Category: Auto Guid

The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today`s stock exchange meeting as follows:

MEETING DATE: 12/02/2026

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTH

EURO (pound )

TRADED VALUE:

1.404.171,70

INDEX

VALUE

% DIFF.

VALUE (pound )

FTSE/CySE 20

177,140

-0,780

1.398.378,340

MAIN MARKET INDEX

241,550

0,190

1.368.615,050

INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX

2.951,130

-1,280

49.403,750

CSE GENERAL INDEX

300,160

0,180

1.400.760,340

HOTELS INDEX

2.133,930

-1,870

2.502,810

ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX

1.960,030

-0,330

34.082,320

Change in energy intensity of gross value added in Cyprus stood at -23.2% over the period 2014-2023, according to data published today by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).

According to the data, in 2023 the EU economy’s net domestic energy use amounted to 56.1 million terajoules, marking a decrease of 4.1% compared with 2022. Businesses and governments consumed 72.3% of the energy for production activities, while the remaining 27.7% was consumed directly by households.

In terms of economic activities, manufacturing accounted for the largest share of net domestic energy use, with 14.3 million terajoules or 25.5% of the total. It was followed by electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply with 10.1 million terajoules (17.9%) and transport and storage with 6.9 million terajoules (12.3%).

Compared with 2022, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply recorded the sharpest decrease in energy use (-8.7%), followed by manufacturing (-5.5%). By contrast, transport and storage was the only economic activity to register an increase in energy use in 2023, rising by 8.1%.

Regarding the period 2014-2023, the picture across the EU in terms of energy efficiency in production activities was mixed. The largest declines in the energy intensity of gross value added were recorded in Estonia (-43.1%), Ireland (-42.8%) and the Netherlands (-37.2%). An increase was observed only in Malta (+22.9%) and Lithuania (+9.3%).

The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Harris Georgiades, highlighted the geopolitical importance of the Eastern Mediterranean and called for strengthened cooperation within the 3+1 scheme (Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States), during an intervention at an inter-parliamentary meeting of the four countries in Jerusalem Thursday.

The Eastern Mediterranean, he noted, is a region of critical strategic significance that ‘will either generate tensions, conflicts and threats to international security, or evolve into a zone of stability, investment and energy interconnection.’

Its future trajectory, he argued, will depend largely on effective coordination among the three liberal democracies of the region and on sustained US engagement, which together form the core of the 3+1 partnership.

The initiative, he underlined, is not directed against any state but seeks to advance shared interests and common security concerns.

Addressing developments in Turkey, the Cyprus Parliamentarian said the country has undergone a profound transformation over the past two decades, with its secular and Western-oriented outlook giving way to a blend of authoritarianism, Islamism and nationalism.

‘We cannot continue to pretend that Turkey is a stable and reliable partner,’ he stated, adding that this shift cannot be attributed solely to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as it reflects broader structural changes that have reshaped the political system and state institutions.

Georgiades also referred to the strong domestic backing for the partnership in Cyprus, noting that both the political establishment and society at large clearly support cooperation with Israel and Greece, as well as the broader 3+1 scheme.

Citing a recent poll, Georgiades went on to say that seven out of ten Cypriots support cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, while four out of ten consider Israel the country’s leading security partner, with the United States ranking second.

The meeting was attended by Knesset members Ohad Tal and Alon Schuster, co-chairs of the Knesset’s Eastern Mediterranean Group, which oversees relations with Cyprus and Greece and promotes the 3+1 framework; US Congressmen Brad Schneider and Randy Fine; Greece’s representative to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, MP Demetris Kairidis; Greg Roman, Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East Forum; and geopolitical experts from the four countries.

Cyprus is preparing to introduce gender-responsive budgeting across the public sector, supported by new legislation, policy reforms and specialised training for government officials, Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a WICZ+ Foundation event in Nicosia titled ‘Gender Equality in Budgeting Development: Applying Gender-Responsive Approaches’, the Commissioner said the Council of Ministers has already approved and submitted to parliament ‘The Gender Mainstreaming Law of 2025’, which will embed gender equality considerations into policymaking and state budget preparation.

‘This topic captures the essence of what modern, democratic governance should be: systems that reflect everyone’s needs, and budgets that empower all members of society to participate, contribute, and thrive,’ she said.

According to the Commissioner, the proposed legislation will introduce the obligation to mainstream gender in the preparation of policies, actions, legislative initiatives and the state budget, and in the public procurement process. Tools supporting this effort include sex-disaggregated data collection and gender-impact assessments already being implemented through the National Strategy for Gender Mainstreaming.

She noted that gender mainstreaming is already reflected in the government’s tax reform proposals, including relief measures for both parents based on dependent children and equal tax relief for single-parent families. ‘These measures encourage women’s more active participation in the labour market and at the same time contribute to improving their living standards,’ she said, adding that the forthcoming pension reform will also aim at ‘closing the gender pension gap in our country.’

She also said that since 2023, Cyprus has been building the foundations for gender-responsive budgeting through participation in the European Commission’s Gender Flagship Project, led by Expertise France. Technical assistance to the Ministry of Finance and the Commissioner’s Office resulted in a Gender Action Plan that has been implemented since September 2025.

Christodoulou added that training programmes have involved officials from the Budget and Fiscal Control Directorate, the Statistical Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, focusing on gender-impact assessments and the use of sex-based statistics in policy making.

‘Gender-responsive budgeting is an important technical instrument, a transformative approach, which ensures that our financial decisions are being translated into concrete policies and reflect the lived realities of both women and men,’ the Commissioner said.

Study visits and international cooperation – including a visit to Helsinki to examine Finland’s long-standing gender-budgeting practices – have helped Cyprus develop practical tools and coordination mechanisms for implementation.

With the project nearing completion, targeted training sessions are taking place in Nicosia, while guidance on data collection and recommendations to the Ministry of Finance on integrating gender into budget preparation are being finalized.

The Commissioner said ‘the government is taking concrete steps to prepare for gender-responsive budgeting,’ including integrating gender-impact assessments into major policy proposals, improving data collection, and establishing monitoring frameworks.

‘All this work will allow us to fully apply gender-responsive budgeting across the public sector and ensure it becomes a normal part of our financial governance,’ she said. ‘This work will bring us to the stage where gender equality becomes an operational, measurable, and permanent part of our budgetary process.’

She pointed to the broader significance of the reforms, saying that policy dialogue is being translated into concrete action, institutions are being equipped with the necessary tools, and financial decision-making is being shaped to better recognise and support the needs of all members of society.

The “Eratosthenes” Centre of Excellence of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and the Hellenic Association of Space Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation on Wednesday at the premises of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) in Nicosia, in the presence of the Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, establishing a strategic framework for collaboration between the Cypriot and Greek space technology ecosystems.

According to a press release issued by the Centre, the Memorandum, which is valid until 31 December 2030, defines “a comprehensive framework of cooperation in the fields of Space Technology, Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, as well as Defence and Security applications.”

It provides for joint participation in research and development programmes at European, national, and international level, the development of innovative products and services, networking and international outreach activities, and the establishment of consortia for participation in ESA programmes and other organisations.

It also focuses on cooperation and exchange of know-how from the Greek ecosystem through the National Microsatellites Programme, the joint development of innovative products and services to equip new designs of remote sensing, communications and satellite navigation satellites, and the development of innovative tools combining remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence, with emphasis on natural disasters, shipping, maritime surveillance, environmental applications, Defence and Security, among others.

Furthermore, the press releaSe reads, the Memorandum provides for strengthening the interconnection and cooperation between “Eratosthenes” and Greek organisations in the space sector, with the aim of creating a dynamic and mutually supportive cooperation network.

It also establishes an annual networking day for the Greek and Cypriot industry, with the objective of fostering synergy between industry and the research community. In addition, it foresees the establishment of consortia for the submission of joint proposals to ESA, SAFE and other European or international organisations.

In her address, the Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, described the Centre as “a model of successful strategic investment in research, innovation and entrepreneurship”, noting that within a short period of time it has evolved into a leading hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, combining state-of-the-art infrastructure with scientific excellence.

As she noted, infrastructures such as the Satellite Data Acquisition Station (DAS) and the Cyprus Atmospheric Remote Sensing Observatory (CARO) provide critical data and services both for scientific research and for public policy formulation, while she underlined the Centre’s contribution to the creation of highly specialised jobs and the support of entrepreneurship.

The Memorandum was signed by Professor Diofantos Chatzimitsis, Chief Executive Officer of the “Eratosthenes” Centre of Excellence of CUT, and Dr Athanasios Potsis, President of the Hellenic Association of Space Industry.

Professor Chatzimitsis said that the signing of a strategic memorandum of cooperation with the Hellenic Association of Space Industry in the space sector represents a significant moment in the trajectory of the “Eratosthenes” Centre of Excellence. He added that the signing crowns a strategic collaboration that had begun prior to the evolution of the Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering and Geoinformatics of CUT into the “Eratosthenes” Centre of Excellence.

He added that the signing opens new horizons for space cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructures such as the DAS Satellite Data Acquisition Station recently installed in Cyprus.

From his side, Dr. Athanasios Potsis stressed that the time has come for the Greek and Cypriot space ecosystems to dynamically claim their position within the European space technology environment, strengthening cooperation between scientific and industrial stakeholders and contributing to the development of the economy and technological base of both countries.

The key message, he said, is that the Greek space ecosystem and industry, in cooperation with the Cypriot space ecosystem, must further develop technological and scientific collaboration in order to compete on equal terms in the global space technology market, thereby contributing to the economic growth and technological advancement of both countries.

“The signing of the Memorandum marks a new chapter of cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in the field of space technology, strengthening the competitiveness and international presence of both countries within the global space community”, the press release concludes.

On Thursday, Parliament adopted new measures to protect European farmers from unfair trading practices by buyers of agricultural products.

With 555 votes in favour, 0 against and 26 abstentions, MEPs gave their final green light to new rules that oblige national authorities to cooperate on the issue of unfair trading practices, with the aim at ensuring that farmers receive fair remuneration for their work. Cases of cross-border unfair trading practices damaging farmers and small producers of agricultural products will as a result be prevented, investigated, and punished.

Stopping cross-border unfair trading practices on member states’ initiative

To strengthen the protection of farmers, the new legislation will allow member states to intervene automatically and stop cross-border unfair trading practices on their own initiative without needing a complaint from a producer. This new system will replicate the protection regime for geographical indications in the single market.

Tackling unfair trading practices by buyers located outside the EU

To prevent operators from circumventing the law by moving outside of the EU, the new rules also seek to protect producers from the unfair trading practices of non-EU buyers. Buyers based outside the EU will have to designate ‘a contact person responsible for the EU’ in case an investigation is opened against them. This person will be the primary point of contact for enforcement authorities and will be obliged to facilitate investigations into unfair trading practices.

Cross border information exchange

The regulation allows national enforcement authorities to inform each other about unfair trading practices or a risk of them taking place, through the internal market information system – an existing EU IT system for exchanging information between public administrations in different member states. This exchange is intended to have a deterrent effect and will ensure rapid and coordinated responses to stop unfair trading practices.

Quote

Rapporteur Stefano Bonaccini (S and D, IT) said: ‘We have turned what could have been a simple administrative file into a powerful act of economic and social justice. We are thus sending a clear message: farmers will no longer be forced to submit to the unfair demands and behaviours of large buyers and retailers.

Today, Europe is proving that it can listen and take action. We stand with those who need support the most, strengthening protections for small producers and making sure we have an agri-food supply chain that is fair, transparent, and free from exploitation.’

Next steps

The new rules now need to be approved by Council. They will apply 18 months after being published in the EU Official Journal.

Background

The Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive adopted in 2019 protects farmers from practices such as late payments or short-notice cancellations when selling their products to big supermarkets and food processing companies. However, as around 20% of the agricultural and food products consumed in the EU come from another member state, the new regulation on cross-border cooperation among authorities responsible for the enforcement of the UTP Directive aims to improve cooperation between these authorities in cases of unfair trading practices where suppliers and buyers are in different member states.

Department of Meteorology

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 12/02/2026

Station

TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

Highest

Lowest

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Nicosia (Athalassa)

18 (18.1)

7 (6.5)

68

Larnaka Airport

21 (20.6)

13 (13)

79

Limassol (New Port)

20 (19.5)

12 (12.2)

77

Limassol Garden

18,9

12,0

Pafos Airport

19 (19.2)

14 (14.3)

83

Frenaros

19 (18.9)

12 (12)

80

Prodromos

7 (6.9)

4 (3.6)

100

Polis Pafos

20 (20.3)

14 (13.8)

85

The presentation ceremony of the ‘Azerbaijani Language’ platform was held on December 28 at Azerbaijan University of Languages. The author and head of the project is Alena Aliyeva.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, Head of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva, and the project’s author and head Alena Aliyeva attended the event.

First, Rector of Azerbaijan University of Languages Kamal Abdulla briefed the guests on the university’s activities. The guests then visited the university museum, familiarized themselves with its work, and were informed about the exhibits on display.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Kamal Abdulla emphasized the importance of the platform in preserving, developing, and promoting the Azerbaijani language in the modern digital environment.

Referring to President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks on the preservation and development of the Azerbaijani language during the meeting dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the rector noted that there was a strong need for such a platform. He said that the university’s scientists and young specialists had honorably fulfilled this task.

‘As Azerbaijan University of Languages, we establish centers for the Azerbaijani language, culture, and the multiculturalism model at foreign universities and teach our language to the youth of those countries. The creation of such platforms and projects is directly related to the work carried out by President Ilham Aliyev in this direction. It is important for these platforms to be interconnected. Certain work is being done by various universities, institutions, and ministries in line with the instructions and recommendations of the head of state, but unfortunately, these platforms and projects are often implemented without coordination. I hope they will support and complement one another and demonstrate continuity. In this regard, the establishment of a Coordination Council would be desirable, enabling more targeted implementation of the President’s instructions,’ Kamal Abdulla stressed.

In her speech, the author and head of the project, Alena Aliyeva, highlighted the important role of education in society and congratulated the participants on the presentation of the platform. She expressed gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan University of Languages, and all project participants for their support in implementing the initiative.

Subsequently, Vice-Rector of Azerbaijan University of Languages Jala Garibova and project coordinator Sabina Aliyeva presented the ‘Azerbaijani Language’ platform. Detailed information was provided on the goals behind its creation, its functional capabilities, and content designed for different age groups and users.

Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev, who delivered a congratulatory address, stated that the ‘Azerbaijani Language’ platform would make an important contribution to improving the quality of teaching and learning the state language and expanding digital educational resources. He emphasized that such initiatives play a special role in developing the Azerbaijani language in line with modern challenges.

Speaking about efforts undertaken in accordance with President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions to preserve the purity of the Azerbaijani language, the minister said: ‘The essence of the platform is to teach our language to people whose native language is not Azerbaijani. The Azerbaijani language has a wide reach, with more than 50 million speakers worldwide. Mastering this language is important from several perspectives. The platform will be especially useful for foreign students studying in Azerbaijan, foreigners wishing to work in our country, and those who want to learn Azerbaijani as a foreign language. The platform is built on English, but it can also be translated into other languages. Artificial intelligence solutions are actively used. I am confident that the platform will be successful.’

A video dedicated to the ‘Azerbaijani Language’ platform was then screened.

Next, Pakistani student Mahmud Athar, a doctoral student at the Pakistan Centre operating at Azerbaijan University of Languages, noted that his studies at the university had enabled him to learn and actively use the Azerbaijani language in daily life.

Emphasizing that language is the soul of a nation, its culture, and its way of thinking, he said: ‘The Azerbaijani language is very rich, as it is the language of Nizami and Fuzuli. Through our center, we strive to promote the Azerbaijani language and culture abroad. Together with the Azerbaijan Centre in Islamabad, we organize cultural events and promote the language. We have published a book for Pakistani students to learn Azerbaijani, contributing to its broader international recognition. People often ask me how I learned Azerbaijani. Our rector always recommends listening carefully to all speeches of President Ilham Aliyev-this is the main method. Azerbaijani has a strong unifying power; it brings together people of different countries and nations. It is not merely a means of communication, but a strong bridge connecting people, cultures, and countries. I am proud to learn this language.’

Well-known journalist and Honored Journalist of the Russian Federation Mikhail Gusman, a graduate of Azerbaijan University of Languages, also spoke at the event. He noted the growing global interest in the Azerbaijani language, citing research conducted annually by Stanford University. According to him, despite Azerbaijan being a relatively small country, interest in the Azerbaijani language has increased significantly in recent years.

‘This fully corresponds to the effective policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev and the global interest in Azerbaijan. The growing demand for the melodic, rich, and noble Azerbaijani language is the result of the path our country is following under the President’s leadership. I thank you for creating this remarkable platform at exactly the right time,’ he said, adding that he graduated from Azerbaijan University of Languages with honors 55 years ago.

An artistic program was also presented as part of the ceremony.

The event concluded with commemorative photos.

The platform has been developed to support the teaching and learning of the Azerbaijani language and to reach a wide audience through digital resources. Holding the presentation ceremony on the eve of December 31 – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day – once again underscored that the Azerbaijani language is one of the key values uniting Azerbaijanis worldwide.

A scientific-practical conference on “The Founder of Azerbaijani Petrochemistry: Yusif Mammadaliyev,” dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, has taken place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Shaki city, Azernews reports.

The conference was organized jointly by the Shaki City Executive Power, the city’s Heydar Aliyev Center, and the Shaki Regional Scientific Center. Speaking at the event, Deputy Head of the Shaki City Executive Power – Head of the Department of Public-Political and Humanitarian Affairs, Khayala Tohrabli, provided extensive information about the life and work of the prominent scientist Yusif Mammadaliyev and his rich contributions to world science.

The Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev made outstanding contributions to the development of technological processes of great applied significance for producing valuable industrial products. The establishment of several scientific institutions and organizations in the country is associated with his name.

Pursuing a wide range of fundamental research alongside effective pedagogical work, Yusif Mammadaliyev founded the Azerbaijani school of petrochemistry, which became widely recognized far beyond the country’s borders.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on celebrating the 120th anniversary of academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, various events dedicated to the prominent scientist’s jubilee have been held this year in Azerbaijan, including in Shaki.

At the conference, presentations were also delivered by Yusif Shukurlu, Director of the Shaki Regional Scientific Center of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, PhD in Physics and Associate Professor, on “The Azerbaijani Scientist Who Changed the Fate of the Fight Against German Fascism – Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev” and by Vafa Atayeva, Scientific Secretary of the Regional Scientific Center, on “Yusif Mammadaliyev’s Role in Oil and Gas Chemistry and Technology.”

The conference concluded with the screening of a documentary film about the life and work of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev.

A strategic shift to a more robust cloud environment has marked a major milestone for ServerToday (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a leading managed email service provider and Zimbra Platinum Partner. The company has successfully modernised its IT infrastructure by migrating to Huawei Cloud, unlocking significant improvements in reliability, security, and operational efficiency, along with the scalability required for sustained growth in Thailand and abroad.

As a trusted provider of enterprise email solutions, ServerToday previously encountered limitations within its local cloud setup. Restricted scalability led to performance bottlenecks during peak usage, while gaps in international security compliance elevated risk. Additionally, incident resolution often required coordination with overseas teams, prolonging response times and increasing system downtime.

Through its partnership with Huawei Cloud, ServerToday has overcome these challenges and achieved the following results:

99.99% service availability powered by Huawei Cloud’s three Availability Zones (3AZs) in Thailand and rapid failover

Enhanced security with full compliance across ISO/IEC 27017, CSA STAR Level 2/CCM, ISO/IEC 27018, ISO/IEC 27701, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and Thailand’s PDPA.

Over 40% faster incident resolution, supported by Huawei Cloud’s local specialist teams.

More than 30% reduction in unauthorized access risks through Identity and Access Management (IAM) and LDAP-based access control.

Near-zero RPO using Huawei Cloud’s Cloud Backup and Recovery (CBR) for the Zimbra platform, offering strong protection for mission-critical email data. ‘Huawei Cloud has transformed our infrastructure and strengthened our ability to deliver secure, reliable email services to our customers,’ said Mr Sorachat Chaithanee, CTO of ServerToday. ‘The migration has improved our operational efficiency, enabled us to meet global compliance standards, and reinforced customer trust.’

‘With Huawei Cloud, ServerToday now operates with stronger performance, better security, and the scalability needed for future expansion,’ said Ms Piyatida Itiravivongs, President of Huawei Cloud Thailand. ‘Our solutions provide Thai enterprises with a reliable, secure, and flexible platform to support digital transformation and regional growth.”