Israelis stranded in Cyprus find shelter and kosher meals with help of rabbis and residents

LARNACA, Cyprus — Yossi Levitan was only making a brief stopover to visit his brother in Cyprus. His travel plans didn't include slicing mushrooms for kosher meals at a local Jewish community center to help feed thousands of other stranded travelers.
Levitan is one of approximately 6,500 people who are in Cyprus attempting to reach Israel, located about 470 kilometers (292 miles) from the island nation in the Mediterranean Sea.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Travel + Leisure

an hour ago

• Travel + Leisure

As a Floridian, I've Tested Dozens of Sandals—and I'm Packing This Supportive Platform Style on Every Trip

As a Floridian, I live in sandals almost year-round. When it gets really hot outside, the last thing I want to put on my feet are socks and sneakers. You might think that sandals are too flimsy and unsupportive to wear for all-day walking, but I've found they can be just as supportive as sneakers, while doubling as a stylish yet comfortable swap for heels for an evening out. If you're traveling carry-on only, packing versatile sandals is a huge pro for saving serious luggage space. Comfortable walking sandals do exist, and no, they don't all look like clunky podiatrist-prescribed orthopedic shoes. As a former cruise ship performer and current travel writer, I've tested dozens of sandals in my lifetime—and I own more than 30 pairs at this moment. When I test a new pair of sandals, I'm comparing them against years of personal trial, so I was surprised at how well the Kuru Loma Sandals performed, given the stiff competition they were up against. I wore the Kuru sandals exploring all 66 acres of Sarasota's John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, including the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. It's a lot of walking, and the Lomas delivered. The campus is so big you really need several days to explore it, but if you want to try and see it all in a day, it can be done with the right comfy footwear. I was initially hesitant about investing in a platform shoe because I typically prefer my sandals to be thin, lightweight, and packable to save space and weight in my carry-on. However, the platform sole is made out of lightweight, foam-like material that is virtually weightless. Another crucial aspect I noticed about the Kuru Lomas is the way they hugged my heels each time I took a step. The cork footbed cups your heel pad, while the platform material flexes to absorb impact. Our heels are the first thing to strike the ground when we walk, and they take the brunt of the impact of the stride, which is why the cushioning on these sandals is so important to absorb some of that impact. I also loved the impressive arch support in these shoes. I have the kinds of arches that don't touch the ground when I stand, so I need a high level of arch support from my shoes and sandals. Luckily, the same design that cups my heel when I walk in these Kuru platform sandals also cradles my arches and makes them supportive enough for all-day wear. The adjustable straps and flexible design add to the comfort of these shoes because I can get the perfect fit without the shoe being too tight or loose. And, the elastic cross strap on the Lomas is perfect because it wraps my foot and gives it the flexibility to move without a rubbing effect that could cause blisters. Finally, the Loma cork footbed wicks away moisture, which adds to the shoe's overall comfort by preventing wet, sweaty feet (that can lead to blisters). Since roaming the Ringling Museum, I've worn these shoes a lot more on daily walks and uneven terrain. They're still one of the most comfortable pairs of sandals I own. That said, the Velcro strap is starting to wear with heavy use, so I'd love to see a buckle option for durability. As an avid sandal wearer with above-average standards for arch support and long-wear comfort, I can say that the Kuru Lomas are worth buying. I recommend them if you're headed somewhere hot where you'll be on your feet all day. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Summer travel predicted to break records for the Fourth of July

AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day Independence Day holiday period — from June 28 to July 6 — with new highs expected for both drivers and air travelers as summer travel reaches peak season. The auto club forecasts nearly 62 million people will drive over the Fourth of July weekend, representing an increase of 1.3 million from last year. Air travel is expected to rise more than 1% over last year's record numbers. "The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer," said Kristie Jordan Smith, a Transportation Security Administration official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. How technology at airports is reducing wait times The Independence Day travel period is expected to be the summer's busiest travel stretch. Airport officials are implementing new technology to reduce wait times. At DFW, customs officials report wait times are down 25% thanks to enhanced passenger processing technology that uses facial recognition, now operational at nine airports nationwide. CBP will soon test a program allowing customs to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas. "This program streamlines and improves the travel experience for our customers, saving them time and reducing the complexity of clearing security while continuing to maintain the highest security standards," said Jim Moses, Senior Vice President DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines. DFW is the airline's largest hub. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said travel demand reflects both practical and emotional factors. "We're seeing travel in record numbers because travel isn't just an economic and practical decision, it's also an emotional decision," Diaz said. "People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home." According to Priceline, top summer destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo and London. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge AI's extreme human imitation makes it act deceptively, cheat and lie, "Godfather of AI" says

Yahoo

3 hours ago

• Yahoo

US tariffs and blowing the budget ‘among cost concerns for holidaymakers'

Two-thirds (66%) of people are planning a holiday abroad this year, a report has found. But nearly four-fifths (78%) are worried about the impact that US trade tariffs may have on prices in destinations abroad and over half (53%) plan to avoid destinations where they believe tariffs could affect resort prices. Over three-quarters (77%) said that exchange rates are a big concern for them. Post Office Travel Money's Holiday Spending Report also found that holidaymakers rated Spain, Turkey and Thailand as being the 'best value for money' out of 39 worldwide destinations. More than half (52%) of holidaymakers said they will budget more for their next holiday due to increased costs. Over four-fifths (82%) said that they had set a budget, averaging £377, on their last trip. But seven in 10 (71%) admitted blowing their budget, by £140 on average. Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: 'This year's holiday spending research again demonstrates that holidaymakers don't always set a realistic budget and overspend by large amounts as a result.' The Post Office used two surveys of more than 2,000 people, carried out in April and May, for its research.