Latest news with #Cyprus-based
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Moose Wala's mother calls gunfire at son's statue a wound on her soul
1 2 Bathinda: Charan Kaur, the mother of slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala , has issued an emotional and powerful statement on social media after a statue of her son was fired upon near the Punjab-Haryana border. In a hard-hitting post on Tuesday, Kaur called the incident an attack on the memory of her son and a wound on their soul. She said that the statue was not merely a piece of stone, but a symbol of the honor and love his fans hold for him. "My son was turning into a sound for the rights of people, and efforts are being made to silence him even after his demise," she wrote. "This attack is like an injury to our soul. The enemies of my son's life are not leaving him even after his demise. You can beat him, but his memory cannot be erased. He is like a movement that will remain forever. I only want to say that one day the guilty will surely get punishment; our silence is not our defeat," she said. The statue, erected by Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) youth wing Haryana president Digvijay Chautala, was the target of gunshots. The incident came to light after Chautala received a threatening video message from a Cyprus-based WhatsApp number about a week ago, showing the firing at the statue. The message also contained a threat that after Moose Wala's killing, his sympathisers would be next.
Forbes
25-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Investors Should Consider When Evaluating Startups In 2025
Roman Gurskiy is Managing Director of GEM Capital, a leading Cyprus-based investment firm with a focus on game studios. Investing in startups has always been a mixture of art and science—a delicate balance of data-driven analysis and qualitative judgment. This is especially true for the gaming industry, which is my primary focus. Identifying high-potential startups has always been challenging for investors, but in 2025, it's a more complex task than ever. The startup landscape is now pulsing with relentless changes and volatility. Seemingly overnight, AI has gained prominence. Meanwhile, I'm finding that attempting to predict consumer behaviors falls short way too often, and the very rhythm of funding has evolved. As an experienced investor, I review numerous pitches yearly, but only a handful capture my attention, and even fewer secure an investment. While quantitative metrics certainly have their place, my investment decisions ultimately hinge on something more fundamental: the qualitative essence of a startup that signals true potential. So, what makes me say 'yes' to a startup in 2025? Here's my framework and what I encourage other investors to consider: Founding Team: Industry Expertise, Vision And Execution When evaluating a startup, begin with its people. The founding team's DNA is critical for a startup's success, especially in early stages. An investor is not merely buying into a product; they're investing in the individuals behind it, trusting their capability to transform vision into reality. First, look for deep industry expertise. In games, for example, I look for founders who live and breathe the industry. Have they built games for years? Do they understand the audience and the tools inside and out? A clear understanding of the market, customer needs and competitive landscape lends credibility and enables teams to anticipate shifts proactively. Second, consider their vision and personal qualities. Founders must show a genuine passion and unwavering drive for their business, signaling their readiness to make tough decisions and persevere through adversity. Beyond these, compelling visionary leadership is the key to success. But a frequent misstep, especially in the games industry, is overemphasizing creative vision without addressing business fundamentals. I believe founders must be business-oriented. Nothing proves the points above better than a proven track record. It provides tangible evidence of the team's ability to execute, adapt, navigate challenges and deliver results. Ideas are a foundation, but execution is everything. Market Size And Product Potential I seek startups addressing a large, growing total addressable market (TAM) with a clear customer segment. This ensures ample room for scaling and long-term growth. However, in a competitive market, simply entering a large TAM isn't enough; companies must carve out a defensible niche. This often involves appealing to underserved audiences or offering something truly unique. Products that tackle painful problems in novel or more efficient ways always stand out to me. So, the product itself should have significant potential and demonstrate a highly specific, differentiated value proposition that will resonate deeply with a defined segment of customers, allowing it to capture significant market share. There are five questions that I've found can help understand if a startup meets this criterion: • Does it solve a real problem or fill a significant demand? • Why hasn't anyone done this before? • Why now? • What differentiates this product from others? • What's its edge? Reasonable answers to these questions, showing a clear path to success, make me say, "Yes." But proof of market fit is still essential. This means looking for early customer interest, initial traction, validation from industry experts and solid market analysis. Scalability And Sustainable Business Models A solid business model should demonstrate clear scalability potential. Look for a profitable-looking business model with strong unit economics, capital efficiency and a realistic monetization strategy. On top of that, there should be an edge—something defensible that competitors can't easily copy. Whether it's proprietary technology, a passionate community or some network effect, a unique advantage justifies why the business can capture market share. Early traction is critical too. Look for real revenue, engaged users or partnerships that prove demand. In a cautious funding environment, metrics matter more than ever. At the pre-seed stage, founders should validate their business models, build a minimum viable product (MVP) and attract early customers. In short, I crunch the numbers and ask: • Can this startup grow big enough and fast enough to justify the investment? • Is it capable of achieving 10 times growth in five years? If the answer to both is yes, personally, it's a yes for me. Realistic Valuations And Favorable Terms Deal terms are critical to investor returns. An investor needs to be comfortable with both the structure and valuation. While specifics may vary, valuations should generally be reasonable, align with market benchmarks and account for potential risks. Strategic Exit Planning: Starting With The End In Mind To me, an exit strategy is not merely a final step but a design principle that influences every funding decision from day one. It dictates the type of intellectual property to develop (ensuring it's attractive to potential acquirers), the market segments to target (identifying consolidation opportunities), the emphasis on scalability and sustainable revenue, and the composition of the leadership team. By envisioning potential acquirers or initial public offering requirements early, an investor can guide founders to build a company that's inherently more attractive and "exit-ready," significantly increasing the likelihood of a successful and lucrative return on investment. This proactive approach fundamentally de-risks the entire venture. Investing in startups in 2025 may be riskier than ever, but the core hasn't changed: Great teams, compelling products and solid business plans win out. What has evolved is context. In my view, new markets, shifting user behaviors, hard-to-predict breakthroughs and setbacks in cutting-edge technologies play a bigger role. The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Euractiv
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Major blow to Pornhub as France's highest court re-introduces age verification
France's state council has overruled a Paris administrative court ruling to suspend a government decree on 15 July – meaning that all porn websites offering services in France must verify their users' age. The ruling from the state council on Tuesday comes only weeks after the Paris administrative court suspended a governmental decree requiring age verification for EU-based porn websites in June. Today's decision is the latest development in the dispute championed by French Digital Minister Clara Chappaz, affecting adult websites including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube which are owned by Cyprus-based company Aylo as well as xhamster-owner Hammy Media. "The State Council has decided: the law has to be followed," wrote Chappaz on X. But the council's ruling only suspends the June court decision and does not pre-empt the forthcoming preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU). The CJEU must determine whether the French government's decree requiring EU-based porn companies to comply with national law conflicts with EU law. In short, this is merely a temporary victory for Chappaz, as the CJEU could still annul the French government's decree for failure to comply with EU law. It remains unclear whether Aylo will shut down its websites in France, as it did in June to protest enforcement of the French SREN law – the law the government decree aimed at enforcing. The European Commission on Monday proposed new guidelines to protect minors online. France claimed victory, saying the Commission's proposal enshrined its own approach mandating age verification for accessing pornographic website throughout the EU. Aylo did not respond to a request for a comment at the time of reporting. (vib)
Business Upturn
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Innoventure Global Partners Ltd. Rolls Out Southeast Asia Strategy with ‘Investment + Deep Incubation'Model
Limassol, Cyprus, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyprus-based Innoventure Global Partners Ltd. is making waves across the Asian market with its pioneering 'investment + deep incubation' model—signaling a major move into Southeast Asia's rapidly growing digital economy sector. Innoventure has built a robust network of strategic partners across Asia and Europe. Its unique LP + GP structure sets it apart: Limited Partners (LPs) contribute strategic insights and capital backing General Partners (GPs) lead project selection, market execution, and operational management This dual-engine model allows Innoventure to balance agility with professional risk control, especially in fast-evolving sectors such as AI-driven social commerce, digital economy, and next-generation consumer technology. As part of its global expansion strategy, Innoventure is now establishing a strong presence across Southeast Asia. The company's flagship initiative, NOVALUXIA, is gaining momentum in the region and has already attracted attention from leading tech innovators and regional government bodies. Designed around the principle of 'tech-driven innovation powered by user co-creation,' NOVALUXIA exemplifies Innoventure's mission to align international capital with local market needs. ' Innoventure is not just funding innovation — it ' s building the future through sustained partnerships and visionary execution, ' — Executive Director, European Consumer Tech Fund Looking ahead, Innoventure Global Partners Ltd. plans to extend its incubation ecosystem into key emerging markets across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By fusing global resources with local innovation, Innoventure aims to accelerate digital transformation and contribute to building a more inclusive and interconnected global economy. Media Contact Contact: DENNIS TING YUK SHIN Company Name: Innoventure Global Partners Ltd. Website: Email: [email protected] Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
See - Sada Elbalad
09-07-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Suez Canal, UW Group Discuss Turning Port Said Shipyard into Global Hub for Shipbuilding
Taarek Refaat The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) is actively pursuing strategic partnerships to transform the Port Said shipyard into a world-class destination for shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and environmentally friendly ship recycling services. A high-level delegation from Cyprus-based UW Group, a leading provider of ship repair and maintenance services to global shipping companies, met with Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, at the Pilots' Building in Ismailia. The meeting aimed to explore future cooperation to enhance the competitiveness of Port Said's shipyard. The delegation included Vassilios Demetriadis, UW Group's Strategic Affairs Advisor, and Evangelos Tsangaridis, the Group's Chief Operating Officer. During the discussions, both parties explored potential partnerships and investment opportunities to develop the shipyard into a globally recognized facility capable of offering comprehensive shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and green recycling services. Rabie reaffirmed the Suez Canal Authority's ambitious strategy to diversify its revenue streams by maximizing the value of its assets and upgrading the marine and logistical services offered. This aligns with the authority's vision to transform the canal into a global center for shipbuilding and marine unit services, including spare parts, repair, and maintenance. He expressed eagerness to open new avenues for collaboration with major players in the ship repair sector, emphasizing technology transfer, knowledge exchange, workforce training, and elevating the competitiveness of the SCA's shipyards to become the premier global destination offering high-quality services at competitive costs. He further outlined the authority's commitment to developing the Port Said shipyard into a state-of-the-art facility utilizing the latest global technologies, including new service lines like container repair and environmentally responsible ship recycling using advanced systems. Demetriadis highlighted the promising future for the Port Said shipyard, citing its strategic geographical location and strong physical and human resources as key factors positioning it as the optimal destination for Mediterranean ship repair and maintenance with advanced, eco-friendly approaches that align with rapid changes in maritime transport. While, Tsangaridis discussed plans to enhance mechanization across various operations, improve workforce efficiency, and adhere to environmental standards and sustainability principles consistent with the blue economy and the Suez Canal's green transformation strategy. The meeting concluded with agreement to study the partnership proposal further and arrange additional discussions focusing on technical and economic aspects. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
