UN chief to host Cyprus talks in Geneva
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host talks next week in Geneva to discuss the future of Cyprus, as opposing views on the island’s political status remain deeply divided.
Greece’s parliamentary speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas was elected as new president of the Hellenic Republic in the fourth round of voting.
A 66-year-old Tasoulas secured 160 votes, surpassing the required 151. According to media reports, all 156 MPs from the ruling New Democracy party supported his candidacy, alongside former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and three independent MPs.
Tasoulas, a lawyer and long-time politician, will take over from Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Greece’s first female president, when her term ends on March 13, 2025.
Born in Ioannina, Greece, he studied at the Athens Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and earned a law degree in 1981. He worked as a lawyer in Athens and London, as well as took positions as prime ministry’s special secretary and mayor of Kifissia before being elected as a speaker of parliament.
Tasoulas’ appointment faced significant opposition, particularly from left-wing parties PASOK and SYRIZA. Critics argue that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis broke the long-standing tradition of selecting a nonpartisan president, instead choosing a sitting MP from his own party.
PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas criticised the move, stating:
“Mr Mitsotakis is making a purely partisan choice by selecting a sitting MP from the New Democracy party for the highest office. He acted unilaterally, breaking political traditions and exposing his deep political insecurity.”
Public anger was also fuelled by the 2023 Tempi train disaster, which killed 57 people. Protesters accuse Tasoulas of failing to ensure a parliamentary investigation into potential political responsibility. Just last week, protesters marched through Athens, shouting “Murderers! Murderers!”
Despite the backlash, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, cited by Greek Reporter, defended his nominee, praising his experience and leadership. He said:
“Neither the different backgrounds of a president and a prime minister guarantee institutional balance, nor does their political alignment inherently create risks for the state.”
Mitsotakis emphasised that Tasoulas had been elected as parliamentary speaker with record-breaking support, stating:
“His unifying spirit and virtues have been demonstrated by the impeccable manner in which he has, until now, directed the work of the Parliament in a very difficult party landscape.”
With this election, Konstantinos Tasoulas becomes the 9th President of the Hellenic Republic and is expected to be sworn in on March 13
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
On March 16, at around 09:45, Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions located in the direction of the Digh settlement in the Goris region, using firearms, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Elon Musk's push to reform U.S. government spending reached new heights on Friday as he held an unprecedented meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where discussions centered on innovation, efficiencies, and streamlining Pentagon operations.
Tourists in Bali were left stranded at Denpasar International Airport on March 21, 2025, after the eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano caused flight cancellations and significant travel disruptions.
The 10th anniversary of the Germanwings A320 crash, which claimed 150 lives in the French Alps, marks a somber moment in aviation history, prompting significant changes in flight safety protocols.
China and South Korea's foreign ministers held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, paving the way for a trilateral meeting aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and addressing key security and economic issues.
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