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Most Profitable Crypto Miners Now Delivered Worldwide

BM Pro
BMPRO

Most Powerful Crypto Miners in the World

NEW YORK, June 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crypto mining enthusiasts around the world can now have the world’s most profitable crypto miners delivered to their doorsteps. Bitmanu has just started worldwide delivery of its BM 1, BM 2, and BM Pro miners. Within a relatively short lifespan, these ASIC miners have already hit the headlines because of their excellent profitability.

Bitmanu launched in early 2021 and immediately caught the attention of the industry experts with the high hash rates of its mining rigs. The hash rates of BM 1, BM 2, and BM Pro are higher compared to any other hardware available in the market. These mining rigs have been enhanced further with the recent introduction of Bitmanu’s private and unique Bitstream, which now allows them to efficiently mine multiple coins.

Hash Rates of Bitmanu Miners

BM Pro BM 2 BM 1
Bitcoin 3900 TH/s 1220 TH/s 760 TH/s
Litecoin 400 GH/s 128 GH/s 80 GH/s
Dash 75 TH/s 25 TH/s 15 TH/s
Monero 32 MH/s 10 MH/s 6 MH/s

Many users of Bitmanu miners have informed that they were able to fully recover their investments in approximately a month. This has been made possible not only by the high hash rates of these rigs, but also their low power consumptions. In spite their extraordinary computational power, BM 1, BM 2, and BM Pro consume only 650W, 850W, and 2200W respectively.

Mining Profits per Month

  BM Pro BM 2 BM 1
Bitcoin $7000 $2400 $2000
Litecoin $9500 $3200 $3000
Dash $26,000 $9000 $5000
Monero $21,000 $6400 $3800

*Calculation is done based on the current market price and mining difficulty

Interestingly, a high percentage of Bitmanu’s delighted customers include casual crypto miners with no or very little exposure to crypto mining. Bitmanu is probably the first company ever to design uncomplicated mining rigs with the goal of democratizing a field that has traditionally been dominated by technology experts.

To find out more about Bitmanu, please visit https://bitmanu.com/

About Bitmanu: Bitmanu is a manufacturing company created, owned, and managed by a team of investors and noted crypto industry experts dedicated to bringing the benefits of latest technological innovations to the public. The company offers a stunning range of crypto miners that offer superfast return on investment, and can be set up and used by all regardless of their experience and knowledge.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf754322-fcec-47b6-9c8b-d38a18d37ebd

Media Contact

Alex Torum

media@bitmanu.com

+1 347 973 5948

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000823978

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Mattermost Announces “Customer-Controlled AI Architecture” for Enhancing Operational Workflows in Defense, Government and Technology Organizations

Self-hosted, open source solution enables AI-augmentation of mission-critical operations while maintaining full data control and avoiding vendor lock-in

Palo Alto, CA, June 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mattermost, Inc., the leading secure collaboration platform for technical teams, today announced a new “Customer-Controlled AI Architecture” enabling defense, government and technology enterprises to apply generative AI technologies to enhancing or replacing operational workflows while meeting stringent data control requirements and avoiding lock-in to vendor-specific platforms.

“If you’re part of an organization that has clear competitors or adversaries, then you’re in a race right now to unlock the power of AI for gaining speed and decision advantage,” said Ian Tien, Mattermost CEO. “Our release today serves organizations competing in that race who also need to meet strict security and sovereignty requirements.”

The open source, self-managed solution provides feature-rich, chat-based collaboration across web, desktop and mobile experiences to engage with colleagues as well as AI bots powered by an interchangeable set of open source AI platforms, known as large language models, or “LLMs”. The system can be fully controlled by a customer within their private network or data center, and can even be deployed to air-gapped networks disconnected from the internet.

Benefits of Mattermost’s customer-controlled AI platform include:

  • Fully-featured chat-based collaboration including 1-1 and group messaging across, web, desktop and mobile, with file and media sharing, search, integrations, custom emojis and emoji reactions, syntax highlighting and custom rendering.
  • Conversational AI bots that can be added to channels and engaged like human users to respond to questions and requests based on different LLMs that can be downloaded and run as part of the framework, including models from the HuggingFace AI community.
  • Scalable AI model framework that can scale up to deploy on a private cloud or data center using large and powerful open source LLM models for group work, or scale down to run on a commodity laptop, without the need for specialized hardware required by typical AI models, for individual developers to prototype and explore LLM capabilities.
  • Conforming security and compliance platform that can accommodate a broad range of custom security and compliance requirements, including automated scanning of the platform’s open source code base, monitoring and securing of all incoming and outgoing network traffic and deployment to restricted networks.

This new framework is an initial release in a series of reference architectures that Mattermost, Inc. intends to offer.

“While open source LLMs are in their infancy, we see them on course to materially accelerate operational collaboration,” adds Tien. “They’ll increase the attention and focus on our most impactful discussions, while reducing the drudgery of sifting through daily information flows. While we are starting with an open source, private cloud framework, over time we intend to add integration with proprietary, public cloud based AI models, because we believe enterprises are best served with a range of solutions to meet different needs.”

The Mattermost AI Framework is available for download on GitHub’s open source platform at https://github.com/mattermost/mattermost-ai-framework.

About Mattermost 

Mattermost provides secure collaboration for technical and operational teams that need to meet nation-state-level security and trust requirements. We serve technology, public sector, and national defense industries with customers ranging from tech giants, to the U.S. Department of Defense, to governmental agencies around the world.

Our self-hosted and cloud offerings provide an extensible hub for technical communication across web, desktop and mobile for incident collaboration, operational workflows, integration with Dev/Sec/Ops and in-house toolchains, and leading unified communications platforms.

We are built on an open source platform vetted and deployed by the world’s most secure and mission critical organizations, that is co-built with over 4,000 open source project contributors who’ve provided over 30,000 code improvements towards our shared product vision, which is translated into 20 languages.

To learn more, visit www.mattermost.com.

Mattermost and the Mattermost logo are registered trademarks of Mattermost, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Attachment

Amy Nicol
Mattermost
+1 (650) 667-8512
media@mattermost.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8853788

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Dave & Buster’s to open 20 stores in India and Australia

The entertainment destination announces international franchise partnership with the Malpani Group and NightOwl Entertainment

DALLAS, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dave & Buster’s, the ultimate destination for food, drinks, and entertainment, announces two more significant deals for its global expansion plans. The first deal includes a 15-store partnership in India with the Malpani Group, and the second deal comprises a 5-store partnership with the NightOwl Entertainment Group in Australia. These strategic alliances mark Dave & Buster’s second and third multi-store franchise agreements, firmly cementing the brand in the APAC and MEA regions with a total of 31 stores committed to development since global expansion plans were announced in 2022.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Malpani Group to bring the Dave & Buster’s experience to the Indian consumer, as India’s vibrant economy has ranked the country in the top 5 globally. The Malpani Group, known for its passion for innovation and diversified growth, is poised to dominate the indoor and outdoor entertainment industry,” said Antonio Bautista Chief International Development Officer for Dave & Buster’s. He added, “Likewise, we’re delighted to join forces with the NightOwl Entertainment Group, a forward-thinking hospitality and entertainment company revolutionizing the industry in Australia. Australia’s dynamic market presents a significant opportunity for growth, and the NightOwl Entertainment Group, renowned for its innovative approach, is the ideal partner for our brand. We can’t wait to bring our unparalleled entertainment experience to this vibrant market.”

Jai Malpani, Director of Malpani Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are delighted to partner with Dave & Buster’s, an established brand with a proven track record in the entertainment industry,” said Malpani. “We believe their expertise in family entertainment and dining experiences will complement our portfolio, and we look forward to a successful collaboration.”

David Heaton, the Founder and CEO of NightOwl Entertainment, also shared his excitement for the partnership. “We’re incredibly excited to partner with the brand that pioneered location-based entertainment and continues to be the point of reference globally in this space,” said Heaton. “We’re confident that together, we’ll bring unparalleled experiences to our customers.”

Dave & Buster’s has implemented several strategic initiatives to ensure a successful global expansion, including a customizable footprint tailored to meet specific market requirements and the localization of menu offerings with high regional resonance to cater to local preferences and tastes. They have also introduced a proprietary dynamic pricing model to offer flexible pricing options, launched global marketing programs that are demographically agnostic yet locally executable, and implemented a unique amusement strategy and packages to differentiate themselves in the market.

Dave & Buster’s is also excited to offer localized entertainment and late-night programming for customers and introduce immersive experiences to enhance customer engagement in the competitive socializing space. With these initiatives, Dave & Buster’s is confident they will provide an exceptional experience to their global customers.

About Dave & Buster’s
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., is the owner and operator of 200 venues in North America that offer premier entertainment and dining experiences to guests through two distinct brands: Dave & Buster’s and Main Event. Dave & Buster’s has 152 stores in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada and offers guests the opportunity to “Eat, Drink, Play and Watch,” all in one location. Each store offers a full menu of entrées and appetizers, a complete selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. Main Event operates 52 centers in 17 states across the country and offers state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of arcade games, and virtual reality, making it the perfect place for families to connect and make memories. For more information about each brand, visit www.daveandbusters.com and www.mainevent.com

About Malpani Group:
The Malpani Group from Sangamner is a well-diversified business house with interests in renewable energy, FMCG products, real estate, hotels, and more. However, the group’s success story goes beyond its diverse portfolio of businesses. The Malpani Group has always been committed to customer satisfaction and social responsibility, which has been the key to its phenomenal growth.

Currently, the Malpani Group is one of the leading owners and operators of amusement and water parks in India. They operate India’s largest theme and water park, Imagicaa, along with five other parks in India. Their amusement and water parks have become a popular destination for families, thrill-seekers, and tourists, offering a unique and immersive experience for all ages. With their unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, the Malpani Group has set a new standard for business success and social responsibility, reflecting their strong belief in giving back to society.

About NightOwl Entertainment
Established in 2008, NightOwl Entertainment is one of Perth’s largest hospitality groups. Operating several venues across Perth and building many more nationally! Each with a distinct identity and target demographic. In the business of pubs and clubs and now location Based Entertainment practicing a strong corporate ethos and boasting one of the most sophisticated management systems in the industry, with centralized processes and procedures, best practice data analytics, and bespoke in-house training for staff.

Media Contact:
Antonio Bautista
Antonio.Bautista@daveandbusters.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8852831

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UN top diplomat in Cyprus makes efforts to bring leaders together

UN Secretary – General’s Special Representative in Cyprus, Colin Stewart, has been trying to bring together Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, and Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, however this has not been made possible for the moment. The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) has learnt that the reason for this is that Tatar has not, for the time being at least, responded positively to the possibility of attending an event or paying a joint visit with Christodoulides. According to sources, one of the UN top diplomat’s in Cyprus recent efforts has been to bring the leaders together in the framework of a joint visit to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). Christodoulides and Tatar had an informal meeting in late February, before the former assumed his duties officially as President of the Republic. Christodoulides had then extended an invitation to Tatar for a social meeting, however the Turkish Cypriot leader does not seem for the time being to be willing to have a tête-à-tête meeting with Christodoulides. Meanwhile, Stewart is expected to have separate meetings with the two leaders before departing for New York in July, to inform the UN Security Council about developments related to the Cyprus problem. In the beginning of July, the UNSG Antonio Guterres’ draft reports on his good offices mission in Cyprus and the UN peacekeeping force on the island (UNFICYP) are expected to be distributed to the UNSC members, with a view to hold a discussion on them so that they will be finalised, endorsed and published. However, no resolution for the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate will be adopted since this will now take place only once a year and the force’s current mandate is valid until January 31st 2024, according to the Security Council’s resolution that was adopted on January 30, 2023. Based on the practice that is followed each side will submit a document to the UN with its positions, that will be attached to the Secretary General’s reports to the Security Council. Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot negotiator, Menelaos Menelaou, and Turkish Cypriot leader’s Special Representative, Ergn Olgun, continue their regular meetings, in Stewart’s presence, to discuss issues related to the bicommunal Technical Committees, as well as to generally review the situation and prospects ahead as regards the Cyprus problem. 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. CNA/MK/EPH/2023 S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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FM in Saudi Arabia on working visit

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos ?ombos, is paying Saudi Arabia a working visit June 6-8. On Tuesday he met in Jeddah, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, a Foreign Affairs Ministry press release said on Wednesday. They discussed bilateral cooperation and agreed that there is a growing dynamic in the ties between the two countries. They also exchanged views on current regional and international issues, as well as on EU-Saudi Arabia relations. ?ombos travels to Riyadh today where tomorrow is set to participate in the ministerial meeting of the International Coalition against Daesh/ISIS, co-hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Secretary of State of the United States. Participants will coordinate the international efforts to fight terrorism. On the margins of the works of the meeting, Cyprus Minister will have contacts with his counterparts, during which he will have the opportunity to exchange views in relation to the perspectives of cooperation in the wider region. CNA/KCH/EPH/2023 S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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PRESS RELEASE – BW – Falcon 40B: World’s Top AI Model Rewards Most Creative Use Cases

Falcon 40B: World’s Top AI Model Rewards Most Creative Use Cases in Call for Proposals with Training Compute Power Demand Surges from Scientists, Researchers, SME Entrepreneurs ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Falcon 40B, the world’s top-ranked open-source AI model on the Hugging Face leaderboard for large language models (LLMs), is registering an overwhelming response to a Call for Proposals from scientists, researchers, and SME entrepreneurs keen to deploy the model for innovative use cases. The response follows back-to-back announcements from the AI model’s creator, Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), offering the most exceptional project ideas access to training compute power as a form of investment. Compute power enables developers to tackle more complex and resource-intensive use cases with increased efficiency, productivity, and performance. By being able to experiment with the capabilities of Falcon 40B, the best open-source LLM globally, developers can venture into uncharted territories, driving innovation and expanding the possibilities of AI solutions – at speed. Submissions are being welcomed from all over the world, and across all industries and sectors to find the very best application concepts. Examples of industries include biotech, engineering, enterprise solutions, customer services, finance, and healthcare. In healthcare, for instance, LLM applications could help doctors by analyzing medical literature, patient records, and research findings to provide evidence-based recommendations. This could enable medical practitioners to make informed decisions and improve patient care based on the latest knowledge and insights. ‘We strongly encourage scientists, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs with bold ideas to submit their proposals for Falcon 40B deployment,’ said H.E. Faisal Al Bannai Secretary General of TII’s parent entity, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). ‘We’re excited to invest in the most impactful proposals with compute power through VentureOne, ATRC’s commercialization arm, and to potentially partner with the most promising developers.’ ‘Every proposal that comes our way is subjected to a thorough and meticulous assessment by TII’s dedicated AI Cross-Center Unit (AICCU),’ said Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Acting Chief Researcher at AICCU. ‘Our team of over 40 exceptional AI scientists is poised to examine each proposal, seeking developers with exceptional intellect and ingenuity. Our paramount goal is to propel the frontiers of AI advancements, leveraging its full potential to bring about profound societal improvements.’ Interested users should submit a proposal outlining their research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and the potential impact of their project. The proposal should highlight how Falcon 40B will be utilized and the specific domain it targets. In addition, applicants should include a timeline and a compute budget estimate, as well as any relevant expertise or previous work that supports their proposal. If you are interested in entering the Call for Proposals, we invite you to visit FalconLLM.TII.ae. For more information, visit www.tii.ae Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230607005466/en/ Contacts For media inquiries, please contact: Jennifer Dewan, Senior Director of Communications jennifer.dewan@tii.ae. Source: The Technology Innovation Institute 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

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EC & UNDP launch Cyprus Digital Heritage website

The European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched on Tuesday the Cyprus Digital Heritage website (www.cyprusdigitalheritage.com). Funded by the EU through the Aid Programme, the new website aims to safeguard and showcase Cyprus’ cultural treasures, ensuring their longevity and making them accessible to all people of Cyprus, as well as to a global audience, a UNDP press release said. The website includes virtual tours featuring cultural heritage sites restored and conserved by the bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage (TCCH). These sites hold significant cultural and historical value for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, representing a bridge between their shared past and a foundation for building a common future. “Visitors can embark on a virtual journey through the magnificent historical landmarks of Cyprus, experiencing their grandeur and significance from the comfort of their own homes. Through these immersive virtual tours, users can explore monuments and archaeological wonders, gaining a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural legacy of Cyprus,” the press release said. The Cyprus Digital Heritage website also provides a user-friendly interface that allows visitors to navigate through a vast array of curated content. The platform features interactive maps, 3D reconstructions, and other multimedia elements, enhancing the virtual tour experience and enriching the exploration of Cyprus’s cultural treasures. Furthermore, the Cyprus Digital Heritage website serves as an invaluable resource for education, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts. Kjartan Björnsson, Deputy Director and Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission, highlighted the support of the European Commission in protecting and safeguarding the diversity of cultural heritage of Cyprus and in raising the public awareness of the role that heritage plays in peacebuilding. Speaking about the launch of the web site, Björnsson said that “the Cyprus Digital Heritage website presents an opportunity to stimulate dialogue, foster understanding and connect the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, thereby hopefully paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus.” Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus Head of Office, expressed his appreciation for the project’s bi-communal nature and its potential for confidence-building, stating, “the launch of the Cyprus Digital Heritage website, featuring TCCH sites, represents a remarkable collaboration between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.’ He said by promoting dialogue, understanding, and pride in the shared heritage, ‘this initiative contributes to building trust and fostering a sense of unity among Cypriots.” The website is in line with the European Commission’s recommendations on digitalisation of cultural heritage, contributing to the objectives of Europe’s Digital Decade, and with UNDP’s commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation. According to the press release, since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the financial support from the European Union amounting to almost pound 25 million. Overall, the TCCH has received pound 35.6 million from several donors to implement its priorities for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Kyrgyz, Kazakh presidents stress bilateral cooperation with Qatar

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday highlighted bilateral cooperation amid a visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to Bishkek and Astana, respectively. ‘I am convinced that your visit will open a new page in Kyrgyz-Qatari fraternal relations based on mutual trust, and will give a great impetus to the further development of Kyrgyz-Qatari cooperation in various areas,’ Japarov said following narrow and expanded talks with Qatar’s emir in the capital Bishkek, a statement by the Kyrgyz presidency read. Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Kyrgyz-Qatari relations, Japarov said Bishkek and Doha closely cooperate under the UN, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations. The statement by the Kyrgyz presidency said the two leaders discussed current areas of bilateral cooperation, noting that Sheikh Tamim thanked Japarov for his warm hospitality. Sheikh Tamim expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation would expand through joint efforts following his visit to Kyrgyzstan, and that new opportunities will open up in the trade and economic sphere, as well as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and other areas, the statement also said. It added that Sheikh Tamim emphasized his intention to raise cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Qatar to the level of a ‘comprehensive partnership.’ ‘The leaders of the countries confirmed they are ready to develop bilateral cooperation in all sectors and the practical implementation of joint investment projects,’ the statement concluded. Japarov and Sheikh Tamim later attended a ceremony where the Kyrgyz and Qatari delegations signed 13 agreements that aim to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Sheikh Tamim later travelled to the Kazakh capital Astana and met with Tokayev, who said their talks will give a ‘new impetus’ to the development of collaboration between the two countries, a statement by the Kazakh presidency read following their meeting. Tokayev further said Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Qatar of about 60 types of products for a total of $250 million, also indicating that in order to intensify business contacts, it is important to have direct flights between the two countries, the statement said. ‘During the meeting, the heads of state discussed with investors the prospects for the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas, mining and metallurgical, agricultural industries, medicine and the financial sector. The issues of mutually beneficial cooperation through international organizations were also considered,’ it added. Sheikh Tamim is on a regional tour to Central Asia, where he previously visited Uzbekistan and is scheduled to visit Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, respectively.???????

Source: Anadolu Agency

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EC & UNDP launch Cyprus Digital Heritage website

The European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched on Tuesday the Cyprus Digital Heritage website (www.cyprusdigitalheritage.com). Funded by the EU through the Aid Programme, the new website aims to safeguard and showcase Cyprus’ cultural treasures, ensuring their longevity and making them accessible to all people of Cyprus, as well as to a global audience, a UNDP press release said. The website includes virtual tours featuring cultural heritage sites restored and conserved by the bicommunal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage (TCCH). These sites hold significant cultural and historical value for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, representing a bridge between their shared past and a foundation for building a common future. “Visitors can embark on a virtual journey through the magnificent historical landmarks of Cyprus, experiencing their grandeur and significance from the comfort of their own homes. Through these immersive virtual tours, users can explore monuments and archaeological wonders, gaining a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural legacy of Cyprus,” the press release said. The Cyprus Digital Heritage website also provides a user-friendly interface that allows visitors to navigate through a vast array of curated content. The platform features interactive maps, 3D reconstructions, and other multimedia elements, enhancing the virtual tour experience and enriching the exploration of Cyprus’s cultural treasures. Furthermore, the Cyprus Digital Heritage website serves as an invaluable resource for education, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts. Kjartan Björnsson, Deputy Director and Head of Unit for Cyprus Settlement Support at the Directorate-General Reform of the European Commission, highlighted the support of the European Commission in protecting and safeguarding the diversity of cultural heritage of Cyprus and in raising the public awareness of the role that heritage plays in peacebuilding. Speaking about the launch of the web site, Björnsson said that “the Cyprus Digital Heritage website presents an opportunity to stimulate dialogue, foster understanding and connect the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, thereby hopefully paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus.” Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus Head of Office, expressed his appreciation for the project’s bi-communal nature and its potential for confidence-building, stating, “the launch of the Cyprus Digital Heritage website, featuring TCCH sites, represents a remarkable collaboration between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.’ He said by promoting dialogue, understanding, and pride in the shared heritage, ‘this initiative contributes to building trust and fostering a sense of unity among Cypriots.” The website is in line with the European Commission’s recommendations on digitalisation of cultural heritage, contributing to the objectives of Europe’s Digital Decade, and with UNDP’s commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation. According to the press release, since 2012, over 123 cultural heritage sites island-wide have been conserved, structurally supported, physically protected or restored by TCCH and UNDP with the financial support from the European Union amounting to almost pound 25 million. Overall, the TCCH has received pound 35.6 million from several donors to implement its priorities for the preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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4 arrested on migrant smuggling suspicions along Balkan route

Four suspects in Germany and Romania have been arrested in a joint organized migrant smuggling investigation, EU authorities announced on Wednesday. German, Romanian, and Serbian officials detected 93 incidents during the probe and believe the suspects were involved in the smuggling of more than 870 migrants, according to a statement by Europol. Three of the suspects were located in Romania and one in Germany, said Europol, which added that they may have used trucks to carry the migrants along the Balkan route further into Europe, often in inhumane conditions. Authorities raided 15 locations and seized mobile phones, electronic equipment, documents, and cash in various currencies, along with three vehicles, it said. Findings show irregular migrants paid up to pound 10,000 ($10,725) to get to Germany from Trkiye. German and Romanian authorities have been investigating members of the criminal network since the end of 2022, after several irregular migrants were caught in an attempt to cross the borders between Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. In Romania, the criminal network’s local unit gathered migrants in the western city of Timisoara before transporting them to Germany. This Romanian cell was involved in renting and managing locations where the migrants were hidden in the Arad and Timisoara areas, according to Europol. Authorities said that to spot and avoid possible police checks, members of the criminal group scouted ahead of the trucks carrying the migrants. “During this last leg of the smuggling route towards Germany, the migrants were placed in extremely dangerous conditions, facing a lack of ventilation and other threats to their safety. In some cases, the migrants would be forced to hide amongst cargo under such conditions for several consecutive days,” Europol said. In addition to Germany, Romania, and Serbia, the investigation included Austrian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Polish, and Turkish authorities.

Source: Anadolu Agency