Articles by Dr Charles Ellinas

Technology

Government reaffirms desalination as only solution to water scarcity

Efforts to resolve Cyprus continuous water scarcity problem will focus primarily on increasing the available amount of portable water by installing further desalination units, agriculture ministry secretary Andreas Gregoriou said on Wednesday. “Until now, we cover nearly 70 per cent of needs in portable water by desalination units,’ next year, we will increase the existing quantities by 30 per cent, which will be provided via seven desalination units,” he said. The desalination plants mentioned by Gregoriou concern mobile units which are expected to be operational by the end of 2026. He said that the expected addition of 30 thousand cubic metres of water to the current water system per day, which would increase the total water supply to 77 thousand cubic metres daily. The capacity of Cyprus water reservoirs has decreased by 16 per cent in one year, now standing at only 11 per cent – a total of 33 million cubic metres. Reservoir water is currently being utilised for both agricultural irrigation purposes and portable water use. Covering the island’s portable water needs via desalination is therefore expected to indirectly affect amount of water made available for farmers, who have been making repeated appeals to the government, warning that the lack of water seriously threatened their crops. “We will at least have enough [portable] water for the people,” he said. Acknowledging that the lack of water in the reservoirs was a persistent issue that could not be resolved by establishing further desalination units, Gregoriou expressed optimism that by covering the islands portable water needs via desalination, more water for agricultural use would be left in the reservoirs. “By 2028, we expect 100 per cent of portable water needs to be provided by desalination units, and if there’s enough rainfall in the reservoirs, this water will be made available for farmers,” he said. Gregoriou said that, aside from the reservoirs, farmers were currently receiving recycled water from the sewage system and stressed the government’s aim to further promote relevant projects. President Nikos Christodoulides had on Tuesday reiterated the governments commitment to addressing the issue of water scarcity, setting out a target for Cyprus’ full water self-reliance by 2028. “The effective treatment of water scarcity and the rational management of water resources are for a matter of utmost importance and a strategic priority for the government,” he said speaking at the inauguration of the new water reservoir of the Larnaca local district organisation (EOA). Criticism of the government regarding the water issue has become harsher in recent weeks, with the House agriculture committee sharply criticising the government for insufficient action in a debate in late October.

4 hours ago

Technology

Funerary art to be highlighted at Episkopi presentation

Funerary art in ancient Hellenistic and Roman Paphos takes centre stage on Saturday, when it will be presented to an audience at the Episkopi Environmental Information Centre. The presentation titled ‘A Silent World: The Art of Memory in Ancient Paphos’, will be given by Department of Antiquities archaeological officer Dr Efstathios Raptou, who will explain the significance of artefacts found in tombs. “Funerary architecture and the objects placed within tombs often stand among the most remarkable artistic achievements of their time,” Raptou said. He added that the findings “not only reflect the architectural styles and aesthetic preferences of the living but also incorporate symbolic and religious elements connected to beliefs about the afterlife”. “These monuments reveal insights into social hierarchy, cultural values and ritual practices, offering a window into the society, spiritual life and collective memory of ancient Paphos,” Raptou said. The presentation will be in English with a Greek transcript available to follow along. It starts at 4pm and reservations can be made at 26 642234 during morning hours or epeicentre.com/contact. Entrance is set at €6.

4 hours ago

Technology

Ethereum (ETH) endures market whiplash as this $0.035 altcoin forges ahead with presale phase 6 near sellout

Traders have witnessed Ethereum (ETH) absorb punishing swings, plunging below $4,000 to hover near $3,847 after October’s brutal sell-off liquidated positions and sapped upward drive. This retreat shattered summer advances, positioning ETH under its 50-day and 100-day moving averages in a clear nod to near-term frailty. Yet, as volatility grips the crypto market, institutions like Bitmine seize the chaos, snapping up 44,036 ETH for $166 million to swell holdings to 3.16 million tokens worth $12.15 billion. Such bets underscore long-haul faith in Ethereum’s DeFi stronghold and Layer-2 expansions, even as $3,800 support teeters toward $3,500 lows. Meanwhile, amid these tremors, the best crypto to buy now surfaces in Mutuum Finance (MUTM), an altcoin at $0.035 whose Phase 6 presale edges 85% toward exhaustion. Over 17,720 holders have poured $18,450,000 into this top crypto, priming for 43x returns that eclipse ETH’s consolidation blues. Ethereum faces deeper tests Institutions have countered Ethereum’s slide by channeling funds into the dip, with Bitmine’s latest haul exemplifying a rift between jittery retail moves and steadfast corporate plays. On-chain flows reveal outflows from exchanges into secure vaults, hinting at accumulation that often heralds rebounds once panic ebbs. Therefore, while short-term charts flash caution with rejection at $4,200 and a stall below key averages, Ethereum’s core strengths in staking and dApp growth persist, drawing whales undeterred by fleeting storms. However, this divergence spotlights altcoins like Mutuum Finance (MUTM) as the best crypto to buy now, where presale fervor unlocks yields far nimbler than ETH’s measured climbs. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) presale surges near close in stage 6 Phase 6 of the Mutuum Finance (MUTM) presale has hurtled to 85% completion, tokens priced at $0.035 following a 250% rise from Phase 1’s $0.01 debut. Early buyers have amassed $18,450,000 across 17,720 holders, weaving a tapestry of shared ambition that pulses with urgency. Moreover, the window to buy tokens at this price slams shut when this phase end and stage 7 kicks off 20% higher. Peer-to-Contract pools harness yields Depositors can funnel ETH or USDT into Mutuum Finance (MUTM)’s peer-to-contract pools, where borrowers access capital fluidly and assets spin off yields without pause. Investors hold mtTokens as accruing markers, redeemable for originals plus gains. Because these reservoirs demand scant intervention, Mutuum Finance (MUTM) shines as the best crypto to buy now, its steady passive gains rewarding risk-averse investors. Protocol earnings in Mutuum Finance (MUTM) have trigger open-market buy-backs for MUTM tokens, channeling them straight to mtToken. This reduces circulating token supply and as a result boosts MUTM price in the market. Stakers on the other hand are rewarded for their long-term commitment to the project. This feature catapults Mutuum Finance (MUTM) forward as a top contender for the best crypto to buy now. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) has layered defenses through a CertiK audit that notched 90/100 on token safeguards. What’s more the project has an ongoing $50,000 bug bounty where participants are rewarded up to $2,000 for finding vulnerabilities within the project’s codebase. This scrutiny lures capital fleeing other DeFi projects with weak security measure. V1 Protocol nears testnet debut Developers at Mutuum Finance (MUTM) have advanced toward V1 protocol rollout on Sepolia testnet in Q4 2025, unveiling liquidity pools, mtTokens, debt instruments, and liquidation mechanisms tailored for ETH and USDT maneuvers. This trial forges essential pathways, with expansions queued post-launch to embrace wider assets. This stride anchors Mutuum Finance (MUTM) as the best crypto to buy now as investors position for the future of DeFi. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) has stood tall as Ethereum gets dominated by bears. Investors joining the presale today are positioned for at east 420% returns when MUTM goes live. Join today before presale stage 6 ends and prices soar. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://mutuum.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance DISCLAIMER – “Views Expressed Disclaimer – The information provided in this content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, legal, tax, or health advice, nor relied upon as a substitute for professional guidance tailored to your personal circumstances. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other individual, organization, agency, employer, or company, including NEO CYMED PUBLISHING LIMITED (operating under the name Cyprus-Mail).

4 hours ago

Technology

Government taken to task for postponing minor detention facility

The recently announced postponement of the opening of a detention centre for minors, as well as a ban on the use of mobile phones in the central prison were the key topics on the agenda of the meeting of the House legal affairs committee on Wednesday. Committee member and Akel MP Andreas Pasiourtidis sharply criticised the central prisons administration and the government for its recent request to, for a second time, postpone the opening of a juvenile detention facility. The opening of the facility had initially been stipulated at the current migrant detention centre in Menoyia for January 1, 2026 and will now likely be delayed until the end of the upcoming year. “It is a very serious issue, because both the law and European conventions require us to keep minors in a separate area from the central prisons,” Pasiourtidis said. The Akel MP then went on to warn that prisons had been transformed into a “crime directorate”, saying court examinations had revealed that several crimes had been committed or organised from within the prison. The committee then proceeded to discuss the bill to tighten penalties for using and bringing mobile phones into prisons. He stressed that the relevant tightening of legislation did not need to be discussed if mobile phones had not been introduced into the prison in the first place, thus indirectly criticising the authorities. Elam MP Sotiris Ioannou said that according to data received by the committee, the majority of prisoners under the age of 21 – 34 out of 39 – were foreigners. “We are talking about a percentage of around 90 per cent. It is the established position of Elam that these people must finally be deported. It is not possible for those who come to our homeland and commit crimes not to be sent back to their own,” he said. The government had last week announced the launch of a new system to combat the illegal use of mobile phones in the central prison. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis had described the tool as a technically complex system, which was able to locate and deactivate the phones, referring to the measure as a response to a problem that had “persisted for more than a decade”.

5 hours ago

Technology

Unions accept govt proposal for CoLA

Trade unions on Wednesday accepted the government’s proposal for the future of the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA), following a meeting of union representatives. “The trade union movement, in a spirit of prudence, consensus, and reconciliation, accepted the government’s proposal,” Union of Cyprus journalists leader Giorgos Frangos said, before adding that trade unions have accepted the proposal “without even a single iota of change”. He also thanked the government for its “decisive … contribution” to efforts to resolve what has been a longstanding dispute between workers and employers over the matter. Newspaper Politis had reported last week that the government had proposed a gradual increase in the amount of CoLA paid over the coming 20 months. As such, in line with the government’s proposal, the amount of CoLA paid will rise from its current rate – 66.7 per cent of the rate of the increase of the cost of living as a percentage of a worker’s salary – to 80 per cent on January 1. This would mean that if the cost of living increased by four per cent, workers will receive a boost of three per cent to their salaries in CoLA payments, rather than the current 2.68 per cent. The government’s proposal would see that rate increase to 90 per cent on July 1 next year, and then to 100 per cent on January 1, 2027, with payments being made once a year during years in which Cyprus’ real gross domestic product increases. Additionally, the proposal foresees the introduction of a ceiling of a four per cent increase in the cost of living as the maximum amount payable. If the proposal is also accepted by employers’ organisations, it will bring to an end a bitter and longstanding dispute over the matter, which in September had seen workers engage in a three-hour general strike which saw the island brought to a standstill. On that day, public services and public transport were the most affected, with more than 50 flights and 15,000 airline passengers impacted by the strike, while trade unionists across the island took to the streets. Earlier in the year, former Oev chairman Antonis Antoniou had expressed his distaste for CoLA, saying it “should have disappeared”. “We believe that it should have disappeared. There are other tools for employees to achieve their progress, but we accept to continue it with some variations, with a modernisation which is consistent with the economic realities of recent decades,” he said. His views were echoed by Keve chairman Philokypros Rousounides, who also described it at the time as “an anachronistic institution, which needs improvement or replacement with a new mechanism”.

5 hours ago