Sea Turtle Climate Adaptation: University of Cyprus says protecting loggerhead and green turtles now means tackling the climate crisis too, with mapping of nesting beaches, temperature monitoring, and public guidance to cut night visits and coastal light pollution. Public Emergency Tech Test: Cyprus ran a nationwide CY-Alert cell-broadcast drill to mobile phones, simulating an abduction/missing person scenario ahead of the system’s wider rollout. Transport & Connectivity: Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades told an aviation summit that “connectivity is not a luxury,” pushing better regional air links and arguing aviation is key for islands and peripheral communities. Crypto Policy in Cyprus: Cyprus introduced a dedicated crypto tax regime from Jan 1, 2026, setting a flat 8% on realised profits as EU MiCA regulation reshapes the market. STEM in Schools: American Academy Larnaca and partners delivered STEM racing demos across primary schools, using compressed-air car races to teach physics and engineering. Energy Cooperation: Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US launched an Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center at Rice University, with a roadmap and a first working group on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Competitiveness Focus: Cyprus’ Competitiveness Report 2025 flags productivity as the biggest structural weakness, while highlighting ICT as a standout sector. Job Market Signals: Cystat reports 13,905 job vacancies in Q1 2026, with the highest vacancy rates in arts/sports/recreation and strong demand in construction and services.