5 Minute News

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has reappointed Maria Angela Holguin as his personal envoy for Cyprus. This decision follows an informal meeting in Geneva, where next steps for negotiations were discussed. Holguin is an experienced diplomat, and the aim is to renew dialogue between the parties. The Secretary-General hopes her reappointment will help lead to a comprehensive settlement.

Reports of sexual offenses against minors are on the rise, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight. A 23-year-old has been sentenced to two years in prison for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old in Limassol. The incident came to light during a session the minor had with a psychologist, where she disclosed the non-consensual sexual encounter. The accused was found guilty, and the case was investigated by the appropriate authorities.

A drunk passenger on a flight from Gatwick to Larnaca caused chaos and delays. Upon landing, the police arrested him at Larnaca airport. This led to the cancellation of the return flight for 118 passengers, who had to stay overnight and travel the next day. The airline took care of their accommodation and further travel arrangements.

Nicosia recorded the highest property sale in March, amounting to €29.3 million. In total, the 10 most expensive property sales in Cyprus reached €56.5 million. Nicosia represents 49% of the value of the 50 most expensive sales. In contrast, Limassol had only three high-value transactions.

A strong earthquake measuring 7.5 struck Argentina on Friday afternoon and was felt in Chile. The quake was located 200 kilometers south of Ushuaia. There was also a tsunami warning issued. Authorities are monitoring the situation.

The Cyprus Police have prepared an operational plan for a protest supported by AKEL outside the Presidential Palace regarding President Nikos Christodoulides' upcoming visit to Israel. A Crisis Center will be in operation with senior police officers overseeing the event to prevent tensions. AKEL opposes the visit, arguing it harms Cyprus's credibility. The government reiterated the need for strategic relations in the region without ideological biases.

The U.S. announced its withdrawal from mediation in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. A State Department spokesperson indicated that America will change how it contributes to the talks. Ukraine and Russia need to submit specific proposals for conflict resolution. The U.S. will continue to assist but will not participate in face-to-face negotiations.

Larnaca and the police mourn the passing of Charalambos Zachariou, the police chief, at the age of 53. Zachariou, who was well-loved, served the Larnaca police in various positions and was recently promoted to this role. Despite his health issues, he continued to work actively until the end. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

The Department of Road Transport is urging those who have not scheduled an appointment for the recall of faulty Takata airbags to contact a specialized call center. The call center provides guidance regarding the recall and operates Monday to Friday. The safety of citizens is a priority. Timely completion of the recall is seen as an important responsibility.

Costis Efstathiou has officially submitted his candidacy for the presidency of EDEK, accompanied by a list of supporters. In his letter, he outlines the process for accepting candidacies by the General Director and discusses the political context within the party. He emphasizes the importance of the Central Committee in the process and states that his candidacy aims for a new direction for the party. Additionally, MP Ilia Myrianthous announced his intent to run for president but stated he would not pursue it if Efstathiou's candidacy is accepted.

Lawyer Stelios Amerikianos accuses that his client, Giorgos Antoniou, has been on leave since February and the investigation is still not complete. He points out that the process fails to meet notification and defense rights requirements. Antoniou is called for an interview months later without knowing the allegations against him. The lawyer demands that the client's salary be restored after the leave period ends.

Starting today, the tariff exemption for cheap products shipped from China to the U.S. is coming to an end, which is expected to significantly affect American consumers. This rule had allowed Chinese websites, like Shein and Temu, to offer very low-priced goods in the U.S. market. The Trump administration is making this change due to concerns about misuse of the rule and potential illegal shipments. The new policy may raise the cost of products for American buyers.

A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the coming days. Despite some risk, experts believe the chance of it causing harm is very low, akin to a random meteorite fall. The roughly half-ton spacecraft could land anywhere between the northern and southern latitudes, with a high likelihood of ending up in oceans. While the chances are minimal, the situation is being monitored.

Cyprus now ranks 77th in the World Press Freedom Index, dropping 12 places since 2024. This decline is mainly attributed to recent legislative proposals from the government that could limit media freedom. Furthermore, the concentration of media ownership and political interference raise concerns about pluralism in journalism. The situation is exacerbated by Turkey's influence in the northern part of Cyprus.

The Police continue to search for Nikos Karipidis and Isaac Tataridis, who are wanted for attempted murder, robbery, and illegal possession of firearms in Paphos. The Police warn that anyone who assists the fugitives risks facing imprisonment. They encourage citizens to provide any information that may help in locating them. For reporting any information, citizens can call specific phone numbers.

A lucky winner has won €4.71 million in the 2904th draw of the JOKER lottery. Their ticket belongs to the 1st category (5+1). In the next draw, winners in the 1st category will share at least €1,000,000.

The war in Ukraine is not expected to end soon, warned U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance. He stated that the situation depends on the decisions made by the Russians and the Ukrainians, who are aware of each other's peace terms. However, negotiations are not progressing and remain stalled.

The Israeli army conducted airstrikes near the presidential palace in Damascus, targeting elements of the Syrian government. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that these actions serve as a warning to the Syrian regime to prevent military deployments near Damascus. The attacks follow religious conflicts that resulted in numerous casualties within the Druze community. Ongoing tensions persist as recent statements face criticism from members of the Druze community.

A 46-year-old man from Moldova was arrested at Paphos Airport by the police. There was an international arrest warrant against him for a drug-related case since 2018. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon. The man was found by authorities upon his arrival at the airport.

In May, details regarding the legislation for trapped property buyers will be clarified. The parliamentary Legal Committee is set to discuss next steps, with a proposal for their protection being considered. Notably, the suspension of property auctions has been extended for the last time until the end of July to protect affected individuals until a final solution is found.

The Meteorological Department issued a yellow warning for strong thunderstorms effective from 11 AM to 6 PM. Isolated rain and thunderstorms are expected mainly in the western, southern, and northern coastal areas. The temperature will hover around 23 degrees, with local rain expected in the afternoon. Winds will generally be light to moderate, with a possibility of hail during thunderstorms.