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S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y  +  P E R M A C U L T U R E  +  P E A C E   M E D I A T I O N Any reopening of Varosha, if and when that occurs, presents a unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past and rebuild for a better future. Yet it comes with significant risks. Without careful planning, it could become just another unsustainable development in an already crowded Mediterranean tourism market, while cementing Famagusta as the second divided city in Cyprus. Rebuilding Varosha in the context of a model ecopolis promotes peaceful coexistence amongst all of Famagusta’s inhabitants, embraces the latest eco­city technologies and thereby becomes a center for peace and sustainability within a troubled region. The Famagusta Ecocity Project aims to ultimately turn all of Famagusta into Europe’s model Ecocity.   The project will be a multi-track approach to environmental sustainability, economic prosperity and peace building.  Those involved will be local and international a

Brighton beach. Photograph: A Howden / Alamy Coastal water quality around Britain remain below its best and summer floods could pour overflowing sewage into seas The time to go swimming from British beaches was last year. The quality of bathing water around the UK coast improved markedly in 2013, after suffering a steep decline in 2012, because of the poor weather and floods that summer. This year's water quality, while likely to be good across much of the country, could still be affected in some places if summer floods return. Floods can overwhelm sewage systems, causing outflow to rivers that reach and contaminate coastal waters. That was exacerbated in 2012 because the wet weather followed a long period of drought, which had left drying out sewage back in pipes, which was then discharged as the heavy rain fell. But the beach water quality analysis, published annually by the European Environment Agency, only collates information on bacteria that indicates pollution from

(LAURA BOUSHNAK/AFP GETTY IMAGES) One Square Meter explores the leading architectural designs, city plans and demand for property investment in emerging markets. Join CNN's John Defterios as he visits some of the world's most dynamic cities for an insight into the fast-paced world of real estate development. (CNN) -- In 1974 the Mediterranean island of Cyprus was divided in two. A coup backed by the Greek government was met with a Turkish military invasion, partitioning the country between the Turkish-Cypriot north and Greek-Cypriot south. One of the most enduring symbols of the divide remains the resort of Varosha, an abandoned district of the ancient city of Famagusta that has come to act as a no-man's-land between north and south. Controlled by the Turkish military, the area's glistening beaches and apartment blocks remain off-limits to non-military personnel. At its peak, Varosha had 25,000 residents and 12,000 hotel rooms, attracting guests from across

@VP "There is simply no limit to what Cyprus can achieve and to what this partnership between Cyprus and the United States can achieve." -- VP Remarks by Vice President Joe Biden at an Official Lunch with President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus Presidential Palace - Cyprus VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Your Beatitude; Mr. President; distinguished leaders.  Let me begin by saying a simple thank you.  Thank you for the hospitality that's been extended to me and my wife, Jill.  And it's been so warm a welcome to this beautiful island.  I've been waiting over 40 years to come to Cyprus, and it has not disappointed -- the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Crossroads of Civilization, and I might add, a genuine strategic partner to the United States of America. I am known in Washington as the White House optimist, as if I am the new guy on the block.  The fact I've been there longer than all the rest does not dim my optimism.  The fact of the matter is that it's

Seizing on concerns about the impact of a possible halt in Russian gas through Ukraine, Cyprus’s leadership are boasting about the island nation’s energy potential from Nicosia to Berlin. Speaking to reporters in Berlin last week, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades suggested that the country’s recent gas discoveries could help provide an alternative to those European countries most dependent on Russian natural gas. “Cyprus should be developed into an energy centre that helps to reduce other dependencies,” Anastasiades told Reuters following a meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Following a 2009 pipeline closure over a price dispute between Ukraine and Russia, Brussels has made a concerted effort to diversify natural gas import options for Europe, including increasing cooperation with North African suppliers, encouraging renewable alternatives and pushing for investment for the region’s interconnectors. Despite easing dependence on Russian natural gas from 45 to 30 percen

Ruling by Europe's top human rights court for 90 million euros in damages is its largest judgment ever. Europe's top human rights court in its largest ever judgment ordered Turkey on Monday to pay 90 million euros ($123 million) to Cyprus for its 1974 invasion and the island's subsequent division. The decision from the European Court of Human Rights said the passage of time did not erase Turkey's responsibility in the case, ruling that Turkey must pay 30 million euros in damages to relatives of those missing in the operations and 60 million euros for "the enclaved Greek-Cypriot residents of the Karpas peninsula." Hundreds of Greek Cypriots still live in the Karpas peninsula in the northernmost tip of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot part of the island. In this file photo dated July 20 1974, Turkish troops pull ashore a Greek Cypriot torpedo boat damaged during fighting in Kyrenia on the day Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of Cyprus. Phot

Paphos, Cyprus I'd like to apologize to everyone who has ever asked me for a recommendation on where to go. You see, I hadn't been to Cyprus, and surely, the answer should almost always be Cyprus. Known by young Europeans as the sister to Ibiza, the island of Cyprus is a popular paradise to visitors from the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Greece, Russia, and Italy. An escape for warm beaches, gastronomy, entertainment, and culture -- it's the go to destination of the Mediterranean. Although it lacks the inter-continental glory of Ibiza, the little sister island is all worthy of praise. Alas, five reasons I'll be back to Cyprus -- more than once: 1. It provides either peace or party (or both!), per your request. Infinity Pool at the Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri Bay, Cyprus.

Sándor Kenyeres, founder and president of Antara Palace , describes his inspiration for investing in this upscale project as being, simply and singularly, Cyprus. Kenyeres is convinced that, as an island of unrivalled natural beauty, Cyprus can be transformed into an uptown world for white-collar travellers and High Net Worth Individuals seeking refuge and relaxation. And with Antara serving as the epicentre of this activity, success is the only option. What was your inspiration for pursuing this luxury project in Cyprus? Cyprus is blessed with the highest number of sunny days in Europe – the perfect climate – and is easily reachable from most European countries, as well as from the Middle East, yet it is still somewhat secluded. Antara Indoor Pool and Spa

Andreas Mavroyiannis and Kudret Özersay Τhe Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot negotiators continued their contacts in South Africa yesterday with a meeting on Monday, in Cape Town, with former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, FW De Klerk. According to a message by Greek Cypriot negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis, on his twitter, De Klerk gave “a moving account on crucial moments where one has to live up to historic responsibility for the future of the country.” The negotiators also met this morning with the national intelligence chief, Moe Shaik, on the role of intelligence and integration of agencies in South Africa.

And another one bites the dust. Now it’s Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the Land of the Free, that is inadequately capitalized. Last month, Bank of America made a lot of noise about how they were going to buy back up to $5 billion worth of common shares. As CEO Brian Moynihan stated, “We have simplified our company and we have more than adequate capital to support our strategic plans. We are well positioned to return excess capital to our shareholders.” Needless to say, investors cheered the announcement, and BofA’s stock price rose nicely as a result. Fast forward 45 days… and boy what a difference reality makes.

Archaeology: bust of Alexander the Great found in Cyprus Archaeologists in Cyprus found a marble bust of Alexander the Great - considered one of history's most successful commanders - in a second three-aisled basilica that was brought to light on the site of Katalymmata ton Plakoton, of the Akrotiri peninsula, as GreekReporter website writes. Excavations by the Cyprus Antiquities Department in the area have been in progress since 2007 when the first basilica was revealed. It is believed that the two basilicas are part of a monumental ecclesiastical complex which according to Eleni Procopiou, an area officer for the Antiquities Department, is related to St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, the patron saint of Limassol. archaeology-in-europe.blogspot.com

@christy3angels CYPRUS GREEK TURKISH CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX MUSLIM BISHOP IMAM FAMAGUSTA CHURCH GOOD FRIDAY JESUS Hundreds of Greek Orthodox pilgrims, some coming home after 40 years of forced exile, commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus in a rare Good Friday service in northern Cyprus on Friday. Held in this medieval walled city in the Turkish part of the divided island, the ceremony at the 14th-century St. George Extorinos church was the idea of local authorities who invited the faithful from the Greek part of the island to visit. A local Muslim cleric joined the service in a sign of interfaith harmony. The traditional procession of an icon of Jesus, which would normally be openly paraded through the streets of a Greek neighborhood, was limited to the church grounds for security reasons and guarded by a strong police presence. A/MANOLIS (A Greek Orthodox bishop and an Islamic cleric attend a Good Friday liturgy at the Church of St. George Exorinos in Famagusta, northern C

A new search has been launched to find some of the UK's most-wanted fugitives thought to be hiding in Cyprus. The National Crime Agency and Crimestoppers list includes 11 men wanted for crimes including rape, fraud and drug smuggling. Anyone with information on the fugitives is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously It is thought they are evading justice by living in Cyprus as there is a large British community on the island. Five are still being sought as part of an operation launched in 2012, along with six new suspected criminals. After the earlier 2012 campaign - known as Operation Zygos - four of the nine people sought were arrested. The NCA and Crimestoppers are hoping the second appeal will have the same success. All the men have European arrest warrants issued against them

( Reuters ) - Cyprus expects to return to international markets late next year but cannot rule out testing the waters earlier to gauge the appetite for Cypriot debt, the president of the bailed-out Mediterranean nation said on Wednesday. Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades arrives at a European Union leaders summit at the EU council headquarters in Brussels December 20, 2013. CREDIT: REUTERS/YVES HERMAN In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said an "economic dependency" on Russia - common with other EU member states - could have an impact should the bloc decide to tighten sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Ukraine. He also said there should be offsetting measures for those countries whose economies could be directly hit if the crisis escalates and further sanctions are imposed. That could include leaving it to the discretion of member states over what additional curbs to apply, he said. Just a year ago, Cyprus teete

incyprus.philenews.com A MORE active role for the EU in the Cyprus negotiations, plus the return of the fenced-off area of Famagusta as a confidence-building measure (CBM) were at the centre of talks between President Nicos Anastasiades and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule yesterday. Fule, who is on a two-day visit to the island and will inaugurate the new bi-communal wastewater treatment plant at Mia Milia in Nicosia today, met Anastasiades for an hour yesterday evening. He made no statements after the meeting. A written statement from government spokesman Christos Stylianides said Anastasiades’ efforts at the start of his presidency to see greater involvement from the EU in the talks appeared to having practical results. He said the meeting with Fule was “very productive”. EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule (r) with President Anastasiades last night (Christos Theodorides)

A woman at Aphrodite Rock. Photo: Corbis It's doubtful that Cyprus has witnessed such feasting since its ancient king, Richard the Lionheart, married Princess Berengaria of Navarre in 1191. On a five-day cook's tour of this diverse Mediterranean island, the one constant is the boundless filoxenia, or hospitality, lavished on us by locals. A five-day smorgasbord of food, culture and hospitality in Cyprus. Cypriot hospitality is not just a smile and a greeting; it's a total embrace of strangers. They can't help themselves. You've come all the way from Australia, the adopted home of our families? Sit! Eat! We must celebrate. And so it is that at every lunch and every dinner and even, once, at morning tea, we are greeted by lavish displays of meze dishes that, in Cyprus, make up an entire meal, not just the appetisers. In one sitting it is quite normal to be served up to - and often more than - 20 dishes, all cooked from the heart. Tables warp under the weigh

Department of State, Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs - Overview This volume is part of a Foreign Relations subseries that documents the most important foreign policy issues of the Jimmy Carter administration. The focus of this volume is on U.S. policy towards the Eastern Mediterranean region. The Carter administration’s major goals during this period were to broker a peace deal to unify Cyprus, which was divided since the Turkish invasion of 1974; to lift the arms embargo enacted by Congress on Turkey as a result of the invasion; and to reintegrate Greece into the NATO military alliance, from which Athens had withdrawn in protest of Turkey’s actions in Cyprus. President Carter was keenly interested in securing a negotiated settlement between the divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, and he made it a high-level priority at the outset of his term. Despite intensive efforts headed by the Department of State and Carter’s emissary Clark Clifford, an agre

Cypriot lawmakers must make it easier for banks to seize property when borrowers default to tackle the issue of bad loans, the country’s most pressing issue, central bank governor Panicos Demetriades said. Borrowers who intentionally fail to repay loans need to be reined in, Demetriades said in an interview yesterday in Athens. A possible political fight may delay planned legislation to tackle the Mediterranean nation’s stock of bad debt, he said. The law is required under the country’s 10 billion-euro ($13.8 billion) international rescue put together a year ago. “There’s a lot of strategic default happening,” Demetriades said. “Borrowers need to know that there’s a consequence when you don’t pay. It’s still the case that the banks are not able to basically carry out any repossessions in any meaningful timeframe. That’s the top priority now, to address NPLs,” or non-performing loans. Photographer: Yiannis Kourtoglou/AFP - via Getty Images -Central Bank Governor Panicos Demet

Marina and Elena: A Lesbian Love Story From Russia.  MARINA & ELENA When they come home from their office jobs to a small two-room apartment in a tiny town outside of Moscow, Marina and Elena change into almost-matching pajamas with cat-and-paw-print patterns. They are both 28, and they have been living together for less than a year. Their story began in preschool, when Marina was in love with a boy named Kolya. They were so taken with each other that their parents ended up becoming good friends, staying in touch even after Marina and Kolya’s romance faded. Marina and Kolya grew up and both married different people when they were 20—no younger than most Russians. Marina had a son.

- despite having less stringent restrictive measures than almost a year ago, the banking system remains stable The calm after the storm: developments in Cyprus’ banking sector the Central Bank of Cyprus released new data on key aggregate financial stability indicators, including provisional data for the fourth quarter of 2013. Our preliminary figures show some improvement in the profitability and capital adequacy ratios of the Cypriot banking system, reflecting the progress made on restructuring last year. The facts Although the banking system as a whole is still not generating profits, losses were much more moderate during 2013 than the year before; the total losses before tax from continuing operations (not taking into account the parts of the business that have been disincorporated due to restructuring or other reasons) stood at less than 1% of total assets for the last quarter of 2013, while the ratio for return on assets (after tax profit/losses on a discontinued operati