Construction and demolition debris makes up 25-30% of all waste produced in Europe. Measures have been taken in Cyprus to manage this waste, including creating treatment facilities, improving environmental controls, and increasing recycling rates. Despite efforts, illegal dumping continues to be a problem.
Gender equality commissioner Josie Christooulou praised the Strovolos municipality for the progress it has made to boost gender equality. The municipality completed four out of five actions set out in an annual action plan for gender equality, including providing facilities such as a breastfeeding and pumping room for new mothers. Strovolos mayor Andreas Papacharalambous emphasized that the breastfeeding and pumping room is accessible to new mothers who work for the municipality or are visiting the building for another reason. The ultimate goal is to change attitudes and promote a more inclusive and humane treatment of all individuals. Gender equality is a government priority that affects daily lives.
Nicosia is ranked as the fifth-best city in Europe for coffee lovers, with the most hours of sunshine and the least amount of rainfall over the summer months.
Fact: The Deputy Ministry of Tourism in Cyprus recently revised the inventory of hotels and tourist accommodations, with the majority of them not meeting the necessary compliance criteria.
The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) announced the launch of the “EIG CONCERT-Japan” initiative with a budget of €400,000. This program aims to foster scientific collaboration between Japan and Cyprus in the thematic areas of digital transformation and robotics in sustainable agriculture. The maximum funding allocated per project for the Cyprus consortium is €100,000, and proposals can be submitted via the IRIS portal of the Foundation by July 29, 2024.
Fact: The fire in Limassol’s Turkish Cypriot quarters was determined to be a deliberate arson attack and resulted in the collapse of the old Apollon cinema’s roof and extensive damages to an adjacent house.
Fact: Frederick University’s Department of Architecture, in collaboration with the Cyprus Architects Association, is organizing a conference on the role of architecture in achieving affordable housing in Cyprus.
A 48-year-old man was remanded for eight days by the Nicosia district court for allegedly being involved in a case of phone fraud where individuals impersonated doctors.
UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, left Cyprus after meeting with the leaders, including Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, with no progress made. Tatar rejected Holguin’s proposal for a meeting with her and President Nikos Christodoulides, citing the Turkish Cypriot side’s position on sovereign equality and equal international status. Holguin will report to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will decide the next steps in the peace talks. Christodoulides’ failure to persuade Tatar to agree to a meeting raises questions about the purpose of the failed initiative and the blame game surrounding the deadlock.
El Salvador has mined nearly 474 bitcoins since 2021 thanks to a volcano-fueled geothermal power plant, bringing the government’s total bitcoin portfolio to nearly 4 million at current prices.