German tourists were the top spenders in Cyprus in March, up from fifth last year, and dished out €779 per person which, based on an average stay of 7.9 days, works out at a cool €98.66 per day, some €30 per day more than their fellow nationals spent on the island in March 2023. School … Read more
– British retail sales bounced back in May after a slump in April that could have been caused by the timing of Easter and bad weather.
– The Confederation of British Industry’s monthly retail sales balance recovered to +8 this month after tumbling to -44 in April.
– More retailers felt sales were normal for the time of year than at any other time in the past eight months.
– The CBI’s measure of selling price inflation was its slowest since August 2020 and was below its long-run average.
– The British Retail Consortium said its measure of shop prices showed the weakest increase in two-and-a-half years this month.
– Falling inflation and continuing real wage growth will contribute to a healthier consumer outlook, supporting the retail sector further.
The need for civil society organizations to act as environmental watchdogs remains urgent, as recent revelations have shown violations of environmental conditions in the Akamas area. The scandal involved roadworks that ignored environmental conditions, and the Forestry Department was supposed to oversee the project. The Water Development Department had warned about violations a year before environmental NGOs raised the alarm. Additionally, efforts are being made to protect Griffon vultures from extinction, with poison baits and power line collisions being major threats. Despite efforts to persuade the Electricity Authority to make infrastructure safer, losses of vultures and eagles continue due to collisions and electrocutions.
– The opposition proceedings in the case brought against auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides by attorney-general George Savvides were filed by Odysseas’ team of lawyers.
– The opposition is based on two points: the application of the AG to the constitutional council is groundless and the AG does not have the authority to seek the sacking of an independent state official.
– Odysseas’ camp is applying pressure on the president to publicly side with him.
– The head of the anti-corruption authority demanded criminal charges against the drug squad chief, possibly linked to the Odysseas-Savvides clash.
– Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged Syrians to head for Cyprus and Europe to pressure Brussels to give Lebanon more funds for Syrian refugees.
– Parents were upset over the difficulty of questions in modern Greek exams for secondary school students.
– State hospital nursing unions are threatening industrial action if more nurses are not hired.
– The president announced the decision to appoint two criminal investigators before the cabinet approved it.
Fact: German police arrested eight climate activists who breached the grounds of Munich airport, causing it to briefly close during a busy holiday weekend.
Fact: Tourist arrivals for the first four months of 2024 in Cyprus indicate an increase of 1.7% compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling 748,814 arrivals.
Live music performances are coming up in Paphos at cultural centre Technopolis 20, including a recital dedicated to Argentinian tango and Latin American dances, a concert dedicated to Goddess Aphrodite at the archaeological site of Palaepaphos, and an Easter concert featuring the Stabat Mater sequence.
The government is preparing subsidies for elderly people who require long-term care in nursing homes but face financial constraints.
Increased incidents of juvenile delinquency have been observed recently, especially before and after the Easter holiday. Attacks with fireworks, street battles, car vandalism, and school vandalisms are on the rise, with even an attack on police officers. Some students exhibit extreme forms of delinquency, aggression, and bullying towards classmates and teachers, both in and out of school. The issue requires attention from all involved parties, including the school, Ministry, educators, Parent Associations, and families. A collective effort is needed to address and prevent these behaviors, utilizing research findings and all available means to protect children.
– The Stabat Mater concert will be held in the Limassol district at the Cyprus Wine Museum in Erimi village with mezzo-soprano Anoki von Arx, soprano Vasiliki Konstantinou, and pianist Milena Romanova.
– The Latin jazz band Havana Noche will perform at Sarah’s Jazz Club in Nicosia on May 18.
– Rumba Attack will perform flamenco-rumba and Latin sounds at Agrovino Wine Bar in Lofou on May 23.
– Locomondo, a Greek reggae band, will have a concert at Pyrgos Municipal Stadium in Larnaca on May 25.