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Historic Milestone: Cyprus Achieves A-Level Rating After 13 Years

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis says the recent double upgrade of Cyprus’ economy by Moody’s Investors Service marks a pivotal moment. Speaking on Sunday after a memorial service in Paphos, Letymbiotis noted that the elevation to an A-level credit rating—the first in 13 years—reflects trust in the country’s fiscal management and strategic direction.

Highlighting the priorities of President Nikos Christodoulides’ administration, Letymbiotis reaffirmed the government’s commitment to policies focused on the welfare of the Cypriot people. Special attention is being directed toward supporting youth and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive sustainable economic growth.

Letymbiotis expressed optimism that Moody’s upgrade will catalyse further positive developments, particularly in attracting foreign investment. The improved rating is expected to bolster investor confidence, laying the groundwork for long-term economic opportunities and prosperity.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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