The late artist Stass Paraskos introduced the concept of turning waste into art to focus on humanity’s wastefulness. His masterpiece, ‘The Great Wall of Lempa,’ incorporates various discarded materials such as broken tiles, concrete sculptures, old bottles, and bicycles.
The Canary Islands are facing social and environmental collapse due to the overwhelming number of tourists visiting the region. Residents are struggling with high housing costs, with some even living in cars or caves. Local organizations are planning demonstrations to address the issue of unsustainable tourism and the threat of poverty for nearly 34% of the population. Protest leaders are demanding better management of the situation, as the islands are being suffocated by the tourism industry. The President of the Canary Islands has called for prudence among activists to avoid harming the main source of employment and wealth.
Limassol dominated the real estate market in 2023, accounting for 41% of total sales value across the country. Larnaca showed a remarkable increase in sales value, surpassing 2022 by 28%. The market for luxury apartments in high-rise developments is expected to decline.
Cyprus is one of four countries in Europe hosting a receiving earth station deployed as part of the search and rescue service of the EU Galileo system.
The European Union is not planning to delay a new law cracking down on commodities linked to deforestation, set to come into force at the end of 2024. The law will require companies to prove their goods were not grown on deforested land. Some EU countries requested a delay, but the Commissioner stated that producers and governments have had nearly two years to prepare. Ivory Coast has launched a national sustainable cocoa strategy to comply with the EU requirements, with the Commissioner stating they are well-prepared. The EU will not fully cover the costs of compliance, but has launched various support programs and a reforestation loan for Ivory Coast.
Charges are to be introduced for people using park and ride services.
An insensitive structure resembling a warehouse was built in a protected area by a Holy Bishopric, breaking the law. The construction of a monastery and a cove were completed illegally, with heavy machinery used to cut rocks. An illegal fundraiser was held to support the construction, offering lavish gifts as incentives. Additionally, a private individual built a structure on government land for a factory, later subletting it to the government for storage of pharmaceuticals. Despite the unsuitability of the structure, the contract was renewed until 2045, leading to damage of drugs due to exposure to heat and rain. The events described highlight the existence of a mafia state, as testified by Makarios Drosiotis.
The fact described in the text is that scandals are a common occurrence in this place, to the point where they have become a normal part of daily life. The frequency with which scandals are revealed has desensitized people to their significance, and the ability to deceive and get away with unethical behavior is seen as a form of skill. Despite the continuous scandals, there is a lack of true accountability and responsibility among the population, leading to a cycle of scandals being uncovered and then quickly forgotten or covered up.
Developers in Cyprus can face problems when buyers do not attend appointments to transfer property, leading to the developers being burdened with property taxes and other charges. Developers may have to sue buyers to obtain a court order, which can take years to resolve. Additionally, developers may face issues when existing buyers sell the property to third parties without informing the developer.
Hundreds are gathering in Nicosia on April 7 to mark six months since the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Organisers are calling it a “genocidal crime” and demanding an end to the blockade. The protest, co-organised by various left-wing groups, highlights the Palestinians’ struggles with food and medical shortages. The demonstration criticizes the Cypriot government’s support for the “Amalthea programme,” seen as a public relations move that doesn’t address the core issue of the blockade.