Updates from Cyprus
Department of Meteorology issued a new yellow warning over extremely high temperatures tonight until early Thursday.
The new warning is valid from 22:00 local time Wednesday until 0600 local tome Thursday.
Night temperature over inland, the southern and eastern coastal areas is not expected to be less than 26 degrees Celsius, the Department said.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Today, the European Commission adopted an amendment to the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, initially adopted on 23 March 2022 to support the economy in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine continues to take its toll, including on the EU economy. The situation is serious and we need to step up our efforts to phase out from the fossil fuels on which we have very much relied upon until now. With today’s amendment, we will help accelerate the rollout of renewable energy as well as the decarbonisation of industries, in line with the REPowerEU objectives.”
The amendment complements the Winter Preparedness Package also adopted today. In particular, today’s amendment extends the Temporary Crisis Framework by providing for the following additional types of aid measures in line with the REPowerEU Plan:
Measures accelerating the rollout of renewable energy: Member States can set up schemes for investments in renewable energy, including renewable hydrogen, biogas and biomethane, storage and renewable heat, including through heat pumps, with simplified tender procedures that can be quickly implemented, while including sufficient safeguards to protect the level playing field. In particular, Member States would be able to devise schemes for a specific technology, requiring support in view of the particular national energy mix; and
Measures facilitating the decarbonisation of industrial processes: to further accelerate the diversification of energy supplies, Member States can support investments to phase out from fossil fuels, in particular through electrification, energy efficiency and the switch to the use of renewable and electricity-based hydrogen which complies with certain conditions. This amendment would enable Member States to either (i) set up new tender based schemes, or (ii) directly support projects, without tenders, with certain limits on the share of public support per investment. Specific top-up bonuses would be foreseen for small and medium sized enterprises as well as for particularly energy efficient solutions.
Under both new sections, Member States need to ensure that the projects are implemented within a specific timeline, to ensure an effective acceleration effect in reaching the REPowerEU objectives. Aid under these sections may be granted until 30 June 2023.
The amended Temporary Crisis Framework also expands on the existing types of support that Member States can give to companies in need. For example, it now enables Member States to grant limited amount of aid to companies affected by the current crisis or by the subsequent sanctions and countersanctions up to the increased amount of 62,000€ and 75,000€ in the agriculture, and fisheries and aquaculture sectors respectively, and up to 500,000€ in all other sectors.
In addition, with the current amendment, the Commission further clarifies the conditions under which Member States may grant aid to cover the recent increase in gas and electricity costs for companies. Among others, the amended Temporary Crisis Framework specifies that the aid may cover only up to 70% of the beneficiary’s gas and electricity consumption during the same period of the previous year.
Today’s amendment also complements the Winter Preparedness Package by signalling that the following types of aid will be possible on a case-by-case basis, subject to conditions: (i) support for companies affected by mandatory or voluntary gas curtailment, (ii) support for the filling of gas storages, (iii) transitory and time-limited support for fuel switching to more polluting fossil fuels subject to energy efficiency efforts and to avoiding lock-in effects, and (iv) support the provision of insurance or reinsurance to companies transporting goods to and from Ukraine.
Background
On 23 March 2022, the Commission adopted the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework to enable Member States to use the flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sanctioned Russian-controlled entities will be excluded from the scope of these measures. The Temporary Crisis Framework will be in place until 31 December 2022 for the liquidity support measures and measures covering increased energy costs. Aid supporting the roll-out of renewable and the decarbonisation of the industry may be granted until end June 2023. With a view to ensuring legal certainty, the Commission will assess at a later stage the need for an extension.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The ministry of Justice and Public Order has welcomed the US State Department Trafficking in Persons report for 2022 released on Tuesday, for upgrading Cyprus to Tier 1 status.
According to the report, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. It said the government made key achievements to do so during the reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity and therefore Cyprus was upgraded to Tier 1.
These achievements included convicting traffickers for the first time in three years. In addition, it said the government hired additional social workers and created a new Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare Services (SWS), which will help coordinate and strengthen victim protection.
At the same time, the Minister of Justice signed an MOU with the new Deputy Minister of Social Welfare to streamline cooperation between the Anti-Trafficking Unit (ATU) and SWS officers on the national referral mechanism (NRM). Civil society reported the implementation of the NRM improved and the service quality at the government-run shelter was appropriate.
The report noted that the government arranged for foreign national victims to return to Cyprus to testify and paid accommodation and travel expenses for family members to support a victim during the trial.
The government launched an anti-trafficking hotline and formed a sub-committee on creating awareness campaigns on demand reduction for commercial sex.
Although the government meets the minimum standards, it prosecuted fewer suspects and identified fewer victims, the report noted.
Judges issued suspended sentences or a fine to half of the convicted traffickers, which was not equal to the seriousness of the crime, undercut efforts to hold traffickers accountable, and weakened deterrence. SWS continued to not respond to referrals of some potential victims in a timely manner and failed to refer all potential victims to police for official identification procedures.
Regarding protection, it said the government maintained victim protection efforts. The government identified 22 victims, compared with 25 victims in 2020. Of these, nine were sex trafficking victims, eight were forced labor victims, and five were victims of multiple types of exploitation, including forced criminality; 13 were women, seven were men, and there was one boy and one girl; and 15 were foreign victims.
At the same time the government increased prevention efforts. The Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group (MCG) to combat trafficking, composed of relevant government agencies and NGOs, implemented and monitored anti-trafficking efforts. The government launched a new anti-trafficking hotline and advertised the number in government offices, in police stations, and on NGO premises.
According to the trafficking profile, the State Department said as reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Cyprus.
Foreign victims identified in Cyprus in 2021 were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, and Syria. In previous years, victims were also from Cameroon, China, Czechia, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Moldova, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Traffickers, according to the report, subject women, primarily from Eastern Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, to sex trafficking. Sex trafficking occurs in private apartments and hotels, on the street, and in bars, pubs, coffee shops, massage parlors, and cabarets known for the availability of commercial sex.
It said traffickers exploit short-term tourist visas available to Ukrainian and Russian nationals to recruit young women for sex trafficking in bars and private establishments and recruit some female sex trafficking victims with false promises of marriage or work as barmaids or hostesses. Traffickers subject foreign migrant workers — primarily from North Africa but also from South and Southeast Asia—to forced labor in agriculture.
Employment agencies recruit and exploit migrant workers who enter the country on short-term work permits in labor trafficking; after the permits expire, traffickers use debt-based coercion, threats, and withholding of pay and documents.
Domestic workers from India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka are vulnerable to forced labor. Traffickers subject asylum seekers from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe to forced labor in agriculture and domestic work. Unaccompanied children, children of migrants, Roma, and asylum seekers are especially vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor.
It also noted that Romani children are vulnerable to forced begging. Traffickers exploit Cypriots addicted to drugs and young women with disabilities to commit criminal offenses such as distributing illegal substances and committing welfare benefits fraud.
Regarding the northern area of Cyprus, it said it is administered by Turkish Cypriots and the United States does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any other country except Turkey. If the “TRNC” were to be assigned a formal ranking in this report, it would be Tier 3, the report indicated.
The “TRNC”, said the report, does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity.
The Ministry of Justice has welcomed the upgrading of Cyprus in the annual report, with Minister Stephi Dracou urging citizens to make complaints on the 1497 hotline regarding issues of human trafficking.
She said the upgrading of Cyprus’ position was a positive development and reminded that the previous report for the period April 2020-March 2021 highlighted gaps and inadequacies in the areas of investigation, bringing suspects t justice and documenting cases before the courts.
The ministry in cooperation with the Police, took a series of targeted measures to handle the gaps and inadequacies that were underlined in the report, in cooperation with the Justice and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, the Law Service and all interested parties.
It said that there were eight convictions for offences related to human trafficking and that from March 2021, the 1497 hotline is operating where citizens can report or provide information regarding human trafficking issues.
Dracou urged all citizens to contact the hotline because in the fight against “human trafficking society should be our ally”.
She also said that given the risks created by the war in Ukraine for sexual or labour exploitation of Ukrainian refugees, we are constantly on alert, conducting checks in high-risk areas to identify suspicious behaviours or actions.
The Minister said that acknowledging the seriousness of this serious form of crime, we assure that its recommendations will be studied in depth and additional measures will be taken to increase the effectiveness of ur actions for prevention and combatting human trafficking
She also assured that the ministry will continue with the same zeal the zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking and make every effort to locate victims and culprits and bring those responsible before justice.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
NielsenIQ previews findings from the Brand Balancing Act, a global study providing a perspective on how consumers perceive small and medium-sized brands in the new inflationary marketplace. Amid supply chain challenges, inflationary pressures, and cautious consumer spending intentions, small brands face a challenging playing field. By focusing on consumer brand preferences, performance benchmarking, trend-cycle timing, and meaningful differentiation, small and medium brands can leverage consumer responses of the volatile economy to their benefit.
“Inflation has supercharged the importance of every investment and strategic effort made by smaller brands. As the cost of products rises, so does the cost of missing the mark with consumers’ expectations,” says Lauren Fernandes, Global Director of Thought Leadership. “The good news for small & medium-sized businesses is that despite many SMBs being largely ‘unfamiliar’ in terms of notoriety according to our recent study, consumers are considering a wider variety of brands when deciding what to buy.”
Large corporations have leverage against inflation and supply chain problems that smaller enterprises often struggle to weather, making the balancing act for small and medium-sized businesses a crucial, but a potentially rewarding effort at this specific point in time. The Brand Balancing Act provides a perspective on how inflationary pressures are impacting small and medium brands and strategies they can use to showcase their value and remain aligned to the core values sought by consumers. The analysis also highlighted:
56% of global consumers prefer to buy locally made products from small businesses in their area
57% try to support small brands where possible, but are finding it harder to find them on the shelf
51% feel that small brands are more authentic and trustworthy than big brands
47% think that small brands are usually more expensive but are prepared to pay a bit more
86% of global consumers felt that functional reasons like availability, quality and value for money are of utmost importance when making their purchasing decisions
“Today’s macroeconomic environment has created a perfect storm for small and medium-sized businesses to connect with consumers. But that same storm could shadow smaller brands before than can scale. The key will be finding the right levers, based on the right consumer data, to innovate in meaningful ways,” says Fernandes. “With 48% of global respondents saying that they plan to buy more from smaller brands in the future, the small and medium-sized businesses who can understand motivators for purchase in this new landscape will most likely benefit from consumers’ updated preferences.”
About NielsenIQ
NielsenIQ, a global information services company, delivers the gold standard in consumer and retail measurement, through the most connected, complete, and actionable understanding of the evolving global, omnichannel consumer. NielsenIQ is the source of confidence for the industries we serve and the pioneer defining the next century of consumer and retail measurement. Our data, connected insights, and predictive analytics optimize the performance of CPG and retail companies, bringing them closer to the communities they serve and helping to power their growth.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Cypriots woke up on Wednesday, once more, to the sound of sirens to remind everybody, lest we forget, of that fateful Saturday morning of July 20th, 1974. Today, Wednesday July 20th 2022 marks 48 years since Turkish troops invaded and occupied Cyprus’ northern part.
Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, remains to this day divided, by virtue of the massive presence of Turkey’s military and Ankara’s stronghold on the Turkish Cypriots. Repeated UN-led attempts to reunite the country under a federal roof have so far failed, due to uncompromising positions maintained by the Turkish side, which insists on retaining its right of intervention, its role as a guarantor power and a military presence on the island.
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus came only five days after the coup engineered by the Greek military junta, then ruling Greece, that toppled the democratically elected president of Cyprus, the late Archbishop Makarios III.
Air-raid sirens sounded at 0530 local time (0230 GMT) when the Turkish invasion was launched and Turkish troops landed on the island`s northern shores. Thousands of dead, hundreds of missing, 200,000 became refugees as they fled the advancing Turkish troops, and enclaved Greek Cypriots in Turkish occupied Cyprus.
A memorial service for army officers and soldiers killed during the invasion will be held at 0800, at Makedonitissa military cemetery. President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades who has been diagnosed positive for the coronavirus disease and he has abstained from his duties. will be represented by the Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides.
Later on, at 1000, a memorial service for those killed during the Turkish invasion will be held at Apostle Barnabas Cathedral in Nicosia.
In the evening, at 2030, the Minister of Finance will deliver a speech on behalf of President Anastasiades during an event for the anniversaries of the coup and the Turkish invasion.
A series of other anti-occupation events will also take place during the day.
Political parties and various associations and organised groups have issued statements, condemning the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation and reiterating their determination to fight for a just and viable solution.
A brief on events leading up to the Turkish invasion
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As a military dictatorship was established in Greece in 1967, relations between Cyprus and Greece became very strained. The junta was meddling with internal politics in Cyprus, much to the dismay of the late President Makarios. The situation culminated on 15 July 1974 when the Athens regime instigated a coup by Greek army officers in Cyprus, seeking to achieve `enosis` – or union with Greece. Makarios was overthrown and fled to Britain and then to New York.
As President Makarios was addressing the UN Security Council on 19th July, he urged the Council to intervene to restore democracy on the island.
Turkey used this and the military coup as a pretext to invade and impose its partitionist designs on Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, claiming to act under article 4 of the Treaty of Guarantee, the Turkish armed forces launched a full-scale invasion of Cyprus.
The Turkish invasion began at 05.30 on the 20th July, with heavily armed troops landing in Kyrenia on the northern coast. Around 40,000 Turkish soldiers took part, equipped with the state of the art military hardware.
A cease-fire was agreed on 23 July. In the absence of Archbishop Makarios, the then-President of the House of Representatives and Greek Cypriot negotiator Glafcos Clerides stepped in as acting president.
On 14th August, after failed talks in Geneva, Turkey launched its second offensive Attila II, occupying Morphou, Famagusta and Karpasia.
Makarios returned to Cyprus in December that year.
Turkish troops occupied one-third of the sovereign territory of the Republic and forcibly expelled about 200.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who remained in the occupied areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge in the safety of the southern government-controlled areas. Today, only 328 Greek Cypriots and 109 Maronites remain enclaved.
More than three thousand people were killed during the war and a total of 775 Greek Cypriots are still missing and 200 Turkish Cypriots missing since the intercommunal strife of 1963-1964.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The Strategic Defense Relationship between Greece and the US, the war in Ukraine, the security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider geopolitical security challenges were discussed at the meeting held by the Greek Minister of Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez.
They also discussed Turkey’s delinquent behavior and its challenges with overflights over the Greek islands, it intensifies the tension in the region.
The Greek minister recognized the decisive role of Menendez in the expansion of the bilateral defense cooperation between Greece and the US, but also in the promotion of important issues for Greece and the Greek-American community.
He also referred to the upgraded role of the port of Alexandroupolis, particularly in providing support to Ukraine and transporting personnel and assets to NATO’s eastern flank.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
The Ambassadors of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have expressed their stance of principles on the Cyprus issue in statements on the occasion of the 48th anniversary since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
A reunited Cyprus offers the best and stronger future for all its Cypriots, the US, UK and France told CN?. They underlined that division is not an option, expressing support to confidence building measures. The Russian Ambassador told CNA that Russia’s stance on the Cyprus issue is based on the same principles as almost 50 years ago, namely that efforts to impose ready-made solutions on the Cypriots from the outside are destructive for the Cypriot people themselves, while the Chinese Ambassador told CNA that the international community should step up efforts in urging parties concerned to abide by relevant UN resolutions, adding that the two communities need to hold fast to the gold key of dialogue and consultation.
The British High Commission, in its statement to CN? said “the UK remains resolutely committed to the goal of a united Cyprus, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in conditions of peace, prosperity and security”.
A guarantor of the Treaty of Guarantee, the UK said “we support a just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality in accordance with UNSCRs”.
Speaking during the reception hosted on the occasion of the US Independence Day, US Ambassador Judith Garber said “it is our earnest hope your efforts will soon benefit a united Cyprus”.
The United States, she added, “continues to support efforts by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, facilitated by the United Nations, to forge a just and lasting settlement that will reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation”.
We commend recent efforts to forge confidence building measures to improve the lives of Cypriots across the island, said Garber, adding “we hope these will bear fruit and bring all Cypriots closer together. We firmly believe a reunified island offers a better and stronger future for all Cypriots”.
Virginie Corteval, deputy head of mission of the French Embassy on behalf of Ambassador Grenet-Catalano, said she hoped the drama taking place in Ukraine “demonstrates that there is no time to waste to look for a lasting and viable peace in Cyprus”.
She said “frozen conflicts remain wounds to be healed and the status quo in Cyprus is hardly a status quo”. The situation is changing, and not necessarily for the better: from the questioning of international norms in Varosha to the looming threats in the Cypriot Economic Exclusive Zone, from the difficult economic conditions and restricted rights Turkish Cypriots are experiencing to the high levels of migrations taking place through the Green line.
No goal is unreachable provided there is will and trust, she said, adding that “France is ready to support any step in that direction, such as confidence building measures”.
Division is not an option and we remain convinced that a re-united, federal and European Cyprus, that is to say a solution within the UN parameters, is still achievable. We are appreciative of the United Nations’ tireless efforts in this regard, she concluded.
Russia’s stance on the Cyprus issue is based on the same principles as almost 50 years ago, namely that efforts to impose ready-made solutions on the Cypriots from the outside are destructive for the Cypriot people themselves, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cyprus, Stanislav Osachi, told CNA, invited to make a statement on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion against Cyprus in 1974.
The Ambassador said that the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation had the greatest contribution to the cause of maintaining the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
In his statement the Russian Ambassador underlines that the Soviet Union, long before the Turkish invasion, firmly and consistently took a stand against any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the island and in favor of preserving its territorial integrity.
He says that during the period of crisis in 1963-1964 and specifically in February 1964, the then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, in a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey Inonou, persistently warned the Turkish side to avoid any attempt for a military intervention against the Republic of Cyprus, while with a telegram to the President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, he wished him victory in the fight to preserve the country’s territorial integrity and independence.
During those difficult years for Cyprus, the Russian Ambassador notes, the Soviet Union extended a helping hand to the friendly people of Cyprus with deeds and adds that in October 1964 a contract was signed for the supply of Cyprus with the most modern at the time military armament, medicines and petroleum products.
He points out that half of the amount in the contract was provided as a free aid from the Soviet government to Cyprus, while the other half was to be repaid with a loan granted to Cyprus at a very low interest rate.
Going forward to 1974, the Ambassador notes that the USSR had condemned those who staged the coup, and then the Turkish occupation of part of the island’s territory.
He also notes that two days after the unconstitutional coup, on July 17, at the extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council, Moscow was categorically against the overthrow of the legitimate government of President Makarios.
He recalls that the Soviet government, in an official announcement, said that “the sovereign state regime and territorial integrity of Cyprus are being turned into an object of a cynical bazzar behind the back of the Cypriot people and against their vital interests”.
The Soviet Union, he notes, expressed a position against the idea of a federation on the island, a position that Turkey insisted on and it also maintained a firm stance regarding the status of the Varosha.
Furthermore, he says that on August 23, 1974, the USSR expressed its initiative to convene, within the framework of the UN, an International Conference with the aim of ensuring effective international guarantees of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. This idea still remains relevant even today.”
Concluding, the Russian Ambassador underlines that “the current stance of our country is based on the same principles as it was almost 50 years ago: the efforts to impose ready-made solutions on the Cypriots from outside are destructive for the Cypriot people themselves. It is clear that the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation had the greatest contribution to the cause of maintaining the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus”.
Ambassador of China Liu Yantao told CNA that China closely follows the situation of the Cyprus Problem, adding that “we have consistently upheld an objective and just position, and supported Cyprus’ efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. As a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, China will as always play a constructive role in facilitating a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Problem based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in the framework of “Bi-zonal Bi-Communal Federation”.
Stressing that the state leaders of China and Cyprus have maintained regular communication on the Cyprus Problem, the Chinese Ambassador noted that his country “recognizes the positive efforts made by UNFICYP in maintaining peace and stability in Cyprus and facilitating the political process”.
“China steadfastly supports the mandate renewal of UNFICYP. China has been sending peacekeeping police officers to UNPOL since 2015, and made donations to the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus in 2019 and 2022, respectively. China is ready to support and participate in the organization of cultural and people-to-people exchange activities between the Greek and Turkish Communities, in order for the two sides to boost mutual confidence and meet each other halfway”, he continued.
Ambassador Liu Yantao told CNA that the Cyprus Problem is like a mirror that reflects the past and present, and lights the way ahead.
“Today, in face of major changes in geopolitical landscape and a global pandemic unseen in a century as well as emerging international and regional security challenges, people around the world have a more-than-ever urgent need for safeguarding peace and stability and finding ways to solve development problems”.
He expressed the position that “the international community should step up efforts in urging parties concerned to abide by relevant UN resolutions. The Greek and Turkish Communities need to hold fast to the gold key of dialogue and consultation, promote mutual trust through dialogue, and reconciliation through cooperation, so as to genuinely resolve differences and seek the greatest common ground that meets the aspirations of the Cypriot people. This is a top priority for the international community in facilitating a settlement of the Cyprus Problem”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Cyprus paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the 1974 Turkish invasion, which resulted in the occupation of 37% of its territory, with President Nicos Anastasiades stressing that we continue to aim at reunifying and “rid the island of third-party dependencies.”
On Wednesday, representatives of the state gathered at the Makedonitissa Tomb, the military cemetary in Nicosia, where a memorial service was held, to commemorate all those who lost their lives and all those who are still missing.
Other officials and citizens also paid their respects. A minute’s silences was observed, wreaths were laid and the National Anthem was heard.
Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides represented President Anastasiades who contracted Covid-19, while Greek Deputy Minister of National Defence Nicos Hardalias represented the Greek government.
In a twitter post, Anastasiades said “today we honour the heroes which fell defending democracy and our country’s territorial integrity, the respected relatives of the missing persons, the prisoners and injured of war. 48 years after Cyprus suffers the invasion’s brutal consequences.”
He stressed that despite our efforts, Turkey continues to exhibit the same intransigence, adding “the Turkish insistence on unacceptable positions which do not comply with modern states derailed every negotiating process.”
“We will never accept the option of capitulation. Our aim remains that Cyprus should reunify and free from third-party dependencies, providing he prospect of peaceful coexistence for all its lawful citizens, in the framework of the acquis and the values of the EU,” he said.
In a different post, Anastasiades said that the sharp sound of the sirens which sounded 48 years after the Turkish invasion once more reminded us the heavy responsibility; this sad anniversary with our island divided and its citizens deprived of human rights should be the last.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Alsym™ Energy, a developer of next-generation rechargeable batteries, today announced that Alsym and Synergy Marine, in collaboration with Nissen Kaiun, Japan, will jointly develop applications specific to the marine shipping industry using Alsym’s high-performance, low-cost technology. Singapore-based Synergy Marine is a leading global ship management services provider, currently managing more than 500 vessels.
Synergy Marine Group plans to use Alsym Energy batteries on many of its ships, which dock at ports around the world, including the Port of Long Beach, pictured here. Photo Credit: Port of Long Beach
Greenhouse gases from ships are predicted to make up 17% of total global emissions by 2050 if the industry does not accelerate efforts to electrify. Port operations generate substantial amounts of air pollution—up to half of total emissions in some metro areas—and some ports now require ships to use high efficiency fuels and observe speed limits within 20 miles of shore, while others have banned the use of auxiliary diesel generators while docked.
Alsym will provide Synergy and Nissen Kaiun with 1 gigawatt of batteries per year for three years starting in the company’s first year of high-volume production, conditional on the battery systems meeting key performance levels and regulatory requirements specific to cargo ships and tankers. Alsym’s batteries may be used to propel cargo ships and tankers as they enter and leave port, power berthed ships, and support peak shaving applications at sea. The company plans to start pilot manufacturing its non-flammable batteries for EVs, ships, and stationary storage later this year at its facility in Massachusetts, with high-volume production expected to follow in 2025.
“Zero-emission vessels are the future of maritime shipping, and we’re working with like-minded owners, including Nissen Kaiun, to decarbonize every part of the ecosystem as quickly as possible,” said Captain Rajesh Unni, Founder and CEO of Synergy Marine Group. “By lowering the cost of electrification and minimizing the risk of battery-related fire events, Alsym’s technology is well-placed to be a safer alternative that can help the shipping industry meet its goal of zero net emissions by 2050—especially in light of the European Commission’s recent proposal to classify lithium as toxic.”
By using low-cost, inherently non-flammable raw materials with robust global supply chains, Alsym’s aims to provide batteries at a fraction of the cost of lithium-based technologies, making electrification both safe and economically viable. These batteries can help reduce risks to crew and cargo, as well as lower insurance costs for fleet managers and shippers.
“Synergy Marine is on the cutting edge of technology in the maritime sector, and we’re honored to be part of their journey to work with owners in their transition away from fossil fuels,” said Mukesh Chatter, President and CEO at Alsym Energy. “By manufacturing batteries from low-cost, readily available materials that are inherently non-flammable and non-toxic, we’re providing an economically-viable way to help them decarbonize while also lowering operating expenditures and insurance costs associated with lithium and cobalt-based battery technologies.”
About Alsym™ Energy
Alsym Energy is a leading developer of advanced low-cost, high-performance rechargeable batteries made from readily available materials that are inherently non-flammable and non-toxic, providing an economically viable alternative to lithium-based technologies. The company is focused on commercial development and mass production of batteries for use in applications including passenger electric vehicles and two-wheelers, marine shipping, and stationary energy storage to enable a zero-carbon future.
About Synergy Marine Group
Headquartered in Singapore, Synergy’s hallmarks are its through-life approach to asset management and ability to develop custom-designed thought partnership strategies with leading owners. Spanning across a network of 25 offices in 13 countries and employing more than 18,000 seafarers, Synergy manages a fleet of over 500 vessels including the most complex LNG (including FSUs), LPG and vast 20,000+ TEU container ships, as well as oil and chemical tankers, car carriers and bulk carriers. With a strong focus on crew wellbeing, digitalization and environmentally responsible policies, Synergy is at the forefront of transforming the ship management industry.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
Blockchain fintech company Intelly is launching a fractional NFT (F-NFT) real estate investment platform on July 20th. Investors will be given access to property investments worldwide using Intelly’s INTL token to purchase fractional real estate assets on its decentralized real estate investment platform. Intelly has successfully completed its initial coin offering at the beginning of 2022 and established the Intelly Exchange – a liquid real estate market in which investors can trade F-NFTs priced by market participants based on the underlying asset’s profitability. The exchange will list projects from the residential, commercial, and enterprise sectors like a branded beach club or restaurant, which are tokenized via F-NFT’s, allowing investors to switch between investments in a matter of seconds, depending on their risk appetite.
Intelly Launches an Innovative Real Estate Investment Platform on 20 July 2022 (Photo: Business Wire)
Transforming real estate investments using blockchain technology
Intelly CEO Ismet Tasceken commented, “Switzerland’s outstanding business environment provides stability and predictability essential for fintechs who are active in transforming assets like real estate using blockchain technology. Even though the real estate sector is now worth over 3.7 trillion dollars, the industry suffers from inefficiencies that have plagued it for decades. We plan to leverage our 30+ years of experience, industry connections, and the power of blockchain to unlock the potential of a new era of real estate investing.”
Tokenization market expected to top USD 9.2 billion by 2030
Investing in real estate is profitable in the long term but requires a significant initial down payment, which could be a barrier to entry for many investors. Intelly’s F-NFT platform eliminates many steps needed to participate in property investing. Intelly’s single ecosystem bridges the physical world with the virtual world, joining the fast-growing tokenization market, which is expected to reach US$ 9.2 billion by 2030. Noting that the platform will begin trading on July 20, Tasceken said, “What sets Intelly apart from its competitors is the excellence of its proprietary technology combined with the depth of its industry penetration. This, combined with our financial strength, experience, and vision, will ensure that we create profitable opportunities for our clients through tokenizing property investments.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency