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Cyprus Approves Up To €1.17 Million In Farm Aid After Extreme Weather Damage

The Cypriot government has approved economic support of up to €1.17 million for farmers who suffered losses from extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Relief For Crops And Fixed Assets

The compensation covers damage sustained during the 2025-2026 period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. It applies to winter potatoes, citrus fruit, avocados, olives and loquats, as well as damage to fixed assets.

The package also includes support for banana crops damaged by a tornado, along with losses caused by fires affecting agricultural production and infrastructure.

About 610 Beneficiaries Expected

Roughly 610 recipients are expected to benefit from the scheme. Payments will be made through the Agricultural Production Protection and Insurance Fund, under Cyprus’s Law on Risk Management in Agricultural Production.

The decision was approved on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture.

Faster Payouts For Farmers

The ministry said process improvements have reduced the time required to disburse aid by about two months, allowing producers to receive financial support more quickly after a loss.

In its statement, the ministry said it continues to use all available tools to address the impact of the climate crisis and severe weather, to strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of the primary sector.

Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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