Cabinet approves 2025 Fiscal Programme, growth expected at 3.7% this year

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 10, 2024

The Cabinet approved the draft 2025 Fiscal Programme of the Republic, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said, noting that growth this year is expected to reach 3.7%.

In statements after the 9 October meeting of the Cabinet, the Spokesman said that the Minister of Finance will submit the Fiscal Programme to the General Directorate of Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission.

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He said that this is the second evaluation that takes place in the autumn of each year on the basis of plans and budget programmes submitted by the countries by October 15 each year. The evaluation, he said, concerns the revised, expected fiscal results for the current year and the revised forecasts, mainly for the next year, on the basis of the government’s budget plan for the coming year.

The Spokesperson said that the EU evaluates the plans no later than November 30 each year. Based on the main macroeconomic scenario included in the draft fiscal program 2025, he said, the Cypriot economy is expected to grow at a rate of 3.7% in 2024 in real terms.

Inflation, based on the harmonized index of consumer prices, is expected to be 2.2% in 2024 and fall further to 2% in 2025-2027, he added.

Letymbiotis noted that the fiscal balance of the general government in 2024 is expected to have a surplus of 3.9% as a percentage of GDP.

Concluding, he said that public debt for 2024 is estimated to be 68.9% of GDP, compared to 77.4% of GDP at the end of the previous year.

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YouTube Enhances Podcast Experience With AI And Smart Playback Features

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 29, 2026

YouTube Advances Its Podcast Strategy

YouTube is expanding its podcast offering with a set of new features for Premium subscribers, including AI-powered recommendations, an Auto Speed playback setting and an updated on-the-go listening mode. The additions are designed to improve podcast discovery and make audio content easier to consume across different listening environments.

Redefining Content Discovery

The new recommendation system uses artificial intelligence to suggest podcasts based on users’ listening habits, interests and previously consumed content. The launch comes as competition intensifies across the podcast industry, with major platforms investing heavily in personalized content discovery and audience retention. Growing interest in video podcasts has also prompted streaming and technology companies to expand podcast-related offerings as they compete for user engagement.

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Optimized Playback With Auto Speed

YouTube’s new Auto Speed feature automatically adjusts playback speed throughout an episode based on pacing and content delivery. Unlike traditional speed controls, which apply a fixed playback rate, the feature is designed to adapt dynamically to different speaking styles and segments while maintaining clarity and comprehension. The update aims to help listeners consume content more efficiently without manually adjusting playback settings.

Seamless On-The-Go Listening

An updated listening mode introduces controls designed for users who consume podcasts while commuting, exercising or multitasking. The feature includes shortcuts for skipping ahead, returning to previous sections and moving directly to the next episode. By simplifying navigation, YouTube is seeking to improve the background listening experience for audio-focused users.

Strategic Positioning In A Competitive Market

The latest updates build on YouTube’s broader push into audio content and subscription services. Earlier initiatives included the Ask Music feature, which allows Premium subscribers to generate personalized playlists and radio stations. According to the company, Premium users logged more than 800 million hours of podcast listening in April 2026, while YouTube Podcasts surpassed 1 billion monthly active users. Those figures highlight the platform’s growing presence in a market traditionally dominated by dedicated audio services.

Availability Across Platforms

Currently, both the Auto Speed feature and the on-the-go mode are available for Premium users on Android devices, with plans to expand support to iOS in the coming months. This phased rollout highlights YouTube’s focus on enhancing user experience across diverse operating systems, ensuring that its premium offerings meet the evolving needs of its global user base.

Conclusion

By infusing its podcast model with AI-driven personalization and smart playback features, YouTube is not only refining the user experience but also positioning itself strongly against competitors. As the podcast market continues to swell, such strategic innovations are essential for maintaining and growing user engagement in a highly competitive digital ecosystem.

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