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Cyprus Stock Exchange

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 21/07/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTH

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE:

179.912,25

INDEX

VALUE

% DIFF.

VALUE (pound )

FTSE/CySE 20

180,970

0,410

160.935,210

MAIN MARKET INDEX

244,750

0,380

128.720,870

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

2.964,920

-0,960

30.714,290

CSE GENERAL INDEX

307,880

0,410

164.560,580

HOTELS INDEX

1.861,480

0,790

8.934,030

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

2.036,860

0,050

39.463,710

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting.

Azerbaijan, IMF discuss economic cooperation [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation, AzerNEWS reports.

vThe talks took place during a meeting between Deputy Economy Minister Samad Bashirli and Anna Bordon, the IMF’s mission chief for Azerbaijan.

The discussions focused on current and medium-term economic forecasts, structural reforms, and measures aimed at diversifying Azerbaijan’s economy. They also reviewed the Ministry of Economy’s work in these areas, as well as reforms in tax policy and tax administration.

The Azerbaijani side highlighted efforts to expand state support mechanisms for entrepreneurship, introduce new business development tools, and strengthen investment policies in the non-oil and gas sector. Opportunities for deeper cooperation with international financial institutions were also explored.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

El-Rufai’s doctor faces panel over alleged procurement of medical report

Dr Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been quizzed by the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) over alleged involvement in the procurement of fake medical report on behalf of his patient, Daily Trust has learnt.

This is just as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed a four-count charge against Abubakar, who is an oncology consultant at the National Hospital, Abuja over the alleged offence.

The anti-graft agency had earlier arrested Abubakar over alleged false statements made during a court-approved medical visit for the former governor, alleging that El-Rufai was abusing the court-approved hospital visit.

It specifically argued that the former governor was allegedly receiving political associates while he was expected to undergo medical consultation, saying the development was an outright violation of the court’s order.

Speaking to Daily Trust exclusively last night, sources within the ICPC, explained that the agency took its time to confirm the veracity of a medical report presented to the commission on behalf El-Rufai before the medical personnel was arrested.

One of the sources said Abubakar was first handed over to the leadership of MDCAN to take action against him in order not to accuse the commission of intimidation or disrespecting the medical profession.

‘When we got the medical report, we went on to confirm the genuinity of the document. We got three medical doctors in Nigeria and one doctor in the United States. All of them confirmed the document to be fake. So, that was when we went ahead to say NO, this can’t continue.

‘But we don’t want to have issues with the generality of the medical doctors, so, what we did was to hand him over to the MDCAN to discipline for trying to bring their profession into disrepute,’ the highly-placed source confided in our correspondent.

Earlier on Friday, the anti-graft agency filed a four-count charge against Abubakar, accusing him of knowingly issuing a false medical report to mislead a public officer and support El-Rufai’s bail application in a separate case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/02/2026, pending before the Kaduna State High Court.

The charge sheet sighted by our correspondent on Monday, showed that Abubakar authored the report, titled ‘Medical Report and Expert Opinion for Urgent Medical Intervention,’ and dated 10 June 2026.

It accused the medical practitioner of knowing its contents were false, and presented it to a Commissioner for Oaths in Kaduna State, Aliyu Bala, before it was filed in court.

Specifically, the first count accuses Abubakar of giving false information with intent to mislead a public officer, contrary to Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count alleges he used his position as a medical consultant to confer an unfair advantage on himself by knowingly issuing the false report, an offence under Section 19 of the same Act.

A third count accuses Abubakar, a professor, of forming a common intention with Aliyu Bala to fabricate false information, specifically authoring the report to enable Bala to depose a further affidavit in support of the bail application, contrary to Section 79 of the Penal Code.

The fourth count accuses him of dishonestly making a false document, presenting the report as though it carried the authority of the National Hospital, when he allegedly knew the document was not authorised by the hospital, an offence under Sections 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Court documents further showed that the National Hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Raji Mahmud, is expected to testify that Abubakar purportedly issued the medical report in El-Rufai’s favour without conducting the required medical examination and handed it to the family to support the bail application.

The CMD is also expected to tell the court that the National Hospital, responding to letters from ICPC investigators, stated that it did not authorise the report attributed to the defendant.

He is expected to testify further that the report was subsequently used by Bala to depose an affidavit backing El-Rufai’s bail bid, and that investigations established that the report was false and did not follow the hospital’s due process.

In a letter responding to ICPC’s enquiries, the CMD confirmed that Mr Abubakar remains attached to the hospital as a Chief Consultant Radiation Oncologist, on a contract appointment following his retirement from full-time service.

Intel plans new round of job cuts as it continues restructuring efforts

One of the world’s leading computer component manufacturers, Intel Corp., is planning another round of job cuts as part of its ongoing restructuring strategy, AzerNEWS reports.

According to CNBC, the latest layoffs will affect the company’s Data Center division, a key business unit that develops processors and infrastructure solutions for enterprise and cloud computing customers.

The company said the workforce reduction is intended to better align the division’s organizational structure with its long-term business objectives.

“As part of our strategy to become a leaner and more efficient company, the Data Center organization will align its structure with our business priorities. We are committed to treating all affected employees with respect and providing them with the resources and support they need during this transition,” Intel said in a statement.

Intel has previously announced efforts to streamline its operations as it seeks to regain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving markets for artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

The company is scheduled to release its second-quarter 2026 earnings report after U.S. markets close on July 23, with investors closely watching for updates on its turnaround strategy and financial performance.

Since the beginning of 2026, Intel’s market capitalization has increased approximately 2.6-fold, reflecting renewed investor confidence despite the company’s continued cost-cutting measures.

Citibank seeks to block DCI probe of Kenya CEO

Citibank N.A. Kenya has petitioned the High Court to stop criminal investigations against its CEO, Martin Mugambi, over a disputed Sh261 million loan advanced to a Murang’a-based tea factory managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

In its court filings, the bank says the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is unlawfully criminalising a commercial lending decision in investigating Mr Mugambi over the approval and disbursement of the loan to Kiru Tea Factory Company Ltd.

DCI wants to establish whether forged board documents were used in the application of the $2.02 million (Sh261.1 million) loan, how the cash was disbursed, and the beneficiaries of the millions of shillings amid claims of diversions.

The complaint asked investigators to establish whether any assets were acquired and trace the ultimate beneficiaries of the money.

Citibank disputes the investigation’s legal basis.

It argues that investigators have failed to identify any recognised criminal offence arising from the loan approval.

The bank says the allegations concern a commercial lending decision made through normal banking processes and should not expose its officials to criminal sanctions.

‘The petitioner therefore believes that the alleged offence is not genuine but is instead a pretextual invocation of the criminal justice system aimed at advancing an improper purpose in respect of a purely commercial transaction,’ says its advocate.

In its petition, the bank has asked the court to declare that the investigations have violated constitutional guarantees, including the rights to equality, property, access to information and fair administrative action.

It also seeks declarations that the alleged breaches have caused damage to both the bank and Mr Mugambi.

‘The respondents, either by themselves, their servants and agents, be restrained from investigating, summoning or arresting the interested party,’ the petition states, pending determination of the constitutional case.

The court papers underscore the wider governance dispute surrounding Kiru Tea Factory. The complainant accuses rival officials of approving unauthorised withdrawals, paying directors’ allowances and legal fees without approval, and mismanaging factory resources.

The High Court will hear the application on September 17.

Why the future of our workforce depends on skills we build today

Not long ago, I met Yusuf, a young online delivery rider. Unable to join university because of financial constraints, he refused to let circumstance define his future.

After acquiring a smartphone, he shifted from relying on boda boda passengers to accepting delivery jobs through digital platforms. Today, he completes up to 30 deliveries a day, far more than he managed before. Technology did not simply change how he earned a living; it expanded his opportunities.

Yusuf’s story captures this year’s World Youth Skills Day theme, Skills for a Shared Future. It reminds us that when young people have access to digital tools, connectivity and relevant skills, they can create opportunities for themselves. The challenge is that too many remain excluded, not because they lack ambition, but because they lack access.

Kenya has one of the world’s youngest populations, with nearly three-quarters of citizens under 35. This presents enormous potential, but only if young people, wherever they live, can participate in the digital economy.

Without affordable devices, reliable internet and future-ready skills, today’s connectivity gap becomes tomorrow’s opportunity gap.

Preparing young people for the future requires more than digital literacy. They need technical, entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills that match the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

It also requires partnerships between government, educators and the private sector to ensure learning keeps pace with industry needs.

At Safaricom, we believe connectivity creates value only when it creates opportunity.

Through initiatives such as the Safaricom Digital Skills Hub, developed with AWS and Microsoft, young people can access free training in artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

Programmes such as Safaricom Hook and Citizens of the Future are also helping expand digital learning, practical skills and educational opportunities across the country.

No single organisation can close the digital skills gap alone. But together, we can ensure that stories like Yusuf’s become commonplace.

Kenya’s future competitiveness will depend not simply on technology, but on whether every young person has the skills, connectivity and opportunity to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The next rep – customised

For anyone who has ever watched Physical: 100 and wondered what it would be like to train alongside the athletes (who honestly don’t look human), working out with Season 2 champion Amotti feels like a far-fetched dream. Turns out, it was just something I had not done ‘yet’ – until this past weekend.

Lululemon’s TRAINING GROUND made its Thailand debut over the weekend, transforming the 14th floor of EM Tower at EMSPHERE into a high-energy fitness hub where movement, community and personal growth took centre stage.

Following the successful first edition in Singapore, the two-day event marked its first stop in Bangkok. Split into zones of training, panel discussions and a retail experience, TRAINING GROUND combined sweat sessions with opportunities to explore the latest lululemon apparel.

Through the retail area, visitors were welcome to enjoy a complimentary photo booth and personalise newly purchased products through free on-site customisation.

At the event, lululemon also launched two new collections: a ‘Wunder Train’ line for women and ‘License to Train’ for men.

More than a fitness event, TRAINING GROUND was built around the campaign theme “Yet”, encouraging participants to view human potential as limitless. Whether it is running a first race, lifting a heavier weight or simply stepping into a workout class for the first time, the message was clear: every goal is achievable – you have just ‘yet’ to accomplish it.

The event invited guests to pursue those milestones together, reinforcing Lululemon’s belief that progress is stronger when driven by community.

Headlining the programme was fitness athlete and Lululemon ambassador Amotti, winner of Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2, alongside lululemon ambassador Nammon Tonggamnerd, as well as trainers Aoii, Jang, Kie, Mark Cleaver and Tripob Laoudom.

For Amotti, fitness has never been solely about physical performance. Speaking during a panel discussion, he said exercise should first and foremost be enjoyable, arguing that people are more likely to stay consistent when they genuinely love the process.

He believes discipline is built not through willpower alone, but by creating an environment that makes showing up easier. One example is his regular training group, where members motivate one another to stay accountable.

Amotti’s advice for anyone looking to build a lasting fitness habit is simple: establish a routine. Going to bed, waking up and exercising at consistent times each day removes much of the mental resistance that often prevents people from getting started.

Community, he added, is what makes fitness truly powerful. Regardless of nationality or background, people become united through shared effort. During a workout, differences fade as everyone experiences the same challenge, the same sweat and the same determination.

Beyond the workouts, proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the SATI Foundation, supporting programmes that improve the mental health, education and well-being of underserved children and young people across Thailand.

ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence has joined Women in Aerospace Europe

The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) has joined Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-Europe) as a Bronze Corporate Member, supporting a European community that promotes collaboration, diversity and equal participation across the aerospace and space sectors.

According to a statement issued by ERATOSTHENES Centre its membership was officially formalised during the Greek Space Tech Forum 2026, held at the Athens Conservatoire. On 8 July 2026, Professor Diofantos Hadjimitsis, Managing Director of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, formalised the Centre’s membership alongside Dr Christina Giannopapa, President of Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-Europe).

Also present were Dr Andreas Christofe, Administration Manager, and Professor Ioannis Gitas, Visiting Professor at the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence. Dr Christiana Papoutsa, Coordinator of the Environment and Climate Department at the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, will serve as the Centre’s contact point for its collaboration with Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-Europe).

According to the Center, Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-Europe) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the role of women and promoting diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities across the aerospace and space sectors throughout Europe.

By joining the WIA-Europe community, the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to grow, collaborate and contribute to the advancement of the European space community, the statement concludes.

Brokers old to hike paid-up capital

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) is increasing the minimum unimpaired paid-up capital stock requirement for the bourse’s trading participants, or the brokers.

‘To ensure systemic stability and index against inflation, the exchange proposes a phased increase in the unimpaired paid-up capital requirement,’ the PSE said in its consultation paper.

The PSE said it wants to see trading unimpaired paid-up capital requirement raised to at least P50 million by end-December 2027.

By December 31, 2028, trading participants not meeting the P100-million minimum unimpaired paid-up capital requirement will be required to increase their surety bond to P20 million from the current P12 million. By December 31, 2029, the unimpaired paid-up capital should be at least P10 million.

Since the minimum unimpaired paid-up capital for broker-dealers was last adjusted in 2010, the market has seen a substantial growth in transaction sizes, volumes, inflation and systemic risks.

Under the 2009 PSE Rules Governing Trading Rights and Trading Participants, an entity applying to be a trading participant, which will not be able to meet the P100-million unimpaired paid-up capital requirement, should have a minimum unimpaired paid-up capital of P20 Million. This was increased to P30 million effective December 31, 2010.

In addition, the 2015 implementing rules and regulations of the Securities Regulation Code requires existing broker-dealers allowed to defer compliance with the P100-million unimpaired paid-up capital requirement to file a surety bond of not less than P10 million for brokers and not less than P2 million for dealers.