Authorities in Cyprus have urged residents to reduce their water intake by 10% the equivalent of two minutes' use of running water each day as Europe's most south-easterly nation grapples with a once-in-a century drought. The appeal, announced alongside a 31m (27m) package of emergency measures, comes as reservoirs hit record lows with little prospect of replenishment before the tourist season starts.
Ship positions, weather data and emergency messages flash across monitors at the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center in the port town of Larnaca in southeastern Cyprus. This is where Cyprus coordinates search and rescue operations in the eastern Mediterranean. It is also where the logistics of running a maritime corridor to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza are organized. Some 32,000 tons of humanitarian relief supplies aid from the European Union have been inspected in Cyprus' ports and shipped on to Gaza.
Commenting on the current environment, Kozakou-Marcoullis said Europe today is "facing new and unprecedented challenges stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, within a rapidly changing global landscape and growing instability." According to the diplomat, the EU appears determined to assume a more prominent leadership role in addressing these challenges a stance reflected in the strategic agenda adopted by the European Council in 2024, covering the period through 2029.
Today (Thursday 6 November) Cyprus became the first country taking part in Eurovision 2026 to announce who would be competing on its behalf. It has chosen the singer Antigoni who will be performing a yet-to-be-announced song. As the first performer confirmed for Eurovision 2026, Antigoni also had the honour of being the first to showcase the introduction videos to be used when announcing the artists taking part.
