5 Minute News

Fourteen years after a traffic accident in Athienou, a driver attempted to overturn a court ruling that assigned him 80% of the responsibility. The Supreme Court confirmed the lower court's decision, stating that the driver's actions caused the accident. Although the other driver was found partly responsible for negligence, her responsibility was deemed lesser. The appellant claimed the majority of the blame should fall on his opponent, but this was rejected by the Supreme Court. The ruling upheld that there was no error in the initial assessment of the facts.

In the Aglandjia Deputy Municipality, DISY, AKEL, and DIKO are considering candidates following the election of a new President of the Parliament. DISY will conduct internal party elections to select their candidate, with the official submission of candidacies set for June 18. Costas Kortex will meet with the DIKO president to discuss the deputy mayor situation. AKEL is reportedly considering Dr. Andri Hadjiandreou as a candidate. Elections for the deputy mayor's position are scheduled for June 28.

The agreement between DISY and Direct Democracy regarding the Presidency of the Parliament responds to criticism by emphasizing that it is solely focused on social policies. They state that there are no bargains or ties to the presidential elections. The agreement aims for complete transparency and includes three areas of social policy. These areas focus on supporting families, addressing declining birth rates, and aiding low pensioners. Despite mentions of details and preconditions, there is hope for broader consensus.

Approximately 6,650 animals have been euthanized in Cyprus due to foot-and-mouth disease. This process was completed according to a plan announced by the Ministry of Agriculture. Veterinary services worked tirelessly to finalize it. In some regions, operations continued until 4 AM. The collaboration of the authorities was crucial in protecting the livestock sector and ensuring food security.

A car accident occurred on the Nicosia-Limassol highway when one vehicle collided with another and caught fire. The driver and passengers escaped the vehicle in time. Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. All involved were taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons, without serious injuries. The police continue to investigate the cause of the accident.

A fire broke out in an abandoned house in Paphos, which was known to be sheltering homeless people. The homeless managed to evacuate before any danger occurred. Firefighters quickly arrived and extinguished the blaze, which caused significant damage. The house belonged to Androula Vasiliou and was recently purchased by a foreign national. Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire.

Today, the weather will start mostly sunny, but local rain and storms are expected, especially in the mountainous areas. Winds will blow from the south and will strengthen throughout the day. Temperatures will reach up to 33 degrees Celsius in the interior and 24 degrees in higher mountainous areas. Tonight, the weather will remain clear, with temperatures around 16 degrees. On Sunday and Monday, mainly sunny weather is expected, with possible local rains in the afternoon.

The new Organized Crime Fighting Service will be named DAOEE and is set to be established next month. It will merge existing agencies and recruit specialized personnel to address organized crime in Cyprus. Its goal is to monitor financial flows and combat money laundering. There have already been investigations into serious cases, resulting in the first arrests and seizures of money. The new service is expected to be operational soon, enhancing crime-fighting efforts on the island.

The Traffic Police has identified 48 dangerous spots on the road network, mainly in Nicosia and Larnaca, where accidents frequently occur. This list has been published to inform drivers so they can be more cautious. The most dangerous spot is located at the intersection of Stasinou and Salaminos avenues. These collisions are attributed to various factors such as traffic light regulation and human error. The Traffic Police is working on improving road safety and preventing accidents.

President Christodoulides stated that the EU responds positively to countries seeking membership when they fulfill their obligations. He highlighted Turkey, indicating that if it meets its obligations, both the EU and Cyprus will respond positively. During the EU-Western Balkans summit, he mentioned the progress achieved during the Cypriot Presidency, emphasizing the positive momentum for the integration of candidate countries like Montenegro and Albania. Christodoulides stressed the importance of candidate countries fulfilling their obligations and the need for reforms. This progress reflects the European perspective of the Western Balkans and counters the efforts of third countries.

The phenomenon El Niño is expected to be very strong this year, leading to rising temperatures and drought. The director of the Meteorological Department highlights that it will affect Cyprus and the region, which are already suffering from the climate crisis. El Niño is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the tropical Pacific, and its effects may be intensified by human-induced climate change. Past episodes of El Niño had significant global impacts. The frequency of the phenomenon varies, occurring in cycles of 2 to 7 years.

The Financial Commissioner has halted 136 cases of main home foreclosures in the past two years, despite her limited authority. The increase in requests for suspension of foreclosures is due to the intensification of foreclosure processes related to housing loans. The new legislative framework effective from June 1 strengthens the Commissioner's powers for binding decisions. Estimates indicate that this trend will continue, as more borrowers seek alternative solutions for their debts. 89% of the requests pertain to mortgaged properties held by credit acquisition companies.

The re-election of Annita Dimitriou as the President of the Parliament is linked to a video recorded prior to the parliamentary session. The video sparked immediate reactions and suspicions, particularly regarding threats received by Dimitriou. Many analysts suggest that the support from the Immediate Democracy party was unexpected. The political climate appears tense, with disagreements and dissatisfaction within the DISY party. The developments could have significant implications for the political landscape.

The construction of the new Archaeological Museum has been delayed by 13 months, with completion expected in November 2026. The contractor originally requested a 500-day extension, and work is now anticipated to be finished by December 2027. Negotiations have taken place, granting new deadlines, but it remains uncertain if these schedules will be adhered to. The Ministry of Transport indicates that further delays might occur. Construction began in January 2023.

Authorities from the United Kingdom are requesting the extradition of a 45-year-old man, Rashad Sultanov, from the Republic of Cyprus for espionage activities against them. Sultanov is accused of photographing military installations within British Bases in Cyprus. Although he is already facing charges in Cyprus, the British request is pending as documents from the UK authorities are awaited. This situation is gaining additional significance due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East. British authorities have shown keen interest in the case since Sultanov's arrest.