Europe

Slovak PM Fico in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt

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Slovak PM Fico in life-threatening condition after assassination attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in an attempted assassination during a government meeting in Handlova. He was rushed to the hospital and then transported by helicopter for urgent treatment. The attack was condemned by European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The shooting led to the cancellation of a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms.

Why is Russia holding nuclear exercises – and what to watch for?

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Why is Russia holding nuclear exercises – and what to watch for?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. The drills will involve missile forces in the Southern Military District, alongside aviation and navy units, with Belarus also participating. The significance lies in linking the drills to current tensions, with mock warheads likely to be used in training exercises. The message is seen as nuclear signaling to deter NATO and the West from escalating the conflict in Ukraine. There is speculation about Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons defensively, rather than offensively on the battlefield.

Almost too many events to choose from this weekend

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Almost too many events to choose from this weekend

Fact: Nicosia will host several festivals this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including the On Bodies Fest and the 3rd Femme Fest.

Unficyp chief briefs Pace on peace-building efforts in Cyprus

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Unficyp chief briefs Pace on peace-building efforts in Cyprus

Colin Stewart briefed Italian MP Piero Fassino on peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus.

European spot will make Chelsea, ’s season, Pochettino says

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European spot will make Chelsea, ’s season, Pochettino says

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes that finishing in a European qualifying spot would give the club hope of improving in the next campaign.

Huge manhunt launched in France as gunmen kill two guards, free inmate from prison van

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Huge manhunt launched in France as gunmen kill two guards, free inmate from prison van

Two French prison guards were shot dead and three others injured when armed men ambushed a prison van to free an inmate in Incarville, France. The inmate and attackers escaped, triggering a major manhunt led by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti stated that efforts will be made to find and punish the criminals responsible for the attack. The fugitive inmate has been named as Mohamed A., suspected of ordering a murder in Marseille and having ties to the city’s powerful “Blacks” gang.

Georgian parliament passes ‘foreign agent’ bill amid protests

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Georgian parliament passes ‘foreign agent’ bill amid protests

Georgia’s parliament passed a “foreign agents” bill in its final reading, which now goes to President Salome Zourabichvili for approval. The bill requires organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. Critics have compared the bill to Russian legislation and have called for further protests. The European Union has warned that the bill could hinder Georgia’s integration with the bloc. Despite opposition, the ruling party in Georgia insists that the bill is necessary for transparency and to combat foreign influence.

Roman Polanski acquitted by French court in defamation trial

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Roman Polanski acquitted by French court in defamation trial

Film director Roman Polanski was acquitted by a French court of defaming British actress Charlotte Lewis, who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. Lewis alleged the abuse occurred in 1983 when she was 16, after traveling to Paris for a casting session. Polanski called her accusations a “heinous lie” in a 2019 interview, leading to the defamation lawsuit. Lewis disputed a quote attributed to her in a 1999 interview, and Polanski’s lawyer celebrated the verdict as a win for free speech. Despite the acquittal, Lewis expressed disappointment and stated she would appeal. Polanski has faced multiple sexual assault allegations, denying them all, and has struggled to secure distribution deals for his films in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Limassol chamber to host support scheme presentation

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Limassol chamber to host support scheme presentation

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will host an event to introduce a new entrepreneurship support scheme on May 14, 2024.

Bank of Cyprus named best bank, best investment bank

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Bank of Cyprus named best bank, best investment bank

Bank of Cyprus was named the Best Bank and Best Investment Bank in Cyprus by Global Finance in 2024.