EU Budget Battle: EU leaders in Brussels kick off the next phase of talks on the €2tn long-term budget (2028–2034), with Cyprus chairing a “negotiation box” and camps split between net payers pushing cuts and the “Friends of Cohesion” defending agriculture and regional funding. Cyprus Digital Push: The Digital Cooperation Organisation highlights Cyprus’ growing digital ecosystem after meetings with Invest Cyprus and progress on the DFDI Cyprus initiative. Financial Literacy Drive: Central Bank of Cyprus governor Christodoulos Patsalides calls for a compulsory, standalone financial literacy course in schools, citing low youth scores in OECD data. CySEC Watch: CySEC removes Epamina Corporate Ltd from its register after it waived authorisation, and withdraws Investors Compensation Fund membership from three firms after revoking their CIF licences. Energy & Trade Routes: Europe doubles down on alternative routes after the Iran war, with renewed interest in IMEC’s transport, energy and digital connectivity pillars. Tourism Costs: Troodos tourism growth is held back by expensive, difficult access, with calls for subsidised airport-to-mountain transfers. SAFE Defence Funding: Cyprus receives its first €177.2m pre-financing payment under the EU’s SAFE defence instrument to speed up joint procurement and upgrades. Cyprus Aviation Tensions: Cyprus condemns Turkey’s rejection of a NOTAM for a naval exercise in Cyprus’ EEZ, while the EU signals possible further measures. Consumer Pressure: Ayia Napa raises sunbed and umbrella fees, defending the move as needed for better services amid criticism from consumer groups.