5 Minute News

The European Commission criticized Turkey for excluding Cyprus from preparatory meetings ahead of the COP31 Climate Conference. The EU climate commissioner stated that they will not accept this stance and emphasized the importance of cooperation with all member states. Turkey is hosting the summit but has no diplomatic relations with Cyprus. The Commission reiterated that the exclusion of this state is unacceptable. Relations between Turkey and Cyprus remain tense.

A 38-year-old convicted rapist murdered a 21-year-old barmaid after she rejected his romantic advances. The perpetrator, Michael Doherty, assaulted and raped her, leaving her with severe injuries. After the murder, he told police he had a body in his home. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years. The court found that Courtney Angus was not his girlfriend but a good friend who had clarified her boundaries.

The Elections Service addressed concerns about seat allocation, clarifying that initial announcements were based on unofficial results. Director Menelaos Vasiliou stated that official results are established only after strict checks. The system used an algorithm that predicted allocations based on unofficial data, leading to confusion. The Service emphasized that controls worked correctly and official results were confirmed early in the morning. It was suggested not to announce seats during the flow of unofficial results to avoid misunderstandings.

The nomination process for the vice-mayorship of Aglantzia is underway following the election of Andreas Konstantinou to the Parliament. Interested candidates from DISY include Christos Liverdos and Prokopis Prokopiou, but final decisions are pending. Meanwhile, AKEL and DIKO are also discussing candidates, with names like Evgenia Aletra and Myroula Lamprou mentioned. The elections are scheduled for June 28. The process is accompanied by necessary deadlines for the publication of candidacies.

The Limassol Criminal Court found a psychologist guilty of sexually abusing a minor patient. The case highlights the betrayal of trust towards the complainant, who was approximately 17.5 years old at the time. The psychologist faced four counts of abuse. Witnesses were examined, and evidence was presented in court to substantiate the case. The complainant, initially withdrawn and lacking self-confidence, showed improvement in her social relationships and studies after her therapy sessions.

This year, there are price increases for sunbeds and umbrellas on many beaches in Cyprus. The Central Beach Committee raised the price ceiling to €3.50 for sunbeds and €3 for umbrellas. Prices remain at €2.50 in Larnaca. Consumers are expressing concern and dissatisfaction regarding the increases, especially considering the cost of living. The Cyprus Consumer Association is calling for a reconsideration of these decisions.

The Civil Defense has issued recommendations for preparation and self-protection during heavy rain, storms, and strong winds due to a yellow warning. It is advised to check your drainage systems and gutters, and prepare sandbags if you are in a flood-prone area. Residents with basements should ensure they are protected against flooding. Also, during a flood, citizens should limit movement and seek safe ground. After flooding, caution is advised regarding changes in the landscape and contaminated areas.

The Health Insurance Organization announced the end of supplies for the injectable diabetes medication Victoza. Doctors are urged to switch their patients to the treatment with Ozempic, which contains a different substance. This transition will take effect on June 1, 2026. The organization has created specific medication codes for patients already receiving Victoza. Doctors must submit requests in a timely manner to avoid delays in patient treatment.

Odysseas Michailidis rules out supporting Nikola Papadopoulos for the Presidency of the House from ALMA. He is considering cooperation with Stefanos Stefanou and evaluating the candidacy of Irini Charalambidou. He plans to meet with ELAM to explore intentions. ALMA's primary choice is to support individuals from the opposition. Michailidis expresses a desire for more clarity on AKEL's positions.

ELAM plans to support its own candidate for the Presidency of the House and excludes Annita Dimitriou and the 15 MPs of AKEL from its support. This decision may change if meetings with other parties take place. During the meeting, ELAM also discussed matters regarding parliamentary committees, proposing mergers and a new committee on demographic issues. They are seeking two to three presidencies of parliamentary committees. The final decision on their candidate in the first round is not definitive.

Reductions in fuel prices are expected in Cyprus over the next 10 days due to a drop in international oil prices. Savvas Prokopiou, President of the Pancyprian Association of Petrol Station Owners, noted that there’s usually a 10-15 day delay in local prices reflecting international fluctuations. Despite recent increases in international prices, it seems that local prices will decrease. However, there are uncertain factors that could affect the situation. Prokopiou believes that based on experience, some reductions are likely to be observed.

Out of the 56 newly elected MPs, 34 will retire at 60 while 22 will retire at 65. This difference arises from a new legal framework that abolishes multiple pensions. MPs who previously held state positions will retire earlier. The remaining new MPs, who did not have prior state positions, will follow the new retirement age. The law's provisions have sparked discussions due to constitutional constraints.

An operation by the Immigration Service in Larnaca turned tragic when one of the three individuals who jumped from balconies died. The Larnaca Police Director stated that the injured tried to flee before the police reached the apartments. Investigations are ongoing, and a fatal inquiry will follow. The other two injured individuals are hospitalized for observation, with one requiring surgery. The building's suitability is being assessed.

The judicial process for the rape case involving the suspended Mayor of Paphos, Phaedon Phaedonos, begins today. He has been summoned to trial and has signed a €100,000 bail for his appearance. Today, the charges will be read, and he will be asked to plead guilty or not. If he admits guilt, the court will proceed with sentencing. If he does not accept the charges, a new court date will be set for the trial to begin.

Bishop Tychicos will receive a letter asking him to leave the Paphos Metropolis before the enthronement of the new Bishop Gregory. This move aims to facilitate Gregory in his new position. Tychicos, who is currently suspended, has his own home and will have time to move. Despite his departure, Gregory stated that the doors of the Metropolis are open to all. The situation remains tense although the Holy Synod has not clarified the next steps.

The mayor of Paphos, Phaidonas Phaidonou, is on trial today for a rape case. The accused will be asked to respond to the charges against him. If he pleads guilty, the court will continue with sentencing. If he does not, a new hearing will be scheduled for the trial to proceed. The process is being handled carefully regarding public access and the publicity of the trial.

Northern Europe is experiencing heatwaves due to a thermal dome, with record temperatures and 11 reported deaths. Meteorologist Cleanthis Nikolaidis explains that the thermal dome will not affect Cyprus. However, there are concerns about the El Niño system, which could lead to prolonged droughts in the region. The dome is formed by high atmospheric pressure, resulting in rising temperatures. Currently, Cyprus is experiencing a seasonal low-pressure system that will bring local rain.

The political scene for the Presidency of the House of Representatives is undergoing significant changes, with a search for consensus among parties. Nikolaos Papadopoulos may gain support from AKEL and other political forces, potentially leading to his election. The candidacy of Annita Dimitriou appears to be losing ground. Contacts between political figures, such as Stefanos Stefanou and Nikolaos Papadopoulos, indicate a trend towards cooperation. Developments are expected next week.

The case of Mohammed Saiful Alam, a businessman from Bangladesh, highlights the implications of the Cyprus Investment Program. Alam was sentenced to five months in prison, and Cypriot authorities froze his property in Parekklisia. Bangladeshi authorities allege he is involved in money laundering amounting to 8 billion euros. He is also being investigated for serious financial irregularities and illegal activities. This case underscores the challenges and risks associated with foreign investments in Cyprus.

Savvia Orphanidou and Odysseas Michailidis have decided to waive their pensions under a new law that allows this. Orphanidou has already submitted the declaration since she previously worked at the Ministry of Finance. Stefanos Stefanou will continue to donate his pension to charitable institutions. Other MPs must also decide whether to waive their pensions by June 9. The process appears to have positive reactions regarding social contributions.

A tragic incident occurred at the Filaida apartment building in Larnaca, where a foreign national died after jumping from the fourth floor. The operation by the Migration Service targeted foreigners living without permits. The individual jumped to avoid arrest, resulting in serious injuries. Two other individuals were also injured during the same attempt. Their condition is serious but stable.