Breaking news

Kuwaiti Ambassador Advocates For Strengthened Ties Between Cyprus And GCC Nations

The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Cyprus, Abdullah Musaed Al-Khorafi, has underscored the vital need to deepen dialogue between Kuwait, Cyprus, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, as well as the broader Arab world. He made these remarks during a luncheon held at his Nicosia residence on February 4, which brought together key diplomatic figures.

The event was hosted in honor of Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, and was part of a series of high-level diplomatic gatherings organized by the Kuwaiti Embassy in Cyprus. Among the attendees were the ambassadors and heads of Arab diplomatic missions in Cyprus, as well as representatives from the U.S. and Swiss embassies.

Ambassador Al-Khorafi took the opportunity to lead an expanded discussion on pressing regional and international developments, focusing particularly on the Middle East. Topics included the ongoing crises in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, with a strong emphasis on how these events affect regional stability.

The luncheon also served as a platform for talks on enhancing cooperation between Cyprus and GCC countries, as well as broader Arab nations. The discussions highlighted opportunities to strengthen ties in key sectors such as education, culture, trade, investment, and tourism. The aim is to build closer connections between people and foster mutual benefits.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Al-Khorafi stressed the importance of promoting dialogue at both governmental and societal levels, not only between Kuwait and Cyprus, but across the entire GCC and Arab world. He expressed his gratitude for the presence of President Demetriou, noting that her participation symbolized Cyprus’ commitment to advancing relations with Kuwait and its regional partners.

President Demetriou, in turn, thanked the ambassador for his hospitality, reflecting on the fruitful discussions and shared goals for enhancing Cyprus’ relations with Kuwait and the wider Arab world. She reaffirmed the importance of cooperation and strategic partnerships between Cyprus and the GCC countries, especially in areas of mutual interest and concern.

This meeting, according to Demetriou, was a testament to the strong diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Kuwait, as well as the ongoing efforts to broaden and deepen ties with the Arab world.

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.”

Uri Levine Course

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter