5 Minute News

last year

In Zakynthos, a 2-year-old boy was attacked by a pit bull and suffered fatal injuries. The child was in the yard of his home when he approached the chained dog, which then attacked him. Despite medical efforts, the child passed away. The family was known for rescuing many dogs, with the pit bull being the only one that was chained. The boy's father is in shock and struggling to cope with the tragedy.

Areas in the Larnaca district are without electricity due to a fault in the EAC network. The outage affects Agios Theodoros, Maroni, Pshemahismenos, and Zygi. EAC teams are working on restoring the issue. The expected time for the electricity to be restored is 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Residents should prepare for the temporary interruption in power supply.

On Saturday, a brawl occurred in Liopetri, in the Famagusta district. According to the Police, there was an incident involving individuals on a public road. The brawl caused damage to a vehicle belonging to those involved. The vehicle was left abandoned on the community road. The Police are conducting investigations to locate the individuals involved in the incident.

33-year-old Kirstin Gärtner died from hypothermia on a mountain in Austria after her partner left her alone to seek help. She was about 50 meters from the summit of Grossglockner, where temperatures were dangerously low. Her partner, Thomas Plamberger, faces charges of manslaughter due to negligence for not taking her to a safe place. Rescue teams were unable to reach her until the next morning due to high winds. Her family and friends have created a memorial page to honor her.

A tragedy occurred in Zakynthos with the loss of a two-year-old child due to a dog attack. The dog, which was a pit bull, attacked the child and inflicted a fatal injury to the neck. Despite the doctors' efforts to save the child, they were unsuccessful. The news has shocked the local community. Important discussions about the safety concerning this breed of dog are expected.

In Thessaloniki, three members of a trafficking ring remain imprisoned for exploiting underage Bulgarian and Romanian girls. A Bulgarian minor recounted her nightmare, where after false promises from admirers, she ended up in an apartment where she was forced into prostitution. She describes her relationship with a 16-year-old and how, through other men, she was led to Italy and then to Greece for work. Upon arriving in Greece, she realized the true nature of her situation and that she was meant to work as a prostitute. She accepted this state under pressure and threats from her partner.

A tornado struck Tala on Friday night, causing damage to properties and burning electric cables of the local electricity authority. Trees fell in nearby areas, including near the Vasidas Folk Art Museum, leading to significant damage. The community is looking into ways to provide assistance. The museum owner recalled a similar event occurring ten years ago. At least ten trees were uprooted by the tornado.

The US Ambassador to Turkey stated that Ankara is approaching the removal of the Russian S-400s and that the issues with the F-35s may be resolved soon. However, diplomats warn that the removal of the S-400s will not automatically solve the F-35 problem. The main opposing factor is Israel, which sees Turkey as a strategic rival in the region. Additionally, President Trump has a personal relationship with Erdogan, but his room for maneuver is limited due to political balances. There are also institutional barriers, such as CAATSA sanctions and lobbying influences against Turkey.

A forest fire broke out due to lightning in the community of Agios Theodoros in Nicosia. The Department of Forests announced that the fire was brought under control on Saturday morning, December 6th. Immediate action was taken by the firefighting forces. Six personnel participated in the operation with two firefighting vehicles. The fire burned a small area of low wild vegetation.

A mountaineer left his girlfriend 50 meters from the summit of Grossglockner in Austria, leading to her death from hypothermia. The 33-year-old woman struggled during the ascent, and despite the man's experience, he left her alone to seek help. He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. Prosecutors highlight several mistakes he made, including starting the ascent late and lacking adequate emergency equipment. His trial is set for February 2026.

A 44-year-old woman was arrested for the theft of Holy Relics from a chapel in Pano Deutera. The woman was found with the relics in her home and will appear in court. The priest of the church took responsibility for the failure to secure the area. He emphasized the need for security measures in sacred spaces, such as surveillance cameras. The relics were stolen during the Divine Liturgy.

Sabbas Sabbas from the Orthopedic Applications Center discussed the recent installation of a bionic hand for a 45-year-old patient in Cyprus. This procedure helps patients regain movement and improve their quality of life. Seventy percent of cases involve amputees due to diabetes. The center has seen a steady increase in patients needing prosthetics. New technology has sped up the recovery process.

The newspaper 'Fileleftheros' is celebrating its 70th anniversary by offering a 220-page commemorative edition to its readers. The paper has played a significant role in the Cypriot struggle against colonialism, dictatorship, and Turkish occupation. Publisher Nikos Ch. Pattihis emphasizes the importance of the free distribution of the album to honor all those who contributed to the newspaper's history. This edition includes testimonies and visual material that highlight the 'F' significance in Cypriot society. The founder's vision and determination continue to inspire the current leadership.

The Interior Ministry is working on structuring the ballot for the upcoming parliamentary elections, anticipating many candidates from various political groups. This means the ballot may be very large and require special handling, such as printing it front and back. In the coming days, a meeting will be held to inform party representatives about these proposals. There is also an ongoing issue concerning candidates with shared names. The Ministry is adjusting its proposals based on legal concerns raised.

Finding nursery and preschool places has become increasingly difficult for parents, prompting them to start their search during pregnancy. Heightened demand combined with a lack of new spots exacerbates the situation. Some private kindergartens are withdrawing from state programs, leaving parents with limited choices. Many families are forced to seek solutions early to secure more affordable options. The deputy chairman of the Education Committee pointed out that the situation is worsening due to increasing demand and called for legislative changes.

The mayor of Nicosia warned of possible lawsuits against the government if the agreement for the revitalization of the historic center fails. The agreement includes the renovation of the Faneromeni building and the operation of an architecture school. The Minister of Finance seems concerned about the imbalance of the agreement in terms of government responsibilities. The mayor urged the President to include the funding in the 2026 budget. Despite concerns, the vision for revitalizing the city continues.

A lawyer was serving a prison sentence while practicing law with a license obtained from the Cyprus Bar Association. This conduct was deemed unacceptable and led to disciplinary proceedings against him. The lawyer admitted to two out of four charges, which involved holding a license while under house arrest. He had previously been convicted of serious criminal offenses and had a confiscation order issued against him. The Disciplinary Council considered his behavior a serious disciplinary offense.

Tufan Erhürman presented his terms for the Cyprus issue during a meeting with the UN Secretary-General's envoy, Maria Angela Olguin. They discussed confidence-building measures and the recent congestion at the Agios Dometios checkpoint. Erhürman stated that the responsibility for traffic issues lies with the Greek Cypriot side. He also emphasized the need for ongoing staffing at the control points during crossings. Today, Olguin is expected to meet with President Christodoulides.

Nikos Christodoulides unexpectedly announced a government reshuffle with a center-right direction and social liberalism. The new reshuffle includes a strengthened presence of DIKO and DIPA, with new ministers who support his candidacy. Some ministers are reassigned to new ministries, while EDEK remains unchanged. The changes reflect Christodoulides' strategy to draw influence from past political leaders. The announcement of these changes was made right after his return from a trip to Ukraine.