meeting

Contract soldiers receive pay rise

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Contract soldiers receive pay rise

Professional soldiers received a pay rise after the cabinet approved a proposal made by Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. The new pay scales will come into effect from July 1, with soldiers now on the public sector A2-A5-A7 scale. The government aims to strengthen the value of the National Guard by improving operational capacity through the hiring of contract soldiers. Future contract soldier recruits will be hired for a total of 10 years of service based on consecutive contracts ranging between a year and three years in length.

The international community and Turkish extremities

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The international community and Turkish extremities

The occupying side is demanding to be acknowledged as a state entity before any process begins. The United Nations and the Republic of Cyprus will not accept the Turkish terms, as they fall outside their mandate. Recognizing the occupation regime would be self-destructive for the Republic of Cyprus, and this will not happen under any circumstances.

UAE tourist arrivals to Cyprus increase , — ministry sees potential in Middle East and Asia

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UAE tourist arrivals to Cyprus increase , — ministry sees potential in Middle East and Asia

The United Arab Emirates tourist market for Cyprus is steadily rising, with a 14% increase in arrivals from the UAE last year. Meetings were held with airlines and travel agents to increase tourist flows from the UAE and Middle Eastern countries. Discussions also focused on strengthening demand from India and forming strategic partnerships with the UAE in the investment sector.

Christodoulides , ‘cannot understand’ why Tatar refused meeting

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Christodoulides , ‘cannot understand’ why Tatar refused meeting

President Nikos Christodoulides said he “cannot understand” why Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar declined the chance of a tripartite meeting with himself and United Nations Envoy Maria Angela Holguin.

Bank of England moves closer to first rate cut since 2020

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Bank of England moves closer to first rate cut since 2020

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to keep interest rates at 5.25 per cent, with Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden and Swati Dhingra voting for a cut to 5 per cent. The BoE hinted at a potential rate cut in June and emphasized the importance of upcoming economic data releases. Governor Andrew Bailey expressed optimism about the direction of inflation.

Labour minister supports union, urges Kition to honour agreements

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Labour minister supports union, urges Kition to honour agreements

Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou reiterated his support for the trade union Segdamelin Peo during a meeting with the Larnaca marina and port managing company Kition Ocean Port. The issue discussed was the company’s decision to employ external contractors for overtime work, which violated the agreement made with the workers in February.

BoE in focus, gold and oil struggle

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BoE in focus, gold and oil struggle

European markets and US futures are trading higher as investors await two important events that will shape trading activity for the rest of the month. The Dow Jones chart shows bulls taking control, while Airbnb’s weak guidance indicates a potential slowdown in economic activity. The Bank of England is under pressure to lower interest rates, and US unemployment claims data could impact the market. Gold prices are influenced by the dollar index and Fed’s monetary policy, while the OPEC cartel’s meeting on June 1 will be crucial for oil prices.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ cast harnessed their inner apes

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ cast harnessed their inner apes

Freya Allan arrived on set for the first day of filming “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and was surprised to see her co-star Owen Teague and other cast members already in costume as apes. The film is the 10th in the franchise and follows a young chimp named Noa as he tries to protect his clan from a corrupt monarch named Proximus Caesar. The actors attended “ape school” to prepare for their roles, with each learning about the movements and behaviors of different types of apes. The movie is set to be released in theaters on Friday.

Israeli forces mass on Rafah’s outskirts as US warns a major assault could halt arms

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Israeli forces mass on Rafah’s outskirts as US warns a major assault could halt arms

Israeli forces massed tanks near Rafah in response to U.S. President Biden’s threat to withhold weapons if a major invasion occurred. Ceasefire talks in Cairo continued as Palestinian militant groups engaged in battles with Israeli forces on the outskirts of Rafah. The U.S. paused delivery of bombs to Israel due to civilian risks, causing concern for Israel’s ability to neutralize Hamas. Thousands of Palestinians fled to Deir Al-Balah, fearing a humanitarian catastrophe in Rafah. Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, with the U.N. warning of a looming humanitarian crisis.

Two Chinese megacities lift home purchase curbs to attract buyers

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Two Chinese megacities lift home purchase curbs to attract buyers

Two Chinese provincial capitals, Hangzhou and Xian, have lifted all home purchase restrictions to attract buyers and support their struggling real estate markets. The last property boom in many Chinese cities ended around 2020-2021 due to the pandemic and strict borrowing requirements imposed by regulators. Authorities have been implementing measures to bolster the sector, but many policies have had limited impact. Hangzhou saw a 1.0% increase in new home prices in March, the slowest pace in nearly six years, while new home sales slumped 75% year-on-year in April. The move by Hangzhou and Xian to remove purchase restrictions was described as symbolic and unlikely to significantly boost demand. Analysts believe that prices need to fall further before the property market can see a sustainable rebound in demand.