Latest news with #Cyprus-based
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pornhub, RedTube and other major porn websites back online in France: Why were they banned and what has changed
Leading adult websites Pornhub , YouPorn and RedTube are once again accessible in France as a French court temporarily suspended a government decree that would have required EU-based pornographic platforms to implement stringent age verification measures. France had been rolling out new regulations this year, mandating that all adult websites verify users' ages through methods like credit card details or ID documents. The primary goal of these measures was to prevent minors from accessing explicit content. However, the Paris administrative tribunal on Monday put the government decree on hold, pending an investigation into its compatibility with broader European Union legislation, news agency AFP reported. It is to be noted that the French government has already signaled its intent to appeal this decision to the Council of State, the country's highest administrative court. Aylo, owner of these websites, wants government to rethink on age verification methods Aylo , the Cyprus-based owner of the three platforms, welcomed the decree's suspension as an "opportunity to reconsider more efficient approaches" to age verification. Earlier in June, Aylo had made its websites unavailable in France as a form of protest against the decree. Non-compliance could have led to significant penalties, including fines or website blocking. Aylo has consistently argued that the mandated age verification mechanism is not only ineffective but also poses an unacceptable security risk by exposing users' sensitive data to potential hacks or leaks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The company had previously displayed a message on its homepages stating, "Requiring you to repeatedly provide sensitive personal information creates an unacceptable security risk that we refuse to impose on our users." A 2024 study by the France's audio-visual watchdog revealed that approximately 40% of children access pornographic sites every month. To address privacy concerns, the suspended government decree also mandated that operators offer a third-party "double-blind" verification option, ensuring platforms couldn't view users' identifying information. Aylo has urge governments to instead require operating system makers, such as Apple, Microsoft and Google, to implement age verification at the device level. Other nations, including the UK and Germany, also enforce various age-related access restrictions for adult websites. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's Drone Destination plans Cyprus subsidiary for its European foray
PM Modi in Cyprus NEW DELHI: Indian drone companies are now going places. Drone Destination, one of India's leading drone technology and training companies, will establish its European subsidiary in Cyprus, which will focus on drone development, services, training, and drone sports, creating a comprehensive and future-ready ecosystem for unmanned aerial systems across Europe. The company made this announcement during PM Modi's recent visit to Cyprus. High commissioner of India to the Republic of Cyprus Manish said: 'We welcome Indian companies like Drone Destination to invest in Cyprus, particularly in future‑ready sectors such as drone technology and artificial intelligence. This complements Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's vision to make India a drone hub for the world by 2030, and Cyprus can serve as an ideal gateway for such innovations into Europe. The decision of Drone Destination soon after the conclusion of Prime Minister's first official visit to Republic of Cyprus testifies the commitment of Indian companies to engage Cyprus in enhancing our bilateral economic agenda.' Cyprus is seeking investment in this sphere. "Drone technology is reshaping defence, infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, logistics, environmental monitoring, STEM education and even entertainment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Migrate with ease from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with Lenovo Lenovo Learn More Undo By creating a secure, sovereign, and innovation-led drone hub envisaged by Drone Destination, Cyprus has the opportunity to lead in this critical sector, not just for itself, but for Europe and trusted partners globally,' said Invest Cyprus CEO Marios Tannousis in a statement. 'Drone Destination is already in active discussions with both government and private sector entities in the region to develop a state-of-the-art drone ecosystem through its planned Cyprus-based operations. The initiative is poised to deliver sovereign capabilities, attract foreign direct investment, and position Cyprus as a trusted global innovation hub in this strategically vital sector,' the company said in a statement. PM Modi has given a big boost to the use of drones across all spheres in India. Cyprus is being seen as a strategic gateway for Indian companies' unmanned systems in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 'Drone Destination is proud to bring India's proven experience in drone services and pilot training to this initiative in the region. Together, we can build a global centre that combines India's scale and innovation with Cyprus's strategic location, IP protection, and policy clarity,' said Drone Destination chairman Alok Sharma.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Cyprus to deepen cooperation as trusted, indispensable partners; prepare action plan to guide ties for next five years
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues on Monday with the two countries expressing their commitment to deepening cooperation 'as trusted and indispensable partners'. A Joint Declaration made after talks between PM Modi and Cyprus President reaffirmed the strategic bond between the two countries with the two leaders agreeing that an Action Plan is to be prepared in order to guide bilateral relations for the next five years. PM Modi's visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades, marked a historic milestone and reaffirmed the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. 'The visit celebrates not only a shared history, but a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect,' the declaration said. PM Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday as part of his three-nation visit. The two countries agreed to enhance trade, defence and technology partnership and establish direct air connectivity. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across their regions and beyond. Cyprus and India share a strategic vision of serving as bridges between regions. Both leaders underscored the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative, multi-nodal initiative that fosters peace, economic integration, and sustainable development. Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe. While recognizing Cyprus' role as a gateway into Europe, they welcomed the prospect of Indian shipping companies establishing a presence in Cyprus, encouraging the advancement of maritime cooperation through joint ventures involving Cyprus-based and Indian maritime service providers as a means of further strengthening economic and logistical ties. Looking ahead to Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU-India relations. They recalled the milestone visit of the College of Commissioners to India, and expressed satisfaction on the launch of the first India-EU Strategic Dialogue and the progress already made in the priority areas identified during the visit including in trade, defence and security, maritime, connectivity, clean and green energy, and space. Cyprus pledged to work towards the advancement of the EU-India strategic partnership during the Presidency. Both sides expressed readiness to support the conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year recognizing its significant economic and strategic potential. They also expressed their support for the ongoing work through the EU-India Trade and Technology Council and committed to sustaining a forward-looking agenda beyond the 2025 Strategic Roadmap to deepen this key global partnership. Recognizing the growing strategic complementarity between Cyprus and India, the leaders committed to expanding economic ties through increased trade, investment, and collaboration in science, innovation, and research. To advance cooperation, the two leaders noted they would welcome a Cypriot high-level delegation visiting India, including business representatives, as well as the organisation of a Cyprus-India Business Forum to promote investment opportunities. The two leaders also addressed the Cyprus-India Business Round Table on Advancing a Strategic Economic Partnership. Both leaders agreed to promote collaboration in research, innovation, and technology, fostering stronger ties between startups, academic institutions, and industry, and supporting innovation exchanges in key sectors like artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and research, with a view of concluding a related MoU. The two leaders recognized people-to-people ties as a strategic asset and multiplier for deepening economic and cultural ties. The two sides will work to finalise a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025. Both sides emphasized the value of fostering mutual understanding through cultural and people-to-people ties. They agreed to explore opportunities for enhancing tourism and establishing direct air connectivity between Cyprus and India, as well as enhanced air routes via shared partners, to improve ease of travel and boost bilateral exchanges. The two leaders underscored their shared commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, grounded in the UN Charter and international law, placing particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with regard to freedom of navigation and sovereign maritime rights. (ANI)
Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Business
- Scroll.in
SEBI probe into Adani stalled as ‘tax-haven' countries not sharing information, alleges Congress
The Congress on Monday alleged that the Securities and Exchange Board of India investigation into transactions involving the Adani Group has been hindered due to a lack of sharing of financial information by tax-haven countries and insufficient 'pressure' from the Indian government to secure the data. The Opposition party also claimed that a key figure in the alleged Adani 'scam' holds Cypriot citizenship. The statement came amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus. The Adani Group and its 13 offshore investors have been facing an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India since United States-based firm Hindenburg Research alleged in January 2023 that the conglomerate was pulling off the ' largest con in corporate history '. In a report, it claimed that the Adani Group was involved in stock manipulation, accounting fraud and money laundering. The Adani Group has rejected the allegations and denied any wrongdoing. But the report had triggered a rout in stocks of the conglomerate's seven listed companies, which collectively lost more than $100 billion in market valuation. '[Prime Minister] would have us believe that it is a pure coincidence that a key figure in the Modani scam has a Cypriot citizenship,' Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed in a social media post. He also claimed that the Cyprus-based fund New Leaina has 'reportedly about $420 million in Adani companies'. Ramesh alleged that 'the 'ultimate beneficial owners' of this fund are linked to Amicorp', a firm he claimed is believed to have set up at least seven Adani promoter entities, seven offshore shell companies connected to businessman Gautam Adani's brother Vinod Adani and three Mauritius-based offshore investors in Adani Group stock.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Congress claims SEBI's Adani probe stalled by lack of information sharing
The Congress on Monday claimed that a key figure in the Adani "scam" has Cypriot citizenship, and said the ongoing SEBI investigations into transactions involving the conglomerate have been hampered by lack of sharing of financial information by tax-haven countries and "lack of pressure" by opposition party's assertions come amid the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister is in Cyprus on his way to Canada. Of course, he would have us believe that it is a pure coincidence that a key figure in the Modani scam has Cypriot citizenship," Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said. The Cyprus-based fund New Leaina reportedly has about USD 420 million in Adani companies, he claimed. "The 'ultimate beneficial owners' of this fund are linked to Amicorp, which is believed to have set up at least seven Adani promoter entities, seventeen offshore shell companies linked to Mr. Vinod Adani, and three Mauritius-based offshore investors in Adani Group stock," Ramesh said in his post on these transactions are part of the ongoing SEBI investigations, which have been hampered by lack of sharing of financial information by these and other tax-haven countries and lack of pressure by India, Ramesh was no immediate reaction from the Adani Group to the claims, but it has denied all such allegations made by the Congress and other Congress has been persistent in its attack on the government since the Adani Group stocks took a beating on the bourses in the wake of US-based short-selling firm Hindenburg Research making a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, about the conglomerate headed by industrialist Gautam Adani Group has dismissed all the charges made by the Congress and others as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure that Cyprus gained independence from British rule on August 16, 1960, Ramesh also said that in the 1950s, India spearheaded the international campaign for the full decolonisation of the the context of today's geopolitics, it is worthwhile to recall that India's championing of the independence of Cyprus in the 1950s and thereafter became a sore point in our bilateral relations with Turkey," he Cyprus a "reliable partner" for India, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday called for strengthening bilateral cooperation, which has "immense potential for growth".Modi, who arrived in Nicosia on the first leg of his three-nation tour, made the remarks while attending a business roundtable along with Cypriot President Nikos Watch
