5 Minute News

last month

A foreign worker is hospitalized in Paphos after an accident at his industrial workplace. While trying to quench his thirst, he mistakenly drank a caustic liquid instead of water. He realized his mistake and drank water immediately after, inducing vomit to expel the dangerous substance. His condition is reported to be stable. The case is being investigated by the Department of Labor Inspection and the Police.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the government's commitment to actively negotiate with the new leader of the Turkish Cypriots, Tufan Erhürman. He noted that Turkey must now make the right choice for negotiations to proceed. Cyprus is willing to contribute to humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza, in line with EU values. He reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and the importance of EU involvement in international agreements. Diplomatic discussions for regional stability are anticipated.

A charity dinner at the British Museum has sparked outrage in Greece. It was held in the Parthenon sculptures gallery, themed around ancient India. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni called the event disrespectful, stating it endangers the exhibits. The Prime Minister's wife, Mareva Grabowski, also voiced her disapproval on social media. This incident highlights the ongoing disputes over the return of the Parthenon sculptures to Greece.

In Larnaca, the police found a deceased man in his apartment. His son was the one who discovered him. The scene has been cordoned off, and police investigations are underway. All possibilities regarding his death remain open. Investigations are ongoing.

The Parliament has not included 12 managerial positions in its 2026 budget, leading to reactions from various MPs. The Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee and other lawmakers express concerns over the necessity of these new roles, pointing out imbalances in the parliamentary structure. Some MPs question the need for additional positions, noting existing issues with secondments. The Deputy General Director of the Parliament argues that these new positions are needed for balance. Moreover, all MPs emphasize the need for a new Parliament building.

A court has rejected a soldier's request regarding accusations of blackmailing his former lover with pornographic material. The soldier sought to annul a search warrant and claimed that police procedures were not valid. The charges include threats and sexual harassment. The investigation covers the period from June 2021 to January 2025. The court disputed the soldier's claims and emphasized that documents must be assessed by the court.

The police presented evidence in the District Court regarding the possible involvement of three suspects in the murder of businessman Stavros Dimosthenous. The suspects, aged 58, 39, and 30, are linked to a scooter that appears to have been used for the suspects' escape. The scooter belonged to a former football player who has been arrested. The 30-year-old suspect has a criminal history, including a previous escape from police custody. The investigation into the case is ongoing.

The Municipality of Nicosia offers student dormitory rooms with prices ranging from €231 to €406, inclusive of utilities. The rooms are fully furnished and include amenities such as air conditioning and private bathrooms. The dormitory also has laundry rooms equipped with washers and dryers. The application process requires signing a contract and prepayment of rent. Interested students can apply online or contact for more information.

On Monday morning, October 20, several online services, including Amazon and Snapchat, experienced serious operational issues. These outages affected users in Cyprus, Greece, and other countries. Amazon Web Services (AWS) confirmed increased error rates. Many websites and apps, such as Venmo and Duolingo, are also reporting problems. The teams are working to resolve the issues and understand the causes of the outages.

Three suspects related to the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous were presented in Limassol District Court. Two of them are Greek Cypriots who were arrested in Nicosia, while the third, originally from Greece, was found and arrested in Limassol. The suspects are linked to the motorcycle used in the perpetrators' escape. They were brought to court under heavy police protection. The situation is being continuously monitored.

In the Cypriot job market, there are salary differences between locals and non-locals. Non-Cypriot employees earn higher monthly salaries in sectors such as finance and media. Conversely, Cypriots earn more in agriculture and manufacturing. The statistics come from the Statistical Service and highlight clear discrepancies in pay across different sectors. Public administration and education also show higher salaries for non-Cypriots.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus is awaiting the signing of a declaration of repentance from the ousted Metropolitan Tychikos before the elections for the throne of Paphos in 2026. If he does not sign, he may face defrocking or suspension. Signing the declaration will indicate a renunciation of separation and recognition of the Ecumenical Councils. Clergy believe Tychikos has no choice but to sign. Possible candidates for the throne of Paphos include several bishops.

Tufan Erhurman won the elections for the Turkish Cypriot leader, with media highlighting a shift in politics and the possibility of resuming talks on Cyprus. Turkish newspapers note the opposition's victory and stress Erhurman's support for a federal solution. In contrast, the incumbent president Ersin Tatar suffered a significant defeat. International analyses view this win as a positive development for relations between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Overall, Erhurman's election brings new hopes for achieving a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus issue.

The police have made new arrests related to the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous in Limassol. Three men aged 58, 39, and 30 were arrested under judicial warrants. Another person, aged 44, is already in custody for the same case. Investigations by the Limassol CID are ongoing. The case has sparked significant interest in the local community.

The victory of Tufan Erhurman in the elections in the occupied territories brings back the focus on the possibility of resuming discussions regarding Cyprus. Erhurman's initial statements include thanks to his supporters and emphasize the importance of collaboration with Turkey. Voter turnout was 64.87%, with a portion of voters expressing discontent towards Ersin Tatar's leadership. The upcoming visit to Ankara will be crucial for the direction of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot relations. Everyone is waiting to see how Erhurman's policies will evolve regarding Cyprus.

The government is implementing a comprehensive support plan for the wildfire-affected areas of the mountainous Limassol region following recent devastating fires. The plan includes measures for social protection, economic support, restoration of properties, support for the primary sector, and environmental recovery. Funds have already been provided to the affected residents, and the processes for restoring homes and infrastructure are underway. Additionally, there are tax relief measures and support for farmers and livestock breeders. In summary, the government is working towards the complete recovery of the affected regions.

The upcoming meeting of the Education Parliamentary Committee regarding the teacher evaluation plan is generating significant interest. The educational organizations, POED and OELMEK, have rejected the Ministry of Education's proposal. The Ministry's general director, George Panteli, observes that there has been no willingness from the organizations to engage in dialogue. The Ministry is proposing changes to the evaluation process and urges the organizations to participate. Disagreements persist over the director's role in evaluation and the grading scale.

In Cyprus, the issue of speed bumps on the roads has caused many problems and reactions. The Ministry of Transport has started removing several bumps, with 104 already taken out and 148 pending. There is an effort for digitization and counting of these bumps, although there is no exact number available. Speed bumps in critical traffic areas are not expected to be removed. The removals are focused on specific municipalities, with details provided for the areas where interventions will take place.

Law enforcement authorities have achieved significant blows against organized crime by implementing recommendations from FBI experts. A Task Force has been established, consisting of various agencies, and has successfully handled serious cases. These actions include the uncovering of illegal activity rings and the seizure of large sums of money and luxury vehicles. The government is also reviewing prison conditions to combat crime occurring within them. Coordination and information sharing among agencies are deemed crucial for more effective action.

The government is implementing significant changes in the Central Prisons to address issues such as crime and overcrowding. There is a noted need for stricter controls and management changes to improve the situation. Progress has been made, although challenges remain. They aim to combat illegal activities linked to inmates. Controls are intensified to tackle the trafficking of mobile phones and drugs within the Prisons.

The police investigations regarding the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous are intensifying. Evidence such as a hat and the motorcycle used for the suspects' escape have been found. Authorities hope that DNA from the hat will help identify the suspects. Arrests have already been made, and further examinations and interrogations are expected. The victim appears to have been under surveillance prior to the murder, as the vehicle used was stolen and recorded near his residence.