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Guest recipes with Serene Tharian

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Guest recipes with Serene Tharian

The text describes a recipe for Thakkali Chor (Tomato Rice), an easy, flavorful Indian dish made with simple ingredients. It emphasizes the importance of rinsing and soaking basmati rice before cooking to prevent it from becoming gummy. The recipe includes basmati rice, ripe tomatoes, onion, ginger and garlic paste, green chili (optional), Kashmiri chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin seeds, tomato paste, coconut milk (optional but recommended), chopped coriander leaves, mint leaves, ghee (or butter, coconut oil), a bay leaf, and salt. The rice is cooked separately, then mixed with a masala made from the other ingredients. Optional additions include corn, peas, scrambled eggs, and toasted cashew nuts for extra flavor and texture. The dish is served with raita, pappad, and Indian pickle. Serene Tharian, who arranges South Indian Dinner Clubs through her cooking club, The Best Exotic Kerala Kitchen, provides the recipe.

What, ’s on this weekend

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What, ’s on this weekend

– A long weekend is approaching, offering cultural events for those staying on the island.
– World Poetry Day will be celebrated with a poetry reading and open mic night at Backstage Gastrobar in Nicosia, hosted by KENO Publications.
– The Belonging exhibition opens at the Goethe-Institut in Nicosia, focusing on artists affected by forced migration, as part of the Assemble programme.
– Azines Mingle event will take place at The Common Room, featuring a zine exhibition, workshop, talks, a zine fair, and live music.
– The 4th Mandarin Festival will be held in Dierona village, featuring mandarin produce, traditional song and dance, and a photography exhibition.

Consumer Alert: Unregulated food is being sold online

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Consumer Alert: Unregulated food is being sold online

The consumer protection service and health services of the health ministry have issued a warning about food products being sold online from uninspected facilities. They highlighted the risks of purchasing food items without proper regulatory oversight, specifically mentioning products like pastries, catering items, honey, jams, spoon sweets, and olive oil being marketed on social media platforms and websites. These products are produced in facilities that have not been inspected by competent authorities, raising concerns about their quality and safety. Consumers are urged to exercise caution, verify the registration status of businesses, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and inspect product labeling for information on ingredients, allergens, and the manufacturer’s details. They are also encouraged to report any suspicious food sales online to the authorities or contact the consumer line at 1429.

Massive bug sighted: keep your toes out of the water

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Massive bug sighted: keep your toes out of the water

Scientists have identified a giant water bug, known as the toe-biter, along the shores of Cyprus. This species, which inhabits lakes and slow-moving freshwater, had not been previously recorded on the island but is known in neighboring Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Israel. A team of scientists from various institutions in Cyprus, led by Michalis Hadjikosnstantis of the Cyprus Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Protection Society, Yiakoumis Giortzis from the agriculture ministry, and Kadir Boğaç Kunt from the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, are studying the species. Their findings were published in the journal Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle Grigore Antipa. The giant water bug is the largest true bug and water insect in Europe, with a diameter of up to 12 cm, and is known for delivering painful bites. Sightings of the bug on the eastern coast of Cyprus were reported in late spring and summer of 2020 and 2021, with a total of seven sightings recorded: five from social media and two after direct communication with the researchers. Two samples were taken and morphologically examined to verify the species. The sudden appearance of the species in Cyprus may be linked to migratory events from neighboring countries or environmental factors. Further investigation is required to determine if the species has become established on the island.

Restoration of historical aqueduct complete

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Restoration of historical aqueduct complete

Restoration works at the historical Arif Bey aqueduct near the village of Afania have been completed. The aqueduct, originally 457 meters in length with 270 meters and 69 arches surviving to the present day, was built to channel water from a local stream to the Ornuta farm. The restoration involved general cleaning, removal of asbestos and vegetation, reconstruction of stone walls, and re-grouting to strengthen its structural integrity. The project was funded by the European Union and supported technically by the United Nations Development Programme.

The paradox of perfect company culture

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The paradox of perfect company culture

Today’s businesses are actively striving to create the ideal workplace culture to make work more engaging and enjoyable. This trend is evident across companies of various sizes, with efforts ranging from casual social events to appointing dedicated culture managers. Surveys by Robert Half and PwC highlight the importance of cultural fit over qualifications and the competitive advantage a strong culture can provide. However, the effectiveness and return on investment of these cultural initiatives are debated, with some employees feeling obligated to participate in company-organized activities. The emphasis on culture can sometimes feel overbearing or exclusionary, potentially stifling diversity and making it difficult for new employees to integrate. Despite these challenges, the pursuit of a positive company culture is seen as a strategic necessity for attracting and retaining talent, with a focus on work-life balance, social impact, employee well-being, and skill development.

Cyprus second in EU for social media use

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Cyprus second in EU for social media use

Cyprus ranked second in the EU for social media participation with 83% of the population actively engaged last year, above the EU average of 59%. Denmark had the highest engagement rate at 91%, followed by Cyprus, and Hungary in third with 81%. France, Germany, and Italy had the lowest participation rates at 44%, 49%, and 53% respectively. Over 50% participation was reported in 224 out of 273 EU regions, with the highest rates in Danish regions and notable engagement in Budapest, Pest, and Flevoland. Regions with participation rates below 40% were mainly in France and Germany.

Reddit, ’s IPO as much as five times oversubscribed, according to sources

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Reddit, ’s IPO as much as five times oversubscribed, according to sources

Reddit’s initial public offering (IPO) is between four and five times oversubscribed, indicating a high demand for its shares. The company aims for a .5 billion valuation and expects to price its shares between to during the IPO in New York. Reddit has adjusted its valuation expectations from a billion private fundraising round in 2021 to seeking to raise up to 8 million through the IPO. Despite never having been profitable since its 2005 launch and facing challenges with advertiser appeal due to its content moderation practices, Reddit has a loyal user base. The platform is known for its role in the 2021 “meme-stock” saga and has reserved 8% of its IPO shares for its users and moderators, among others. As of December 31, 2023, Reddit reported an average of 73.1 million daily active users.

Turkey moves against Meta over Threads-Instagram data sharing

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Turkey moves against Meta over Threads-Instagram data sharing

Turkey’s competition authority imposed an interim measure on Meta Platforms Inc to prevent data sharing between Instagram and Threads during an investigation into potential abuse of market dominance. The investigation, launched in December, examines Meta’s linking of Instagram and Threads for possible competition law violations. The interim measure aims to prevent irreparable market damage until a final decision is reached. Additionally, Meta was fined 4.8 million lira (8,000) daily in a separate case for insufficiently transparent user notifications about data sharing between Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The notifications were criticized for not adequately addressing anti-competition concerns.

Tax Department targets Cypriot influencers

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Tax Department targets Cypriot influencers

The Tax Department in Cyprus has been targeting influencers for not declaring income earned from social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Some influencers have already been caught and asked to pay taxes, while others are under surveillance. The department has increased checks and is monitoring high-risk taxpayers. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Service found that most Cypriot influencers do not disclose paid advertising in their posts.