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Nicosia’s Hotel Expansion Set to Redefine Hospitality by 2027

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 18, 2025

Nicosia’s Transformation On The Rise

Nicosia is on track to experience its most significant hotel expansion in years, with several high-profile projects poised to more than double the city’s lodging capacity by 2027. Currently home to 12 hotels offering approximately 670 rooms and 1,300 beds, the capital’s portfolio includes Hilton’s five-star flagship (Hilton), a recognized symbol of luxury.

Revitalizing The City Center

The momentum is shifting. As reported by Politis, seasoned investors are getting involved while historic buildings are being repurposed into modern accommodations for the first time in decades. The Landmark facility, for example, is under conversion into a Marriott property (Marriott), adding 265 rooms and 18 suites to the market. Meanwhile, Thanos Hotels has reinvigorated interest with its intimate, ten-room Amyth boutique hotel in the walled city.

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Restoration Meets Modern Investment

On Makariou Avenue, significant redevelopment is underway. The former Laiki Bank headquarters, a long-dormant site, is being transformed by the Israeli-backed Fattal Group (Fattal Hotel Group) into a 168-bed hotel. In a similar vein, the historic Anastasiades Clinic is undergoing a complete overhaul to reopen as a 70-room boutique establishment. Completion, although delayed by the pandemic, is nearing for the Maralia Hotel on Omirou Street, which is set to open with 40 rooms in 2026.

Strategic Urban Renewal

Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos has highlighted a broader vision for the city. In addition to the burgeoning hospitality scene, the capital is seeing a resurgence of permanent residents within the city center, spurred by a dozen major residential initiatives. According to Prountzos, tourism development is a critical catalyst for breathing new life into the urban core.

Infrastructure And Commercial Evolution

Looking ahead, the municipality has greenlighted a €13 million project to restore facades along Ledra and Onasagorou, setting the stage for a comprehensive upgrade of underlying infrastructure, from sewage to electrical systems. Enhanced pedestrian zones featuring improved paving, accessibility measures, and increased greenery are planned to redefine the area’s urban experience. Plans extend to Eleftherias Square as well, with proposals for natural shading and upgraded visitor amenities.

Future Challenges And Opportunities

Mayor Prountzos is also focused on addressing commercial challenges, emphasizing that while improving vehicle access to Makariou Avenue is important, high rental costs remain a fundamental barrier. He plans to engage with property owners to explore solutions that balance commercial viability with the avenue’s historic charm. A recent qualitative survey indicates that visitors to the city center are increasingly seeking an affordable and diverse retail mix, a trend that must inform future developments.

A New Era For Nicosia

The convergence of renewed tourism, modern hospitality developments, and a revitalized urban environment marks a turning point for Nicosia. With a blend of new investments and infrastructure projects, the city is poised to rewrite its narrative, casting itself as a dynamic destination for both travelers and longtime residents.

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OpenAI Strengthens Atlas AI Browser Against Unrelenting Prompt Injection Threats

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 23, 2025

Robust Defenses Against Evolving Cyber Threats

OpenAI is redoubling its efforts to secure its recently unveiled Atlas AI browser from a new generation of cyberattacks. While the company advances its security measures, it acknowledges that prompt injections—malicious attacks designed to manipulate AI agents through hidden instructions in web pages and emails—remain an inevitable threat. As such, questions about the safe operation of AI systems on the open web continue to surface.

Innovative Simulation To Preempt Attacks

In a detailed blog post, OpenAI conceded that the expanded functionality of its ChatGPT Atlas browser has increased the potential attack surface. The firm has developed an LLM-based automated attacker—a sophisticated bot trained through reinforcement learning—to simulate the tactics of real-world hackers. This proactive approach enables the company to identify and address vulnerabilities faster than would otherwise be possible, effectively staying one step ahead of adversaries.

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Layered Security in a Complex Landscape

Industry experts and peers, including cybersecurity firm Wiz and Google, have highlighted that prompt injections are an enduring risk similar to social engineering scams on the broader internet. The U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre recently warned that these attacks may never be completely eradicated, urging organizations to mitigate risk through layered safeguards rather than relying on a single fix.

Practical Countermeasures And Future Outlook

OpenAI’s solution goes beyond traditional defenses. By embedding a reinforcement learning-trained bot within its system, the company can simulate an attack, evaluate the AI’s internal responses, and refine its countermeasures continuously. In one demonstration, the automated attacker managed to inject a malicious email that caused an unintended action by the AI, only for Atlas’ updated “agent mode” to detect the anomaly and alert the user. This layered strategy—combining rapid-response cycles with large-scale testing—shows how competition from the likes of Anthropic and Google shapes the industry’s security landscape.

Balancing Autonomy And Security

Cybersecurity expert Rami McCarthy of Wiz clarifies that the true risk in AI systems arises from the combination of significant autonomy and expansive access to sensitive data. OpenAI concurs, urging users to restrict automated access where possible—such as requiring explicit confirmation before executing tasks like email management or payments. This balance between powerful agentic capabilities and stringent controls will evolve as the technology matures, a sentiment echoed across the industry.

In summary, while prompt injections remain an unsolvable challenge in absolute terms, OpenAI’s dynamic and iterative approach to security represents a significant step forward in safeguarding AI-driven systems. As the boundaries of technology expand, so too must our strategies to defend against its misuse.