Nicosia to sizzle as temperatures set to reach 40C
The fact described in the text is that temperatures in Nicosia are predicted to surpass 40C on Monday and Tuesday, with the heatwave continuing throughout the week.
coast
Sailboat sinks off Larnaca coast, five rescued unharmed
Five people were rescued after their sailboat sunk off the coast of Larnaca, 35 nautical miles from shore. The joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) received a notification from a tanker boat in the area and dispatched a helicopter to rescue the individuals. All five were successfully saved and are in good health.
Pentagon to continue delivering Gaza aid from Cyprus despite pier damage
The Pentagon is committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza despite damage to the temporary pier off the coast. The Israeli Defense Forces are clearing the pier for repairs, expected to take over a week. The damaged pieces have been transported to Ashdod port for reconstruction. The cause of the damage was a recent storm from North Africa, but calmer seas are expected. Efforts are being made to find alternative routes for aid from Cyprus to reach Gaza. Over 1,000 metric tons of aid had been delivered prior to the damage.
Today, ’s weather: Mostly clear
The fact described in the text is that the weather on Friday will be mostly clear with sporadically increased cloud cover at various times of the day.
Israel aims to boost Red Sea oil deliveries despite environmental risks
Israel plans to allow more oil tankers to dock at a Red Sea port in Eilat despite environmental risks. The government wants to revoke restrictions on the amount of oil that can be unloaded at a jetty in the city, which sits near a coral reef. The curbs imposed in 2021 were eased temporarily during the Gaza war. EAPC, the state-owned company operating the pipeline, wants to receive more oil, but environmental regulators and Eilat’s mayor oppose the plan. Israel is pushing to ensure energy security amid conflicts with various groups. Netanyahu’s office recommended easing restrictions to include fuel for trade and domestic use. The environment ministry expressed concerns about the risks of more oil deliveries and cited past mishaps. EAPC welcomed the government’s U-turn, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Eilat facility for energy delivery. Israel imports most of its oil through seaborne trade, and the Emirati oil deal could be worth about million a year for EAPC. The Energy Ministry emphasized the need to handle oil deliveries properly to sustain the terminal economically.
Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids amid Gaza-wide offensive
Israeli tanks continued to raid Rafah for a second day, defying the World Court’s order to end attacks on the city. The United States did not believe a major ground operation was underway, despite Israel’s incursion into Rafah. Residents reported Israeli tanks entering various areas before retreating towards the border with Egypt. The Palestinian health ministry called for immediate healthcare assistance in Rafah and northern Gaza, where hospitals had stopped functioning. UNRWA reported that around a million Palestinians had fled after Israeli evacuation orders. The Red Crescent Society evacuated medical teams due to ongoing bombardments. The World Court criticized Israel for not ensuring the safety and well-being of the evacuees from Rafah. Israel proposed a ceasefire and hostage release to Qatar, but Hamas insisted talks were pointless unless Israel ended its offensive on Rafah. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Scattered rains, ongoing light dust
Scattered rains are expected on Tuesday, with temperatures rising to 29C in the interior. Light dust will also be present. Winds will be mainly south- to north-westerly, light to moderate. Overnight, low clouds and light fog are expected, with temperatures dropping to 16C inland. The presence of dust is expected to continue through Wednesday, with showers expected in the mountains and interior over the next two days. Temperatures will rise slightly through Friday, fluctuating close to average for the season.
Clouds, dust and winds
Fact: Increased cloud cover is expected on Monday, with isolated light rains in the northeast and rains or a brief storm in the mountains and northwest. Light dust will be suspended in the air.
More aid trucks expected to roll into Gaza
Israel allowed around 200 aid trucks into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, bypassing the blocked Rafah crossing. The aid shipments were agreed upon between U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Israel is facing pressure to provide more aid to Gaza after months of conflict causing destruction and hunger. The Rafah crossing has been closed for almost three weeks, with Egypt refusing to open its side. Israel has opened new crossing points and is cooperating with the United States to distribute supplies. Israeli strikes in Rafah have killed at least five Palestinians, with ongoing operations to root out Hamas fighters and rescue hostages. Efforts to agree on a ceasefire and return hostages have been ongoing, with some movement after meetings between Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials and the prime minister of Qatar. Hamas demands the complete and permanent end of aggression in all of Gaza, not just Rafah. Israel insists the war will not end until Hamas is eliminated.
Showers possible in the mountains
Fact: There is a possibility of showers in the mountains on Sunday afternoon due to clouds developing, with a chance of muddy showers in the early evening.