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Greece Faces Mounting Social Strain as 2.8 Million Residents Risk Poverty

                                        Athens, Greece Greece is once again confronting a troubling social reality: an estimated 2.8 million people—more than a quarter of the country’s population—are now at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Despite signs of economic recovery in recent years, the benefits have not reached everyone, leaving many households struggling to keep up with rising living costs, stagnant wages, and persistent unemployment. The latest figures highlight widening inequality, particularly among young people, single‑parent families, and the long‑term unemployed. Inflation has intensified the pressure, eroding purchasing power and pushing vulnerable groups closer to the edge. Social organizations warn that the situation is becoming unsustainable, with increasing demand for food aid, housing support, and community services. While the government ha...

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Cyprus Leaders Discuss Opening New Crossing Points Along 1974 Ceasefire Line


 Leaders of war-divided Cyprus said on Monday they supported opening further crossing points along the 1974 ceasefire line splitting the island to meet popular demand, and would work with the United Nations towards that objective. President Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar discussed the modalities of new checkpoints at a rare meeting hosted by the United Nations in the divided capital Nicosia. 

Despite mutual support for further openings, the leaders did not announce any immediate measures to ease movement across the truce line, indicating continued disagreements. The leaders believe that the opening of new crossing points is critical to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 

Another meeting is scheduled in the coming days to continue discussions. The push for additional checkpoints follows months of negotiations focused on where and how many checkpoints should open in addition to the nine crossings used by thousands daily along a 180-km (116-mile) ceasefire line. 

It is estimated that more than a million people use the checkpoints to cross each year either for employment, education, or personal reasons. The first pedestrian crossing was opened in April 2003 after almost three decades of isolation. 

Greek Cypriots say they do not object to opening one checkpoint advocated by Turkish Cypriots in the east of Nicosia, the island's ethnically-split capital. They say that in a spirit of reciprocity, Turkish Cypriots should agree to opening a checkpoint which Greek Cypriots want. 

The leaders' joint statement emphasized the importance of opening new crossing points to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 




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