innovation

Return to i-justice if e-justice system failures not resolved, Deputy Minister states

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Return to i-justice if e-justice system failures not resolved, Deputy Minister states

The Deputy Ministry of Innovation has decided to return to the old electronic case registration system, i-justice, if the issues with the contractor company for the installation of e-justice are not resolved by tomorrow. Deputy Minister Nikodimos Damianou has informed the President and Cabinet about the problems with e-justice and believes an interim solution must be found. If there are no positive results for e-justice by tomorrow, a solution will be offered via i-justice. The 30,000 data entries will be transferred back to i-justice, along with entries that have been registered to e-justice. The fate of manually registered cases is unknown. Lawyers will hold a protest tomorrow demanding an electronic case registration system.

IBM told to fix e-Justice after system collapse

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IBM told to fix e-Justice after system collapse

The e-justice platform in Cyprus, which is meant to digitize the electronic submission of documents for courts and allow access by state agencies, collapsed shortly after its launch due to glitches. The government’s IT and digital services agency has warned IBM, the contractor responsible for the platform, to fix the issues within five working days or risk losing the contract. The glitches include functional problems, performance issues, and a failure of the payment system. Lawyers have staged protests and strikes in response to the system’s failure, arguing that it will further delay the already slow justice system. The Bar Association has called the situation unacceptable and has planned further demonstrations. Some users have reported difficulties finding their cases and have raised concerns about data security. Despite calls to revert to manual registration, the Deputy Minister of Innovation has stated that shutting down the system without exploring repair solutions would be irresponsible. The e-justice platform was intended to replace the previous i-Justice system and was planned to be implemented in three stages.

Cyprus Airways Strengthens Ties with Greek Travel Market

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Cyprus Airways Strengthens Ties with Greek Travel Market

Cyprus Airways plans to target the Greek market in 2024 and presented their plans to travel agents and journalists in Athens. The airline intends to expand and upgrade its services for Greek travelers. Cyprus Airways owner, Michael Alenkin, expressed gratitude for existing partnerships and plans to double its Airbus A220 fleet in 2024. The airline’s board member, Giorgos Hadjiyiiannis, spoke about their commitment to innovation, technology, and environmental responsibility. The summer flight schedule for 2024 includes daily flights between Larnaca and Athens, as well as air links with other Greek destinations.

EU launches 175 mln euro defence equity fund to boost security innovation

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EU launches 175 mln euro defence equity fund to boost security innovation

The European Commission and the European Investment Fund have launched a 175 million euro fund to support defence and security innovation. The fund is expected to attract investments from private equity and venture capital funds, totaling around 500 million euros. It is part of the EU’s efforts to increase its role in defence policy and address security threats in Europe. The fund will focus on technologies with both civilian and defence applications over the next four years.

Registration of roads in the occupied areas on Google platforms – The actions of the so-called minister of public works

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Registration of roads in the occupied areas on Google platforms - The actions of the so-called minister of public works

The fact described in the text is that a protocol was signed between the "Minister of Public Works and Transport" and the director of Fact Innovation and Technologies Ltd to integrate the roads into the Google platforms. This step aims to make the pseudostate more visible on the international scene and increase its promotion, by scanning the main roads of the "country" with a special vehicle and camera, and publishing the data on Google platforms (StreetView). This will provide opportunities to promote the tourism and economic potential of the occupied territory to a wider audience and facilitate visitors and investors.

The first six phases of the tax transformation will be completed by March, says Giorgos Syrichas

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The first six phases of the tax transformation will be completed by March, says Giorgos Syrichas

The Phase 2 of the tax transformation project, which involves green taxation and compensatory measures, is currently underway, according to the economist of the Center for Economic Research (CER) and member of the project's advisory committee. The first six phases of the project will be completed by March 2024, followed by the submission of preliminary proposals. The project aims to assess the impact of green taxes on households and businesses and determine compensatory measures to offset any negative effects. These measures can include monetary refunds or incentives to accelerate the green transition. The project is a European obligation for Cyprus and is included in the Recovery and Resilience Fund to be implemented in 2024. The goal of the project is to develop a new integrated tax system that is simple, transparent, reduces inequalities, promotes economic growth and employment , supports innovation, and ensures the sustainability of public finances. The CER has statistical models and tools to measure the impact of the project on households and businesses. Suggestions and feedback on the project can be submitted through the CER's website.

Guided tours of the sky developed

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Guided tours of the sky developed

The three-year research project Astrotourism in Cyprus has concluded that there is untapped potential for astronomical observations in Cyprus. Twelve sites were examined and four were selected, with one in the process of being certified as a Dark Sky site. The project included the development of astrotourism products such as Star Parks and Star Camping, as well as virtual reality and augmented reality experiences. The project was completed in December 2023 and the goal now is to commercialize these products. The consortium behind the project includes Top Kinisis Travel Public, CYENS Centre of Excellence, AKTI Project and Research Centre, University of Nicosia Research Foundation, Adelve Research-Innovation-Consulting & Trade, and 1010 Cosmos.

Pork Pie Chronicles: Unwrapping the Layers of British Culinary Heritage

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Pork Pie Chronicles: Unwrapping the Layers of British Culinary Heritage

The fact described in the text is that the Pork Pie is a traditional British dish that originated in medieval England and is still popular today. It is made with a filling of uncured pork encased in a hot water crust pastry. The Pork Pie has evolved over time and can now be found in various sizes and with different fillings. It is considered a symbol of British culinary ingenuity.

ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon to take place in January

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ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon to take place in January

The ReInHerit European project team is organizing the ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon, which will take place on January 20 and 21 at the CYENS Centre of Excellence headquarters in Nicosia. The hackathon aims to bring together technology enthusiasts and individuals interested in heritage and museums to create innovative solutions for enhancing the visitor experience at museums and cultural heritage sites. Participants will have the opportunity to develop an app prototype, a business idea, or a game prototype that connects technology to museums and educates about their content. The event also offers networking opportunities, skill development, and the chance to win prizes totaling €4000. Interested parties can register on the competition website.

ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon to take place in January

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ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon to take place in January

The ReInHerit European project team is organizing the ReInHerit Smart Tourism Hackathon, which will take place on January 20 and 21 at the CYENS Centre of Excellence headquarters in Nicosia. The hackathon aims to encourage creativity, collaboration, and the celebration of different perspectives. It is part of the Horizon Europe program, which focuses on research, innovation, and achieving sustainable development goals. The objective of the hackathon is to develop app prototypes, business ideas, or game prototypes that connect technology to museums or cultural heritage sites and enhance the visitor experience. Online mentoring workshops will be provided, and participants will have the opportunity to network and win prizes totaling €4000. Interested parties can visit the competition page for more information and early registration is encouraged due to limited space.