With the post-Olympic headlines understandably focused on the sporting achievements of the likes of Usain Bolt and his domination of the sprint events, or team GB's new record gold medal tally, it is perhaps expected that that which dominated media coverage before the event - the environmental policy of Beijing - has fallen temporarily to the sidelines

Since the dominance of the Ottoman Empire during the middle of the last millennium, Turkey - in various forms - has been a prominent force in both European and middle eastern politics It has continually exerted a sphere of influence over the two continents, and never committed to both; in that respect it can be compared to Russia, who have historically felt that their dominance can be justified on its western borders in Europe, and in Asia on its eastern border

It was announced this week that genuinely committed talks on the reunification of Cyprus would come into effect in September of this year Demetris Christofias, the Greek Cypriot president, met with the Turkish Cypriot president Mehmet Ali Talat on the 28th of August, and both are reportedly keen to discuss a potential reunion of the island

The Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Chrisofias took office on 28th February 2008, and there have already been three major meetings between him and his counterpart, the Turkish Cypriot president Mehmet Ali Talat A fourth is scheduled for the 3rd of September, making the presidents already two of the closely partnered Cypriot heads of state since the partition

There is one very practical reason for a commitment to the use of natural ingredients and organic products, and that is the long history of controversy over the chemicals used in skin care products Perhaps the most famous debate has been over the use of parabens, which is in general use as a preservative in many of the world's cosmetic products

One thing that most of the world's vast cultures have in common is the use of music, and it has been prevalent in so many areas of life since the concept of 'culture' was first coined and applied to history and contemporary life It can be seen in use at important rites of passage - weddings or funerals, for example - and as a symbol of order at traditional public events; take for example, the yearly trooping of the colour by British army officials, the inauguration of heads of state, or the coronation of monarchs

Biofuel is in one respect the oldest form of man-made fuel in the world; long before industry boomed and the industrial period began, biological organic matter was the cheif source material for fuels It was only until the relatively more powerful use of fossil fuels became dominant that biofuel found its admirers dwindling; in the age of industry, it has suffered relatively low popularity, though that point stands for most alternatives to fossil fuels, which is the source material for over 80% of annual energy production across the world

Since the role of Mayor of London was created at the turn of the millennium, Ken Livingston has been synonymous the position; he won the first two elections, in 2000 as an independent candidate, and then as a representative of New Labour in 2004 Of the last decade, then, it has been through his policy that Greater London has experienced its relationship with the environment

In 2005 those in charge at Heathrow Airport officially published a report that detailed plans for a third runway and a sixth terminal, and in 2007, the transport secretary of the time Ruth Kelly ratified the proposals, setting out in more specific terms how the project aims would be achieved The announcements were met with strong dissent

Climate change and global warming - indeed, how to control them - are becoming more central to politics with every new development Sustainable energy is the method of our times, and government's across the globe are under pressure - from each other, from environmental groups, and from individuals - to implement genuine and successful 'green' policy