5 Minute News

The Nicosia Police is investigating a new internet fraud case where a company lost €93,200. The perpetrators sent false email messages requesting payments to an incorrect bank account. The company failed to verify the message and made the payment, falling victim to the scam. The police advise citizens to check the authenticity of such messages before making payments. It is recommended to confirm via phone communication with their partners.

This year, bookings for Easter vacations among Cypriots show cautious interest, mainly due to regional tensions. The number of bookings remains stable compared to last year, with most travelers choosing Greece. Cypriots are also exploring destinations like Georgia and Armenia, which are Christian countries. Prices for travel packages have not seen significant increases and start around €399. There are almost no bookings for countries affected by regional crises.

SMS and mobile phones related to the case of Makarios Drousiotis were sent to Europol for verification. The Cypriot police aim for a quick response from the European authorities. The analysis of the devices will determine whether the messages are authentic or fabricated. The government plans to appoint an independent criminal investigator to examine the allegations. Investigators continue to analyze the material they possess and gather testimonies despite awaiting the results.

A 42-year-old defendant, previously sentenced to four years for another case, attacked the state's attorney after leaving the courtroom. The attack resulted in serious injuries, including a broken nose. The case has been referred to the Criminal Court for immediate trial on April 23. The defendant has four prior convictions and has displayed violent behavior. This new case involves causing serious bodily harm to the attorney.

A shocking case of abuse involving a 10-month-old girl has emerged in Greece. The child is hospitalized in critical condition with serious injuries such as burns and fractures. The mother's partner is indicated as the main abuser, and the mother is accused of failing to prevent the abuse. Both parents are in custody facing serious charges while authorities continue to investigate the case. Attention is focused on the child's health and the pursuit of justice.

Michael J. Fox denied rumors of his death after a mistake by CNN caused panic among his fans. The news outlet published a tribute video that raised concerns about his health. His representative confirmed that he is well and had recently attended a public event. Fox humorously addressed the situation in a social media post. CNN quickly retracted the story and apologized for the disturbance caused.

The police warn drivers about heavy rain on the Nicosia - Limassol highway, particularly near the areas of Kofinou and Choirokoitia. Due to the weather conditions, there is water accumulation on the road and reduced visibility. Drivers are advised to be cautious, drive at lower speeds, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. It is also recommended to keep headlights on. These warnings are important for road safety.

A violent clash took place in Trachoni on the morning of Great Thursday, initiated by minors and later involving their parents. Three individuals are hospitalized at Limassol Hospital, one with serious injuries. Two arrests have been made so far, with more expected shortly. The conflict appears to have started from personal differences in school. The British Bases Police are investigating, with indications of racially motivated factors.

Minister of Agriculture Maria Panagiotou inspected small supermarkets and fruit stores ahead of Easter. During the inspections, she reported on the confiscation of some products and increases in prices of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, she stated that the quality of products is satisfactory and no shortages are expected in the market. The government support measures, particularly the VAT reductions on essential foods, are viewed positively. The Minister confirmed that checks on product quality are rigorous.

Ioanna Fotio, also known as Annie Alexui, recently filed complaints against seven police officers. The Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, forwarded these complaints to the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Claims and Complaints Against the Police. An independent criminal investigator will be appointed to examine these complaints. Details around the case remain limited, and it is unclear whether the complaints involve officers from a specific department. The first part of the complaints has already been completed.

The police are continuing the investigation into the Santi case, with collected evidence being sent to Europol for scientific examination. Spokesperson Byron Byronos did not confirm or deny whether Santi has given a statement. The assessment of evidence and witness statements is ongoing, with the possibility of gathering additional testimonies. There is no specific timeline for the results of the evaluation. Public updates will occur once the results from Europol are received.

Spain announced the reopening of its embassy in Tehran, triggering a backlash from Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the decision as shameful, highlighting the executions carried out by Iran. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that the move aims to promote peace. Israel's statements point to violations of international law by the country. The situation in the region remains tense.

Turkey commented on the portrayal of EOKA's actions as a freedom struggle, claiming this distorts history and undermines efforts for a resolution in Cyprus. According to a source from the Turkish Ministry of Defense, such events indicate that historical facts continue to be misinterpreted. The statement also mentions that these provocative actions undermine the basis for dialogue and understanding. The Turkish Cypriot side remains committed to conducting a fair and sustainable dialogue. The importance of avoiding initiatives that could escalate tensions in Cyprus is emphasized.

The Melios Zoo Park is closing permanently due to violations concerning permits, safety, and operations. The Supreme Constitutional Court rejected the owner's appeal, confirming the lower court's decision. Violations included illegal expansions and non-compliance with safety requirements. The issue of renewing the operating permit was also central, as it had been denied since 2017. The Court found that most of the owner's claims were largely unfounded.

The Alima Movement has announced the addition of four new candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Among them is Voula (Paraskevi) Kokkinou, who will run in the Nicosia district, and Stella Symeou, who will replace Nikos Stylianidis in Limassol. The total number of candidates for Alima has reached 48. The new candidates come at a crucial time ahead of the elections.

Giannis Antoniou, the Deputy Government Spokesman, stated that no employee named 'Santis' has been found in the current Government's hiring. He mentioned that the investigation pertains only to the current government's appointments and not those of previous governments. Additionally, he expressed the belief that at least two people will be left exposed due to Makarios Drousiotis' claims. Antoniou emphasized the need to trust the authorities in investigating such matters. His statements suggest that the claims may be problematic.

Makarios Drousiotis claims that President Nikos Christodoulides' assurances about investigating the allegations related to the 'Santis' case are false. He criticizes the government for lacking the will to thoroughly examine the serious evidence presented in his article. Drousiotis expresses that he has been targeted by a coordinated disinformation effort from the state. He plans to take a break for several days and thanks the public for their support. He also wishes everyone happy holidays.

Lieutenant General Mohammad Asanullah Minhajul Alam has been appointed as the new Commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. He brings over 30 years of experience from the Bangladesh army, having held various leadership positions. Recently, he served as the General Commandant at the Army Training and Doctrine Command. He has also participated in international peacekeeping missions. The Lieutenant General holds a PhD in International Relations and speaks fluent English.

The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is in a critical state due to Israeli attacks on Beirut. Israel has conducted the largest assault on Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. Tehran threatens retaliation and has closed the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the situation, the White House announced that U.S.-Iran talks will continue in Pakistan. U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance will lead the negotiations.

Dimitris Papadakis publicly stated that the messages circulating about him are fake and submitted evidence from an expert. Nikos Stylianidis announced his withdrawal from the party's ballot as a show of support. Despite rumors of further withdrawals, no significant developments occurred. There is strong concern about Papadakis's future in the political scene. The situation is having an impact on the ALMA party as a whole.

The new desalination unit in Mazotos has been approved and is set to start construction in June, with a cost of €85 million. The plan includes producing 20,000 cubic meters of drinkable water daily, with the potential to increase to 40,000 m³. The chosen location was selected after an exhaustive evaluation, excluding other areas due to military and environmental restrictions. Despite the challenges, the project is considered crucial for addressing drought issues. The Environmental Authority has imposed strict conditions to safeguard the ecosystem.

The Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) has successfully reached a direct agreement with Siemens for the purchase of three modern generators. These generators are scheduled to be delivered between spring 2028 and early 2029. This agreement is a significant development for the EAC, as previous negotiations had failed. The installation of the generators will need to be contracted separately and organized quickly. The EAC aims to have the generators operational before the end of 2029, in compliance with European Commission requirements.

President Christodoulides referred back to the Parliament the law concerning compensation for surpluses from photovoltaic systems. The law was previously passed in March by MP Michalis Giakoumis. The President highlighted that the law contains unconstitutional provisions and needs to be reconsidered. He pointed out that the proposed compensations could burden the state budget, which is not compatible with the constitution. His letter also mentions that the retroactive application of the law is not desirable according to the Supreme Court's jurisprudence.

Preparations for the Easter table are ongoing, with increased meat availability and stable prices. The supply of lambs is particularly high this year, with 4,000 imported from Greece contributing to the market. Slaughterhouses report increased slaughter numbers, with fewer local lambs due to imports. Prices for basic meats remain controlled, while the overall cost of the Easter meal is expected to rise slightly. The main driver of price increases is fresh produce, rather than meat.

The case involving 'Sante' is under evaluation at Europol's EC3 laboratory. The files related to the case are considered crucial for investigations into an international criminal network. Some experts emphasized the importance of mobile devices for evaluating digital evidence. The EC3 specializes in cybercrime and provides support for related investigations within the EU. Details regarding potential legal actions concerning the mobile devices of those involved have yet to be disclosed.