beef

Cypriots still grappling with inflation woes

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Cypriots still grappling with inflation woes

– Inflation rate in Cyprus dropped to 1.2% in March 2024, down from 1.8% in February and 5.8% in March 2023.
– The cost of living in Cyprus is 14% higher than it was four years ago when the COVID pandemic began.
– Food prices in Cyprus have seen significant increases, with olive oil doubling in price and sugar spiking by 59.2%.
– Prices of staple food items like bread, rice, dairy products, and eggs have also risen over the four-year period.
– Prices of agricultural products, fuel, and electricity have also increased in Cyprus over the same period.

Audit office raises illegalities at justice ministry

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Audit office raises illegalities at justice ministry

The Audit Office reported that the justice ministry needs to develop a reliable internal audit system for receipts and payments, highlighting weaknesses in compliance with relevant laws and regulations regarding spending for the fiscal year 2022. It found irregularities in the disbursement of down payments for programmes related to the National Mechanism for Women’s Rights, with payments made without supporting documentation for actual expenditures. The Audit Office recommends legal action against recipients of these funds and deducting the amount given from the next state grant if beneficiaries also receive an annual state grant. It noted issues with invoices under the National Mechanism for Women’s Rights lacking supplier details and receipt dates. The report also mentioned that parole supervisors are overburdened, affecting their performance, and recommended setting a maximum number of parolees per supervisor. Additionally, it flagged the use of a building by the justice ministry without a final certificate of approval, a discrepancy in inmate account balances at prisons, and overpayments to two retired prison guards. The fire service was noted for not having dedicated functionaries to check invoices before payments, and a separate report was published for the police force in November 2023.

Two metric tonnes of smuggled beef seized in north

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Two metric tonnes of smuggled beef seized in north

Almost two metric tonnes of beef smuggled from the Republic were seized in the Kyrenia district. The operation was conducted by the Turkish Cypriot police and the north’s customs department. A total of 1,987.7 kilograms of beef and 67.1kg of lamb were seized. Three men were arrested in connection with the smuggling.

Celestyal revamps fleet, ’s specialty dining options

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Celestyal revamps fleet, ’s specialty dining options

Celestyal has updated the specialty restaurant menus on its two-ship fleet following Celestyal Discovery’s maiden voyage and Celestyal Journey’s refurbishment. The Grill Seekers brasserie, available on both ships, offers a variety of meats and seafood, including Brazilian Picanha steak, American Wagyu, Argentinian Black Angus beef, Australian lamb chops, Danish pork tomahawk, veal, Aegean fish fillets, Cuban lobster, and jumbo shrimp. It also features an unlimited antipasto platter and new desserts like Crêpe Suzette flambé. The Pink Moon restaurant, exclusive to Celestyal Journey, has a revised Asian-inspired menu with ramen and noodle bowls, and its décor is inspired by Japanese architecture. A new pricing approach allows items to be costed individually for greater guest flexibility. Both restaurants offer a 25% discount with the Celestyal Plus+ Experience package, which includes a premium drinks package, a €150 discount on pre-booked shore excursions, all port and service charges, and Wi-Fi access. Reduced prices and discounts on the Celestyal Plus+ Experience packages are currently available, along with reduced single supplements and low child fares.

Clos Apalta: fabulous wines from Chile

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Clos Apalta: fabulous wines from Chile

– Chile is a long country, stretching 4,500km, but not wide.
– It has dry and sunny summers, influenced by the cold south Pacific ocean which brings freshness to many vineyards.
– Colchagua is a warm, sunny wine region in Chile, famous for its red wines, located about a two-hour drive from Santiago de Chile.
– Clos Apalta is a cooler area within the Colchagua region and has a connection with the Grand Marnier brand, created by the Marnier Lapostolle family.
– Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle founded a winery in Apalta in 1994, leading to the creation of Chile’s first icon wine, Clos Apalta, with its first vintage released in 1997.
– Apalta is bordered to the south by the Tinguiririca River and is surrounded by mountains on other sides, known for its beauty and top wineries including Lapostolle, Montes, Las Niñas, and Neyen.
– The region utilizes altitude in vineyard planting, contributing to the complexity of its wines with a mix of granite, alluvial, and organic materials in the soil.
– Clos Apalta primarily uses Bordeaux blend varieties, with Carmenère being the dominant variety at 50% on average, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and sometimes Petit Verdot.
– The winery’s design features native red-toned Chilian rauli wood, with 24 slats representing the 24 months required to make Clos Apalta’s signature cuvée.
– Tasting notes for various vintages of Clos Apalta include descriptions of their color, aroma, body, and blend compositions, with prices provided for the 2018, 2019, and 2013 vintages, as well as for the 2019 Le Petit Clos and 2019 Domaine Bournet-Lapostolle, Clos du Lican.

140kgs of beef from Republic seized in north

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140kgs of beef from Republic seized in north

140 kilograms of beef smuggled from the Republic were seized by police in the north, with two arrests made. Meat prices in the north are typically higher than those in the Republic, driving Turkish Cypriot consumers to buy meat products south of the Green Line and, occasionally, illegally take it back to the north.