5 Minute News

The Trump administration is considering implementing social media checks for foreign students applying for visas to the United States. The guidelines for this process are still unclear, raising concerns about potential delays in student visa issuance. This plan could economically impact universities that rely on foreign students. Similar social media checks have been applied in the past, primarily for students involved in protests.

Authorities in Paphos conducted an operation against the illegal trafficking of counterfeit goods. During the operation, approximately 4,140 counterfeit items, mainly clothing, were identified and seized. Additionally, 370 pouches of nicotine were confiscated from one of the examined premises. The authorities will continue their investigation into the origins of these products.

A phone call took place today between Archbishop Georgios and former Metropolitan Tychikos at Tychikos' initiative. The Archbishop suggested that Tychikos move to the Archdiocese, but this depends on his declaration denouncing the breakaway members imposed by the Holy Synod. So far, Tychikos has not submitted any written statement denying his connection to the issue. The situation remains stagnant as developments are awaited.

A family is in tragic distress following the death of a 7-year-old girl in Kallithea. The girl was visiting a relative's house when she reportedly went through a glass door and suffered severe injuries. Her aunt has been arrested on charges of manslaughter due to negligence. Police were deeply affected by the scene at the location of the incident.

From 2016 to 2021, construction and real estate companies contributed 25.52% of the funding for political parties. The Audit Service categorized contributions, revealing that most donors are from the real estate development sector. The trade sector follows with 15.52%, while other sectors contribute smaller percentages. Of note is the significant funding of ELAM from the construction and development sector.

A 7-year-old girl in Kallithea died following an accident at home where she went through a glass partition. Authorities were quickly notified, and the child was rushed to the hospital, but despite the doctors' efforts, she could not be saved. This tragic news has shocked the local community.

The EU General Affairs Council approved the new funding tool SAFE, which offers loans for European defense. There is potential for participation from third countries, including Turkey. The EU plans to allocate up to 150 billion euros for this program. Participating countries will be able to engage in joint procurements and collaborate with the EU in defense matters.

The Macron couple appeared in Vietnam, smiling, after an incident that caused a stir. A video showing Brigitte Macron slapping Emmanuel Macron sparked reactions and interpretations about tension between them. Macron stated that it was a playful moment and tried to downplay the event. However, analyses suggest that their relationship may not be as it seems.

Simon Mistirel Aykut gave an interview to the Turkish channel NTV, addressing allegations of selling properties to Israelis. In response to accusations of Zionist motives, he claimed no connection to Zionism and stated that his family has been based in Turkey for six centuries. He also asserted that his development in Trikomo only involves 105 sales to Israelis. The hearing featured witnesses aiming to demonstrate his involvement in the illegal developments.

The Chief of Police, Themistocles Arnaoutis, has decided to dismiss a contract special police officer due to involvement in criminal acts. The officer was arrested for illegal possession of explosives and other offenses that occurred in Lakatamia. The dismissal was made in accordance with the regulations governing contract police officers. Currently, the officer is in custody and the case is under investigation.

The second phase of digitizing the Population Archives services has been completed with the addition of six new online services via the Gov.cy Portal. The services include the issuance and renewal of IDs and passports, as well as providing refugee IDs and other related processes. Citizens can be served online without unnecessary delays. The goal is to simplify and improve the efficiency of transactions with the government.

The government's handling of clubs that owe money is unclear. The Minister of Finance has given the green light to the Tax Commissioner to proceed with arrangements with the clubs, provided they agree to specific commitments. Many clubs appear to have agreed to pay part of their debts to remain in the repayment plan. However, the situation remains complex and requires legal guidance.

The arrival of Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus in Paphos is expected to resolve the confusion and division present in the community of Tshada. Changes in the Church Committee have divided residents, with many opting to attend services in neighboring churches during Holy Week. The Archbishop will meet with current and former members of the Committee to discuss the situation. The goal is to restore peace within the community.

The report from the Audit Office indicates that political parties in Cyprus showed profits between 2016 and 2021, despite controversial funding from companies linked to corruption cases. DISY, AKEL, and DIKO reported high surpluses, while contributions from legal entities were mainly from the Cyprus Investment Program. State funding was significant for all parties, and many contributions came from small donations. Transparency in the financing of political parties is a key issue highlighted by the report.

The Cyprus Electricity Authority announced the installation of smart meters in new areas starting from May 27, 2025. The areas include parts of Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos. The installation will last until mid-June and will require a temporary interruption of electricity supply. The Authority apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

A 42-year-old woman in Paphos fell victim to a scam after receiving a false message about a supposed fine payment. After entering the code she was asked for, she discovered that she had made a payment of 7,000 euros to the bank. The police have been informed about the incident. It's essential to be cautious with such messages.

A serious accident occurred in Limassol involving two minors injured after losing control of the electric scooter they were riding. The 15-year-old driver was admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage, while the 14-year-old girl suffered a traumatic brain injury and a skull fracture. Both are reported to be in serious condition. The Traffic Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Several football clubs are facing legal issues due to their debts to the state. The government has decided to file charges against these clubs and their officials. The coming weeks are expected to be difficult for teams such as APOEL, Apollon, Anorthosis, and Ethnikos Achna. Additionally, the Tax Department will implement collection measures, including freezing accounts.

The police are intensifying checks on illegal immigration, focusing on foreigners leaving Lebanon for employment in Cyprus. Many arrive with documents indicating their employers in specific industries. The checks will be increased due to rising demand for foreign labor. They also aim to apprehend employers hiring individuals without permits.

Ersin Tatar, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, met with the UN Secretary-General's special envoy and emphasized the need to halt what he calls terrorist acts, referring to arrests related to property usurpation. He connected this issue to the upcoming multilateral meeting in July in Geneva, asserting that tensions must be reduced for serious negotiations to occur. This falls within a broader context defining the relationship between the two communities in Cyprus, with Tatar reiterating the policy of sovereign equality supported by Turkey.

This year, up to May, there have been seven reported deaths of motorcyclists, most occurring in traffic collisions. There is particular concern about the increase in deaths among food delivery motorcyclists, with three of the ten deceased belonging to this category. Traffic authorities are working to identify the causes of this increase and inform drivers about safe riding practices. Training programs and preventive meetings with motorcyclists are being organized to avoid accidents.

The Interior Ministry will pay the second installment of state funding to municipalities, offsetting their overdue debts. These debts amount to €34.1 million just for water purchases from eight municipalities. The new municipalities, formed from the merger of former communities, are facing financial pressure due to these debts. Some municipalities have already signed repayment agreements to avoid cuts in funding.

The parliament is discussing new bills aimed at combating violence in stadiums, including the introduction of drug and alcohol tests before fans enter. The legislation proposes to ban facial coverings at demonstrations to deter violence. Additionally, two individuals admitted guilt for possession of fireworks. The proposals will be debated and evaluated during the legal committee session.

As of last week, children and young adults aged 8 to 21 will undergo tests for hyperlipidemia as part of the GESY program. This aims to detect high levels of cholesterol and other lipids early, before they lead to more serious issues. Data indicate that the situation in Cyprus necessitates immediate action, as the diet and exercise habits of the youth are worryingly low. The Health Insurance Organization has already prepared and implemented the clinical guidelines for these tests.

Significant projects worth over €20 million are planned for the enhancement of Kornos, including the construction of a Football Centre and a Multipurpose Centre. The Football Centre is set to start in 2026 and will be funded by UEFA and FIFA programs. Additionally, public parks and cultural spaces are being developed. The mayor emphasizes sustainable development and the effective implementation of these projects.