5 Minute News

President Trump made a controversial joke while announcing a new immigrant detention center in Florida, referred to as 'Alcatraz with alligators.' He suggested that escaping immigrants might be eaten by alligators or snakes. Despite backlash against his policies, he seems to enjoy the discussion around the topic. Critics consider the center inhumane and have concerns about detention conditions.

A 2-year-old child in Balç, Spain, died after being left in a closed car for several hours. Authorities believe it was a case of negligence by the father, as the temperature was very high. Emergency services were unable to revive the child. An investigation has been launched to look into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

The portal for submitting applications for the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme in Cyprus will reopen on July 8, 2025. Citizens can submit applications until September 2, 2025, or until available grants are exhausted. Eligible vehicle orders must be placed after the application submission date. The final approval implementation date is October 31, 2025.

Lawyer Achilleas Emilianiotis commented on the Supreme Judicial Council's decision not to make Judge Doria Varosiotou permanent. This decision indicates a negative evaluation of her work during the two-year probation period. He emphasized that no one currently has access to the records of the decision to comment on the specifics. Additionally, he noted that while such cases are extremely rare, they are not unique.

The decision of the Supreme Judicial Council to terminate the services of judge Dora Varosiotou has stirred significant reactions. Public opinion is being surveyed regarding this decision through an online poll. There are concerns about the credibility of the judiciary. The results of the survey will be announced soon.

The Ministry of Agriculture submitted a revised bill for water conservation, reducing penalties for excessive water use. The maximum prison sentence was cut from 6 to 3 months, and the fine from €3,000 to €1,000. Also, exceptions for hose use in cleaning were removed, with the minister maintaining a general oversight role. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the new regulations in promoting water conservation.

Lawyer Christos Clerides comments on the suspension of Judge Doria Varosiotou, stating that no judge should be punished for their decisions. He remarks that the quality of her work was good and criticizes the Supreme Court's decision as incorrect. He emphasizes that we are living in an ongoing crisis in the judicial sector and calls for reforms to restore public trust. He advocates for greater transparency, sensitivity, and modernization in the legal framework.

There was a gas leak from a fuel truck, causing the Larnaca-Kofinou road to be closed in both directions. Police are on the scene directing traffic to alternative routes. The Fire Department is cooling down the truck and following all operational procedures. A technician from the truck's company is also present for support.

The Audit Office states that public bus stops have serious design flaws that limit visibility for drivers and passengers. This error is considered unprecedented, as no similar issue was found in international research. Proposed corrections by the Technical Consultant were ignored, resulting in a dangerous situation. The stance of the Public Works Department remains unchanged, raising questions about their ability to detect such serious issues.

A nurse was dismissed from the General Health System due to complaints that he was charging for services provided by others. Several beneficiaries reported that the nurse only visited them once or twice and then assigned their care to others, without clarity on whether these individuals were professionals. The Health Insurance Organization found through audits that the nurse was recording an excessive number of visits. As a result, his contract was suspended, and an investigation into the case is underway.

Former Paphos Bishop Tyhikos writes to Archbishop Georgios regarding the annual memorial service for his mother. He expresses concern over the service being scheduled at a remote chapel on Saturday to limit attendance by other faithful. Tyhikos states that he abides by the Synod's requirements while asserting his legitimacy as Paphos bishop. Meanwhile, Archbishop Georgios prepares accommodation for Tyhikos in Nicosia.

The seat that is being moved from Nicosia to Paphos is affected by the Parliament's decision to implement automatic registration on the electoral rolls starting from the presidential elections. This means the population balances are likely to remain at previous levels. There is discussion on how this will impact the results in the parliamentary elections and which party will benefit from the new seat. The decision will be finalized on October 2.

Judge Doria Varosiotou was dismissed following conflicts with the president of the Limassol District Court. She refused to modify death reports and highlighted legal issues regarding the authority of the presidency. Her decisions on two specific death investigations caused shock in the legal community. Her career appears to have been affected before it even really began.

The Cypriot goat and sheep farming sector is facing serious challenges as many farmers are selling their animals due to economic pressures. The reduced production of milk is impacting the production of PDO halloumi, as the livestock numbers decrease. Some farmers are gaining high profits from exports, but this practice raises concerns about the identity of halloumi. The situation is further complicated by changes in subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture.

ADMIE is pressuring the Republic of Cyprus and RAEK to approve the immediate recovery of costs incurred for the Cyprus-Crete electricity interconnection. If its request is not accepted, it warns that the project will be halted. The agreement between Cyprus and Greece stipulates that Cyprus will pay 25 million euros per year for five years, but ADMIE is demanding this money now. There are doubts about whether such a payment can resolve ADMIE's financial issues.

The arrest of restaurant owner Katina Baird has sparked reactions in Larnaca. Baird, who has paid all her taxes and social insurance, sought status as a divorcee after facing domestic violence. Her lawyer stated that her deportation process is illegal and is scheduled to be examined in court. Local residents support her, recognizing her contributions to the community.