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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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A Symbol of Hope: Tiny Christmas Tree Amidst Church Ruins in Lebanon

 

In the southern Lebanese town of Dardghaya, amidst the ruins of the 18th-century St. George Melkite Catholic Church, a tiny Christmas tree now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. The church, devastated by an Israeli airstrike in October, once served as a vibrant community center. 

Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and churchgoer, took it upon himself to bring some normalcy to the holiday season. "This year, Christmas is arriving with sadness for us, but we didn't want it to be a sad one for the town's residents and its church," Elia said. 

The modest tree, shorter than Elia himself, is decorated with a shining garland and a star. Despite the lack of lights and a traditional Nativity scene due to the war's destruction, the tree stands tall among the fallen stones and shattered pews. "But, of course, Christ is born in our hearts, lit with our love for him," Elia added.

The church's priest, Father Maurice el Khoury, who has served for 11 years, conducts Sunday Mass in a small underground room that once housed visiting bishops. "This room is more like the cave where Jesus was born," he said, reminding families of the true essence of the holiday season.

The community's faith remains unshaken, and despite the staggering financial toll of the damage, estimated at nearly $3 million, they continue to celebrate Christmas with hope and love.



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