Fact: Architects and engineers involved in the construction of a monastery at the environmentally protected Natura 2000 site in Cape Greco will appear before a disciplinary board.
Portugal’s new minority centre-right government plans to maintain balanced budgets, reduce public debt, and privatize flag carrier TAP. The previous Socialist administration saw a budget surplus last year, and the new government aims to continue with the privatization process, attracting interest from companies like Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro intends to fully privatize TAP, and the government’s program includes proposals from other parties’ electoral programs. The program will be debated in parliament later this week.
The Cyprus real estate market had a strong performance in 2023, with 25,400 transactions worth €5.6 billion. Residential transactions were the main driver, representing 61% of the total market value. Limassol led in district-level performance, while Larnaca saw a remarkable 28% increase in sales value. Industry professionals expect minimal changes in the real estate landscape in 2024, with apartments remaining the preferred investment choice. George Martides from Deloitte Cyprus emphasized the sector’s resilience and the need to address future challenges such as sustainable development and affordable housing through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
President Nikos Christodoulides wants his cabinet to do more to bring to fruition the government’s “digital citizen” application, which aims to offer citizens state services in an evolutionary way. He announced the planned application in January and expects it to enter service in the second half of the year.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said his team must prove they are worthy of being among Europe’s top-eight teams as they prepare to host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash.
Cyprus is positioned to become a regional center for technology and innovation, with Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodemos Damianou stating this at the 14th Nicosia Economic Congress. Damianou revealed an ambitious plan for Cyprus to be the first country fully covered by a high-speed fiber optic network. Additionally, a substantial 23% of the funds from the Resilience and Recovery Plan were allocated to technological upgrading.
Fact: Cabinet approved the creation of a national autism strategy and action plan, covering the period until 2028 with 53 actions under seven thematic pillars.
Cyprus seeks to secure a package similar to Egypt for Lebanon to deter illegal migrant trafficking. President Christodoulides plans to involve Ursula von der Leyen in negotiations with Lebanon, following discussions with the EU Commission President. The Cypriot government’s focus is on coordinating with the EU to address increased migration flows, with efforts continuing to designate safe areas in Syria.
The General Secretary of PEO emphasized that the organization’s priority is to seek increases in Collective Employment Agreements to improve real wages, particularly focusing on starting salaries. She criticized the government for not taxing windfall profits and called for deeper social policy measures in response to ongoing inflation and new green taxes. She proposed revisions to income criteria for allowances, extension of parental leave, creation of care infrastructure, expansion of all-day schools, multiplication of housing programs, increase in Minimum Guaranteed Income, and resolution of pension issues.
Former Minister of Finance Kikis Kazamias responded to comments made by President Nikos Christodoulides, stating that he has never claimed to be a banker but an honest collaborator. Kazamias’ statement was provoked by the President’s reply to criticism from AKEL regarding the appointment of the new governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus. President Christodoulides had pointed out that three Finance Ministers under AKEL’s governance were bankers, prompting Kazamias to clarify his background and highlight his service as the general manager of the Co-operative Savings Bank of Limassol.