North Cyprus - FAQ, Kyrenia (2025)

24/09/2025

Mustafa Özbilgehan, head of the Cyprus Youth Federation, stated on TV2020 that the absence of Turkish among the EU’s official languages creates serious barriers and inequality for Turkish Cypriots.

He said the Federation unites youth of different views and is preparing forums and debate competitions to strengthen dialogue, critical thinking, and rights protection.

Özbilgehan noted that the issue of “mixed marriages” will grow, while many Greek Cypriot families are unaware of the legal problems their children face.

His central point was structural language discrimination: young Turkish Cypriots must learn two European languages to study or work in EU institutions, which puts them at a disadvantage.

He urged youth to be active in civic life and emphasized that Turkish should be recognized as an official EU language to ensure equal access to education and employment opportunities.

Read the full article on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/otsutstvie-turetskogo-yazyka-sredi-ofitsialnykh-yazykov-es-sozdaet-neravenstvo-dlya-kiprskoi-molodezhi-zayavil-mustafa/

23/09/2025

An incident in Kyrenia nearly resulted in a major fire. A six-year-old child, left alone in his room, began playing with a lighter. As a result, paper on the table caught fire.

The fire quickly spread and damaged furniture and other items in the room. The heat caused the window glass to crack. Other parts of the apartment did not catch fire, but they were heavily smoked and covered with soot.

Firefighters arrived promptly at the scene and were able to contain and extinguish the fire. Thanks to their actions, the fire did not spread throughout the house.

Fortunately, no one was injured. However, the incident served as a reminder of the importance of strict supervision of children and the need to keep lighters and matches out of reach of young kids.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/v-girne-rebenok-ustroil-pozhar-igraya-s-zazhigalkoi/

23/09/2025

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, met with King Abdullah II of Jordan. One of the key issues discussed was the import of halloumi (hellim) cheese from Northern Cyprus.

Christodoulides welcomed the King’s decision to impose a ban on the import of halloumi produced in Northern Cyprus. He described this step as “a reinstatement of the ban on goods coming from the occupied areas” and stressed that the decision is fully aligned with the position of the Republic of Cyprus. According to him, the measure from Amman is an important signal of support for Cyprus’ sovereignty.

The Cypriot President also noted that this move could strengthen cooperation between Jordan and the European Union, especially in the context of Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the EU Council. Christodoulides underlined that the presidency will create opportunities to advance the “Southern Neighbourhood” policy and expand bilateral engagement.

During the meeting, Christodoulides informed King Abdullah about the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue and invited him to attend the official ceremony marking the start of Cyprus’ EU presidency on January 7, 2026, as well as to participate in the informal European Council summit scheduled for April 2026.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/iordaniya-vvela-zapret-na-import-khallumi-iz-severnogo-kipra/

23/09/2025

In Adana, a man who ordered a hair-darkening shampoo online faced severe consequences after using it. After the first application, his face and scalp swelled. This case has again drawn attention to the risks of buying cosmetics from unreliable sources without proper verification.

According to dermatologist Nalan Küçürt, such reactions may be caused by chemical compounds, allergens, or even potentially carcinogenic substances found in non-certified products. The doctor notes that using such products can trigger strong allergic reactions — redness, itching, swelling of the face, eyelids, and lips, and in some cases, difficulty breathing.

The specialist emphasizes the need to purchase cosmetics only from reliable places such as pharmacies or official retail points, and to choose products approved by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, a sensitivity test is recommended before using a new product, especially for people prone to allergic reactions.

Nalan Küçürt warns that the consequences of using unsafe cosmetics may extend beyond temporary discomfort. In some cases, it can lead to persistent skin pigmentation spots, hair loss, and even scar tissue changes.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/v-adane-muzhchina-zakazavshii-cherez-internet-shampun-dlya-potemneniya-volos-stolknulsya-s-tyazhelymi-posledstviyami-posle-ego/

23/09/2025

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, scheduled power outages will take place in several settlements of the Magusa (Mağusa) and Iskele districts. According to the company KIB-TEK, electricity supply will be interrupted from 09:00 to 15:00 due to maintenance work on the Geçitkale transformer substation.

The outages will affect the following settlements and areas: Akova, Yıldırım, nearby areas and livestock farms (ağıllar), Cemer Su, Alaniçi, Dörtyol and its surroundings, Pirhan, İnönü, Sütlüce, Pınarlı, Ulukışla, Aslanköy including military facilities in the area, as well as Gönendere, Tirmen, Ergenekon, Geçitkale and its surrounding ağıllar, Çamlıca, Boğaziçi, Sınırüstü and Ötüken.

The electricity company urged residents of these areas to take the necessary precautions in advance and keep in mind that electricity supply will be completely suspended for six hours.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/v-maguse-i-iskele-zaplanirovany-otklyucheniya-elektroenergii/

22/09/2025

In Turkey, the Supreme Court (Yargıtay) upheld the conviction of a man who posted another person’s phone number on social media with the caption «I want to get seriously married,» recognizing it as a violation of privacy.

The incident took place in Aydın province. The man posted another person’s number on Instagram with the message: «Hello, I want to get married. Call only if you have serious intentions.» The owner of the number, who had not given consent, filed a complaint with the police, after which a criminal case was initiated.

Initially, the first-instance court in Aydın acquitted the defendant, seeing no elements of a crime. However, after an appeal, the İzmir regional court overturned this decision, recognizing the defendant’s actions as violating the right to privacy. He was sentenced to one year and three months of imprisonment.

The defense appealed the verdict, but the 12th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Turkey upheld the appellate court’s decision, noting that publishing someone else’s number without permission, along with accompanying text, violates a person’s right to control their personal data and private information.

The court emphasized that even if the published information seems harmless, such actions can lead to serious consequences, especially in the age of digital technology and social media. The decision sets an important legal precedent in the field of online privacy protection.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/v-turtsii-muzhchinu-osudili-za-publikatsiyu-chuzhogo-nomera-s-pometkoi-khochu-zhenitsya/

22/09/2025

Ankara, September 22, 2025 — Turkey has officially lifted additional customs duties on a number of goods imported from the United States. The decision was published in the country’s official gazette and came into force immediately.

The tariffs in question were introduced by Ankara in 2018 in response to similar measures imposed by the United States during the trade conflict under President Donald Trump. The list of goods now exempt from additional duties includes passenger cars, fruits, rice, to***co products, certain alcoholic beverages, solid fuels, as well as specific categories of chemical products.

The removal of tariffs coincided with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly. Bilateral meetings are scheduled during the trip, including with the current US president.

Experts view this step as an attempt to ease tensions in trade and economic relations between the two countries and to give momentum to the restoration of business cooperation. The decision may also positively impact Turkish businesses reliant on imports of American products and help reduce consumer prices domestically.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/turtsiya-i-ssha-sblizhayutsya-otmeneny-torgovye-barery/

22/09/2025

On 22 September 2025, the tourist police officially began operations in the cities of Kyrenia (Girne) and Nicosia (North Nicosia). The new unit was presented by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, and Deputy Chief of Kyrenia Police Metin Düzenler.

In Kyrenia, the tourist police office is located next to the old police department building. Officers will mainly patrol the Old Harbor area — one of the most visited tourist spots. Their duties include responding to criminal and traffic incidents.

In Nicosia, the tourist police will operate in the Old City (Surlar içi), with its office near the Mahmudpasha Library, close to the Selimiye Mosque.

This is already the second zone where the new format has been launched: previously, on 18 August, the unit began operating in the Iskele area.

Prime Minister Üstel emphasized that the government aims not to leave projects unfinished, reminding that many initiatives for improving the Old Harbor were not implemented in the past. He stated that the harbor has been transformed into an open and comfortable area and has become one of the region’s highlights.

Üstel also noted that his government places special emphasis on strengthening the police structure, and the creation of the tourist police was one step in this direction.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Fikri Ataoğlu said that the tourist police complement the work of both the police and the municipality, and will contribute not only to responding to incidents but also to preventing them.

Deputy Chief of Kyrenia Police Metin Düzenler reported that in the first stage, nine tourist police officers will work in this city. They will patrol in pairs, especially on weekends and during peak tourist hours. When incidents are detected, officers will promptly relay information to the relevant departments — criminal or traffic.

The Prime Minister also added that in the future, if necessary, the tourist police practice could be extended to other regions — Famagusta, Güzelyurt, and Lefke.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/v-girne-i-lefkoshe-nachala-rabotu-turisticheskaya-politsiya/

22/09/2025

An environmental action was held in Northern Cyprus to clean coastal areas, organized with the support of the European Union. Volunteers participated in the event, cleaning beaches in the Koçareis, Yeni Boğaziçi, and Gazimağusa districts for one hour, collecting 138 kilograms of waste.

21 people took part in the cleanup. Volunteers walked along the coast, collecting plastic, glass, metal, and other types of waste. The goal of the event was not only to clean the area but also to raise awareness of environmental issues and emphasize the need for a sustainable lifestyle.

The organizers reminded participants about the importance of waste sorting and proper disposal. It was noted that even small personal efforts can have a significant positive impact on the state of the environment.

At the end of the event, it was emphasized that such initiatives help form an ecological culture and develop a sense of responsibility for preserving nature, particularly marine ecosystems. The organizers expressed hope that such actions will be held more often and attract more participants.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/na-severnom-kipre-sobrali-138-kilogrammov-musora-v-khode-pribrezhnoi-uborki-organizovannoi-es/

22/09/2025

In Northern Cyprus, the official final list of candidates for the presidential elections, which will take place on October 19, has been announced. The decision was published by the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK).

A total of eight contenders have been registered, six of whom are running as independent candidates. In the order of application submission, the list includes:

Ibrahim Yazıcı (independent),
Osman Zorba from the Cyprus Socialist Party,
Ersin Tatar (independent),
Arif Salih Kyrdag (independent),
Mehmet Hasgüler (independent),
Tufan Erhürman from the Republican Turkish Party,
Ahmet Boran (independent),
Hüseyin Gürlek (independent).
The election campaign will start on September 23. Candidates and parties are allowed to set up campaign stands, distribute leaflets, and other printed materials. However, strict restrictions apply: one day before the vote, starting at 18:00, all campaigning is prohibited, including the publication of appeals, open letters, and the distribution of new materials.

It is specifically emphasized that campaign materials must not use the Turkish flag, the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, religious inscriptions, or text written in the Arabic alphabet.

The posting of posters and other printed campaign materials in cities and towns will be supervised by district electoral commissions, while in rural areas it will be organized through village councils of elders.

Read on:
https://cyprus-faq.com/en/north/news/na-severnom-kipre-obyavlen-okonchatelnyi-spisok-kandidatov-v-prezidenty/

21/09/2025

Torrential rains have swept across Turkey’s northeastern provinces, causing mudslides and landslides. In the province of Rize, the Şenyamaç road bridge collapsed due to overflowing mountain rivers and erosion of the banks. According to local authorities, there have been no reports of casualties. Traffic has been blocked, rescue workers and road services are working at the site, and damage to roads and houses affected by flooding is being assessed.

Meteorologists had previously warned of heavy rainfall and the risk of landslides along the eastern Black Sea coast, including Rize, Giresun, and Artvin. According to regional services, between 75 and 160 millimeters of precipitation fell in some areas over the course of a day, causing streams to overflow their banks and landslides on slopes.

At the same time, the fight against forest fires continues in the south of the country. In Antalya, in the Aksu and Kundu/Belek resort areas, the fire was intensified by gusty winds. As a precaution, the authorities temporarily evacuated guests from several hotels. The fire was localized on the outskirts of the tourist infrastructure, and there is no threat to human life. The edges are being watered and equipment is on standby.

In Alanya, the fire started in the Aliefendi area and spread to neighboring neighborhoods, forcing the selective evacuation of residents. Electricity was temporarily cut off for safety reasons. No casualties have been reported, and fire crews and forest services are working on the scene.

In the province of Muğla, eight fires were recorded on the night of September 19-20. Six of them were quickly brought under control, but in the areas of Koycegiz and Milas, the firefighting efforts took longer. Local authorities reported the temporary evacuation of residents from more than a hundred homes and their relocation to safe areas.

Forecasters warn that new showers are possible on the Black Sea coast of Turkey in the near future, and the risk of fires remains on the south coast due to wind and dry weather. Authorities urge people to take into account road closures on northeastern routes and follow the instructions of rescue services in southern resort areas.

20/09/2025

In Northern Cyprus, there is a significant increase in the prices of live cattle and meat, causing serious concern among butchers. According to the Butchers’ Association, the price of a kilogram of beef has reached 1,000 Turkish lira, and the price of chunk meat (“kushbashi”) — 1,200 lira. Meanwhile, the live weight of cattle has increased by approximately 50% over the last two months.

Butchers note that they face difficulties not only in purchasing animals but also due to excessive demands from farmers. According to them, producers constantly inflate prices, making purchases unprofitable.

The Butchers’ Association has appealed to the government to take urgent measures. Among the proposals are meat imports, as well as planning production and distribution of animals according to real demand and market conditions.

In an official statement, the Association said that its representatives have already met with Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Economy Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu. At the Council of Ministers meeting, butchers provided detailed information about the current situation.

A particular problem is that the number of dairy animals (females producing milk) remains stable, while the number of heads intended for slaughter and sale to butchers has significantly decreased. This exacerbates the market shortage.

Butchers also point out the lack of a clear price regulation system. Previously, the price of a live bull was agreed at 200 lira per kilogram, but already at the beginning of August, producers stated that the fair price should be 240 lira, and shortly after, the price rose to 300 lira per kilogram.

According to the Association, the government has not yet taken specific measures or presented a plan for further actions. At the same time, butchers accuse some producers of speculation and emphasize that it is no longer possible to remain indifferent to the situation.

The Association calls on the authorities to intervene as soon as possible, find a balance between the interests of farmers and consumers, and prevent the residents of Northern Cyprus from having to purchase meat from outside the country due to shortages and high prices.

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