5 Minute News

President Christodoulides gave an interview to HuffPost, clarifying his statement regarding ADMIE. He explained that there were differences that did not align with the cooperation he has with the Greek Prime Minister. However, the relations between Athens and Nicosia remain strong, and there is no crisis. Christodoulides emphasized the strategic importance of the project and its viability despite delays. Lastly, he stated that the governments of Cyprus and Greece will oppose Turkey's unfounded challenges.

The investigation into the smuggling of 102 kilograms of drugs hidden in inflatable toys is ongoing. Detectives from the Limassol drug unit are linking two shipments and examining the testimonies of three suspects. The 47-year-old suspect revealed that the 61-year-old is the mastermind behind the illegal import. The other suspects remained silent during questioning, while the 61-year-old admitted to possessing drugs. The investigations are continuing with the assistance of international organizations like Interpol.

The Court of Appeals rejected a former fire chief's request for additional compensation after being wrongfully imprisoned. It was determined that his acquittal does not demonstrate state liability for his imprisonment. He was awarded compensation only for his lost wages during his time in custody. The Appeals Court clarified that his imprisonment was legal until his conviction was overturned. All other claims for emotional distress were dismissed.

The meeting of the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament began with tensions regarding protests and the new legislation governing them. MP Giorgos Koukumas stated that the implementation of the law does not facilitate protests, prompting reactions from other MPs and the Justice Minister. There was a debate concerning the incidents that occurred during the previous demonstration. MP Alexandra Attalidou emphasized the need to protect citizens' right to protest. Ultimately, the Committee will invite the OSCE to review the specific legislation.

Kaiti Kliridis passed away after a long battle with cancer, leaving a sense of sadness behind. In her last interview, she spoke about her relationship with her father, Glafkos Kliridis, and his political legacy. She expressed the love she feels for him and the importance of his posthumous memory. Kaiti emphasized the role of a leader to guide and have the courage to voice their opinion. She passed away at the age of 76, and her memory will live on through her words.

New regulations regarding reduced working hours in the public sector were presented in Parliament. The reduction in hours will result in a proportional decrease in both salary and the 13th salary. Specifically, these regulations will apply to parents of children under 15 and caregivers of individuals with disabilities. The reduced hours will be a voluntary option, and the regulations are expected to be implemented starting January 2026. The unions PASYDY and ISOTITA support these provisions.

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus announced the installation of smart meters in various areas. The locations include Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, and Paphos. The installation will require a power outage for 20 minutes. Consumers will be informed in advance about the changes. The Authority apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

The Democratic Party announced the death of Kaiti Kliridou in a post. The party's flags will fly at half-mast from now until the time of the funeral. The party will handle all arrangements for the funeral. More details will be announced later. The announcement expressed deep sadness and sorrow.

A priest in Rhodes is accused of sexually harassing a 30-year-old tourist from Estonia. During the tourist's visit to a monastery, he was invited to a room under the pretense of receiving a gift, where he was asked to undress, believing it was a religious ritual. He later filed a complaint for violation of his sexual dignity. The priest denies the allegations, claiming he intended to help the tourist with a medical treatment. The case is set to be heard in court soon.

The low-pressure system named 'Barbara' is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to the area. Rain is set to start on Tuesday evening and will continue over the next few days. Today, there will be increased clouds and strong winds. The temperature will rise to around 29 degrees, gradually declining in the coming days. The forecast suggests that the heaviest rain will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Cypriot government is facing criticism for its stance on the naval blockade of Gaza, while government officials state they will adhere to the country’s laws. The last decision regarding the blockade, made in 2010, imposes restrictions on ships traveling to and from Gaza. Ministers have been authorized to safeguard the country's interests concerning this issue. The decision highlights the prohibition of departures and arrivals of ships from Cypriot ports. The opposition criticizes the government for its current policy on Gaza.

The 1957 Labour Party Conference in Brighton committed to self-determination for Cyprus and ruled out partition as a solution. Representatives from Cyprus actively participated in the conference proceedings. This decision sparked enthusiasm and optimism among Greek Cypriots. Barbara Castle presented a paper on Labour's policy regarding the colonies. Archbishop Makarios and the Greek Prime Minister expressed their satisfaction with this decision.

The Cyprus Public Service is introducing significant reforms to its promotion processes, replacing oral interviews with Testing Centers starting in 2024. This new method will assess candidates through written exams and exercises, reducing subjectivity in selecting senior officials. The evaluation will now be multidimensional, carrying more weight than previous methods. The reform aims to enhance meritocracy and better strategic planning of human resources. It has already been applied to several positions, with positive outcomes anticipated.

The police are intensifying their fight against the illegal trapping of songbirds in Cyprus. Recent targeted operations have uncovered poaching networks and imposed fines exceeding €60,000. Significant seizures included both live and dead birds, along with trapping equipment. The operations focus on the most dangerous poachers in the country. The organization CABS welcomes the police's more active involvement in combating illegal hunting.

The migrant reception center 'Limnes' is set to open in 2026 and will not be a prison, but an open facility under strict supervision. The Interior Minister assured that the center will be guarded 24/7 and will provide various services, including health and social care. Residents will have special ID cards, and attendance records will be maintained. Additionally, there will be integration programs for refugees. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Doctors are strongly reacting to the night raids conducted by the Audit Office at the ER departments of Nicosia and Limassol hospitals. The demands made by auditors were considered offensive, as they required doctors to provide proof of patient care. They claim this violates medical data confidentiality and patient rights. The raids have raised concerns about the audit procedures. Doctors emphasize the importance of respecting medical information and practices.

The President of the Republic's statement regarding Mάνος Μανουσάκης, head of ADMIE, sparked reactions in Greek media. The Cypriot government had previously warned of deteriorating relations with ADMIE, as Mανουσάκης seemed to adopt a confrontational stance in negotiations. President Christodoulides asserted that the government does not succumb to threats and supports the interests of the Cypriot people. ADMIE confirmed that it filed an objection but disputed parts of a media report. The situation remains unclear regarding the acceptance of ADMIE's objection.