emergencies in Larnaca is Maria at the Paphiakos Animal Welfare Charity Shop, telephone 24623494 or 99325897 STOP, SHOP AND GIVE TO THE ANIMALS! ALL DONATIONS ARE WELCOME AT OUR CHARITY SHOPS! PAPHIAKOS & C.C.P. ANIMAL WELFARE Registered Charity No 1529 Contact our shops and we can take your clutter The Charity Shops are located at: Shop No.1 Agapinoros Street, Kato Paphos Tel 26910325 Shop No.2 Ap Pavlou Avenue, Kato Paphos Tel 26942894 Shop No.3 Gr. Afxentiou Avensia Court 3 Larnaca 24623494 Shop No.4 9 Ayiou Ioanni Street 3061 Limassol 25561695 Peyia Information Centre & Shop & T Rooms 26622828 Polis Information Centre & Shop & T Rooms 99223572 Book Exchange Shop Trimithousa 99771763 Our shops are always happy to receive your unwanted goods!

NOW YOU CAN HELP BY COLLECTING YOUR ALUMINIUM CANS AND HANDING THEM IN AT ANY PAPHIAKOS CHARITY SHOP OR THE CLINIC. SAVE AN ANIMAL AND SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT!!

PAPHIAKOS CAR BOOT SALE EVERY SATURDAY at the Ambassador Restaurant and outside in the grounds at Paphiakos. Free parking. Sellers from 7am, buyers from 8am. For information & bookings please call MIKE on 96702600.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS FOR PAPHIAKOS CHARITY NO. 1529 WORLD ANIMAL DAY. On Thursday October 4th Paphiakos will be micro chipping pets for only €20 including all the paperwork. For further information telephone 26953496.

To celebrate World Animal Day on Thursday October 4th Paphiakos will be offering free spaying/neutering for all feral and unwanted animals as they do throughout the year. Contact 26953496 for further details.

PAPHIAKOS SHELTER OPEN DAY The Open Day will be held on Sunday October 7th between 10am and 3pm. It will be a Family Fun Day out with a lot of different activities. There is car parking, toilets and refreshments on site so enjoy and join in the celebration of animals and what they bring to our lives. Entrance is €2 CHARITY HAIR CUT. On Thursday 4th October 09.30-17.30 without an appointment Andri at Atlantic Bay Hotel (2nd Floor) will be charging €5 for a haircut with all proceeds going to Paphiakos. Telephone Suzanne on 99151996 or Andri on 99604783.

PAPHIAKOS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Saturday November 24th 9am – 3pm at the Crazy Spoon Restaurant. For further details contact 99151996.

Stalls, Santa’s Grotto, Donkey Rides, Pirate Pat and many more.

CHEMISTS NICOSIA SUNDAY 09/12/2012 D. Athanasiadou, 132D Athalassa Ave. Tel: 22427707, 22431301 (H) N. Christodoulou, corner Virona & M. Karaolis St. Tel: 22679780, 22622250 (H) E. Frangouli, 58A Athenon St, Strovolos. Tel: 22314660, 22492935 (H) M. Proestou, 49 Digeni Akrita Avenue Tel: 22758758, 22311767 A. Koliou, 22A Ayias Paraskevis Engomi, Tel: 22103884, 99383067 LIMASSOL A. Evagorou 32A Ayias Zonis Tel: 25371194, 25572558 (H) C. Constantinou, 2 Amathountos Ave, Tel: 25316464, 25339609 M. Michaelides, 369 28 Octovriou, Tel: 25582914, 25763863 (H) P. Damianou, 68A Omonias Ave, Tel: 25562444, 25384141 LARNACA K. Evlavis, 69A Arc. Makariou Tel: 24656469, 24662689 (H) D. Andreou, 7. 8 Artemidos Ave. Tel: 24656884, 24361084 (H) PAPHOS S. Diomidous, Makarios Ave. Tel: 26961999, 26991704, (H) PARALIMNI A. Kamilaris, 52 Korai, Tel: 23744160, 23743418

NICOSIA MONDAY 10/12/2012 A. Eracleous, 12 D. Akrita St. Tel: 22433480, 22332622 (H) Th. Kotropoulos, 42A 28th October St, Makedonitissa. Tel: 22350091, 22325801 (H) K. Savvides, 4 Ifigeneias St, Akropolis Tel: 22495463, 22340305 (H) K. M. Leonidou, 177 Makarios Ave, Kato Lakatameia. Tel: 22383566, 22358486 (H) L. Socratous, 24C Peraios St, Strovolos. Tel: 22422279, 22321828 (H) LIMASSOL A. Papamiltiadous, 84C Ay. Filaxeos St. Tel: 25388938, 25731492 (H) H. Papadopoulou, Omirou 31, Tel: 25878009, 25591887 A. Nikolaides, 33 Apostolou Varnava, Tel: 25660088, 25100109 LARNACA K. Panayiota, 20A L. Machairas St. Tel: 24651205, 24819102, (H) E. Vasiliki, Tel: 20 Stratigou Timayia Ave, Tel: 24660688, 24623060 PAPHOS L. Chrisostomou (P.E.O. No. 2), 31B Danais St, Kato Paphos. Tel: 26964837, 26221624 (H) PARALIMNI I. Pittatzis, 7 Ay. Georgiou St. Tel: 23822577, 23827058 (H)

DOCTORS ON DUTY NICOSIA Pathologist: Costas Schizas, Tel: 22311077, 99606611 Ophthalmologist: Antonis Glikeriou, Tel: 70000171 Gynaecologist: Marios Eleftheriou, Tel: 22469000, 99433384 Paediatric Surgeon: Eliana Eliadou, Tel: 99384324 Dentist: Alexis Loizou, Tel: 22668104, 99668175 LIMASSOL Pathologist: Polikarpos Evripidou, Tel.: 99514910, 25251919 Surgeon: Andreas Roumpas, Tel.: 99649646, 25745803 Neuro-Surgeon: Michalakis Spirou, Tel: 99624939 Paediatric: Andreas Pasias, Tel.: 25586144, 25753330, 99681166 Paediatric Surgeon: Elka Christophi, Tel: 25762586, 99306678 Doctor: Lampros Theodosiou, Tel: 25581712, 99624372

AYIA NAPA and DHERYNIA (Anglican Church in S.E Cyprus) Sunday Worship 9.30am Morning Prayer every Sunday morning at St Constantinos & Eleni Chapel, Dherynia (near Hospital in Dherynia) 11am at Scandinavian Church, off Nissi Avenue (opp Tassia Maris Hotel), Ayia Napa nd 6pm at St Constantinos & Eleni (2 week) Chaplain : Revd Simon Holloway M.A. Tel: 97 839349 www.angsecyp.org Visitors especially welcome

43 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Compiled by Rosie Ogden

Motoring

12C Spider makes Italian premiere at Bologna show

Solberg bows out of World Rally Championship

Innovative McLaren is on display in Italy

NEXT year, for the first time in over a decade, the FIA World Rally Championship will be without the 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg.

The 38-year-old Norwegian ace has decided to step away from the series “for now” in order to explore and focus on a ‘different direction’.

Solberg began his rallying career with Ford in 1999, and reached his zenith in 2003 when he won the WRC Drivers title for Subaru.

Five years after his title run, Subaru withdrew from the Championship and Petter formed his own WRC team, driving privately owned Citroens, achieving stage wins and podiums.

“I am so grateful and happy for what I have experienced during my 15 years in the WRC” he says.

THE innovative new McLaren 12C Spider made its Italian debut at the 37th edition of the Bologna Motor Show, which is taking place from 5-9 December.

Italian car enthusiasts are known to be among the most dedicated and passionate fans of Formula One and sports cars, and more than 800,000 of them are expected at the salon.

The lightweight, open-top 12C Spider is mechanically identical to the 12C. It uses the upgraded 625PS engine, which is part of the 12C Model Year 2013 upgrade.

Acceleration from 0-62mph (100 km/h) takes just 3.1 seconds (when fitted with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres), the same as the coupé.

Fuel consumption and emissions also remain the same, returning 24.2 mpg (11.7 l/100km) on the combined cycle and 279g/km.

McLaren says the figures are much better than most high-performance convertible sports cars, in keeping with the company’s commitment to class-leading fuel efficiency. Maximum speed is 204 mph (329 km/h).

The 12C Spider is a mid-

REALLY QUITE SAD

Spectacular: the McLaren range has added this high-performace convertible to its stable of desirable vehicles engine two-seat rear-drive high performance sports car. Unlike its rivals, it uses a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, dubbed the MonoCell. “This confers major advantages in weight, strength and torsional rigidity – all improving handling, ride comfort and performance” says McLaren.

The MonoCell is a unique one-piece moulded chassis that weighs just 75kgs (165lbs). It is 25 per cent stiffer than an equivalent all-metal structure and 25

per cent lighter than a comparable aluminium chassis (the difference with a steel chassis is even greater). It is also “stronger and safer in a crash, acting as a safety survival cell, as it does in a Formula 1 car”.

The Retractable Hard Top (RHT) has been designed specifically for the 12C Spider. The fully automatic mechanism raises or lowers the roof in less than 17 seconds, and can be activated at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph). It is controlled by a

two-position switch on the centre panel within the cabin.

As with the 12C, the 12C Spider is fitted with the unique McLaren Airbrake – an ‘active’ rear wing that increases its angle to boost downforce and improve stopping power and stability through corners.

The ‘active’ aerodynamics of the McLaren Airbrake is another innovation derived from Formula One, although it is now banned in racing, as it conferred a substantial

performance advantage.

Commenting on the Italian debut of the 12C Spider, Ado Fassina, Managing Director of McLaren Milan explained: “We are delighted to introduce such a prestigious sports car as the 12C Spider to the Italian market.

It is a real satisfaction to see the McLaren range growing year after year, and we are confident that the introduction of new exciting models such as this, can reply to the needs of the fans in this exclusive sector”.

New Ford B-Max’s novel door system IN studying ways to ease access in and out of a future small car, team members working on the Ford B-MAX project wanted completely unobstructed entry and exit.

The Dunton Innovation Group came up with the idea of hinged front doors, sliding rear doors and integrating the central body pillars to create a 1.5-metre-wide opening.

Customer research had established that loading and unloading cars, especially from the side, needed to be as simple and easy as possible. This was not only said by parents and others ferrying children in their cars, but also by adults transporting older parents.

“Innovation at Ford starts with the customer,” said Richard Brown, manager of Ford’s Dunton Innovation Group.

“We heard from families with one or two children aged under 10 using small cars round town and ‘third agers’, who look after both their own parents and grandchildren too.

“Their stories of banging doors in tight spaces and trying to open the doors while carrying a load inspired our thinking, discussions and creation of early prototypes

“For now it’s really quite sad, I would have loved to have driven for a few more years. I have said I am willing to drive for free, but at this point, I will not pay to drive”.

Leaving open the possibility that his fans may yet see him where they like best – behind the wheel of a rally car – he adds “this is not to say that you will never again see me in a WRC car, but for now, I think it’s best”.

Driving this season for the Ford World Rally Team, Solberg claimed third on the podium on his first outing in Monte Carlo, and four more podiums in later events. He finished the year fourth in the Drivers Championship, with 124 points.

“The sport has given me so much, but I want to give a special thank you to all of my fans that have supported me through thick and thin, and given me such a great feeling about what I do, and for being a large reason of why I do it.

“I do hope you all understand, and I hope you’ll continue to follow me on to my next venture. My team and I are hard at work as you read this, and we can’t wait to let you know what our plans are” Petter ends with a smile and that well-known twinkle in his eye.

Something different: Ford designers wanted completely unobstructed entry and exit to prove out possible solutions.”

Prototype demonstrators pioneering the Easy Access Door System, which now features on the production Ford B-MAX, went to customer clinics in the UK and on the continent.

Public reaction confirmed Ford’s plans to progress the

innovation: “Wow, it’s like opening a flat or an apartment,” said one customer.

The Ford B-MAX programme transferred from embryonic development at Dunton to engineers at the company’s sister technical centre in Cologne for full engineering and testing.

“We delivered the B-MAX

with an innovative door system while retaining the stylish sweeping roofline which is contributing to its appeal today – so job done by the Dunton Innovation Group,” said Richard Brown.

Other innovations hatched by the Dunton team include the Ford Focus’ awardwinning Door Edge Pro-

tector (www.youtube.com/ watch?v=iib8F0XSg18).

A £50 option, the protectors wrap round the side of the doors when open and fold away discreetly as they are shut.

The Southern Group of Motoring Writers gave the Ford invention its 2012 innovation award.

The 38-year-old was world champion in 2003

44 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport Milan and Partizan facing early Euroleague departures

OKLAHOMA City guard Russell Westbrook gorged himself with 27 points in the first half as the Thunder extended their recent dominant run with a 114-108 win over the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

The victory was the Thunder’s seventh in a row, and their 16th win of the season, while the Lakers are struggling at 9-11.

After trailing by a point after the first quarter, the Thunder (16-4) exploded in the second with 41 to open up a 14-point lead at the half, a gap the Lakers could not reel in.

“That was a solid win, we had some very good stretches but then in the second half we had some not so good stretches. We relaxed some on defence in the second half,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said.

Westbrook had a huge first half, scoring 27 of his 33 points to help the Thunder open up the big gap.

The battle of the scoring big guns went to Thunder forward Kevin Durant with 36 points and nine rebounds, while Lakers guard Kobe Bryant finished with 35 points.

“It wasn’t us, Westbrook just went crazy on us and they’re a great shooting basketball team that had a hot quarter,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters.

“When he does that, when he has that vertical and when he stops on a dime, you just have to tip your hat a little bit.”

The teams met in the Western Conference semi-finals last season with the Thunder winning in five games before eventually losing to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

While the Thunder had the upper hand on Friday, the Lakers will undoubtedly improve with the return of Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Pau Gasol.

“They set a bar,” D’Antoni added. “We know where we got to go and I’m encouraged by some of the stuff we’re doing.”

Howard contributed 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Fenerbahce are also at risk after 6955 defeat by Panathinaikos

IN BRIEF

Dominant Thunder rumble over Lakers

By Zoran Milosavljevic DEFEATS in the penultimate round of the Euroleague’s preliminary group stage on Friday left the competition’s former winners Emporio Armani Milan and Partizan Belgrade staring at early elimination.

Fenerbahce, who spent heavily last summer hoping to assemble a side capable of slugging it out with Europe’s best, are also skating on thin ice after a 69-55 defeat at sixtime winners Panathinaikos Athens.

Milan were in the driving seat for three quarters of their home match against Zalgiris Kaunas, but a poor final period cost them as they slipped to a 67-65 loss to the Lithuanian champions.

“Once again we lost a game because of stupid little mistakes and it shows that we are not in control in clutch moments,” Milan coach Sergio Scariolo told the competition’s official website (www.euroleague.net).

“We’re damned by our crucial mistakes which we made because of the big pressure, although we played against a big team with big players,” added Scariolo, who stepped down as Spain coach last week after winning two successive European titles and the 2012 Olympic silver medal with them.

Milan need to beat holders Olympiakos Piraeus

Milan were in the driving seat for three quarters of their home match against Zalgiris Kaunas, but a poor final period cost them as they slipped to a 67-65 loss away next week and hope that Spaniards Caja Laboral slip to an unlikely home defeat by Croatia’s Euroleague debutants Cedevita Zagreb to advance into the second group stage of the competition.

Roared on by their fer-

vent fans, Partizan came close to upsetting Barcelona, but plaudits from the visiting team’s coach Xavi Pasqual was all they got from a rip-roaring contest in which the lead changed hands time and again in the cauldron of Belgrade’s

Pionir Arena.

“Congratulations to Partizan fans for an excellent show and it is a kind of atmosphere that can’t be seen anywhere else,” Pasqual said after Barca ground out a 68-67 overtime victory thanks to a

block by Partizan’s former centre Nathan Jawai on the buzzer.

“I think we were very good in the final period and overtime and this is a very important win for us.”

Partizan must beat German side Bamberg to keep alive any hopes of progressing but even that may not be enough if Lithuanians Lietuvos Rytas beat Besiktas Istanbul away in their final game.

Fenerbahce were also dragged into a complicated three-way battle for one of the last three remaining berths in the top 16 after they were soundly beaten 69-55 at Panathinaikos Athens, one of the 13 teams who had already booked their spots with games to spare.

An excellent individual performance by former Panathinaikos forward Romain Sato, the game’s top scorer with 20 points, was merely a flash in the pan for the Turkish side who must beat Italians Mapooro Cantu in their dogfight and hope that Olimpija Ljubljana lose at Real Madrid.

“My players are feeling the pressure of having to qualify for the top 16 and I hope the possibility of being eliminated will help us to play with heart and improve our game against Cantu,” Fenerbahce’s Italian coach Simone Pianigiani said.

Forward Mike Batiste, another former Panathinaikos stalwart who moved to Fenerbahce during the close-season break, endured an emotional night in the Greek capital.

“It was an unforgettable night for me,” he said.

“I came back home with lots of great memories and strong emotions I experienced in the last nine years; I was welcomed by the fans and that is something I will never forget, hence I am full of happiness and pride although we lost the game.”

GB’s Rudman celebrates World Cup skeleton gold

Gay impresses as Grizzlies assert might over Hornets

Mouflons extend win streak to 17 with Slovenia victory

SHELLEY Rudman hailed her World Cup skeleton win in Winterberg this weekend but said her main objective remains another Olympic medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

Rudman saw off her nearest rivals by over a second to claim her first victory of the season, with Great Britain team-mate Lizzy Yarnold fourth, and Kristan Bromley also fourth in the men’s race.

Rudman told the Press Association: “Everything just slotted into place on the day and it was a great result.

“It is great to know there is nothing to be concerned about, and my form is definitely there.”

THE Memphis Grizzlies kept on rolling as Rudy Gay’s 28 points lifted them to a 96-89 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Gay’s season-best performance and 16 points from Quincy Pondexter against his old team saw the Grizzlies move to 14-3, the best record in the NBA. Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers and Brian Roberts had 15 points apiece for the Hornets, who suffered their 11th loss in 13.

While the Grizzlies have the league’s best winning percentage, they have not won as many games as their Southwest rivals, the San Antonio Spurs.

THE Cyprus Mouflons took another step toward achieving the world record of 19 unbeaten consecutive international games, thrashing Slovenia 49-8 at Pafiakos stadium yesterday, capturing their 17th successive win.

Cyprus opened the score in the first minute with a try

by Marcos Holden, who scored two tries, three conversions and a penalty. Thereafter the Cyprus side for a time led 22 points without reply, until a touch down for the opposition took the score to 27-5.

Second-half tries from Tony Thoma, Andreas Binicos and Marco Mladanovitch brought the final tally to 49-8.

45 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Sport Solid Senden leads at windy Australian Open

Holding his ground: Senden snared an eagle at the 11th and three birdies in his round of two-under-par 70

JOHN Senden held his ground in blustery winds to lead after the third round of the Australian Open yesterday, but world number four Justin Rose was just two strokes back and relishing the prospect of a final-round shootout.

Australian Senden, who led by a stroke at the same stage here last year only to finish second, snared an eagle at the 11th and three birdies in his round of two-under-par 70 to stand seven-under for the tournament and keep Rose at arm’s length.

It was, however, the 2006 champion’s pars on the last three holes that were more impressive as quickening winds gusting up to 55 kilometres per hour whipped across The Lakes course.

“It was a day of just trying to do my best to stay up there and it’s nice to be leading the golf tournament,” said Senden.

“I thought the last two holes were pretty much close to the edge ... it was so windy out there it was hard to hit the ball straight.”

Rose, playing two groups in front of

Senden, topped the leaderboard for the first time in the tournament with a 12-foot putt for his second birdie at the par-three seventh.

The Briton picked a couple more birdies just after the turn, but suffered a buffeting in the wind late on and dropped shots on the last two holes to spoil his otherwise flawless 70.

“I hear the wind’s going to switch and blow just as hard,” said Rose. “Whoever literally stands up could win the golf tournament, it could be last man standing.

“As long as it doesn’t get out of control and blow too hard, it’s going to be a fun day to try and hit some shots.

“It’s going to be my last round of the year and I’d like to go out on a high note.”

The 53-year-old Peter Senior, whose fourth and last European Tour win came two decades ago, hit a 69 to take a share of third place with Australian young gun Kieran Pratt (70) and Matthew Jones (69), three shots off the pace.

Nine-times U.S. PGA Tour winner Stuart Appleby, looking to bring a close

to a frustrating two-year title drought, also had a good day was at the head of a group of three a further shot back after shooting a 70.

“I’m hitting it better,” the 41-year-old said. “I hit it really well yesterday. I feel like I am coming back. I’d love to have made more progress a while back. You have to be patient. That is the beauty of this game. You have no real time period.”

Adam Scott, the highest ranked Australian in the world at number seven, had another up and down round with five birdies and four bogeys for a 71, but is still in the hunt in a share of ninth at two-under.

American Tom Watson, who rolled back the years with a round of 68 to make the cut on Friday, had a miserable day with an eight-bogey 78 to match his opening round effort.

“It was ugly out there today for me, very ugly,” the 63-year-old, eight-times major winner said after his round. “I didn’t have any feel for the club and didn’t put the clubface on the ball.”

Ashwin prevents England from finishing the job

Murphy comeback clinches final spot

Tourists on verge of victory over India after day four of third Test at Eden Gardens

By David Clough ENGLAND inflicted a telling collapse on India to put themselves on the verge of victory, and an unassailable 2-1 series lead, after day four of the third Test at Eden Gardens.

The tourists took six wickets for 36 runs yesterday but, with an innings win almost within their grasp in the final session, Ravichandran Ashwin (83 not out) prevented them finishing the job.

Number eight Ashwin even took India into a 32-run credit by stumps on 239 for nine, and forced England to take a second new ball under floodlights, as the contest somehow limped into a final day.

There was no way past Ashwin and Ishant Sharma for more than an hour in a ninth-wicket stand of 38.

Ashwin escaped a stumping chance on 22, and Sharma was dropped by wicketkeeper Matt Prior on nought - both off Monty Panesar.

Then even after Panesar at last got the number 10, toppling over to be bowled, Ashwin stayed to complete his 111-ball 50 with successive fours off Graeme Swann which also ensured England must bat again.

England just did not have the leeway they needed as Ashwin stood firm, in company with last man Pragyan Ojha.

After dominating the first three days thanks to Alastair Cook’s batting and James

Anderson and Panesar’s bowling, the tourists first had to overcome a chastening morning before India’s collapse.

England’s own last four wickets could muster only 14 on the way to 523 all out and then they were unable to take any of India’s before lunch.

But after Swann kickstarted the hosts’ troubles by bowling Virender Sehwag with the first ball of the afternoon, the rest of the frontline batting simply folded.

Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir sowed some doubts in an opening stand of 86 in just 28 overs, during which England had a half-chance to see off each of the openers.

WORRYING ASPECT But Sehwag escaped on seven when Swann could not hang on to a low one-handed catch to his left at second slip off Anderson, then Gambhir pushed Panesar off the face of the bat to short-leg, where Ian Bell could not quite react in time.

The most worrying aspect for the tourists was the increasing ease with which Sehwag in particular was playing their spinners.

But they need not have been concerned because Swann produced the perfect off-break to draw the drive, beat the bat and hit the outside of off-stump straight after the break.

Gambhir had accepted the blame in the first innings for Sehwag’s run-out, and perhaps will need to do likewise

for his part in a faulty single which saw off Cheteshwar Pujara thanks to Bell’s direct hit from midwicket.

Transient controversy followed when Gambhir escaped on 36, umpire Rod Tucker apparently initially satisfied he had edged to slip but unsure whether the ball had carried to a diving Jonathan Trott.

It had, but third umpire Vineet Kulkarni also seemed to convey the fact Gambhir had not got bat on ball after all.

The right decision had been reached via a grey area in the established process for series not involving DRS. But the fact that Gambhir followed some reverseswing from Finn (three for 37) to edge behind just four runs later relegated the discussion, and it was less relevant still when Sachin Tendulkar was next out, edging a Swann arm ball to slip.

Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli’s attempt to stop the rot did not last long before the left-hander was bowled by one from Anderson that snaked in from round the wicket and kept low, and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni edged the same bowler low to his opposite number Cook at slip.

Kohli edged behind flailing at some more outswing from Finn after tea, and it seemed certain England were on the home straight - until Ashwin got set.

England had arrived yesterday morning in the hope of maximising the pressure

Swann (pictured) kickstarted the hosts’ troubles by bowling Sehwag with the first ball of the afternoon and an hour’s profitable batting would have been their first wish.

Instead, their innings was finished in under five overs.

Prior and Swann could add only a single between them to their existing seventhwicket stand of 56.

Prior drove the first ball of the day for a single, only for Swann to then immediately become Ojha’s fourth victim - edging another attempted drive to slip.

Then Prior went to cut Zaheer Khan at the other end and edged behind - England’s second departure in the space of seven balls.

Finn and Anderson man-

aged a boundary each but the introduction of Ashwin for Ojha (four for 142) brought two wickets in two balls to conclude the innings.

Ashwin had previously conceded 183 runs for his one success but, after Anderson edged to slip and Panesar went lbw first ball, despite an apparent inside-edge, the off-spinner had two more at no further cost.

It seemed the mid-match momentum had perhaps switched, all the more so when Sehwag and Gambhir tried to seize the initiative too.

But it was a short-lived illusion.

SHAUN Murphy was hoping his opponent in today’s final of the williamhill.com UK Championship final will be battle-scarred before the first ball is potted.

Friday night saw Murphy produce what he believes to have been his finest ever spell of snooker to reach the title match at York’s Barbican Centre, coming from 8-4 behind to beat Ali Carter 9-8.

Mark Davis and Mark Selby were the players vying to join him, and they had afternoon and evening sessions to contest yesterday while Murphy put his feet up across the Pennines at home in Sale, Greater Manchester.

Murphy carried out his postmatch obligations Friday night before heading home with his manager to clear his head.

“I’m going to just chill out and see those two Marks suffer,” Murphy said.

“The fact I’ve got a day off really helps. We’re going to get back to some normal life, do some washing and come back fresh on Sunday.”

Carter broke down in tears in his post-match press conference when it was put to him there was every reason to be proud after a year in which he has reached a World Championship final while continuing to cope with Crohn’s disease, the inflammatory bowel condition that also affects Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher.

“If I could pay to get rid of it, I would,” he said, before emotions took over.

Carter had at 8-4 ahead been a 1/40 favourite to beat Murphy, and it was no surprise he was suffering after letting what looked an inevitable victory slip away.

Breaks of 76, 49, 105 and 78 in successive frames from Murphy forced a decider, which he won in two scoring visits after Carter spurned a match-winning opportunity, missing a red with the rest.

Murphy said: “I don’t feel that Ali lost it, I feel that I won it and I’m really proud.”

46 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport Shelvey: Reds heading in the right direction LIVERPOOL midfielder Jonjo Shelvey believes the team are gradually moving towards a style of play which will bring more goals from every area of the pitch.

Striker Luis Suarez has carried the side with 13 goals all season, including 10 in the Barclays Premier League, but he will serve a onematch suspension for today’s match at West Ham. Shelvey seems most likely to replace him in a ‘false nine’ position manager Brendan Rodgers has played him in before.

But with the likes of defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Jordan Henderson proving to be the match-winners in their last two matches - against Southampton and Udinese - Shelvey reckons other players are now starting to share the burden with Suarez.

“In any team, goals have to come

from all angles of the team, and I think they will,” said Shelvey, who played for West Ham’s youth team having grown up in Romford as a boyhood fan.

“Daniel scored on Saturday and Hendo scored on Thursday, so they are starting to come and the more and more we play together the more it will happen.

“You don’t go out there purposely not trying to score. If you get a chance you are going to try to score but obviously sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

Shelvey knows he is neither as equipped or as talented as Suarez to properly fill the Uruguayan’s boots, but he is determined to do his best to adapt to an unfamiliar position for the sake of the team.

“Luis is a world-class striker so everything he touches goes in,” Shelvey said.

“I played there against Young Boys and thought I did all right. I did a job for the team.

“It is difficult to adjust because you have your back to your opponent all the time, whereas in midfield you can see in front of you, so it is difficult in that respect.

“It is a different type of fitness as well, but I’ll be ready for it.

“You have to be aware of where other players are each side of you and in that respect I think I have got to do some work.

“But you play where you are told and it is always an honour to play.

“I’m excited because it is the team I supported but it is not an easy player’s boots to fill.

“West Ham are a good team and a different type to play against as they are a bit more direct that others in the Premier League.”

Shelvey seems most likely to replace Suarez (pictured) who will be absent for today’s Reds match at West Ham

Jol: we’ll end drought in Magpies encounter

Villas-Boas impressed with Everton boss Moyes’ record

MARTIN Jol has refused to condemn his goal-shy Fulham side and is backing them to end a run of seven games without a win against Newcastle at Craven Cottage tomorrow.

Fulham scored their last Premier League goal in the 3-1 loss at home against Sunderland on November 18.

Since then they have failed to score in defeats against Stoke and Spurs and in a draw at Chelsea.

Fulham were sixth in the table earlier in the season but now languish in 13th place, just five points off the relegation zone and level with a Newcastle team boosted by last Monday’s 3-0 win over Wigan.

But Jol pointed to the eight goals in three games Fulham bagged before the Sunderland set-back and claimed the goals will flow again just as long as his players keep making chances.

“We are good enough to come up with a solution,” he said. “Against Sunderland, before Brede Hangeland’s red card, we were the better team. Even in the first half against Spurs we had three of four chances, more chances than they had, and we had more attempts.

“We couldn’t believe the 3-0 scoreline after that match.

We spoke about it with the players and we feel that we will be fine. But we have to work hard. We have to pick ourselves up and pick up some points.”

Although midfield playmaker Bryan Ruiz suffered a new injury blow this week and will be out until after Christmas, Jol is looking for the return of Kieran Richardson and Alex Kacaniklic to boost his side against Newcastle.

But he is saying farewell to 32-year-old Czech international defender Zdenek Grygera. The former Ajax and Juventus star is set to quit the game after failing to recover from a ligament rupture sustained against Spurs 13 months ago in addition to battling hip and back complaints.

Hails Toffees counterpart for ‘perfect training’

By Paul Hirst ANDRE Villas-Boas has revealed his deep respect for Everton boss David Moyes as he prepares to do battle with the man many thought deserved to become the next Tottenham manager in the summer.

Bookmakers installed Moyes as the odds-on favourite to replace Harry Redknapp in June, but Daniel Levy appointed VillasBoas ahead of the Scot despite his excellent record at the Merseyside club.

Everton had come dangerously close to relegation through the back end of the 1990s, but Moyes’ appointment in March 2002 signalled a huge turnaround in the club’s fortunes.

The Scot, whose only previous experience in management had come at Preston, led the Merseysiders to fourth in 2005 and has only finished outside the top eight twice during his nine full seasons in charge.

Villas-Boas, who takes his team to Goodison Park today, thinks Everton would be in a much worse position had the 49-year-old not taken the helm 10 years ago.

“He has done tremendously well,” the Tottenham manager said.

“He has changed the mentality of the club. They went through incredibly difficult situations financially and has always built strong teams.

“His scouting is perfect, his training is perfect, the way he motivates his players also makes a difference as you see them on the pitch and they

AVB’s Spurs know they are likely to face a particular challenge from Everton’s Marouane Fellaini (R) today are extremely competitive.

“His teams always seem to improve year after year and that is not always the case.

Going to Goodison Park is one of the toughest games.”

Villas-Boas has bad memories of visiting the Toffees.

Last season his Chelsea team lost 2-0 at Goodison Park and little over three weeks later the Portuguese was sacked.

But after a shaky start, Villas-Boas has started to rebuild his reputation at Tottenham, who are now firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place following a run of three straight Barclays

Premier League wins.

Confidence is high in the Spurs squad, but Villas-Boas knows it is vital his team maintain their good form going into the festive period.

“The Premier League is very, very tight between third and 10th,” the former Chelsea boss said.

“Obviously we want to do well at Everton but understand that it is going to be extremely difficult.

“It is one of the most difficult grounds to go to, they are fully rested, but we have played in midweek.

“But we want to do well and take something out of

there and continue with the momentum we have going.”

Everton have only lost one of their last 10 games, although their last three results have been draws.

Marouane Fellaini’s eightgoal scoring spree from midfield has played a big part in Everton’s good form this season, and Spurs defender Kyle Walker knows shackling the Belgian will be key to the visitors’ chances of success.

“Marouane Fellaini is a real handful,” the England rightback said.

“He’s mobile for a big guy, gets the ball down and they

go through him.

“They’ve got good players, lots of internationals and it will be difficult. Ever since I’ve played in the Premier League, Everton is always one of the tough games.

“But our centre-backs Jan (Vertonghen) and Steven (Caulker) are fantastic and hopefully if we can keep a clean sheet then Jermain (Defoe), Emmanuel Adebayor or Clint (Dempsey) can go and get us a goal.

“If we continue playing how we’ve been playing and those three keep scoring, then we’ve got every chance.”

47 SUNDAY MAIL • December 9, 2012

Sport

Arteta’s penalties rescue Gunners from recent slide Arsenal form returns with victory over West Brom Arsenal 2 West Brom 0

By Jim van Wijk MIKEL Arteta struck twice from the penalty spot - the first after a dive by fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla - as Arsenal returned to winning ways with a Barclays Premier League victory over West Brom at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had started brightly but took the lead through controversial fashion, after Cazorla flung himself to the floor following a challenge by Steven Reid when replays showed there was no contact.

The Baggies, who lost twice last week to halt their fine start to the season, never really recovered from the sense of injustice and there was no way back once Arteta converted from the penalty spot again on 64 minutes after Chris Brunt had tripped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It was a lively start by the home side, who had not won in four games, but recalled most of their first-team regulars missing from the midweek Champions League defeat at Olympiacos, although forward Theo Walcott was sidelined by a calf injury.

A high pass into the West Brom penalty area was palmed away by Boaz Myhill, but Gervinho missed his kick and could only hack the ball wide from six yards.

The Arsenal midfielder’s first spot-kick came after Steven Reid was controversially adjudged to have fouled Santi Cazorla West Brom were forced into an early change when defender Liam Ridgewell hobbled off, replaced by Goran Popov.

On 17 minutes, OxladeChamberlain darted to the goalline on the right and looped the ball back across goal. Cazorla arrived at pace, but could not keep his leftfoot volley down and fired the ball high into the Clock End. West Brom almost snatched the lead when captain Brunt curled a 20-yard effort just wide of the top right corner.

Arsenal were awarded a

penalty on 24 minutes. Cazorla cut into the left side of the area, and as he turned back inside Reid, went to ground as the defender stuck out his leg.

Referee Mike Jones immediately pointed to the spot, although television replays showed there seemed little contact, if any at all. Arteta stepped up to drill the ball past Myhill.

The visitors thereafter soon went in search of swift recompense, but Arsenal soaked up the pressure and then re-

sumed their counter attacks.

Gervinho ghosted down the left and pulled the ball back across the face of goal, but Jack Wilshere’s sliding touch stabbed it just wide.

West Brom felt they had a penalty shout when Per Mertesacker handled a high ball in the Arsenal box, but the assistant on the far side flagged for a foul on the big German defender by Jonas Olsson.

At the other end, Myhill pushed a low shot from Gervinho around the post before

Norwich winning streak continues

Premier League standings Team

Swansea 3 Norwich 4 NORWICH held off Swansea’s second-half fightback to extend their unbeaten run to nine games with a thrilling win at the Liberty Stadium.

The Canaries had stunned their high-flying hosts with goals from Steven Whittaker, Sebastien Bassong and Grant Holt giving them a 3-0 half-time lead.

Swansea rallied through strikes from Michu and Jonathan De Guzman, but Robert Snodgrass made sure of the win with an excellent free-kick, before Michu netted again in injury time.

Both sides’ excellent recent form suggested a tight encounter, but Norwich blew

Snodgrass (C) celebrates scoring Norwich’s fourth goal those predictions out of the water with a superb firsthalf display to punish the sluggish Swans, who were without the injured Leon Britton.

The combination of a tiger-

ish midfield effort from the likes of Snodgrass, Jonny Howson and Wes Hoolahan, and the same trio’s neat link work in attack, proved too much for their hosts to contend with.

Oxlade-Chamberlain sent an acrobatic scissors kick over the crossbar.

West Brom started the second half with some purpose, yet not really stretching the Arsenal defence.

The Gunners went forwards quickly on the counter, with Oxlade-Chamberlain floating a ball across the face of goal before Olivier Giroud and Olsson squared up on the edge of the penalty area, with the referee soon restoring calm after showing both players a yellow card.

Gervinho was off target again when he glanced a free header wide on the penalty spot.

The Ivory Coast forward was enduring one of those afternoons when moments later he failed to connect with Giroud’s knockdown into the six-yard box.

On 64 minutes, Arsenal were awarded another penalty.

This time there was no controversy as Brunt chopped down Oxlade-Chamberlain after the England midfielder had charged down the right.

Arteta took it again and with the same outcome as the Spaniard blasted the spotkick down the middle.

With a two-goal cushion, Arsenal started to produce the slick, passing football which had been so lacking recently.

With 13 minutes left, Wenger sent on defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin for OxladeChamberlain.

Arteta tried for a hat-trick when he whipped a 22-yard free-kick around the wall, but also just past the left-hand post.

West Brom substitute Markus Rosenberg tested Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny with a low shot from 20 yards.

German international Lukas Podolski came off the bench to lift the ball over from six yards as Arsenal closed out what was in the end a comfortable victory to edge back up towards the top four.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Manchester United Manchester City Chelsea Chelsea Arsenal Tottenham ManchesterHotspur City West Brom Liverpool Arsenal Tottenham Hotspur Everton Swansea Stoke City Stoke BoltonCity Wanderers West Ham BromUtd Norwich Fulham City Liverpool Newcastle United Fulham Sunderland Newcastle Aston Villa United Southampton Blackburn Rovers Aston WolvesVilla Wigan Athletic Birmingham Sunderland Blackpool Reading Wigan Athletic QPR West Ham United

P

W

D

L

F

15 37 15 36 16 36 15 36 16 36 16 36 15 37 16 36 16 37 15 37 16 36 15 36 15 37 15 36 16 37 16 37 16 36 15 37 15 36 16 36

12 22 9 21 8 19 8 19 8 17 6 14 5 12 6 13 5 12 6 12 5 10 4 11 4 11 4 10 4 10 3 11 4 8 2 10 1 7 0 7

0 11 6 7 5 10 2 8 2 7 6 14 8 15 5 7 8 10 4 10 7 15 7 11 5 11 5 12 3 10 6 7 3 15 7 9 6 15 7 12

3 4 0 8 3 7 5 9 6 12 4 8 2 10 5 16 3 15 5 15 4 11 4 14 6 15 6 14 9 17 7 19 9 13 6 18 8 14 9 17

37 74 28 67 28 69 28 55 24 59 26 51 25 50 26 46 14 52 19 53 17 45 19 51 25 42 17 45 22 43 12 44 17 36 14 53 19 36 13 41

A Pts 21 35 11 30 17 39 23 33 21 41 16 45 19 45 21 44 12 54 17 68 24 41 18 52 26 56 21 58 32 57 23 63 30 54 21 74 28 59 29 64

36 77 33 70 29 67 26 65 26 58 24 56 23 51 23 46 23 46 22 46 22 45 19 44 17 44 17 42 15 40 15 40 15 39 13 39 9 36 7 33

Anorthosis beat APOEL to go four points clear APOEL 0 Anorthosis 1

By Nemanja Bjedov JAN Rezek gave Anorthosis a nervy 1-0 victory over APOEL at Nicosia’s GSP Stadium yesterday, as the Famagusta side moved four points clear to the top of the national league.

Both sides tried to impose their style of football early on, but Ronny Levy’s men were a bit more successful, managing to open proceedings only nine minutes into the match, when Rezek connected with Jurgen Colin’s cross.

Efstathios Aloneftis had the best chance for APOEL just after the half-hour mark, but he could not direct his header on target.

The visitors thereafter were looking to double their lead from the counterattacks, but they never really came close.

The introduction of Tunisian midfielder Selim Benachour early in the second half provided APOEL with more attacking options as they were looking to get back to level terms.

Gustavo Manduca missed two solid opportunities to equalise in the 70th and 73rd minute respectively, and when the Nicosia team went into total offensive mode inside the final 15 minutes of the match, the visitors had two great chances to put the game beyond any doubt.

Israeli international Barak Yitzhaki hit the post with nine minutes remaining, while Urko Pardo managed to save Ricardo Laborde’s great effort five minutes later.

Anorthosis top the league standings with 35 points, while APOEL are second with 31.

Arsenal West Brom

2 0

Aston Villa Stoke

0 0

Southampton Reading

1 0

Sunderland Chelsea

1 3

Swansea Norwich

3 4

Wigan QPR

2 2

Playing Today Man City v Man United 3.30pm Everton v Tottenham 5pm West Ham v Liverpool 6pm Playing Tomorrow Fulham v Newcastle 10pm Cyprus Championship APOEL 0 Anorthosis 1

48 December 9, 2012 • SUNDAY MAIL

Sport

Ashwin prevents England from finishing the job on day four 45

Arteta penalties rescue Arsenal from their recent slide 47

Chelsea sink Sunderland Torres ends League goal drought with a brace

The Spaniard handed Chelsea interim manager Benitez a first Barclays Premier League victory

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

By Damian Spellman

F

Highs and lows: United are used to having their fortunes making front-page news, and are ready for today’s duel with their ‘screaming’ neighbours, said Fergie

Ferguson: United don’t run from their challenges

By Simon Stone SIR Alex Ferguson is ready to meet the challenge presented by “screaming” neighbours Manchester City head on.

Three years ago, the Blues were just a noisy irritant to the Manchester United boss. Now, with an FA Cup and Barclays Premier League collected, City have turned the volume up. And Ferguson is prepared for it.

“They’re screaming now,” he said ahead of today’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.

“It’s great. Challenges are what we’re made of.

“I’ve been lucky that, in my time here, I’ve been involved with great competitions against teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and now City. There are no dull moments.

“We don’t run from challenges.”

There does seem something special about this particularly rivalry, though.

The pain of that never-to-be-forgotten final day last season, when United were technically champions when their last game was completed at Sunderland, only to have the prize snatched away from them by Sergio Aguero with virtually the last kick of the entire campaign, was more acute for the fans because so many had to face their City counterparts on the Manchester streets.

Even slightly detached in upmarket Cheshire, Ferguson lives in close proximity to those of a blue persuasion.

Yet it seems the Scot has little interest in such niceties.

“I wasn’t happy to lose the title and I keep talking to the players about that,” Ferguson said.

“But I have never entered into the revenge stuff - it doesn’t work.

“Let’s be straight. At this club you can’t enjoy losing to anyone because the consequences are always huge.

“When we lose we’re front-page news. We get used to that but we don’t like losing, no matter who it is to.”

And while Ferguson plays down the impact opening up a six-point lead on City would have on a title race that will not be decided for over five months, any advantage would be accepted because the Scot is wary the positive spin-offs City may eventually get from their unexpectedly early exit from Europe, having missed out on the Europa League this season with their defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

“It’s obviously an advantage to City,” he said. “Fewer games mean fewer chances of injuries and they get a full week to prepare for games now.

“They do have a big squad - probably a bigger squad than most teams - and they need to keep everyone happy.

“That, in itself, is a bit of an encumbrance in terms of the manager picking the right teams and keeping everyone involved.

“And I do believe they’d rather have European football. That’s the biggest disappointment for them.”

ernando Torres handed Rafael Benitez a first Barclays Premier League victory as Chelsea manager as he ended his personal drought in style at Sunderland.

The Spaniard capped a powerful start for the Blues by firing them into an 11th-minute lead - scoring his first league goal since October 6 - and he made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time by converting a penalty awarded for Sebastian Larsson’s trip on Ramires.

Only the woodwork prevented him from completing a hat-trick inside 49 minutes, but Juan Mata rifled in the loose ball to end the game as a contest.

Sunderland responded and England international Adam Johnson embarrassed keeper Petr Cech with a 66th-minute shot he really should have repelled, with Craig Gardner hitting the bar at the death.

However, as a crowd of 39,273 left the Stadium of Light, it was those heading south who were smiling, leaving those closer to home to mull a run which now extends to just two Premier League victories in 23 attempts.

Chelsea will now focus on Japan and the FIFA Club World Cup, while Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill will attempt to take the positives from another difficult afternoon as he attempts to quell a growing tide of pessimism on Wearside.

In truth, the visitors could have had the game won inside the opening 11 minutes as they hit Sunderland with a whirlwind to spark mass panic.

Referee Mark Halsey proved a central character and had he seen what television replays later revealed, he might have endeared himself even less to the locals.

There were just two minutes on the clock when Eden Hazard ran on to Mata’s stunning pass but just as he prepared to shoot, he had his arm tugged by the covering Larsson.

It was enough to throw the striker off balance and keeper

Simon Mignolet took advantage to smother the ball with Halsey allowing play to continue and sparing Larsson an inevitable red card, much to the annoyance of the Belgian.

Hazard returned the favour two minutes later to allow Mata to fire across the sixyard box, where Torres only just failed to connect, and Mignolet had to be at his best to deny the Spain international with six minutes gone when skipper John O’Shea headed a clearance straight at teammate Carlos Cuellar and saw the ball ricochet straight to the striker.

The Black Cats finally succumbed with 11 minutes played when, after Cuellar had rashly attempted to nick the ball ahead of Torres on the halfway line and failed, the visitors broke at pace.

Victor Moses raced away before picking out Hazard wide on the left, and when he crossed to the near post, Torres arrived right on cue to turn it into the net.

Defender David Luiz sent a long-range 16th-minute freekick just over the bar, but as Chelsea relaxed, Sunderland re-grouped.

Cuellar saw a 23rd-minute shot blocked after the Blues had failed to deal properly with Larsson’s corner, and Cech was called upon five minutes later to beat away Stephane Sessegnon’s well-struck effort.

The Blues were forced on to the back foot thereafter, with O’Neill’s men were starting to dominate.

But disaster struck deep into

injury time when Sweden international Larsson decided not to shepherd Brazilian into touch, instead needlessly going to ground and taking the Chelsea man with him.

Halsey pointed straight to the spot, and Torres obliged from 12 yards.

Any hopes of a fightback were dashed within four minutes of the restart when Phil Bardsley miscontrolled a cross and the ball ran to Torres, who was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar.

The rebound dropped invitingly for Mata to make it 3-0 and wrap up the victory with 41 minutes still to play. It could have been four three minutes later when Mata rolled the ball into the path of Moses, who drilled a right-foot effort wide of the far post.

Chelsea eased into cruise control, although Johnson gave Sunderland hope with a rasping 66th-minute strike which keeper Cech appeared to leave, only to see it scream inside the far post.

Cech was much more accomplished in dealing with Johnson’s goal-bound free-kick 10 minutes later and had to dive full-length to turn away Connor Wickham’s injury-time effort, but he needed the help of the crossbar to keep out Gardner’s free-kick at the death.