5 Minute News

The story of 16-year-old Fotini and her mother is deeply moving. They participated in a kidney transplant chain in Israel that saved four people. The fourth donor, who donated a kidney to Fotini, was an altruist. Fotini has faced serious health issues since a young age due to a rare genetic syndrome. The search for a donor was facilitated by exceptional doctors who supported the family at every step.

Cyprus is facing a heatwave with an orange alert issued by the Meteorological Department. The alert will be in effect tomorrow from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius. Citizens are advised to be cautious due to the extreme temperatures. It is recommended to avoid outdoor activities during this period.

A fire has broken out in the Ergat own area near the industrial zone of Nicosia. It is burning dry grass and wild vegetation, with four firefighting vehicles currently responding to the situation. Additional support is coming from the Department of Forestry, volunteers, and firefighting aircraft. The spokesperson for the Fire Service mentioned that further updates will be provided as the situation develops. The fire is ongoing.

Confusion arose from a Facebook post by the Customs Department, which depicted Archbishop Makarios with the comment 'The Ultimate Betrayal.' The Department expressed its regret for the unfortunate repost of the political party 'Drahisis – KES.' The incident was attributed to an accidental button press by the page manager. The responsible parties removed the post immediately after noticing it. The Department issued apologies for the disturbance caused.

A father is facing criminal charges after his three-year-old child fell from the fourth floor of a hotel in Paphos. The child fell from an open window while playing with his father. The Attorney General has decided to prosecute the father for negligence. This tragic incident has shocked and saddened the community. The father will appear in court again to face the charges.

The trial for the cocaine case involving Giorgos Christodoulou-Zavrantonas continues at the Nicosia Criminal Court. A state chemistry official testified about the analysis of 15 kilograms of cocaine found in a military bag. The defense questioned the quantities, asking if there had been any alterations to the evidence. The witness confirmed that the findings were pure cocaine without any adulterants. The next sessions are scheduled for the end of July.

Fuel station operators protested outside the Presidential Palace, calling for intervention from President Christodoulides regarding fuel tanker specifications. The situation affects over 300 vehicles that need replacement or modification to comply with European ADR standards. The protesters are requesting an extension and government funding for these changes. The demonstration did not affect the normal operation of fuel stations. If a solution is not found, significant issues may arise in servicing critical services.

A three-year-old child lost his life at a hotel in Paphos after falling from the fourth floor. His 37-year-old father is being detained by the police and faces charges of inadequate supervision. The incident occurred while the child and father were waiting for the elevator. Doctors confirmed the child's death at the hospital. Authorities are investigating the case.

Nikos Cleanthous, a former MP of DIKO, passed away at the age of 78. He was born in Larnaca and studied law in Athens. He was one of the founding members of DIKO and held several important positions in politics and society. He served as the deputy president of DIKO and was elected as an MP for Larnaca. His political career was significant, and he was involved in various social committees.

On the morning of July 21st, there was an incident involving a man with a knife at the Acropolis in Athens. The man attacked two American tourists without any apparent reason, causing them minor injuries. The police and an ambulance were called to assist the injured. Authorities are examining the situation to ensure the area remains safe. This incident has raised concerns among visitors.

A tragedy occurred in Ohio where five people drowned while trying to save someone from drowning in a river. The incident took place on Sunday at the Scioto River, where a group had gathered to enjoy time by the water. When one member of the group got into trouble, others attempted to help, but they too became endangered. Rescuers eventually recovered the five victims from the river. Two children under the age of 10 survived and are in the care of social services.

Tomorrow, the Ministry of Education will announce the results of the National Entrance Examinations, allowing candidates to find out if they have secured places in Cypriot universities. A total of 5,139 candidates participated, including some who are previous graduates seeking a second chance. The announcement will be made at a press conference by the Minister of Education, Athena Michailidou. Following this, the universities will provide information regarding the application procedures. This annual process aims to facilitate better planning for new students.

As the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres approaches, both sides in Cyprus are preparing for their meetings. Nikos Christodoulides and Tufan Erhürman are sending messages about their intentions. Meetings are scheduled for July 28 and 29, including both joint and separate discussions. There are questions about the possibility of convening an informal five-party meeting, with Christodoulides expressing readiness, but this depends on Turkey's response. The political leadership is awaiting updates from the President regarding the moves from the United Nations.

The use and carrying of mobile phones in elementary schools is prohibited, according to the school guide from the Ministry of Education. This decision aims to prevent children's isolation and the development of antisocial behavior. It also seeks to protect personal data and to prevent health issues caused by frequent phone use. Carrying phones is also banned during school trips to encourage natural interaction among children. Parents and children are informed in advance about these guidelines ahead of the new school year.

The investigation into Videogate did not reveal any criminal offenses, but an issue remains under review by the Attorney General. The Criminal Investigator announced that the investigation continues to identify the client of Black Cube, who is alleged to be involved in corruption cases. Investigators have found no evidence of wrongdoing, but are focusing on a known Cypriot who may be related to the case. This matter has drawn attention due to potential foreign influences and its political implications. The Attorney General will assess the results of the investigations.

The decision to assign management of the public electronic transactions took four years to be finalized. JCC PAYMENT SYSTEMS LTD, which managed these transactions since 2010, lost the contract to VivaBank. The tender began in 2022 and required time to address the appeals. The contract will last 67 months, with renewal options. JCC filed appeals, but none were accepted.

In Cyprus, tax debts have reached nearly €1 billion, with delays of less than a year. The total tax owed is approximately €3.32 billion, with 29.5% of this amount being immediately collectible. Tax debts increased by €710 million from the previous year. Collection measures include court actions and bank account seizures. Additionally, new measures are being implemented to enhance tax collection.

The Republic of Cyprus is moving to extradite 45-year-old Rashad Sultanov to the United Kingdom, as he is accused of espionage. Sultanov is alleged to have connections with the Iranian regime and collected information about British bases in Cyprus. The case was previously suspended by Cypriot authorities at the request of the UK. A key aspect involves gathering information on British fighter aircraft flights. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of 14 years.