Fact: International Jazz Day was established by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2011 to raise awareness of the role of jazz as an educational tool and as a force for creativity and dialogue.
The ‘government’ in the north has secured £68 million sterling (€79 million) to pay compensation to Greek Cypriots who applied to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) and whose claims were processed by the end of 2020.
The Central Bank of Cyprus reported an increase in both loans and total deposits within the Cypriot banking system for March 2024. The liquidity exceeded €27 billion, with total deposits seeing a net increase of €252.1 million. Cyprus residents’ deposits increased by €318.5 million, while total loans recorded a net increase of €133.1 million. The balance of total deposits in March of that year stood at €52.2 billion, and the balance of total loans reached €25.1 billion.
– A slew of illegal developments have taken place in environmentally protected areas across the country, including Natura 2000 sites.
– A politically exposed person in Sotira, Famagusta benefited from irregular procedures in obtaining a town planning permit for a tourism development.
– Holiday homes were constructed before all the necessary permits and approvals were granted.
– The most important habitat cave for the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus was affected by illegal construction.
– Cyprus has been referred to the Court of Justice of the EU for its failure to comply with its obligations under the Habitats Directive.
– Concerns were raised over an illegal biological plant in Kalopanayiotis causing environmental pollution.
– A forest conservator is under investigation for illegal cattle farms within the Natura 2000 area.
– Requests by the Inia community for placing sunbeds and umbrellas at Lara beach were promoted illegally, despite objections by the fisheries department.
– Multiple fires occurred at the Geri-Dali recycling plant site and waste was not properly managed.
– Britain’s King Charles will return to public duties next week after being diagnosed with cancer
– The 75-year-old king had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer detected after a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate
– His treatment program will continue, but doctors are pleased with his progress so far
– Charles and his wife Queen Camilla will visit a cancer treatment center in London next Tuesday
– His daughter-in-law Kate is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after tests revealed cancer had been present
– Charles’s plans will be crafted in consultation with his medical team to minimize risks to recovery
– Charles’s health scare came less than 18 months into his reign and less than a year since his coronation
Fact: Hundreds of Turkish Cypriots took to the streets to protest against the north’s ‘government’.
Cyprus and Kyrgyzstan successfully concluded negotiations over a Treaty for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion and tax avoidance.
An imminent update on King Charles’ health is expected soon, with Buckingham Palace preparing for all eventualities, including funeral arrangements. The update could confirm the King’s recovery or detail plans for his return to official duties this summer. The King’s health is crucial for fulfilling his scheduled commitments during the packed royal calendar for the summer.
Fact: A “political group” for the Cyprus problem has been created by President Nikos Christodoulides.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing a vote of no confidence after withdrawing from a coalition agreement and attempting to run a minority government.