5 Minute News

The police arrested a 22-year-old SYOP in connection with the investigation of an attempted murder against a 47-year-old in Larnaca that occurred last July. During the arrest, a loaded weapon was found and seized from the suspect's residence. The attempted murder took place in the Dromolaxia Industrial Area, and the 47-year-old was not injured. The police are continuing to investigate the case. The 22-year-old is believed to be linked to the incident based on witness testimony.

The Limassol District Court rejected Rikkos Erotokritou's application for the restoration of his criminal record, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses for which he was convicted. The decision highlights that accepting the application would send the wrong messages to society and undermine trust in the judicial institutions. Erotokritou was significantly involved in the offenses, and his application was submitted shortly after his sentence. The court believes that the public interest is not served by restoring his record. Memories of the case are still fresh in Cypriot society.

METRO Supermarkets have announced the opening of a new supermarket in Agia Fyla, Cyprus. This marks the seventh supermarket on the island, strengthening their presence in Limassol. Currently, there are seven METRO stores operating in Cyprus, distributed across major cities. The first METRO store opened in 1982 in Larnaca. The new store will offer a wide range of products to consumers.

Avgi Chatzipaulou, a candidate for the AKEL party, participated in the musical show "The Voice of Greece." In the episode aired on November 9, she performed the song "Akrogialiés Deyliná" and impressed judges Christos Mastoras and Pano Mouzourakis. She ultimately chose to join Pano Mouzourakis' team for the next stage of the competition. Notably, her participation in the show occurred before she announced her candidacy. Her candidacy for the parliament was announced on November 16.

The Department of Forests announces the evacuation of the Platanion Camping Area to carry out upgrade works. The improvements include enhancing existing infrastructures, designating parking areas for caravans and tents, and reinforcing fire protection measures. The area must be vacated by December 15, 2025. The camping site has already suspended its operations since November 5, 2025. The Department of Forests requests the public's understanding.

Labor Minister Yiannis Panayiotou announced that the national minimum wage is set to increase twice by 2028. The first increase will take effect in January 2027, and the second will be implemented in 2028. The minister emphasized the need for a positive economic outlook for the approximately 55,000 employees earning minimum wage to benefit. He also mentioned compliance with the European directive on wage adequacy, with plans to submit an action plan to the Commission. Finally, he stated that pension reform bills will be submitted within the year.

Tensions in the education sector are escalating as the PODE announced a work stoppage due to issues with teacher evaluations. PODE president Myria Vassiliou stated that the work stoppage will take place on Wednesday, November 26, from 7:30 to 9:00 AM. This announcement followed an emergency meeting of organized teachers. The situation is expected to affect the operation of elementary schools. PODE is calling for attention to the problems faced by educators.

Little Ariadne is battling the rare MOGHE syndrome, which causes uncontrolled epileptic seizures, with only 50 recorded cases worldwide. Despite undergoing three surgeries, there has been no improvement. The only available treatment is the RNS method at UCLA in California. The Alkinoos Artemiou Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign to support Ariadne. The campaign has garnered significant community support, with contributions potentially helping Ariadne access the treatment.

The police have officially registered the case concerning documents from the Central Prisons, which were found in the home of a chief prison officer. Eight individuals, including former director Anna Aristotelous, are facing criminal charges. The case involves serious allegations and has been filed at the Nicosia District Court. The accused include five prison guards. This development is significant as the availability period of the involved prison guards is ending.

The Education Committee has changed the time of its meeting regarding the evaluation of teachers to 2 PM next Wednesday. This change occurs after school hours have finished. The OELMEK needs to decide on the strike it announced for that morning. Parents have opposed the strike, asking for students not to attend school on Wednesday. The situation remains fluid, and the decisions of the teachers' unions are awaited.

The four defendants in the murder case of Stavros Dimosthenous will remain in custody until the trial begins at the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court. The judge noted the existence of a flight risk, especially for the 51-year-old accused, as no strong ties to Cyprus were found. This risk also applies to the other defendants, who include two 30-year-olds and a 31-year-old Georgian. The trial is scheduled to start on January 29, 2026, after the case was referred from the District Court. The defendants also face the risk of influencing witnesses.

The Pan-Cyprian Confederation of Public School Parents expresses objections to the strike action by OELMEK scheduled for November 19. They believe it is impractical for 48,000 students to reach their schools by 11:00 a.m., as most use school buses. Parents are asking the Ministry of Education to consider the option of not having students attend schools for the entire day. They assert that the right to education must be protected even during union protests. Finally, they hope for a positive outcome regarding the ongoing evaluation processes for teachers.

President Nikos Christodoulides emphasizes the urgent need for the passage of the teacher evaluation reform, linked to €60 million funding from the Recovery and Resilience Fund. He insists that this funding must not be lost and that parliamentary discussions will begin soon. The President hopes that parties will cooperate to push for change, highlighting that evaluation is critical for the future of education. He mentions that any delay could affect other planned reforms. The situation requires swift and decisive actions.

A 35-year-old woman from the United States was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Larnaca Criminal Court for attempting to import 35 kilograms of cannabis into Cyprus. The accused admitted she was recruited through a social media app to transport drugs. She arrived at Larnaca Airport from Barcelona with two suitcases containing the cannabis. She stated that she was promised her holiday expenses and 1,000 euros for the delivery. The court emphasized the need for strict penalties for such drug-related cases.

Ozai Sendir, the director of the pro-government newspaper Milliyet, warns about an increased risk of tension in Cyprus, linking the situation to Israeli influence and the presence of far-right groups. He argues that Israel aims to escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and accuses the Cypriot government of cooperating with these groups. Sendir states that the Greek Orthodox Church has close ties to the political sector and influences the situation. He even predicts that 'provocative incidents' could occur, leading to a Turkish reaction. Overall, he warns that the situation could become dangerously escalated if not addressed.

A 37-year-old gymnast has been arrested for her involvement in a fraud ring allegedly operated by Roma. Authorities uncovered suspicious financial transactions and seized expensive mobile phones and cash from her home. Despite her public image as a successful athlete, she has found herself at the center of a police investigation revealing ties to criminal activities. She denies any involvement and claims that the deposits in her account are not illegal. Conversations with her brother indicate he used her account to obscure the source of illicit funds.

Since May 2023, no inspectors or educators from the Ministry of Education of Cyprus have visited schools in the occupied territories due to a requirement for written requests from the pseudo-state. Despite this ban, education in the occupied schools is deemed satisfactory. In the 2023-2024 school year, a total of 32 children are attending three schools. Known issues such as censorship and attempts to limit educational activities persist. The Rizokarpaso Primary School is the only Greek primary school that has remained operational throughout the Turkish occupation.

The General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, presented the party's candidate list for Nicosia, which includes 19 candidates, four of whom are current MPs. The average age of the candidates is 42 years, with significant youth and female representation. Stefanou emphasized the need for a strong AKEL capable of applying pressure on the Government. Many candidates come from the Social Alliance and the broader left-wing movement. The electoral process is being prepared with criticism of government policies.

The European Commission has announced new initiatives to support small-scale coastal fishing, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and fairness for fishing communities. It urges member states to improve fisheries allocation processes and enhance transparency. Fisheries Commissioner Kostas Kadis has engaged with fishermen and local stakeholders to gather input for shaping the new guidelines. The initiative aims for the long-term sustainability of the sector, addressing challenges arising from climate change and other factors. A dialogue with fishermen will be organized soon, focusing on the effectiveness of these policies.

This week, significant developments are expected regarding teacher evaluation. Teachers have planned a work stoppage and protest outside the Parliament during the discussion of the Ministry of Education's bill. Despite dialogue efforts, no agreement has been reached between the ministry and educational organizations. Both POED and OELMEK have rejected the bill, citing deficiencies in the implementation plans. They demand full consultation and a clear support plan for the evaluation's implementation.

Paphos is awaiting the results of the tender for the construction of a new marina in the Potima area. The project is considered crucial for the tourism and economic development of the region. The marina will accommodate 1,000 recreational boats and includes residential and commercial development. The process will be two-phased, and there is hope that this attempt will be successful. The President of the Republic has stated that the project will enhance the city as a top tourist destination.

Today, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Konstantinos Kombos, will discuss various topics in Washington. The agenda includes bilateral and regional issues, energy matters, and the revival of the 3+1 framework. Special focus will be given to the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council in 2026 and Cyprus's entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This meeting is the second visit of Kombos to the State Department since taking office and is considered significant for U.S.-Cyprus relations. It comes right after other diplomatic meetings in the region.

The number of students referred to educational psychologists has significantly increased, reaching 10,598 for the 2023-2024 school year. About 65% of the cases involve boys, while 35% involve girls. Most referrals come from schools and relate to ongoing issues. The majority of cases require ongoing support. The data indicates a growing need for psychological assistance within school communities.

Motorcyclists are paying a heavy price on the roads, with an increasing number of fatal accidents. This year, there have been 40 fatal road collisions resulting in 40 deaths, and it is estimated that deaths will exceed last year's figures. The main cause of this increase is carelessness due to mobile phone use while driving. Limassol has the highest number of fatalities, with 14 deaths reported so far. The rise in deaths is concerning, and fewer vehicle drivers are killed this year compared to motorcyclists.

The first meeting between Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhurman is scheduled and is seen as an opportunity to clarify the positions and intentions of both sides. Christodoulides is waiting for an announcement from the United Nations regarding the location and timing of the meeting. He states that he has listened carefully to the statements made by Erhurman and the Turkish President, but emphasizes that the Cyprus issue is a serious national matter that cannot be confined to public statements. He highlights the significance of the meeting for the resumption of talks. He assured that there are answers to all issues, but opts not to comment publicly.