5 Minute News

last year

Tyler Robinson admitted to the murder of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, in an online chat just hours before he turned himself in. In a message to a closed Discord group, he expressed his regret for his actions. A member of the group shared the confession with the Washington Post. Despite Discord's previous statement that it found no evidence of violence being planned on its platform, the case continues to raise concerns. Robinson's friends pray for him and Kirk's family.

Benjamin Netanyahu attacked countries he claims aim to weaken Israel and its support from allies. He stated that attempts at international isolation have failed, as the U.S. and many other nations remain allies. He highlighted the challenges posed by Iran, China, and Qatar, which support strategic attacks through social media. Netanyahu emphasized that Jerusalem will continue to take necessary actions to protect the nation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the call for the immediate return of all hostages and the destruction of Hamas.

Data Breach at Kering Group

September 15, 2025

Kering, the French parent company, suffered a serious cyberattack that led to the theft of personal data of potentially millions of customers from Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. Kering confirmed the breach, stating that an unauthorized third party accessed limited customer data. No financial information such as credit card numbers was stolen. The hackers, identifying themselves as 'Shiny Hunters,' claim to hold information from 7.4 million email addresses. Kering has notified authorities and customers regarding the breach.

The government is making changes to the tax reform to provide more relief for large families. The tax-free allowance will be set at €20,500 for everyone, with large families eligible for tax rebates of up to €1,000 for each child if their household income is below €100,000. There are also plans for tax deductions for insured primary residences. The Finance Minister emphasized that there will be transparency in the regulations and that businesses with tax liabilities will be given a deadline to comply. The reform is still scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Turkey is reviving its claims over the continental shelf in the Aegean Sea with the planned deployment of the research vessel Piri Reis. The surveys are set to take place near Lesbos and Chios, areas that Greece claims under its exclusive jurisdiction. Turkey argues that these regions fall within its potential continental shelf, disregarding the rights of Greek islands. This action highlights the existing gap between Greece and Turkey, even as diplomatic efforts continue. The Turkish approach is also driven by frustration over Chevron's interest in exploration in the Crete area.

Citizens and journalists are receiving numerous threats aimed at silencing them and limiting their freedom of expression. In the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, complaints were discussed regarding threats from former members of the Intelligence Service (CYP). A journalist expressed concerns about her safety due to these threats. The committee is addressing the issue of freedom of expression and the implications of abuse of power. The CYP stated that it will investigate the complaints, but it remains uncertain how they will proceed.

The police requested the detention of three suspects related to gunfire at a pharmacy, but the court rejected their request. Despite testimonies and evidence, they were not convinced of their involvement. The investigator presented reliable information connecting the suspects to the case. However, the procedural aspects were insufficient to justify their detention. Consequently, all three suspects were released.

Two prison guards were sentenced to three years in prison for the murder of a Turkish Cypriot and are being held at a police station due to their status, while former Commissioner of Volunteerism, Giannakis Giannakis, is serving his sentence in Central Prisons. The guards were found guilty of manslaughter due to their failure to perform their duties properly. This decision was made to prevent potential retaliation against them from other inmates. Giannakis is being monitored by a doctor due to health issues, and his requests will be evaluated according to prison regulations. His conviction pertains to charges of forgery of documents.

Eurobank provided an update on its operations and the economic situation in Cyprus. It was announced that there will be a voluntary exit plan for employees with a timeline of 12 months. The CEO emphasized the importance of discussions with the banking union, ETYK, before any action is taken. Negotiations for the collective agreement of bank employees are ongoing. The financial figures of the new bank appear positive, with stable lending rates.

A 29-year-old Greek Cypriot has been arrested as a suspect for attempted murder and arson of vehicles in Pyla. Authorities link him to the case through telecommunications data. This marks the seventh arrest related to this case, which also includes five Syrian defendants. The trial for the defendants is scheduled for October 29. The 29-year-old has a criminal history, including drug-related cases.

An investigation is underway following a prisoner's report of sexual assault in a public prison. The complainant claims he was raped by two fellow inmates last August. The police and prison authorities are working together to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault. Testimonies have been collected from other inmates, and the alleged perpetrators will be interrogated. The investigation is currently in its early stages.

The new Grant Plan for Tuition and Feeding will support approximately 21,000 children up to 4 years old with a budget of €73 million. It will be implemented starting from the 2025-2026 school year and aims to reduce child poverty and promote equality in preschool education. Eligible beneficiaries are families with approved child benefits and dependent children under 4 years old. Applications will begin in September 2025 through the government portal Gov.cy. The program has already allocated €47.5 million since its launch in 2022.

Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated winning the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025 with an emotional social media post. He shared heartfelt photos with his family and teammates, accompanied by the words 'thank you' and a blue heart. He called this achievement the greatest of his life. The post highlights the joy and support from his loved ones. The pictures reflect the significance of this recognition for him and Greek basketball.

The political landscape in the Nicosia district is becoming increasingly fluid as the parliamentary elections approach. There is intense intra-party competition, and recent polling indicates declining percentages for the parties. The potential reduction of seats from 20 to 19 intensifies the pressure on candidates. Notably, the electoral system significantly affects the seat distribution. The previous elections highlight the need for strategic adjustments by the parties.

The Mediation Service of the Ministry of Labor is trying to avoid turmoil in the hotel industry. Today, trade unions representing hotel employees and the management of the Atlantica group will meet to discuss labor disputes. Unions allege that the employer is violating workers' rights and intimidating strikers. Additionally, a spontaneous work stoppage took place last Friday at three of Atlantica's hotels in Limassol. This meeting is critical for the future of the situation.

A new round of discussions regarding ATA begins after the recent general strike and the Ministry of Labor's framework submission. The positions of employers and unions remain opposed, leading to months of discussions without significant progress. Today, the Minister of Labor will meet with employer organizations, followed by meetings with unions tomorrow. Employer organizations have made it clear they will not accept the universal implementation of ATA. Despite the negative outlook, the importance of these talks is significant, potentially prompting both sides to reconsider their approaches.

Kostas Kadis, the EU Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner, discussed the significance of the announcement regarding the establishment of a European firefighting hub in Cyprus during an interview. This hub will enhance Cyprus's readiness against wildfires and provide support to neighboring countries. He also mentioned the SAFE program and investments in the fisheries sector, benefiting coastal communities. Cyprus is gaining increased influence in Europe due to the diplomatic efforts of President Christodoulides. These initiatives reflect positive developments for the island.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (YKAN) has seized nearly €2 million from drug traffickers from 2020 to the present. This action resulted from the establishment of a special team conducting financial investigations into individuals with unaccounted wealth. The investigations have shown positive results, with significant amounts being seized in recent years. YKAN plays a preventative role against illicit wealth accumulation, in addition to its enforcement duties. These processes will continue in the fight against organized crime.

Citizens are filing complaints about medical malpractice and errors in medical procedures, with reports increasing steadily. Cases of misdiagnoses, delays in patient care, and unnecessary surgeries are being reported. Organized patients and doctors are urging citizens to make official complaints to investigate these incidents. There are serious concerns regarding the increase in complaints, and transparency is needed. The cooperation of the public is crucial for the proper investigation of complaints.

A study from 2020 reveals that the Republic of Cyprus and the Church are the largest 'landowners' in the occupied areas, with the Republic holding 22,923 properties and the Church 5,032. The study includes data on financial support for owners of occupied properties. The proposed legislation by DISY for the establishment of a Fund for Compensation of Loss of Use of Occupied Properties faces objections. Notably, the estimated economic loss of use for occupied properties has increased to €16.5 billion.