Assessment Raises Concerns Over AI Engagement And Emotional Dependence

Common Sense Media has labeled OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teens an “unacceptable risk,” raising concerns over whether the product can protect young users without encouraging excessive engagement.

The nonprofit, which evaluates technology and media for families, said ChatGPT for Teens continued to use engagement cues during crisis conversations. Researchers also found that while the chatbot warned teenagers about unhealthy relationships, it did not adequately recognize the risks of an unhealthy relationship with the AI itself.

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Safety Promises Face New Scrutiny

OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens in August amid growing concerns about minors using chatbots. The company introduced safeguards including parental controls, restrictions on high-risk content and measures intended to prevent emotional dependence.

Common Sense Media said some protections worked, including refusing sexual roleplay, but others failed to meet OpenAI’s commitments. Researchers gave the product a failing score for three of five severe harms they classify as “Red Lines.”

“Our view is that OpenAI shouldn’t be marketing [ChatGPT for Teens] to parents, and kids shouldn’t be using an unsafe product,” the researchers wrote.

OpenAI Challenges The Assessment

OpenAI rejected the findings, saying the testing did not accurately reflect how its teen safeguards work in practice. A spokesperson argued that much of the testing may have taken place before parental controls were fully activated, making the results inaccurate.

The company did not directly address all of the concerns over engagement cues and relational behavior, highlighting a broader challenge for AI safety: many safeguards remain difficult for parents, regulators and outside researchers to verify.

ChatGPT Still Encourages Conversations

Common Sense Media found that ChatGPT for Teens used follow-up questions less often than standard chatbots, but researchers still identified language that encouraged users to continue conversations, including during sensitive situations.

One response to a user experiencing psychosis said, “You can keep talking with me about what you’re noticing.” Other conversations similarly ended with offers to keep helping with issues such as eating habits or school problems.

Concerns became more serious when teenagers discussed their relationship with ChatGPT. OpenAI’s Under-18 Model Spec says the model should not present itself as a friend or suggest that it has feelings for the user. Common Sense Media said the chatbot nevertheless often interacted with teenagers in friend-like ways.

When testers raised concerns involving another person, ChatGPT directed them to a trusted adult in 94% of crisis prompts. However, it rarely made that recommendation when the potential problem involved excessive use of ChatGPT itself.

In one exchange, a user said their friends thought they talked to ChatGPT too much. The chatbot acknowledged the concern but added: “You don’t have to stop talking to me.”

Break Reminders Remain Limited

Common Sense Media also questioned OpenAI’s break reminders, finding only two across nearly 2,000 prompts. Both appeared during conversations lasting around 90 minutes, and researchers said the system appeared to focus on individual conversation length rather than total time spent using the service.

OpenAI has reported that teenagers spend less than 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT on average, while fewer than 2% use it for more than three consecutive hours. The company also said nearly half of teen users who received a break reminder paused or ended their conversation within five minutes.

A Growing Policy Challenge

The dispute reflects a wider debate over whether AI companies are creating products that optimize for engagement in ways that can be harmful to young users. Lawmakers are increasingly examining similar concerns around AI companions, while the bipartisan CHATBOT Act would target the use of rewards, notifications and targeted advertising to encourage prolonged engagement among adolescents.

The broader question for AI companies is becoming increasingly clear: when the user is a teenager, keeping them engaged can itself become a safety issue.

Musk, Brin, Huang And Dell Among Tech Figures Recognized By Trump Administration

The Trump administration has recognized several prominent technology and business leaders for their contributions to science and innovation, highlighting the increasingly close relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington.

“The Trump Administration is grateful for the contributions of these incredible leaders in science and technology,” White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston said in an emailed statement. “These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation.”

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Awards Follow Recent AI Summit

Coming just over a week after Trump hosted a White House lunch focused on artificial intelligence, the awards bring several of the same executives back into the spotlight. Other industry leaders also attended the gathering, which came as debate over the pace of AI development intensified. Trump later said he had signed a “morally binding” document with the technology leaders following the meeting.

Political ties add another dimension to the recognition. Each of the honorees has contributed financially, directly or indirectly, to Trump, Republican campaigns or related causes.

Tech Leaders Have Backed Trump

Elon Musk was Trump’s largest financial supporter during the 2024 election cycle, contributing more than $290 million. He later joined the administration as a special government employee and led an effort to reduce the federal workforce.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin attended Trump’s inauguration and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Republican National Committee in 2025. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang contributed to a fund for Trump’s planned White House ballroom, while Nvidia donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration.

Michael Dell has also been a longtime Trump donor. Together with his wife, Susan, he pledged $6.25 billion to seed Trump Accounts, a programme designed to help families build savings for children in the US. AMD is also contributing to Trump-related funds.

Trump Holds Stakes In Major Tech Companies

Trump’s financial ties to the technology sector extend beyond political contributions. His most recent financial disclosure shows transactions involving shares of SpaceX, Tesla, Nvidia, Microsoft, AMD and Alphabet, Google’s parent company, as recently as July.

CNBC’s Eamon Javers contributed to this report.

Retail Trade Volume Rises 7.5% Year On Year In August

Cyprus recorded one of the strongest retail performances in the European Union in August, with retail trade volume increasing 7.5% year on year, according to Eurostat.

Cyprus Ranks Second In The EU

The annual increase placed Cyprus second among EU member states with available data, behind Sweden at 7.7%. Estonia followed with growth of 6%.

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Cyprus’ retail growth was more than six times the EU average of 1.2% and significantly above the euro area’s 0.8% increase.

Cyprus Outperforms A Weaker European Market

The figures point to resilient retail demand in Cyprus despite more subdued conditions across much of Europe.

Retail trade volume declined in four member states. Malta recorded the sharpest fall at 2.4%, followed by Spain at 0.6%, Italy at 0.5% and Germany at 0.4%.

Across the euro area, annual growth was supported by food, drinks and tobacco, as well as non-food products excluding automotive fuel. Food, drinks and tobacco sales rose 1.6%, while non-food retail increased 1.7%. Automotive fuel sales fell 3.7%.

EU-wide figures showed similar trends, with food, drinks and tobacco up 1.4% and non-food products excluding fuel rising 2.2%. Automotive fuel sales declined 1.9%.

Monthly Retail Growth Remains Modest

On a monthly basis, seasonally adjusted retail trade volume rose 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU in August, following declines of 0.6% and 0.5% respectively in July.

Romania posted the strongest monthly increase at 2.3%, followed by Sweden at 1.4% and Germany at 1.3%. Luxembourg recorded the largest monthly decline, with retail volume falling 9.4%. Malta and Latvia followed with decreases of 1.9% and 1.4%.

Cyprus’ August performance places it among the EU’s strongest retail markets, with annual growth far exceeding both the EU and euro area averages.

Cyprus is pushing for deeper regional coordination and smarter use of existing energy infrastructure as the Eastern Mediterranean seeks to turn its gas reserves into a commercially viable route to international markets, including Europe.

Damianos Calls For A Regional Energy Framework

Speaking at an East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) and HELLENiQ ENERGY conference in Athens, Cyprus Energy Minister Michael Damianos said closer cooperation between governments and energy companies will be essential to fully developing the region’s energy resources and reinforcing security of supply.

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His message was clear: the Eastern Mediterranean needs a coherent energy architecture capable of moving resources to market efficiently, competitively and at scale.

Trilateral Talks With Greece And Egypt

On the sidelines of the conference, Damianos held bilateral meetings with Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi. The three ministers then convened a trilateral discussion focused on strengthening energy cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Egypt.

According to an official statement, the talks underscored the importance of close coordination in advancing projects and initiatives that can improve energy connectivity and strengthen supply security across the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe.

Egypt’s Infrastructure Seen As A Strategic Asset

During the ministerial session titled Strategic Voices Shaping the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Corridor, Damianos said the region’s energy future depends on a system that can bring gas to global markets, particularly in Europe, without undermining economic viability.

He pointed to recent discoveries, especially the Cronos and Aphrodite fields, and stressed the strategic value of cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt in the transport, processing and commercial development of Cypriot natural gas.

Egypt’s existing infrastructure and technical capabilities, he argued, could provide a practical and faster path to market.

Why A Regional Approach Matters

Damianos said the Eastern Mediterranean cannot rely on isolated projects if it is serious about unlocking long-term value from its resources. Instead, he argued for a broader regional approach built on existing infrastructure, supplemented by targeted new developments and interconnections where needed.

That model, he said, could help reduce costs, accelerate implementation and improve the region’s strategic position in global energy markets.

It could also support Europe’s efforts to diversify supply sources and strengthen energy security at a time when reliable access to gas remains a policy priority.

Cyprus’ Offshore Potential Remains Significant

The minister also highlighted the continued promise of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, saying it retains substantial potential for further exploration and development. He briefed participants on the Glaucus and Pegasus discoveries in Block 10, adding to the wider case for future investment in the country’s offshore sector.

Damianos emphasized that the Eastern Mediterranean energy corridor should be viewed as a long-term strategic project that extends beyond natural gas alone.

A Growing Energy Partnership

The remarks come as Cyprus, Greece and Egypt continue to deepen their energy ties, with Egypt’s established gas infrastructure increasingly viewed as a potential conduit for bringing Cypriot gas to market. For the region, the commercial logic is straightforward: cooperation, infrastructure and scale may prove decisive in converting geological promise into geopolitical and economic value.

The European Central Bank is preparing a significant broadening of proportionality in banking supervision, a move that could bring roughly 150 additional smaller institutions into a lighter regulatory framework, according to ECB Executive Board member Frank Elderson.

In a post on the ECB’s supervision blog, Elderson, who also serves as vice-chair of the Supervisory Board, said the goal is to reduce the regulatory burden on small and non-complex institutions while preserving the safeguards that support financial stability.

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A More Flexible Approach To Supervision

Rather than creating a separate rulebook for smaller lenders, the ECB’s proposals would expand the existing framework for small and non-complex institutions, or SNCIs, by broadening eligibility and easing the frequency and intensity of certain supervisory tasks.

Elderson argued that Europe’s varied banking sector is a strategic strength. Smaller, locally focused banks, he said, play a critical role in financing households and small and medium-sized enterprises, which in turn supports innovation, employment and investment across the region.

“These institutions play an important role in financing households and small and medium-sized enterprises, helping innovative ideas become successful products and supporting jobs and investment across the region,” Elderson wrote.

He added that a banking system combining different business models, sizes and areas of expertise is better positioned to meet the financing needs of the European economy and, by extension, support competitiveness.

Why Proportionality Matters

The ECB’s approach rests on a simple principle: regulatory requirements should be calibrated to a bank’s size, complexity and risk profile.

At the same time, Elderson cautioned that smaller banks are not insulated from the pressures facing the wider financial system. He pointed to geopolitical risk, cyber resilience in the era of advanced artificial intelligence, digitalisation and climate- and nature-related risks.

“Depositors in smaller banks should be just as confident that their savings are safe and their bank is well managed, resilient and subject to robust risk management standards as those in larger institutions,” he wrote.

The central bank believes a more targeted framework would allow smaller lenders to devote more resources to the risks that matter most, while trimming compliance work that adds cost without materially improving resilience.

A Wider Definition Of Small Banks

The most consequential proposal would broaden the definition of what qualifies as a small bank.

Today, the SNCI framework covers 75% of all less significant institutions under European banking supervision, representing more than 1,400 entities as of December 2025.

Under the ECB’s proposal, national authorities would be able to lift the current €5 billion total-assets threshold for SNCI status to as much as €10 billion, depending on the size and structure of domestic banking sectors.

The ECB also wants the definition of “non-complex” to better reflect how banks operate in practice. Elderson noted that some institutions, especially in smaller member states, fail to qualify as SNCIs because of technical features in their recovery and resolution arrangements, even when they are not complex from a resolution standpoint.

Taken together, the changes could result in as many as 85% of less significant institutions being classified as SNCIs, bringing about 150 additional banks into the lighter framework.

The ECB also wants the SNCI label to be used more consistently in future European banking legislation, with new and amended rules spelling out more clearly how they apply to smaller and non-complex institutions.

Less Frequent Supervisory Reviews

The changes would not stop at classification. The ECB is also proposing a more selective approach to supervision itself.

The Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process, or SREP, could be carried out less frequently for some institutions. Elderson said certain banks might go two to three years without a full SREP if their risk profile justifies that approach.

That flexibility would remain subject to supervisory judgment, meaning banks could still face more frequent scrutiny if their risk warrants it.

“Where risks are low, some supervisory assessments will in practice be carried out even less frequently, reducing the burden on banks without undermining supervisory effectiveness,” Elderson wrote.

The ECB is also seeking to reduce the burden of stress testing. Bottom-up stress tests, in which banks run their own projections and submit them to supervisors, would be used only selectively for SNCIs. Supervisors would rely more heavily on top-down exercises, with projections carried out centrally.

That shift could meaningfully reduce the workload for nearly 1,000 SNCIs that are still subject to bottom-up stress tests.

Reporting Could Be Cut Dramatically

Reporting is another area targeted for simplification.

The ECB said its systems have already been adapted to support a materiality threshold for reporting resubmissions once the relevant legislative changes are in place.

A new SNCI category is also set to be introduced into the ECB’s FINREP regulation from 2027, beginning with a public consultation.

Under the proposed revisions, the volume of financial reporting required from SNCIs could fall from around 13,500 data points to roughly 700.

Updates to the European Banking Authority’s technical standards on supervisory reporting are also expected to remove redundant templates, eliminate overlaps and exempt SNCIs from certain reporting requirements.

More Flexibility On Governance

The ECB is also pushing for a more proportionate approach to governance requirements.

Supervisors would make greater use of existing flexibility to reflect a bank’s risk profile and operational complexity.

That could allow certain committees to be merged, including nomination and remuneration committees, while functions such as risk management and compliance could also be combined where appropriate.

The proposals would also create more room for flexibility around pay rules, including possible exemptions from requirements to defer variable remuneration or pay it in financial instruments.

Periodic independent reviews of remuneration policies could also be outsourced and applied in line with the sophistication of a bank’s internal stress-testing framework.

Why Smaller Markets Stand To Benefit

The proposals may be especially relevant to smaller European banking markets, even though the ECB has not identified which national authorities would choose to raise the €5 billion threshold.

Cyprus, for example, has a relatively small banking market and its domestic institutions fall under the European banking supervision framework. Any decision to apply the higher SNCI threshold would therefore depend on the applicable rules and supervisory assessment.

Elderson was explicit that the changes should not be read as a weakening of core safeguards.

“Proportionality should not be mistaken for reducing prudential standards for smaller banks,” he wrote. “The aim is not to lower standards, but to achieve them in a more efficient and proportionate manner.”

The ECB also said any simpler regime for smaller banks must be matched by a credible, flexible and efficient crisis management framework.

In Elderson’s view, trimming administrative overhead would free up scarce resources for risk management, customer service, investment in competitiveness and operational efficiency.

“By reducing undue complexity and the administrative burden for small and non-complex banks, these measures can support the competitiveness of Europe’s diverse banking sector, without compromising resilience,” he wrote.

What Comes Next

The ECB is preparing to implement the simplification measures within its authority. It will also work with European institutions on changes that require action beyond the central bank, including initiatives under development through the European Banking Authority.

For Elderson, the proposals are part of a broader push to streamline European banking supervision, not just for smaller institutions but across the system as a whole.

“Our goal is clear: to make our supervision more efficient, more effective and more risk-based, while continuing to preserve banks’ resilience,” he wrote.

Pinterest is taking a practical step into artificial intelligence with a new feature designed to help users turn saved beauty inspiration into something far more actionable: a plan they can actually take to the salon.

From Saved Pins To Salon Language

The new feature, called Beauty Guides, uses Pinterest’s visual intelligence and generative AI technology, which the company refers to as Pinterest Intelligence, to translate inspiration images into the terminology used by professional stylists and nail artists.

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That matters because many users may recognize a look they want, but not the words to describe it. Beauty Guides will help bridge that gap by identifying terms such as balayage, root melt, or almond nails, giving users a clearer way to communicate with a stylist.

A Practical Use For AI

The feature is a strong example of how AI can be embedded into everyday behavior without feeling abstract or experimental. In this case, Pinterest is enhancing a routine many people already follow: saving a photo for a future salon visit.

The difference is that the new tool adds context. Instead of arriving with only a reference image, users can come prepared with the language needed to discuss what they want, what they want to change, and what trade-offs may be involved.

Planning, Pricing And Maintenance

Beyond terminology, the guides also provide information that can help users make better decisions before they book an appointment. That includes how long each part of the process may take, a rough price range, and maintenance guidance such as how often a cut, tone, or touch-up may be required.

For services like balayage, where costs can easily reach into the hundreds of dollars, that kind of upfront visibility is not just convenient. It is commercially useful.

How It Works

Users will be able to access the guides by tapping the “Get the Guide” button within the app. Once activated, the feature will show what to ask for to achieve a similar result, how long it may take, what it may cost, and what upkeep is likely to be needed.

At launch, Beauty Guides will cover Pins related to hairstyle, color, nail shape, and finish.

Cyprus is expecting about €3.5 billion in funding for projects under the European Union’s next Multiannual Financial Framework, with President Nikos Christodoulides leaving open the possibility that the final amount could be higher.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace during a meeting with European Court of Auditors member Lefteris Christoforou, the president said the objective is to secure agreement on the framework by the end of 2026, while the projects themselves are expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers no later than September 2027.

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The Timeline For New Projects

Christodoulides said Cyprus is participating in negotiations for the next programming period with a clear priority: securing financing for projects that improve citizens’ daily lives.

“We will have about €3.5 billion for projects that will be implemented in our country over the next three years,” he said, adding that current indications suggest the total could rise further.

He stressed that the pipeline consists of mature projects, which will be brought before the Council of Ministers by September 2027.

The president also underlined the importance of the European Court of Auditors in monitoring how funds are used, saying he is confident cooperation will continue so that Cyprus does not lose any EU financing.

Recovery Fund Absorption Set To Reach 97.3%

Turning to the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Christodoulides said avoiding the loss of funds has been high on the agenda of his meetings with Christoforou since he took office.

With the payment made on October 1 and the next tranche due in December, absorption is expected to reach 97.3%, which he described as one of the highest rates among EU member states.

“There were public concerns from some that we were behind. The data proves them wrong,” he said.

The president thanked all ministries, especially the Ministry of Finance and the Secretariat overseeing implementation, as well as social partners and the House of Representatives, noting that their cooperation was essential in several areas.

He added that the Recovery Fund has already delivered projects that will remain in the country and help transform it over time. He also referred to Christoforou’s continued interest in Cyprus, despite his posting in Luxembourg.

Christoforou Says Cyprus Is Above The EU Average

Christoforou said Cyprus had set a target of absorbing €1.02 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Plan and congratulated the president for his interest and coordinating role in using the available resources.

He credited the outcome to cooperation between the president, the government, political forces and the civil service, saying the funds are being used for the benefit of society and citizens. He also linked the achievement of EU targets to what he described as Cyprus’s successful presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to the figures he presented, Cyprus achieved full absorption of funds from the previous Multiannual Financial Framework.

For the 2021-2027 period, €442 million has already been drawn down out of a total €1.3 billion. Christoforou put the absorption rate at 35%, compared with an EU average of 29%.

For agricultural funding under the Rural Development Plan, he said Cyprus has reached 45% absorption, versus a European average of 25%.

He stressed that the effective use of European funding has direct importance for citizens because the resources flow back into society.

Three municipalities in the Paphos district have been named Green City of Cyprus award winners at the Cyprus Environmental Awards 2025, underscoring the region’s growing reputation for environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism.

Local Authorities Signal A Stronger Green Transition

In a statement on Wednesday, the Paphos Regional Tourism Board (Etap Paphos) congratulated the municipalities of Paphos, Ierokipia and Polis Chrysochous on their distinctions, saying the awards reflect a clear commitment to the green transition, sustainable development and environmental protection.

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For a tourism destination, these are not symbolic wins. They point to the infrastructure, policies and local coordination required to preserve competitiveness in an era when visitors increasingly expect authenticity, resilience and environmental responsibility.

Paphos Recognised For Water-Smart Urban Greening

The Municipality of Paphos was recognised for expanding green spaces and advancing environmental initiatives.

It received an award in the Water Resources Management category for its urban green space borehole irrigation network, a practical example of how municipalities can reduce pressure on scarce water resources while maintaining liveable public areas.

Ierokipia Advances Reuse And Urban Biodiversity

The Municipality of Ierokipia also received an award in the Water Resources Management category, thanks to its use of recycled sewage water to sustain coastal greenery during drought conditions.

It was additionally recognised in the Green Areas and Urban Biodiversity category for measures designed to strengthen urban greenery. In a Mediterranean climate where heat, water scarcity and land use pressures are intensifying, such initiatives are increasingly central to long-term urban resilience.

Polis Chrysochous Links Nature, Culture And Education

The Municipality of Polis Chrysochous was recognised for initiatives promoting environmental awareness, education and ecotourism.

Its efforts have focused on connecting environmental protection with culture through specialised museums dedicated to reptiles, amphibians and the sea — an approach that broadens public engagement while also supporting a more differentiated tourism offering.

A Strategic Advantage For The Wider Region

Etap Paphos said the combined achievements strengthen the wider Paphos district’s position as a high-quality and sustainable tourist destination. The board added that sustainable tourism remains a strategic priority for the region and called on local stakeholders to continue investing in green infrastructure and resource management.

The tourism board also extended its congratulations to the mayors, municipal councils and staff involved in securing the distinctions.

Cyprus recorded some of the lowest rates in the European Union for being unable to afford basic goods and services in 2025, according to Eurostat’s latest review of living conditions.

The data suggest a comparatively resilient affordability picture on the island. Yet they also arrive against a backdrop of persistent cost-of-living pressure, with households across Cyprus still grappling with higher prices for everyday goods, housing and essential services.

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Basic Necessities Remain More Affordable Than In Much Of Europe

Eurostat said just 1.2 per cent of people in Cyprus could not afford a meal containing meat, chicken or fish, or a vegetarian equivalent, every second day. That was the lowest share among EU member states.

The EU average stood at 8.5 per cent, while Romania recorded the highest proportion at 18.1 per cent.

The indicator is part of Eurostat’s Key figures on European living conditions 2026 publication, which examines living standards across the bloc, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. Eurostat uses the inability to afford specific goods or services as a measure of absolute poverty, offering a practical test of whether households can cover basic needs and participate in ordinary life.

Housing And Heating Pressures Ease, But Do Not Disappear

Cyprus also recorded the EU’s lowest housing cost overburden rate, at 2.4 per cent. That means fewer than 1 in 40 people lived in households where housing costs absorbed at least 40 per cent of disposable income.

The EU average was 7.7 per cent. Greece had the highest rate at 26.4 per cent, followed by Denmark at 23.4 per cent.

Across the bloc, housing stress was most acute in cities, where the overburden rate reached 9.6 per cent, compared with 5.6 per cent in rural areas. Cyprus, along with Lithuania and Malta, was among the countries where the highest overburden rate was recorded in towns and suburbs rather than in cities.

Eurostat also found that the cost of heating homes had become less burdensome in Cyprus. The share of people unable to keep their homes adequately warm fell by 3.3 percentage points between 2024 and 2025, the largest decline in the EU alongside Bulgaria’s 2.9 percentage point drop.

Across the EU, 8.8 per cent of people could not afford adequate heating in 2025, down from 9.2 per cent a year earlier. The rate ranged from 2.6 per cent in Finland to 18.1 per cent in Greece.

Leisure And Connectivity Remain More Uneven

Cyprus performed well on food affordability, but the picture was less favourable for discretionary spending and participation in everyday social life.

Across the EU, 12.1 per cent of people could not afford to take part regularly in a leisure activity in 2025. The figure ranged from 3.9 per cent in Croatia to 27.3 per cent in Greece.

Eurostat also found that 27.5 per cent of people in the EU could not afford a one-week annual holiday away from home. That proportion varied sharply, from 10.6 per cent in Luxembourg to 61.4 per cent in Romania.

Internet access remained out of reach for 2 per cent of people in the EU, with the rate ranging from 0.1 per cent in Finland to 6.2 per cent in Romania.

Income Levels Sit Above The EU Average

Cyprus also ranked above the EU median for disposable income, when adjusted for differences in purchasing power.

Median annual disposable income in Cyprus reached 23,782 purchasing power standards, or PPS, per inhabitant in 2025. That compared with an EU average of 22,630 PPS.

Eurostat defines disposable income as equivalised household income after taxes and transfers, adjusted for household size and composition. PPS then accounts for price differences between countries, making cross-border comparisons more meaningful.

Income disparities across the bloc remained wide. Western and Nordic countries generally posted the highest values, while southern, eastern and Baltic states lagged behind. Luxembourg led the EU with 37,673 PPS per inhabitant, followed by Austria at 32,002 PPS and the Netherlands at 29,714 PPS. At the other end of the scale, Hungary recorded 11,958 PPS, Romania 12,861 PPS and Greece 13,612 PPS.

Despite Cyprus’s above-average income level, housing costs remained relatively contained by EU standards, reinforcing the island’s mixed but broadly stable affordability profile.

Household Structure, Deprivation And Employment Risks

Eurostat found that Cyprus was one of only four EU countries where severe material and social deprivation was higher among men than among women, alongside the Netherlands, Finland and Germany.

Romania recorded the highest severe material and social deprivation rate at 16.8 per cent, followed by Bulgaria at 15 per cent and Greece at 14.9 per cent. Slovenia posted the lowest rate at 1.9 per cent.

The report also showed that in 2025 almost half of young adults aged 18 to 34 in the EU, or 49.8 per cent, lived with at least one parent or contributed to, or benefited from, household income. The share was highest in Croatia at 75.3 per cent and lowest in the Nordic countries, where it ranged from 16.6 per cent to 25.1 per cent.

In Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, Poland and Slovakia, more than half of young adults living with at least one parent were employed full-time.

Cyprus also stood out for its household structure. Two-adult households without dependent children were the most common household type on the island, as well as in Portugal and Poland. In 22 EU countries, the most common arrangement was a single adult living without dependent children.

Working Yet Still At Risk

The report also examined in-work poverty, underscoring that employment does not fully shield households from financial strain.

Across the EU, 8.3 per cent of employees and self-employed people aged 18 and over were at risk of poverty in 2025. The rate was 7.5 per cent for women and 9 per cent for men.

Bulgaria recorded the highest in-work poverty rate at 11.5 per cent, while Finland had the lowest at 3.1 per cent. Cyprus was among the countries where the rate was higher for women than for men, alongside Latvia, Luxembourg, France and the Czech Republic.

Health, Care And Trust Also Paint A Mixed Picture

Cyprus also featured in Eurostat’s findings on tobacco and related products. Across the EU, 16.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over used tobacco or related products daily in 2025, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products.

Daily use was more common among people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, at 19.9 per cent, than among those not at risk, at 15.7 per cent. Cyprus was one of the exceptions, along with Romania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece, where daily use was higher among people not at risk.

Eurostat also said 24.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over in the EU reported some or severe disability in 2025. Cyprus was the only member state where the reported disability rate was identical for men and women.

The gap between people with and without disabilities was especially pronounced in Cyprus when it came to the risk of poverty or social exclusion. Across the EU, 28.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over with a disability were at risk, compared with 17.7 per cent of people without a disability. Every EU country recorded a higher rate among people with disabilities, with the relative gap largest in Cyprus and Croatia.

On social care, Cyprus ranked near the top of the EU. In 2024, 62.9 per cent of relevant households received professional homecare services when at least one member required long-term care. That was well above the EU average of 28.3 per cent and second only to Denmark, at 63.5 per cent. Belgium was the only other country where more than half of such households received professional homecare services.

Finally, Eurostat’s trust indicator showed Cyprus among the countries with the lowest average ratings for trust in other people, at below 5 out of 10. The EU average was 5.8, while the highest levels were recorded in Finland at 7 and Romania at 7.5.

Taken together, the figures suggest that Cyprus continues to compare favourably with much of the EU on basic affordability and several key living-condition indicators. But the wider cost-of-living environment, alongside persistent disparities in housing, social protection and trust, means the pressure on households is far from over.

Anthropic is broadening its push into the startup ecosystem with a newly expanded version of Claude for Startups, a program designed to lower the cost and complexity of building with its AI models.

A Bigger Incentive For Early-Stage Companies

Announced Tuesday as part of Anthropic’s SF Tech Week event, the updated program gives qualifying startups a free year of Claude Team, the company’s paid offering for groups, with access for up to five premium seats. It also includes $1,000 in API credits for companies building products on Claude.

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The package goes beyond model access. Participants will also gain entry to Claude Marketplace, where developers can create plug-ins for the service, and will be able to schedule virtual office hours with Anthropic’s Applied AI team.

Why Anthropic Is Betting On Builders

In its announcement, Anthropic made clear that the strategy is about more than distribution. “We created this program because we believe the benefits of AI will reach most people through the companies that build on top of models, rather than through the models alone,” the company said. “That makes partnering closely with founders and developers central to our mission.”

The message reflects a broader reality in enterprise AI: the most durable value may not come from model access alone, but from the products, workflows, and customer relationships built on top of it. For startups, that can turn a difficult technology investment into a more manageable go-to-market advantage.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility is limited to companies founded within the last five years or those that received funding within the past two years. Startups interested in the program can apply through the Claude for Startups page.

Anthropic’s broader efforts to engage founders underscore a familiar playbook in AI: win developers early, make adoption easier, and let the ecosystem do part of the scaling work.