Meta has launched a new AI personal agent app and is already asking some users to pay for it, as the company seeks to turn its AI investment into a new business line.

Developed under the internal code name Hatch, the app is powered by Meta’s Muse Spark family of foundation models. It can handle everyday tasks including booking appointments, completing online forms and monitoring home security camera feeds.

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Meta Targets A Simple User Experience

Meta AI chief Alexandr Wang said Muse is designed to keep the user experience simple while handling complex tasks in the background.

“Behind the scenes, Muse might be doing very advanced coding workflows, or building sophisticated integrations, or doing quite a lot of heavy lifting while keeping that very sort of simple for the user,” Wang told CNBC.

Muse will offer a free tier and monthly plans costing $20 and $100, depending on usage. The pricing reflects Meta’s effort to build recurring AI revenue alongside advertising.

Zuckerberg Bets On Personal AI Agents

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has identified personal AI agents as a potential next stage of artificial intelligence and a source of future products and revenue. That strategy is driving continued spending on data centers and AI infrastructure as Meta bets that assistants capable of managing emails, finding deals and handling routine tasks will become mainstream.

Launch Comes Amid Legal And Industry Scrutiny

Muse arrives as Meta faces continued legal scrutiny. The company recently agreed to pay nearly $17 billion in a settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general over allegations involving harm on Facebook and Instagram, while additional lawsuits from personal injury plaintiffs and school districts remain pending.

Across the AI industry, regulators and security experts are also examining cybersecurity risks associated with autonomous agents and their underlying models. Data center expansion and questions over AI profitability are adding further pressure on major technology companies.

Meta Seeks A Payoff From AI Spending

Wall Street is pressing Meta to show that its AI investments can produce durable returns as the company remains heavily dependent on advertising while expanding into subscriptions and commerce.

Muse joins Meta’s broader AI portfolio, including the Muse Code developer agent and subscription offerings tested in recent months. Together, they point to a strategy of building a commercial AI services business rather than treating AI products as standalone experiments.

Security, Privacy And Commerce

Meta says Muse operates in an isolated environment and does not access users’ actual passwords or payment details. The agent asks for approval before sensitive actions, while third-party researchers can test the product through a bug-bounty program.

Users can opt out of having their Muse interactions used to train Meta’s models. For those who remain opted in, Meta says it will remove critical personally identifying information before using the data, according to David Singleton, Meta’s vice president of engineering.

Commerce could provide another revenue source. Wang said Meta is considering taking a share of shopping transactions completed through the agent, although no final business model has been decided.

Muse Expands Across Meta’s Ecosystem

US consumers will be able to access Muse on iOS, Android and a standalone website, with plans to bring it to Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

The service will compete with personal-agent products from OpenAI, Google and newer startups. Wang acknowledged that the market remains at an early stage, saying, “It’s pretty early in this new era of personal agents.”

Repeated and unusually early heatwaves are changing how travelers perceive summer conditions across Southern Europe, but temperature remains only one factor shaping tourism demand.

An analysis of Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece by The Data Appeal Company and Almaviva Group found that destination appeal, familiarity and resilience continue to influence travel decisions alongside climate conditions.

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Climate Perception Becomes A Tourism Metric

The study uses the Perception of Climate Index (PCI), which measures traveler views of a destination’s climate on a scale of 0 to 100. Researchers analyzed May through September in the five countries using data from 2023 onward, with 2026 figures covering the period through July.

Results suggest climate change is creating pressure on tourism rather than immediately overwhelming demand. Destinations may need to respond through infrastructure improvements, adaptation measures and greater focus on year-round tourism.

France Sees The Sharpest Shift

France recorded the lowest PCI between May and July 2026, averaging 77.2, indicating a stronger deterioration in traveler sentiment following repeated heat exposure.

Portugal was the most resilient, with a score of 93.5, followed by Italy at 91.6, Spain at 90.4 and Greece at 89.9. Italy’s average also slipped from 92.2 in summer 2025 to 91.3 in May-July 2026, suggesting repeated heat events are gradually influencing expectations.

Heatwaves Create Short-Term Swings

Heatwaves generally cause temporary declines in climate perception, followed by recovery as temperatures return to normal. However, the 2026 data suggest earlier, longer and more frequent heatwaves may have a more lasting effect.

For tourism operators, the question is increasingly whether destinations remain reliable summer choices as extreme weather becomes less predictable, rather than simply whether visitors can tolerate high temperatures.

Portugal Shows Greater Stability

Portugal recorded the most stable climate perceptions in the study, with an average PCI of 91.1 across the summers analyzed. That consistency may partly reflect traveler expectations in a market already associated with warm summer conditions.

Spain and Greece also remained resilient despite sharp short-term fluctuations during heatwaves. Since 2023, Spain recorded an average summer PCI of 87.2 and Greece 89.2, although Greece’s 2026 performance was weaker than in previous years.

Tourism Strategy Faces New Climate Pressure

For tourism destinations, climate change is becoming a planning issue as well as a weather challenge. Repeated heatwaves are testing how well Southern European markets can maintain their appeal during the traditional peak season. Infrastructure upgrades, clearer visitor communication and tourism products designed for periods outside July and August could help destinations adapt.

Eating breakfast at lunchtime or dinner during normal sleeping hours may seem like a minor weekend indulgence. New research suggests, however, that this type of irregular meal timing, described by scientists as “eating jet lag,” may be linked to higher cardiovascular risk in men.

A French study published in Communications Medicine found that each additional hour of eating jet lag was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% higher risk of coronary heart disease among men. No similar association was observed in women.

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Why Meal Timing Matters

Weekend schedules often differ from weekday routines, with work and school timetables shifting when people eat. Over time, researchers suggest, these changes may interfere with the body’s biological rhythms.

“This study suggests the importance of regular meal-timing patterns, beyond sleep and diet quality, in cardiovascular disease prevention,” the authors wrote.

Researchers followed more than 100,000 participants for 14 years, analyzing the timing of their first and last meals on working days and weekends between 2009 and 2023.

Risk Pattern Appeared In Men

Participants were grouped according to how their meal times changed between weekdays and weekends. One group ate earlier on weekends, another maintained similar schedules, and a third ate later.

Both groups with irregular meal timing showed higher cardiovascular risk than those with stable schedules, regardless of overall diet quality. The association was observed only among men.

Researchers proposed several possible explanations. Men generally have a higher absolute risk of cardiovascular disease, while women tend to have stronger morning-oriented routines that may influence how their bodies respond to changes in meal timing.

Circadian Rhythms May Explain The Link

One possible explanation is that irregular eating disrupts the body’s circadian system, which regulates many physiological functions over a 24-hour cycle.

Light is the main signal that sets circadian rhythms, but food timing also helps synchronize peripheral clocks in organs including the liver and heart. Eating in alignment with these rhythms is generally associated with better metabolic regulation, while irregular timing may disrupt that balance.

What It Means For Prevention

The findings do not prove that irregular meal timing causes heart disease. However, they add to growing evidence that when people eat may matter nearly as much as what they eat for long-term cardiovascular health.

If confirmed in larger studies, regular meal timing could become a useful target for public health interventions aimed at reducing chronic disease risk. For individuals, employers and schools, greater consistency in daily routines may be more than a lifestyle preference and could form part of a broader strategy to protect heart health.

Cyprus and Kazakhstan are working to turn agreements signed during President Nikos Christodoulides’ June visit to Astana into joint projects in artificial intelligence, space technology and applied research.

Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides discussed the next phase of cooperation this week with Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Cyprus, Nikolay Zhumakanov, at the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

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From Agreements To Joint Projects

Christodoulides’ visit marked the first trip by a Cypriot head of state to Kazakhstan since diplomatic relations began in 1992. During talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on June 3, the countries signed agreements covering higher education, science, ICT, e-government, space activities and cybersecurity.

One memorandum between Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development established a framework for cooperation in ICT, e-government, space and cybersecurity. A separate agreement between the education ministries covers higher and postgraduate education and science.

Skourides said the focus is now shifting to implementation, with discussions covering links between research institutions, universities and innovation ecosystems, as well as potential joint projects and expertise exchanges.

AI And Space Technology Take Priority

Artificial intelligence, space technology and applied research are among the main areas identified for cooperation. Skourides also highlighted the potential role of Cyprus’ Centres of Excellence and research infrastructure.

AI has already featured prominently in bilateral engagement. During the June visit, the Cypriot delegation toured Kazakhstan’s alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Centre in Astana and received a briefing on AI and digitalization.

Cyprus is also implementing its National AI Strategy 2032. Skourides said international partnerships can help strengthen the country’s capabilities and support practical benefits for both economies and societies.

Broader Bilateral Ties

Technology cooperation is part of a wider effort to expand relations following Christodoulides’ visit. Cyprus opened its first embassy in Central Asia in Astana, while a Cyprus-Kazakhstan Business Forum brought together more than 70 representatives from both countries.

Zhumakanov, Kazakhstan’s first resident ambassador to Cyprus, has invited Skourides to participate in an AI conference in Kazakhstan in October. Skourides said he looked forward to advancing “concrete initiatives” in research and AI.

Cyprus property sales continued to grow in August, extending a year-long run of annual increases across the island’s real estate market.

Transactions Remain Above 2025 Levels

Sale contracts reached 13,288 in the first eight months of 2026, according to the Department of Lands and Surveys. That was 14% more than the 11,689 contracts recorded during the same period last year, an increase of 1,599 transactions.

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August brought 1,241 contracts, up 10% from 1,128 a year earlier. Activity was lower than July’s more than 2,000 contracts, but August is traditionally quieter for property transactions.

Annual growth remained positive throughout 2026, ranging from 5% in May to 27% in June. In July and August, sales were 11% and 10% higher than a year earlier, respectively.

Limassol And Paphos Drive Growth

Limassol and Paphos accounted for 1,070 of the 1,599 additional contracts recorded nationwide in the first eight months, or about 67%.

Limassol remained the largest market, with 4,354 contracts, up 17% from 3,720 a year earlier. August was its first monthly decline of 2026, with 395 contracts, down 5% year on year.

Paphos recorded the strongest growth among the five districts. Its eight-month total reached 2,654 contracts, up nearly 20% from 2,218, while August sales rose 20% to 267.

Larnaca Leads August Growth

Larnaca posted the strongest monthly increase in August, with 299 contracts, up 35% from 221 a year earlier. Its eight-month total reached 2,898, an increase of 13% from 2025.

Nicosia recorded 225 contracts in August, up 8%, taking its eight-month total to 2,789, or nearly 6% above last year. Famagusta remained weaker, with August sales falling 8% to 55, although its eight-month total was still up just over 8% at 593.

Foreign Buyers Support Demand

International buyers accounted for about 47% of sale contracts during the first eight months. Transactions with EU buyers rose 23% year on year, while sales to non-EU nationals increased 19%.

Foreign demand has helped sustain activity as property prices and construction costs rise. Residential prices increased 7.5% year on year in the first quarter, with apartment prices up 10.8% and houses 3%, according to the Central Bank of Cyprus.

Construction material prices were 3.33% higher in July than a year earlier, while prices rose 1.87% during the first seven months of 2026, Cystat data showed. Metal products and materials, including wood, insulation, chemicals and plastics, recorded some of the sharpest increases.

The Eiffel Tower reopened Tuesday after staff walked out to protest the reported sidelining of female employees during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation that later apologized.

Management Says Conditions Should Not Have Been Accepted

Its operating company, SETE, said the delegation had requested arrangements that limited “interactions with women.” Management acknowledged that such conditions “should not have been accepted” and said the tower would reopen after talks with employees.

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Staff Say Female Workers Were Sidelined

Eiffel Tower employees condemned “professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex” during the delegation’s visit.

Female employees and contractors were reportedly told to remain out of sight while the group was present. Some were asked to leave their posts and move to other areas, while men replaced some workers. Staff also said all female employees were instructed not to pass through certain areas during the visit.

Religious Organization Apologizes

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, apologized for “any pain or inconvenience caused” by the incident. In a post on X, the organization said that, to its knowledge, “at no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower.”

Given the delegation’s size, BAPS said organizers scheduled the visit with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal operating hours to avoid disrupting other visitors.

Political Backlash In Paris

The incident prompted a political response in France. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said an investigation would be launched “as soon as possible,” while National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet criticized the reported treatment of female workers.

“I refuse to accept that women should be told to step aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors,” Braun-Pivet said. “Welcoming others never means giving up our values. In France, women are fully present in public life. No one tells them to become invisible there.”

Eiffel Tower Closed On Monday

A notice on the Eiffel Tower website said the landmark was closed Monday because of “exceptional circumstances.” Visitors with tickets were advised to check their email, while the operating company apologized for the disruption.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Cyprus (AmCham Cyprus) has called for a measured approach to implementing the OECD/G20 Pillar Two global minimum tax, warning that policy choices could affect investment, employment and Cyprus’ position as an international business hub.

While supporting international tax cooperation and compliance with OECD and EU rules, the chamber urged policymakers to assess the regime’s impact on Cyprus’ competitiveness. International investors and multinational companies have raised concerns about how the framework could influence future investment decisions.

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Investment Risks And Competitive Pressure

Some US-headquartered multinationals could reconsider expansion plans or choose other jurisdictions if Cyprus becomes less competitive, AmCham warned. The chamber said an objective assessment is needed to determine the potential effects on investment, employment and long-term growth.

The comments followed Finance Minister Makis Keravnos’ rejection of claims that Pillar Two was driving companies out of Cyprus. According to Keravnos, the government is preparing an amending bill following a European Commission decision as part of Cyprus’ obligations under the OECD framework.

Pillar Two Targets Large Groups

Pillar Two does not impose a 15% tax on every company in Cyprus, Keravnos stressed. Instead, the rules apply to multinational and domestic groups with annual revenue above €750 million, with additional tax potentially applying when their effective rate falls below 15%.

The framework was agreed through the OECD, G20 and EU before being incorporated into EU law.

US Investment And Future Growth

US investment remains an important source of foreign capital, jobs and business activity in Cyprus, AmCham said. The chamber cited US foreign direct investment stock of about $14.9 billion and estimated that US companies generate around €140 million in annual tax revenues.

BrainRocket’s recent closure of its Limassol offices and relocation of most remaining employees abroad has added to the discussion about Cyprus’ ability to retain international employers. No evidence has linked the company’s departure to Pillar Two, but the case has heightened attention on the island’s competitiveness.

AmCham Seeks Economic Impact Assessment

An independent assessment should examine affected multinational groups, employment, economic activity, government revenues and potential effects on future investment, AmCham said. The chamber also called for consultation with investors, businesses and tax professionals.

Cyprus should use the flexibility available under international rules while continuing discussions with the OECD and EU, AmCham said. It also proposed a broader US-Cyprus investment competitiveness strategy focused on talent, regulation and investor services.

Cyprus tourism recovered during the peak summer season, narrowing the gap with 2025’s record performance after a sharp downturn in March and April, according to Eurobank Research.

Summer Demand Recovered After Spring Shock

Tourist arrivals in July were 1.1% below July 2025, improving from a 1.7% decline in June and sharp drops of 30.7% in March and 27.6% in April. The recovery followed renewed instability in the Middle East and disruption to air travel earlier in the year, which weakened visitor flows.

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Air Connectivity Held Firm

Passenger traffic at Cyprus airports fell 3.7% in the first seven months, while commercial flights declined only 0.9%. The gap suggests airlines largely maintained routes and capacity, with weaker passenger numbers reflecting lower demand and load factors rather than widespread cancellations.

Source Markets Show Uneven Recovery

Arrivals from January to July remained 8% below the same period in 2025, representing about 193,000 fewer visitors. Israel was the strongest major source market, with arrivals up 8.6% and contributing about 25,000 additional visitors, while the UK, Cyprus’ largest source market, fell 11.1%, accounting for roughly 90,000 of the overall decline.

Poland was broadly stable, while Germany, Greece and Scandinavian markets recorded more moderate declines. Eurobank Research said the figures point to a temporary demand shock rather than a structural deterioration in Cyprus’ tourism connectivity.

Hotels Recover Ground After A Difficult Spring

The summer recovery also supported aviation, transport, retail and food services. Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said tourism had remained resilient, with first-half arrivals still slightly above the same period of 2024, previously a record year.

“From May onwards, the picture has been steadily improving and the gap from the 2025 record has been narrowing significantly,” Letymbiotis said. He also said June recorded 489,965 arrivals, just 1.7% below June 2025, while tourism revenue reached €423.1 million, up 0.2% year on year.

Cyprus Hotel Association director-general Christos Angelides said the industry hoped to limit 2026 losses to around 10%. He said June brought a meaningful recovery, while July and August performed at satisfactory levels despite earlier cancellations, with September occupancy running at around 75% to 80%.

Cyprus Recorded EU’s Sharpest Overnight Stay Decline

Eurostat data shows the depth of the disruption, with Cyprus recording the EU’s largest decline in tourist accommodation overnight stays in the first half of 2026. Overnight stays fell 7.7% year on year, while non-residents accounted for 92.6% of all overnight stays, second only to Malta at 95.2%.

Outlook Remains Cautiously Positive

Eurobank Research estimates that 2026 arrivals could reach about 4.32 million if August-to-December figures are around 1% below 2025. That would be 4.7% below last year’s record of 4.53 million but 6.9% above 2024; under a more cautious scenario, the total would reach about 4.27 million.

Both scenarios point to normalization after an exceptional 2025 rather than a deeper structural decline. The near-term outlook remains linked to regional stability, travel guidance and visitor confidence.

Diversification Becomes More Important

The 2026 experience also highlights the importance of diversifying source markets. A late-August report by TOURISE and Oxford Economics identified Cyprus as an example of how alternative markets can help offset major disruptions.

Russia accounted for more than 27% of Cyprus’ tourist arrivals before 2022, but its share fell to 1% by 2025 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions. Cyprus expanded into European markets, with Poland’s share rising from 2% before the crisis to 9% in 2025, alongside stronger demand from Central Europe and the Nordic countries.

Eurobank Research said the uneven performance in 2026 reinforces the need to broaden access to continental European markets and strengthen shoulder-season demand.

For millions of Europeans, commuting is more than a daily routine. New research from SD Worx shows workers across the continent spend an average of 48 minutes a day traveling to and from work, with major differences between countries.

A Continent Divided By Distance And Infrastructure

Workers in Italy and Slovenia have some of Europe’s shortest commutes, averaging around 35 minutes a day. Sweden and Ireland are at the other end, with average journeys of 57 and 56 minutes respectively.

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Belgium has the longest commute in the survey at 61 minutes, making it the only country to exceed one hour. Long-distance travel is a major factor: 13% of Belgian workers are “super-commuters” who spend at least two hours traveling to work, while 14% travel more than 120 kilometers a day.

The Same Commute Time Can Reflect Different Realities

The Netherlands and Romania both report an average commute of 53 minutes, but the distance covered is very different. Dutch workers travel an average of 63 kilometers, while in Romania, congestion and urban bottlenecks account for more of the journey time.

The comparison shows that commute time reflects not only distance, but also infrastructure, urban planning and the efficiency of daily mobility systems.

Long Commutes Do Not Always Feel Like Wasted Time

In Belgium, where the average commute exceeds the 57-minute threshold many people consider acceptable, only 34% of workers say their travel time is wasted. Some employees may accept longer journeys in exchange for higher pay, preferred roles, flexibility or location.

Despite Belgium’s lengthy travel times, demand for more remote work stands at 32%, slightly below the international average. Commute length alone, therefore, does not determine how much flexibility workers want.

What The Data Says About Work, Geography And Choice

Across Europe, commuting reflects a combination of geographic constraints, transport infrastructure and personal preferences. The figures show that the journey to work is shaped as much by national systems as by individual circumstances.

A commute is therefore more than a measure of distance. It also shows how countries organize work and mobility, and how workers navigate the trade-offs those systems create.

Cyprus is preparing to spend €595,000 on a new armored limousine for President Nikos Christodoulides, with the Finance Ministry seeking parliamentary approval for the funds.

The Council of Ministers approved the purchase on July 16. Instead of launching a public tender, the government negotiated directly with a Cyprus-based car dealership, with the request now before Parliament’s Finance Committee.

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Cabinet Approves Purchase As Security Details Remain Confidential

The Finance Ministry has asked lawmakers to authorize the release of funds for the Presidency of the Republic. It declined to disclose the vehicle’s technical specifications, citing confidential security requirements, including details of its armor protection.

The Finance Committee is due to examine the request on Monday.

Cyprus Has Previously Bought Armored Presidential Cars Directly

Cyprus has used direct arrangements with specific companies for previous presidential armored vehicles. Christodoulides currently uses an armored limousine purchased during the presidency of Nicos Anastasiades in 2019 for €258,850 plus VAT.

That vehicle replaced the armored car used by former President Demetris Christofias, which was purchased in 2010 for €291,000 plus VAT. Parliamentary records show maintenance costs for Christofias’ vehicle later reached €138,654.

Armored Vehicles Also Used For EU Presidency Events

Cyprus has also leased armored vehicles for major diplomatic events. During its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the government rented 12 armored limousines for visiting heads of state attending an informal EU leaders’ summit.

The vehicles were transported from Germany and leased for 10 days at a total cost of €140,000. Cyprus said it intended to seek reimbursement from the European Union.

State Spending On Electric And Hybrid Vehicles

Two years ago, the state purchased 35 electric and hybrid vehicles for public officials at a total cost of €1.65 million. The fleet included 25 electric saloon cars, five electric all-terrain vehicles and five plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The proposed presidential limousine would cost €595,000, more than twice the purchase price of the armored vehicle acquired in 2019.