5 Minute News

Erhan Arikli, the president of the Revival Party, proposes transforming the occupied areas into an autonomous state attached to Turkey, modeling it after Nakhchivan. He claims this approach would provide full internal autonomy while relying on Turkey for foreign policy. Additionally, he accuses the Greek Cypriot side of sabotaging upcoming talks. Arikli also criticizes previous negotiations, calling them ineffective.

Mayor Phaedon Phaedonos made statements concerning drug trafficking and money laundering in Paphos. The Police and the Securities Commission are looking into the allegations, but no official procedure has been initiated yet. A meeting with the Mayor is expected, during which he can provide more information. The situation is currently under investigation.

The criminal investigation into George Koumas, president of the Cyprus Football Association, is underway as authorities await instructions from the Attorney General. The Police have not yet begun any interrogations and are waiting to see if witness statements will be taken from involved parties. The investigation focuses on potential conflicts of interest involving his businesses and CytaVision during his tenure. So far, no guidance for future actions has been provided.

Irene Charalambidou responded to Health Minister Michalis Damianos regarding the delay in his response. She emphasized the need to conclude the euthanasia issue within reasonable timelines, noting that the minister's letter arrived after the meeting. Additionally, she expressed concern about delays in decisions related to health matters. Her stance is that commitments made during the meeting must be upheld.

A traffic accident occurred in Limassol where a pickup truck collided with a sedan and overturned. The driver of the pickup was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and shock. The Traffic Police are investigating the causes of the accident.

Famous Cypriot TikToker Nikos Peletie was arrested and charged with offenses related to sexism and incitement to violence. The accusations came from complaints filed by the Socialist Women's Movement and a federation of women's organizations. The case will be forwarded to the Legal Service for further review and instructions. The complaint pertains to Peletie's post that allegedly reflects sexist language in violation of the code against gender discrimination.

Despina Giannakopoulou publicly expresses her discontent over the verbal attack she faced from Olympiakos fans during a basketball game. Receiving vulgar and sexist chants, she emphasizes that the intent was to humiliate her due to her relationship with Dimitris Giannakopoulos. She condemns the lack of response from Olympiakos and warns that she will take legal action against similar incidents in the future.

Health Minister Michalis Damianou responded to the proposal for euthanasia by emphasizing the need for a structured approach to palliative care. He highlighted the ethical and legal implications of the issue and insisted that establishing palliative care should precede any legislative action. The head of the Human Rights Committee, Irini Charalambidou, has decided to postpone her proposal until January 2026. The government believes that voting on euthanasia legislation is premature and socially imbalanced.

The trial of Giannakis Giannakis continues, with implications of political interference during his hiring. The former chair of the ONEK board testified about the candidate evaluation process and the forgery of documents by the accused. Although Giannakis has admitted to circulating forged documents, he denies the charge of forgery. The hearing reveals his connections with political figures and the hiring procedures used by the Youth Organization.

The issuance of the Fan Card will now be done through the 'Digital Citizen' application, allowing for verification of its validity for secure entry to stadiums. Citizens over 18 can only apply online, with alternative options available for specific categories like minors and visitors. The Sports Organization remains responsible for managing the Holder Registry. This new process aims to enhance security and reduce violence at sports venues.

In Gaza, Palestinian doctor Hamdi al-Najjar and nine of his ten children were killed in an airstrike. Only the 11-year-old Adam and his wife, Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, survived. Adam's condition is serious, and he requires transfer to another hospital. Italy has offered to take on the case to provide necessary medical care.

The Municipality of Paralimni – Deryneia is taking action against the practice of beachgoers reserving sun loungers with towels before officially renting them. Visitors are urged to rent loungers immediately and receive a receipt. If towels or personal items are found reserving loungers, they will be removed. Additionally, electronic payment options for rentals are encouraged.

Irene Charalambidou warned that she would bring her euthanasia bill to the plenary if there is no law on palliative care by January 2026. However, there were strong disagreements during the discussion in the Human Rights Committee, with the honorary president of the Patients' Federation expressing concerns over the stigmatization of patients. Ms. Charalambidou emphasized that the proposal includes strict conditions and only concerns adults. The public dialogue on euthanasia continues, and citizens seem supportive of the issue.

Three dogs attacked a 25-year-old helper and two minor children, leading to serious concerns and the arrest of the dogs' owners. The 36-year-old woman from Slovakia claimed she had taken precautions to prevent their escape, but the dogs managed to break free and attack. The children's father indicated that previous aggressive incidents involving the dogs had been reported. The court is considering their detention and the legality of the dogs' ownership.

Real Madrid is the most valuable football team in the world in 2025, valued at $6.75 billion. It is followed by Manchester United and Barcelona. The top 30 teams are collectively worth over $72 billion. This growth is attributed to revenues from international competitions and commercial partnerships.

Temperatures are expected to rise significantly during the Flood holiday, with highs around 38-39 degrees and the possibility of reaching 40 degrees. The weather will be mainly summer-like and dry, which increases the risk of wildfires. Despite the warm weather, occasional rain is likely in mountainous areas. The forecast indicates a gradual increase in temperature through the end of the week.

In Limassol, a 25-year-old housekeeper was attacked by three dogs while trying to protect two children in her care. The woman was injured and required surgery, while the children sustained minor injuries. The dogs will be examined by Veterinary Services to determine if they belong to prohibited breeds. Their owners have been arrested due to the condition of the animals.

A protest is being organized in Nicosia against the decision to fully open Macario Avenue to cars. Participants express their opposition to this change, which reverses the traffic restriction policies in place. They demand the maintenance of the avenue as a public space and the enhancement of accessibility and social life. The protest will include peaceful gatherings and creative actions.

The Investigative Committee looking into the defective Takata airbags is entering the final phase of its work. Today, the Director of Traffic presents testimony regarding significant incidents related to airbag explosions. Recommendations for prompt reporting of safety issues to authorities are anticipated regarding reports from the Mechanical Services Department. The goal is to implement preventive measures to avoid injuries in the future.

Maria Angela Olguin is having crucial meetings in Ankara and Brussels, which will determine the direction of efforts for the Cyprus issue. Hakan Fidan, who manages the Cyprus issue for Turkey, is key to the negotiations. While no immediate results are expected, everyone agrees that it is too early for substantial progress until the end of July. The upcoming elections for a new Turkish Cypriot leader in October complicate the situation.

Attention is focused on the important meetings of Maria Angela Olguin with Hakan Fidan and Antonio Costa, which will determine the course of efforts for Cyprus. The Turkish side is not expected to make significant moves until the elections in the occupied part of Cyprus. Participants agree that it is too early for results, with the next critical date at the end of July. The atmosphere in the Turkish Cypriot community indicates that hopes for dramatic progress are limited.

Three people, including two children, were injured by a dog attack in an industrial area. The incident occurred in the morning when the dogs bit a 25-year-old woman and two children aged 6 and 3. All of the injured were taken to the hospital, and their health condition is stable. The dog owners have been arrested by the police.

Cyprus will enhance its water management with mobile desalination units from the UAE, valued at 20 million euros. Installation will begin at the Moni Power Station and is expected to be completed by June. The contractor responsible for the project will be paid 2 million euros and is experienced in the field. The support from the UAE strengthens the relationship between the two countries.

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) proposes building a new desalination plant in Vasilikos to improve water supply in the Limassol district and reduce dependency on climatic conditions. The new facility is expected to have a capacity of 40,000 cubic meters daily, increasing total production to 100,000 cubic meters. This proposal comes amid community opposition to a temporary desalination unit in the Moni area. Approval of this plan is considered vital for addressing the region's water needs.

The renewal of the collective agreement between ETYK and the Cypriot Employers' Association of Banks is moving forward without issues, but bank employees need to prepare for tough times ahead. The honorary president of ETYK, Loizos Hatziykostis, warned of the challenges to come, emphasizing that bank profitability will decline. The atmosphere between banks and ETYK is better than before, indicating hopeful signs for their cooperation. However, there is a pressing need for strong leadership and active member engagement.

The Republic of Cyprus is ramping up its preparations for the 2025 fire season to effectively tackle the increasing challenges posed by drought. For the first time, it has at least 9 aerial firefighting assets, including two new Black Hawk helicopters. The readiness and number of firefighters are at historically high levels. Additionally, there are plans to procure permanent firefighting assets to reduce reliance on rented equipment.

The Ministry of Education aims to amend the special education legislation by the end of 2025 to establish an inclusive school system. Currently, the second round of consultation with stakeholders, parents, and educational organizations is taking place. The collected proposals and opinions will be used to revise the educational framework for special needs children. In the next phase, a draft amendment will be prepared for public consultation.

The Minister of the Interior is urging the immediate voting of the urban reorganization bill, warning that delays could incur fines ranging from €30 to €60 million for the Republic of Cyprus. The bill aims for sustainable development of degraded areas through the redistribution of properties. The deadline for legislative completion is set for June, with the intention of utilizing EU funds. The Minister offers support to the Committee to ensure rapid enactment of the legislation.

The Larnaca District Administration Organization is requesting €15.4 million due to delays in the completion of the sewage project, which have lasted for 12 years. The delays are attributed to the discovery of significant archaeological artifacts that have increased costs. The organization emphasizes that Larnaca taxpayers have been unfairly burdened. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September, alleviating issues for residents.