Slovak PM Fico stable but in serious condition
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s condition has stabilized but remains serious after an assassination attempt.
Europe
Elections 2024: Where do you vote?
A new service was introduced for voters in the upcoming Europarliament and local administration elections to check where they will go to vote on June 9.
Prisoners , ‘scared for their safety’ anti-torture report finds
The Nicosia central prisons in Cyprus are overcrowded, with some accommodation blocks operating at more than 300 percent of their design capacity. Prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor and urinate in bottles due to lack of access to toilets at night. The report also highlighted instances of violence against prisoners, including staff slapping prisoners and using wooden sticks to intimidate them. Additionally, there were concerns raised about racist behavior, inter-prisoner violence, and the development of informal prisoner hierarchies within the prison.
Slovakia’s PM Fico undergoes another operation
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico underwent a two-hour operation that has increased hopes for his recovery following an assassination attempt. Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak stated that a decision to transfer Fico back to Bratislava would only be made when there is further improvement in his condition. The suspect charged with attempted murder is a 71-year-old former security guard and author of poetry, but his identity has not been officially confirmed. The shooting has been condemned internationally and has highlighted a febrile and polarized political climate in Slovakia and Europe. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Fico, stated that even if Fico recovers fully, he may be unable to work for months during a critical time for Europe.
Cyprus , ‘not alone’ over migration
Fact: Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis said that Cyprus is “not alone” on the matter of migration and that Greece supports the initiatives put forward by Cyprus.
Cyprus tourism on track to meet targets, minister says, after second-best April
Fact: Tourist arrivals for the first four months of 2024 in Cyprus indicate an increase of 1.7% compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling 748,814 arrivals.
Minister slams , ‘dangerous’ Elam proposal
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou criticized a proposal by far-right Elam to give passports to migrants so they would leave the country. He explained that only Cypriot citizens receive passports and giving passports to everyone would make Cyprus an attractive destination for immigrants.
Eurobank Group reports robust first quarter results
Eurobank Holdings released its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, showing significant growth and robust performance. Adjusted net profits in Cyprus and Bulgaria improved substantially, with Cyprus reaching €92 million.
‘Inhuman and degrading treatment of migrants in Cyprus’
People sent to Pournara migrant reception centre in Cyprus were placed in containers without electricity or hot water, crammed next to each other in unhygienic conditions.
Cyprus hosting summit on Syrian migration
Fact: Cyprus will host an international meeting of interior ministers to discuss migration, with a focus on declaring parts of Syria safe for migrants to return.