Vatican to Silence Mobile Networks: The Papal Conclave Commences

by News Editor

May 6, 2025

In an unprecedented measure, the Vatican will deactivate all mobile phone signals this Wednesday, preceding the secretive conclave to elect the next pope, as confirmed by Italian state media. This deliberate cut is ensured through the deployment of signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel, safeguarding the conclave from external communication or surveillance attempts, as reported by ANSA News.

The conclave gathers 133 cardinals tasked with selecting the successor of Pope Francis amidst the world’s vast Catholic demographic, estimated at 1.4 billion. As signal blackout begins at 3 p.m. local time, the Vatican confirms the cardinals’ arrival in Rome in preparation to proceed with this medieval-rooted election process.

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The isolation is comprehensive: all cardinals relinquish their digital devices to maintain absolute secrecy. Though St Peter’s Square will not experience the same communications blackout, heightened security in the area will include checkpoints and anti-drone precautions, as detailed by Corriere della Sera.

As with the conclave of 2013, signal blockers are crucial to maintaining the protocol, effectively ensuring no communications breach from inside the locked corridors of the Vatican. Even support personnel such as electricians, plumbers, and elevator operators vow to uphold confidentiality during their tenure, according to a statement from the Vatican City State Governorate.

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Foreign Firms Contribute €3.5 Billion To Cyprus Economy In 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 12, 2025

Recent Eurostat data reveals that Cyprus remains an outlier within the European Union, where foreign-controlled companies contribute minimally to the nation’s employment figures and economic output. While these enterprises have a substantial impact in other member states, in Cyprus they account for only 10 percent of all jobs, a figure comparable only to Italy and marginally higher than Greece’s 8 percent.

Employment Impact

The report highlights that foreign-controlled companies in Cyprus employ 32,119 individuals out of a total workforce that, across the EU, reaches 24,145,727. In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg boast a 45 percent job share in foreign-controlled firms, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic following closely at 28 percent.

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Economic Output Analysis

In terms of economic contribution, these enterprises generated a total value added of €3.5 billion in Cyprus, a small fraction compared to the overall EU total of €2.39 trillion. Notably, Ireland leads with 71 percent of its value added stemming from foreign-controlled firms, followed by Luxembourg at 61 percent and Slovakia at 50 percent. On the lower end, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany exhibit values below 20 percent.

Domestic Versus Foreign Ownership

The data underscores Cyprus’s heavy reliance on domestically controlled enterprises for both employment and economic output. However, it is important to note that certain businesses might be owned by foreign nationals who have established companies under Cypriot jurisdiction. As a result, these firms are classified as domestically controlled despite having foreign ownership or management components.

Conclusion

This analysis emphasizes the unique role that foreign-controlled enterprises play within the Cypriot economy. While their overall impact is limited compared to some EU counterparts, the presence of these companies continues to contribute significantly to the island’s economic landscape.

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