5 Minute News

Donald Trump defended his tariff policy, claiming it is successful despite China's retaliatory measures increasing tariffs on American goods. The markets reacted negatively to the new countermeasures, leading to a decline in the dollar and US Treasury yields. Despite challenges, Trump expressed optimism about a potential agreement with China. However, these hopes raise concerns about the impact on the global economy.

The investigation into the president of the Cyprus Football Association, George Koumas, is moving forward with the clarification of legal issues. A meeting between investigators and the Legal Service was held to discuss the future steps of the inquiry. The Ethics Committee's report highlights issues of governance within the CFA. Matters of potential conflicts of interest and financial management are being examined during the investigation.

Significant weather changes are expected during Easter, with rain, storms, and snow, especially in the higher mountains. From April 10th, conditions are expected to improve with a rise in temperatures and clearer weather. Winds will generally be moderate to strong, leading to moderate to rough sea conditions. The weekend will feature winter-like conditions with snow in the mountains.

With the new legislation, patients will have an Ombudsman representing their rights in every hospital and healthcare facility. Patient rights officers will be responsible for receiving and managing their complaints. Additionally, committees for patient rights will be established in the provinces to investigate complaints. The Ombudsman will be independent and will monitor providers' compliance with the law.

Journalist Peter Stevenson reports that Cyprus's hopes for a large natural gas reservoir in the Elektra area have been dashed. The drilling results show that while there is natural gas, it is not in commercially viable quantities. Nonetheless, ExxonMobil will continue drilling, hoping to find gas in block 10. Overall, the situation remains disappointing for Cyprus.

The dollar is experiencing a significant decline in international markets due to the trade war between the US and China, raising concerns about investor confidence in American assets. It is heading for its worst weekly performance since November 2022 as it falls to low levels against the Swiss franc and the euro. This weakening may affect its status as a safe haven. Analysts point out an ongoing crisis of confidence in the dollar.

A United Airlines flight from the USA to Dubai made an emergency landing at 'Eleftherios Venizelos' Airport due to a serious health issue of a passenger. The passenger fell ill, prompting the crew to request urgent medical assistance. Unfortunately, the passenger later passed away after landing. The incident occurred south of Crete during the flight.

The decision to award a contract for two Kamov helicopters for firefighting has been canceled. This decision came after a request from a company that participated in the bidding process. The General Accounting Office found that the original contract worth €14.6 million should be annulled. The Evaluation Committee will reassess the bids, aiming to secure more aerial firefighting resources promptly.

A total of ten individuals, four Cypriots and six foreigners, have been arrested in connection with the incidents in Oroklini, which resulted in serious injuries to a 27-year-old and a two-month-old baby. A 35-year-old Cypriot, believed to be the coordinator of the operation, is in custody while the other three Cypriots have been released. Deportation processes are underway for the foreigners who were staying illegally in Cyprus. The health condition of the 27-year-old remains critical, and authorities are continuing to search for a 31-year-old Greek Cypriot.

President Nikos Christodoulides stated that there are no issues in preparing for the second meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. A date exchange has occurred, and announcements are expected soon. The President emphasized his intention to hold the meeting before Easter and that he is monitoring developments in the Turkish Cypriot community.

The Union of Municipalities warns that without a €60 million increase in state funding, municipalities will struggle to provide essential services to citizens. The president pointed out that Cyprus has the lowest state funding for local government in the EU, only 1.06% of the budget. If dialogue with the government for increased funding fails, more drastic measures will be considered. Despite the challenges, there are positive aspects from recent reforms.

China will increase tariffs on American goods to 125% starting Saturday, a move announced by the finance ministry. The Chinese president called for cooperation with the EU to resist pressure from the U.S. The Spanish prime minister emphasized the need to restore trade balance with China while warning that trade tensions should not hinder relationships. These developments add uncertainty to international markets due to the ongoing trade war.

The Police announced changes to the legislation regarding traffic violation fines. From March 31, 2025, criminal prosecution can be initiated after 105 days from the issuance of the fine, instead of the previous 45 days. Additionally, citizens will need to pay fines within 90 days, otherwise the amount will increase by half. Citizens are urged to be careful with the new deadlines for paying fines.

The Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that a law passed last year by the Parliament regarding the Social Support Agency, chaired by Philippa Karsera, is unconstitutional. The law required the publication of names of individuals making donations over €5,000. The Court unanimously decided that the law violates privacy rights and the protection of personal data. There was no justification for exposing citizens' and legal entities' personal information.

The police made two arrests of fans during checks before the Anorthosis - APOEL game for the Final Four basketball tournament. One fan was found with a small amount of drugs, while the other had a collapsible baton. The suspects were detained and later released. The checks were part of security measures for the event.

On Friday morning, a vehicle caught fire in the old Strovolos area. The driver managed to exit safely before the fire could spread. The Fire Department intervened and extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was severely damaged. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion during the incident.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, warned that the EU may impose higher taxes on American tech giants due to ongoing trade tensions with the US. She stated that the EU seeks a balanced agreement but does not rule out countermeasures if negotiations fail. Existing tariffs remain in place during this period. von der Leyen emphasized the importance of a zero-tariff agreement between the EU and the US.

This weekend's weather will be unstable, featuring rain and strong winds. Temperatures will hover around 19 degrees Celsius, dropping at night with potential frost. Saturday is expected to have isolated showers, mainly in the mountainous areas, while Sunday will be mostly cloudy with possible storms and snow on higher peaks. Similar weather conditions are anticipated for Monday.

A new bill aims to end the secretive use of mobile cameras by the Cyprus Police. Nikos Georgiou proposes to inform the public about the locations of the cameras, promoting transparency and trust. The goal of the proposal is to ensure compliance with traffic laws. The suggested measures are expected to reduce skepticism about the purpose of the cameras in road safety.

Cyprus is moving towards mandatory training for doctors through a proposed bill. Continuous education will be a requirement for the renewal of professional licenses. There were no objections from participants during the discussion of the bill. At the same time, another bill regarding ambulance personnel was also discussed.

Discussions have restarted regarding the renewal of the Automatic Indexation (ATA) after a period of calm. Employers and unions are negotiating this pressing labor issue, with unions aiming for full restoration of the ATA and employers arguing it should be linked to productivity. A decision is expected by June, ahead of other significant labor matters. Recent statements from the President of the Republic highlight the need for the modernization of the ATA framework.

The Parliamentary Transport Committee discussed the possibility of registering used vehicles that are under recall. The proposed law aims to allow the transfer of these vehicles, provided that the new owner assumes responsibility for the necessary corrective actions. Owners are urged to keep track of recalls related to their vehicles and require certification for registration. Such processes will ensure compliance with regulations and proper maintenance of the vehicles.

A father of a child with autism reported that he was threatened to sign a discharge from the hospital, or else Social Welfare Services and the Police would be called. The child has significant developmental and communication difficulties. The child’s condition has worsened recently, calling for immediate professional health attention. The story was also shared with the Cypriot Confederation of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities.

The House unanimously passed a new law allowing the storage of electricity in Cyprus, under the responsibility of the Transmission System Operator. This approval came after efforts by the Minister of Energy, Georgios Papadopoulos, to bypass bidding processes. The goal is to ensure the stability of the electrical system and reduce cuts in green energy. Amendments proposed by MPs were approved by all parties, leading to the unanimous approval of the bill.

Ilham Aliyev is offering support to the occupying regime in Cyprus, as Azerbaijan is one of the few countries backing the recognition of the pseudostate. Aliyev expressed that Azerbaijan will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots and their efforts for international recognition. However, protests are ongoing regarding the embassies of Central Asian countries in the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, expressed gratitude for Aliyev's support.