5 Minute News

2 days ago

The Lottery draw for the amount of €1,000,000 took place on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The lucky numbers drawn were 2, 4, 10, 27, and 45, with 16 being the Joker number. The draws occur three times a week, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 10:00 PM.

During a chestnut festival in the village of Elos in Kissamos, Chania, a 50-year-old man was shot while dancing. The assailant opened fire, hitting him twice in the chest. Despite being promptly taken to the hospital, he could not be saved and passed away. Authorities are investigating the case to locate the perpetrator. This tragedy has shocked the local community.

A traffic accident occurred in Paphos in the afternoon when a female driver lost control of her vehicle in the Kilia area. As a result, the car overturned. The driver was conscious but sustained injuries. An ambulance took her to the hospital for medical care. The police are investigating the causes of the accident.

Authorities made a new arrest related to the murder of Stavros Δημοσθένους. A 51-year-old man was detained in Limassol to assist with the investigations into the murder of the 49-year-old. This arrest is part of the police inquiry into the case. The situation is under continuous monitoring by the authorities.

A student was unexpectedly attacked at a school event in Aglandja by a group of Syrian youths who are known to the authorities. The father of the student was also attacked when he arrived to pick up his child. The student was taken to the hospital with a broken nose and head injury. Authorities are aware of the assailants. This incident has raised concerns in the local community.

The proposal to establish a monument for the missing persons in the European Parliament has sparked reactions from Tufan Erhürman, the new leader of the Turkish Cypriots. Erhürman called the decision unacceptable and argued that it highlights the erroneous practice of filling the two seats in the European Parliament with Greek Cypriots that should belong to Turkish Cypriots. He claims this prevents the truth about Cyprus from reaching the European Parliament. Erhürman stated that he will take necessary initiatives to address this issue.

A serious incident occurred at a school event in Nicosia, where a minor was attacked by another student. The minor called his father to seek explanations, but he was also attacked by two other minors and the father of the attacking student. Eventually, both father and son visited the hospital for examinations. The minor suffered a broken nose, while the father sustained abrasions and bruises. The police are waiting for statements from the involved parties.

Tom Phillips, a father of three, lived in the wilds of New Zealand for nearly four years with his children, avoiding authorities. He created shelters in isolated areas, showcasing his efforts to keep his family hidden. Police discovered that the family received support from a few individuals during their time away. Authorities noted that the hideouts were very difficult to locate and that Phillips' approach was dangerous. Ultimately, he was found, and after an exchange of gunfire, he was killed by the police.

In Kharkiv, 48 children were rescued from a Russian drone strike on a kindergarten. Ukrainian General Oleksandr Volobuev described the composure and determination of the rescuers during the operation. While all the children were saved, one adult was killed and several others were injured. President Zelensky condemned the attack, stating that there is no justification for targeting schools. The rescuers remain strong and wish for a peaceful world for all children.

Problematic tenants are an issue for property owners in Cyprus, leading to payment delays and property damage. A young Cypriot, Christos Kliridis, has developed a new tool, the Tenant Credit Check Tool, which allows owners to assess the reliability profile of tenants. The tool aims to simplify the process and mitigate the impact of bad tenants. This initiative seeks to enhance transparency and security in the rental market. With this innovation, owners can spend less time managing their rentals.

Maria Angela Olguin, the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, is returning to Cyprus for consultations following the election of Tuğfan Erhürman. Erhürman's presence brings a new momentum as he differs significantly in his positions compared to his predecessor. Key meetings with President Christodoulides and Olguin are expected to reveal his intentions for negotiations. His stance towards the Turkish Cypriots will be crucial for the process ahead. The demands from Ankara pose conditions that may complicate the negotiations.

Phidias Panayiotou, after being elected to the European Parliament, is founding the 'Direct Democracy' party and aiming for a position in the Cypriot Parliament. He wants to offer a different political choice focused on direct citizen involvement in decision-making. In just 16 months, he has sparked a range of reactions regarding his political actions and public statements. The new party aims to change the traditional party system and introduce a more democratic model. Panayiotou states that achieving change requires power in Parliament to advance his proposals.

The Cyprus issue will undergo a test of endurance before the end of the year, with third parties believing that conditions have changed following the election of Tufan Erhürman. International agendas include Turkey's wishes regarding the EU, while Cyprus expects significant developments in November and December. The Turkish side is likely to avoid participation in EU meetings during the Cyprus Presidency. Erhürman is seen by some as an opportunity for change, though his political stance remains unclear. The Cyprus issue is expected to resurface due to the involvement of the UN Secretary-General.

The establishment of a permanent desalination plant in free Famagusta is delayed due to challenges in finding suitable locations. As a temporary solution, the installation of a mobile desalination unit is being considered to meet water supply needs before the summer of 2026. Four potential sites have been identified to serve the tourist areas. Meanwhile, procedures are underway for a new permanent plant in the Dekelia area. The existing plant is set to close in 2027, making the search for a new solution urgent.

Municipalities owe approximately 600 million euros to the state and banks. This, along with the actuarial deficit, poses a significant problem that could affect citizens. State grants for municipalities will total 339 million euros, but overdue debts will need to be offset. The number of municipalities has been reduced to 20, aiming to improve financial management. The local government reform was implemented in July 2024.

The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a fire protection plan for the semi-mountainous areas of Cyprus due to the increased risk of wildfires. The plan includes cleaning operations, creating firebreaks, and monitoring forests. New fire brigade personnel have been hired to enhance operational readiness. There is collaboration with the Fire Service for better coordination of operations. Additionally, projects are underway to mitigate risks from electrical wires.