Latest news with #Cypriot
IOL News
an hour ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates end Spanish tour on a high as Ouaddou's vision takes shape
Orlando Pirates celebrated a successful end to their Spanish tour with a 2-0 win over Granada, signalling early progress under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix COMMENT Orlando Pirates wrapped up their Spanish pre-season tour with a 2-0 win over La Liga side Granada — a result that not only boosted morale but gave head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou a clearer picture of his squad's capabilities heading into the 2025/26 season. Across four matches played at the Marbella Football Centre, the Buccaneers showed flashes of tactical maturity and individual brilliance. While the early stages of the tour were shaky — marked by a 2-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers and a 1-1 draw with Cypriot club Pafos — there was evident improvement as the team held Las Palmas to a goalless draw before closing out with a deserved win over Granada. But it wasn't just about results. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Spanish leg of pre-season provided a vital window for Ouaddou to bed in new ideas and assess the impact of fresh arrivals. Among the standout performers were new signings Sipho Mbule and Sihle Nduli, who both looked comfortable in the Pirates midfield. Mbule, calm and composed in possession, linked well with Thalente Mbatha in the centre of the park, giving Pirates a much-needed sense of control. Nduli, meanwhile, added bite and balance — his energy and ball recovery stood out, particularly against technically sound opposition. Their partnership added a new dimension to a midfield that often looked too one-paced last season. The ability to dictate tempo and absorb pressure became a recurring theme in the latter stages of the tour — a sign that Ouaddou's methods are beginning to take root. In attack, Relebohile Mofokeng once again showed why he remains one of the most exciting young players in the country. Confident, tricky and decisive in transition, he was involved in nearly everything Pirates created going forward. Yet his brilliance also highlighted the team's most pressing concern — finishing. Slowly our coach is getting it right, we just need to fix our CB but future looks good. If Mofokeng never gets to wear the no 10 jersey then Dr Khoza n Sono shud just permanently retire that number n let new players create their own legacy with new numbers going forward. — Khulu Khumalo (@devikhumalo) July 19, 2025 The Soweto giants struggled to convert chances throughout the tour, an issue that persisted even in their final win. Resolving that clinical edge will no doubt be a top priority as the domestic season approaches. Defensively, the Buccaneers tightened up as the games progressed. They conceded just three goals in four matches and finished with back-to-back clean sheets. Communication and structure improved notably, and while not yet perfect, the backline looked far more assured than at the start of the tour. Another major positive for Ouaddou will be the growing chemistry within the squad. Despite a demanding training load and mixed results, the players appeared more unified with each passing game. There was intent, belief and an increasing understanding of the tactical framework being laid out. Now, with Spain in the rear-view mirror, attention turns to the domestic campaign. Pirates begin their competitive season by defending their MTN8 crown in a quarter-final clash against Polokwane City at home. Ouaddou's project is still in its infancy, but the early signs from Spain suggest the Buccaneers may well be heading in the right direction — one well-drilled pass at a time.
Euronews
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Cyprus commemorates 51 years since 1974 Turkish invasion
Cyprus marks 51 years since an invasion by Turkey in 1974, which led to the partition of the island nation that is still in place today. On the morning of 20 July, 1974, sirens sounded across the island, signalling that the invasion was underway. A month of fighting later, approximately 36% of Cypriot territory had fallen under Turkish military control, which still presently persists, making Cyprus the only European Union member state that is under occupation. Turkish armed forces landed boots on the ground in Kyrenia, north of Cyprus, as Ankara's air forces carried out an aerial assault campaign on several targets on the island, causing panic and leaving widespread devastation and misery in their wake. The invasion led to the deaths of more than 3,000 people, mainly civilians. Residents, still shaken by the aftermath of a violent coup d'état just five days prior, watched in horror. Turkey, however, continues to claim "Operation Attila" - the codename for its military operation - was not an invasion but a peaceful intervention aimed at restoring constitutional order and protecting the country's Turkish Cypriot minority. Several hundred people were killed in the coup on 15 July, 1974, which was staged by the Cypriot National Guard – backed by the Greek junta at the time – against forces loyal to Cyprus' democratically elected government, led by the ethnically Greek Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios III. Greek Cypriot nationalists aimed to overthrow Makarios and unite the Mediterranean island with Greece in a movement known as 'Enosis'. Makarios managed to flee Cyprus through Paphos and arrived in New York where he delivered a speech on 19 July, condemning the coup and denouncing the intention to unify his country with Greece. By then, Ankara's military preparations had already been put in place, and the invasion was carried out the following morning. The Cypriot National Guard turned out to be unprepared, and as a result, Turkish soldiers were able to advance with relative ease. More than 40,000 soldiers, commanded by General Nuretin Ersin, took part in the monthlong invasion. Units of the National Guard and Hellenic Force in Cyprus - Greek armed forces stationed in the country) were mobilised several hours after the invasion began, and fought without air cover and modern weaponry. An estimated 12,000 soldiers fought to resist Turkish occupation under the command of Brigadier General Michalis Georgitsis, who was also a leading figure in the coup against Makarios days prior. Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot men began to mobilise and participate in the defence of their land with everything they had, though many were reportedly not armed. Those who were tried everything they could to fend off the incoming Turkish troops, even shooting from the roofs of their houses. A truce that was reached between Cypriot and Turkish forces a few days later was ultimately temporary, as Turkey, at the time of the ceasefire, only held roughly 3% of the island. In August, Ankara struck the final blow with "Operation Attila II", the second phase of its military invasion, occuping large swathes of land on the island which it still holds today, in violation of multiple United Nations resolutions. The UN and the European Commission of Human Rights have condemned Turkey multiple times for its illegal invasion of its neighbouring country, as well as the humanitarian disaster that ensued. Approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots, previously residing in the north of the island in what has since become the self-declared "Turkish Republic of North Cyprus" were uprooted from their homes and displaced to the south. Turkish Cypriots who lived in the south were forced to go the other way. Only Turkey recognises the island's breakaway state in northern Cyprus, where it maintains more than 35,000 troops. While the Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus in the south is part of the European Union, EU law does not apply in the breakaway northern entity. The Greek Cypriot side has also been condemned for atrocities against Turkish Cypriots, especially for the massacre of Maratha, Santalaris and Aloda during the second Turkish invasion in August. More than 100 Turkish Cypriots were killed in attacks carried out by ultranationalist Greek Cypriot paramilitary group EOKA B. Over 2,000 Cypriots are now considered missing as a result of the events in 1974, as well as unrest that took place in the 1960s. Around three quarters are Greek Cypriots, with the rest being Turkish Cypriot. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue in the past five decades have failed thus far. Talks that took place in New York last week concluded without resolving key disputes. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that Ankara has a legitimate right to presence on the island, and has on previous occasions suggested a two-state solution for Cyprus, which many Cypriots reject.
LeMonde
a day ago
- Business
- LeMonde
Age verification becomes mandatory on porn sites in the UK, and gradually in France
The internet appears to be entering the "age verification era." This was the prediction made in June by France's media and digital communications regulator (Arcom) in its contribution to European guidelines on the protection of minors. It is clear that new fronts have opened up worldwide for the pornographic industry, which has been on the frontlines for several years. The United Kingdom made headlines last month by announcing that, starting July 25, several major porn sites would deploy age verification tools in the UK, retiring the familiar and purely declarative button, "I am over 18." Among these are several websites – Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn, Tube8 and MyDirtyHobby – run by Aylo, a leading Canadian and Cypriot group in the industry. The list also includes "camshow" platforms, such as ICF Group (Streamate, LiveHDCams), Cam4 and Cypriot giant Stripchat. Adult video sites are not the only ones complying with the measures set out in the Online Safety Act, passed in 2023. In recent weeks, a range of publishers have announced plans to deploy age verification tools in the UK, starting with Reddit, the American social media platform, which will hide its pornographic content behind a filter designed to keep minors out. The same goes for the gay dating app Grindr and even the social network Bluesky.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ross McCausland ‘lined up for surprise Rangers reunion' at overseas club
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RECENT news on Ross McCausland's potential departure from Rangers has been limited. Last month it was reported that three clubs were interested in signing the winger. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Ross McCausland is being linked with a move away from Rangers Credit: Willie Vass 3 The academy graduate fell out of favour at Ibrox at the end of last season Credit: Willie Vass 3 Russell Martin has welcomed plenty of new players but only Leon Balogun has left so far Credit: Willie Vass Those clubs were from countries as varied as Belgium, Switzerland the US. And a report claims that there is still interest in McCausland from the States, as well as a new team joining the race. The Northern Irishman featured 25 times in all competitions for Rangers last season, scoring three times. But the 22-year-old fell out of favour with Barry Ferguson, making just three appearances under the interim boss. The final straw appeared to be the academy graduate's first-half red card away to Aberdeen in April, which proved to be his final appearance of the season. So it's possible that Gers will look to move McCausland on this summer, providing they can attract interest in him. And the Daily Record claim that two Major League Soccer sides are sniffing around McCausland. Aris Limassol of Cyprus are also said to have 'major interest' in the Gers star, along with some English teams. A move to Aris would see the wideman reunite with two former Ibrox teammates. Last year's Cypriot runners-up signed Connor Goldson when he brought his six-year Rangers career to an end last summer. Rangers boss Russell Martin opens up on transfer plans as he delivers updates on Dessers and Igamane And they made another swoop for an Ibrox defender this summer, bringing in Leon Balogun on a free transfer. McCausland was snapped up by Gers from Linfield's youth setup in 2019. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! He made his first-team debut in the 21/22 season, and has made 66 appearances in total. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ross McCausland sees Rangers transfer exit options grow as chance to join two Ibrox old boys emerges
The 22-year-old is wanted by a European club while there is interest across the Big Pond Ross McCausland has major interest from Aris Limassol and Major League Soccer. The Rangers winger is wanted by the Cypriot side and two sides in America. The Northern Irish international has a number of growing loan options. Aris is keen on the 22-year-old. McCausland has been on their radar since he played and scored against them in the Europa League two years ago. The Cyprus side already has a strong Rangers connection, having signed Connor Goldson and then Leon Balogun when he left Ibrox in the summer. Limassol are keen to add to their wide options and McCausland is amongst their prime targets. There are also a couple of American sides who are looking into possible moves, along with interest from England. McCausland, who have five Northern Ireland caps, has been one of the biggest success stories from the Ibrox academy in recent seasons. Rangers signed him from Linfield's youth set-up in 2019. Since then he has gone on to make 66 first-team appearances, lifted the League Cup and scored a number of big goals in Europe, against Aris and Malmo. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here. Listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
