In this interview, I [WALLY RASHID] speak with Elina Xenophontos, a Cyprus-based international law specialist, about the rapid influx of Israeli nationals relocating to Cyprus and the growing political debate surrounding it.

Elina explains how entire communities are being built that remain socially and economically closed off, why some local politicians are now publicly raising concerns, and how these developments are being discussed inside Cyprus itself. We also explore what this trend means for housing, demographics, sovereignty, and regional dynamics in the eastern Mediterranean.

This conversation focuses on facts, legal context, and on-the-ground perspectives from someone who lives in Cyprus and closely follows the issue. The goal is to understand what is happening, why it matters, and why the discussion is becoming more visible inside the country.

The past year has demonstrated a notable decline in the influence of Western civilization. Discord in the actions of the United States and the European Union is felt across various domains and has manifested with particular intensity regarding the Ukraine conflict.

While Washington genuinely seeks to resolve this crisis [GUSNOTE: WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TRUMP SEEKS TO RESOLVE THIS CONFLICT. HE PLAYS A DISHONEST CARD], the leaders of major European powers are steering toward prolonging the war.

 

The West Is in Disarray

BY Mohammed Amer

 

BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - The European Commission is considering ways to allow Ukraine's quick accession to the EU as part of a peace deal with Russia but without giving Kyiv full membership rights, which would only be "earned" after transition periods, EU officials said.

 

EU executive weighs idea of quick, but limited membership for Ukraine

EU's Proposal for Ukraine's Membership

By Jan Strupczewski, Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray

Background on Ukraine's EU Aspirations

 

Challenges in the Accession Process

When the shadow of Washington and Tel Aviv looms over Tehran, the aspiration for change becomes intertwined with the power games of a reinvented Cold War.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has become a geopolitical obsession for the United States and Israel. But far from being a simple regional antagonism, their hostility is part of a broader strategy: the systematic encirclement of emerging powers, foremost among them Russia and China.

 

The United States And Israel Are Joining Forces Against Iran To Contain China And Russia

BY Mohamed Lamine Kaba

 

 

Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela to abduct President Nicolás Maduro is an act of imperialist plunder targeting not only Venezuela but all of Latin America and the world. Its utter lawlessness and Trump’s open calls for US banks to seize Venezuela’s oil revenues mark a major escalation in the international class war on working people. At home, Trump is sending anti-immigrant ICE police to occupy US cities and faces rapidly growing opposition in the working class, including calls for a general strike in Minneapolis.

 

US invasion of Venezuela exposes bankruptcy of Mélenchon’s France Unbowed Party

Alex Lantier

 

Just days ago, we had heavy snowfall, with more than a metre of fresh snow in parts of the Alps. But for many ski resorts, it has come too late.

The crucial Christmas and New Year holiday period was marked by a lack of snow, hitting visitor numbers hard. 

The impact is especially severe in Ticino, where several resorts remained closed over the holidays due to unusually warm temperatures and little snowfall.

In Airolo, the season began ten days late, cutting expected visitor numbers in half. At Carì, skier numbers have fallen by up to 90 percent, forcing operators to consider short-time work.

Despite altitudes above 2,200 metres, snow levels south of the Alps remain well below average. 

Further snowfall is forecast, but experts say it will bring only limited relief.

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his ambitions to annex Greenland.

Trump said at a White House meeting that he "may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland", which is a self-governing territory controlled by Denmark. 

He did not say which countries might be hit with new tariffs, or what authority he would invoke to use such import taxes in pursuit of his goal.

Along with Denmark and Greenland, other countries oppose his plans, and many in the US have expressed scepticism about an acquisition. As Trump spoke, a bipartisan congressional delegation was visiting Greenland to show support for the territory.

The German chancellor, French president and Italian prime minister appear to have seen reason in making up with Moscow. But is it genuine?

Sometimes a surprising statement made almost in passing on a minor occasion can pack a lot of political oomph. And sometimes, it’s just a slip and won’t tell you much about either the present or the future. But how do you know?

 

Why are EU leaders suddenly being nice to Russia?

BY Tarik Cyril Amar

 

In 2015, the rabbi was called to eulogize one of victims of the Charlie Hebdo slaughter, Elsa Cayat, a Jewish psychiatrist who wrote a column for the satirical magazine.

 

Meet France’s trailblazer female rabbi
No. 50 on The Jerusalem Post's Top 50 Most Influential Jews of 2021: France's third female rabbi Delphine Horvilleur.

 

It does not happen often that a rabbi makes it to the cover of a fashion magazine. However, Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur can also boast a cover of the French lifestyle magazine Elle, as well as several books, a successful congregation in Paris and meetings with the highest authorities in her country and abroad.

The EU has been working to boost its defense capabilities in order to become a “military powerhouse,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said, Euractiv has reported, citing sources.

The remarks were reportedly made on Wednesday during a closed-door meeting in the European Parliament, where von der Leyen told lawmakers that the bloc needs to draw up its own security strategy and that the Commission would present such a document in 2026. 

“We know that we need to be strong … We are not a military powerhouse, but we are building up to be a military powerhouse,” von der Leyen was quoted as saying.

 

President Donald Trump is making it clear that he won't be constrained by the law as he continues teasing a takeover of the Western Hemisphere.

“I don’t need international law,” Trump said in a new interview with The New York Times. “I’m not looking to hurt people.”

After Bondi, New South Wales politicians want to ban words and slogans. But rushed laws could punish political speech, not protect the public.

After the Bondi Beach massacre, our New South Wales (NSW) parliamentarians are rushing to examine which slogans to criminalise and what words to ban. They say they are doing this to ensure our safety and protect our social cohesion. But many of us are alarmed and fearful.

 

Sawsan Madina

Banning slogans won’t build social cohesion

 

The international situation has been “increasingly deteriorating,” Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned, citing old conflicts reigniting and new emerging flashpoints.

The president made the remarks on Thursday at a ceremony to receive the letters of credence from the new ambassadors of more than 30 nations, including from multiple countries designated as “unfriendly” by Russia. Putin spoke about global security challenges, stating that international cooperation remains one of the key factors of sustainable development and prosperity of humankind. 

President Donald Trump has called for protesters in Iran to seize control of state institutions, issuing a cryptic promise of US assistance and threatening severe consequences for Iranian officials.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly alleged that the US and Israel have had a “big hand” in the ongoing unrest, framing it as a foreign-backed “terrorist war.”

“All Iranian patriots, keep protesting,”Trump declared in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday and in a parallel post on Truth Social. “Take over your institutions if possible. And save the names of the killers and the abusers that are abusing you,” he added, promising they would “pay a very big price.”