war

Slowdown in growth on geopolitical tensions

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Slowdown in growth on geopolitical tensions

The growth prospects of the Cyprus economy are struggling due to ongoing regional geopolitical tensions, which is keeping the annual growth rate at a subdued pace. The year-over-year growth rate of the Cyprus Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI) has continued to slow down in November. The slowdown reflects the burdened geopolitical and unstable economic environment, which negatively affects the growth prospects of the Cypriot economy. The CCLEI recorded a year-over-year increase of 1.8% in November. The positive growth rate is attributed to the growth of various domestic sectors, including real estate, tourism, retail trade, and electricity production. The drop in the CCLEI is restrained by the international price of oil, which fell significantly in November. The components of the CCLEI are selected from a pool of domestic and international leading indicators.

NATO air forces scrambled over 300 times in 2023 due to Russian military aircraft

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NATO air forces scrambled over 300 times in 2023 due to Russian military aircraft

In 2023, NATO air forces were scrambled over 300 times in response to Russian military aircraft. The majority of encounters were safe and professional, with breaches of NATO airspace by Russian aircraft being rare and short-lived. Most intercepts occurred over the Baltic Sea. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO reinforced its eastern flank air defenses. NATO fighter jets are on standby at all times to respond to suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of NATO allies. On the same day, Russia launched a major missile attack on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings.

Displaced Gazans flee again as Israel launches fresh tank, air assaults

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Displaced Gazans flee again as Israel launches fresh tank, air assaults

Fact: Tens of thousands of newly displaced Gazans are seeking shelter after fleeing the latest offensive by Israeli tanks.
Fact: Israeli forces are launching new assaults in central and southern Gaza.
Fact: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called the mission to destroy Hamas essential.
Fact: Israeli warplanes targeted the south of Gaza, flattening homes and burying families.
Fact: A building in Rafah was obliterated by an airstrike, resulting in the death of a toddler.
Fact: Many Gazans have been forced to flee their homes multiple times.
Fact: Gaza health authorities report that over 21,000 people have been killed in the conflict.
Fact: The United Nations warns that severe shortages of food, medicine, clean water, and shelter may cause many more deaths.
Fact: The United States has called for Israel to scale down the war and transition to targeted operations against Hamas.
Fact: Israel has not shown any signs of scaling down its assault.
Fact: Israeli forces have fought their way deep into Bureij in central Gaza.
Fact: Israeli forces have been pounding Khan Younis in preparation for an anticipated further advance.
Fact: Israel aims to annihilate Hamas, while Palestinians believe this is unachievable due to the group’s structure and roots in the territory.
Fact: Mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar have been unsuccessful in negotiating a ceasefire.