- Geoffrey Hinton, soft-spoken godfather of AI
- Ex-Barcelona and Spain great Iniesta retires aged 40
- Duo wins Physics Nobel for 'foundational' AI breakthroughs
- German 'Maddie' suspect could be free in 2025 after cleared of separate sex crimes
- China slaps provisional tariffs on EU brandy imports
- Ex-skipper Skelton eyes Wallabies November return
- Spanish great Iniesta leaves indelible legacy after retirement
- Indian Kashmir elects first regional government in a decade
- Hong Kong stocks crash, oil prices retreat on fading China boost
- Man City accuse Premier League of 'misleading' claims after legal case
- Duo wins Physics Nobel for key breakthroughs in AI
- Agha defies England as Pakistan post 515-8 in first Test
- September second-warmest on record: EU climate monitor
- Pastor wanted by US for sex trafficking to run for Philippine senate
- Mozambican writer Mia Couto dreams future leaders set an 'example'
- German 'Maddie' suspect could be free soon after cleared of separate sex crimes
- China says to take anti-dumping measures against EU brandy imports
- German suspect in 'Maddie' case cleared in separate sex crimes trial
- Israel expands offensive against Hezbollah in south Lebanon
- China stocks rally fizzles on stimulus worries amid Asia retreat
- Bangladesh's Yunus says no elections before reforms
- England strike twice as Pakistan reach 397-6 at lunch in first Test
- China stocks rally peters out on stimulus worries amid Asia retreat
- Taiwan's Foxconn says building world's largest 'superchip' plant
- Kenya's deputy president faces impeachment vote
- N. Korean soldiers 'highly likely' killed in Ukraine: Seoul
- 'Appeals Centre' to referee EU social media disputes
- US Supreme Court to hear 'ghost guns' regulation case
- 'Small' oil leaks detected in Samoa after NZ navy shipwreck
- Nobel literature jury may go for non-Western writer
- At Istanbul church, blessed spring offers hope to Christians and Muslims
- From Bolivia to Indonesia, deforestation continues apace
- Myanmar to send rep to regional summit for first time in three years
- Prabowo set to lead bolder Indonesia on world stage
- Tampa zoo rushes Chompers the porcupine and others to safety as Milton nears
- Shanghai stocks pare early surge on stimulus worries amid Asia retreat
- New Japan PM to hold talks on ASEAN sidelines
- Record number of climbers chase 14-peak dream in Tibet
- Former South Korea clinic for US 'comfort women' to be demolished
- China holds off on fresh stimulus but 'confident' will hit growth target
- Chiefs battle past Saints to stay unbeaten
- Deal on climate aid hangs in balance at UN COP29 summit
- Royals hit back against Yankees, Tigers maul Guardians
- German suspect in 'Maddie' case faces verdict in sex crimes trial
- Top economic official 'confident' China will hit 2024 growth target
- COP29 fight looms over climate funds for developing world
- Shanghai stocks soar to extend stimulus rally amid Asia-wide drop
- Australia moves to expand Antarctic marine park
- Tragedy of Madrid street sweeper highlights how heatwaves kill
- Survivors wait for aid as Trump's lies help cloud Helene response
CMSC | -0.53% | 24.57 | $ | |
SCS | -0.15% | 12.95 | $ | |
NGG | -1.56% | 65.48 | $ | |
RIO | -0.11% | 69.62 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.09% | 24.79 | $ | |
JRI | -0.76% | 13.18 | $ | |
BCC | 1.68% | 141.27 | $ | |
RBGPF | 100% | 60.52 | $ | |
BCE | -0.54% | 33.53 | $ | |
BTI | -0.26% | 35.2 | $ | |
RYCEF | -0.15% | 6.87 | $ | |
GSK | -0.49% | 38.63 | $ | |
VOD | 0.31% | 9.69 | $ | |
RELX | -0.54% | 46.04 | $ | |
BP | 0.78% | 33.14 | $ | |
AZN | -0.78% | 76.87 | $ |
Ghost Cyprus resort bears scars of half-century of division
Once Cyprus's premier beach resort, the abandoned hotels and villas of Varosha stand testament to dashed hopes of reclaiming lost property after five decades of division and failed diplomacy.
Situated in the seaside district of Famagusta, it was among the last parts of the Mediterranean island's north to be occupied by Turkey during its 1974 invasion triggered by a Greek-sponsored coup.
Fearing the advancing Turkish forces, the roughly 45,000 Greek Cypriot residents of Varosha -- where Hollywood star Sophia Loren once owned a home too -- fled, and the area was never resettled.
Instead, frozen in time, the neighbourhood was fenced off for use as a bargaining chip in eventual peace talks between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.
Successive UN-backed peace plans would have allowed Varosha's residents to return to their properties under Greek Cypriot administration, but failed to satisfy other demands.
The last round of UN-backed talks collapsed in 2017.
Then, in October 2020, with both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots declaring the UN-backed process dead, the army announced it was opening up part of the fenced zone to day trips.
A resurfaced main street behind the crumbing beachfront has allowed Cypriots and tourists alike to tour the fading 1970s time capsule preserved in the city's streets.
Nicolas Karageorgis was among the Greek Cypriot former residents who flocked to Varosha in hope of a glimpse of their childhood homes.
Ropes blocked off the access road which was covered in weeds, leaving him unable to see the house.
A signpost nearby warned sightseers not to go near the ruined buildings.
"The house is empty but full of memories," said Karageorgis.
- Hopes of 'revival' -
Like many displaced from Varosha, the retired engineer has submitted a request to the Immovable Property Commission, a controversial body set up by the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration to oversee Greek Cypriot property in the north.
"We had the choice to seek compensation or restitution. I chose restitution," he said.
Other Greek Cypriots, despairing of the prospects of ever recovering their properties as part of a UN-backed deal, have chosen compensation, leaving the Turkish Cypriots to claim ownership of several of the district's hotels.
Greek Cypriot law firms say that many owners are still waiting for compensation under the controversial scheme, which has created a roaring grey market in abandoned properties with Turkish Cypriot-issued title deeds.
Even where "judgements have been handed down... Turkey refuses to pay", said lawyer Achilleas Demetriades.
Since the 1974 war, Cyprus has remained divided between the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, which controls the Greek-speaking southern two-thirds of the island, and a northern Turkish-speaking statelet recognised only by Ankara.
For Turkish Cypriots, who still want to see the island reunified, the reopening of Varosha, even partially to day-trippers, is a first step.
"We would like to see the revival of Varosha, of course with the former inhabitants," said Serdar Atai, 57.
But for many Greek Cypriots, the dispute is not just about property.
"For sure the properties is an important issue," said Simos Ioannou, the mayor of Famagusta who is based in the south.
"However, we didn't leave there only our properties, but our soul."
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN