Every Monday, the Research Trainees of the CERESE assess the news of the previous week. You can read their opinions below:

I like…

…the European Commission’s stance towards cancer. In particular, on Thursday 23 May 2024, Stella Kyriakides, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, expressed her optimism about the creation of a European Code of Conduct, which will ensure equal opportunities for access to financial services, both for cancer patients and people who have overcome cancer. Cancer patients will be able to access financial products by providing only the necessary medical information, without having to conceal their medical history. The news is positive, as it ensures in practice the inclusion of socially vulnerable groups, such as cancer patients.

...the news of possible negotiations by Russia on the war in Ukraine. More specifically, Russian sources claim that the Russian President is ready to call for a ceasefire. However, the negotiations will involve territorial developments on the current battlefields. Although the aforementioned proposal will hardly be accepted by Kyiv and Ukraine’s allies, it could mean the beginning of a dialogue between the two sides.

I dislike…

…the news of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Οn 20 May, President Raisi was killed as a result of his helicopter crash. This event occurs at a time when Iran is under external and internal pressure, due to its recent conflict with Israel, its friendly attitude toward Russia amid the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the repression of society following the assassination of Mahsa Amini. Raisi’s replacement will likely be as or more hardline, as the theocracy in Iran does not allow liberal and modernist views in central positions of power. Consequently, the oppression of the Iranian people seems set to continue.

...the news that Chinese warships have surrounded Taiwan. In particular, Chinese fighter and bomber aircraft are continuing large-scale military exercises after the inauguration of the new President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te. The drills include the army, navy, air forces, and missile units, and are aimed at testing the possibility of taking over the island. Beijing is presenting them as a response to Lai’s speech, which it perceived as a declaration of Taiwan’s independence, threatening retaliation. Taiwan asserts that it will defend its freedom and democracy against Chinese pressure.