Section: Cyprus
Why granting Georgia the EU visa-free regime matters
By Revaz Lominadze Georgia indisputably believes in the future of the European project. The pillars of the Union are those principles, which are much stronger than the current challenges the EU is facing today. European integration represents a historic choice for the Georgian nation, for which it has had to endure significant sacrifices. In the...
Moscow vows no letup in Syria offensive; US searches for response
The Kremlin vowed on Thursday to press on with its assault in Syria, while US officials searched for a tougher response to Russia’s decision to ignore the peace process and seek military victory on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow and Damascus launched an assault to recapture the rebel-held sector of Aleppo this month, abandoning...
Colombia tipped for Nobel Peace Prize after deal to end war
A Colombian peace accord ending a half-century of war is widely tipped for the Nobel Peace Prize next week, returning the award to its roots after a run of wins for organisations including the European Union. The prize might be shared by President Juan Manuel Santos and Marxist FARC rebel leader Timochenko – the nom de guerre of Rodrigo Londono –...
OPEC reaches first deal to cut oil output since 2008, say sources
OPEC agreed on Wednesday to cut its oil output for the first time since 2008, with the group’s leader Saudi Arabia softening its stance on arch-rival Iran amid mounting pressure from low oil prices. Two sources in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said the group would reduce output to 32.5 million barrels per day from...
Investigators to report on 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine
An international team of prosecutors investigating the downing of a Malaysian airliner over eastern Ukraine in 2014 will report findings on Wednesday but are unlikely to bring charges against anyone, given legal and political obstacles. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was hit by a surface-to-air missile while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur...
Cypriots vote for Trump in worldwide fun poll
A worldwide internet Clinton v Trump poll, with around 90,000 votes as of Monday afternoon puts the Republican candidate in the lead with 79 per cent to Democrat Clinton’s 21 per cent. A tiny number of Cypriot voters have taken part giving Trump 89 per cent of the 38 votes cast. Out of 190 or so countries on the list, Clinton was leading in...
Obama urges Israel end occupation and Palestinians accept Israel
Both sides would benefit if Israel recognised it cannot permanently occupy Palestinian land and if Palestinians rejected incitement and recognized Israel’s legitimacy, US President Barack Obama told the United Nations general assembley on Tuesday. Obama’s efforts to bring about an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement have failed over...
Putin-backed party on course to win more than half of vote in parliament election
The United Russia party backed by President Vladimir Putin has won 54.2 per cent of the vote in a parliamentary election, based on the 90 per cent of ballots counted by Monday morning, data from the election commission showed. The continued dominance of the lower house by United Russia, the party Putin founded and which is now run by his allies,...
Pro-Putin party seen winning even greater sway in Russia’s parliament
Russian President Vladimir Putin casts a ballot at a polling station during a parliamentary election in MoscowBy Andrew Osborn The ruling United Russia party is expected to win even greater dominance over Russia’s lower house in a parliamentary election on Sunday, showing that support for President Vladimir Putin is holding up despite...
German Economy Minister Gabriel to visit Russia next week for trade talks
German Vice Chancellor and Economic Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel will visit Russia next week to hold talks with Russian government officials about the state of bilateral trade relations, his ministry said in a statement on Friday. Gabriel, who will be in Russia on Wednesday and Thursday, will take a business delegation with him, the ministry...
