5 Minute News

last month

A 32-year-old mother described the tragic circumstances that led to the death of her 3-year-old daughter. She claims that the child had an accident in the bathroom and was not alive when she left her in the sea. The police are investigating the circumstances of the death, and blood stains have been found in the apartment where they lived. The mother is facing charges of intentional homicide.

A 54-year-old female driver was arrested for reckless driving on the Nicosia-Larnaca highway. A breath alcohol test indicated her alcohol level was significantly above the legal limit. After her arrest, she was released and is scheduled to appear in court on August 4, 2025. The police are continuing their investigations into the case.

President Nikos Christodoulides announced that he will make statements within 24 hours regarding the deadly fires in the Limassol district. He termed the pseudo-court's decision to illegally detain five Greek Cypriots as illegal and fascist. He urged Greek Cypriots to be cautious when traveling to the occupied areas. Lastly, he expressed his sorrow for the loss of two citizens in the fires.

Theodoulos Makriyiannis argues that the response time of aerial firefighting resources increased from 12 to 52 minutes during recent wildfires. This is attributed to their management being transferred to the National Guard. He implies that Odysseas Michailidis bears responsibility for this decision, which had serious consequences. Their exchange of views ignited tension in the public sphere.

Cypriot journalist Georgios Tattis shares his experiences from Kyiv, where he narrowly escaped a bombing that killed 31 people, including 5 children. He was in the city but left just hours before the attack occurred. Tattis was part of a mission to cover issues related to political persecution in Ukraine. The locals he met appeared calm and resolute despite the ongoing conflict.

In Cyprus, a legal battle is taking place to prevent the extradition of former Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Hranovskyi to the United Kingdom. The Cyprus Democratic Lawyers Association argues that his prosecution is politically motivated. A mission traveled to Ukraine to gather evidence to support the case before the international community. Hranovskyi's case highlights broader issues of transnational repression and violations of human rights.

Hamas announced it will not lay down its arms until an independent Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as its capital. This statement coincides with the U.S. special envoy meeting with relatives of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Recent negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release have reached a deadlock. Hamas insists on continuing armed resistance until their national rights are fulfilled.

Temperatures in Cyprus have significantly dropped, with maximums now below 40 degrees. Nicosia still records the highest temperatures, ranging from 24 to 37 degrees. Humidity is at 43%, which is lower than in other cities. These conditions indicate that Cyprus has moved away from heatwave conditions.

The Department of Road Transport has announced the recall of 852 BMW vehicles due to defective Takata airbags. Owners are instructed to immobilize their vehicles and contact the dealer Char. Pilakoutas Ltd for further instructions. The recall includes the cancellation of the vehicles' certificate of roadworthiness.

The Government condemns the illegal treatment of five Greek Cypriots by the occupying regime. The Director of the Press Office highlights violations of human rights and disrespectful judicial processes. The Government has contacted international organizations like the UN and the EU to report the situation. It emphasizes that Turkey's provocative actions are unacceptable and aim to intimidate Greek Cypriots.

Family and friends said their last goodbye to Dimitris and Maro Filippidis, who lost their lives in the fires in mountainous Limassol. Their niece, Anna Abraham, expressed her sorrow and criticized the government for failing to be prepared for such situations. She highlighted the injustice of their deaths and their challenging battle with cancer. The state needs to take responsibility, but these losses cannot be undone.

This morning, an 87-year-old woman was seriously injured while crossing the road in Lakatamia. A 35-year-old driver hit her with his car, and although she was taken to the hospital, she unfortunately did not survive. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident. The Nicosia Traffic Police continues the investigation.

The Cypriot government is calling for international intervention to secure the release of five Greek Cypriots kidnapped by Turkey. Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kompos has sent letters to counterparts in the USA, UK, China, France, and the EU. The seriousness of the situation and Turkey's intimidation tactics against Greek Cypriots are emphasized. Nicosia urges the international community to intervene promptly.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a new section on its website to document what it terms anti-Russian statements. This includes comments from Greek and Cypriot officials, such as President Christodoulides and Parliament President Demetriou. These statements are related to opposition against Russia's actions in Ukraine and other regions. Cyprus condemns violations of international law and emphasizes the importance of European solidarity.

Five Greek Cypriots will remain in custody for 13 days following their arrest in the occupied territories. A military court rejected a request for a three-month detention, stating the evidence was insufficient. Among the accused, one is charged with illegal entry into a military zone while the other four are said to have assisted him. The court emphasized that individuals cannot be detained based solely on assumptions of flight risk.

The Greek Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus are avoiding publicly recognizing the impact of Turkish obstruction of marine research for the electric interconnection. State agencies are in conflict due to geopolitical factors, while the French company Nexans has shown interest in the project. The Regulatory Authority for Energy of Cyprus has approved funding of 25 million euros to the Greek electricity transmission operator, thus protecting consumers. However, the future of the project remains uncertain as political decisions are still pending.

Cyprus ranks first in Europe with the lowest inflation rate at 0.1% in July, according to Eurostat. Most European countries have higher inflation rates ranging from 1.5% to 5.6%. Cyprus also reported deflation in previous months. Analysts confirm that inflation in the Eurozone remains stable at 2%.

The investigation into the 'Mafia State' has begun, with authorities examining the testimonies and evidence gathered by researcher Makarios Drousiotis. Investigators are working to finalize five sections of the report, aiming for the overall findings to be delivered by autumn. Two of these sections relate to oligarch Rybolovlev's activities and his ties to former President Nicos Anastasiades. Despite progress, delays could occur due to the extensive amount of material being reviewed.

Following the fire in the mountainous Limassol, there is widespread anger and frustration in society directed at the entire political system rather than a specific party. This general discontent creates confusion regarding the citizens' intentions ahead of parliamentary elections. Protests express the belief that all political institutions are responsible. The political cost is expected to be distributed among all parties, indicating a potential shift in the political landscape.

The arrest of five Greek Cypriots by the occupying regime raises concerns about potential new arrests and the safety of Greek Cypriots traveling to the occupied areas. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has initiated diplomatic actions, requesting intervention from the EU and the UN. The detainees are facing charges of violating a military zone, with the occupying authorities seeking to detain them for three months. This situation indicates pressure tactics aimed at Nicosia.

On July 23, wind gusts reached up to 9 Beaufort, a rare phenomenon for the area that was recorded under extreme heat and low humidity conditions. Measurements indicate that such gusts are typically only observed during winter storms, highlighting the unusual nature of that day's conditions. The strong gusts led to the rapid spread of the fire, making the situation dangerous. The behavior of the gusts is unpredictable and can cause flare-ups, increasing the risk for the area.

The President of the Republic has received four reports from state services regarding the destructive fire in the Mountainous Limassol. The reports document the events and the failures observed, as well as proposals for improving coordination in emergencies. The President will review the reports and decide whether to request the establishment of an Investigative Committee. The reports are expected to be made public.

Changes are coming to the law regarding the use of traffic cameras. Drivers will now be notified via SMS or email about their violations. Additionally, damaging cameras or their warning signs will be criminalized, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. The new law aims to address long-standing weaknesses in the system due to its extensive operation.