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1. Cyprus steps into the global spotlight at Paris-Ukraine summit

The Republic of Cyprus is making its presence felt at the Ukraine Summit in Paris, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, with President Nikos Christodoulides representing the country at the highest level on March 27-28....

2. Israeli airstrikes resume in Gaza amid stalled ceasefire talks

More than 400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to Palestinian medics....

3. Seven dead, search ongoing for missing migrants off Cavo Greko

A desperate search is underway in the waters off Cape Greco after a boat carrying over 20 Syrian men capsized 25 nautical miles offshore, in international waters. Despite overnight rescue efforts, authorities have yet to locate any additional survivors....

4. No talks on normalization between Israel and Lebanon, despite Trump admin claims

There are no ongoing discussions about normalization between Israel and Lebanon, according to sources familiar with the matter. ...

5. Cyprus sees investment boom as foreign companies flock to the island

The investment scene in Cyprus is off to a strong start in 2025, with foreign investors showing increased enthusiasm for setting up businesses on the island....

6. Cyprus' ''Iron Dome'' system now fully operational

Cyprus' long-awaited ''Iron Dome,'' the Barak MX anti-aircraft defense system, is now fully operational, significantly bolstering the island’s air defense capabilities....

7. Hôtel-Dieu de France expands to Limassol

Investment in Limassol’s healthcare sector is gaining momentum, with the renowned Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital from Beirut set to establish a state-of-the-art medical center in the heart of the city....

8. Cyprus and the Netherlands: A strong but often overlooked bond

The Netherlands, a key player in both the EU and NATO, remains somewhat of an unknown entity in Cyprus—aside from Amsterdam’s popularity as a travel destination and the well-known football club Ajax....

9. Turkish media: Discontent over Cypriot Foreign Minister's visit to Syria

10. UK tightens noose on Putin’s inner circle with new sanctions

Nearly a year after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the UK has announced a fresh wave of sanctions aimed at individuals with close ties to Vladimir Putin....

11. Far from home, held by hope: Lebanese refugees find solace in Cyprus amid war’s shadow

As the war in Lebanon continues, Cyprus has become a refuge for thousands of displaced Lebanese....

12. Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire and hostage exchange

Israel and Hamas have struck a pivotal agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, marking a potential conclusion to a 15-month-long war that has devastated the region....

13. 10,000 migrant departures in 2024, asylum applications drop 41%

Cyprus has seen a significant reduction in asylum applications and migrant arrivals in 2024, according to Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Nicolas Ioannides. ...

14. Joseph Aoun becomes Lebanon’s next president

Lebanon has elected Joseph Aoun, the former army commander, as its 14th president, filling a two-year vacancy left by his predecessor Michel Aoun (no relation)....

15. Weird flex, but OK

"We did it first" appears to be the government's message, as six months after Cyprus suspended processing asylum applications from Syrians....

16. Cyprus steps up to protect religious minorities in the Middle East

In a region undergoing profound structural changes and historic power realignments, the Republic of Cyprus is not just observing the shifting dynamics, but actively seeking a role for itself in shaping the future....

17. Israel seizes Golan Heights buffer zone after Assad's fall

After the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Israel seized control of a crucial buffer zone in the Golan Heights, an area that has been a source of ongoing geopolitical tension....

18. USA: Mystery drones shut down airports and shake US security

A series of mysterious drone sightings in the United States has disrupted airport operations and triggered widespread concern, prompting calls for federal intervention. ...

19. Cyprus and Jordan strengthen defence ties

Cyprus and Jordan have strengthened their military partnership with a new Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed during Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas' visit to Amman on Wednesday....

20. Syrian refugees in Cyprus urge government to facilitate their safe return to Syria

A group of Syrian refugees in Cyprus, known as ''Syrians in Cyprus,'' has submitted a letter to Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection, Nicolas Ioannidis,...

21. The dust has yet to settle in Syria

Many Syrian parents at my child’s school expressed a desire to return home now that Bashar al-Assad’s regime has collapsed. I urged them to wait. ...

22. The surprising rise of al-Jolani and its implications for Syria and Cyprus

No one expected that al-Jolani, a man who began his journey in the Salafi jihadism of al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, would lead such a counteroffensive from the anti-Assad Sunni opposition....

23. U.S. moves forward with $680 million arms deal to Israel

The Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms deal with Israel, even as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire takes hold between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. ...

24. Cyprus and Greece forge closer ties in historic meeting

President Nikos Christodoulides described the second intergovernmental meeting between Cyprus and Greece as a historic milestone. For the first time, 14 Greek Cabinet ministers joined their Cypriot counterparts in Nicosia, reflecting the deepening collaboration between the two nations....

25. Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire now in effect after 13 months of conflict

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect early Wednesday, starting at 4 a.m. local time (2 a.m. UK time). ...

26. Turkey raises concerns over U.S. presence in Cyprus

Turkish pro-government media are increasingly discussing the ''replacement'' of the British Bases (SBA) in Cyprus by the United States and the ''encirclement'' of Turkey by America, citing US bases in Alexandroupolis, Larissa, Crete, and Cyprus. ...

27. Cyprus to ''maximise efforts'' for peace talks resumption, Kombos tells UK politicians

The government of the Republic of Cyprus has “an obligation to maximise the possibility of going back to the negotiating table” on the Cyprus issue, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos......

28. Cyprus achieves record €4.7 billion in exports, continuing years-long growth

Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou praised the expanding momentum in the Cypriot export activity, stressing that in 2023 exports rose by an annual 38% continuing their steady rising trend of the past years....

29. Cyprus real estate market falters as October sales drop 6%

With just two months left in the year, October has shown that, despite some resilience, the market remains unable to inspire optimism. Economic indicators for the average household have not sparked an uptick in investment interest, and the ongoing geopolitical instability is growing....

30. Goodbye and thanks for all the halloumi!

I depart Cyprus after a little over two years as the British High Commissioner. What are my main reflections?...