US

Look up: get a different view from Cyprus, ’ rooftops

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Look up: get a different view from Cyprus, ’ rooftops

Fact: Marina Kyriakou, an architect and urban planner, is working with the Cypriot NGO Urban Gorillas and the European Creative Rooftop Network to map Nicosia’s terraces. She discusses the psychological benefits of spending time on rooftops and their potential for addressing issues like social isolation, the heat island effect, and lack of green spaces. Progress in repurposing rooftops in southern European countries, including Cyprus, is slower compared to northern European nations. Nevertheless, new rooftop bars, eateries, and cultural venues are emerging in Nicosia. The European Creative Rooftop Network, which Marina is involved with, aims to accelerate the creative use of urban roofscapes in its nine partner cities.

Opinion: Trump’s words, military imbalance seen raising risk of war in Europe

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Opinion: Trump’s words, military imbalance seen raising risk of war in Europe

Fact: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new munitions factory and warned that Europe must move to mass producing weapons because we do not live in times of peace.

Police seek clues to Kansas City mass shooting, with 3 people in custody

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Police seek clues to Kansas City mass shooting, with 3 people in custody

Three people were in custody in Kansas City, Missouri, facing questions about a deadly mass shooting that occurred near the city’s Super Bowl victory rally. At least one person was killed and 21 others were wounded by gunfire outside Union Station. The shooting occurred at the end of the rally following a parade, causing panic among attendees. The victim was identified as Lisa Lopez, a disc jockey and host of a radio show. Fifteen other victims suffered life-threatening wounds, including 11 children. The motive for the shooting is still unclear, and authorities are investigating whether the celebration was targeted or if the violence was incidental. Video footage is being reviewed to identify the suspects. Despite the presence of over 800 law enforcement officers, the violence could not be prevented. The shooting occurred near a garage west of Union Station. The Super Bowl celebration featured Chiefs players, including tight end Travis Kelce, but his girlfriend Taylor Swift was not present. The governors of Missouri and Kansas were also present but unharmed. The shooting took place three days after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.

Ukraine needs $486 bln to recover, rebuild after nearly two years of war – World Bank

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Ukraine needs $486 bln to recover, rebuild after nearly two years of war – World Bank

Rebuilding Ukraine’s economy after Russia’s invasion is expected to cost 6 billion, which is 2.8 times its expected economic output in 2023. This estimate covers the period from the invasion in 2022 through the end of 2023 and includes the direct physical damage to infrastructure, the impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, and the cost to “build back better.” The estimate has increased from 1 billion last year. The report identifies housing needs as the highest priority, followed by transport and commerce and industry. The direct damages from the war have reached almost 2 billion, with losses concentrated in certain regions. Disruptions to economic output and trade, as well as other war-related costs, are expected to add another 9 billion. The report highlights the urgent need for billion to cover repair, recovery, and reconstruction priorities in 2024. The Ukrainian government has already allocated some funds for this purpose and plans to undertake various reforms. Despite the war, the Ukrainian economy has shown resilience, with foreign direct investment flowing into the country. The number of displaced Ukrainians has decreased compared to previous assessments.

Greece’s Star Bulk to avoid Red Sea after attacks on its ships

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Greece’s Star Bulk to avoid Red Sea after attacks on its ships

Star Bulk, a Greece-headquartered shipping company, has announced that it will halt sailings through the Red Sea due to attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels with drones and missiles in the Red Sea since mid-November as a show of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war. Star Bulk’s CEO, Petros Pappas, stated that the company will no longer pass through the Suez Canal, as they are a target of the Houthis and are a public company registered in the US. The company had requested to avoid the Suez Canal, but were advised to follow the charter party and send the vessels through. The Houthis recently attacked two of Star Bulk’s ships, causing minor damage. This has led to an increase in war risk insurance rates.

Philippine rescued pets look for love on dates this Valentine’s Day

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Philippine rescued pets look for love on dates this Valentine’s Day

Filipino pet lovers organized a “fur date” at an animal shelter in Manila on Valentine’s Day. The event allowed visitors to spend time with rescued dogs and cats, encouraging adoption instead of buying pets. The shelter’s animals were mostly abused or neglected by their former owners, and the event aimed to show them that not all people are out to hurt them. Visitors paid 750 pesos () for the date, which included snacks and treats for the animals. The shelter has 65 dogs and 170 cats, most of which were rescued from cruelty and neglect.

Storm dumps more than a foot of snow on parts of US Northeast

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Storm dumps more than a foot of snow on parts of US Northeast

– A powerful winter storm brought more than a foot of snow to parts of New England on Tuesday.
– New York City received its first significant snowfall in at least two years.
– Around 13 million people were under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. local time.
– The storm produced heavy, wet snow and winds of up to 60 miles per hour.
– Farmington, Connecticut, and Sussex, New Jersey, had more than 15 inches of snow.
– In Fall River, Massachusetts, snow totals were expected to reach 9 inches.
– Boston received about an inch of snow by midday.
– New York City area saw snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches.
– The storm ended a nearly two-year “snow drought” in New York City.
– More than 2,000 plow trucks were deployed in New York City for snow clearance.
– Around 130,000 homes and businesses lost power in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
– School districts across the region, including New York City, canceled in-person classes.
– Over 1,100 flights to and from New York’s LaGuardia, Boston Logan International, and Newark Liberty International airports were delayed or canceled.

Are you brave enough?

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Are you brave enough?

The text discusses the concept of courage and identifies six types of courage that are essential to personal growth and wellbeing: physical, moral, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social. Each type of courage is described as follows:

1. Physical courage involves pushing the body beyond its limits, such as running a marathon, starting a fitness journey, or overcoming an illness.
2. Social courage requires advocating for beliefs or actions that might not be popular but are important to the individual.
3. Intellectual courage is the willingness to question known ideas and explore new ones, even if they challenge deeply held beliefs.
4. Moral courage involves acting with integrity and ethics, staying true to one’s values regardless of the consequences.
5. Spiritual courage is the willingness to trust in something greater than oneself, even in the face of doubt.
6. Emotional courage invites individuals to fully experience their feelings, both pleasant and painful, and is crucial for healing and growth.

The text also suggests that courage is a nuanced concept, not limited to singular moments of bravery, and that it is deeply personal and constantly evolving.

Eurolife: charting a continuous path of excellence

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Eurolife: charting a continuous path of excellence

Eurolife received two awards at the “Global Banking and Finance Awards, 2023”: Best Life Insurance Company Cyprus and Best Insurance Management Team Cyprus. Additionally, Eurolife was honored as the top Life Insurance Company in Cyprus at the World Finance Awards, 2023, and its Smart Future Occupational Pension Plan was recognized at the IPE European Pension Fund Awards, 2023.

CPI kills last hope for March Fed rate cut

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CPI kills last hope for March Fed rate cut

The U.S. inflation report for January showed higher-than-expected inflation across the board. The headline and core monthly readings were 0.3%, while the annual readings were 3.1% and 3.9% respectively. This data has decreased the likelihood of a rate cut in March and has caused a shift in market expectations. Previously, there were expectations of a rate cut and 175 basis points of rate cuts priced in for this year, but now only 75 basis points are priced in. The strong economy and low inflation scenario is now seen as unlikely. The inflation report also had an impact on gold and bitcoin prices. Gold fell below ,000 and bitcoin’s climb above ,000 was halted.