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.

Cyprus and Kazakhstan are seeking to expand economic and business cooperation following President Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Astana in June, the first visit by a Cypriot president to Kazakhstan.

The two countries see opportunities for closer commercial ties, with Cyprus offering access to the EU and eurozone markets and Kazakhstan serving as a major economic and transport hub in Central Asia.

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Shipping, Energy And Technology Among Key Areas

According to the Presidency, the two sides identified prospects for cooperation in shipping, transport, energy, technology, cybersecurity, healthcare and tourism. Both governments also see potential for developing projects that could produce concrete results for businesses in the two markets.

Cyprus’ position within the EU and its eurozone membership could support access to European markets, while Kazakhstan’s geographic position offers opportunities for Cypriot companies seeking to expand in Central Asia.

First Presidential Visit To Kazakhstan

Christodoulides’ trip to Astana in early June was the first official visit by a president of Cyprus to Kazakhstan. The Presidency said the visit created a more structured framework for bilateral economic and business cooperation.

Beyond trade and investment, the two countries also reaffirmed their political ties. The Presidency highlighted Kazakhstan’s support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, in line with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Kazakhstan Awards State Distinction To Christodoulides

During the visit, Christodoulides received Kazakhstan’s Order of Friendship, which the Presidency described as the country’s highest state distinction.

The award was presented as recognition of the existing bilateral relationship and the two countries’ intention to deepen cooperation further.

School supply prices in Cyprus remained broadly stable compared with 2025, but significant differences between retailers mean families can pay very different amounts for similar products, according to the Cyprus Consumers’ Association.

The association surveyed online and physical stores operated by 10 businesses across Cyprus. Some products showed wide price gaps, while online prices were sometimes lower than those in physical stores.

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School Supplies Show Wide Price Gaps

School bags ranged from €1.89 to €209.95, depending on size, design and brand. Pencil cases cost between €0.48 and €45.55, while pencils, pens and markers ranged from €0.20 to €18.99. Notebook prices varied from €0.32 to €12.99, while filing folders cost between €0.19 and €8.48. The association advised families to compare prices across retailers and shopping channels.

Clothing Prices Also Differ

Jerseys and shirts ranged from €3.99 to €48, while trousers cost €12 to €27 and skirts €11.50 to €25. Parents were advised to consider quality and value rather than relying on brand names or advertising when choosing school products.

Focus On Need And Safety

Families should make a list of essential items before shopping and distinguish between school requirements and products influenced by advertising or trends. Younger children should avoid stationery designed to resemble or smell like food because of potential health and safety risks.

When choosing a school bag, parents should consider the child’s physical strength, the bag’s weight and its construction.

Check Return Policies

Consumers should check a retailer’s return policy before buying. Shops in Cyprus generally do not have to accept returns or exchanges when customers simply change their minds, so individual store policies apply.

Unsafe products, pricing discrepancies, misleading offers and missing price displays can be reported to the Cyprus Consumers’ Association at [email protected] or through the consumer line at 1429.

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.

The department has allocated an estimated €220,000 for restoration work at the Kanellopoulou mine gallery entrance and nearby mining facilities under the Interreg Greece-Cyprus 2021–2027 programme. The project covers the gallery entrance, ore-separation infrastructure, transport rails and an unloading area.

Village Projects Expand The Visitor Offer

Etap is also developing smaller projects, including the completion of Ayios Theodoros Farm, which will combine a village farm with a picnic area and introduce visitors to traditional agricultural life.

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The project follows Etap’s 2024 proposal to include Cypriot farm animals, native plants and traditional products. Other planned works include permanent sculptures at Mesoyios Artists’ Park and improvements to the Choirokoitia nature trail entrance.

Digital Access Expands Across Larnaca

Sixteen museums in the region have already been digitised, with the Ecclesiastical Museum of Athienou, Archbishop Georgios expected to join the platform before the end of the year.

Opened in July 2025, the museum houses icons, manuscripts, religious vessels, embroidery and vestments, including objects dating to the late 15th century. Visitors can also explore the region through the Larnaka 360° Cultural Walk, which connects virtual museums, storytelling statues and QR-coded routes.

Sustainability And Accessibility Projects Continue

Planned public-space projects include additional planting in Voroklini, improvements to Pyla’s coastal park and themed benches along Voroklini’s coastal walkway. An upgrade to the garden beside the tourism information office is also under consideration.

Etap is also planning further work at Livadia’s Kalamourgiki Memorial Museum and an accessible seating unit at Finikoudes. The Livadia museum already offers large-caption video screens, sign-language interpretation and a Braille booklet.

Tourism Links To Local Producers

Etap is seeking to strengthen links between tourism and local businesses through initiatives such as the CyFood B2B Forum. The wider programme combines heritage restoration, digital access, public-space improvements and accessibility projects across the Larnaca region.

Several initiatives are at different stages, from completed digital projects to planned infrastructure and visitor facilities.

Cyprus’ industrial sector posted modest growth in June 2026, with production rising by 0.3% year on year, according to figures released by the statistical service Cystat.

The overall industrial production index reached 117.6 points, using 2021 as the base year of 100. Over the first six months of 2026, industrial output was 1.2% higher than in the same period a year earlier, indicating a sector that is expanding, albeit unevenly.

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Mining And Water Supply Lead Monthly Gains

June’s performance was driven by strength in mining and quarrying, which rose 11.4% annually, and by water supply and materials recovery, which increased 1.5%. Manufacturing also registered a gain, albeit a narrower one, rising 0.6% from June 2025.

By contrast, electricity supply fell 4% over the same period, underscoring the mixed nature of the country’s industrial trajectory.

Mixed Performance Across Industrial Activities

Within water supply and materials recovery, the two activities diverged sharply. Water collection, treatment and supply climbed 14.2%, while materials recovery dropped 15.1%.

Among manufacturing subsectors, other non-metallic mineral products recorded the strongest annual increase in June, up 7.5%. Rubber and plastic products followed with growth of 4.7%, while wood and cork products excluding furniture and basic metals and fabricated metal products each advanced 2.3%.

Smaller gains were seen in textiles, wearing apparel and leather products, which edged up 0.4%.

Several manufacturing categories, however, moved in the opposite direction. Machinery, equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment saw the steepest decline, falling 8.5%. Production of electronic and optical products and electrical equipment decreased 2.4%, while furniture, other manufacturing, and the repair and installation of machinery and equipment slipped 2.3%.

Paper products and printing fell 0.7%, food, beverages and tobacco products declined 0.6%, and refined petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceutical products and preparations were down 0.5%.

First-Half Output Shows Broader Stability

Looking at the January-to-June period, the underlying picture was more stable. Manufacturing output increased 0.7% year on year, mining and quarrying rose 1.1%, and water supply and materials recovery grew 2.5%.

Among individual activities, water collection, treatment and supply delivered the strongest first-half expansion, increasing 11.5%. Basic metals and fabricated metal products followed with growth of 5.1%, while electricity supply rose 4.3%.

Other non-metallic mineral products advanced 3.4%, and wood and cork products excluding furniture increased 3.2%. Refined petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceutical products and preparations were up 1.8%, while rubber and plastic products rose 1.4%. Paper products and printing increased 0.7%, and food, beverages and tobacco products were unchanged from the same period in 2025.

On the downside, materials recovery recorded the sharpest decline in the first half, falling 8.8%. Machinery, equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment dropped 5.9%, while furniture, other manufacturing, and the repair and installation of machinery and equipment decreased 4.2%. Textiles, wearing apparel and leather products declined 3.9%, and electronic and optical products and electrical equipment edged down 0.4%.

The latest data point to an industrial economy moving forward at a measured pace, with gains in essential and extractive activities helping to offset weakness in several manufacturing segments.

Shares of Marvell Technology fell 8% in premarket trading despite a second-quarter revenue beat, after the chipmaker’s updated fiscal 2028 outlook failed to meet elevated investor expectations.

Marvell now expects fiscal 2028 revenue of about $18 billion, representing roughly 50% annual growth and exceeding its previous forecast of $16.5 billion. Second-quarter revenue rose 37% to $2.7 billion, beating the company’s May guidance by $39 million.

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AI Demand Drives Revenue Growth

Marvell supplies networking, connectivity and custom chips used in AI data centres, where revenue increased 46% year on year in the latest quarter. CEO Matt Murphy said AI-related bookings remained strong and forecast further revenue growth through the rest of fiscal 2027.

Despite the higher outlook, Marvell provided limited detail on how it would reach the $18 billion target. That added to investor concerns after the company’s recent Google partnership, which could allow Google to purchase up to $12.2 billion in Marvell stock through fiscal 2033.

Under the agreement, Google can buy up to 58.97 million Marvell shares at $206.58 each, subject to performance targets. The partnership covers products supporting Google’s TPU systems, including AI inference chips, storage controllers and network interface controllers.

Investors Had Higher Expectations

Goldman Sachs said investor expectations were already high heading into the results because of strong spending by major customers and the Google agreement. Analysts described the results as an “incremental positive” but maintained a neutral rating, citing Marvell’s higher valuation relative to peers and uncertainty over its ability to add more custom-chip customers.

Marvell shares have gained 184% this year despite the latest decline, reflecting strong investor demand for companies supplying AI infrastructure.

Google is introducing new quality requirements for Android apps as developers face tighter constraints on device memory and broader hardware supply pressures.

The company announced two new requirements this week. One focuses on reducing apps’ memory use and improving code efficiency, while the other requires apps to restore users’ sign-in status when they move to a new Android device.

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Google Sets New Memory Performance Rules

Google said the mobile industry is facing “significant hardware supply constraints that are altering device memory availability,” which could affect app performance and the user experience.

Under the new rules, developers will need to meet thresholds covering areas including dynamic memory and bitmap usage. Additional code optimisation requirements are designed to reduce slowdowns and crashes linked to excessive resource use.

Google is also rolling out tools that alert developers when their apps exceed the new limits. More diagnostic features are planned later this year, including deeper analysis through Android’s Memory Limiter, which restricts excessive memory use.

Developers have until February 2027 to comply with the new standards, according to Google’s Android Developer documentation.

Zero-Tap Sign-In Requirement Starts In 2027

A separate requirement will apply to all apps distributed through Google Play. By April 2027, apps that use optional or mandatory sign-ins must automatically restore a user’s sign-in state when they move between Android devices.

The feature will rely on Android’s Restore Credentials API, which is designed to transfer sign-in credentials during device migration without requiring users to log in again.

Google said the new standards are intended to help developers maintain app performance and simplify device transitions as device specifications and memory availability change.

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) has backed the proposed National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2032 following a meeting with Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology Demetris Skourides.

Skourides presented the strategy to members of the chamber’s Digitalisation Committee, which focuses on technology and communications affecting shipping companies and vessel operations. The committee also follows the International Maritime Organisation’s work on navigation, communications and search and rescue.

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The CSC said it looked forward to continued cooperation with Skourides and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy as the strategy moves towards implementation.

AI Could Cut Shipping Costs

Public consultation on the strategy runs until August 31. According to the government’s consultation notice, Cyprus aims to become a trusted AI centre in the eastern Mediterranean by 2032 and a European base for AI services connecting the EU with neighbouring regions.

For the shipping industry, the draft strategy targets fuel savings of 10% to 20% and maintenance cost reductions of 30% to 40%. Proposed applications include AI-assisted route planning, predictive maintenance and digital models of vessels.

Routing systems could combine weather, currents, fuel prices and vessel performance, while digital models would use sensor data to identify potential maintenance problems before equipment fails. AI tools could also help crews and operators track regulatory changes, coordinate with ports and identify safety risks.

Maritime Data And Autonomous Technology

The strategy also proposes a shared maritime data space where companies could contribute anonymised datasets for AI training while protecting commercially sensitive information. Other measures include supervised testing of autonomous surface vessels, drone inspections and the creation of a maritime centre of excellence to support testing and adoption.

Human oversight would remain central. Qualified professionals would retain final authority over decisions, while independent assessments and the withdrawal of systems that fail safety, compliance or performance requirements would be required. The projected savings are targets rather than results already achieved.

Broader AI Strategy

The government’s wider AI framework includes eight strategic objectives covering productivity, public services, skills, data infrastructure and accountability.

Skourides has previously said that “AI must serve people” and that people must remain in control. The strategy therefore also proposes training, reskilling and practical support to help employees, businesses and public servants use and assess AI effectively.

Businesses, professional bodies, researchers and citizens can submit feedback through the government’s e-consultation platform until August 31, with submissions to be considered for inclusion in the final strategy.

Cyprus performs strongly in higher education, but its school students continue to lag behind the EU average in basic, digital and civic skills, according to the latest Education and Training Monitor from the European Union.

The report highlights broader concerns about the quality of education, warning that weak learning outcomes could affect young people’s career prospects and Cyprus’ competitiveness.

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PISA data show that 53.2% of students in Cyprus lack basic mathematics proficiency, compared with 29.5% across the EU. The gap is wider among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, reaching 69.8% in the lowest socioeconomic quartile, compared with 48% in the EU.

Advanced skills are also less common. Only 1.4% of Cypriot students demonstrate advanced reading skills, compared with 6.5% in the EU. The figures for mathematics and science stand at 3.9% and 2%, respectively, against EU averages of 7.9% and 6.9%. The report called for stronger evaluation and further measures to improve educational outcomes.

Digital And STEM Skills Remain A Concern

Digital proficiency is another weak point. Some 59% of eighth-grade students in Cyprus do not reach basic digital skills, compared with 43% across the EU and well above the bloc’s 2030 target of 15%.

Civic knowledge is also below average, with Cypriot students scoring 459 compared with 511 across the EU. Girls generally performed better than boys.

STEM participation remains low as well. Just 14.9% of students study science, technology, engineering and mathematics, compared with 26.9% across the EU. The figure has fallen by 3.4 percentage points since 2015 and is well below the proposed 32% target for 2030. Female participation, at 33.9%, is slightly above the EU average of 32.2%.

Higher Education Tells A Different Story

At the tertiary level, Cyprus performs considerably better. In 2024, 60.1% of people aged 25 to 34 held a tertiary qualification, compared with 44.2% across the EU and the bloc’s 2030 target of 45%.

The sector has expanded rapidly, with student numbers rising 42% between 2015 and 2023 and graduate numbers increasing 125% over the past decade. The growth has been supported partly by the expansion of private universities and higher education institutions since 2007.

Cyprus also has one of the EU’s highest rates of outward degree mobility, with 26.9% of students studying abroad compared with 4.4% across the bloc. Overall, 27.8% of Cypriot students studied outside the country.

The result is a mixed education picture: Cyprus has strong tertiary attainment, but significant gaps in basic, digital and STEM skills remain earlier in the education system.