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Mousiouttas Chairs EU Discussions On Skills And Labour Market Policies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 9, 2026

Cyprus Sets Ambitious Youth Employment Agenda

Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas announced new initiatives aimed at strengthening employment opportunities for young people. The measures form part of a labour market strategy for 2026-2028.

Policy Frameworks And Targeted Initiatives

Responding to a question from MP Charalambos Theopemptou of the Green Party, Mousiouttas said the initiatives build on existing policies under the National Strategy for Active Employment Measures for 2023-2025 and a draft strategy submitted to the European Commission in December 2025. Planned actions include personalised counselling, individual action plans and subsidised employment programmes designed to support young job seekers entering the labour market.

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Eurostat data show that youth unemployment in Cyprus stood at 15% in December 2025, close to the EU average. Data from the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat) indicate that unemployment among people aged 15-24 reached 14.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with 9.6% in the same period a year earlier.

Structural Reforms And Long-Term Vision

Mousiouttas also referred to measures introduced in recent years to support young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs). An early identification system allows individuals registering with public employment services to be referred to employment counsellors.

An outreach programme operating between January 2024 and August 2025 used mobile units to provide employment support in both urban and rural areas. According to the ministry, the programme engaged 542 young people classified as NEETs, providing information and guidance on available employment services. Efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education are also underway. The education ministry has allocated €30 million to support related programmes.

At the same time, a project aimed at modernising the public employment service is running until 2027 with a budget of €17.8 million. Authorities have also established the National Lifelong Guidance Agency to provide career guidance and support services.

EU Engagement And Strategic Dialogue

Mousiouttas is currently in Brussels participating in meetings of the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). Agenda items include discussions on the 2026 European Semester, labour market policies linked to skills shortages and the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. The council is also expected to discuss a new EU recommendation on human capital aimed at improving coordination between education, training and labour market policies across the bloc. Participants in the discussions include EU commissioners and economists such as Christopher Pissarides.

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Google’s Pixel 10a Redefines Budget Smartphones With Innovative Flat Design

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 30, 2026

Google introduced the Pixel 10a with a flat rear design, removing the camera bump seen in previous models. Device targets the mid-range segment with updates to display, battery and software support. The model is positioned below the flagship Pixel 10 lineup. Changes focus on usability and core hardware improvements.

Revolutionary Flat Profile

Pixel 10a features a flat back without a raised camera module. Design differs from recent smartphones, which typically include camera bumps. A flat surface improves stability when placed on a table. Change also simplifies the overall device form.

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Enhanced Display And Performance

The device includes a 6.3-inch display, consistent with the previous model. Screen supports up to 3,000 nits of brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate, set to 60Hz by default. Display is part of Google’s Actua series. The panel is designed to improve visibility in bright conditions.

Hardware And Charging Innovations

Pixel 10a uses a plastic back and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the front, compared to higher-end materials on Pixel 10. Build reflects its lower price segment. Battery capacity reaches 5,100 mAh. The device supports 30W charging via USB-C. Hardware is designed for daily use, including video streaming, apps and gaming. Bezels are slightly thicker than on flagship models.

Camera And AI Capabilities

The camera system includes a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Set up supports standard photography scenarios. Ultra-wide camera lacks autofocus and has lower detail performance. The device supports up to 8x zoom. Software features include AI-based tools for framing and image selection. Processing differs from higher-end Pixel models.

Value Proposition And Competitive Landscape

Pixel 10a is priced at $499 and includes seven years of software and security updates. Device targets users seeking long-term support and balanced performance. Upgrade may be limited for users of Pixel 9a. Competing devices in the same price range offer alternative specifications, including faster charging and additional camera features.