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Cyprus To Establish Special Arbitration Court For Economic Disputes

At the initiative of the Cyprus Bar Association, plans are underway to create a Special Arbitration Court dedicated to economic disputes. This initiative aims to significantly enhance both the judicial and economic landscape in Cyprus.

The proposal, which needs approval from the Ministry of Justice, the Council of Ministers, and the House of Representatives, will be officially implemented upon passing these stages. Michalis Vorkas, President of the Cyprus Bar Association, stated that the objective is to establish Cyprus as a regional centre for resolving economic disputes of any scale, without restrictions. This court will cater to foreign nationals with permanent residences in Cyprus or abroad, as well as Cypriots involved in financial disputes.

Mr. Vorkas emphasized that disputes will be resolved swiftly, conserving valuable court time. The arbitrators, chosen by the Cyprus Bar Association, will be specialized legal professionals from both Cyprus and abroad.

Economically, Cyprus stands to benefit as foreign nationals opting for the Special Arbitration Court will contribute foreign exchange and significant financial inflows.

The final decisions of the Special Arbitration Court will be recorded in the District Courts, thereby gaining full judicial authority.

Functionally, the Arbitration Court will resemble the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, an international semi-judicial body established to resolve sports-related disputes.

Apple Honors Indie Innovators in WWDC 2025 Design Awards

Celebrating Design Excellence

As anticipation builds for the Worldwide Developer Conference 2025, Apple has officially announced the winners and finalists of its prestigious 2025 Design Awards. In a notable departure from current industry trends, the awards notably exclude generative AI apps for a second consecutive year, instead spotlighting indie apps and startups that utilize Apple’s tools to create exceptional user experiences.

Spotlight on Standout Categories

Apple recognized 12 outstanding entries—one app and one game from each of six carefully curated categories: Delight And Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals And Graphics. This year’s roster features a diverse array of projects from emerging developers around the world, highlighting the company’s commitment to nurturing global creativity.

Recognizing Functional Impact

In the Social Impact category, Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps garnered acclaim for its role in disseminating critical information during the California wildfires. Meanwhile, the Innovation category saw the triumph of the M13-backed prototyping tool Play, which demonstrates how modern app development is evolving by simplifying the process of sharing interactive prototypes through App Clips.

Notable Mentions

While AI-centric apps were not in the spotlight this year, Apple did acknowledge select apps leveraging AI technology. Notably, Speechify earned recognition in the Inclusivity category, and music creation app Moises, lauded for both its editing and creative capabilities, further underscores the potential of integrated AI features when blended with a robust platform.

A Comprehensive List of Honorees

The full roster includes:

  • Delight And Fun: Capwords; Balatro
  • Inclusivity: Speechify; Art Of Fauna
  • Innovation: Play; PBJ — The Musical
  • Interaction: Taobao; DREDGE
  • Social Impact: Watch Duty: Wildfire Maps; Neva
  • Visuals And Graphics: Feather: Draw In 3D; Infinity Nikki

A Forward-Looking Perspective

Apple’s strategic focus on how developers harness its design tools over trending technologies such as generative AI points to a broader industry narrative—one where enduring design principles and user-centric utility remain at the forefront of technological evolution. As innovation continues to drive the app ecosystem, the WWDC 2025 Design Awards serve as an indicator of where truly transformative experiences are being forged.

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