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Alphabet Exceeds Q1 Forecasts, Bolstering Investor Confidence

by News Editor

April 25, 2025

Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, surprised investors with a robust performance in the first quarter of 2025, propelling a 5% increase in share value during after-hours trading. As reported in their latest earnings report, the company achieved $90.23 billion in revenue, outpacing analyst predictions of $89.12 billion.

Key metrics that drew attention include their earnings per share, which hit $2.81 compared to the projected $2.01. Despite missing the mark on YouTube ad revenue and Google Cloud, Alphabet’s overall growth seemed unstoppable, showing a 12% year-over-year increase.

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The strategic focus remains on navigating competitive pressures from AI technologies, assisted by tools like AI Overviews, now engaging 1.5 billion users monthly. Philipp Schindler, Google’s business chief, acknowledged upcoming challenges, such as the impacts of tariff changes.

Meanwhile, Alphabet’s acquisition strategy continues to stir interest, with the $32 billion purchase of cloud security startup Wiz expected to further strengthen their cloud security services. The competitive push in AI and cloud domains signals a robust trajectory for Alphabet, promising exciting developments ahead for investors and tech enthusiasts alike.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

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In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.