Category: Cyprus

I live in Cyprus for many years now. It is a beautiful little island in Mediterranean Sea. It features warm weather for most of the year, sea, very kind and hospital people, plenty of jobs in IT industry, good food and plenty of alcohol, stable currency, and more. It’s really a nice place to live if you can handle small towns and villages. It’s also a great place to raise the kids.

Not much happens here. It is a quiet and simple place. Yet, when something happens or when I write about it, I post it to Cyprus category.

According to the proposal, the state officials who…

According to the proposal, the state officials who are entitled to a luxury car are: the president of the Republic and the House president, the attorney general and the assistant attorney general, the chief negotiator for the Cyprus problem, ministers, ministry undersecretaries (if they are appointed), the auditor general, the accountant general, ministry permanent secretaries, supreme court judges, the house permanent secretary and all former Republic and House presidents.

Cyprus Mail

Central Bank of Cyprus says Bitcoin is dangerous. Really?

Mostly, I don’t really care what Central Bank of Cyprus  (CBC)thinks.  But sometimes, even I have to raise an eyebrow and say “Really?”.  So happened once again today, when I read this bit in Cyprus Mail:

The Central Bank (CBC) has said use of virtual currency bitcoin is extremely dangerous, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) said on Tuesday.

“Using any virtual money is extremely dangerous because they are not monitored by any authority, thus operating without control,” CNA said, quoting the CBC.

I can understand the dangers coming from the digital nature of Bitcoin – hackers getting control of your money, or breaking into your servers for some extra mining power.  But saying that it’s dangerous because it is not controlled by the government? That’s a bit too far.  Especially considering this year’s banking crisis in Cyprus.

In fact, if you look around for a second opinion, the Bank of America recently said that with the new Bitcoin dedicated servers, Bitcoin will be a serious competitor to cash.  The article on Inc.com lists possibility of government regulation as one of the disadvantages to the new currency:

The risk of government regulation.

Bank of America says it is unlikely that the government will promote a new currency, especially one as suspect as Bitcoin. As the U.S. government is trying to figure out where Bitcoin fits into its tax and payment system, regulation of any kind would increase its transaction costs–offsetting one of its major benefits.

Glafcos Clerides, RIP

Today, Cyprus is mourning the death of Glafcos Clerides.  I’m not much into politics in any country, but I did like him.  He was the President back in 1996 when I came to Cyprus, and he remained so during my first few years here.  As I said, I didn’t care much for politics, but I felt the good vibe.  And even years after he left from major TV news, it was always pleasant to see him on an occasion – always respectful and positive, even in old age.

Clerides

I’ve spoken to quite a few people about Clerides and I seem to get mixed feedback.  Some people liked him, some didn’t.  But the common theme seemed to be respect.  You can agree or disagree with his political views and his involvement in different movements and initiatives, but, I think, nobody can say that he was a slacker or a silly guy.  He believed in something and he was pushing it.  He worked a lot, and he has achieved plenty.

Also, he did plenty before he became active in Cyprus politics.  For example, during the World War II he was a pilot in Royal Air Force.  In 1942 he was shot down over Germany and was captured, spending the rest of the war years a prisoner of war.  His military activity has been noticed and he was mentioned in dispatches.

As I said, I don’t really care much for the political games. But I for one will miss this charming old guy.  Rest in peace, Glafkos, and thank you so much for that you have done.

Moufflons ‘have achieved more than any other Cypriot team in history’

Moufflons ‘have achieved more than any other Cypriot team in history’

THE manager of the Cyprus national rugby side has been basking in yet another victory, after the Moufflons beat Slovenia 34-3 in Ljubljana which extended their world record streak to 20 straight wins.