The deposit tax debacle in Cyprus is rich in historical resonance, as well as showing that, frankly, as Leigh Phillips has suggested on EUobserver.com, Europe is run by the Three Stooges.

Cypriot authorities have prevented Sinn Féin's Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Fianna Fáil's Chris Andrews and Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly from leaving the island join the Free Gaza flotilla.

European Union officials today warned that time was running out for Turkey to open its ports to Cypriot planes and ships or face a possible break in EU membership negotiations.