5 Minute News

last month

During a flight by the Israeli airline Arkia from Paris to Tel Aviv, an incident occurred with a passenger who attacked a flight attendant. The passenger violated safety instructions and reacted aggressively when asked to return to his seat. The captain decided to land the aircraft in Paphos for safety reasons. The passenger was removed and arrested by the Cypriot police. The flight continued normally after the issue was resolved.

A 74-year-old foreign man was found dead in his home in Paralimni. His body showed signs of bloating, which indicate he had been deceased for several hours before being discovered. Authorities have confirmed his identity, and initial assessments suggest the death was sudden. The condition of the body suggests that the situation was unfortunately unavoidable. The case is under further investigation by the relevant authorities.

Maria Aristotelous spoke about her battle with cancer before her death, sharing important life lessons. She emphasized the need for bravery and courage in facing the illness. She discussed the metastatic cancer that affected her, telling her story with strength and optimism. Maria encouraged others not to fear discussing cancer and to take action quickly. Her advice was that prevention is always better than cure.

The Paphos District Court sentenced a 64-year-old man to 16 years in prison for rape and sexual abuse of minors. The severity of the crimes and the circumstances under which they were committed were taken into account, alongside the psychological trauma inflicted on the victims. The court also considered the defendant's family situation and health issues. He had a clean criminal record. The sentence reflects the complexity of his situation due to his age and health problems.

Maria Aristotelous, a warrior of life, passed away at the age of 34 due to a rare form of cancer. She expressed her determination to fight hard against the illness and achieved significant victories along the way. Unfortunately, cancer returned and led her into further challenges, but she maintained a positive spirit throughout her battle. Her life and courage inspired many around her. Her death brings deep sorrow to the sports community and her friends.

Judge Doria Varosiotou filed a request with the Supreme Constitutional Court to refer questions to the Court of the European Union. She seeks clarification on whether the termination of her services violates the principles of independence and life tenure for judges. The application raises legal concerns regarding the lack of national legislation for a probation period for judges. Additionally, she requests a suspension of the proceedings until the EU Court issues a decision. The judge emphasizes the importance of uniform application of EU Law.

The government has decided to eliminate tuition fees for public kindergartens for children aged 3 to 4 years and 5 months. This decision aims to ease the financial burden on families and promote attendance in public schools. Eligible children will no longer be required to pay fees. It is considered a social and educational measure. Minister Athena Michaelidou announced the decision through social media.

A female police officer from the Cyprus Intelligence Service has faced allegations submitted to Parliament. Following the revelation of her identity, she left the intelligence service and was transferred to the Immigration Department. The complaint came from Nicoletta Tsikkini, who claimed she received a threatening message from the officer. The incident gained traction on social media, where details about the officer were posted. This situation seems to have significant ramifications for the accountable officer.

According to information from the Limassol District Administration, the recent fires had serious consequences for residences. Out of 710 homes that burned or were damaged, only 293 have building permits, while 104 were built without any permits. Additionally, there are 221 cases where sufficient documentation regarding the permits is lacking. The Mayor of Kourion estimates that the percentage of unlicensed homes might be higher than the initially reported 20-30%. The situation reveals weaknesses in the region's construction sector.

A man was found dead on the ship 'Daleela' in Limassol on Wednesday morning. Initial reports suggest he was of Greek origin. The police arrived at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. More details will follow shortly.

The police arrested a 32-year-old Cypriot in Paphos in connection with an insulting banner aimed at MEP Phidias Panayiotou. The banner called him a 'shame of Cyprus.' The arrest was made based on evidence from the electronic fan card records of the Cyprus Sports Organization. The individual has been formally charged in writing and has been released. Investigations are ongoing in this matter.

Some people are exploiting Green Points, where they collect furniture and other items, to sell them online. These individuals claim they need the furniture for their homes, but they are actually reselling it. The managers of the Green Points are concerned and are looking for ways to stop this practice. Additionally, there is concern about professionals who transport construction waste to Green Points to save costs. This situation has led to complaints from citizens about nonexistent charges from the Green Points.

A serious traffic accident occurred in Ayia Napa yesterday evening. A 20-year-old tourist riding a quad bike collided with a vehicle and then hit a bus. The two passengers of the quad bike were seriously injured. The 20-year-old is being treated at Famagusta General Hospital, while the 19-year-old is intubated at Nicosia General Hospital. The police are investigating the circumstances of the accident.

Four German Shepherds attacked a 64-year-old woman at a recycling facility where she worked. Although the dogs had never shown aggressive behavior before, the woman was injured and is currently hospitalized. The police are investigating the circumstances of the attack and have informed veterinary authorities. The dogs remain at the recycling unit for investigation. The woman's health is considered stable after surgery.

The establishment of the Health Education and Prevention Committee for School Violence is necessary for the reopening of schools. The committee will draft and evaluate action plans aimed at preventing and addressing violence in schools. It will involve students, parents, and educators in the planning process. The action plan will focus on addressing all forms of violence and will develop collaborations with other experts. The success of this approach relies on the participation of the school community.

A lawyer was fined €3,500 by the Disciplinary Council for violating professional conduct by unlawfully retaining money from her client. Specifically, she received €25,080 for safe-keeping and failed to return €3,230. The Fees Committee had determined that she was entitled to only €450 for her services. This incident highlights the seriousness of a lawyer's responsibility in managing client funds. Such actions are considered a serious blow to the credibility of the legal profession.

Investigations continue into the death of an elderly couple in the Limassol fire. The Police are looking into whether the couple was informed about the community gathering and the correct escape route. The couple's burned vehicle was located, and forensic examinations are underway. Investigators are collecting testimonies to clarify the exact circumstances of their deaths. The Parliament will be informed about the progress of the investigations next Friday.

Cyprus has experienced three major wildfires in recent years linked to extreme weather conditions. The fires in Solea in 2016, Arakapa in 2021, and Malia in 2025 illustrate how strong winds and drought contributed to their rapid spread. In Malia, conditions were particularly severe, with flames appearing during clear weather. Meteorological data highlights the dangers of the interplay between heat, dryness, and wind. It is crucial to monitor these factors to prevent similar disasters in the future.

The government is concerned about the backlash against the tax reform, with many stakeholders calling for the removal of controversial provisions. These changes include new powers for the Tax Commissioner and penalties for businesses that fail to issue invoices. There is also worry about the budget deficit that will arise from the reform. The Minister of Finance, however, is open to improvements in the legislations. The ministry is trying to ensure that there is no budget gap.

The occupying regime is once again provoking regarding the arrests of Greek Cypriots that occurred in July 2025. It claims that the actions of the Cypriot government aim to intimidate and distorts the facts to promote the Turkish Cypriot narrative. It emphasizes that the police of the pseudo-state made arrests based on complaints of illegal entry. The occupying regime claims that the accusations against the Greek Cypriots are false and that their actions harm stability between the two sides in Cyprus. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to maintain dialogue and cooperation to achieve a positive atmosphere.