5 Minute News

Comments made by independent MP Andreas Themistekoulos during a television show sparked backlash and were labeled sexist by the Commissioner for Gender Equality. It was emphasized that political discourse should not promote gender-based biases. The Commissioner called for people to be judged on their work rather than their gender or profession. She also highlighted the disrespect shown to women who work professionally and with dignity. Respect and equality are fundamental values that should be upheld in all public discourse.

A new suspect is emerging in the murder case of Stavros Dimosthenous, who appears to have played a central role. Authorities present evidence indicating the involvement of two 28-year-old Georgians, with further arrests anticipated. A BMW, identified as the getaway vehicle, was captured on surveillance cameras and belongs to the father of one suspect. Investigations have been conducted to connect the vehicle to the murder, and there may have been DNA evidence found. The suspect claimed he was in the area to buy drugs but did not provide further details.

Pissouri has added a large haloumi sculpture to the map of agricultural constructions in Cyprus. The sculpture is placed outside the Multipurpose Cultural Center and the new 'House of Haloumi' museum. The goal of the project is to promote the traditional product. The work was funded by a former village mayor. The Community Council happily accepted the donation.

A deal for the sale of Cypriot natural gas from the Kronos reservoir to Egypt is expected in November. Energy Minister George Papadopoulos stated that the final investment decision for Kronos will be made by the end of the year. Agreements between Cyprus and Egypt enable the exploitation of natural gas for sale in the markets. For the Aphrodite reservoir, the decision is expected by the end of 2024, with the FEED study completion in 2026. A seabed survey will be completed by mid-November, which will determine the pipeline route.

The Game Service and the Police conducted targeted searches in homes and establishments, discovering two wild goat skulls and 1,008 killed wild birds. These searches were carried out under judicial warrants in Nicosia and Limassol regions. Five individuals have been charged, and several hunting weapons and bird trapping devices were seized. This action aims to protect wildlife and combat illegal hunters. The situation remains serious for the conservation of biodiversity.

A 58-year-old television chef was arrested in Greece for debts to the state. He ran a food business with revenues of between 1.3 and 1.4 million euros but supposedly owes more than 350,000 euros. Authorities are investigating his tax obligations related to the business. Although he had evaded previous penalties, this time he faces serious consequences. His arrest occurred on October 31, and he may face imprisonment if he does not settle his debts.

Hlias Kasidiaris attempted to refute the charges against him during his trial related to Golden Dawn. He claimed that the murder of Pavlos Fyssas was a crime that severely impacted him and his party. He also referred to other murders linked to criminal organizations, criticizing the lack of arrests. He condemned violence, sharing his own experiences. Finally, he denied any involvement in training members of Golden Dawn.

The president of the Nicosia OAC, Georgiatzis, announced a reduction in the members of the Boards from 60 to 17 to cut costs. This measure is not limited to Nicosia, as the 46 authorities at the national level have been reduced to 5. These changes aim to improve efficiency and save resources. At the same time, the OAC is expecting a funding of 2 million euros from the government for handling dangerous buildings. The progress of the reform seems to be going satisfactorily, according to Georgiatzis.

Greek Paralympian Charalampos Taiganidis has started an attempt to break the world record for continuous swimming, beginning in Paphos. The swim, set to cover 160 kilometers, will end in Ayia Napa and aims to support children with cancer. Taiganidis expressed gratitude for the team's support and emphasized the importance of dreams without limits. His endeavor is being carefully prepared over two years. The local community recognizes the significant effort behind this inspiring journey.

Only one woman out of two who expressed interest in voluntary enlistment in the National Guard showed up at the Limassol Training Center. The woman arrived in the morning and completed the required procedures for her enlistment. She is now waiting for her assignment to a unit. This situation suggests there is interest, but also some difficulty in attendance. Even though there were two interested, only one decided to proceed.

Two 28-year-olds were arrested by the police for the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous in Limassol and were taken to the Appeals Prosecutor's Office in Thessaloniki. The accused are Greek nationals from Georgia, and their extradition to Cyprus will be considered. If they consent, the extradition process will proceed immediately. If they do not agree, the Thessaloniki Appeals Council will decide on the Cypriot request. They have not had previous issues with Greek authorities.

In the Parliament, there was tension during the Economic Committee's examination of the Energy Ministry budget. MP Kyriakos Chatzigianis urged Energy Minister Georgios Papapanastasiou to reveal the shareholders of EuroAsia. The minister stated that the European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the case due to a previous complaint. The exchanges between MPs became heated, with references to café-style discussions. Ultimately, the minister noted that they bear no responsibility for the project taken over from the previous government.

Hassan Tosunoglu, a politician from the occupied territories, protests the arrest of his son at the checkpoint related to a child pornography case. Tosunoglu accuses the Greek Cypriot side of misinformation and political exploitation of the situation. He asserts that his son is innocent and that the police are attempting to promote false accusations. He urges people not to believe the charges and insists that his son will prove his innocence. His statements revolve around the moral and political dimensions of the issue.

King Charles has decided to remove all titles and honors from Prince Andrew due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, which has been damaging to the monarchy. Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and must vacate his royal residence. The decision comes after increasing pressure to address the negative publicity surrounding him. Politicians say this action is delayed but necessary. Andrew has expressed disappointment but has agreed to comply to avoid further damaging publicity.

On Friday morning, a traffic accident occurred in Nicosia, causing a traffic jam. Three vehicles were involved on Kalamon Avenue, near the roundabout of the General Hospital. The traffic was heavily impacted at the scene due to the accident. A woman was transported to the hospital for precautionary examinations. The situation has significantly affected the area's traffic flow.

For nearly six years, an agreement between the Cypriot Association of Occupational Therapists and the Health Insurance Organization has not been reached, causing many patients to pay out of pocket for services that should be covered by the GESY. This situation is particularly distressing for families with children who have disabilities. The Ministry of Health and the OAY are called to take action, as there is a budget available, but not enough professionals. The spokesperson for OSAK stated that patients' needs should not be used as leverage for negotiations. There is an urgent need for dialogue to ensure uninterrupted service provision.

Discussions regarding the bill on radiology centers in Cyprus have sparked tensions and disagreements among doctors, technicians, and center owners. MPs report allegations of collusion and kickbacks between doctors and radiology centers. Concerns arise from some individuals' obsession with pushing their interests at the expense of citizens. Legislators emphasize the importance of patient safety and accurate diagnoses. There is a need for transparency and robust legislation in this sector.

The Cypriot Parliament unanimously approved a bill to regulate foreign investments related to public safety. The discussion was intense and marked by political debates, particularly concerning the sale of properties to investors from third countries. The left-wing party, AKEL, proposed amendments to impose restrictions, which were ultimately voted down. They argue that unregulated property sales lead to rising prices and security issues. The debate continues, with concerns about ideological implications and the nation's security.

The lawyers for the family of Thanasis Nikolaou are preparing two indictments concerning his death and alleged omissions by state officials. Experts from Athens will be consulted before the indictments are filed. The first indictment will concern a coroner and former police officers, while the second will involve military personnel accused of bullying Thanasis. The family's lawyer aims for the charges to be based on previous investigations. The accused have already shown their opposition to the allegations.

Today, employers and trade unions are meeting with the Ministers of Labor and Finance to reach an agreement on the ATΑ. There is optimism, but also concern regarding the red lines set by both sides. Employers were not satisfied with previous meetings, and the joint session may not take place. Trade unions are demanding a quick proposal, otherwise, they will consider taking measures. Time is pressing, and the situation remains fragile.

Energean has signed a Letter of Intent with Cyfield for the construction of a natural gas pipeline from the Israeli Exclusive Economic Zone to Vasilikos. The pipeline will be used for electricity generation and aims to be cost-effective. However, there are legal hurdles to overcome before construction can begin, including the amendment of laws regarding natural gas imports in Cyprus. The construction is expected to take around 14 months, but permits are necessary and might delay the process. Energean and Cyfield are also awaiting government support to move forward with the project.

Two Greek nationals from Georgia were arrested in Thessaloniki for the murder of Stavros Dimosthenous in Cyprus. Authorities issued European arrest warrants, and the suspects are expected to be handed over to Cypriot authorities. One of them is alleged to be the shooter, while the other was the getaway driver. The extradition process must be completed within 90 days from the arrest. Investigators hope that these arrests will shed light on the motives behind the murder.