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Farmers’ Fury Erupts in Greece Over EU Subsidy Delays

                                         Protesting farmers push against riot police in Nikaia, near Larissa, Greece    Greek farmers clashed with police on Sunday in central and northern regions of the country as anger mounted over the delayed payment of European Union agricultural subsidies. The protests, centered around Nikaia near Larissa, saw hundreds of farmers blocking highways with tractors and demanding immediate government action. The unrest stems from an estimated €600 million shortfall in EU aid following a corruption scandal that has triggered investigations by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities allege that some farmers falsified land and livestock ownership records to secure subsidies, leading to a freeze in payments while the probe continues. Police responded with tear gas and barricades as demonstrators attempted to...

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Hopes for a swift resumption of peace talks to resolve Cyprus’ long-standing ethnic division were dashed as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution. Speaking ahead of a military parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion that split the island, Erdogan dismissed the United Nations-endorsed plan for a federated Cyprus, which Greek Cypriots have long supported.

Erdogan’s remarks came as a blow to those advocating for a unified Cyprus. The Turkish president emphasized that a federal solution is not feasible, insisting that the rights of Turkish Cypriots must be recognized through a two-state arrangement. This stance complicates efforts by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his envoy, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, who have been working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.

The anniversary of the invasion is marked differently across the island. In the north, Turkish Cypriots celebrate what they view as liberation from Greek Cypriot dominance, while in the south, Greek Cypriots mourn the invasion’s devastating impact, which left thousands dead or missing and displaced a significant portion of the population.

Erdogan’s firm position underscores the deep-seated divisions that continue to hinder peace efforts. As both sides remain entrenched in their views, the path to reconciliation appears increasingly uncertain.


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