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Meta’s Impressive First-Quarter Earnings Spark Investor Excitement

by News Editor

May 1, 2025

Meta’s stock value surged by 5% following an impressive earnings report for the first quarter of 2025. The company’s revenue of $42.31 billion exceeded expectations of $41.40 billion, with earnings per share hitting $6.43 compared to the anticipated $5.28.

Sales climbed 16% year over year, and net income soared 35% to $16.64 billion. Despite some ad spend reduction from Asia e-commerce sectors, Meta remains on a solid path, forecasting second-quarter revenues in the range of $42.5 billion to $45.5 billion.

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CEO Mark Zuckerberg reassured investors, stating, “Our business is well positioned to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties.” As Meta plans for increased capital expenditures, largely driven by AI-related infrastructure investments, the company projects total expenses for 2025 to be between $113 billion and $118 billion.

However, the European Commission’s recent decisions could impact Meta’s operations in Europe soon. Elsewhere in the tech realm, companies like Snap and Google also expressed concerns about advertising business headwinds. This quarter also saw Meta’s Reality Labs report an operating loss of $4.2 billion, despite better-than-expected figures.

Keeping abreast of such industry dynamics is crucial, particularly for impacting AI advancements globally. Stay tuned to see how these events unfold!

For those interested in real estate trends, check how Cyprus’s property market fares amidst wider economic changes.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

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In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.