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Palestinians mark 1948 Nakba in the shadow of war in Gaza

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Palestinians mark 1948 Nakba in the shadow of war in Gaza

Palestinians commemorated the 1948 “Nakba” on Wednesday, marking the time when hundreds of thousands were dispossessed of their homes in the war at the birth of the state of Israel. The Nakba has been a defining experience for Palestinians for more than 75 years, shaping their national identity. This year’s commemoration focused on the plight of around two million Palestinians in Gaza, most living in temporary shelters after being displaced by the Israeli campaign. More than 5.9 million Palestinians are currently registered as refugees in various locations, including refugee camps that have grown into urban townships. Events marking the Nakba anniversary were also held in Ramallah, where a student was killed in a clash with Israeli forces.

Technopolis 20 presents music performances

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Technopolis 20 presents music performances

Live music performances are coming up in Paphos at cultural centre Technopolis 20, including a recital dedicated to Argentinian tango and Latin American dances, a concert dedicated to Goddess Aphrodite at the archaeological site of Palaepaphos, and an Easter concert featuring the Stabat Mater sequence.

MPs deride Attorney-General over Katsounotos case

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MPs deride Attorney-General over Katsounotos case

Fact: Attorney-general George Savvides decided not to prosecute former police drug squad chief Michalis Katsounotos for refusing to answer questions put to him by the Anti-Corruption Authority.

King Charles unveils his first portrait since coronation

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King Charles unveils his first portrait since coronation

King Charles of Britain unveiled his first official portrait since his coronation last May. The portrait, painted by artist Jonathan Yeo, shows Charles in the uniform of the Welsh Guards military unit with a butterfly above his shoulder.

Fearing layoffs amid budget crisis, Oakland’s unions put blame on unpaid business taxes

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Fearing layoffs amid budget crisis, Oakland’s unions put blame on unpaid business taxes

Fact: Oakland is facing a 7 million deficit, leading to potential budget cuts and layoffs for public employees.

Opinion | A muddled mess of a solution to SF’s tax crisis

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Opinion | A muddled mess of a solution to SF’s tax crisis

The political class in San Francisco has reached a consensus on a proposal to reform the city’s tax code. The proposal includes small tax cuts for large corporations, no taxes for small businesses, and aims to reduce reliance on a few big corporations to fund the city. However, the proposal is seen as incremental and not radical enough by some, with concerns about the temporary nature of the cuts, the risk of concentration among top taxpayers, and the retention of anti-business measures like the Overpaid Executive Gross Receipts Tax. Additionally, the proposal will need to be voted on by citizens in November, adding complexity to the process.

Pink Floyd drummer open to reunion but says no appetite for one

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Pink Floyd drummer open to reunion but says no appetite for one

Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason expressed his openness to a reunion gig with the band, but believes his feuding bandmates Roger Waters and David Gilmour do not share the same sentiment. The band last performed together in 2005 at a charity concert. Keyboardist Richard Wright and original frontman Syd Barrett have passed away. Mason has not discussed the possibility of a reunion with Waters or Gilmour. The feud between Waters and Gilmour has intensified over the years. Mason hinted at the possibility of doing shows with his own ensemble, similar to a surprise appearance by Waters in 2022. Mason believes there is not much interest in a Pink Floyd reunion.

ECB says stress in home loans manageable despite high rates, lax checks

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ECB says stress in home loans manageable despite high rates, lax checks

Stress in the euro zone market for home loans is considered manageable by the European Central Bank, despite higher interest rates and lax checks by some banks. The ECB reviewed the mortgage books of 37 euro zone banks and found deficiencies in how mortgages are originated. Specifically, the ECB found that some banks were not adequately weighing up risks before granting a mortgage, leading to concerns about borrowers being able to meet higher interest rates. Banks were also found to be taking more risks just before or when rates started rising. The ECB has asked banks to address these deficiencies, but overall, the banking sector’s response suggests a commitment to mitigating risks and maintaining stability in the residential real estate landscape.

Why is Russia holding nuclear exercises – and what to watch for?

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Why is Russia holding nuclear exercises – and what to watch for?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. The drills will involve missile forces in the Southern Military District, alongside aviation and navy units, with Belarus also participating. The significance lies in linking the drills to current tensions, with mock warheads likely to be used in training exercises. The message is seen as nuclear signaling to deter NATO and the West from escalating the conflict in Ukraine. There is speculation about Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons defensively, rather than offensively on the battlefield.