Cyprus

A delegation from the troika of international lenders on Tuesday began its fourth assessment of Cyprus’s economy and troubled banking system to see whether Nicosia is meeting its obligations under the bailout.

A team of inspectors from the Troika of international lenders is back in Cyprus to conclude the fourth evaluation of the country's economic adjustment program.

The international song contest Eurovision 2014 starts Sunday evening in Copenhagen without Bulgaria's participation.

The official opening ceremony is to be held in City Hall Square in Copenhagen.

By Stathis Kousounis

Greece has in the first months of the year recorded far greater growth rates in foreign tourism arrivals and in travel revenues than its direct competitors in the region, according to official data.

Only 5% of Poles firmly support the idea that their country should join the Eurozone, a survey by the GfK Polonia Institute has shown.

Nearly three-quarters of Polish citizens do not want to abandon the zlota, Poland's national currency, with 42% of them being "strongly against" and 32% being "against" the euro, as Bulgaria's bTV

STRASBOURG - Around 1.7 million people were held in European prisons in 2012, and Serbia ranked first in prison overcrowding, show the Annual Penal Statistics of the Council of Europe, released in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Private-sector deposits in Cypriot banks rose slightly in March, the first monthly increase since November, while deposits in other southern European countries hit by the eurozone debt crisis remained relatively stable, ECB data showed.

Credit agency Standard and Poor’s raised its rating on Cyprus to B from B- on Friday, saying the Mediterranean nation was faring better than expected after last year’s tumultuous international bailout.

Cyprus was meeting terms set out by its foreign lenders and risks to its debt repayments were less, the ratings agency said.

Italy’s Enel has sought permission to explore for oil and gas in Greece, the Greek government said on Tuesday.

Enel has expressed interest in three onshore areas in the western part of the country, Greece’s Energy Ministry said, adding it would duly decide on the Italian company’s application.

New sewage plant contributes to peace in Cyprus

Development of a new sewage treatment plant in Nicosia brought the Turkish and Greek communities together with a new hope of peace and tolerance.

UN peacekeeping troops patrol the Green Line in Nicosia. [AFP]