The Israeli government is accused of pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing to achieve maximum land with minimum Arabs, leading to a modern-day genocide. The propaganda machine distorts slogans to justify actions, while those advocating for peace and an end to slaughter are labeled as terrorist sympathizers.
Cypriot authorities seized a large quantity of weapons during a raid targeting an organised crime group in the Oroklini area. The weapons cache is believed to be linked to a criminal organisation based in Republic of Cyprus-controlled areas. No further details were provided about the types or quantities of weapons confiscated or any potential arrests made during the raid.
Fact: Greek police have arrested a Turkish national, the suspected leader of a criminal group wanted by Ankara for a range of crimes including manslaughter.
Fact: Hundreds of police fanned out across northern France on a massive manhunt for a fugitive gangster known as “The Fly” after he was sprung from a prison van by gunmen in an attack that killed two prison guards.
Two French prison guards were shot dead and three others injured when armed men ambushed a prison van to free an inmate in Incarville, France. The inmate and attackers escaped, triggering a major manhunt led by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti stated that efforts will be made to find and punish the criminals responsible for the attack. The fugitive inmate has been named as Mohamed A., suspected of ordering a murder in Marseille and having ties to the city’s powerful “Blacks” gang.
A shortage of banknotes in Gaza is causing chaos, with only a few ATMs operational in the southern city of Rafah. Residents are facing long waits and sometimes paying fees to access cash, as armed gangs exploit the situation. The conflict has led to a lack of liquidity in the enclave, with hundreds of millions of shekels stuck in bank vaults. Essential goods remain scarce, and some merchants are profiteering from the shortage by charging high commissions. Gaza’s economy relies heavily on Israel, which has blocked cash imports since the start of the war.
South Africans will vote in a national election on May 29 with uncertainty about the outcome, as polls suggest the African National Congress may lose its majority after 30 years in power. Key issues include high unemployment rates, sluggish economic growth, power cuts, corruption scandals, high rates of violent crime, and rising anti-immigrant sentiment. The government is working to address these issues, with a focus on job creation, economic growth, and tightening immigration laws.
Fact: Verbal and physical attacks on politicians in Germany have more than doubled since 2019, with the Greens party reporting the highest number of incidents last year.
German politicians have been experiencing a surge in physical and verbal attacks, with 22 assaults reported so far in 2024 compared to 27 in all of 2023. The Green party has been the most targeted, with 1,219 incidents reported last year, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with 478 incidents. The rise in confrontations is attributed to the divisive rhetoric of populist politics, affecting the overall mood and safety of politicians. The attacks have led to concerns about the impact on election outcomes and have prompted some politicians to take precautions, such as avoiding publicizing campaign events and increasing security measures.
– Nicosia district court Judge Niovi Petridou issued a remand order for six of the nine suspects arrested in connection with the attempted murder in Lakatamia in April.
– The decision for the remaining three suspects will be announced at noon on Tuesday.
– One of the suspects is a convict being held in the central prisons, sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2021 for attempted murder.
– The 45-year-old suspect allegedly paid the shooter €10,000 euros and promised him a monthly sum of €1,500 for life.
– The 45-year-old was presented as the new Nicosia gang leader and in conflict with the victim over control of properties, primarily betting agencies.
– The fifth suspect allegedly tried to shoot the victim on two separate occasions but hesitated, leading the sixth suspect to take over the job.
– Serious evidence has been sent for tests and the exact motive of the crime will be announced after completion of the investigation.
– The weapon used in the crime has not been found yet, and a burned motorbike found in Aglantzia is being investigated for links to the case.