Safe Bulkers Extends 2026-27 Scholarship Deadline To September 7

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

August 28, 2026

Safe Bulkers has extended the application deadline for its 2026-27 scholarship programme to Sept. 7, 2026, offering 10 awards of €10,000 each to students pursuing studies linked to the maritime sector.

Now in its sixth year, the programme is offered by the New York-listed shipping company and CEO Polys V. Hajioannou. It is open to Cypriot citizens and Greek citizens permanently residing in Cyprus, including recently graduated lyceum graduates and students already enrolled at universities in Cyprus, Greece, the UK and other countries.

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Scholarships Cover Maritime And Technology Fields

Selection will be based on academic performance, financial need and social criteria, including household income and family or marital status.

Eligible fields include naval architecture and marine engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, electronic and computer engineering and automation. The programme also covers computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, shipping law, and MSc studies in shipping trade and finance.

Academic Requirements Vary

School leavers must provide university acceptance and either a school-leaving grade of at least 18 or an A-level grade of at least B in mathematics or physics.

For students at UK universities, the requirement is an annual average above 60% or a 2:1 classification. Applicants at Greek polytechnic institutions need an annual average above 6.5, while candidates for UK master’s programmes must hold a Greek polytechnic degree with a grade of at least 7.5 or a UK 2:1 degree.

Students enrolled at other universities abroad must have an annual average classified as “very good”.

Applications Close September 7

Applications can be submitted through Safe Bulkers’ scholarship portal, together with the required supporting documents.

Applicants can contact ypotrofies@safebulkers.com for additional information. Final approval is subject to the submission and verification of all required documents.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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