UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's historic visit to Cyprus underscores strengthened ties as the island aligns with the West, shedding its Russian-linked past. Talks focused on sanctions expertise, regional stability, and Britain's role as a guarantor of Cypriot independence.
Britain and Cyprus pledged on Tuesday to boost ties during a visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in an endorsement of the pro-west tilt the Mediterranean island has taken since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A former British colony, Cyprus has worked hard to shake off a reputation as a haven for Russian businesses and light-touch regulation, and is aligned with the west over Russia and amid growing turmoil in the Middle East.
Starmer, on a multi-day visit to the Middle East, was in Cyprus on Tuesday, the first visit of a British prime minister to the former colony since Edward Heath in 1971.
After a short welcoming ceremony, Starmer told Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides he felt privileged to be there.
Christodoulides was received at the White House earlier this year in a first by a Cypriot president in almost three decades.
Britain has offered expertise for the island to create a sanctions unit, which was a focus of discussions. It still plays a role in Cypriot affairs as one of three guarantor powers of Cypriot independence, along with Turkey and Greece.
Starmer visited service personnel and families at RAF Akrotiri, a British military base on the southern coast.
Tuesday's visit drew criticism from breakaway North Cyprus, a statelet recognised only by Ankara, for ignoring the Turkish Cypriots as the other main party in the Cyprus conflict.
A mysterious collision between a U.S.-flagged chemical tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military and a Portuguese-flagged container vessel unfolded off Britain’s coast on Tuesday morning, leaving both ships ablaze and prompting an urgent investigation into what went wrong
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday welcomed Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day ceasefire proposal and said it was now Russia’s turn to end the fighting.
A tanker collision off the UK coast has raised concerns about long-term environmental damage. The Stena Immaculate, carrying jet fuel, was struck by the Solong, releasing fuel into the North Sea. Experts warn of potential harm to marine life and ecosystems.
A salvage operation is underway after a jet fuel tanker collided with a container ship off England’s coast, raising environmental concerns. One crew member remains missing, while efforts focus on containing spills and assessing damage. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Tower Bridge was temporarily shut down on Monday morning after a man climbed the railings, causing disruptions to traffic and river services. The situation was resolved by 12:30 pm, with the individual safely brought down and the bridge set to reopen.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
The European Commission has raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 3rd syndicated transaction for 2025.
Cuba has granted early release to 553 prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the Holy See during the final days of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s presidency.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
Cuba has granted early release to 553 prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the Holy See during the final days of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s presidency.
Russian officials express reservations over the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighting the need for guarantees and the ongoing military situation.
Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to enhance cooperation in subsea cables, finance, and energy, upgrading their relations to a "comprehensive strategic relationship." They aim to expand digital connectivity and meet the growing demand for data services, with Singapore investing heavily in Vietnam.
China will hold talks with Russia and Iran in Beijing on Iran’s nuclear programme, following a UN Security Council meeting on uranium enrichment concerns.
RBI seeks applications for a self-regulatory body for account aggregators. The SRO will oversee compliance, ensuring secure financial data-sharing. Eligible entities must apply by 15 June, with at least 25 members from financial providers and users.
On March 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, along with former heads of state, government, and Board of Trustees members.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
The European Commission has raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 3rd syndicated transaction for 2025.
Cuba has granted early release to 553 prisoners as part of a deal mediated by the Holy See during the final days of former U.S. President Joe Biden’s presidency.
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