Current Events

In collaboration with Qatar Energy, ExxonMobil has begun drilling to find natural gas near the Cypriot coast.

Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus himself announced this on X (formerly, Twitter).

The main reasons behind this move are the requirement for gas in the absence of that supplied by Russia since it invaded Ukraine back in 2022.

Since the East Mediterranean has seen major finds, drilling for gas here has been all but paramount.

Announced originally in November 2024, the operations will start with the Electra and Pegasus wells.

ExxonMobil is present in Cyprus as part of a large consortium of companies which includes TotalEnergies (France), Eni and France’s (Italy) & Chevron (US).

The cabinet of Cyprus has proposed a law that will permit women to serve in the armed forces, right alongside the men.

While men are obligated to provide fourteen months of military service, women are exempt from it.

The bill is still pending approval from the parliament. In the meantime, Vasilis Palmas, the Minister of Defense has said to reporters that they expect to recruit women starting October.

President Christodoulides has welcomed the move, calling it one that fortifies the National Guard’s power while allowing women to make their contribution to the military. It will thus promote the National Guard as an egalitarian institution.

Right now, the Cypriot army consists of twelve thousand members, along with fifty thousand reservists who train on a regular basis.

Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the President of Egypt has invited Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus to the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES).

Karim Badawi, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Egypt, delivered the invite.

This meeting comes right after the 10th Tripartite Cooperation Summit in Cairo that had the island nation, Greece and Egypt as co-participants. Its aim was to strengthen cooperation between the countries on matters of natural gas.

In the meantime, it is anticipated that several important agreements shall be signed at the EGYPES, particularly so that the “Aphrodite” and “Cronos” gas fields in the Cypriot EEZ can be used.

Signing the agreements will allow the fields to be linked to the facilities in Egypt, which in turn will encourage the production and delivery of natural gas to both local as well as international markets.

President Nikos Christodoulides has accepted the invite, conveyed his thanks and shall bear witness to agreement signing.

More than two hundred schools all over Cyprus got bomb threats, which led them to evacuate people and conduct large-scale police searches.

According to a spokesman for the Police, no explosive was discovered. However, they want to make sure, which is why there are still personnel who are investigating the matter.

Police investigation revealed that the threats had been sent through a temporary email that was linked to Russian servers. However, this is not evidence that the threat itself originated from the country.

The threat itself was in Greek language, and talked about attacks that happened in the past, along with threatening violence.

The police are likening this to a similarly-made fake bomb threat in 2023 – it was finally determined as an incident with little risk.

They have founded a crisis center to ensure the situation is managed properly – and are working in tandem with the Ministry of Education to make sure that everyone remains safe.

Both Europol and Interpol have been informed of the incident.

A similar method of threatening has been made in Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tupperware, the staple of many households has shut down in Cyprus, marking the end of its decades long dominance in the household consumer sector.

The development comes after the now-bankrupt company decided to rescind its license for selling its products all over Europe.

The company originally filed for bankruptcy in September 2024 on account of increasing debt and liquidity issues, and informed its Cypriot of such in its announcement.

The household brand first opened its doors in Cyprus in 1966 and has enjoyed popularity in households for its high-quality products and direct method of sales and marketing.

The company’s farewell announcement thanks both workers and customers, while assuring the latter that the remaining products in stock shall stay available to be purchased.

Originally founded in 1946 by Earl Tupper, the company came into the spotlight due to the famous ‘Wonderlier Bowl’ introduced after the second world war. Other products soon followed, and became popular due to them being light in weight yet highly durable and air-tight.

Tupperware introduced its famous ‘home demo’ in 1948 after being spurred by its lack of popularity in supermarkets. The system worked so well that they had withdrawn from supermarkets entirely, instead focusing on their demo format.

The Cyprus Traffic Police has announced that it intends to wrap the uncollected fines awarded to people in the time period of January 2022 to September 2024.

The public is being asked to check if they have any pending fines via the Cypriot contractor website (CyCameraSystem.com.cy). Entering their ID & vehicle registration numbers will provide them with the relevant information.

They can make the payment online via the website of the Police.

People can also find out said details by dialing 80008009 anytime from Monday to Friday and between 8 AM & 5 PM.

Those who are vehicle owners but weren’t driving when they made the traffic will be legally obliged to identify who the driver in question was – also done online. Failure to do so will lead to them being prosecuted under Article 21 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Law.

March 31, 2025 has been set as the deadline for this. Those who do not clear their cases will be produced in court and criminal charges shall be brought against them.

The city was hit by fog and heavy rain, as accurately predicted by the Meteorology Department.

The rain started as one intense 30 min episode, followed by shorter-but-still-intense showers.

In addition, the city has been covered with dense clouds and fog, blocking the sun and causing the temperature to stay on the lower end.

The good news is that so far no notable mishaps have occurred – ones that would need the attention of the fire department or the police.

People have nonetheless been asked to be careful, especially with the flooding of some of the main roadways.

A yellow warning has been issued in light of potential thunderstorm occurrence.

People using their cellphones while driving has become a major problem – leading authorities on the island nation to resort to increasing fines.

The Road Safety Council of Cyprus has announced that they are making sharp increases in fines awarded for people committing traffic violations.

Based on the proposal from Marios Hartsiotis, the Justice Minister, an increase in fines have been recorded for the three most common – and detrimental traffic violations.

The fine for riding a two-wheeler without a helmet has increased from €200 to €250, with repeat violators being to be fined €500 unless they go without offence for 3 years.

The fine for using a cell phone whilst driving has increased from €150 to €200. Repeat violations shall be fined €400, as opposed to the previous €300.

Those not wearing their seatbelts shall be fined €150, up from €200. Repeat violators will be awarded €400 in fines.

Two-wheelers without a valid number will be fined €100 (as opposed to the previous €80) for their first violation, and €200 for any subsequent ones, if committed within 3 years of the first one.

Eminent Cypriot journalist Alex Efthyvoulou has passed away at the age of 97.

Many have expressed their sadness at the development. Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus praised Efthyvoulou, and his presence at some of the island nation’s key events – as well as that of its neighboring countries.

He further added that his name itself represents the values of stability and credibility.

The Cyprus Union of Journalists also praised Efthyvoulou, calling his career and its achievements as those that extended far beyond the island nation. They also mentioned his long-standing contribution to the field, see as how his union membership member was the single number 9.

In 1950, he started his career as a journalist, right at the dawn of Eoka’s rebellion against the British (who ruled the island nation at the time). Efthyvoulou started to send reports of violent incidents to British news outlets like The Daily Telegraph & The Times.

Subsequently, he worked with Associated Press starting 1955, where he reported on developments in both Cyprus and other Middle Eastern countries. He also reported on news from the Middle East on Cyprus radio..

He personally witnessed the 1957 Battle of Macheras, when Eoka rebel Grigoris Afxentiou was neutralized by the British by the latter pouring petrol in his hideout and lighting it on fire.

In 2002, Efthyvoulou retired from his career as a journalist.

His many accolades include being recognized by the International Human Rights Association in during the 1980s, and an honor from the Cyprus Union of Journalists in 2015.

His funeral was held at Nicosia’s Church of Saints Constantinos and Eleni.

Increasing numbers of children are being hospitalized due to contracting the flu.

The Makarios III Hospital for Children in Nicosia, for instance, is over 85% capacity.

Avraam Elias, the head of the pediatric department of the hospital has mentioned that the situation is now under control. He further added that twenty-six children were admitted in the wards, four children were in the ICU.

Most of these children are less than a year in age. However, some older children with chronic health issues were also admitted.

The children were admitted for contracting influenza A, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as well as and microbial pneumonia.

According to Elias, the primary reason for children being admitted was the RSV. He also mentioned that one of these children was hospitalized for having Covid-19.

Philippos Tymvios, the Director of the Meteorology Department said that the cold weather is all set to subside.

He further explained that the reason for this is the weather system gradually moving towards the center of the island, after being particularly active in its southwestern & western regions.

The current forecast predicts thunderstorms along with snowing in the mountains and hail inland. The intensity, however, is expected to be lesser.

Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel is going to visit the island nation of Cyprus.

President Herzog’s visit’s main purpose is to discuss matters of region-specific diplomacy. This includes the Cyprus-Egypt-Greece Trilateral Summit as well as the Cyprus-Egypt Intergovernmental Summit – both to take place in Cairo.

Both of these will discuss stability & cooperation within the region, as well as serious matters like the situation in Syria.

According to several sources, the trip is meant to promote strengthening of relationships between the countries in the area – especially in light of the changing world and U.S. policy shifts.

Currently, Eastern Mediterranean countries are facing a variety of challenging situations, including energy crisis, security matters, and the value of joining forces.

‘Teknofest’ the premier Turkish tech festival shall be held in Turkish Cyprus.

The organizers of the fest have revealed that the fest shall be held at Ercan Airport over a 4-day-period.

The fest shall include tech-based contests across 7 main categories, as well as fourteen subcategories. Showcased fields will include cybersecurity, social innovation & autonomous flight systems, among others.

Teknofest is usually held in different cities across Turkey during even years, and in Istanbul in the odd ones.

The previous edition took place in Adana, with over a million visitors.

So far, the first ten editions of Teknofest have had over ten million individuals as participants and four million prospective competitors.

The 2023 was held thrice – in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. The upcoming edition will also be held in Istanbul and Turkish Cyprus.

Every participant shall receive 5.5 million Turkish liras ($155,000) worth of prize, as well as financial aid and support.

HH Sheikh Abdullah, the UAE’s Deputy PM as well as its Foreign Affairs Minister, sat down for a meeting with Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus.

Several topics – including that of the Middle East’s current situation – were discussed in the meeting, which was held in Nicosia. Topics included local as well as international matters.

President Christodoulides in the meantime did not miss the chance to praise the UAE, the relations between the two countries, and also wished the country all the best in its current and future.

In return, Sheikh Abdullah extended the well wishes from their President, stating how the UAE wants Cyprus to enjoy nothing short of prosperity and progress. He also expressed his happiness on the good relations among the two nations.

UAE’s Foreign Ministry Office also took to social media platform X (formerly, Twitter) to announce the event.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake has occurred in the sea – between Turkey and the island nation of Cyprus.

The earthquake happened in the early hours of morning.

It was originally reported as a 5.1 magnitude earthquake by the European-Mediterranean seismological center (EMSC), but was later revised to 4.8.

Specifically, the earthquake happened over sixty kilometers off of the Turkish city of Alanya.

2 electronic store workers have been arrested for stealing cell phones worth over six thousand Euros.

The theft was originally reported by the manager of the store, who said 8 phones had disappeared.

Assistant Director of Operations of the Police, Michalis Nicolaou, said that the Police’s inquiry led them to arresting the store workers, aged 32 and 22.

The two men were found and arrested on separate days and in separate places.

They are under Police custody, as further investigation is underway.

Paris Demetriades of Kathmerini has reported that Limassol might be heading to a major housing problem, thanks to a sharp rise in the price of properties.

The report includes how the both house prices & rent have increased to up to two – and sometimes three times their value. Although this does not bother homeowners, it is a major pain for tenants and those who have been planning to buy a home.

These sharp increases in prices far surpass the growth in incomes, which makes people struggle to successfully maintain their expenses.

This disparity is only growing, and has given rise to people being concerned that in the near future, only the rich will be able to afford to live in the city.

Demetriades further reported that the situation makes the youth even more vulnerable and exposed to not having any growth.

This makes proper urban development the need of the hour to ensure that the urban center remains open and accessible to all.

A report by the Cyprus News Agency says that while Greek Cyprus has submitted their proposal to open fresh crossing points, their counterparts in Turkish Cyprus have not thus far.

The proposal in question discussed opening up crossing points at Kokkina & Pyroi-Athienou. It was officially submitted by Menelaos Menelaou, a negotiator for Greek Cyprus.

However, his Turkish counterpart Guner Onar – or anyone else for that matter has not responded at all.

Given the circumstances, President Christodoulides has said that he is ready to step in to speed discussions along.

So far, the only known factor is the Turkish Cypriot’s leader Ersin Tatar discussing the opinion difference between Turkish & Greek Cyprus with regards to the location of said crossing points. They also want to open more than just two of them.

A woman died only 2 days after she gave birth.

Stella Michael, aged 36, gave birth to her second child via C-section at the private nursing home. While the C-section itself was a success, she suddenly died – only two days after.

Due to the death being sudden, it is being investigated. While an autopsy was done, the results have been inconclusive so far.

A funeral for Stella shall be held at the Holy Church of St. Minas in Geri, with loved ones and several members of the community in attendance.

She worked at the Cyprus Presidency Secretariat of the EU Council – on secondment via the Department of Water Development.

Nikos Christodoulides, the President of Cyprus has expressed his discontentment at the attack made at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg, Germany.

The island nation’s president took to social media platform X (formerly, Twitter) where is wrote how he felt highly shocked & devastated” because of the attack.

The attack in question has left 2 killed and several injured.

The President further elaborated that he publicly condemns the act, and that his thoughts are with the families of the victims and the citizens of Germany at large.