Israel

After Red Sea mission, Greece seeks key role in EU defence – minister

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After Red Sea mission, Greece seeks key role in EU defence – minister

Greece hosts the headquarters of the EU operation “Aspides” aimed at protecting ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The operation was launched to guard vessels against Iranian-aligned Houthi militants supporting Hamas in its conflict with Israel. Greece, controlling the world’s largest merchant fleet, has seen a significant increase in attacks against its vessels, leading to a 40% drop in trade at its largest port, Piraeus. The Greek frigate Hydra recently sailed for the Red Sea as Greece assumed command of the EU mission, with its headquarters in Larissa and Italy commanding the naval force. The EU’s Red Sea naval mission involves five warships from Germany, Italy, Belgium, and France. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU aims to enhance its defense role. Greece is pursuing a defense reform and industry revamp, including a 10-year purchasing plan for new F-35 jets, French frigates, and U.S.-made Black Hawk helicopters. Greece also plans to produce drone and anti-drone systems and is in discussions with the U.S. to co-design and build Constellation-class frigates.

Rubymar cargo ship attacked by Houthis has sunk, Yemeni government says

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Rubymar cargo ship attacked by Houthis has sunk, Yemeni government says

The Rubymar cargo ship, attacked last month, has sunk in the southern Red Sea according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. This incident marks the first vessel loss since Houthi militants began targeting commercial shipping in November. The ship was carrying over 41,000 tons of fertilizer. Yemen’s Houthi militants have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea region since mid-November, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The attack on the Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship, caused significant damage and resulted in an 18-mile oil slick. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a ship sinking and another being attacked near Yemen’s port of Mokha, without naming the Rubymar. Shipping firms have diverted vessels to a longer route around southern Africa due to these attacks. The United States and Britain have retaliated against Houthi targets in Yemen since January.

Wizz Air’s President: We want to continue building on our position as number one at Larnaca airport

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Wizz Air’s President: We want to continue building on our position as number one at Larnaca airport

– Wizz Air established a base at Larnaca Airport in 2020.
– Since its establishment, Wizz Air has doubled its capacity at Larnaca Airport.
– Wizz Air is now the leading airline in Larnaca and the second overall in Cyprus.
– In 2023, Wizz Air experienced a significant increase in passenger numbers in Cyprus compared to 2022.
– The increase in passengers was attributed to new destinations, Cyprus’s tourism strategy, and Wizz Air’s low fares.
– Wizz Air navigated challenges such as the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas by quickly reallocating capacity and was the first airline to return to pre-COVID levels by volume.
– Wizz Air operates at 160% of its pre-COVID capacity.
– The airline is focused on sustainability and is investing in new technology for the future, including the potential development of hydrogen aircraft.
– Cyprus aims to attract tourists from a wider range of countries and has been successful during the 2023 tourist season.
– Operational challenges in summer 2022 led Wizz Air to invest in schedule resilience.
– Wizz Air plans to continue growing, with potential new routes and increased frequencies to existing destinations.
– The airline carried 60 million passengers in 2023 and operates a fleet of around 180 aircraft, with plans to grow by 30 to 40 aircraft per year.

Gaza truce talks expected as offensive and aid crisis rage on

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Gaza truce talks expected as offensive and aid crisis rage on

Mediators are expected to reconvene in Cairo to find a ceasefire formula acceptable to Israel and Hamas for Gaza. Foreign governments have conducted airdrops to aid civilians in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas delegations are expected in Cairo, but Israel wants a list of alive hostages before sending a delegation. A framework for a six-week pause in fighting, agreed upon by Israel, now depends on Hamas releasing hostages. The U.S. has called for more aid into Gaza, which Israel denies restricting. The U.S. military airdropped 38,000 meals over Gaza. Israel disputes the death toll from a food convoy catastrophe, attributing most deaths to being trampled or run over. Since October 7, when Hamas attacked, killing 1,200 and abducting 253, over 30,000 have been killed in Gaza, and tens of thousands injured. Fighting continued around Khan Younis and Rafah, with significant casualties reported. Hamas insists a temporary truce must lead to ending the war, with assurances given for negotiating a permanent ceasefire in later phases.

Mitch McConnell to end long tenure as top US Senate Republican

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Mitch McConnell to end long tenure as top US Senate Republican

Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell announced he will step down this year from his leadership role, ending a nearly 17-year tenure as a Senate party leader, the longest on record. McConnell has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 1985 and has been the Republican leader since 2007. He played a significant role in helping Donald Trump secure a 6-3 conservative majority in the Supreme Court. Despite his contributions, McConnell has faced opposition from hardline Republican opponents allied with Trump. He stated his intention not to run for Senate Republican leader in the upcoming November party elections, planning to serve out the rest of his term in the Senate, which extends through January 2027. Senators John Thune, John Cornyn, and John Barrasso are expected to vie for the top party job. McConnell has also been vocal about his opposition to Trump’s conduct, particularly regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and has supported aid to Ukraine against some Republican opposition.

Minister, church sign MoU on antisemitism

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Minister, church sign MoU on antisemitism

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou signed an MoU with the churches of Cyprus and Greece, the Jewish community in Greece, and the Jewish Museum to strengthen ties and combat antisemitism. The MoU aims at preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Cyprus participates as an observer in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and has established an annual competition on Holocaust remembrance in secondary education. The ministry cooperates with the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre and hosts touring exhibitions on the Holocaust in schools. A new exhibition titled ‘Stars without Heaven – Children in the Holocaust’ will be introduced. Teachers from Cyprus receive training on teaching the Holocaust at the Yad Vashem Centre in Israel every two years and cooperate with other Holocaust teaching centres. Hosting Holocaust survivors in schools is an activity aimed at promoting coexistence.

Major Gulf markets mixed with inflation in focus

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Major Gulf markets mixed with inflation in focus

Major stock markets in the Gulf showed a mixed trend in early trading on Tuesday, with investors focusing on upcoming inflation data from major economies and manufacturing figures from China. The US personal consumption expenditures price index, used by the Federal Reserve to track its 2% inflation target, is particularly anticipated. Futures indicate a shift in expectations for the timing of monetary easing and the number of rate cuts. Most Gulf currencies are pegged to the dollar, making them sensitive to US monetary policy changes. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index rose by 0.3%, with significant gains in ACWA Power Co and Al Rajhi Bank. Avalon Pharma’s shares surged by 30% on their market debut. Abu Dhabi’s index fell by 0.4%, while Dubai’s main share index increased by 0.5%, led by a rise in Emirates NBD. The Qatari benchmark declined by 0.2%, affected by a drop in Qatar Gas Transport. Additionally, US President Joe Biden announced that Israel agreed to halt its military activities in Gaza for Ramadan, with Hamas considering a truce proposal that includes a pause in fighting and a prisoner-hostage exchange.

Gaza residents fear possible truce would only pause, not stop, the war

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Gaza residents fear possible truce would only pause, not stop, the war

Homeless and hungry Palestinians in Gaza are desperate for a lasting ceasefire amid fears of an Israeli assault on their safe haven. The United States mentioned that a temporary truce could be agreed upon soon, with a proposed deal potentially stopping the fighting since a brief truce in November. Negotiators are discussing a six-week truce, but Hamas has expressed that significant differences remain, demanding a permanent end to the fighting. Nearly five months into Israel’s air and ground campaign, about 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have fled their homes, with most houses damaged or destroyed, leading to famine and widespread disease. The war began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages. Israel’s campaign in response has killed approximately 30,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Conditions for the proposed truce include only a short pause in fighting, with no provisions for displaced residents, especially men of military age, to return to their homes in the north. Despite these limitations, many in Gaza welcome any cessation of hostilities, even if temporary.

Palestinian pop singer hopes to compete for Iceland at Eurovision

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Palestinian pop singer hopes to compete for Iceland at Eurovision

Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad hopes to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest in May, aiming to bring a Palestinian voice to the event. The Eurovision Song Contest, taking place from May 7-11 in Malmo, Sweden, is a non-political event, but political issues often arise, such as the current scrutiny over the Israeli submission’s lyrics potentially referring to a recent conflict. Murad is competing in Iceland’s national final with a song co-written by Einar Stefansson of Hatari, a band known for its political statements. Murad, born and living in Jerusalem, finds learning Icelandic challenging but sees similarities to Arabic. His song “Wild West” is about overcoming obstacles and pursuing dreams. He expressed a desire to bring a Palestinian perspective to Eurovision, despite the contest’s rules and the political context. Russia was banned from the contest in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine, and while there is no Palestinian entry due to the lack of a Palestinian member broadcaster in the European Broadcasting Union, Murad’s participation is notable. He has mixed feelings about Israel’s participation but focuses on representing Palestinian voices. Israel has won the Eurovision Song Contest four times.

Thousands of artists ask Venice Biennale to exclude Israel

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Thousands of artists ask Venice Biennale to exclude Israel

– Almost 9,000 people, including artists, curators, and museum directors, have signed an online appeal for Israel’s exclusion from the Venice Biennale art fair, accusing Israel of “genocide” in Gaza.
– The appeal was triggered by Israel’s offensive in Gaza following an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel.
– The Hamas raids resulted in 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages, as per Israeli reports, while Israeli actions in Gaza have led to nearly 30,000 deaths and the displacement of most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, according to Palestinian health officials.
– Israel denies the accusations of genocide.
– The Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) collective made the statement, comparing the situation to past exclusions of South Africa and Russia from the Venice Biennale.
– Notable signatories of the appeal include Faisal Saleh, Nan Goldin, and Jesse Darling.
– The Venice Biennale, titled “Foreigners Everywhere”, is set to feature pavilions from 90 countries from Apr. 20-Nov. 24.