While the Archbishop is entitled to his political opinions, why does the media give such prominence to them? You wouldn’t get as much coverage for a religious leader’s ravings anywhere else, except possibly Iran.Meanwhile, you just have to watch CyBC’s Sunday evening news to see politicians grandstanding from churches. So it is up to both sides to separate Church and State. Martin Rodger,Aglandjia... 1 comment

The current building amnesty requires me to correct and pay for the illegalities of my developer.Apparently, my house has an illegal third floor and isn’t the property for which my developer obtained planning permission. Further, the parking area extends beyond the original plot boundary. I now have to pay by October 7 an ETEK-registered architect to submit a statement of intent, then pay the architect to submit planning applications to legalise the changes to plan. If the irregularities are serious, I will have to pay substantial fines to the authorities. Eventually, I might get a final certificate of approval and a title deed, but the title deed will specify all the original illegalities. Doesn’t an amnesty absolve one of all illegalities?  ... Read on

In the name of Allah, the merciful, due to the circumstances our beloved Egypt is living through and the attempt to steal the glorious revolution and circumvent the legitimate objectives which the revolution was based upon, we have decided to form a national free government which demands to adhere to the revolution’s principles and achieve freedom and social justice. ... 2 comments

I am writing to draw attention to an email forwarded to me recently, promoting Hungary as an international finance centre, particularly for tax planning.I was concerned that the first sentence of the memorandum attached to the email reads: “The purpose of this memorandum is to show that Hungary could successfully replace Cyprus in international tax planning.” This is the first time I have seen Cyprus so specifically and explicitly targeted.The memorandum goes on to outline the main benefits of the Hungarian tax regime, which include a low tax rate, tax exemption for dividends received, absence of withholding tax, a wide network of double tax agreements and a streamlined and effective corporate registration system... Read on

The Government, the Parliament, all political parties and many eminent economists have recently been dealing with the financial measures to be taken for the economic recovery of our country to avoid the downgrading of our economy that the international financial centres may impose on us through “the economic support mechanism” and thereby to save the image and the prestige of our country.All who have dealt with the subject, have stressed the need to reduce government expenditure and increase government revenues and this must not be a temporary measure, but a long-term, or even a permanent, objective... Read on

On July 1, 2012, which is already fast approaching, our country will take over the presidency of the European Union for the first time. The order in which EU countries preside is determined alphabetically, and Cyprus’ turn has finally come. This is an important event for the island, as it creates opportunities of “internal reorganisation” for the country and its people.We should not fear that taking on the presidency is something extremely difficult and costly. Nor should we, as Cypriot citizens, ignore this event, thinking that the presidency only concerns the government and has nothing to do with us as individuals... 2 comments

As a first timer in contributing a letter to the Sunday Mail, I would like to say the following in the wake of the most recent catastrophe to hit our island:The deaths of the 13 lost in the Mari tragedy should be remembered by a permanent memorial, by way of a pioneering change in the way our politicians are eligible for selection to ministerial positions and to offer their reshuffling ‘solutions’ to problems.We ought to stop voting for the winner of the TV verbal gladiator combats between smooth-talking political candidates, whose ‘gift of the gab’ is left in a ‘constant attack mode’ to tout for spectators’ cheers.We must demand that all future politicians have to be professionally qualified to degree level in at least one ministerial position. ... 2 comments

Reading about the Larnaca Marina’s berthing problems, which may necessitate the bringing ashore of some 250 boats while repairs are put in hand to the decaying finger-berths, is very alarming, particularly for those berth-holders who may be affected.I live only a couple of miles from Zygi, and this year, accompanied by much pomp and celebration, the President of Cyprus opened the new, so-called Zygi Marina: a truly vast stone and concrete edifice thrusting out into the Mediterranean, protected by an impressive, shielding mole of natural limestone boulders and interlocking concrete blocks. It has been well over three years in the building, at what I can only imagine is an eye-watering cost – rumoured to be in excess of €15,000,000... 2 comments

Without bringing up other issues to this matter, it is high time we start doing the right thing and improving the system we have here in Cyprus. We are part of the EU now. Let’s start acting like it and let’s start learning from those who are more advanced, as they learned from us long ago.I am referring to Church Bells. Why are they still allowed to ring so loudly, and so early? I can almost understand if they still ring on Sundays, but why during a weekday? And why so early?... 4 comments

What on earth is going wrong in Cyprus? Has someone placed something in the drinking water? I refer to the long list of crimes that the paper has made reference to over the past couple of weeks.I recently read about the fires in Tala and up close to the monastery, the outcome of which was so serious. It’s a very different thing if it’s a fire brought on because of the heat in the country, but it’s another thing if it has been started by youngsters. People who carry out offences like this must be brought to justice and fire officers should go into both primary and secondary schools showing the danger fire can cause. By warning them early in their life, it might prevent future outbreaks like this in the first place.  Beth Morrison... 1 comment