meeting

Our View: State bureaucratic inefficiency is a running joke

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Our View: State bureaucratic inefficiency is a running joke

– Bureaucratic inefficiency in state services leads to delays in processing citizens’ applications.
– Almost 20,000 applications are pending at town planning authorities and 100,000 cases are open at Lands and Surveys offices.
– Applications for benefits and pensions take months to be processed.
– Deputies are spending 80% of their time dealing with citizens’ application delays.
– Interior Minister attributes delays to incomplete forms, understaffing, and poor digitalization.
– Evaluation of public employees is unrelated to deliverables and meeting targets.
– Government has failed to improve service to citizens due to fear of Pasydy, lack of service culture, and slow digitalization.
– Christodoulides government has not taken significant action to improve service to citizens.

Cyprus , ‘consistent’ on Kosovo non-recognition

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Cyprus , ‘consistent’ on Kosovo non-recognition

Cyprus maintains its long-standing position of not recognizing unilaterally declared independence, including that of Kosovo. Cyprus’ Foreign Minister is expected to vote against Kosovan membership in the Council of Europe. The resolution passed inviting Kosovo to join the Council of Europe and have three seats in the Pace, similar to Cyprus.

Cyprus sees , ‘one of the largest increases’ in renewable energy share

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Cyprus sees , ‘one of the largest increases’ in renewable energy share

Cyprus has seen a significant increase in its share of renewable energy sources compared to other EU member states.

Freeland’s new federal budget hikes taxes on the rich to cover billions in new spending | CBC News

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Freeland's new federal budget hikes taxes on the rich to cover billions in new spending | CBC News

Fact: Ottawa plans to spend .9 billion more than planned over the next five years, with a projected billion deficit this fiscal year.

Mothers of Cypriot earthquake dead meet Turkish justice minister

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Mothers of Cypriot earthquake dead meet Turkish justice minister

– The mothers of two Cypriot children who were killed in last year’s earthquakes in Turkey met with Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc.
– The trial of 11 people responsible for the Isias hotel’s collapse is set to resume on April 26, with each defendant facing up to 22 and a half years in jail if found guilty.
– Families and Turkish Cypriot leaders are demanding that the charges be upgraded to intentional killing, with protests planned in Nicosia.

US announces new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel

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US announces new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel

The United States announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its unarmed aerial vehicle production following its missile and drone strike on Israel. The sanctions targeted individuals and entities enabling Iran’s UAV production, as well as companies providing materials for steel production to Iran’s largest steel producer. Additionally, Iranian automaker Bahman Group subsidiaries were also designated for supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Britain and the European Union also imposed sanctions on Iranian military organizations, individuals, and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries. The U.S. statement came after the Group of Seven industrial democracies and EU leaders decided to step up sanctions against Iran to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran launched the April 13 attack in retaliation for Israel’s suspected strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, leading to threats of retaliation from Israel and a potential review of Iran’s “nuclear doctrine.”

Qualified stock purchases and amalgamations: A cause for concern?

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Qualified stock purchases and amalgamations: A cause for concern?

Fact: A qualified stock purchase (QSP) is any transaction in which a purchasing corporation acquires stock of the target corporation by purchase within a 12-month acquisition period.

Larnaca and TEPAK advance plans for marine sciences school

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Larnaca and TEPAK advance plans for marine sciences school

TEPAK and the Larnaca Municipality are working on establishing a School of Marine Sciences, Technology, and Sustainable Development. The Ministry of Finance has positively evaluated the study submitted by TEPAK and plans are underway to finalize architectural plans and study programs for the school. The school may be located in Mackenzie, pending clarifications requested by the Ministry of Finance and a decision by the Council of Ministers.

Pending family law bills undergo committee review

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Pending family law bills undergo committee review

Four bills aimed at modernizing Family Law in Cyprus and benefiting children began to be discussed before the Legal Committee of the Parliament. The bills, which have been pending since 2018, have undergone changes based on stakeholder suggestions. The first bill requires both parents to provide accurate information about their property and income for child support determination. The second bill focuses on the child’s welfare, including provisions for double surnames, child opinions, monitoring by experts, and parental counselling programs. The third bill regulates succession cases for assisted reproduction, while the fourth bill addresses paternity evidence in cases of medically assisted reproduction. There are reservations about the bills, with concerns about Social Services meeting deadlines and the removal of shared parental custody. Written opinions on the bills can be submitted within three weeks.

Amid spat, Elam proposes to gain support to halve asylum application time

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Amid spat, Elam proposes to gain support to halve asylum application time

Far-right Elam has proposed to halve the time refugees have to file asylum applications or appeals in court, with government-supporting parties showing support for the idea.