Primary pupils were sent home early on Friday, as soaring temperatures reached a high of 45 degrees Celsius, and most public schools are not well equipped to handle the scorching heat. The Ministry of Education ordered all state schools to close early after a red alert was jointly issued by the Health Ministry, the Labour … Read more
Election staff in Cyprus endured sweltering conditions on Sunday as a heatwave sent temperatures soaring at polling stations without air conditioning during the twin parliamentary and municipal polls. Philenews received multiple complaints from polling centre workers reporting unbearable situations, with some feeling dizzy after long hours at hot school classrooms used as voting venues. “We … Read more
Cyprus recorded the hottest June in 23 years, with inland temperatures reaching an infernal 43.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, and expected to rise further to a record 44C on Thursday. The Met Office issued an Orange Alert saying that maximum temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach around 43-44 degrees Celsius over the central plain … Read more
A yellow warning was issued by the Meteorological Department for extremely high temperatures reaching around 40 degrees Celsius inland. Civil Defense issued recommendations to avoid sun exposure, wear light clothing, stay hydrated, and take care of vulnerable individuals.
An air to air heat pump is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat from the outside air into a home and can also cool indoor spaces by converting air into energy. It is considered a renewable energy system because it uses air instead of fossil fuels. These pumps are efficient, space-saving as they are installed outside, and can reduce electricity usage by up to 50% compared to traditional boilers and air conditioning units. They have a lifespan of 10-15 years, are easy to install, typically within a day, and require low maintenance. However, their efficiency can be significantly affected by outdoor temperatures, and they can be expensive with potential additional costs for extra parts. Proper insulation, adequate outdoor space, and professional installation are essential for optimal operation.
In the 4th quarter of 2023, there was a 53.9% increase in job vacancies, totaling 12,038, compared to the same quarter of the previous year. However, there was a decrease of 236 positions (-1.9%) from the 3rd quarter of 2023. The job vacancy rate was 2.8%, compared to 2.9% in the previous quarter and 1.9% in the corresponding quarter of 2022. The highest job vacancy rates were in Administrative and Support Service Activities (5.2%), Other Service Activities (3.9%), and Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles (3.5%). The largest increases in job vacancies from the 4th quarter of 2022 to the 4th quarter of 2023 were in Real Estate Activities (437.5%), Construction (177.6%), Administrative and Support Service Activities (137.7%), and Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles (129.6%). The greatest decreases were in Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply (87.5%), Mining and Quarrying (70%), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (28.8%), and Financial and Insurance Activities (19.8%).
The installation of air conditioning in schools was announced to begin by the end of 2023, but as of February, the project is still in the procedural phase, with the tender not yet announced.