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Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta say they are ready to recognise the State of Palestine

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Leaders from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta have declared their readiness to acknowledge the State of Palestine as a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region. During a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Brussels, they emphasized their willingness to recognize Palestine when it could contribute positively to the situation. They stressed the necessity of a two-state solution, with both Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting peacefully.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed optimism about garnering political support for Palestine at the United Nations, suggesting that conditions for establishing a Palestinian government could be ripe in the near future. Currently, nine out of the EU’s 27 member states recognize Palestine based on the 1967 borders. Belgium, represented at the meeting, also supports Palestinian statehood but may be constrained from signing such declarations due to its presidency of the Council of the EU.

While the EU backs the two-state solution and provides significant aid to Palestinians, it has not unanimously supported recognizing a Palestinian state. Spain and Ireland have been vocal advocates for recognizing Palestine, particularly following the recent conflict in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of unified action among EU countries rather than unilateral recognition. He stressed the need for careful timing to ensure a lasting peace.

The political diversity of the leaders involved suggests broad consensus on the necessity of recognizing Palestine for future peace efforts. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also confirmed ongoing discussions among member states regarding formal recognition of Palestine to facilitate more equitable negotiations post-conflict.

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Paris Olympics: Row over ‘woke’ map as Paris gears up for games

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The artist behind the official poster for the upcoming Paris Olympics responded to criticism alleging that his artwork neglects French identity and Christianity. Ugo Gattoni, the designer, defended his creation, describing it as a vibrant and celebratory depiction of Paris.

Critics, particularly conservatives, have taken issue with the absence of prominent symbols such as the French tricolour and a cross on the Hôtel des Invalides. Some politicians accused the creators of the poster of attempting to erase France’s history and identity.

Gattoni explained that his intention was to convey a lively and festive atmosphere, rather than making any political statements. He emphasized that the buildings in his artwork were drawn based on his creative vision, without any underlying agenda.

The organizing committee also defended the poster, describing it as a whimsical interpretation of a transformed city-stadium, featuring various sports and landmarks. They stressed that the inclusion of the French flag colors and other national symbols should dispel any politically motivated interpretations.

Meanwhile, the Hôtel des Invalides has become embroiled in another controversy concerning proposals for Saudi Arabia to construct an Olympic village on its grounds. The French Armed Forces Ministry stated that negotiations with Saudi Arabia were ongoing but emphasized that any use of the Invalides site would be subject to strict conditions.

Some politicians, including right-wing MP Nathalie Serre, voiced opposition to the idea, asserting that certain historical sites like the Invalides should not be subject to commercial interests.

The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.

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Alexei Navalny: Putin critic about to be freed in prisoner swap when he died, says ally

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Maria Pevchikh, an ally of Alexei Navalny, revealed that plans were underway for Navalny’s release in a prisoner exchange deal. The exchange was intended to involve Vadim Krasikov, a Russian serving a life sentence in Germany for murder, along with two detained US citizens in Russia. Negotiations for this swap had been ongoing for two years but gained momentum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Concrete plans for the exchange were reportedly made in December, with American and German officials involved in the talks.

However, according to Pevchikh, Russian President Vladimir Putin changed his mind at the last minute, leading to Navalny’s sudden death in prison. Pevchikh claimed that Putin’s deep-seated animosity towards Navalny, driven by the perceived threat he posed to Putin’s power, motivated the decision to sabotage the deal. Despite the existence of a firm agreement, Putin allegedly opted to eliminate Navalny rather than allow him to be released.

These revelations come amid continued speculation and international scrutiny surrounding Navalny’s death. While the German government has refrained from commenting on Pevchikh’s claims, the Kremlin has yet to provide an official response. However, Dmitry Peskov, President Putin’s spokesperson, had previously dismissed allegations of government involvement in Navalny’s death as absurd.

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Eiffel Tower in Paris set to reopen after six-day strike

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The Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, recently experienced a six-day closure due to strikes by workers protesting the management practices of its operator, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE). These strikes disrupted plans for visitors and resulted in significant financial losses for the company.

The primary grievances of the striking workers revolved around SETE’s business model, which they alleged overestimated future visitor numbers while neglecting essential maintenance and renovation needs. Union representatives accused SETE of prioritizing short-term profitability over the long-term preservation of the monument.

Initially planned as a five-day strike, workers voted to extend it to six days after rejecting SETE’s initial proposal. This decision underscored the depth of dissatisfaction among employees regarding the company’s management practices and the condition of the Eiffel Tower.

However, after negotiations between SETE and the unions, an agreement was eventually reached. This agreement included provisions for regular monitoring of the company’s business model and significant investment in maintenance and renovation until 2031, totaling approximately €380 million. Additionally, there were discussions about potentially classifying the Eiffel Tower as a “historical monument” to enable state funding for necessary works, as suggested by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati.

This recent strike at the Eiffel Tower echoes a previous protest in December, coinciding with the centenary of Gustave Eiffel’s death. Gustave Eiffel, a renowned civil engineer, is best known for his design of the Eiffel Tower, which was intended to showcase France’s industrial prowess during the 1889 Paris Exposition.

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German train drivers stage longest strike on record

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Train drivers across Germany have initiated a strike, set to endure six days, making it the longest stoppage in their history. The GDL rail drivers’ union called for the walkout, impacting both passenger and goods-train services starting at 02:00 on Wednesday. This move exacerbates an ongoing dispute with the state-owned Deutsche Bahn, leading to the fourth round of strikes since November.

The union’s demands include higher wages to counter inflation and a reduction in the working week from 38 to 35 hours without a salary decrease. Deutsche Bahn has implemented an emergency timetable until the strike concludes at 18:00 on Monday, affecting passenger trains for an unprecedented 136 hours, including a weekend for the first time. The strike has caused significant disruptions, with 80% of long-distance trains canceled and substantial delays in regional and suburban S-Bahn rail services.

The extended industrial action has prompted complaints from the rail company and ministers, asserting its adverse effects on both the German economy and the public. Tanja Gönner, head of the Federation of German Industries, estimated that the six-day strike could cost the economy up to €1bn. Transport Minister Volker Wissing urged the union to seek a compromise through mediation, acknowledging the current deadlock in negotiations.

Amid the strike, a YouGov survey revealed that only 34% of over 4,000 German adults understood the reasons behind the strike, while 59% expressed a lack of understanding. Talks between the GDL union and Deutsche Bahn have been ongoing since November, with the company rejecting the union’s proposal for a three-hour reduction in the working week. Instead, Deutsche Bahn suggested an optional model involving one hour less work with no pay cut or a 2.7% pay raise, an offer rejected by the GDL.

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