5 Minute News

An 81-year-old inmate who was serving a six-year prison sentence for sexual offenses passed away at the General Hospital of Nicosia. The prisoner had serious health issues and was undergoing regular dialysis. He was transferred to the hospital in the afternoon and died later that night. The Ministry of Justice has informed the police about the incident. The exact cause of death will be determined following an autopsy.

In the latest Joker draw held on May 6, 2026, the winning numbers are 5, 25, 27, 35, and 38. One or more lucky winners will share at least €8,600,000. The draw is conducted by Allwyn OPAP and takes place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Additionally, the Joker number is 4. Entries are open to all interested participants.

Farmers have decided to stage a protest at the Rizoelia roundabout on Friday at 11 am. Their representative, Neofytos Kasapis, stated that the protest is not only for them but also important for everyone, as livestock farming is a key pillar of Cyprus's economy. They highlighted the need to end the culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease. The farmers expressed hope that the protest will be dynamic and attract public attention. Kasapis emphasized the importance of livestock farming for younger generations.

In the area of Gazi in Heraklion, Crete, a shooting incident resulted in the death of a 20-year-old. The incident escalated from a car crash involving the victim and the shooter, who is a father that lost his son in a similar accident. Around 4-5 gunshots were heard. The shooter has surrendered to police. The situation raises concerns and highlights the consequences of violence in society.

A photo of a 1974 captive has sparked strong emotions and memories. Researcher Odysseas Christou is investigating the identity of the captive, believed to be Makis Sergidis. The circumstances and testimonies he has collected lead him to this conclusion. Additionally, he is identifying evidence such as the car associated with the case. The recognition process continues with further testimonies and photographs.

As the elections for the House of Representatives approach, the pre-election period is marked by divisions and candidate withdrawals. Candidates were excluded from party lists due to disagreements and serious incidents that triggered reactions. The political crisis and public disillusionment are intensifying, casting shadows over the upcoming elections. Nikos Syka was excluded following allegations of violence, while Dimitris Papadakis was removed due to involvement in political scandals. This situation raises concerns among voters.

Labor Minister Marinos Mousiouttas announced plans for a significant increase in pensions and a reform of the pension system that has remained unchanged for 46 years. The changes are expected to take effect on January 1, 2027, prioritizing low pensions. Among the reforms are automatic registration in the Social Insurance Fund and recognition of stay-at-home mothers. There will also be a reduction in penalties for early retirements. The aim is to simplify benefits and consolidate them into a single payment.

Turkish F-16s conducted routine flights over the occupied areas, starting from March 9. These flights were observed from the illegal airport in Tymbou. The Turkish Cypriot website Kıbrıs Postası published photos of the aircraft in the air. Similar flights were also reported last week. These activities appear to be a normal part of Turkish military operations.

Makarios Drousiotis stated that the investigation by the Anti-Corruption Authority into his book 'State Mafia' is serious, and the 3,000 pages back this up. He expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement of the findings, stressing that a summary of the conclusions should have been made public. Furthermore, he is confident that there are significant issues and potentially criminal liabilities. Drousiotis rules out the possibility that the findings could contradict his claims. Overall, he emphasizes the need for public acknowledgment of the Authority's work.

There is no cause for concern regarding a potential hantavirus case in Cyprus, according to infectious disease specialist Kostas Konstantinou. The risk is considered zero since no cases have been identified in Cyprus and there were no Cypriot passengers on the cruise ship linked to the outbreak. Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through rodents rather than human-to-human contact. Cyprus has a response plan for such cases and is prepared to manage any incidents. There are no specific control measures needed at ports or airports.

A 48-year-old foreign national was arrested following a complaint from his ex-girlfriend that he raped her in a hotel room. The incident reportedly occurred while the woman sought help from her ex-partner. According to her statement, the suspect restrained her and engaged in sexual acts against her will. The complainant was examined by a forensic doctor, and the case is under investigation by the authorities. The suspect appeared before the court and was remanded for 7 days.

Vladimir Putin appears to live in isolation due to fears of assassination attempts. Russian security services have intensified his security protocols, focusing on anti-aircraft systems and fake locations. He no longer meets with other officials except for a few trusted collaborators, avoiding public appearances. His access to crowds is limited, with his messages recorded on video to prevent tracking. Putin's isolation has become the primary security measure employed.

A vehicle caught fire while moving on the Nicosia to Larnaca highway. As a result, the left lane was closed for safety reasons. Drivers are advised to be cautious. It is important to follow the police's instructions. The situation is under observation.

Farmers are determined to take action if the culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease is not stopped. Decisions on their next steps will be made during a meeting tonight. The Veterinary Association emphasized that the European legislation is uniform and allows no differentiation. It is highlighted that failure to apply these regulations could lead to a ban on halloumi exports. Farmers are waiting for specific information regarding compensation amounts.

Former district judge Doria Varosiotou has filed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming her termination is linked to her refusal to change her findings in the case of Thanasis Nicolaou. She highlights that her actions raise serious concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary in Cyprus. The Supreme Court's decision contributed to her dismissal, linking it with the case. Additionally, the findings of the Criminal Investigators align with her conclusions. This situation emphasizes the challenges and responsibilities present in the judicial system.

The Independent Anti-Corruption Authority has received the final report regarding the investigation into the book "State Mafia." The report consists of 3,000 pages and is based on testimonies from 150 individuals and evidence from 41 legal entities. Results are expected to be announced before the end of June, with no connection to upcoming elections. The evaluation process is conducted under complete confidentiality, adhering to established procedures. The Authority emphasizes that the delay is not related to any ulterior motives.

The government has decided to extend the Housing Scheme for young individuals and couples under 41 years old. A total of 1,018 applications were submitted, with 677 approved and 418 rejected. Beneficiaries have already been informed, and many have received their financial assistance. The total funding amount reaches 14.5 million euros, with a maximum subsidy of 50,000 euros. The notification for the remaining beneficiaries will be completed by June.

The Independent Anti-Corruption Authority is expected to publish the technical characteristics of the report regarding the book 'State Mafia' by journalist Makarios Drousiotis today. Transparency Commissioner, Charis Pogiatzis, mentioned that information will be provided about the volume of the report and the number of witnesses, but no findings will be disclosed. The analysis of the report will take time due to its size. The research team consists of four members led by Gabrielle Louise McIntyre. It remains uncertain when the Authority will issue its official position regarding the report.

Tim Freyde, a 58-year-old from Wisconsin, has dedicated two decades of his life to allowing venomous snakes to bite him in an effort to contribute to the development of a universal antivenom. Although many considered him crazy, Freyde believed that deaths from snake bites are unjustifiable. He set up a makeshift laboratory in his basement and used dangerous snakes for experiments. Despite the risks, he continued his research, even after experiencing near-fatal situations. His aim was to find a solution for people affected by snake bites.

The idea of cooperation within the center-right political camp is generating discussions and reactions in political circles. There are concerns about a potential split in the center-right axis ahead of the parliamentary elections. Political collaboration seems necessary for stability, particularly on issues of economy and security. The DISY party maintains a low profile and emphasizes the need for communication. Topics of foreign policy and reforms remain central to the party's agenda.

The case regarding the Turkish Cypriot properties in Paphos is in court, with heirs and the government disagreeing on the property's worth. The land is valued at €58 million, but heirs attempted to sell it for €11.8 million. The Minister of the Interior refused to approve the sale due to the land being used for public projects. The court dismissed the heirs' appeal and referred them to the civil courts. This court process involves properties that belonged to Turkish Cypriots before the Turkish invasion in 1974.

The educational organizations have addressed the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, regarding the employment of permanent teachers. They are requesting a meeting to discuss legislation related to public educational services that prohibits the dismissal of teachers in cases of redundancy. This modification is seen as significant as it corrects long-standing injustices. Additionally, they have organized a joint meeting on May 11, 2026, to evaluate the situation. The legislation is set to be examined on May 13.

Despite the decline in inflation in Cyprus during 2025, rising prices continue to affect households, particularly the vulnerable ones. Recent increases in fuel and electricity costs are expected to raise the prices of many other goods and services. The cumulative increase of inflation over the last five years has reached 16.5%. Although incomes have partially increased, the real purchasing power of citizens remains low. While there are positive developments, the issue of rising prices has not been resolved.

The Health Insurance Organization (OAY) is introducing a new performance indicator to monitor referrals for laboratory tests. The aim is to assess the increase in tests that is not justified by the epidemiological situation. Doctors will be monitored based on the number of referrals in relation to the patients they see. Evaluations will occur quarterly, with no financial repercussions for the doctors. The goal is to make doctors more aware of their test utilization.

The Ministry of Interior and the Legal Service are preparing for the submission of candidacies for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Three candidates with previous convictions are under examination to determine if they meet the constitutional requirements. According to Article 64, candidates must not have been convicted of disqualifying or morally reprehensible offenses. Candidates will need to declare that they meet the necessary qualifications upon submission of their candidacy. The deadline for submission is scheduled for May 6.

The police investigation into the 'Santis' case found no evidence supporting claims of money laundering abroad. Checks on bank accounts revealed no wrongdoing. The 'Santis' took responsibility for the allegations, stating that she fabricated the evidence herself. Results from investigations by Europol and the FBI are now awaited. The article suggests that the chances of any significant new findings from these investigations are low.

Today, the weather will be partly cloudy with possible local rains, especially along the coasts and in the mountainous areas. Winds will be gentle to moderate, with locally strong conditions in the western and southern coastal areas. Tonight, the weather will be mostly clear, although some local low clouds may develop. Temperatures will range around 20 degrees in the interior and 8 degrees in higher mountainous areas. In the coming days, a rise in temperatures is expected, approaching the average seasonal values.