5 Minute News

3 months ago

The police arrested a 23-year-old from Geroskipou in Paphos, who is suspected of vandalism before the Paphos FC-APOEL match. The young man was already banned from entering stadiums, and when approached by police, he attempted to flee and discarded a bag containing dangerous items. He was eventually apprehended and is currently in custody. He will be brought to court for further proceedings.

The police in Limassol are investigating an attack on a 16-year-old who is hospitalized with a facial fracture. The incident occurred while the teenager was with friends near a church. The assailants are still unknown, and the police are examining available evidence and surveillance cameras in the area.

The European Union is reacting to the new tariffs imposed by the United States, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that the EU is ready to defend its interests. The EU is preparing countermeasures and collaborating with international partners to address the economic impacts. Over 50 countries have expressed interest in starting trade negotiations regarding the new measures. Von der Leyen's communication with the British Prime Minister is part of the preparation for the upcoming EU-UK summit.

A traffic collision has caused congestion on the Nicosia to Limassol highway near Kalavasos. Although the damages are only material, traffic is increased in the area. Drivers are urged to be cautious and to follow the instructions of on-duty police officers.

In the center of Paphos, a group of 50 individuals engaged in vandalism of public spaces, raising concern from the Mayor. Mayor Phaedon Faidonos emphasized the need to protect public property and called for police intervention. Paphos Deputy Mayor, Angelos Onisiforou, intervened to prevent escalation and urged respect for public property. The situation was eventually normalized with increased police presence for the Paphos-APOEL match.

An explosion occurred at a warehouse in Larnaca's Livadia, caused by an unknown person who placed a low-powered explosive device. The blast shattered the main glass entrance of the facility. The Larnaca Police are investigating the incident and gathering testimonies to identify the perpetrator. Efforts in the area are still ongoing.

Turkey expresses opposition to the underwater electric cable project being planned by Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. It claims that these activities are unilateral actions and violate international law. Turkey also mentions plans to return research vessels to the waters east of Kasos and Karpathos. It views Greece's actions as provocative, especially since maritime boundaries have not yet been agreed upon.

The voting for the new leadership of the Green Movement- Citizens' Cooperation began on Sunday, including the election of a new president and Central Committee members. Candidates for the presidency are Stathis Papadouris and Kyriakos Tsimillis. Papadouris emphasized the importance of ecology and unity for political change, and also referenced the Cyprus issue as a duty to future generations. The process will conclude on Monday with public counting of the votes.

Four minors are reported to be involved in the stabbing of an 18-year-old with a kitchen knife due to personal disputes. The injured youth was hospitalized but was discharged after treatment. The police have arrested a 17-year-old and are searching for three others, while investigating the case for possession of offensive weapons. Due to the involvement of minors, the police will not be making any further statements.

European Union countries are preparing countermeasures against tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, with potential duties on American products totaling $28 billion. The EU aims to maintain a united front with countries like China and Canada to prevent the escalation of a global trade war. A significant point of contention is the proposed 50% tariff on bourbon, which has faced backlash from Trump. The EU seeks to ensure support for its actions and prepare for negotiations with the US.

EDEK will independently participate in the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections, as stated by the party's General Director, Morphakis Solomounidis. He dismisses rumors of collaboration with DIKO, asserting that this decision has been unanimously approved by the party's Congress. EDEK plans to uphold its political integrity and represent the citizens. They encourage the public to support them for a fairer Cyprus.

The president of the Green Movement, Georgios Perdikkis, stated that the Movement has gone through three difficult years due to a lack of unity and cohesion. This led to introspection and a negative public image. He emphasized the need for a quick exit from this situation and the restoration of public trust. Recent polls indicate a gradual recovery in the electoral prospects of the Movement.

Serious incidents occurred in Oroklini, resulting in critical injuries to a 27-year-old man and a two-month-old infant. A 35-year-old apartment complex manager has been detained for eight days, facing charges related to aggressive behavior towards mostly African migrants. Reports indicate that masked individuals armed with knives and axes were involved in these incidents. Police are continuing investigations to identify other victims.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House to discuss a 17% tariff affecting Israeli products with Donald Trump. They will also address issues concerning Turkey and the Iranian threat. This marks Netanyahu's fourth trip to Washington since the start of the war in Gaza. The U.S. Secretary of State emphasized American support for Israel during a conversation with Netanyahu.

Donald Trump stated that the United States is in an economic situation but will prevail. He emphasized the need for resilience among citizens despite the new 10% tariffs on many imports. These new tariffs have shocked global trade and have already wiped out $6 trillion from Wall Street. Additionally, countries that export more products to the U.S. will face even larger tariffs in the future.

The Cypriot market has recently faced a shortage of cigars and cigarillos, but the issue seems to be resolving. Industry professionals report that significant imports have been made, and supplies will be available in stores starting Monday. The shortage was influenced by EU regulatory changes and restricted production in Cuba. Cyprus imported over 180,000 kilograms of cigars and cigarillos in 2024, with Cuba being the main source.

A 35-year-old man is being brought to court following serious incidents in Oroklini, where a 27-year-old was injured along with an infant. The 27-year-old remains in critical condition, while the infant's health is stable. The incidents arose during a legal enforcement attempt on illegal apartments. Tensions in the area remain high.

A fatal workplace accident occurred in Cyprus, involving 67-year-old Ioannis Nicolaou. While performing agricultural tasks and driving a tractor, he was struck by branches of an olive tree. He called for help, and another farmer alerted the ambulance. Unfortunately, Ioannis succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The proposal from the Democratic Party for a joint ballot in the upcoming parliamentary elections has sparked public dialogue. Center parties like DIKO, EDEK, and DIPA are facing significant challenges as the next elections are critical for their history. There are disagreements about the effectiveness of such cooperation, with some seeing it as a lifeline and others as a disastrous choice. The feasibility of this collaboration remains uncertain.

Political developments in Turkey are expected to influence its strategy regarding the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations. The arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul has caused a shift in Erdoğan's priorities. Turkey may adopt a tougher stance on national issues as internal political pressures increase. Furthermore, a strategy to avoid crises with Greece and Cyprus is possible, but everything will depend on the unfolding events.

The Government and Parliament have agreed to unfreeze 15,067 positions in the public sector, despite a hiring and promotion ban in place since 2012. Exceptions were mainly for health, education, and public safety sectors. Since 2017, requests to unfreeze positions have been submitted directly to Parliament. The new legislation allows for hiring that may exceed a total of 20,000 positions, as there is a lack of data from the Ministry of Finance for years after 2016.

Maria Aristoteli is an authentic pole vault athlete known for her humor and self-deprecating attitude. She has learned to fight in her life, managing challenges with courage and optimism. Despite facing cancer, her spirit and strength inspire others. Her life is filled with successes and twists, making her unique.

Following the imposition of new tariffs by Donald Trump, investors are concerned about the effects on the American economy and households. Analysts emphasize that the impacts will be harsh for both the countries affected by the tariffs and the United States itself. There are concerns regarding Trump's commitment to bring back jobs and factories to America. Overall, experts believe that everyone will face losses from these policies.

The Forestry Department announced that the plans for the road network in the Akamas National Forest Park are within necessary frameworks and address key environmental issues. However, it does not accept certain legally binding terms proposed in the special ecological assessment. These terms mainly concern the construction and management of roads in the area. The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee is scheduled for April 16, 2024.

Julia Berteczolo, head of the EU Support Unit for the Cyprus issue, visited Cyprus for meetings ahead of the upcoming conference in July. The European Commission has been preparing and is closely monitoring developments in the Cyprus issue. This visit reflects Brussels' interest in the situation in Cyprus. The discussions also include topics currently on the agenda of the two leaders.