5 Minute News

8 months ago

The Joker draw held on Tuesday announced winners who will share 18.2 million euros. Second category winners will receive 100,000 euros each. The lucky numbers are: 26, 4, 29, 19, 32, and the joker number is 1.

After the cup match between Omonia and AEL at GSP, there were incidents between fans and the police. AEL supporters threw stones, prompting the police to respond with tear gas. Fortunately, the situation calmed down quickly, and more serious tensions were avoided.

Donald Trump is swiftly implementing his campaign promises, focusing on tightening immigration policies. The White House has also suspended all federal grants and loans, affecting health and education programs. Additionally, they have halted the provision of HIV and other medications to impoverished countries. The government's deportation efforts are causing international tensions.

In Larnaca, slogans were written on stores and homes connected to Israeli interests, raising international concern. The police are investigating the case with the help of CCTV footage. The European Jewish Association condemned the slogans, highlighting the rising anti-Semitic rhetoric. This act occurred on Holocaust Remembrance Day, causing shock and anxiety.

A 23-year-old Nigerian woman was sentenced to three years in prison for causing bodily harm to her roommate. During an argument, she threw hot water on her roommate's face, resulting in serious burns. The court acknowledged the severity of the action, but considered the accused's age and her remorse. The decision followed a lengthy and arduous trial process.

The Israeli Embassy in Cyprus has issued a serious warning for self-protection for Israeli citizens. They are advised to avoid public gatherings and stay in touch with diplomatic services due to a high risk of terrorist attacks. These guidelines come in response to information regarding potential threats. Additionally, there have been changes to flights to Paphos Airport due to heightened security warnings.

A 16-year-old unaccompanied Syrian minor will be tried for attempted murder in the Children's Court of Limassol, following an incident that occurred at the old harbor. The minor denies the charges against him and claims he did not hold the knife. Authorities continue their search for two other minors involved in the incident. For now, he has been released under conditions until the trial date.

DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company that has adopted an innovative and cost-effective approach to AI model development. Currently, its R1 model is gaining popularity as a notable alternative to other well-known platforms. Although it has not yet achieved artificial general intelligence, the company continues to impress with its innovations in the field. Its cheaper cost-performance ratio makes it an attractive option for many users worldwide.

The expelled monks of the Monastery of Osios Abakoum sent a letter to the Attorney General requesting that any criminal charges against Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos not be suspended. They argue that suspending the charges would reinforce the belief that powerful individuals can evade the consequences of their actions. They emphasize the importance of justice and equality before the law for all citizens, regardless of their position. They urge the Attorney General to uphold these values.

Offensive slogans against Israel appeared in various areas of Larnaca. The incident was noted about two days ago, with slogans found near the city center. The police are investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance cameras to identify the perpetrators. The slogans have been removed by the Municipality in cooperation with the police.

The police are making progress in solving an attempted murder case in Kornos involving a 30-year-old Syrian, with three of his compatriots arrested. The attempted murder occurred in public, with the assailants shooting at the 30-year-old. He was taken to a clinic with serious injuries. The police are now investigating additional connections in the case, which appears to be related to settling scores and human trafficking.

Roman Abramovich, a wealthy Russian oligarch, appears to be using a complex tax avoidance system through offshore companies, allowing him to save millions in taxes. This information comes from an extensive investigation revealing how his yachts were rented out for commercial purposes, enabling him to evade VAT. His lawyers claim he has not violated any laws, but experts argue that these arrangements may amount to tax evasion. The details stem from the largest leak of information relating to Cyprus's offshore financial sector.

The Permanent Criminal Court of Famagusta acquitted a 20-year-old British man of charges related to the rape of a 25-year-old Danish tourist. The complainant claimed that the accused took advantage of her while she was intoxicated, but the court found her testimony to be unreliable. The defendant denied the charges, stating that there was consent. Ultimately, he was acquitted of all charges.

An orthopedic doctor is reported to have asked for €150 to expedite an appointment for a patient. There are also complaints about other doctors asking for money to accelerate surgical procedures. The chairman of the Health Committee stated that citizens are afraid to report these incidents. This situation raises serious concerns about the ethics of doctors within the national health system.

The police are seeking information to locate Elena Zuykova and her two children, Stamatia Koumasi and Alexander Zuykov. They have been missing from Paralimni since January 24, 2025. Elena is described as slender, while the children have distinct features that may aid in their identification. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.

US President Donald Trump has signed new executive orders affecting military policies, banning transgender individuals and reinstating former service members discharged for refusing vaccination. He has committed to restricting the rights of transgender individuals and abolishing diversity and inclusion policies. These changes have sparked intense backlash and deep divisions in American society. Trump stated he would eliminate ideologies he considers extreme from military education.

There are gaps and weaknesses in the proposed bills aimed at reducing rents and increasing the supply of affordable housing. Stakeholders express concerns about the implementation of the 'Renovate-Rent' plan. A consultation period of 15 days has been given for potential revisions. Overall, the bills are seen as helpful, but they do not fully address the housing issue.

The Minister of Justice has sent a letter to the Police Chief urging the completion of all pending disciplinary cases by the end of 2025. It highlights that many processes are slow and have been pending since 2024 or even earlier. The disciplinary process does not hinder promotions of officers, provided there is a presumption of innocence. The aim is to ensure that disciplinary proceedings can continue even after officers leave the service.

The Ministry of Education is designing a new national strategy for the prevention and management of school violence, starting from 2024 to 2028. The strategy consists of five pillars, including the creation of a safe school environment and the training of educators and parents. The aim is to empower all stakeholders to reduce incidents of violence in schools. The strategy has been approved by the Cabinet and plans to enhance collaboration with various organizations.

Serious allegations have been made regarding pollution at the Polemidia dam from wastewater, causing significant odor and concern among local residents. Despite repeated reports to the authorities, no measures have been taken to address the problem. The source of the pollution may come from a wastewater treatment facility or another unidentified source. The Department of Environment has initiated investigations to determine the cause of the pollution.

The Ministry of Agriculture is seeking floating desalination units to address the water scarcity crisis caused by prolonged drought on the island. Two options are being considered: coastal desalination facilities and land-based facilities. The Water Development Department is conducting consultations with the market for the procurement of desalinated water and invites interested parties to submit their proposals. The selection of the most suitable procurement method will be based on various evaluation parameters.

During a joint operation named 'YUZUK', assets worth €40 million were seized in Cyprus, stemming from investigations into a money laundering ring. Two Ukrainian brothers are believed to be the masterminds behind the operation, which used Limassol to launder money for criminal organizations. Over 20 suspects were arrested, and significant seizures were made. A 31-year-old Ukrainian woman, who initially reported a robbery, also appears to be involved.

The memorial service for Grivas in Limassol highlights the political strategies of DISY and AKEL during a period of political uncertainty. Both parties are focused on mobilizing their voters, with DISY reaffirming its support for right-wing constituents. The presence of DISY's leadership at the memorial aims to send positive messages to the party's supporters. Meanwhile, AKEL attacks the government over its participation in the memorial, indicating ongoing political rivalry.

A doctor from OKYPY was dismissed and is under police investigation after a parent's complaint that he demanded money in at least four instances. The doctor, who had been employed for only 18 months, asked for amounts ranging from €150 to €1,700 from the patient's parents, whose child ultimately passed away. The Minister of Health and the Cyprus Medical Association deemed this behavior unacceptable and are initiating procedures to address the matter. This situation raises further challenges in providing medical services, especially for children with specific health needs.