STANDING in front of an audience and a panel of judges for UK show Britain’s Got Talent, Aliki Chrysochou said that there was a time her mum needed to do everything for her because she could not speak, read, write or walk. The Limassol-born Cypriot was diagnosed with encephalitis ten years ago, a serious condition causing inflammation of the brain. A video clip quickly doing the rounds on social media sites was just the tearjerker talent shows are known for, presenting the story of the recovery of a stunning and dignified Aliki. ... 10 comments

GERMAN lawmakers on a visit to the island this week probably received a rude awakening on realising the sense of betrayal felt by most Cypriots towards their EU partners. They now have to go back to Berlin and decide whether to vote in favour of the Cyprus rescue package but before judging Cypriots for their emotional response to what is in essence a ‘Cypriot mess’, they should remember that for the last six months, German media and politicians have talked up the ‘dirty money’ of Russian oligarchs being washed in Cypriot banks, hence the misguided perception among ordinary Germans that most of the money in the banks was Russian. It was not... 17 comments

CYPRIOT MPs yesterday agreed to disagree with their German counterparts on the Cyprus-troika bailout deal, following a meeting of the House Finance Committee with visiting members of Germany’s lower legislative house, the Bundestag. A delegation of seven German MPs from across the political spectrum met with the Cypriot finance committee to discuss the pending €23 billion rescue package which still needs final approval from EU finance ministers followed by the endorsement of some national parliaments, including those of Germany and Finland. The German Bundestag is due to discuss the Cyprus rescue package, which includes a €10 billion bailout from the troika and a €13 billion Cypriot contribution or ‘bail-in’ next week... 23 comments