The U.S. Middle East envoy contacted the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Iraq to ask them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel after a suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s embassy in Syria.
Lufthansa extended the suspension of its flights to Tehran due to the situation in the Middle East, which is on alert for Iranian retaliation for a suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s embassy in Syria. The region and the United States have been on alert for a retaliatory attack by Iran since April 1, when Israeli warplanes were suspected of bombing the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.
Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with three grandchildren, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
Aid shipments to Gaza from Cyprus are expected to resume soon following a pause in the project due to the killing of seven aid workers by Israel. The U.S. plans to set up a dock in Gaza for pre-screened aid deliveries with Israeli oversight. The devastated Palestinian enclave faces famine and disease after six months of conflict. The aid stored in Cyprus will be held until World Central Kitchen decides on next steps.
Portugal’s new minority centre-right government plans to maintain balanced budgets, reduce public debt, and privatize flag carrier TAP. The previous Socialist administration saw a budget surplus last year, and the new government aims to continue with the privatization process, attracting interest from companies like Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro intends to fully privatize TAP, and the government’s program includes proposals from other parties’ electoral programs. The program will be debated in parliament later this week.
A cultural hub called the Lemba Culture Village has been established in the village of Lemba, Paphos. It was conceived by the late Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos and aims to cultivate a vibrant hub for artistic creation and education. The project started in 2007 and was championed by then-Education Minister Akis Kleanthous. The winning design for the village was selected through an architectural competition in 2016, and it focuses on fostering a genuine “village” atmosphere to encourage interaction between Cypriot students, international artists, and the local community.
Wizz Air is organizing a Recruitment Day on Thursday, seeking candidates to join its cabin crew team. The event will be held at the Best Western Plus Larco Hotel in Larnaca. Interested individuals must meet criteria such as being 18 years old, having the right to work in Cyprus or the EU, and proficiency in English. The airline offers benefits like competitive salaries, social security coverage, and free cabin crew training.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is meeting with several EU counterparts to seek support for recognizing a Palestinian state. He aims to address the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and push for a two-state solution. Spain, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia are working together towards Palestinian state recognition, despite Israel’s opposition. Sanchez will visit Oslo and Dublin to discuss this issue with Norway and Ireland’s leaders.
Wizz Air is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month and has been a key player in Cyprus’ aviation industry since establishing a base at Larnaca International Airport in 2010. The airline has received awards for its environmental practices and sustainability efforts. In 2023, Wizz Air played a significant role in Cyprus’ record-breaking tourist season by transporting passengers from various key markets. The airline increased its seat capacity by 70% in 2023 and is estimated to have injected €200 million into the Cypriot economy. Wizz Air holds the leading position for passenger numbers at Larnaca Airport and is set to offer 1.3 million seats on 25 routes to 16 countries from Cyprus in 2024. The airline’s presence has created 130 direct jobs and is estimated to support an additional 5,500 jobs in related sectors.
Conditions at the police holding centre in Limassol are described as miserable, with congestion, inadequate ventilation, and rundown toilet facilities. The ombudswoman’s report highlighted the overcrowding and poor conditions in the facility, which has a capacity for 34 detainees. The report also mentioned specific issues in different wings of the facility, such as inadequate lighting for administrative detainees and the lack of entertainment options for all detainees. The ombudswoman recommended improvements in various areas, including the visiting area and the need for more staff and proper training for police officers.