A new social network called Twitter.now is entering the market, with a founding team that includes former Twitter trademark counsel Stephen Coates. The service is being developed by startup Operation Bluebird.

As Ars Technica reported, X sued the company last year and asked a Delaware judge to block the launch. Operation Bluebird argued in a petition that X had abandoned trademarks including “Twitter” and “Tweet.”

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Coates has said the project is not an attempt to recreate the original Twitter. In a LinkedIn post, he described the platform as a new public space focused on trust, transparency and user choice.

AI System To Rate Posts

Twitter.now is currently being tested, with early access priced at $20. Its main feature is VERA, an AI system designed to evaluate posts, verify claims and provide sources and context.

Posts receive a trust score, with users eventually able to set a minimum score to filter their feeds. The company says this approach will give people more control over what they see instead of leaving those decisions entirely to an algorithm.

Moderation Remains A Challenge

Scaling moderation will be one of the platform’s biggest tests. Social networks have repeatedly struggled with content moderation as their communities grow, and newer platforms such as Bluesky have faced similar criticism.

Operation Bluebird says VERA will form the basis of its moderation and verification system. A second version is already planned, with expanded tools that would let users set a specific trust threshold for the posts appearing in their feeds.

For now, Twitter.now remains in an early testing phase, combining the familiarity of the Twitter name with an AI-driven approach to evaluating online information.

Bank transfers accounted for 85% of the total value of government receipts in Cyprus during the first half of 2026, highlighting the state’s rapid shift toward digital payments, accountant-general Andreas Antoniades told the Cyprus News Agency.

Online payments made up another 10% of receipts, while electronic payments made in person represented 1%. Traditional payment methods accounted for just 4%.

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Antoniades said electronic payment channels were now “universal in the state”, with digital methods for settling government debts continuing to gain ground. He described the figures as evidence of steady progress toward the complete digitalisation of state transactions.

New €4.1m Payment System

The shift is expected to accelerate following a new contract for processing electronic government transactions, signed with VivaBank Single-member Banking Company on August 12.

The €4.1 million contract was awarded through a tender conducted by the Treasury of the Republic, with the new technical solution expected to be implemented during 2027. Services will initially run for three years, with the government holding an option to extend the agreement by a further two years.

Until the new system is operational, card payments to the state will continue to be processed under the existing contract with JCC Payment Systems Limited, which was recently renewed. Around €1.5 billion in government receipts is processed through JCC each year, according to Antoniades.

Traditional Payments Being Phased Out

Cyprus is also gradually eliminating traditional payment methods. Personal cheques have not been accepted from individuals or businesses since January 1, 2026, while banker’s drafts remain temporarily available. The government plans to withdraw those as well, leaving cash as the only traditional payment option.

Cash is currently accepted for transactions of up to €10,000.

Antoniades said the move toward digital payments forms part of the state’s broader digital transformation, improving the speed, accessibility and transparency of public services while reducing administrative costs and the operational burden on government.

The continued expansion of digital infrastructure and payment solutions, he added, should help create a more efficient and citizen-friendly public administration while making better use of public resources.

Deposits held with financial institutions in Cyprus increased by a net €562.3 million in July, while total loans fell by €68.7 million, according to data from the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

The increase in deposits was driven mainly by Cyprus residents, whose holdings grew by €603.2 million. Household deposits rose by €195.7 million, while non-financial corporations added €257.1 million. Deposits held by other domestic sectors increased by a further €150.4 million.

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As a result, the total deposit balance reached €59.2 billion at the end of July, more than twice the outstanding loan balance. The annual growth rate of deposits also accelerated to 6.2%, from 5% in June.

July’s increase was slightly smaller than the €601.2 million net rise recorded in June, but still represented a substantial monthly inflow.

Lending Falls After Strong June Increase

Loan balances moved in the opposite direction, declining by €68.7 million in July after rising by €499.4 million the previous month. Much of the decrease came from €90 million in repayments by residents of other euro-area countries.

Lending to Cyprus residents, meanwhile, edged up by €1.8 million. The modest overall increase reflected contrasting movements among households and businesses: household borrowing rose by €65.7 million, while loans to non-financial corporations fell by €79.6 million. Lending to other domestic sectors increased by €15.8 million, partly offsetting the decline in business lending.

Total outstanding loans stood at €28.3 billion at the end of July. Despite the monthly decline, annual lending growth remained strong at 11.1%, easing only slightly from 11.6% in June.

Amazon’s smart home division Ring is introducing a new encryption standard that will become the default for video protection and user controls, while allowing the company to offer more cloud-based features.

The standard, called TAKE, or “Throw Away the Key Encryption,” is designed to balance privacy with features that can be limited by end-to-end encryption, including video search, descriptions and access for trusted users.

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Temporary Keys Support Cloud Features

Under TAKE, Ring uses rotating encryption keys that are temporarily stored in the cloud and accessible only when needed to provide features activated by users. Once a request is completed, the company says the relevant keys will be deleted within 24 hours.

The system allows Ring to temporarily decrypt and process videos for cloud services such as Smart Alerts, which can notify users when people, vehicles or packages appear in a camera’s view. The company said in a blog post that the encryption key is deleted after the feature has been used.

Amazon’s technical white paper says TAKE was developed using Messaging Layer Security, an open messaging standard created by the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Users Can Still Choose End-To-End Encryption

TAKE will begin rolling out to customers in September and will become the default worldwide. Ring users will still be able to manually select end-to-end encryption instead.

The new system also includes several options for recovering encryption keys. Users who lose access to their device can authenticate by standing near their Ring cameras, while passphrases, cloud backups, another approved device or passkeys can provide alternative recovery methods.

Ring said the approach is intended to preserve access to cloud features without requiring users to give up control of their video encryption keys.

Privacy Concerns Remain

The announcement comes after months of scrutiny over Ring’s use of facial recognition. Its Familiar Faces feature can identify people appearing in camera footage.

In June, a class-action lawsuit accused Amazon of storing images of people passing by Ring cameras without their consent. The introduction of TAKE therefore comes as Ring faces continued questions over how its cameras process and protect personal data.

Chinese artificial intelligence company Z.ai released a new model Wednesday that it says operates entirely on domestically produced semiconductors, highlighting China’s push to reduce reliance on foreign AI hardware.

The low-cost GLM-5.3-Flash ranks 10th on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, ahead of DeepSeek V4 Pro Max. Z.ai’s Hong Kong-listed shares rose more than 8% in Thursday trading.

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Z.ai Claims 100,000 Domestic Chips

Z.ai said it used 100,000 China-made chips to process online requests for GLM-5.3-Flash, including after its August 20 release under the code name “Ox Alpha”. The model ranked first by usage on the global OpenRouter platform over the past week.

The company has not identified the chip suppliers, while CNBC was unable to independently verify the claim. Counterpoint Research senior analyst Ivan Lam said Z.ai is likely using Huawei Ascend chips alongside processors from other domestic suppliers, reflecting closer cooperation between Chinese AI developers and hardware companies.

Running an AI model generally requires less computing power than training one, meaning the use of domestic chips for inference does not necessarily demonstrate that the same hardware could train the model at scale.

China Pushes Domestic AI Hardware

The development comes as Nvidia faces restrictions on selling advanced chips to China, while Huawei and other Chinese companies expand their alternatives.

Beijing has accelerated efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor and AI capabilities following U.S. restrictions on advanced chip exports. Leading U.S. AI models are also not officially available in China.

Z.ai’s release therefore offers another indication of how Chinese AI companies are adapting their infrastructure as access to leading foreign processors becomes more constrained.

MiniMax Shares Also Rise

Z.ai rival MiniMax gained about 3% in Hong Kong after reporting a 283% year-on-year increase in first-half revenue. Its adjusted net loss more than doubled to $293 million, while its M3 model ranks 18th on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index.

Both companies listed in Hong Kong in January. Since then, Z.ai shares have climbed more than 800%, compared with a gain of more than 80% for MiniMax. Z.ai is scheduled to report its first-half results on Monday.

Hyundai Motor Group has increased its U.S. market share more than any major automaker since 2020, as it expands domestic production and invests heavily in the market.

The group, which includes Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, increased its U.S. market share from 8.4% in 2020 to 11.2% in 2025, while sales rose 50%. Its market share reached 11.8% in the first half of 2026, according to Mobility Global, making it the fourth-largest automaker in the country.

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Tesla was the only major automaker to record a comparable gain, with its estimated market share increasing by 2.1 percentage points.

$26 Billion Investment In The U.S.

Hyundai plans to invest $26 billion in the U.S. through 2028, including further expansion of its Georgia Metaplant.

CEO José Muñoz said the company is considering raising the plant’s planned annual capacity from 500,000 vehicles to between 700,000 and 800,000 by 2028. Hyundai aims to produce at least 80% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. domestically by the end of the decade, compared with about 40% in 2024.

Muñoz said U.S. tariffs on South Korean vehicles have accelerated the company’s localisation plans.

Growth Extends Across Hyundai, Kia And Genesis

The U.S. strategy is part of Hyundai’s “Bold 2030 Vision”, which targets global sales of 5.55 million vehicles by 2030, about 35% above 2025 levels. The company has also reaffirmed a 6% global market-share target for Hyundai and Genesis.

More than 100 vehicle launches and major updates are planned through 2030, including 58 in North America and additional electrified models. Kia is targeting U.S. sales of 1.02 million vehicles by 2030, supported by new pickup trucks and larger SUVs, while Hyundai is also considering a midsize pickup.

The group has meanwhile moved beyond its traditional value positioning. Hyundai and Kia continue to offer vehicles starting in the $20,000s, while Genesis competes in the luxury segment with models priced at $100,000 or more.

Genesis Pushes Into The Luxury Market

Genesis, which entered the U.S. a decade ago, has become the fastest luxury brand to reach 1 million global sales, according to Hyundai.

Its latest flagship, the Genesis GV90, is part of the brand’s push further into the premium market.

For Hyundai, expanding U.S. production is becoming increasingly important as it seeks to maintain market-share gains while managing trade costs. The combination of local manufacturing, broader vehicle offerings and investment across three brands gives the group several avenues for further growth.

Global entertainment and media revenue is expected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2030, with advertising, streaming and live experiences driving much of the expansion, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2026–2030.

The report covers 12 sectors across 53 countries and territories and forecasts average annual growth of 3.4%. Digital ecosystems are expected to generate most of the additional $600 billion in revenue by the end of the decade.

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Advertising Becomes The Main Growth Driver

Advertising revenue passed $1 trillion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $1.4 trillion by 2030, growing 5.6% annually. AI-powered, real-time personalisation is expected to help advertisers target audiences more precisely and increase the value of digital impressions.

Internet advertising revenue rose 12.2% to $755.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow 7.2% annually through 2030. Advertising is therefore expected to overtake consumer spending in 2026.

Consumer spending is forecast to grow 2.5% annually, while connectivity revenue from internet access is expected to increase 2.3%. Connectivity will nevertheless remain the largest of the three main segments, with revenue rising from $1.3 trillion in 2025 to $1.5 trillion in 2030.

Streaming Growth Slows In Mature Markets

Streaming revenue is projected to grow 6.1% annually through 2030, although expansion is expected to slow in established markets as consumers become less willing to pay for multiple subscriptions.

“Subscription fatigue” could encourage consolidation, partnerships and bundled services, while advertising is expected to become more important for platforms offering lower-cost plans. Advertising currently accounts for 19.4% of streaming revenue and is forecast to reach 22.6% by 2030.

Traditional television is moving in the opposite direction. Global revenue fell 2.7% to $360.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to decline to $341.2 billion by 2030 as audiences shift towards digital platforms.

Live Experiences Continue To Expand

Cinema is expected to continue its recovery, with global box office revenue forecast to grow 3.5% annually to $39.5 billion by 2030.

Asia-Pacific is projected to see the strongest growth among major regions, with box office revenue rising from $13.8 billion in 2025 to about $17 billion. Europe, the Middle East and Africa are expected to increase from $8.6 billion to $10.1 billion, while North America is forecast to reach about $9.9 billion.

Cinema, live music, out-of-home entertainment, trade shows and online betting are collectively expected to grow 5.2% annually to $294 billion by 2030, reflecting continued demand for shared and in-person experiences.

Music, Events And Online Gambling Gain Ground

Revenue across music, radio and podcasts is forecast to rise from $125.5 billion in 2025 to $145.1 billion in 2030. Streaming will remain the largest component at $56.6 billion, while live music revenue is expected to exceed $41.5 billion. Business events are also expanding, with exhibitor spending projected to increase from $38 billion in 2025 to $44.6 billion in 2030.

Online gambling is among the fastest-growing segments in the report. Across 10 markets, gross online gambling revenue more than doubled from $37.1 billion in 2021 to $79.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $119.7 billion by 2030.

Overall, PwC expects the industry’s next phase of growth to be shaped by AI-enabled advertising and digital services, while consumer demand for live and immersive experiences continues to support traditional entertainment segments.

Passenger traffic between Chisinau and Larnaca nearly tripled in 2025, reflecting a sharp increase in demand for direct travel between Moldova and Cyprus.

According to figures from Moldova’s Civil Aviation Authority, 78,912 passengers travelled on the Chisinau-Larnaca route last year, compared with 26,988 in 2024. The increase of 51,924 passengers represented growth of 192.4%.

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SkyUp Extends Larnaca Service Into 2027

The strong performance comes as SkyUp Airlines prepares to continue its direct service between the two cities. Tickets are already on sale for the 2027 summer season, with flights scheduled from March 26 to October 30.

SkyUp said the route will provide direct connectivity for tourists and business travellers, as well as people visiting friends and relatives in Cyprus and Moldova.

“We are particularly pleased to resume direct flights between Larnaca and Chisinau in the summer season of 2027, offering passengers a convenient way to travel between Cyprus and Moldova,” SkyUp CEO Dmytro Sieroukhov said.

The Larnaca route is part of SkyUp’s wider summer 2027 programme from Chisinau, covering 26 destinations in 11 countries. The programme includes more than 10 new routes, among them Vienna, Milan Bergamo, Prague, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rhodes, Batumi, Pula and Split.

Route Growth Outpaces Chisinau Airport

Traffic on the Cyprus route grew significantly faster than passenger numbers at Chisinau International Airport as a whole. Airport traffic increased 46.8% in 2025 to a record 6.08 million passengers, up from 4.14 million in 2024.

SkyUp began operating scheduled services from Moldova in April 2025. During its first year, the airline said it carried more than three million passengers and operated almost 20,000 flights across its network.

The sharp rise in Chisinau-Larnaca traffic, combined with the continuation of the route into 2027, points to stronger air connectivity between Cyprus and Moldova and growing demand for direct travel between the two markets.

Cyprus’ unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in the second quarter of 2026 from 4.3% a year earlier, as employment continued to expand, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).

The number of employed people rose 2.9% year on year to 520,763, while the employment rate increased to 63.2% from 62.6%. The labour force also expanded 2.1% to 540,130 people.

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Women Drive Employment Growth

Female employment increased 4.4% to 246,895, lifting the female employment rate to 58.3% from 57.2%. Male employment grew 1.5% to 273,868, while the male rate edged up to 68.5% from 68.3%.

Unemployment fell 14.5% to 19,367 people. The male unemployment rate declined to 3.5% from 3.9%, while the female rate fell more sharply to 3.7% from 4.7%.

Services Remain The Main Employer

Services continued to account for the vast majority of jobs, employing 426,231 people, or 81.8% of total employment, compared with 411,204 a year earlier.

Industry employed 84,135 people, although its share fell to 16.2% from 16.6%. Agricultural employment declined to 10,397 from 11,306, reducing its share to 2%.

The concentration in services was particularly strong among women, with the sector accounting for 92.7% of female employment, compared with 72% among men.

Full-Time Employment Strengthens

Full-time employment increased 3.6% to 475,586 people, raising its share of total employment to 91.3% from 90.6%. Part-time employment fell 4.7% to 45,178, reducing its share to 8.7%. The part-time rate among women declined to 9.9% from 12%, while the male rate increased to 7.6% from 7.1%.

Employees accounted for 467,712 jobs, or 89.8% of total employment, while self-employed workers numbered 53,051. Self-employment increased 4.9% year on year.

Temporary Jobs Increase

Permanent employees numbered 394,406, accounting for 84.3% of employee jobs, down from 85.7% a year earlier.

Temporary employment rose 12.1% to 73,306, increasing its share from 14.3% to 15.7%. The increase was particularly strong among men, whose temporary employment reached 28,307.

Youth Unemployment Also Falls

The unemployment rate among people aged 15 to 24 fell to 12.2% from 14.9%, while the number of unemployed young people declined 20.6% to 3,594. Among those aged 25 to 64, unemployment fell to 15,416 from 17,505, bringing the rate down to 3.2% from 3.7%.

Employment among people aged 20 to 64 reached 493,680, with the employment rate rising to 82.8% from 81.7%. For those aged 55 to 64, the rate increased to 72.6% from 71.5%.

Long-Term Unemployment Remains Stable

Most unemployed people had been searching for work for less than six months. Their number reached 12,086, or 62.4% of total unemployment, compared with 55.9% a year earlier.

A further 3,197 people had been unemployed for six to 11 months, while long-term unemployment fell to 4,084 from 4,792. Despite the decline in numbers, long-term unemployed people still accounted for 21.1% of total unemployment.

Overall, the data show continued improvement in Cyprus’ labour market, with unemployment declining while employment and full-time work expanded.

Larnaca is moving into the final phase of a €6.2 million redevelopment of the Ayios Ioannis neighbourhood, with upgrades focused on roads, public spaces, pedestrian access and cycling infrastructure.

Mayor Andreas Vyras and members of the community council met residents on Wednesday at the Ayios Ioannis Theologos churchyard to outline the next stage of the project. Construction will require sections of the road network to be excavated, with traffic diversions introduced gradually as works progress.

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Roads, Pavements And Transport Infrastructure

Planned works include resurfacing and upgrading roads, widening pavements and restructuring parking areas. New bus lanes will also be created, while utility networks will be moved underground.

The project is designed to improve accessibility and encourage more sustainable forms of mobility, with greater emphasis on walking and cycling.

More Green Space And Heritage Features

Alongside the transport improvements, the redevelopment will add trees and expand green areas across the neighbourhood. Plans also call for the area’s historical and cultural features to be highlighted as part of the wider regeneration.

The project is being co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and Larnaca municipality and is expected to take 24 months to complete.