WHO

The backstage negotiations behind closed party doors

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The backstage negotiations behind closed party doors

The parties in Cyprus are gearing up for the upcoming double election in June, with big parties trying to unite and small parties aiming to weaken them. The focus is on securing seats in the European Parliament, with major parties concentrating on rallying supporters. The newly formed VOLT party is presented as a progressive alternative to AKEL, while ELAM is focused on increasing its numbers to have a regulatory role in politics. The Ecologists have a solid base for a long continuous presence in parliament.

France mobilises police to regain control of New Caledonia airport road

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France mobilises police to regain control of New Caledonia airport road

France mobilized over 600 police officers to clear barricades on the main road linking the airport to New Caledonia’s capital Noumea. The unrest was sparked by anger among indigenous Kanak people over a constitutional amendment that could dilute their vote in provincial elections. Six people have died, and the airport has been closed, leaving thousands stranded.

Tales from the Coffeeshop: Auditor-general far too popular to do anything wrong

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Tales from the Coffeeshop: Auditor-general far too popular to do anything wrong

– The opposition proceedings in the case brought against auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides by attorney-general George Savvides were filed by Odysseas’ team of lawyers.
– The opposition is based on two points: the application of the AG to the constitutional council is groundless and the AG does not have the authority to seek the sacking of an independent state official.
– Odysseas’ camp is applying pressure on the president to publicly side with him.
– The head of the anti-corruption authority demanded criminal charges against the drug squad chief, possibly linked to the Odysseas-Savvides clash.
– Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah urged Syrians to head for Cyprus and Europe to pressure Brussels to give Lebanon more funds for Syrian refugees.
– Parents were upset over the difficulty of questions in modern Greek exams for secondary school students.
– State hospital nursing unions are threatening industrial action if more nurses are not hired.
– The president announced the decision to appoint two criminal investigators before the cabinet approved it.

Suspect for Menidi woman’s murder led before examining magistrate

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Suspect for Menidi woman’s murder led before examining magistrate

A 50-year-old Albanian man confessed to stabbing his 40-year-old estranged wife to death in the west Athens suburb of Menidi. He was charged with murder, illegally bearing weapons, and illegal weapons use. The victim had previously reported him for domestic violence in 2013 and 2022. The suspect’s trial was postponed to March 18, 2025.

Not all ultra-processed,  foods are bad for your health

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Not all ultra-processed,  foods are bad for your health

Fact: Mass-produced wholegrain products, such as supermarket wholegrain breads and wholegrain breakfast cereals, were not associated with poorer health in a recent study.

Under-pressure Xavi says he still has Barca, ’s trust

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Under-pressure Xavi says he still has Barca, ’s trust

Xavi Hernandez, the coach of Barcelona, stated that he still has the club’s trust despite rumors that the president may be considering sacking him.

Fifty dead in heavy rain, floods in central Afghanistan, official says

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Fifty dead in heavy rain, floods in central Afghanistan, official says

At least 50 people are dead in central Afghanistan due to heavy rain and flooding. The rain spell began on Friday, cutting off key roads and causing significant destruction in the province of Ghor. 2,000 houses were destroyed, 4,000 were partially damaged, and 2,000 shops were flooded in the capital, Feroz-Koh. Last week, flash floods in northern Afghanistan killed 315 people and injured over 1,600. Afghanistan is vulnerable to natural disasters, and the lack of aid has worsened since the Taliban took over in 2021.

Australians stranded in New Caledonia ‘running out of food’ amid civil unrest

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Australians stranded in New Caledonia ‘running out of food’ amid civil unrest

Australians stranded in New Caledonia are rationing food as they wait for a way out of the troubled Pacific island territory after riots that killed four people. The riots were sparked by anger among indigenous Kanak people over a new bill that gives French people who have lived in New Caledonia for at least 10 years the right to vote. The unrest has resulted in burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops, and road barricades, cutting off access to medicine and food. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Canberra is working with authorities in France and New Caledonia to assess options for Australians to safely depart. The New Caledonia government said the island has food stocks for two months, but the problem lies in distribution. French officials plan to remove road barricades booby-trapped by activists to supply food and medicine to the public.

Ignorance about the movement of illicit money

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Ignorance about the movement of illicit money

The Cypriot State lacks absolute control over private funds and assets transferred to the country, which may be linked to illegal activities. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos recently failed to provide clear information on the amounts of liquid assets carried by travelers using private flights to and from Cyprus, despite being questioned by a Member of Parliament. This issue has been highlighted amidst concerns about money laundering in the country.

Anger, anxiety, acrimony: Slovaks weigh what led to Fico shooting

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Anger, anxiety, acrimony: Slovaks weigh what led to Fico shooting

Slovak opposition party leader Michal Simecka, his wife, and child received death threats following an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The shooting highlighted deep political divides and toxic debate in Slovakia, with politicians calling for tolerance. Fico’s rapid policy changes raised concerns over the rule of law, leading to increased tensions and anxiety among the population. The suspect in the shooting targeted government policies on Ukraine, corruption, and public media reforms. Anxiety has grown in Slovakia since the parliamentary election campaign, with President Zuzana Caputova receiving death threats. The upcoming European elections have added to the unease, reflecting a global trend of increasing aggression in politics.