Europe

Goulash galore: a Hungarian love affair

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Goulash galore: a Hungarian love affair

Goulash originated in central Europe and is closely associated with Hungarian cuisine. The name ‘goulash’ comes from the Hungarian ‘gulyás’ or ‘gulyásleves,’ meaning ‘herdsmen’ or ‘herdsmen’s soup,’ reflecting its origins among Hungarian herdsmen. These herdsmen cooked hearty stews over open flames in the 9th century, using simple ingredients like meat and onions. The dish evolved significantly in the 15th century with the introduction of paprika from the Americas by Christopher Columbus, which became a defining ingredient. Goulash became a national symbol during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, enjoyed across social classes and later adapted by the Viennese in the 19th century. Today, goulash is celebrated worldwide, with chefs adding their own twists to the traditional recipe.

Gunmen kill more than 60 in concert attack near Moscow, Islamic State claims responsibility (updated)

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Gunmen kill more than 60 in concert attack near Moscow, Islamic State claims responsibility (updated)

Camouflage-clad gunmen attacked concertgoers near Moscow, killing at least 60 people and injuring 145. The attack, claimed by Islamic State militants, is the deadliest in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege. The incident occurred just before the Soviet-era rock group “Picnic” was to perform at the Crocus City Hall. Videos showed people fleeing amidst gunfire. Russian investigators confirmed the death toll, and health officials reported about 145 wounded, with 60 in critical condition. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, stating its fighters caused destruction and casualties before withdrawing. The United States confirmed Islamic State’s claim and mentioned having warned Russia of a potential attack. The attack on Crocus City Hall happened two weeks after the U.S. embassy in Russia warned of an imminent extremist attack in Moscow. Russia tightened security nationwide following the incident.

Tragic tale of Cyprus turtle

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Tragic tale of Cyprus turtle

The beaches of north Cyprus have the second worst microplastic pollution in the world. The majority of turtles born in Cyprus are female due to the sex of a turtle being determined by the warmth of its nest, with warmer beaches resulting in fewer males being hatched. Climate change has increased sea temperatures, exacerbating this issue, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean where seas are warming 20% more quickly than the global average. Conservation efforts include shading or relocating nests and incubating eggs in controlled conditions to balance the sex ratio. Microplastics raise the temperature of the sand, negatively affecting turtle hatchlings, and larger plastics pose ingestion and entanglement risks to sea creatures. Research suggests that roughly one in 10,000 turtles survive to maturity. Jessica Mills, an executive at Intrepid Travel and author, has written a children’s book to raise awareness about marine pollution and the importance of protecting sea turtles. The book, “Wendy Wanderlust Wakes Up in Cape Greco,” has sold internationally and part of its proceeds go towards turtle conservation efforts in Cyprus.

DISY criticises Pelekanos-ELAM alliance

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DISY criticises Pelekanos-ELAM alliance

The Democratic Rally (DISY) criticized Marios Pelekanos for deciding to join the European Parliament ballot of ELAM, accusing him of using cheap tactics for vote fishing that they believe will benefit AKEL. They expressed disappointment in Pelekanos, noting his previous opposition to ELAM in the media, and announced his automatic removal from the party’s membership list due to his candidacy with another party.

Petrol prices to increase from April 1st

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Petrol prices to increase from April 1st

– The reduced fuel consumption tax, which was lowered by 8.3 cents per litre for petrol (95 octane) and diesel, and by 6.3 cents for heating oil, will end starting from 1st April.
– The consumption tax on fuel is set to be reintroduced at midnight on the last day of the current month.
– There has been a significant reduction in fuel prices in the last quarter, which stabilized two weeks ago, with very small increases observed in recent days.
– Cyprus has the cheapest fuel in Europe according to the European price observatory issued by the EU.
– VAT will be reinstated for 9 product categories on 30th April and for the remaining two categories related to meat and vegetables on 31st May.
– The public consultation on the draft law for green tax reform has been completed, with the taxation expected to be introduced within 2024, accompanied by compensatory measures decided by the Ministry of Finance.
– The termination of the reduced consumption tax on fuel is expected to lead to an increase in the retail price of fuel due to the imposition of green taxation, with an overall increase of about 10%.
– The cost for dealers will double with every one-cent increase in fuel prices, requiring them to spend approximately 2,000 euros for their stocks and monthly customers.
– The price of diesel is expected to exceed 1.50 euros per litre with the termination of the reduced VAT rate.
– The Pancyprian Association of Petroleum Dealers has requested that price adjustments be made on the first working day after their decision and not on a holiday, specifically on the 6th morning of the first working day.

Former govt spokesman on Elam list for EU elections

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Former govt spokesman on Elam list for EU elections

Former government spokesman Marios Pelekanos has been included on Elam’s party list for the upcoming European elections in June. Elam aims to address challenges facing Cypriot Hellenism and promote Cyprus’s interests in Europe through the Party of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). Pelekanos’s inclusion is based on his positions on immigration, demographics, and economic policies for vulnerable groups. He served as government spokesman under President Nicos Anastasiades from 2021 to 2023 and was vice chairman of Anastasiades’ party Disy before resigning in February after not being selected as a candidate for the European elections. Elam leader Christos Christou confirmed discussions about Pelekanos’s inclusion. A final decision on Elam’s candidates is pending, but an announcement is expected soon. If Pelekanos is included on Elam’s list, he will be automatically expelled from Disy, as stated by Disy MP Onoufrios Koulla. Pelekanos has requested to terminate his Disy membership. He is known for his right-wing views on immigration and LGBT rights and identifies with the “popular right,” a conservative wing of Disy.

Western banks warn of risks in EU plan to grab Russian assets, sources say

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Western banks warn of risks in EU plan to grab Russian assets, sources say

Western banks are lobbying against EU proposals to redistribute billions of euros in interest earned on frozen Russian assets due to fears of costly litigation. EU leaders have agreed to work on a plan to use up to 3 billion euros a year to supply arms to Ukraine, funded by the interest from these assets. Banks are concerned about potential liability from Russia, the erosion of trust in the western banking system, and the legal implications of transferring money to Ukraine. Euroclear holds 190 billion euros of Russian central bank securities and cash, and more than 3.5 million Russians have frozen assets abroad worth around 1.5 trillion roubles. The EU plan includes paying a fee to Euroclear and allowing it to retain 10% of the profits as a safeguard against litigation. Ninety percent of the seized cash would be used to buy arms for Ukraine, with the rest for recovery and reconstruction. The proposal has raised concerns about the legal risks for banks and the potential for prolonged international legal disputes.

Is Montessori education all it, ’s cracked up to be?

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Is Montessori education all it, ’s cracked up to be?

Montessori education, founded in the early 20th century, is based on principles that emphasize children’s freedom, discovery, and multi-age group learning. It uses multi-sensory and self-correcting materials, such as physical letters made of rough materials and tangible numbers, to aid learning. Montessori classrooms operate under a set of rules without rewards or punishments, fostering cooperation and intrinsic motivation. Recent research, including a meta-analysis, indicates that Montessori methods have significant positive impacts on children’s social skills and academic results, particularly in maths, reading, and writing. However, the effects on cognitive skills and creativity are less pronounced, and the impact on sensorimotor learning is mild. The effectiveness of Montessori education may vary based on the extent of its implementation and other factors such as socio-economic background.

North , ‘has no measles cases’

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North , ‘has no measles cases’

– There are no cases of measles reported in the north, according to health minister Hakan Dincyurek.
– Dincyurek emphasized the importance of vaccinating all children at the recommended times to protect children’s health and society.
– The measles vaccine is typically administered to young children in two doses between the ages of one and four, with a program in the north to vaccinate primary school students against measles if they have not been vaccinated earlier.
– Measles vaccine uptake in Cyprus is around 80%, but for general population protection against the disease, vaccination coverage must reach 95%.
– A study published in the United Kingdom in 1999 erroneously linked the measles vaccine with autism, but it was proven false, retracted by the journal, and the gastroenterologist who published it had his license revoked.

Swiss central bank cuts rates in surprise move, getting ahead of global peers

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Swiss central bank cuts rates in surprise move, getting ahead of global peers

The Swiss National Bank cut its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.50 per cent and also reduced its interest rate on sight deposits to the same percentage. This decision marked the first rate cut in nine years and was unexpected by many, leading to a decrease in the value of the Swiss franc and a drop in Swiss government bond yields. The move was in response to a drop in Swiss inflation to 1.2 per cent in February, maintaining within the SNB’s target range of 0-2 per cent for nine consecutive months. The SNB’s action reflects its assessment that the fight against inflation over the past two and a half years has been effective, with expectations that inflation will remain within the target range in the coming years. This decision came before the chairman, Thomas Jordan, is set to step down in September.