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Cyprus Airports Achieve Record-Breaking Passenger Numbers

Cyprus’ Larnaca and Paphos airports have reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing 12 million passengers on Friday, a figure that had been forecasted earlier in the week.

“This remarkable achievement follows a period of considerable challenges and shifts in tourism and aviation, shaped by the pandemic and various geopolitical issues,” noted Hermes, the operator managing the airports.

The milestone highlights Cyprus’ growing appeal as a destination and reflects the resilience of its tourism sector. Hermes emphasized that from the outset, the company has been executing a well-structured and focused strategy to boost the island’s connectivity. This approach has resulted in an impressive expansion of air links, with new airlines being attracted, an enhanced destination network, and a substantial surge in passenger traffic.

“Cyprus’ air connectivity has not only improved but has solidified itself at a highly competitive and robust level,” Hermes said.

The operator further committed to continuing its efforts to strengthen the island’s connectivity, focusing on increasing tourist arrivals while also ensuring that Cyprus residents have a broad range of travel options.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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