Defy your group

I recently witnessed an experiment. A circle was drawn around an ant on a piece of paper. The ant suddenly became disoriented, unable to cross the line. It was as if the ant was trapped. However, this was merely how it appeared. But the ant didn’t know. It moved in circles, seemingly contained by what it considered to be a physical barrier.

As a result, it was stuck in a perceived “prison” of ink. The ink acted as a visual and sensory barrier. The ant may have perceived the line as a strange, wet obstacle and thus avoided crossing it, leading it to believe it was trapped. Similarly, the social or political circles we find ourselves in tend to leave us feeling trapped. We can’t seem to go beyond those circles because they outline our misperceived values, which determine how far we can go in terms of thought or action. Accordingly, we must behave in a social or political context and not outside of it.

That’s why the WhatsApp group you belong to, or friends you associate with and family which raised you, serve as your glass ceiling. Oppose them and you’ll be isolated by them. However, there’s something excruciatingly liberating in the act of opposing such constructs, along with the consequences of such opposition.

In the last few months, I have confronted my circles and found that some family and friends alike were threatened by my actions. That’s why our relationships broke down, almost immediately.

One friend even tried the old gaslighting trick of blaming the responses to my newfound sense of self on me. ‘If everyone is disagreeing with you, maybe you’re the problem,’ he said. True. But then again, I cannot be a problem by asserting myself beyond norms and values that reflect a herd and not a personal instinct to be free. Clearly, one of my mental jailors was afraid of my reaching my potential beyond psychological barriers. Barriers I no longer recognise.

In the experiment involving the ant, the circle was redrawn several times until it was so small that it was touching the ant. That’s when the ant decided to ‘escape’. In similar vein, I have never felt freer in my life. Sure, the resulting isolation broke me initially. But one must be broken to be strong in the broken places. The cracks in our beings (from being broken) allow the light in, illuminating our sense of self and how we perceive our environs.

When you realise that it’s your circles that limit you, questions arise within you to imbue you with a self-liberating consciousness. Thereupon, your counterfeit associations will slowly be replaced by those who value your personal authenticity. Your new-found beliefs will then help you entertain your own opinions, social and political, with a healthy measure of doubt.

It’s this doubt that makes us see the unwisdom of viewing one another as political adversaries, forswearing association with each other. Instead, we begin seeing ourselves as human beings with a God-given uniqueness to go our own way, when necessary. This leads us to voting our consciences, not our prejudices or factions. I agree. We have been conditioned by family, friends and society to march according to the sound of their drums and not our own. Thereby disenfranchising ourselves by denying ourselves a voice.

Given to groupthink, we hand over our rights, at a personal and official level. According to American professor Noam Chomsky, your rights correspond with your wealth. And poverty is essentially a mindset. It cannot be changed by seminars or systems; liberation comes from within you and is inextricably tied to Uganda’s liberation.

Students, Advocacy Groups Lead Coastal Protection campaign

The Young Scientists Programme of the Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO), in partnership with advocacy groups, has launched an initiative using arts to raise awareness on the impact of pollution on Ghana’s coastal communities.

The initiative, supported by A Rocha Ghana, GMES Africa Projects, Nature Today Ghana, and the Presbyterian Education Unit, engaged students in using paintings and other artistic expressions to help protect the environment.

Participating schools, including La Presbyterian Senior High School and Osu Presbyterian Senior High School, through interactive sessions discussed issues ranging from biodiversity protection, responsible environmental behavior, and the use of satellite-based Earth Observation tools to monitor ecosystems.

According to the organizers, the interactive sessions was aimed at arousing public interest as well as inspiring greater commitment to environmental conservation across the country.

Beyond artistic expression, the students also participated in an essay competition on topics including personal responsibility to collective community action in protecting the environment.

The judges lauded the work of 20 students especially students from La Presbyterian SHS who subsequently organized a beach clean up exercise demonstrating their commitment to help protect the environment.

All participants received certificates and public recognition, while eight outstanding students were also awarded cash prizes, educational materials, and branded merchandise for their efforts.

Daniel Quarshie of GMES Africa Projects, commended the students for their enthusiasm and strong understanding of environmental conservation, particularly the use of satelite based technology as a tool to protect the country’s natural resources.

Jannah-Firdaus Alhussein of Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO), described the programme as a powerful tool for inspiring young people to ‘protect, restore, and sustain the country’s environment.’

Dr. Andrews Agyekumhene, Executive Director of Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation emphasized that the school-based initiative highlights the vital role the youths play in supporting the country to address pollution especially along the coast.

He noted that through creativity and knowledge , the students had proven that meaningful change can begin in the classroom and extend to address broader societal challenges.

President to take part in Gaza reconstruction conference in Egypt on Monday

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, will travel to Egypt tomorrow to participate in the conference on the reconstruction of Gaza, with a specific plan to present, which includes the participation of the Cypriot companies in the reconstruction of Gaza.

In statements to media representatives after the memorial service for the heroes of the Saranti community, and asked about the telephone communications he had yesterday and will have today with state leaders, the President of the Republic said that yesterday he spoke with the President of Egypt, the Prime Minister of Israel, and the President of the European Council, and today at 11 a.m. he will speak with the President of the United Arab Emirates.

“I would like to publicly thank US President Donald Trump, as well as the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for inviting our country to attend the ceremony for Gaza tomorrow. Taking into account the fact that only 22 countries have been invited, along with the institutions, I consider the invitation as recognition of the role of the Republic of Cyprus in the region, recognition of what we have done all this period, but also, at the same time, as an indication of what is expected of us by the international community,” he continued.

“And we have a specific plan that we will develop at the relevant ceremony to be held in Egypt, in relation to the reconstruction of Gaza. We want Cypriot companies to play a role in rebuilding the country, we want the Republic of Cyprus to play a role in security issues, all of which fall within the scope of what has been agreed, particularly in the first phase of the agreement – the full implementation of this first phase is crucial – in order to move on to the next stage. And within this framework, I will be in Egypt tomorrow together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister of European Affairs to represent the Republic of Cyprus at this very important ceremony,” he noted.

Asked whether the Republic of Cyprus is further consolidating its position by participating in the ceremony, President Christodoulides said that ‘we had (done so) with the Amalthea corridor, we had with the evacuation of people from countries in the region, and I think the invitation is a clear sign of recognition of this role of the Republic of Cyprus, but also of what we can do from from this point on.’

“We are not resting on our laurels – and I am glad that they are recognised by the international community – but at the same time we have a specific plan from here on, in relation to the reconstruction of Gaza with the participation of Cypriot companies and the provision of more humanitarian aid,’ he added.

‘You understand that the issue that Israel has always raised continues to exist. As I told you, I spoke yesterday with the Prime Minister of Israel about the fact that everything that enters Gaza must be checked beforehand, and the Republic of Cyprus is the country that, through the CYCLOPS Centre in Larnaca, is in a position to do this beforehand, and for many other aspects of security and the implementation of the agreement,’ he noted.

‘The Republic of Cyprus is a state that has excellent relations with all its neighbours and at the same time we are a member state of the EU, we are the EU’s representative in the region, we are the country that will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU in less than 90 days and within this framework, as I always emphasize, with actions and not words, we highlight the added value of the Republic of Cyprus,” he pointed out on the matter.

Extension of US arms embargo lift

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In response to a journalist’s observation that the US has lifted its arms embargo against the Republic of Cyprus for one year, the President of the Republic said that ‘it was something we expected.’

“Our goal – because we always have the next goal – is for this lifting to become permanent and not have to make this decision every year. Our goal is to go to three or five years and then make it permanent, and it is in this context that in the immediate future, officers of the National Guard will travel to the US to see first-hand the equipment we have requested from the US within the framework of the two programmes that the US has decided to include the Republic of Cyprus in,” he added.

“This development is not unrelated to what we discussed earlier, with the recognition of our country’s role in the region. In particular, we have undertaken the planning with the US Government, and they will submit their recommendations to us regarding a major important political decision we have taken and have begun to implement in relation to the upgrade of the ‘Andreas Papandreou’ Air Base, which is being done in cooperation with the US Government,” he concluded.

Countries threatening EU member states cannot participate in SAFE, Palmas says

Countries that pose a threat to EU member states cannot participate in SAFE, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas reiterated on Sunday, referring to the ‘very clear’ position of European Council President Antonio Costa, which ‘needs no further interpretation.’

The Defence Minister, in statements made in Kelokedara, Paphos, after the memorial service for the fallen heroes of the community, and asked about the issue, said that a list of defence programmes of interest to the Republic of Cyprus will be submitted by November 30.

Asked if there had been any developments regarding Turkey’s accession to SAFE, Palmas said that ‘the position of the President of the European Council, Mr. Antonio Costa, is very clear, that countries which pose a threat to EU member states cannot participate in the SAFE regulation.’

He further noted that ‘therefore, this position, in itself, with absolute clarity, requires no other interpretation than what Mr. Antonio Costa has said.’

Beyond that, the Minister of Defence continued, ‘the Republic of Cyprus, as is well known, has been approved to participate in this regulation with an amount of 1.2 billion.’

He added that “we have until November 30 to submit the list of equipment programmes that we are interested in so that the process can move forward and be completed within a five-year horizon, to exhaust this amount with whatever equipment we consider useful for strengthening our National Guard and our defensive shield,” he concluded.

It is noted that November 30 is the deadline for countries wishing to obtain loans through SAFE, which must have submitted their defence plans by then for immediate evaluation by the European Council.

We are cautiously optimistic about Cyprus talks resumption, President says

The small steps that are being taken allow us to be cautiously optimistic about the resumption of substantive talks on the Cyprus problem, said President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, noting that he does not underestimate the challenges and difficulties.

In his commemorative speech at the first National Memorial Service for the heroes of the Saranti community, held on Sunday, the President of the Republic said that ‘the result of our efforts sustains hope and allows us, through assertive realism, to continue our efforts to see our homeland liberated.’

Referring to the sacrifice of the heroes, the President said that “to justify their sacrifice, we must work to restore the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, through a solution that will liberate our homeland from the shackles of Turkish occupation, reunite it, and make it safe and prosperous for all our people.”

To achieve this ultimate goal, he said, he has been working since the first day of his election, based on a specific plan and strategy.

“With our initiatives, our dynamic foreign policy, the strengthening of ties with strategic partners, our role within the European Union, but also in the wider region, with the change in the image and reputation of our country and the strengthening of our economy, with the reinforcement of all the factors of power of our homeland, we have succeeded in reactivating the international factor and initiating processes that we hope will lead to the goal of resuming substantive talks,” he stressed.

“Without downplaying the challenges and difficulties, I believe that the small steps being taken allow us to be cautiously optimistic. The result of our efforts sustains our hope and allows us, through assertive realism, to continue our efforts to see our homeland liberated,’ he noted.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

US extends suspension of arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus for 1 year

The United States formally extends for another year the suspension of its arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus, effective as from October 1, 2025, according to a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of State and published in the Federal Register. The amendment to section 126.1 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) specifies that ‘the policy of denial and the status of Cyprus as a proscribed destination is suspended from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.’

The decision underscores the ongoing deepening of U.S.-Cyprus defense cooperation and reflects Washington’s acknowledgment of Cyprus’ continued progress ‘in efforts to implement reforms on anti-money laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight’ and ‘to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing.’

The decision continues the policy first adopted in 2022, when the decades-long embargo was initially lifted pursuant to relevant legislation enacted by Congress. As stated in the rule, ‘the suspension of the policy of denial for exports, reexports, and transfers of defense articles and defense services to the Republic of Cyprus is extended for fiscal year 2026.’

The continued suspension is based on two pieces of legislation: Section 1250A(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA 2020) and Section 205(d) of the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act of 2019 (EMSEPA). Both provide that the U.S. policy of denial toward Cyprus shall remain in effect unless the President determines and certifies to Congress that ‘the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is continuing to cooperate with the United States Government in efforts to implement reforms on anti-money laundering regulations and financial regulatory oversight’ and that ‘the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has made and is continuing to take the steps necessary to deny Russian military vessels access to ports for refueling and servicing.’

On April 14, 2020, the US President delegated these certification authorities to the Secretary of State. Acting under that delegation, ‘on July 7, 2025, the Secretary of State certified to the appropriate congressional committees that the Republic of Cyprus meets the statutory requirements’ and approved the suspension of the policy of denial for fiscal year 2026.

The certification applies not only to exports and reexports but also to ‘retransfers and temporary imports destined for or originating in the Republic of Cyprus and brokering activities involving the Republic of Cyprus.’ License applications and other authorizations related to Cyprus will continue to be ‘reviewed on a case-by-case basis’ by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Certain licensing exemptions ‘remain available for exports, reexports, retransfers, and temporary imports destined for or originating in the Republic of Cyprus. provided the conditions for use of those exemptions are met.’

The Department of State clarified that this regulatory action ‘involves a military or foreign affairs function of the United States’ under 5 U.S.C. 553(a), and therefore was published ‘with a specified effective date and without a request for public comment.’ It is also exempt from the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, as it ‘does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year.’

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determined that the rule ‘is not a major rule under the criteria of 5 U.S.C. 804,’ as it ‘will not increase costs or prices and should have no adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.’

Similarly, the rule ‘will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government,’ and therefore does not require a federalism impact statement under Executive Order 13132.

In accordance with Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, which require agencies to assess the costs and benefits of regulatory actions, the Department stated that ‘because the scope of this rule implements a governmental policy expanding defense trade with a country, and does not impose additional regulatory requirements or obligations, the Department believes costs associated with this rule will be minimal.’

The rule is exempt from Executive Order 14192 because it ‘relates to a foreign affairs function of the United States.’ The Department further reviewed it ‘in light of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.’

It also determined that the rule ‘will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law,’ and therefore Executive Order 13175 does not apply. Finally, the rule ‘does not impose or revise any information collections’ under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

In conclusion, the amended regulation incorporated into Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations formally states that ‘from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, the policy of denial and the status of Cyprus as a proscribed destination is suspended.’

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (C)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 12/10/2025 UNTIL 1800 13/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1011hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine in general.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 3 to 4 Slight, at times locally Slight to Moderate

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4 Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, locally 4 Slight

South Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 4, locally 4 to 5 Slight

Morning North to Northeast 3 to 4, locally 4 Slight

Afternoon Southwest to West 3 to 4, locally 4 Slight

East Coast

Night Northwest to Northeast 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight, at times locally Slight to Moderate

Morning Northwest to Northeast 4 Slight

Afternoon Northeast to Southeast 3 to 4 Slight

North Coast

Night Northeast to Southeast 3, offshore 4 Slight, offshore Slight to Moderate

Morning Variable 3 Slight

Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4 Slight

President discusses EU’s role in Gaza peace process with A. Costa

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, exchanged views Saturday on the role that the European Union can play in supporting the peace process in Gaza.

In a written statement, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said that the President of the Republic had a telephone conversation yesterday with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, as part of his contacts on developments in the Middle East and the agreement reached on the first phase of the US President’s plan for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

“During the conversation, President Christodoulides stressed the importance of full implementation of the agreement by all sides, emphasizing that this is a crucial step towards peace, security, and stability in the region, but also towards achieving a two-state solution, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions,” he noted.

He added that “President Christodoulides and President Costa also exchanged views on the role that the European Union can play both in supporting the peace process and in managing the humanitarian dimension of the crisis, with an emphasis on the need for coordinated European action.”

“Within this framework, President Christodoulides pointed out that Cyprus, due to its geographical location and operational capabilities, can continue to serve as a bridge for strengthening the Union’s humanitarian role and promoting the European contribution to the reconstruction and stabilization of the region,” the Spokesperson concluded.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

Department of Meteorology

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

Date 12/10/2025

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)

26 (25.9)

15 (14.7)

45

Larnaka Airport

27 (27)

18 (17.7)

53

Limassol (New Port)

26 (25.7)

15 (14.9)

58

Limassol Garden

27,5

17,4

Pafos Airport

26 (25.9)

17 (17.4)

58

Frenaros

28 (27.5)

17 (17.4)

51

Prodromos

17 (17.1)

9 (8.8)

82

Polis Pafos

26 (25.8)

18 (17.7)

61

Hate speech should not become the norm, Administration Commissioner tells CNA

Hate speech should not become the norm, Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Maria Stylianou Lottidi, told CNA, on the occasion of the information and awareness campaign against hate speech and misinformation her office is vigorously pursuing, sending a clear message that misinformation and hate speech ‘must stop.’

The information and awareness campaign against hate speech and misinformation, implemented by the Office of the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, has been ongoing since last June and will continue vigorously, according to Lottidi, with new interventions every two months.

Speaking to CNA, the Commissioner said that this is a multifaceted campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers posed by toxic practices in public discourse, especially on social media.

She noted that the campaign was reinforced during the pre-election period and is now continuing with new interventions.

According to Lottidi, during June and July, posters with messages against hate speech were placed in public spaces and on roadside billboards, noting that ‘although these have now been removed, the action continues with the distribution of printed material to government agencies and posts on social media.’

‘We wanted to send a clear message that misinformation and hate speech must stop,’ said the Commissioner, stressing that this is a pan-European phenomenon, which is also being addressed at the European level.

Responding to a question, Lottidi said that the campaign has already received positive feedback from abroad, as it is being implemented in collaboration with Equinet, the European Network of Equality Bodies, and has been recognised as good practice by Cyprus’ partners abroad.

She also said that despite the absence of official cooperation with ministries, there has been a positive response from institutions, with the Cyprus Police reproducing the campaign’s messages through its own social media channels.

‘The response from other services was similar, supporting the dissemination of the message,’ she added.

According to the Commissioner, the campaign will continue with new stages every two months, while her Office is monitoring the impact of the actions with a view to enhancing their effectiveness.