Month: September 2025

Turkey has been busy in recent months, trying to strengthen the amount of military presence it commands in its occupied section of Cyprus.

They have increased the number of Turkish troops in the breakaway nation, and plan to further double the number.

According to TRT Haber, Turkey’s move comes after Greek Cyprus is being seen making stride to improve its stability and importance – both in the East Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The local command in Turkish Cyprus is under the charge of a lieutenant general appointed by the Supreme Military Council – this shows the intention of installing a rather permanent form of military presence.

According to various sources in Turkey and Turkish Cyprus, there are probably over 100,000 soldiers already – strategically spread across air, sea, land, electronic and of course support forces.

Allegedly, the authorities there are framing the developments as a precautionary response in light of military activities orchestrated by Germany, the UK & US, as well as Israel in Greek Cyprus and adjoining areas.

The south-eastern European countries of Greece and Cyprus are seeking assistance from the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism to fight extreme cases of wildfires.

The European Union has responded by mobilizing 2 Canadair aircrafts from their ‘rescEU’ fleet.

This request for assistance comes after a huge wildfire that started in Cyprus’ Limassol, and brunt over 120 square kilometers of land in a matter of days. The situation was made worse by the combination of 44°C+ hot heatwaves and fast winds.

The villages of Malia, Lofou and Souni, have all been largely affected – the air quality of these places have deteriorated greatly all over the area.

The team fighting the fire included over two-hundred-and-fifty firefighters and eighteen airplanes – from Israel, Jordan, Spain and of course Cyprus.

A large portion of the blame for the wildfires goes to the scorching heatwave and wind gusts being experienced by people all over Europe.

Dr. Petros Karayiannis, Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Virology at the University of Cyprus has said that the island nation is under no threat from the mosquito-borne disease.

However, he has confirmed that there may be a slight transmission risk.

The Chikungunya virus was identified in 1952 in Tanzania in 1952, and has been found to has cause outbreaks of various sizes, primarily in sub-tropical and tropical areas.

Several case clusters have been spotted in countries such as France and China – although Cyprus is not facing any such issue at the moment.

Dr. Karayiannis mentioned that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – the mosquito variants which are responsible for transmission, have been found on the island nation. However, he added that for the transmission to actually happen, the mosquitoes need to bite an infected traveler, which would lead to the spread of the virus.

Much like Dengue, Chikungunya spreads via the bites of mosquitoes. There are also overlap with symptoms – most common of them pain in the joints and muscles, headaches, rash and of course fever. Most people recover without major complications – but the elderly, children and those with co-morbidities might be at risk of death.

The disease has neither a vaccine not an antiviral course of treatment. The only action is the treatment of symptoms till they ease up – and of course prevention in the first place. Those living and especially traveling to areas with case clusters have been advised to wear protective clothing, use an insect repellent, and sleep inside a mosquito net. They can also use electric fans, which have been known to deter the activity of mosquitoes.

Due to its symptoms resembling other mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever, dengue and Zika, a PCR test is the only way to confirm the presence of the virus.

The German Medical Institute of Cyprus has established an AI-powered medical testing center as part of its digital transformation initiative titled Agora 3.0. Their intention is to advance medical science and launch strategic partnerships with the Indian healthcare and innovation sectors.

Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the German Medical Institute conducted a thorough review to ascertain the progress achieved on the facility – whose ultimate goal is to create the first ever 100 percent digital-based hospital in Cyprus.

German Medical Institute Medical Director Professor Constantinos Zamboglou has stated that an AI-powered supercomputer has already been installed, and the basic infrastructure to enable the AI medical testing, diagnosis and development have been laid down. He further added that the aim of Agora 3.0 is to function as a premier hub for AI-powered Testing and Validation. The hub here will offer a solid base for developing and testing AI-powered medical tools and machines.

The intention for the hub is to act as a contact point for all global AI companies that are looking to enter the European Union market through Cyprus. Officials of the institute have said that they are working on offering regulatory assistance such as pathways for CE certification, among others.

Right now, the first spinoff company, GMIC has been launched, which is all set to create collabs with counterparts in the US (specifically Stanford), Germany, Serbia and Bulgaria.

Zamboglou will be visiting India in mid-September within a delegation of Cypriot nationals at the upcoming ICC Global Business Summit. The plan is for the GMIC to sign an MoU with Tata Memorial Cancer Centre and the ARIA Matrix, an India-based AI startup.

These partnerships are coming after recent visits between India’s Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Christodoulides.

The second day of incessant blackouts in Cyprus led to many patients being stuck mid-way in diagnostic machines, causing distress to doctors and patients alike and bringing up topics of potential public health risks.

The blackouts originated after Cyprus’ Transmission System Operator specifically ordered controlled load-shedding meant to last for approximately 30 minutes going area-by-area.

Ironically, this was not due to power shortage, since Cyprus does have the structural capacity. It was due to availability – since several normal generators were not online due to the sun setting and production dropping, the power grid could not match demand with supply.

However, with the heat wave in the picture, the fairly short blackout seemed very long. Families having small kids, elders or even equipment-reliant patients felt the crunch of the power outages. Tourists too bore the brunt of having no power for 30 mins at a time.

The most burnt are hospitals – Pancyprian Association of Diagnostic Centers’ Director George Kouttoukis said that many patients were stranded midway in diagnostic machines. Not only was this emotionally distressing, it could have caused great bodily harm – especially for patients using pacemakers or those given medicines prior to their procedures.

Unsurprisingly, the elderly and/or those with co-morbidities were the most at risk, followed by those with mental health conditions such as claustrophobia. Being trapped in an elevator or an MRI machine could cause them great panic, if not any more.

Kouttoukis claimed that he was given full assurance that organizations offering medical services would not be affected – but found out the hard way that diagnostic centers did not make the cut. He claimed that any and all his calls to the minister, or the director-general went unanswered.

Cyprus is facing huge droughts, courtesy heat waves, dry weather, dusty winds, sudden storms and even flash floods and hail spells.

All of these adverse weather situations have negatively impacted cultivation and farming – leaving the government to resort to monetarily compensate out-of-work-farmers in rural regions.

To that end, the Ministry of Agriculture ministry conducted a damage assessment. This one was exclusively for wheat, but they are repeating the same for vineyards, and later – others.

Cyprus is also seeking assistance from the European Union.

Panikos Hambas, General Secretary of the EKA has called the events tragic – explaining how these unexpected yet devastating droughts have caused damage that will take years – if not more – to repair.

Makis Antoniades, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture said that the relevant organizations are closely monitoring the drought’s effects and its ripple effect on crops and farming at large.

Government compensation is only the first of many stages of response – more will come once the full assessment has been completed and the compensation amounts have been calculated.

Antoniades added that despite the supply shortage, consumers are currently in no danger of shortage of finished goods, since the deficit is being made up by imports. This also includes animal feed and similar products.

The government of Cyprus has already informed the European Union farming and fishing commissioners (Costas Kadis) about the droughts, and is asking for advice on how to handle the next steps. This issue is on the main agenda list of the Agriculture ministers.

Cyprus was given over 3 million in 2024 to combat crop shortages due to climate-induced damages.

One of the main reasons for affected farming is still the water shortage. To combat the issue, the Ministry of Agriculture is all set to introduce smart irrigation systems to enable farmers to get some assistance.

Beirut-based Union of Arab Banks and the Association of Cyprus Banks have signed an MoU to fortify their history of cooperation and encourage further activity that will help both organizations to progress and advance.

According to an announcement by the Association of Cyprus Banks, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed in August in Nicosia by the organization’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Aristidis Vourakis, as well as the Union of Arab Banks’ Secretary General Dr. Wissam Fattouh.

The announcement says that this signing is a highly essential step to ensure that the two organizations understand, cooperate and shape banking to benefit them and everyone they serve – especially in light of the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.

It always says that the MoU serves to present a highly positive precedent of collaboration and cooperation between two institutions that are from varied geopolitical, economic, and geographical situations.

One of the main outcomes of this MoU is to establish the Arab Cypriot Banking and Economic Dialogue. This is meant to function as a strong platform to help fortify cooperation and encourage better flow of knowledge and information between the organizations.

According to the Cyprus Federation of Student Unions (Pofen), single rooms are now priced at approximately €350 per month – which is the highest the nation has ever seen.

Right now, the University of Tepak in Paphos and Limassol offer 150 and 250 rooms respectively, the University of Cyprus in Nicosia offer 208 rooms, while the archbishopric in Limassol offer 250.

Dorm rooms are typically meant to accommodate first-year students and their needs.

According to Constantinos Karseras, the chairman of Pofen, the demand has far exceeded the supply in Limassol, which has spurred universities to build new dorms in both Nicosia and Limassol to bridge the gap.

The level of progress is better at Tepak, which has announced 300 student rooms to be ready by late-2026.

What concerns Karseras the most, however, is that the dorm plans are based on data from 2020, while Tepak has introduced several new programs and subsequently accepted many more students.

Currently, a “subsidized” single Tepak dorm also costs €350 a month. What sets them apart is that they have offered a €2,500 subsidy to cover 10 months – subject to the student’s socioeconomic status.

The bishopric in Limassol has offered a free meal per day, while both Tepak and the University of Cyprus have offered yearly scholarships to certain students.

The website of Tepak says that among the 250 available rooms, studio flats cost €300 a month, single-bedroom flats cost €350, twin-bedroom ones cost €500, while three-bedroom ones cost €600.

Tepak in Paphos has arranged over a hundred-and-fifty studio apartments for €350 per month, and another fifty available at the standard €550 per month price.

A Facebook page is currently trying to create a chart of all apartments available so students can match up with suitable roommates. In over two years of operation, it has helped over five hundred students – many senior students have managed to secure all-year accommodations for as less as €400 – in the face of dorm rooms being given to first-year students on a priority basis.

Renowned Nobel Laureate from Turkey Aziz Sancar is now officially a citizen of Turkish Cyprus.

Sancar, who is well known in the breakaway island nation for his work in their academic circles – and for his love for the area – has been visiting the place for years on-and-off, where he has served many positions – from serving on the Near East University’s Synthetic Biology Research and Technology Center’ science board to lecturing in academic institutions. He is also known for actively advocating Turkish Cyprus to be recognized internationally.

Sancar has been awarded the honor of becoming a Turkish Cyprus citizen on the basis of his current and future contributions to the fields of culture, technology and of course science – along with advocacy for the yet-to-be-recognized nation.

Sancar notably supported Turkish President Erdoğan’s call for globally acknowledging the nation of Turkish Cyprus at the UN General Assembly. He did show by wearing a shirt which said “TRNC Should Be Recognized” which was posted by him on social media as well as extensively photographed.

He enjoys a deep friendship with Ersin Tatar, the President of Turkish Cyprus, and academician-turned-health-advisor Nedime Serakıncı.

Sancar was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2015, along with his Swedish and American colleagues.

News of India reportedly supplying its BrahMos missiles to Cyprus has been doing the rounds – and it has put Turkey in a state of unease.

While neither India nor Cyprus have said anything on the matter, the spread of the news via other channels has led to debates within the larger Mediterranean area.

BrahMos is a high-end missile designed by a Russia-India scientist tag team- they are hypersonic and highly-precise missiles that can hit targets on sea and land.

Having such a missile in their arsenal would greatly empower the island nation’s capacity to deter current and potential threats.

India has been exporting the BrahMos missile for some time now – the Philippines is one of their dedicated customers.

Turkey, however, is alarmed by the alleged development, citing it as a move that will change the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean region by giving Cyprus a major and immediate advantage from a strategic standpoint.

Cyprus and India strengthening their relations also have the potential to sour their relations with other neighboring countries – such as Turkey itself.