5 Minute News

The father of the three-year-old child who died after falling from a hotel remains in custody. His request for release has not been answered, and the case is pending between the Police and the Legal Service. His lawyer has raised concerns about the lack of updates regarding the case's status. Questions arise about why he has not been released despite the investigations being completed. The family is still waiting for developments.

President Nikos Christodoulides announced that there are developments in the case of the murders of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou. He emphasized the importance of commemorating them and the obligation of society to continue the struggle they fought for. He also highlighted the ideals for which they sacrificed their lives. The President followed the route of the members of the Memory Initiative upon their return from Greece. He stated that the government is doing everything necessary to hold those responsible for the murders accountable.

Brenda Fricker, the Oscar-winning actress, passed away at the age of 81. She is best known for her role as the 'Pigeon Lady' in 'Home Alone 2'. In recent years, she suffered from serious health issues and was largely confined to her bed. Her death comes after speaking out about the pain she endured in a rare interview. Fricker won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1990.

After a bomb explosion in Monaco, Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolaev accused active and former officers of the GUR of orchestrating the assassination attempt against him. His statement suggested that the conspiracy included individuals from the close circle of the intelligence agency's leadership. The explosion seriously injured him and his family. French investigators have accused a Ukrainian woman of placing the bomb. Following the attack, the woman was found dead, and Ukrainian authorities arrested two suspects for her murder.

Following the resignation of Nikos Anastasiou from EDEK, his police escort has been removed. This decision comes after the party's failure to secure a seat in Parliament. The Minister of Justice plans to reduce the security details for other politicians, including former President Nikos Anastasiadis. It is likely that the security for party leaders currently in Parliament will remain unchanged. The move aims to strengthen the front line of the police.

The government confirmed the replacement of Maria Panayiotou as Minister of Agriculture. The Deputy Government Spokesperson stated that the Minister will leave her position as she has accepted a new appointment in public education. Details about the cabinet reshuffle have not been disclosed. He mentioned that he isn't aware of any other decisions from the President of the Republic. This development is expected to impact the government composition.

Maro Kontou, an iconic figure of Greek cinema, passed away on July 15 at the age of 92. At her funeral, a large crowd, including many of her famous friends, bid her farewell with sadness. Nikitas Kaklamanis, a long-time friend, shared touching memories during his eulogy. Kontou's family has requested donations to the 'Mother' Infant Center in her memory. Her series of performances left a significant mark on Greek art and culture with her creativity.

The Energy Regulatory Authority imposed a fine of €500,000 on the Electricity Authority of Cyprus due to delays in submitting metering data. The fine is part of a compliance process to ensure the proper functioning of the electricity market. Additionally, the Authority will incur €500 per day for each day the delay continues. The decision was based on the recognition of responsibility by the Authority. The goal of the Regulatory Authority is to prevent further delays.

The trial of George Christodoulou, known as Zavrantonas, continues with the cross-examination of the main witness, Yiannis Andreou, also known as Maronas. A video was shown from Maronas's house where 15 kilograms of cocaine were found. Third parties, including the deputy police chief, were mentioned during the proceedings. Maronas initially took responsibility for the drug quantity in 2019 but later changed his testimony, naming Zavrantonas as the mastermind. This procedure is considered crucial for the court's decision.

The Police and the Deputy Ministry of Migration have arrested 47 people for illegal employment. The arrests occurred in 16 restaurants during an operation by the Immigration and Immigration Services. Additionally, a fine of €195,000 was imposed on 16 employers for unreported work. Nine of those arrested are also facing charges for illegal residency in the country. The investigations and actions against illegal employment continue.

A five-year-old boy in Pennsylvania was found wandering naked and barefoot, leading to the arrest of three of his guardians. The child was reportedly locked in a room filled with garbage and filth, where the guardians would feed him through a protective door flap. Police discovered the horrific living conditions during their investigation, revealing severe neglect. The three adults have been charged with child endangerment and neglect. The boy is now in state custody, and the case is ongoing.

Donald Trump, in a speech from the White House, accused China of attempting to influence the 2020 elections. He mentioned evidence that the government will reveal regarding China's access to voter data. He claimed that the electoral system has serious weaknesses and that China has been working since 2018 to influence the results. Trump emphasized the need for a more secure electoral system and stated that the interference is more dangerous than previously believed. Additionally, he highlighted methods used by China to pay journalists to write negatively about him.

The Deputy Minister of Migration has decided to remove the Syrians involved in the incidents in Xylofagou from Cyprus. This decision was based on information from the police and aims to maintain public order. The government also warns employers to comply with laws regarding foreign workers. It is noted that arrests have already been made, and other individuals involved are still being sought. The situation is considered serious for national security.

The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow warning for high temperatures expected today, Friday, July 17, with maximum temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius inland. The weather will be mostly sunny, though local rain is expected in mountainous areas after noon. Winds will be light, and temperatures will remain high in the upcoming days. Tonight, the weather will remain mostly clear, with a chance of mist in the morning. The forecast indicates that temperatures will continue to be above normal levels until Monday.

Cyprus boasts an expected working life of 39.5 years, exceeding the EU average by two years. Men are expected to stay in the labor market for 42.1 years, while women are projected to work for 36.7 years, resulting in a 5.4-year gap. Despite this inequality, women's participation in employment has shown improvement in recent years. Meanwhile, countries like the Netherlands and Sweden stand out for their longest working lives, while Greece records some of the lowest performances in the EU regarding the gender gap.

Five police investigators will join the independent criminal investigators to assist in the investigation of the 'Mafia State.' Their role will be supportive, with responsibilities including taking testimonies and analyzing data. The investigation is expected to take longer than six months due to the large volume of evidence collected. The criminal investigators will also collaborate with various agencies to ensure effective inquiry into the case. The aim is to achieve quicker results.

TEPAK is moving forward with the construction of a new building for the School of Geotechnical Sciences and Environmental Management at the University. The rector announced the dispatch of a letter for the call of an architectural competition. Meanwhile, work on the new student residences is in full swing, with the first 150 rooms expected to be delivered by August. The residences will offer fully equipped rooms with a social rent of €350 per month. The project's completion is anticipated in 2027, addressing student housing challenges in Limassol.

Investigators from the Larnaca CID are looking into the history of firearms found in a house in Oroklini. Military rifles and handguns were discovered hidden at the location, leading to an arrest warrant for a 38-year-old Greek Cypriot. The police have previous knowledge of this individual due to serious past cases. The firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they were used in recent criminal activities. The investigation is linked to organized crime activity.

The Housing Finance Organization (HFO) has begun procedures for the sale of its first portfolio of non-performing loans in Cyprus. The sale is expected to take place by the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028, with a total amount of 135 million euros in loans. A competition for appointing a consultancy firm has already been announced, aimed at providing legal, tax, and other specialized services. The estimated value of the contract is 1.3 million euros, with a duration of 20 months. The sales process involves loans with delays of up to 96 installments.

The case of George Christodoulou-Zavrantonas is ongoing, featuring testimonies from Giannis Andreou, known as 'Maronas'. Maronas had previously taken responsibility for the cocaine but changed his testimony to name Zavrantonas as the mastermind. The cross-examination in court was intense, with moments of humor from the witness. References to third parties, such as George Fenek and the deputy police chief, add further tension to the case. Maronas' testimony is seen as pivotal for the outcome of the trial.