The Cyprus Institute (CyI) won a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Award for its research and educational activities addressing the climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.
Fact: Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas have ended their romantic relationship after nearly a year together.
Columbia University students agreed to take down a significant number of tents set up on the school’s main campus as part of a protest against Israel’s incursion into Gaza. The university agreed to extend the deadline for the encampment to be dismantled, citing significant progress in negotiations. The protesters had demanded disclosure and divestment of financial holdings supporting the war in Gaza and amnesty for suspended students. Columbia also required that non-affiliated individuals leave campus and that all activities comply with fire safety rules.
Fact: The original mosque on the site was demolished in 1987 to pave the way for the construction of the current structure.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his intention to meet with the North Korean leader through state media. She mentioned that the improvement of relations between Japan and North Korea depends on Japan’s ability to make practical political decisions, referencing Japan’s occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910-45. Kim Yo Jong highlighted that Japan’s actions that antagonize North Korea or violate its sovereign rights would lead to Japan being considered an enemy. Relations between Japan and North Korea have been strained due to historical disputes, including issues related to wartime brothels and forced labor during Japan’s occupation. In response to media reports on Kim Yo Jong’s comments, Kishida emphasized the importance of a summit to address issues like the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea. North Korea admitted in 2002 to kidnapping 13 Japanese citizens in the past, with five returning to Japan. Tokyo believes 17 Japanese were abducted and continues to investigate. Japan’s top government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, stated that North Korea’s claim that the abduction issue has been resolved is “totally unacceptable.” Kishida has expressed his desire to hold talks with Kim Jong Un without preconditions and is overseeing efforts for the first summit in 20 years. South Korea’s foreign ministry stated that Seoul, the U.S., and Japan are closely cooperating on issues related to North Korea, including denuclearization. North Korea has been subject to U.N. sanctions since 2006 due to its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. Kim Yo Jong suggested that Japan could open a new future with North Korea if it makes a political decision to improve ties based on mutual respect.
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.
Human rights commissioner Maria Stylianou-Lottides emphasized that combating racism and promoting equality and mutual respect are collective responsibilities. She highlighted the importance of International Day Against Racism and Discrimination, observed on March 21, as a reminder for states to combat racism and xenophobia. Lottides mentioned the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights’ 2023 report “Being Black in the EU,” which indicates that people of African descent still face racism, discrimination, and hate crimes despite anti-discrimination laws in the EU. She also noted that racist incidents and xenophobic rhetoric have worsened in Cyprus, partly due to an increase in asylum seekers and economic difficulties. Examples of such incidents include a video from July 2022 showing a violent attack on an African woman with a baby, attacks against foreign food delivery drivers in Nicosia, and recent incidents in Chloraka and Limassol. Lottides called for prompt and decisive intervention by authorities to address racism effectively.