A man walks by an old military post near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. After nearly 50 years of division, both sides of Cyprus appear more entrenched than ever. Reuters
A man walks by an old military post near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. After nearly 50 years of division, both sides of Cyprus appear more entrenched than ever. Reuters
A man walks by an old military post near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. After nearly 50 years of division, both sides of Cyprus appear more entrenched than ever. Reuters
A man walks by an old military post near the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. After nearly 50 years of division, both sides of Cyprus appear more entrenched than ever. Reuters

UK backs united Cyprus as talks resume on divided island’s future


Jamie Prentis
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain is expected to emphasise the potential a united Cyprus can offer economically and for the region's stability, as talks resume on a lasting solution for the divided island on Tuesday.

The breakaway north and its ally Turkey want a two-state set-up for the Eastern Mediterranean island, whereas the Greek-Cypriot south and most of the international community favour a settlement based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equity.

After a four-year hiatus, officials will endeavour to find common ground at the UN-hosted informal meeting in Geneva, after decades of division.

Greece, Turkey and the UK – from which Cyprus gained independence in 1960 – are also present.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will oversee the talks.

"This is an issue that he knows well. He has participated in discussions before. So he is realistic," said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Mr Guterres.

Ersin Tatar, leader of the administration in northern Cyprus, is urging the UK to recognise the Turkish-Cypriot half of the island as an independent country – something only Turkey does.

But it’s understood the UK’s long-standing policy of non-recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not under review and that Britain remains a strong supporter of a solution based on the UN Security Council’s federal model.

Speaking before the Geneva talks, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the meeting offered “an opportunity to restart negotiations aimed at delivering a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue, and we hope that all parties approach them with creativity and flexibility”.

Mr Raab is expected to outline how the UK believes that a reunited Cyprus would offer significant economic benefits through trade, tourism, investment and potential energy partnerships.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said his delegation was eager to find a way to "restart substantive negotiations".

"I hope the other side will come with the same will and the same evaluation, because any diversion will not only be at the expense of the Greek Cypriots, but also to the detriment of the Turkish Cypriots," Mr Anastasiades said.

After nearly 50 years of division, both sides of Cyprus appear more entrenched than ever.

Mr Tatar is a vocal proponent of a two-state solution and believes it is the only realistic way forward.

After meeting Mr Tatar in Ankara on Monday, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he fully supported the two-state proposal.

A woman walks her dog next to a barricade at the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus. Reuters
A woman walks her dog next to a barricade at the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Cyprus. Reuters

Greek-Cypriots say they will never accept the plan because it would forever legitimise the country’s partition.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, after Turkey invaded the northern half of the island in response to a Greek-inspired coup.

Further complicating the situation are maritime border disputes and energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean between Cyprus and Greece on one hand, and Turkey on the other.

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What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship

When: December 27-29, 2018

Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

10 tips for entry-level job seekers
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The past winners

2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

Brief scores:

Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first

Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)

Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15

Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)

Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What%20is%20cystic%20fibrosis%3F
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECystic%20fibrosis%20is%20a%20genetic%20disorder%20that%20affects%20the%20lungs%2C%20pancreas%20and%20other%20organs.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIt%20causes%20the%20production%20of%20thick%2C%20sticky%20mucus%20that%20can%20clog%20the%20airways%20and%20lead%20to%20severe%20respiratory%20and%20digestive%20problems.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPatients%20with%20the%20condition%20are%20prone%20to%20lung%20infections%20and%20often%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20coughing%2C%20wheezing%20and%20shortness%20of%20breath.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELife%20expectancy%20for%20sufferers%20of%20cystic%20fibrosis%20is%20now%20around%2050%20years.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
How to get there

Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
 

ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
%3Cp%3EThe%20BaaS%20value%20chain%20consists%20of%20four%20key%20players%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsumers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End-users%20of%20the%20financial%20product%20delivered%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDistributors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Also%20known%20as%20embedders%2C%20these%20are%20the%20firms%20that%20embed%20baking%20services%20directly%20into%20their%20existing%20customer%20journeys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEnablers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Usually%20Big%20Tech%20or%20FinTech%20companies%20that%20help%20embed%20financial%20services%20into%20third-party%20platforms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProviders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Financial%20institutions%20holding%20a%20banking%20licence%20and%20offering%20regulated%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."