peninsula

Rafah crossing can’t reopen unless Israel leaves Gaza, Egypt says

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Rafah crossing can’t reopen unless Israel leaves Gaza, Egypt says

The Rafah border crossing cannot operate unless Israel returns control to the Palestinians, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Israel took over the crossing last month during its offensive against Hamas in Rafah, which serves as the only connection to the outside world for Gaza’s residents. Shoukry emphasized the importance of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty for regional security and stability. Egypt suggested European monitors at the border if Palestinian authorities resume control. Israel is attempting to destroy tunnels between Gaza and Egypt used by Hamas, but Egypt denies their existence. Shoukry urged Hamas and Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Joe Biden. Israel has accepted the framework deal for ending the Gaza war but believes it requires more work.

Nearly one hundred million voters preparing to elect the first female president in Mexico

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Nearly one hundred million voters preparing to elect the first female president in Mexico

Nearly one hundred million voters in Mexico are preparing to elect the first female president in the country’s history. The UN reports nine to ten femicides per day in Mexico. 25 candidates have been murdered in the pre-election campaign, showcasing the violence from drug cartels in the country. The favorite in the election is Claudia Seinbaum of the center-left coalition, with a 17-point lead in the polls. The election will be the largest ever organized in Mexico, with 99 million registered voters. Over 20,000 positions are at stake in the elections, including the president, governors, and local representatives. Strict security measures, including 27,000 military personnel and National Guard members, will be enforced on election day.

Sea turtles are not being protected at Parasolia beach this year

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Sea turtles are not being protected at Parasolia beach this year

Female sea turtles at Parasolia beach in Kiti are facing challenges during the breeding season due to a thick layer of stones from winter storms covering more than half of their nesting area, as well as new sunbeds and umbrellas occupying the rest. The new sunbed renter is obstructing the identification and protection of nests. The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) has been informed about the issue, but there has been no update. The writer has been marking nests with sticks and signs and working with experts to protect them. Local councils and sunbed renters have a negative attitude towards protecting the turtles, despite laws protecting sea turtles, their eggs, and hatchlings on every beach in Cyprus since 1971.

From Akamas to vultures, a simple public warning

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From Akamas to vultures, a simple public warning

The need for civil society organizations to act as environmental watchdogs remains urgent, as recent revelations have shown violations of environmental conditions in the Akamas area. The scandal involved roadworks that ignored environmental conditions, and the Forestry Department was supposed to oversee the project. The Water Development Department had warned about violations a year before environmental NGOs raised the alarm. Additionally, efforts are being made to protect Griffon vultures from extinction, with poison baits and power line collisions being major threats. Despite efforts to persuade the Electricity Authority to make infrastructure safer, losses of vultures and eagles continue due to collisions and electrocutions.

Cypriot donkeys , ‘used as proxies’ to kill stray dogs in Turkey

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Cypriot donkeys , ‘used as proxies’ to kill stray dogs in Turkey

Cypriot donkeys are being used as proxies by news media in Turkey to encourage the idea of euthanizing stray dogs. The debate on euthanizing stray animals in Turkey has caused a divide in Cyprus. The population of wild donkeys has increased, causing damage to property and crops. However, neither local leaders called for the euthanization of donkeys. Donkeys are of great economic benefit to the Karpasia region and measures are being taken to control their population. A “Karpasia donkeys management plan cooperation protocol” was signed to better manage the free roaming donkeys in the region.

On This Day: Russia’s worst recorded earthquake killed 1,989 people in 1995

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On This Day: Russia’s worst recorded earthquake killed 1,989 people in 1995

– In 1940, Belgium’s King Leopold surrendered to the invading Germans in World War Two, and the evacuation of defeated Allied armies from Dunkirk began, saving a total of 224,585 British and 112,546 French and Belgian troops.

Akel speaks out against quarry expansion

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Akel speaks out against quarry expansion

Akel strongly opposes the government’s decision to proceed with a tender for an environmental impact assessment and ecological study for a potential new quarry zone in the area of Androlikou, near Polis Chrysochous.

Sea drone warfare has arrived. The U.S. is floundering

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Sea drone warfare has arrived. The U.S. is floundering

The U.S. Navy is facing challenges in building a fleet of unmanned vessels due to a focus on big shipbuilding projects, despite the demonstrated effectiveness of sea drones in combat situations. The Pentagon is now incorporating lessons from Ukraine and the Red Sea to counter China’s naval power in the Pacific, launching the Replicator initiative to deploy small air and sea drones. This initiative aims to match China’s military threat and is funded by reallocating funds from the existing Pentagon budget. The use of sea drones for maritime surveillance, minehunting, and protection of critical infrastructure is seen as crucial, with the U.S. Navy testing unmanned vessels in combat scenarios and expanding their use in different regions. Companies like Saildrone and Ocean Aero are actively involved in supplying autonomous vessels to the Navy, showing the increasing focus on deploying sea drones quickly to stay ahead in naval warfare.

Festival season begins

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Festival season begins

– Dozens of annual and new festivals are filling up May’s calendar.
– The Agros Rose Festival will take place on May 11, 12, 18, and 19 in Agros village, Limassol district.
– The Classic Car Festival will be held on May 12 at Finikoudes, Larnaca.
– The Akrotiri Spring Festival will also take place on May 12 at Akrotiri Peninsula, Limassol.
– The Love the Earth Festival will be held on May 12 at Molos Park, Limassol.
– The Cyprus Comedy Festival will take place from May 16 to 19 in Nicosia and Limassol.
– The 3rd Femme Fest will be held on May 18 and 19 at Nicosia Municipal Gardens.
– Other festivals at the end of May include Vegan Fam Flavours, Limassol Street Food Festival, Reflect Festival, and the 6th Cyprus Accordion Festival.

Living as enclaved became an artist, ’s inspiration

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Living as enclaved became an artist, ’s inspiration

Fact: Toula Liasi’s exhibition ‘Synchronising History’ in Larnaca features objects with 88 years of history that tell the story of her family and the enclaved people in Karpasia after the Turkish invasion in 1974.