Turkish minister says USA is behind 2016 coup attempt

Turkey’s Minister of the Interior Suleyman Soylu stated that the USA is behind the failed coup in on 15 July, 2016, for which Ankara blamed Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, BTA reports.

The authorities in Turkey have long blamed Erdogan’s former ally who lives in Pennsylvania, and launched a widespread crackdown on his organization which Ankara has designated a terrorist organization. Gulen denies any involvement in the coup attempt.

The US State Department stated the accusation was “wholly false” and “…inconsistent with Turkey’s status as a NATO ally and strategic partner of the United States.”

Opposition in Romania demands resignation of health minister

MPs from the opposition Social Democratic Party staged a protest in the Chamber of Deputies, raising posters demanding the resignation of Minister of Health Vlad Voiculescu, the website Ziare writes. They are accusing the cabinet minister of incompetence over the fire that broke out last week in the Matei Bals hospital in Bucharest treating coronavirus patients. Five people were killed in the fire itself, but the death toll has now reached 12. The incident triggered a wave of street protests. This is the third fire at a medical establishment in Romania in past months.

Cyprus parliament hears out president on controversial citizenship-for-investment scheme

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades testified to a committee of inquiry investigating the citizenship-for-investment programme, BNR’s correspondent in Cyprus Branislava Bobanats reports, and his testimony lasted three hours. President Anastasiades testified about the involvement of his law firm in the procedure. He also answered questions about a family holiday he took to the Seychelles using the jet of a naturalized Saudi investor. The president stated he was ready to assume responsibility if violations by officials were established connected with the naturalization programme. The scheme was dropped in November 2020. The committee investigating the so-called “golden passports” was set up after multiple reports that citizenship had been granted to suspicious foreign nationals as well as of conflict of interest by the president and cabinet ministers.

Greece’s PM expects tourism to bounce back in summer

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has forecast a strong rebound in tourism this summer, saying speedy vaccination drives in key markets including Britain and Israel will pave the way for tourists to return despite the current industry gloom, Reuters reports.

Tourism, which accounts for about 20% of the Greek economy and employs one in five workers, collapsed last year as the coronavirus pandemic sent its revenues slumping to 4 billion euros from 18 billion in 2019.

The Greek economy is expected to reach a 4.8 percent growth rate this year after shrinking by 10% in 2020, though much depends on the return of tourists.

Mitsotakis said certificates would not be mandatory for visitors this summer but added: “Essentially we are dependent on the pace of vaccination in our main markets”. 

The Greek authorities are also planning priority vaccination against coronavirus for the population in tourist regions and for people working in the hotel industry.

Humanoid rock-robot joins Bosnian band Dubioza Kolektiv

The most popular rock band in Bosnia Dubioza Kolektiv has a new member – the first ever humanoid rock–musician-and-singer robot called Robby Megabyte, BGNES reports.

Robby was created by students from the university in Sarajevo after the band asked for a robot designed to match the concept of the album they released last year. Dubioza Kolektiv are known for their eclectic style and socially and politically conscious songwriting with lyrics in multiple languages.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova