5 Minute News

Kypros Kyprianou, former Director General of the Ministry of Interior, testified in court that he received phone calls from Dimitris Syllouris and other MPs regarding naturalization cases. He emphasized that he was never asked to do anything irregular, only to expedite processes. Kyprianou mentioned a specific case involving Nikolai Gornostski, where Syllouris expressed concern over the rejection of the request. The Ministry adhered to the order of processing cases.

Lucy Guo is the youngest self-made billionaire on the Forbes list, with a net worth of $1.3 billion and founder of the platform Passes. Established in 2022, Passes has attracted $50 million in investments. Despite her success, Lucy notes that she has never taken a real vacation. She focuses heavily on her work and personal growth while maintaining an active social life.

Donald Trump had a phone call with Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine's attacks on Russian bases. Putin stated that Russia would respond, and they also talked about Iran's nuclear program. Trump expressed that their discussions would not lead to immediate peace. He emphasized the need for swift decisions regarding Iran.

Three women and a man have reported their employer for sexual harassment during their work. The allegations involve incidents that occurred from 2020 to January 2025. The employer has been detained for six days as investigations into the claims of sexual abuse are underway. There is a possibility that more reports may emerge from other employees.

The Environmental Authority has given a positive opinion for the construction of a 100 MW solar park in three communities of Limassol, led by TotalEnergies and Universal Green Energies Ltd. The project is expected to meet the energy needs of about 33,000 households and contribute to CO2 emission reduction. The implementation will include specific environmental protection measures. Local residents have raised concerns about potential impacts on climate and local wildlife.

The number of millionaires worldwide increased by 2.6% in the past year, reaching 23.4 million in 2024, mainly due to rising stock prices and advancements in artificial intelligence. The U.S. saw the largest increase, adding 562,000 new millionaires. In contrast, Europe experienced a decline in the number of wealthy individuals by 2.1%, although the ultra-rich increased by 3.5%. Major wealth transfers are expected in the coming years, with $83.5 trillion set to change hands.

Speaker of the House, Annita Demetriou, expresses her dissatisfaction with the reactions she receives following the publication of the report from the Audit Office. She emphasizes that decisions are made by the relevant authorities and everything is done in accordance with the law. Furthermore, she defends the decisions regarding upgrades to parliamentary buildings and travels abroad, clarifying that procedures are followed. She also mentions her efforts to be financially responsible in managing her budget.

The Ministry of Culture ordered the immediate withdrawal of a publication accompanying Cyprus's participation in the 19th International Biennale of Architecture, as the material was not approved by the relevant authorities. Minister Vasiliki Kassianiou expressed disagreement with the content of the publication and requested a full report of events. The emphasis was placed on the importance of acceptance and transparency in international cultural events. It highlighted the need for improvements in the overall image of Cyprus in such events.

The Court announced the sentences for the ten defendants involved in the deadly fire in Mati. The total sentences reach 240 years, but the defendants will serve only 5 years. Konstantinos Angelopoulos, from whose yard the fire started, received a 3-year sentence. Several local officials and other authorities involved in the case were acquitted.

A couple of foreign dog owners is facing legal repercussions after their three banned breed dogs attacked a caregiver and two minors. The charges include reckless actions and non-compliance with relevant laws. The owners, visibly emotional, are concerned about the fate of their dogs, which will be evaluated for their aggressive behavior. The case is set to be heard in the District Court of Limassol on July 4.

A 16-year-old girl in Cyprus was improperly detained in prison with adults, violating legislation that requires minors to be held in specialized facilities. Her family has filed a complaint and is seeking intervention from the European Court of Human Rights. After being held in various police stations and then in Central Prisons, the minor was released under conditions. The case highlights serious issues regarding the treatment of minors in the justice system.

Around 70,000 patients in Cyprus face daily challenges due to the lack of organized management from the healthcare system. The National Bioethics Committee highlights that many of their rights remain unfulfilled. It notes that rare diseases, while affecting a small number of patients per disease, globally impact over 300 million people. Cyprus is found to lack a cohesive framework for managing these diseases.

Applications for free vacation stays at hotels in the mountainous area of Pyrgos Tyllirias are now open for low-income retirees. The scheme covers a four-day stay with full board for eligible individuals with limited incomes. Applications start on June 4, 2025, and priority will be given based on the submission date. Applications can be submitted online or via email.

Tensions exist between Archbishop Georgios and Limassol Metropolitan Athanasios, primarily due to the support given to former Paphos Metropolitan Tychikos by supporters of the Limassol Metropolitan. The Archbishop mentioned that reactions to Tychikos' dismissal stem from neighboring Metropolises with ulterior motives. There are concerns about a potential 'heresy' emerging within the Church, although this refers to a disconnection of certain members rather than traditional heresies. The Holy Synod has not yet categorized Tychikos in this manner.

A significant meeting is taking place today in Brussels regarding baggage charges imposed by airlines. The proposals include allowing one free carry-on item that must fit under the seat. However, larger personal items may incur extra fees. Airlines interpret European legislation differently regarding baggage policies and compensation for delays.

Parties in Cyprus are still facing challenges in forming their electoral lists, with uncertain deadlines and internal conflicts. The electoral scene remains unclear, with anticipation for announcements and supplementary procedures. DISY president, Annita Demetriou, emphasizes the need for her party to remain strong. Issues such as political corruption and challenges in education continue to be prominent.

The traffic analysis reveals that this year, 7 motorcyclists have died out of a total of 16 road fatalities. Most victims were not wearing helmets, and several riders lacked valid licenses. Most collisions occurred in residential areas and often resulted from reckless driving or excessive speed. A recent meeting between the police and motorcyclists highlighted road safety issues and the need for better protection measures.

Erşin Tatar supports the squatters and connects the recent prosecutions to the Cyprus issue. However, Maria Angela Olgın did not raise the matter of the squatters in her discussions with President Christodoulides. The Cypriot government emphasizes that the prosecutions for squatting relate to the protection of human rights and are not connected to political negotiations. The relevant authorities will handle the cases based on their own assessments.

George Koumas has resigned from the leadership of the Cyprus Football Association, and the judicial investigation regarding a possible conflict of interest is ongoing. A meeting is expected today at the Legal Service involving senior judicial officials, where decisions will be made regarding witness testimonies. The investigation focuses on Koumas's business activities and connections to broadcasting rights. Developments on the next steps in the judicial process are anticipated.

A book published in the Cypriot dialect presented at the Architecture Biennale has sparked intense reactions due to its contents related to Cypriot history. The Chairman of the Education Committee in Parliament has summoned the Deputy Minister of Culture to provide explanations regarding the book's historical inaccuracies. Many consider that the statements within the book are dangerous for Cyprus's diplomatic strategy. The references include the Turkish invasion of 1974 and other sensitive cultural issues.

The Tax Commissioner, Sotiris Makridis, will send strict warnings to football club administrations regarding their debts to the state. Teams that delay payments will be expelled from the repayment plan and forced to pay interests and penalties. The repayment plan is ongoing, with some teams being re-admitted despite their new debts. Clubs meeting their obligations will benefit from increased revenues from the betting tax.