By Tyler Cowen, Bloomberg Opinion (TNS) [Editor’s note: This opinion piece was published before President Joe Biden announced he would be dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.] Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was the biggest corporate tax cut in U.S. history. How did it affect the economy? The question has taken … Read more
The Saskatchewan government ended the last fiscal year with a $182-million surplus, lower than the original forecast but higher than other predictions.Increased tax revenues and a strong economy helped the province avoid a deficit, Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said Thursday.Saskatchewan initially forecasted a $1-billion surplus, but larger expenses on the agriculture sector reduced that figure, … Read more
Charalambos Pittokopitis, the newly elected President of the Paphos Provincial Autonomy Organisation, described a wildfire engulfing a large area of Paphos as a “tragedy.” Pitokopis said he visited the firefront, speaking with the Director of the Department of Forests. He questioned why the Director, an experienced firefighting professional, was at the Crisis Management Centre in … Read more
Fact: Construction of two new desalination plants in Limassol and Famagusta is under review due to prevailing drought conditions and water shortage fears.
Cyprus is facing a severe water shortage with reservoir levels at a record low. The lack of rainfall has left many dams below average capacity, with the largest dam, Kouris, holding only 41.9 million cubic meters of water compared to 61 million last year. Overall, national water storage is at just 42.1% of capacity, down from 65.6% last year. The situation is expected to worsen as temperatures rise in the approaching summer months.
The Water Development Department has reduced irrigation water by 33% compared to last year due to drought and poor water conditions. The remaining water is allocated for irrigation, with the drinking water sector fully satisfied at 100%. Farmers were informed in advance about the reduced quantities and must plan accordingly. Dam capacity is at 42.1%, and if conditions remain the same, there may be a problem with water supply next summer. The Department is promoting efficient water use in agriculture with practical tips for irrigation during drought conditions.
Farmers will be receiving 33 per cent less water this year for their crops due to drought conditions.
The gardens are looking very summery with tropical trees and flowers starting to bloom. The jacarandas were the last trees to flower, and some trees may surprise with another flowering later in the year. Some favorite trees mentioned include Caesalpinia gilliesii, Leucophyllum frutescens, and Polygala myrtifolia. The text also discusses Tecoma stans, plumeria, and roses. The Plant of the Month is Oenothera speciosa, a ground-hugging plant with fragrant pink blooms loved by bees and butterflies.
Climate change is impacting the Canadian wine industry, with recent events like a cold snap in the Okanagan Valley causing significant damage to grapevines. The industry must adapt to changing environmental conditions by embracing new production methods, technologies, and sustainable farming practices. Policymakers should support the transition to a more sustainable future for the wine industry. Additionally, changing consumer trends, such as a decrease in wine consumption and a preference for quality over quantity, are also affecting the industry. Despite these challenges, there is hope that adaptation strategies and agritech innovation can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and lead to a more sustainable and innovative viticulture sector.
The dry winter in Cyprus is leading to a dangerous fire season, with 92% of fires caused by human activity. The fire seasons are growing longer due to climate change, but efforts in prevention and coordination are helping to keep fires at bay. The unpredictability of fire behavior due to environmental factors makes fighting fires more challenging. The government is implementing additional measures to prevent and contain fires.