https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/ft-eu-and-south-america-strike-historic-trade-deal-amid-controversy
The European Union and Mercosur, a bloc of four South American countries, have finalized a landmark trade deal after 25 years of negotiations. This agreement establishes a massive market of 700 million people, removing tariffs on over 90% of goods traded between the two regions....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/a-paralimni-christmas-reunion-presidents-politics-and-passports
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. In the festive spirit of Christmas—those days of love when we sing ''Hosanna in the Highest,'' ''The Little Drummer Boy,'' and ''Silent Night''—...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/france-s-government-falls-in-historic-no-confidence-vote
France is facing a deep political crisis after Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government was ousted by a no-confidence vote, just three months into his term. This marks the shortest-lived administration in France’s Fifth Republic, which began in 1958....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/commission-s-migration-challenge-syria-and-political-hurdles-complicate-new-eu-legislation
According to an article by Pavlos Xanthoulis, the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, prepares to unveil a new migration and refugee framework in February 2025, significant challenges loom, from escalating conflict in Syria to contentious legal and political disputes within the EU. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/debate-intensifies-over-proposed-5-tax-on-bank-profits-in-cyprus
According to a report by Panayiotis Rougalas in today's 'Oikonomiki', a controversial proposal to introduce a 5% tax on bank profits in Cyprus is racing against time to be debated in Parliament before the Christmas recess....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/thousands-rally-in-tbilisi-for-fifth-night-as-pm-condemns-pro-european-protests
For the fifth night in a row, thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, protesting the government’s recent decision to suspend its pursuit of European Union (EU) membership....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/deal-to-return-parthenon-sculptures-to-greece-may-be-near
A deal to return the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, to Greece might be closer than ever, according to a former Greek government adviser, Professor Irene Stamatoudi....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/south-korean-president-declares-martial-law-amid-political-turmoil
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an ''emergency martial law'' on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of undermining the government with what he described as pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/minimum-income-recipients-allegedly-renting-turkish-cypriot-properties-for-pennies
A shocking new controversy has emerged involving recipients of the minimum guaranteed income who are allegedly renting valuable Turkish Cypriot properties for an incredibly low price. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/from-apostolos-andreas-bus-breakdown-to-political-meltdowns
A pilgrimage to Apostolos Andreas—may his blessings abound—took an unexpected turn when the bus broke down. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/the-international-criminal-court-is-another-casualty-of-october-7
In 1998, at the time of the adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, the head of Israel's delegation, Judge Eli Nathan, expressed both hope and fear for its future. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cyprus-strengthens-military-strategy-with-focus-on-us-armaments
Cyprus has been making strategic shifts in its military and diplomatic approach, particularly with regard to its relationship with NATO and its defense infrastructure, according to an article by Apostolos Tomaras in this Sunday's Kathimerini. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/biden-breaks-promise-to-americans-and-pardons-son
President Joe Biden has stirred significant controversy by granting a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, despite his previous assurance that he would not intervene in his son’s legal troubles....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cyprus-faces-schengen-conundrum-amid-unresolved-division
Cyprus remains caught in a political and logistical bind as Bulgaria and Romania prepare to join the Schengen free-movement area on January 1, 2025, according to a report by Kathimerini's Pavlos Xanthoulis....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/why-the-nato-debate-is-still-a-divisive-issue-in-cyprus
The NATO debate in Cyprus has always been polarizing. Unlike the real debate on membership in the North Atlantic Alliance—which requires preconditions and an invitation, not just an "application"—...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/macron-celebrates-notre-dame-s-restoration
Emmanuel Macron has praised the craftsmen and women who worked tirelessly to restore Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was devastated by a fire in 2019. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/mr-george-s-story-a-struggle-for-respect-and-equality-in-cyprus
A lawyer friend recently shared with me the story of Mr. George, a 72-year-old Cypriot. George, a retired teacher, spent his entire life concealing his sexual identity....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/the-greek-orthodox-priest-at-the-center-of-anti-woke-education
The ideological conflict in the US has shifted from a traditional left-versus-right divide to a new dichotomy: “woke” versus “anti-woke.”...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/stella-kyriakides-earns-an-a-for-health-leadership
The European Commission's first team under Ursula von der Leyen for the 2019-2024 term has had a tumultuous and significant five years....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/eu-eyes-embassy-staff-cuts-to-refocus-on-strategic-regions
The European Union is considering reducing staff at many of its embassies to refocus resources on strategically important regions, a move sparking concerns about its global influence, particularly in Africa and Latin America. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/nato-foxes-and-airbags-cyprus-political-circus-rolls-on
Christodoulides is trying to get us into NATO, Mitsotakis is working behind the scenes to help us, AKEL is having a meltdown, Turkey is telling us to forget about it, and the Fox from Argaka (Averof Neofytou) is shouting that the idea was his....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/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....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cyprus-nato-membership-unlikely-as-turkey-asserts-veto-rights
Cyprus’ prospects for NATO membership appear dim, with Turkish Ambassador Ulutç Özülker and other prominent Turkish figures emphasizing Ankara's veto power. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/limassol-s-growth-deserves-equal-support
Who is driving development projects in Limassol, and how far have they progressed? Who decides how state development funds are allocated, and based on what criteria?...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/the-president-s-bold-move-passport-revoked-secession-on-the-horizon
I begin with a bow to our dear young Nikos, who, with a fiery decision, didn't hesitate to take on everyone and everything by revoking the passport of the President of Paphos' football club, even though he himself is from Paphos and a fan of the team! Great balls of fire. Respect, Mr. President!...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/did-angela-merkel-misjudge-germany-s-dependence-on-russian-gas
In her memoir ''Freedom'', Angela Merkel reflects on her 16-year tenure as German chancellor, offering insights into her political approach and the global crises that defined her leadership....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/schinas-slams-two-state-solution-as-delusion-with-no-european-support
In a speech before the European Parliament, outgoing European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas delivered a firm message regarding the Cyprus problem, emphasizing that any hopes of resolving the issue through a two-state solution are misguided....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/comment/opinion/geoeconomic-tensions-and-cyprus-staying-the-course-amid-challenges-ahead
Geoeconomic fragmentation, the reversal of progress towards global economic and financial integration due to political and military conflict and strategic policy decisions, is rising....
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/business/spain-fines-ryanair-and-other-low-cost-airlines-€179m-for-abusive-practices
Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has slapped five major low-cost airlines with hefty fines totaling €179 million for a range of alleged abusive practices, including charging extra fees for hand luggage. ...
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cyprus-moves-closer-to-nato-talks-begin-on-permanent-u-s-military-presence
According to an article written by Lena Argyris, Cyprus is strategically positioning itself for a potential future membership in NATO,...