Month: September 2022

The UNDP has announced that the submission deadline for the European Union funded Video and Drawing Competitions for children and youth, organized with the Technical Committee on Culture, has been extended until 19 September 2022.

Both competitions are focused on cultural heritage sites of the island of Cyprus, some of which have been restored by the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, to encourage children and youth to engage with the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Two workshops and an exhibition will be organized at the end of the competition, designed to bring together creative activities, children and youth with culture by means of cultural heritage and visual storytelling. The workshops will take place at the Home for Cooperation.

According to the press release, the Committee aims to engage the two groups of up to 20 children /youth comprised of an equal number of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, in particular those who have participated in the competition. Those who have not participated in the competition will also be welcomed in the workshops depending on availability.

During the workshops, participants will be guided through formal and non-­-formal education practices to co-­-create drawings and videos.

This action of the Technical Committee on Culture is supported by the “Support facility to the Bi-Communal Technical Committees” Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in coordination with OSASG in Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Minister of Energy, Natasa Pilides, is in Milan to participate in the international energy exhibition Gastech 2022, says a statement from the Ministry of Energy.

It is pointed out that Pilides will participate on Tuesday in a ministerial discussion on “Unlocking and accelerating the natural gas potential of the Eastern Mediterranean basin”, in the context of the international energy exhibition Gastech 2022 held in Milan, following an invitation from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Ecological Transition of the Republic of Italy.

The Minister of Energy, who is already in Milan, will also co-chair, together with the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, Tarek El Molla, today’s Strategic Leadership Roundtable, co-organized on the sidelines of Gastech by the international organization East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) and the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS), on the topic of the prospects created for the natural gas of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (“The East Med and North African Gas Opportunity”).

It is added that Pilides will highlight the role that the natural gas reserves of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the discoveries in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus, can play in Europe’s efforts to find new sources of gas and strengthen both its energy security and energy transition. Furthermore, she will refer to the new gas discovery in the “Cronos-1” well at Block 6 of the Cyprus EEZ, and how it contributes to the revival of interest in the Eastern Mediterranean energy corridor envisioned by the countries of the region.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

An annual decrease of 1,320 persons was recorded among the unemployed, with their percentage dropping by 8.1% at the end of August 2022, in comparison with August 2021. A slight increase was noted in their number, compared to July 2022, according to data published on Monday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus.

The unemployed persons, registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of August 2022, reached 14,961 persons. Based on the seasonally adjusted data that show the trend of unemployment, the number of registered unemployed for August 2022 increased to 14,641 persons in comparison to 14,318 in the previous month.

In comparison with August 2021, a decrease of 1,320 persons or 8.1% was recorded, attributed mainly to the sectors of trade, which was down by 656 persons, accommodation and food service activities, that decreased by 547, manufacturing by 110. Transportation and storage noted a decrease of 109 and construction was down by 102 persons.

Unemployment in newcomers to the labour market also recorded a decrease of 201 persons.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cypriot swimmer Nikolas Antoniou secured the second place and the bronze medal in the 100m. freestyle, 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2021, held in Lima, Peru.

According to the Cyprus Swimming Federation, after the silver medal in the 50m freestyle, Antoniou won the bronze in the 100m freestyle, writing a gold page in his career and the history of the swimming in Cyprus.

With this bronze medal, Cyprus ranks 15th in the medal standings (with one silver and one bronze), ahead of countries such as France, Korea, Greece and many others.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus’ Health Minister, Michalis Hadjipantela, is traveling to Prague on Monday to attend the Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers.

According to an announcement by the Health Ministry, issues such as impact of the war in Ukraine on public health, vaccination as an effective tool to prevent diseases and improve public health and the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, will be discussed.

The informal ministerial meeting is set to take place between September 6 and 7.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The presence of the UNFICYP peacekeeping force across the island remains unchanged, the UN spokesperson in Cyprus, Aleem Siddique, told CNA on Monday.

Siddique, asked by CNA to comment on reports that a temporary ban was imposed on peacekeepers for welfare activities in the northern, Turkish occupied part of Cyprus following an incident in Glapsides beach in occupied Famagusta in which UNFICYP members are allegedly involved, said: “This is a precautionary measure, to temporarily ban our peacekeepers from welfare activities in the northern part of the island while the investigation is being completed.”

The presence of the UNFICYP across the island remains the same, he stressed.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

The United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), comprising military and civilian personnel from various contributing countries, arrived in Cyprus in March 1964 after intercommunal fighting broke out. The mandate of the force is renewed every six months by the Security Council.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

? fact-finding mission to Greece by the European Parliament’s inquiry committee on the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance software (PEGA) could also visit Cyprus, the Cyprus News Agency learns.

Political groups have submitted a proposal for a joint fact-finding mission that would cover both Greece and Cyprus, due to alleged connections between the surveillance of Greek journalist Thanasis Koukakis with a company that has also been active in Cyprus.

The fact finding mission is most likely to take place in early November.

On Thursday September 8th, PEGA will hold a hearing on the Greek spyware scandal with Thanasis Koukakis.

Meanwhile, Socialist Greek MEP and president of KINAL-PASOK Nikos Androulakis, is expected to be called to appear in front of PEGA along with other Spanish MEPs who were also targeted by surveillance software.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

SkyShowtime Announces Official Launch Date and Content Line-Up

New pan-European streaming service will first launch in the Nordics on 20 September

Launches in Netherlands, Iberia, and Central and Eastern Europe to follow

Features exclusive first-run Hollywood films and new scripted series from the world’s greatest studios

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– New streaming service SkyShowtime today announced that it will officially launch on 20 September 2022, bringing its premium offering of exclusive and iconic entertainment to millions of homes across Europe for the first time.

A joint venture of Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) —parent company of NBCUniversal and Sky— and Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), SkyShowtime will launch in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden on 20 September, before expanding into the Netherlands later this year in Q4. SkyShowtime will continue its roll out across Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) over the coming months and through Q1 2023. CEE markets include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. Specific launch dates and pricing in these markets will be announced in the coming months.

SkyShowtime brings together the best entertainment from the world’s greatest studios and storytellers. Featuring thousands of hours of quality entertainment for the whole family, the service will be home to a wide selection of the world’s most highly anticipated series and movies.

It will feature the exclusive television premieres of first-run theatrical films from Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures, Hollywood’s two oldest studios and which together account for nearly 50% of Hollywood box office.

SkyShowtime will be the home to a selection of new blockbuster films following their theatrical and home entertainment release, including Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Northman, Sing 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, The Lost City, Downton Abbey: A New Era, Nope, Belfast, Ambulance and The Bad Guys.

In addition, SkyShowtime features new premium scripted series, kids and family content and a selection of iconic library titles and box sets from Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount+, SHOWTIME®, Sky Studios and Peacock – all streaming in one place. SkyShowtime will also feature local original programming, documentaries and specials from its markets.

In the Nordics, as part of the partnership with Paramount, SkyShowtime will replace Paramount+, allowing existing and future customers to watch current Paramount+ favourites such as Halo, Yellowstone, The Offer and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, as well as SHOWTIME® originals Yellowjackets, Dexter: New Blood, Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber, and The First Lady. And for the first time, subscribers will gain access to even more new and exclusive premium series and movies spanning the best of Universal Pictures, Sky Originals and NBCUniversal.

From launch, customers can watch series premieres of highly anticipated SHOWTIME® drama American Gigolo, Sky Originals The Rising, The Fear Index, and The Midwich Cuckoos, as well as Law and Order Season 21 from Peacock. Over the coming months, additional series premieres will include Yellowstone Season 5, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, Vampire Academy and SHOWTIME® series Yellowjackets Season 2 and Let The Right One In.

SkyShowtime CEO Monty Sarhan said: “It’s time… for SkyShowtime, — the next great streaming service for Europe. Just months after receiving full regulatory approval, SkyShowtime will officially launch on 20 September 2022. We’re excited for our customers to have exclusive access to the latest series and movie premieres from our iconic and world-renowned studios. We look forward to sharing further details about launch dates for our other markets and bringing SkyShowtime to even more people across Europe.”

SkyShowtime Regional General Manager for Northern Europe Henriette Skov commented: “We’re thrilled to launch SkyShowtime across the Nordics and look forward to offering our customers the very best selection of global series and movies all in one place.”

The service will be available direct-to-consumer via the SkyShowtime app across Apple iOS, tvOS, Android devices, and through the website: www.skyshowtime.com. SkyShowtime’s monthly price will be €6,99 in Finland, SEK 79 in Sweden, NOK 79 in Norway, and DKK 69 in Denmark.

SkyShowtime will also be available through the following distribution partners across its Nordic markets: Allente, RiksTV, Ruutu, Sappa, Strim, Telenor, Tele2, Telia, Telmore and YouSee from Nuuday Group, and TV 2 Play.

Powered by the Peacock platform, SkyShowtime was created specifically for Europe and is dedicated to these markets. With regional offices across its territories, SkyShowtime’s customer-centric focus and local market presence informs its approach to partnerships, content, and marketing. Once launched across more than 20 countries, SkyShowtime’s apps and content will be available in 18 different languages.

The content line up detailed in this press release is Nordic-specific and may vary per market.

For the trailer, please access here: https://youtu.be/ujzpT7FTeeY

For more details, please visit:

Website: www.skyshowtime.com

Newsroom: corporate.skyshowtime.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/skyshowtime

For further information, please email skyshowtimeenquiries@mcsaatchi.com

About SkyShowtime

SkyShowtime is a new streaming service that will launch in the Nordics on 20th September, this year.

A joint venture of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), SkyShowtime brings together the combined resources of both companies, direct-to-consumer experience, and the very best entertainment, movies, and original series from the iconic brands of Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, Sky Studios, Peacock, Paramount +, SHOWTIME®, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.

SkyShowtime will be available in more than 20 European markets encompassing 90 million homes. It will be offered in Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220905005022/en/

This material is not a CNA editorial material and CNA shall not bear responsibility for the accuracy of its content. In case you have any questions about the content, kindly refer to the contact person mentioned in the text of the press release.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Industrial turnover recorded a significant increase of more than 21% in the first half of 2022, compared to the same period last year, with the largest increase recorded in the electricity supply sector by 63.2% and water supply and materials recovery by 33.9%

According to Cyprus Statistical Service, for the period January-June 2022, the Index of Turnover in Industry showed an increase of 21.4% compared to the same period in 2022.

In the first half of the year, the manufacturing sector recorded an increase of 14.3% compared to the first half of 2021. Increases were also recorded in electricity supply by 63.2%, water supply and materials recovery by 33.9% and mining and quarrying by 4.1%.

In addition, in June 2022 the Industrial Turnover Index reached 186.5 points (base 2015=100), an increase of 19.8%, compared to June 2021.

In the manufacturing sector, in June 2022 the index reached 182.5 points, an increase of 11.7% compared to June 2021.

Increases were also recorded in the electricity supply by 71.2%, water supply and materials recovery by 24.8% and mining and quarrying by 13.9%.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, will hold talks with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, on September 9, in Paris, in the framework of a working visit he will be paying to France.

The two Ministers will sign a bilateral agreement between Cyprus and France for the evacuation of French nationals from crisis areas, close to Cyprus.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Demetris Demetriou, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that this is a significant, substantive and meaningful visit.

The two Ministers will discuss about the bilateral relations between the two countries and the possibilities of further deepening them in various fields, as education, trade, security and defence, he noted.

He added that a bilateral agreement will also be signed between Cyprus and France for the evacuation of French nationals from crisis areas, close to Cyprus.

“The agreement highlights the role that Cyprus plays in the broader region,” Demetriou underlined.

Moreover, he said that the two Ministers will discuss about developments in Ukraine and the coordinated reaction of the EU against Russia, as well as the Cyprus problem and the way in which Nicosia views the next steps on this issue.

Moreover, they will look into the situation and the developments in Middle East countries, focusing on developments in Syria and Lebanon, as well as regional issues of mutual interest, he added.

Kasoulides will fly to Paris on Thursday and will return to Cyprus on Saturday. During his visit he will also have meetings with other French government officials as well as parliamentarians.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency