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☆ McTominay fires Scotland to 3-0 win over Cyprus in Euro qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group A - Scotland v Cyprus - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - March 25, 2023 Cyprus' Minas Antoniou in action with Scotland's Callum McGregor and Stuart Armstrong Action Images via Reuters/Ed SykesMarch 25 (Reuters) - Scotland beat Cyprus 3-0 in their first Euro 2024 Group A qualifier on Saturday after second-half substitute Scott McTominay grabbed a double at Hampden Park. The second half was a far less entertaining affair, however, as Scotland failed to build on their advantage. But Steve Clarke's substitutions eventually worked as McTominay doubled the lead in the 87th minute. McTominay then scored again in added time when Cyprus failed to clear a cross into the box, with Robertson laying the ball into the path of the midfielder to score. Scotland next play Spain on Tuesday when Cyprus visit Armenia.

☆ EU's EIB to break 4-year Turkey lending ban with earthquake aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - The European Union's lending arm, the European Investment Bank, is to provide 500 million euros ($540 mln) for Turkey's post-earthquake rebuilding efforts, suspending an almost-total ban on financing for Turkey. The EIB stopped virtually all lending in Turkey after a row over oil and gas drilling off Cyprus nearly four years ago. But the severity of last month's quake, which killed nearly 56,000 people in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, has prompted it to make an exception. Turkey is set to hold pivotal presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14 and EU members are wary of a resumption of EIB lending being seen as an indirect backing of incumbent president Tayyip Erdogan's re-election campaign. The EIB lent around 2 billion euros a year in Turkey between 2009 and 2016 before the concerns about Ankara's domestic crackdown first saw the bank scale back its lending in the country.

[1/5] A white tiger cub that was abandoned outside the Attica Zoological Park and is believed to be a victim of illegal wildlife trade, drinks water at the zoo's infirmary, in Athens, Greece, March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Stelios MisinasATHENS, March 17 (Reuters) - Greek veterinarians are fighting to save a white tiger cub abandoned in a rubbish bin at an Athens zoo, believed to be a victim of the illegal wildlife trade. The three-month old white tiger was found on Feb. 28 under a garbage bin in the parking lot of the Attica Zoological Park by a cleaner, who notified the zoo owner. "It is the first time ever we had such an animal dumped outside our zoo," said zoo founder Jean-Jacques Lesueur. Lesueur said if the tiger survives it will have to be relocated to a sanctuary, as the zoo has no other animals of its kind.

☆ Fridman, Aven in talks over selling stake in Russia's Alfa Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 10 (Reuters) - Sanctioned Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven are in discussions over selling their stake in private Russian lender Alfa Bank to longtime business partner and Alfa Bank co-founder Andrei Kosogov, the bank said on Friday. "As far as we know, such a deal is indeed being worked out," Alfa Bank said. Alfa Bank has been placed under Western sanctions, imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Fridman and Aven are seeking to have the personal sanctions on them removed. "Neither Andrei Kosogov nor the seller are under sanctions, so it is likely that the approval of the deal by foreign regulators will not be needed," Alfa Bank said.

☆ They moved abroad hoping to save money — here’s what they found out
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

She is able to save money because she has embraced a style of travel that minimizes spending while on the road, she said. Her advice for people who want to move abroad and save money? "Is it possible to save money compared to the U.S.? Martin Penner said you can "absolutely" save money while traveling full time, but he cautions that short-term rental prices have increased. Elledge-Penner advises those who want to save money to avoid Europe in the summertime.

☆ Dwarf elephants? Giant rats? Strange island creatures at high risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - A dwarf elephant the size of a Shetland pony once roamed the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. They were examples of the "island effect," a rule in evolutionary biology describing how large-bodied species tend to downsize on islands while small-bodied species upsize. Extinction risk was seen highest among species that underwent more extreme body size shifts compared to mainland relatives. But small-bodied species, because there is a decreased risk from predators on islands, are emancipated from evolutionary constraints on their size. It once was home to a dwarf elephant relative, giant rats and a giant stork, as well as a dwarf human species - Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the "Hobbit," standing just 3-1/2 feet tall (106 cm) tall.

☆ Euro zone economic growth trimmed to zero q/q at end of 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, March 8 (Reuters) - The euro zone failed to register any growth quarter-on-quarter in the final three months of 2022, European statistics agency said on Tuesday, slightly revising down both its GDP and employment growth numbers, although the latter remained strong. Euro zone economic growth was 0.0% in the fourth quarter compared with the third and 1.8% from a year earlier, Eurostat said in a statement. The revisions still confirmed that the euro zone narrowly avoided the technical recession that had previously been expected. Eurostat also revised down the figure for employment growth in the euro zone to 0.3% quarter-on-quarter from a previously reported 0.4%. Strong employment growth highlights how tight the labour market is and signals a problem for the ECB in its fight to bring inflation back to 2% from double digit territory last autumn.

☆ Womb for rent: More women are working as commercial surrogates as global demand rises
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Typically, commercial surrogacy is gestational surrogacy, meaning the surrogate has no biological link to the child. The growing commercial surrogacy industryDilara is one of a growing number of women turning to commercial surrogacy as a source of income amid swelling global demand for carriers. The global commercial surrogacy industry was worth an estimated $14 billion in 2022, according to market research consultancy Global Market Insights — though exact numbers are hard to verify given the private nature of many arrangements. In the first three quarters of 2022, more than 400 parental orders were made for surrogate parents in the U.K. Women's rights groups are calling for greater regulation of the commercial surrogacy industry.

☆ Explainer: What's at stake in Turkey's upcoming elections?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The opposition promises to reverse many of the policies of Erdogan, who has championed religious piety, military-backed diplomacy and low interest rates. WHAT'S AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION FOR TURKEY ... Erdogan has also centralised power around an executive presidency, based in a 1,000-room palace on the edge of Ankara, which sets policy on Turkey's economic, security, domestic and international affairs. Economists say Erdogan's calls for low interest rates sent inflation soaring to a 24-year high of 85% last year, and the lira slumping to one tenth of its value against the dollar over the last decade. How the opposition will garner support among the Kurdish voters, accounting for 15% of the electorate, remains key.

☆ Manafort, U.S. government settle civil case for $3.15 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is escorted into court for his arraignment in New York Supreme Court, June 27, 2019. Paul Manafort, the former chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has agreed to pay $3.15 million to settle a civil case filed by the Justice Department over undeclared foreign bank accounts. When the civil case was filed in April 2022, prosecutors alleged that Manafort had failed to disclose more than 20 offshore bank accounts he ordered opened in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Trump pardoned his former campaign chairman in the final weeks of his presidency. Manafort's ties to Ukraine led to his ouster from Trump's campaign in August 2016, less than a month after Trump accepted the Republican nomination.

☆ Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chair, to pay $3.1 million in Justice Department settlement
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Laura Italiano | Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Paul Manafort has quietly, and expensively, settled a 2022 DOJ lawsuit alleging he hid assets from the IRS. Manafort, who once chaired Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, must pay the feds $3.1 million. The settlement was revealed in a court filing in Florida, Manafort's current state of residence. The settlement, filed in US District Court in Florida, followed months of settlement discussions. The settlement is the latest chapter in a notorious, unapologetic life that included a controversial Trump pardon and an admission — to Insider in 2022 — that he had passed Trump campaign data to a suspected Russian asset, Konstantin Kilimnik.

☆ Americans arrested for allegedly sending aviation technology to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Karen Freifeld | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 2 (Reuters) - Two Americans were arrested in Kansas City on Thursday for an alleged scheme to send aviation-related technology to Russia in violation of U.S. export controls. The defendants are charged with conspiracy, exporting controlled goods without a license, falsifying and failing to file export information, and smuggling goods contrary to U.S. law. The U.S. imposed additional restrictions on avionics after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, along with controls on other goods targeting Russia's defense, aerospace and maritime sectors. The controls were later expanded to include Russia’s oil refining, industrial and commercial sectors, and luxury goods. Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Cyprus problem' top priority for island's new president
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Summary Nikos Christodoulides sworn in as Cyprus presidentSays solving division 'top priority'Where are the women, opposition asksNICOSIA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Nikos Christodoulides was sworn in as Cyprus's president on Tuesday, promising to make finding a solution to the "Cyprus problem" his top priority after winning an election runoff on Feb. 12. Cyprus has an executive system of government, with power invested in the presidency and its council of ministers. "A solution to the Cyprus problem is my top priority," he said. Of 25 appointments announced on Monday, 14 were male and 11 female, though there were fewer females in key posts. Reporting by Michele Kambas Editing by Peter Graff and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sheltering miles from a nuclear blast may not be enough to survive unless you know where to hide, new calculations show
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Rupendra Brahambhatt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Scientists simulated a nuclear explosion about 37 times more powerful than Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is the first study that shows the impact that nuclear shockwaves could have on humans indoors. Nuclear war is a terrifying thought, but for a team of researchers at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, it's top of mind. An illustration of the shockwave of a 750-kt nuclear bomb 10 seconds after detonation. The team simulated a nuclear explosion from a 750-kiloton atomic bomb.

☆ Cyprus leaders meet as peace talks remain deadlocked
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Iakovos Hatzistavrou/Pool via REUTERSNICOSIA, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Leaders of Cyprus's estranged Greek and Turkish communities met on Thursday as a deadlock persisted in peace talks on the ethnically divided island. The meeting was the first for newly elected Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, the new Greek Cypriot leader, and Ersin Tatar, the Turkish Cypriot leader. Cyprus was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup, with Greek Cypriots living in its south and Turkish Cypriots in an unrecognised breakaway north. "The present state of affairs cannot be the solution to the Cyprus problem, not for Greek Cypriots, or Turkish Cypriots," Christodoulides said after the two-hour meeting with Tatar. "I didn't hear anything I didn't expect from Mr Tatar," Christodoulides said.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the West formed what looked like an overwhelming global coalition: 141 countries supported a United Nations measure demanding that Russia unconditionally withdraw. South Korea Indonesia Israel Thailand Japan Saudi Arabia Philippines Afghanistan CambodiaBy contrast, Russia seemed isolated. Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus Syria Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus SyriaBut the West never won over as much of the world as it initially seemed. But like many other African countries, South Africa appears careful to balance its growing ties with Russia against maintaining a relationship with the West. Others that provided Ukraine with military support have declined to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

☆ Maersk nears complete Russia exit after selling logistics sites
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COPENHAGEN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Shipping and logistics group A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) has agreed to sell its two logistics sites in Russia to IG Finance Development Limited, it said on Monday, nearly marking the end of its business activities in the country. "We are pleased to have found a new owner of our two logistics sites in Russia and thereby execute on our decision to divest all our assets in the country," Chief Commercial Officer Karsten Kildahl said in a statement. IG Finance Development, a company registered in Cyprus, has made an agreement with Arosa, a large food importer in Russia, to operate the sites, Maersk said. After that, Maersk will not have any business in Russia.

☆ Wealthy Americans are racing to get the EU's last remaining 'golden passport' before it's gone
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For the first time, Americans are applying for "golden passports" more than any other nationality. For the first time, Americans are applying for golden passports and visas more than any other nationality, according to Henley & Partners' 2023 USA Wealth Report, released Thursday. Henley & Partners' Head of North America Mehdi Kadiri said Malta's golden passport scheme was the second-most sought-after program among Americans, in part because Malta's program is accessible through real estate investment. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt reportedly applied for European citizenship in 2020 through Cyprus' now-defunct golden passport program. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, golden passports and visas faced global scrutiny for allowing sanctioned oligarchs access to the UK.

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Adobe Inc (ADBE.O) will need to secure European Union antitrust approval for its $20 billion bid for cloud-based designer platform Figma even though the deal falls short of the EU turnover threshold for a review, EU regulators said on Wednesday. The move by the European Commission underlines regulators' worries on Big Tech acquiring smaller innovative rivals and the impact on competition. Photoshop maker Adobe had originally sought approval from antitrust agencies in Austria and Germany for the deal. Austria subsequently referred the case to the Commission, prompting the other EU countries to join in. "We look forward to working constructively with the European Commission to address its questions and bring the review to a timely close," a spokesperson for San Francisco, California-based Figma said.

☆ Russian banks and invasion leaders in focus as EU debates new sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Russia's President Vladimir Putin and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet on sideline of the Libya summit in Berlin, Germany January 19, 2020. "We will impose sanctions on a number of politicians and military leaders," the head of EU executive European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said last week after a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "We will target (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's propagandists because their lies are poisoning the public space in Russia and abroad." This will further starve Russia's military machine and continue to shake the foundation of its economy," she said. The Commission also put forward further restrictions on European joint ventures with Russia and Russian nationals sitting on boards in Europe, they added.

☆ Town in North Cyprus buries last of high school volleyball team killed in quake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 12 (Reuters) - Mourners from a town in North Cyprus on Sunday buried the last of 39 people, including 24 children, who were killed in last week's earthquake while in Turkey for a school volleyball tournament. The team from Turkish Maarif College in Famagusta, in Turkish Cypriot-controlled North Cyprus had travelled to Adiyaman for a match together with their trainers, teachers and parents. They were caught in the devastating quake that hit southern Turkey and Syria in the early hours last Monday. Mourners, among them high school students, prayed and wept over the two coffins, between which lay a volleyball. The death toll in Turkey and Syria from the earthquake and major aftershocks rose above 33,000 on Sunday and looked set to keep growing.

☆ Cypriot diplomats face off in cliffhanger presidential vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Supporters of Cyprus presidential candidate Nikos Christodoulides are seen in front of a poster, at the campaign headquarters a day ahead of the presidential elections, in Nicosia, Cyprus, February 11, 2023. REUTERS/Louiza VradiNICOSIA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - A runoff election on Sunday to select the president of Cyprus pits two career diplomats against each other in what could be a cliffhanger vote that has split the political right. His candidacy was given a boost this week when DISY said its members should vote with their conscience. The DISY leadership were angered after Christodoulides, a former party member, broke ranks to run as an independent. read moreLeading DISY party members have since come out in support of each candidate.

☆ Cyprus probes washed up dead whales, earthquake link possible
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NICOSIA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A number of whales have washed up dead on the northern shores of Cyprus, authorities said on Friday, possibly affected by the massive earthquakes in neighbouring Turkey and Syria this week. Six beaked whales were found dead on Friday, while a pod of four were found beached on Thursday, the Cyprus department of fisheries and marine research said. Three of the four from Thursday were guided back to sea, while the fourth died, it said in a statement. It was unclear if the dead pod found on Friday included those whales from Thursday that had been returned to the sea, it said. Monday's mega earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which have killed tens of thousands of people, were also felt on the east Mediterranean island.

☆ Turkey and Greece have a centuries-long feud that has come close to war. But when earthquakes hit, they still come to each other's aid.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Greece and Turkey have decades of animosity, repeatedly moving towards the brink of war. Turkey is currently dealing with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, and Greece is helping. Last December Greece's foreign ministry said that Turkey was making "repeated threats of war," as Turkey responded angrily to what it said was Greece militarizing the Aegean islands. Nicholas Burns, the then-United States Ambassador to Greece, described what happened as "earthquake diplomacy" to The New York Times. Greece was previously under the control of Turkey, leading to a bitter independence fight that ended with Greece gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830.

☆ Shunned by the US, Turkey is preparing to launch its first aircraft carrier — but it will come with a twist
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Turkey will instead operate the Anadolu with drones, using them to project power across the region. The US kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program in 2019, leaving Ankara without fighter jets for its new carrier. Strictly speaking, Anadolu is not a dedicated aircraft carrier but an amphibious assault ship — specifically a landing helicopter dock, or LHD. Turkey was a Level III partner in the US-led F-35 program, with Turkish companies making about 900 parts for the aircraft. Turkish carrier dronesTCG Anadolu in Istanbul in September 2022.

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