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Paralimni-Deryneia: Leading Cyprus with 18 Prestigious Blue Flag Beach Awards

The sun-kissed municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia has proudly secured 18 out of the 66 prestigious Blue Flag awards distributed across Cyprus. This remarkable achievement positions the area as the top performer in the recent island-wide ceremony held at the illustrious Fig Tree Bay Beach in Protaras.

Awarded Beaches

Among the honored beaches are Armyropigado, Lombardi, Glyky Nero, and Kapparis, along with several others such as Skoutarospilioi, Agia Triada, and Minas. The municipality continues to elevate visitors’ experience with its pristine swimming areas, now including Konnos Beach, which also received commendation under the Ayia Napa municipality due to boundary sharing.

Commitment to Quality and Safety

Mayor Giorgos Nikolettos emphasized the municipality’s dedication to enhancing visitor services, urging government support for improved beach safety measures such as increased lifeguard staffing. This commitment resonates with the broader agenda of sustainable development highlighted by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Global Recognition and Standards

The Blue Flag is a globally recognized ecological quality symbol, awarded to beaches meeting high standards in water cleanliness and much more. It includes comprehensive criteria covering bather safety, environmental awareness, and preservation of natural heritage, ensuring top-tier quality underlined by stringent guidelines.

Bank Of England Holds Rates At 3.75% In Split Vote As Inflation Risks Rise

The Bank of England kept its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% on Thursday, but the decision was not unanimous. In a 6-3 vote, the Monetary Policy Committee kept rates unchanged, while three members backed a 25-basis-point increase to 4%. Renewed energy price pressures have added to concerns that inflation could remain elevated.

Inflation Pressures Remain

Policymakers said inflation “is likely to rise further over coming quarters,” citing higher and more volatile crude oil and refined energy prices since the conflict began.

So far, there has been “little evidence” of significant second-round effects, such as broader wage and price increases. Inflation risks, however, are now “tilted to the upside” and have increased since the July Monetary Policy Report.

Energy Prices Add To Inflation Risks

Brent crude has risen 36% since July, reaching $106 a barrel on Sept. 14, while UK wholesale gas prices increased 78% to 207 pence per therm.

Higher energy costs can feed into transport, production and household expenses, raising costs across supply chains. Refinery pressures have also pushed crack spreads, the difference between refined fuel and crude prices, well above pre-conflict levels.

Economy Shows Resilience

Despite the inflation risks, UK economic activity has held up slightly better than the Bank expected. A softer labor market and higher borrowing costs are expected to help reduce inflation over time.

Previous monetary tightening is still working through the economy, according to policymakers. So far, the latest energy shock has not produced clear evidence of a broader wage-price spiral.

Major Central Banks Take Different Paths

The decision comes during a busy period for global monetary policy. The Federal Reserve raised rates Wednesday to 3.75%-4% in its first increase since 2023, while the European Central Bank recently lifted its deposit rate to 2.5%.

The Bank of Japan is due to announce its decision Friday, with markets expecting a rate increase. Thursday’s split vote shows that pressure for tighter policy remains within the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.

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