Jellyfish take over Cyprus beaches
Fact: Global warming has pushed jellyfish sightings closer to the shores of Cyprus.
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EPIC Tax Proposal being discussed in North Platte
The EPIC Tax proposal aims to eliminate property, income, inheritance, and corporate taxes and replace them with a 7.5% consumption tax rate. Without this program, farmers in rural Nebraska may face a 1% increase in property taxes, leading to higher costs for consumers at the grocery store. The proposal is aimed at keeping essential services funded and preventing frustrations with landowners and consumers. The program is still in the signature gathering stage before potentially being considered by the Nebraska State Legislature for a vote.
Fire contained in Limassol
Fact: Fire services in Limassol were battling a fire near the Ayios Therapon village, which eventually burned around four donums of land.
Illegal monastery construction ordered to stop
The town planning department has ordered a stop to any illegal construction for a monastery being built at the environmentally protected area at Ayia Napa’s Cape Greco site.
Ultimatum issued for illegal monastery construction
The Ammochostos District Office issued an ultimatum to the Bishopric of Constantia and Ammochostos to stop illegal construction works for a monastery in Cape Greco. The Department of Environment demanded a demolition and restoration plan by Wednesday. The development is in a protected area and being carried out without the required permits. If the illegal constructions are not removed within 15 days, legal actions will be taken. Bishop of Constantia can appeal, but the requirement to cease construction remains.
Overnight pharmacies for Saturday, 30 March
Fact: Mitsi Magda is located at Pindarou 18 in Nicosia, opposite the DISY building.
New church controversies at expense of environment in Ayia Napa
– Controversial works regarding the building of a monastery in an environmentally sensitive area in Ayia Napa are being investigated.
– The project was carried out on land entirely within protected and sensitive zoned areas of the Natura 2000 Cape Greco network.
– An extrajudicial fine of €2,000 was issued due to habitat degradation and disturbance of wild fauna.
– The church had carried out the construction before securing any kind of permit from the planning department.
– Actions at another Ayia Napa site, Ammos tou Kambouri, have also sparked outcry.
Tatar: Israel not our enemy
Fact: Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar stated that Israel “is not our enemy” and that the country has become a brand destination in education and tourism.
‘Feverish pace’ over monk scandal investigations
Police have secured bank details for the two monks involved in a scandal. The monks have not yet appeared before the church-appointed investigative committee. The committee is working diligently to review a large amount of material and aims to present its findings to an ecclesiastical court. The monks have not been called to make a statement yet, as the committee wants to be fully prepared. Police have access to the monks’ bank accounts and other records for further investigation. The monks were allegedly found with €800,000 in cash and property, and were caught on CCTV footage engaging in sexual activity with each other.
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.