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Chocolate prices to keep rising as West Africa’s cocoa crisis deepens

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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.

F1 stars used IAME power on their way to the top

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F1 stars used IAME power on their way to the top

– Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso started with karting engines from IAME.
– IAME is now established in Cyprus thanks to Alexis and Andreas Christodoulides.
– Karting is essential for Formula 1 success, with many F1 legends starting in karting.
– IAME has won 25 world titles as a kart engine manufacturer.
– IAME Series Cyprus was founded in 2022 by the Christodoulides brothers.
– The series has attracted 35 drivers in just two years, with popular categories being ‘Rookies’ and ‘Mini’.
– IAME Series Cyprus uses the latest technology, including the X30 Waterswift engine.
– The series is a ‘Mono Brand’, meaning all drivers compete with the same engine for equal opportunities.
– The goal of IAME Series Cyprus is to nurture and promote local talent in karting.
– The 2024 IAME Series Cyprus begins on March 31st and ends on October 6th.

Turkey opposition aims to hit back at Erdogan in local elections

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Turkey opposition aims to hit back at Erdogan in local elections

The content discusses the upcoming local elections in Turkey, with a focus on the close race between Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the AKP candidate, former minister Murat Kurum. The outcome of the elections could reinforce President Erdogan’s control or signal change in Turkey’s political landscape. The economy, Kurdish and Islamist voters, and Erdogan’s rhetoric against Israel are factors influencing the voters’ decisions. Imamoglu’s victory could revitalize the opposition, while Erdogan aims to extend his power to local administrations.

Protecting Palestinians a moral imperative, Pentagon chief tells Israeli counterpart

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Protecting Palestinians a moral imperative, Pentagon chief tells Israeli counterpart

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the need to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas, stating that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza was worsening.

Estonian president on official visit to Cyprus

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Estonian president on official visit to Cyprus

Estonian President Alar Karis will meet with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

What, ’s coming up at Cyprus Film Days

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What, ’s coming up at Cyprus Film Days

The 22nd edition of Cyprus Film Days is set to take place from April 12, featuring a diverse line-up of films that address major social and artistic concerns of our times. The festival will include screenings of internationally acclaimed films such as “The Old Oak,” “Perfect Days,” “Green Border,” “Afire,” and “Do not Expect too Much from the End of the World.” Additionally, the festival will showcase films by Cypriot directors in the Cypriot Films Competition Section, as well as independent micro-budget filmmaking in the Taste of Indie section.

Paphos and Limassol dominate top 10 property sales in February

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Paphos and Limassol dominate top 10 property sales in February

– Ask Wire released a report outlining the ten most expensive property transactions completed in February 2024.
– The top 50 property transactions in February amounted to over €55 million in total value.
– The most expensive sale was a plot of land in the Paphos district valued at €4.8 million.
– Paphos district accounted for five transactions in the top ten sales, followed by Limassol with four, and Nicosia with one.
– The top 50 transactions totaled over €55 million, with 63.4% of this value attributed to properties in Paphos and Limassol districts combined.
– The top ten most expensive properties in Paphos were sold for €17.5 million, in Limassol for €17.4 million, and in Nicosia for €9.4 million.
– The lowest value properties sold in February were in the Larnaca district at €7 million, followed by Famagusta district at €3.7 million.
– Paulos Loizou, Managing Director of Ask Wire, noted a significant increase in high-value property transactions in February compared to January 2024.
– Paphos district demonstrated strength in the market, surpassing Limassol in total sales value due to the highest-priced sale on the island occurring in Paphos.

PV park bid in reforested area rejected,  

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PV park bid in reforested area rejected,  

Fact: An application to construct a photovoltaic park in a reforestation area in Maroni, Larnaca district, Cyprus was rejected based on a decision by the ministries of the interior, agriculture, and commerce to not offer licenses for PV parks in nature restoration areas.

The Cypriots in the national uprising of 1821

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The Cypriots in the national uprising of 1821

Cypriot Hellenism experienced severe hardships under the first Turkish rule starting in 1821, enduring 308 years of misery, poverty, and despair. Cypriots joined the Filiki Eteria, a secret society aimed at overthrowing Ottoman rule in Greece, with Archbishop Kyprianos initiating correspondence with Alexander Ypsilantis in 1818. The Zenonos brothers from Cyprus participated in the battle of Dragatsani on June 7, 1821, and continued to fight in other battles in Greece, earning praise for their heroism. Manuscripts found in the National Archives of Athens contain accounts of Cypriot volunteers’ contributions to the Greek revolution, including financial sacrifices. Despite the massacres in Cyprus in July 1821, with casualties between 480 and 2000, Cypriot revolutionaries fought valiantly in various locations across Greece, both on land and at sea.