WHEN the previous government decided in 2003 to offer free healthcare to all Turkish Cypriots with a Cyprus Republic ID card, it never considered the implications of its decision. It seemed a good idea at the time, as the checkpoints had just been opened and the government wanted to show that it considered Turkish Cypriots citizens of the Republic and would treat them as ... Full story

A 15-YEAR-OLD yesterday rampaged through a Limassol high-school after bursting into a classroom, flipping over desks and threatening to attack the headmaster. Police later charged the youngster for trespassing and common assault. The youth was not placed under arrest as he is a minor Full story

MOST NEWSPAPERS and television stations have united in demanding the withdrawal of the circular distributed by the Chief of Police, Michalis Papageorgiou, barring officers from having contacts with reporters and warning that violators would face disciplinary action. The head of the Union of Publication: Cyprus Mail (Cyprus) Full story

PARENTS are being urged to do more to monitor their children’s internet usage ahead of Internet Safety Day (SID) on February 9. CYTA HAS over 100,000 internet users, yet fewer than 4000 of them are using their free filtering service leaving young users most vulnerable from the lack of protection. With children often more computer-advanced than adults and with the internet awash with all ... Full story

Author: Patrick Dewhurst CRIME, corruption and the crisis have topped the list of Cypriots' concerns with a staggering 94 percent of respondents believing that corruption is widespread in the police and the wider public sector. The EU average in the same category was 78 per cent, according to the Publication: Cyprus Mail (Cyprus) Full story

Author:  George Psyllides THE POLICE never intended to deprive the media of their right to access sources of information, Justice Minister Loucas Louca said yesterday following a dispute sparked when the chief of police issued a circular banning non-designated members of the force from talking to reporters. Full story

Author:  Alexia Saoulli A YOUNG couple yesterday escaped a prison sentence and was instead fined over €1,000 each after they pleaded guilty to drunk and disorderly charges and assaulting police officers during the line of duty. Full story

Author:  George Psyllides THE CHIEF of Police has banned non-designated members of the force from talking to the media, warning that violators will be disciplined, it emerged yesterday. In a circular, police chief Michalis Papageorgiou bans any officers from giving reporters information about an investigation without the permission of the leadership. The practice by investigators to brief reporters should stop immediately, the circular said. ... Full story

Author: Sebastian Heller NINE PEOPLE have been arrested and remanded by police in connection with the smuggling of antiquities worth about e1/411 million, in what is believed to be the largest such case in the island's modern history. A further four Cypriots and one Syrian are still being sought by Publication: Cyprus Mail (Cyprus) Full story

Author:  George Psyllides POLICE believe foul play to be behind the deaths of two migrant workers, who perished in a blaze yesterday morning. The fire broke out at around 5am in the bedroom of a fourth-floor flat on Prevezis Street in downtown Nicosia Full story