President Demetris Christofias yesterday became the first president in the history of the republic to not to seek a second term when he formally announced he would not stand in the presidential elections next February.

THE FIRST Cypriot set foot on the summit of Mount Everest yesterday at 9am, Cyprus time, flying the flag on the top of the 8848m peak.

Giorgos Andreou, 39, has made the list of climbers – around 3,000 until now - to have succeeded in the treacherous journey to the top of the world’s highest mountain.

VETERINARY Services officials say they are unable to shut down a Nicosia pet centre even though it’s operating without a licence, keeps thousands of exotic birds and animals in questionable conditions and has been severely criticised in a recent EU report.