Over 63,000 people dead or missing while migrating over last decade
Fact: At least 63,285 people have perished or disappeared on migration routes around the world between 2014 and 2023, with most deaths caused by drowning.
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More than 63,000 people dead or missing while migrating over last decade, IOM says
At least 63,285 people have perished or disappeared on migration routes around the world between 2014 and 2023, with most deaths caused by drowning.
Cocoa prices continue to rise
Cocoa prices have surged due to a supply crisis, with Ghana facing financial difficulties and struggling to secure funds for cocoa cultivation. Prices have risen by 60% in just one month and have more than doubled this year. The high cost of cocoa is expected to impact the price of chocolate, with Easter eggs already becoming more expensive. Speculators have exited the market, and there is a risk that the supply situation may worsen, especially with upcoming EU rules that may make it challenging for chocolate manufacturers to secure supplies. Attention is now on the upcoming mid-crop in West Africa, which is expected to shrink this season.
Cyprus restaurants packed during 3-day weekend , — financial breather welcomed
Fact: Restaurants and bars in Cyprus were teeming with customers during both three-day weekends, with hospitality venues being about 80-90% full and areas along the coast reaching 100% occupancy rates.
Today, ’s weather: Partly cloudy, dust & winds
Fact: Tuesday will be partly cloudy with isolated showers expected and dust in the air until Friday.
Cyprus , ‘paved the way’ for Gaza aid corridor
The Cypriot ‘Amalthia’ initiative aims to establish a maritime humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza, with a meeting attended by officials from 36 countries and international organizations discussing this effort. The initiative has received approximately EUR 80 million in pledges and has already dispatched one shipment from Larnaca port. U.S. army engineers plan to build a jetty in Gaza for receiving aid cargoes. Curtis Ried, Chief of Staff for the U.S. National Security Council, commended Cyprus for leveraging its strategic position for humanitarian purposes. The meeting focused on addressing the food crisis in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. The United States and other participants committed to addressing material and financial gaps, with plans for continued dialogue and collaboration. A secretariat is to be established in Cyprus to coordinate donor efforts effectively. The European Union is expected to contribute EUR 70 million, with the Netherlands pledging EUR 10 million. World Central Kitchen has shipped and distributed around 200 tonnes of food and aid to northern Gaza, with plans for more shipments. Preparations for a second vessel, the ‘Jennifer’, carrying about 500 tonnes of aid, are underway. U.S. troops are set to build a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to facilitate the delivery of supplies, with the mission expected to arrive around April 15. The temporary pier, part of a U.S. commitment to aid Gaza, will enable the transfer of humanitarian aid from larger to smaller ships for onshore distribution and is expected to be operational within sixty days, capable of offloading up to two million meals or bottles of water daily. Israel will assist in anchoring the pier, and security plans for the temporary port have been established.
Mostly clear for Sunday, dust levels increase throughout the week
The weather on Sunday will be mostly clear with temperatures expected to rise throughout the week. On Sunday, temperatures will reach 19 degrees Celsius inland and on the western coast, 20 degrees on the eastern coast, and 9 degrees in the mountains. Evening temperatures will drop to 6 degrees inland, 8 degrees on the coast, and 1 degree in the mountains. Monday will see increased cloud cover and isolated storms in the afternoon. Tuesday will have increased levels of dust in the atmosphere.
Cyprus tourism should , ‘respect both visitors and resources’, tourism minister says
Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis emphasized that a sustainable destination respects both its visitors and its resources, both natural and human. He made this statement during his participation at the annual tourism conference organized by the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises (Stek), which was held in Nicosia. The theme of this year’s event was ‘Tourism: New Realities Demand a More Competitive Model’. Koumis highlighted the importance of tourism to the economies of Cyprus and Greece, noting that tourism contributed 12.8 percent to the GDP of Cyprus this year. He mentioned the recognition of the value of tourism on a pan-European level after 2000, especially during the pandemic, and the discussions about creating a common tourism portfolio to address challenges faced by various destinations. Koumis also discussed the need to address reduced air connectivity during winter, the threat of climate change, and the issue of seasonality in Southern European countries’ tourism sector. He proposed initiatives for European citizens to visit destinations within the union during low-visitor months with European funds and mentioned collaboration with the Ministry of Labour to improve vocational training schemes. Koumis stressed the need to improve air connectivity, enhance Cyprus’ tourism product during winter, and the importance of digital transformation in the tourism industry. Myron Flouris, Secretary-General for Tourism Policy and Development at the Greek Ministry of Tourism, discussed the impact of natural disasters on Greece and the importance of planning and prevention for resilience in tourism. Alexandros Thanos, an advisor for the Greek Tourism Confederation, highlighted the significant contribution of tourism to Greece’s GDP and the imbalance in revenue levels among the country’s regions. Stek president Akis Vavlitis emphasized the strong influence of seasonality on Cypriot tourism and called for strategic planning and expedited procedures for the arrival of workers from third countries. The discussion also covered the risks of climate change for the tourism product of countries like Greece and Cyprus and the need for tourism businesses to focus on the human factor and offer authentic experiences.
Today, ’s weather: Mostly clear
Friday’s weather is expected to be mostly clear with increased cloud cover in the afternoon and isolated rain in the southeast of the island. Temperatures will reach around 20 degrees Celsius inland and on the coasts, and nine degrees Celsius in the mountains. Winds could reach up to six on the Beaufort scale on the southwest coast and five elsewhere. The sea will be a little rough off the east coast and rougher off the rest of the coasts. Overnight, clear weather will continue with possible increased cloud cover and isolated rain in the west and north. Temperatures will drop to seven degrees Celsius inland, nine degrees Celsius on the coasts, and one degree in the mountains, where frost will form. Winds will decrease to three on the Beaufort scale. The weekend will see clear weather with possible increased cloud cover and occasional showers in the afternoon. Sunday will have lower temperatures, but they will rise again from Monday.
‘, Water bug found in Cyprus does not bite toes’
The giant water bug, scientifically known as Lethocerus patruelis, has been found in Cyprus, particularly prevalent on the east coast of the island, in areas such as Famagusta and near Ayia Napa. It is commonly found in coastal areas by the sea. The Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute director, Kemal Basat, clarified that this insect does not bite human toes or any part of the human body. Research conducted by Kadir Bogac Kunt, which is peer-reviewed, supports this fact. The giant water bug feeds on other aquatic arthropods, tadpoles, and small fish.