Jellyfish take over Cyprus beaches
Fact: Global warming has pushed jellyfish sightings closer to the shores of Cyprus.
water
Canada’s mild winter disrupts key ice road to remote Arctic diamond mines
An unusually warm winter in Canada has delayed the opening of a 400-kilometer ice road used by mining companies to access their diamond mines in the Arctic. The delay is the longest in recent years and is due to climate change and the El Nino climate pattern. The warm winter could risk an early closure of the ice road, impacting the transportation of goods to the mines. The lack of infrastructure in the region is a challenge, and mining companies are pushing for a mega infrastructure project to unlock the mineral riches in the area.
Getting to root cause of hair loss
Excessive hair loss and thinning affects a large percentage of men and women. There are various causes of hair loss, including genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, stress, and nutritional deficiencies. Lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and managing stress levels, can help prevent hair loss. Treatments like head massages, low-level laser therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy can stimulate hair growth. It is important to investigate the root cause of hair loss to address it properly. Sun exposure and carobs, abundant in Cyprus, contain vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair growth and scalp health.
Gaza fisherman braves Israeli navy fire to support his family
– Palestinian fisherman Jalal Qaraan faces dangers at sea due to Israeli navy attacks
– More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza war
– Fishing in Gaza has become difficult due to the war, with many families unable to enjoy fish during Ramadan
World Court orders Israel to halt Gaza famine; Hamas says ceasefire needed
The World Court ordered Israel to ensure basic food supplies to Gaza’s Palestinian population and halt spreading famine.
Cyprus industrial production index sees 4.2 per cent increase in January
Fact: Cyprus’ Industrial Production Index for January 2024 saw a 4.2 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 99.5 units.
Boat Race rowers told to avoid the water as UK sewage dumping surges
– Victorious rowers in Britain’s University Boat Race have been warned not to jump into the River Thames this weekend due to alarming levels of E. coli bacteria.
– Raw sewage was discharged for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023, more than double the previous year.
– The River Thames, which hosts the annual Boat Races between Oxford and Cambridge University students, has been affected by the sewage spills.
– Organizers have put precautionary measures in place to protect the health of athletes, including covering up open wounds, regular hand-washing, and a cleansing station at the finish area.
– British water companies have been accused of failing to invest in infrastructure, leading to routine dumping of sewage in waterways.
– The government has promised to clamp down on the dumping of sewage, which is only supposed to happen during exceptional rainfall to prevent it from backing up into homes.
In Iraq, water crisis leaves farmers clinging to sidr trees
Iraqi farmer Ismail Ibrahim has switched from date palm trees to sidr trees, which require less water and can rely on salty groundwater. Palm trees are not as durable and can be affected by salty water, leading to a loss of quality and yield. The water shortage in Iraq, caused by damming of rivers and lower rainfall trends, is impacting farmers’ livelihoods.
Minister of agriculture highlights Cyprus’s vulnerability to climate change
Cyprus is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and changes in weather patterns posing serious threats to the environment, economy, and society. The government is implementing measures to address climate change and improve resilience, including strengthening scientific research, developing national adaptation strategies, and raising public awareness. The Minister of Agriculture emphasized the importance of enhancing climate resilience of natural ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and adopting sustainable water resource management practices. Community participation and empowerment are essential for the success of adaptation plans, with education and awareness being key pillars. The Minister highlighted the need for collective effort and determination to implement adaptation and mitigation measures for climate change to ensure sustainable and equitable development in the future.
Chocolate prices to keep rising as West Africa’s cocoa crisis deepens
– Janet Gyamfi’s farm in western Ghana, which was covered with nearly 6,000 cocoa trees, has been destroyed by illegal gold miners, leaving less than a dozen trees remaining.
– Ghana and Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producers, are facing catastrophic harvests due to illegal mining, climate change, mismanagement, and disease.
– Ghana’s cocoa plantations are being infected with swollen shoot virus, leading to long-term decline in production.
– Cocoa prices have doubled this year, leading to higher chocolate prices for consumers.
– Illegal gold mining is rapidly expanding in Ghana, leading to the destruction of cocoa plantations.
– Cocobod, the regulatory body for cocoa in Ghana, is struggling to address the challenges facing the sector, including disease and climate change.
– Experts predict that Latin American countries like Ecuador will overtake Ghana as the world’s number 2 cocoa producer by 2027.