Chances of Cyprus peace talks restart look dimmer as Turkish Cypriot leader sees no common ground

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Chances of restarting formal talks to mend Cyprus’ decades-long ethnic division appeared dimmer Wednesday as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots told a U.N. envoy that he saw no common ground with Greek Cypriots for a return to negotiations. ...

First shipment of aid to the US-built floating pier in Gaza has departed from Cyprus, foreign minister says

Jordan stations 2 firefighting helicopters in Cyprus to help as summer fire season arrives

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Jordan on Monday stationed two helicopters in Cyprus to help the Mediterranean island nation combat potential forest fires until it can lease firefighting aircraft of its own for the summer fire season. Cypriot Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said the...

Cyprus gives Chevron another 6 months to come up with a timetable on a natural gas field development

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The Cyprus government has given Chevron another six months to come up with a revised plan to develop a sizeable natural gas deposit off the island nation’s southern coastline after an earlier plan proposed by the U.S. energy company lacked a timetable, an official said...

Migration agency chief warns that even more Syrians will leave Lebanon as donors cut back on aid

BRUSSELS (AP) — The number of Syrian refugees leaving Lebanon is likely to keep rising as donors cut back on aid, the head of the U.N.'s migration agency warned Tuesday, as pressure builds over their arrival on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Amy Pope, director general of the...

UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The United Nations' refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to stop numerous Syrian refugee-laden boats departing Lebanon from reaching the European Union-member island nation mustn’t contravene international human rights laws or put passengers at risk. ...

Cyprus suspends processing of Syrian asylum applications as boatloads of refugees continue arriving

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus said Saturday it’s suspending processing all asylum applications by Syrian nationals because large numbers of refugees from the war-torn country continue to reach the island nation by boat, primarily from Lebanon. In a written statement, the Cypriot...

Cyprus president asks EU Commission chief to get Lebanon to stop migrants from leaving its shores

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The president of Cyprus said on Tuesday that he has personally asked the head of the European Union’s executive arm to intercede with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. President...

What is World Central Kitchen and how has it helped people in Gaza?

JERUSALEM (AP) — World Central Kitchen, the food charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, called a halt to its work in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli strike killed seven of its workers, mostly foreigners. The group, which said it will make decisions about longer-term plans...

Cyprus says ships are turning back from Gaza with around 240 tons of undelivered aid after strike