Over 90 dead as Mozambique ferry sinks off northern coast
More than 90 people died after a ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique.
government
Close to Home: California needs higher taxes on wealth
President Joe Biden proposed to reverse the 2017 Trump tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans by raising the corporate tax rate, denying tax breaks for corporations whose CEOs earn more than million in annual compensation, and requiring billionaires to pay at least 25% of their income in taxes.
Christodoulides-Mitsotakis-Von der Leyen have lunch in Athens
After the 15th Congress of the New Democracy, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen joined Nikos Christodoulides for a lunch in Athens. The focus of the lunch was on addressing the increased migration flows from Lebanon and finding ways to prevent this with more active EU involvement.
An island discovered by Captain Cook prepares to throw party to mark solar eclipse
Residents of the remote town of Burgeo in Newfoundland and Labrador are eagerly awaiting Monday’s rare solar eclipse to recreate history on Eclipse Island, discovered by Captain James Cook. The town is preparing to celebrate the celestial event by rebuilding a historic beacon on the island while watching the eclipse, with totality lasting about two minutes. The restoration of the beacon will be funded by the National Marine Conservation Area and Sandbanks Provincial Park and run by solar power. The eclipse will be part of a path slicing through Mexico into Texas and across 14 U.S. states and four provinces of Canada, creating a carnival atmosphere with millions of enthusiasts making travel plans. In Burgeo, a community-focused event will include singing, drumming, and traditional ceremonies to celebrate indigenous culture and heritage. Local residents are excited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Chlorakas crackdown ends empty-handed
– Dozens of police officers conducted an operation in Chlorakas to identify illegal migrants.
– Officers searched people’s homes starting at 6am and efforts lasted three hours.
– The Saint Nicholas apartment complex was inspected, where no one is allowed to live.
– 300 apartments were inspected at the site, but no one was found living there.
– At the Ayios Georgios apartment complex, officers secured warrants to search 12 apartments.
– 40 people were checked, but no one had a criminal record or was staying in Cyprus illegally.
– Police announced that more checks would be carried out in the future.
Rwanda, ’s president leads genocide commemoration 30 years on
Rwanda’s president led commemorations to mark 30 years since the 1994 genocide that killed over 1 million people.
Poland holds local elections in test for Tusk
Poles are voting in local elections to choose councillors and mayors who will distribute EU funds and show satisfaction with Donald Tusk’s government. Tusk’s pro-European coalition won the parliamentary elections and aims to prevent a return to nationalist rule under the Law and Justice party. The local elections will also indicate the dominance of Tusk’s Civic Coalition in government and will be closely watched in Brussels. Jaroslaw Kaczynski sees the elections as a chance to send a warning to the current government. A second round of mayoral voting will take place on April 21.
Hamas had instructions to use sexual violence as a weapon, Israeli lawyer tells Phileleftheros
An Israeli former Hamas hostage from the October 7 attack spoke out about the sexual violence and torture she endured. A UN report confirmed Israel’s allegations of ongoing sexual violence by Hamas. The victims of the attack are in the process of healing and dealing with their trauma. The Israeli government developed programmes to help survivors of the attack. Feminist organizations worldwide did not provide sufficient support to Israeli women who were victims of sexual violence. Israeli women did not receive necessary international support due to antisemitism and ignorance. It is crucial for women to stand united and demand justice for sexual violence in wartime. The Israeli army has been accused of sexual assaults against Palestinian women, but there is no evidence to justify the allegations. Hostages still in Hamas’s hands are subjected to sexual assaults, isolation, and poor living conditions.
Eliza Vozemberg: Migration can divide Europe
Migration is a persistent issue in Europe, with New Democracy MEP Eliza Vozemberg expressing concern that if agreements on migration are not implemented, Europe may become divided. The problem of immigration is a European one, with Greece having managed its borders since 2019. The upcoming European elections are crucial for the EPP and New Democracy, with a focus on increasing voter participation. Distrust in the EU institutions can lead to the rise of populist and far-right forces. The recent European People’s Party Congress in Bucharest emphasized the importance of participation in the elections and highlighted key issues for the future of the EU.
Pellegrini wins Slovak presidential election in boost for pro-Russian PM Fico
Slovak nationalist-left government candidate Peter Pellegrini won the presidential election with 53.26% of the vote, cementing pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s grip on the country. Fico has turned the country’s foreign policy towards Russia and initiated controversial reforms. Pellegrini’s victory means support for the government’s aims and a commitment to peace, not war.