sweden

US rejected Turkish demands to ‘kill’ Cyprus humanitarian corridor to Gaza

by
US rejected Turkish demands to ‘kill’ Cyprus humanitarian corridor to Gaza

Ankara has been trying to derail the ‘Amaltheia’ plan by seeking to sabotage any planning involving the Republic of Cyprus, with Turkish officials making arguments against the Cyprus maritime corridor. However, Washington has supported the Cypriot initiative and ignored Ankara’s attempts to persuade Arab governments that Cyprus is involved in transferring weapons to Israel. Turkey has also resorted to providing its own humanitarian assistance to Gaza in an attempt to block the maritime corridor. Despite this, ‘Amaltheia’ has received international support. Washington is attempting a rapprochement with Ankara, with Turkish President Tayip Erdogan scheduled to visit the States on May 9th. Cyprus has proven to be a trustworthy and reliable asset in the region.

Turkey’s Erdogan to visit U.S. on May 9, security official says

by
Turkey’s Erdogan to visit U.S. on May 9, security official says

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan will visit the United States on May 9 for his first White House meeting during the Biden Administration.

What, ’s coming up at Cyprus Film Days

by
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.

Cyprus economy on healthy trajectory, European Commission says

by
Cyprus economy on healthy trajectory, European Commission says

The European Commission released a report on Cyprus’ economy, noting that GDP is expected to grow and inflation to decrease. The report also highlighted risks related to interconnections with economies within and outside the EU, as well as vulnerabilities related to debt. The GDP growth rate in 2023 was 2.4%, down from 5.1% in 2022, with expectations of rebounding growth in 2024 and 2025. The Cypriot labor market remains robust, with employment rising and unemployment expected to fall. The country’s fiscal position is strong, with a surplus expected to be maintained. Cyprus’ high integration with EU and non-EU economies makes it susceptible to economic developments in those regions, posing risks to its economy.

EXPLAINER-Who is Julian Assange?

by
EXPLAINER-Who is Julian Assange?

Julian Assange will find out on Tuesday whether the High Court in London will allow him to appeal against his extradition from Britain to the United States to face criminal charges, nearly all under the Espionage Act.

Wood: building on an abundant natural resource

by
Wood: building on an abundant natural resource

Forests in the EU can contribute to greening the European construction industry and support architectural improvements. In the Gironde department of France, a secondary school was built in 2022 using wood from local pine trees, aiming to utilize wood from nearby forests while preserving them. This project is part of the BASAJAUN research initiative, funded by the EU, which promotes the use of wood as a versatile and recyclable material. The initiative’s flagship is a wooden apartment building near the Pian-Médoc school, designed to demonstrate sustainable forest management and the potential for greening the construction industry. The building, made from non-local wood, features a disassemblable facade and uses natural wood fibre for insulation, highlighting the environmental benefits of using wood in construction. BASAJAUN aligns with the European Green Deal’s goals and the New European Bauhaus initiative, emphasizing sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion in architecture. Buildings in the EU account for significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with traditional materials like concrete and steel being energy-intensive. Using wood in construction can reduce the carbon footprint and even turn buildings into carbon sinks. The EU aims to ensure sustainable sourcing of wood to support biodiversity, ecosystems, and local communities. The potential carbon storage of new residential wood buildings in the EU is significant, and bio-based materials, including wood, currently represent a small fraction of building materials used in Europe. BASAJAUN has partners across 11 EU countries and has developed a system for digitally tracking wooden materials in construction. Another EU-funded project, WOODCIRCLES, focuses on recycling wood waste, aiming to address the challenge of its variable quality and promote the reuse of wood in a sustainable manner.

Computing, ’s quantum shift

by
Computing, ’s quantum shift

European companies are participating in the global race to develop the next generation of computers, focusing on the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, healthcare, energy, and cybersecurity. Quantum computers operate on the principles of quantum physics, allowing them to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers by being in a state of “superposition,” where they can process multiple possibilities simultaneously. However, current quantum computers are low-powered and offer few advantages over traditional computers. The NEASQC project, funded by the EU and involving universities and companies across Europe, is exploring the applications of quantum computing, including drug development and renewable energy enhancement. Another EU-funded project, QUCATS, aims to coordinate quantum computing research across Europe to strengthen the continent’s position in this field. European companies, recognizing the potential impact of quantum computing on various industries, are investing in research to explore its applications, with Airbus examining its use in aircraft design and LuxQuanta focusing on quantum cryptography to enhance online security. Despite the promising research environment in Europe, there is a concern about the lack of private investment compared to the US, highlighting the need for increased funding to support European quantum computing initiatives.

Tragic tale of Cyprus turtle

by
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.

Cyprus , ‘under suffocating pressure’ from migrant arrivals

by
Cyprus , ‘under suffocating pressure’ from migrant arrivals

Cyprus has been described by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas as “emerging as a European champion of returns” of migrants. Schinas highlighted the complexity and difficulty of managing migration in Cyprus but affirmed the EU’s unwavering support for the country in this regard. Despite the positive outlook from Schinas, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou expressed concerns over the “suffocating pressure” from the influx of Syrian migrants arriving by sea, although he noted that the flow of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa has been largely limited. Ioannou has proposed a plan to the European Union to declare parts of Syria safe for the return of migrants, a plan that has received support from the Austrian government and, despite a misunderstanding, was initially thought to have the backing of the Swedish government. Ioannou also mentioned the challenges posed by organized trafficking rings and the steps taken to combat them, including the establishment of a special police unit. Additionally, he referred to an agreement signed between the EU and Egypt aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing legal immigration pathways. Schinas mentioned the EU’s efforts to pressure airlines involved in irregular migration and the provision of over €250 million in funding for Cyprus’ immigration infrastructure.