ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ

Search and rescue volunteers are restricted by law for safety reasons

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Search and rescue volunteers are restricted by law for safety reasons

The Ministry of Defense has passed a bill stating that only reserve frogmen, paratroopers, and those with recognized first aid, lifeguard, and diving licenses will be allowed to participate in rescue operations. The approximately 200 current volunteers who do not belong to these categories will be released. The bill also outlines the criteria for individuals to become volunteer rescuers, including being a citizen or permanent resident of Cyprus and meeting certain qualifications. Employers are required to allow volunteer rescuers to participate in operations when called upon by the Ministry of Defense. In case of injury or death during volunteer duties, free medical care will be provided. The volunteer status can be suspended for various reasons, including health issues, failure to perform duties properly, non-compliance with orders, inappropriate behavior, or at the volunteer's request. The 200 current volunteers will be evaluated to determine if they meet the criteria outlined in the bill.

Attorney General: Filed an appeal against the decision of the District Court of Limassol for compensation of depositors of Laiki

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Attorney General: Filed an appeal against the decision of the District Court of Limassol for compensation of depositors of Laiki

The District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and determined that they are entitled to compensation from the Republic for the losses they suffered due to the devaluation of deposits in Laiki Bank in 2013. The General Prosecutor of the Republic has filed an appeal against the decision of the District Court. The Republic disputes the findings of the Court regarding its responsibility in handling the economic crisis and its connection to the collapse of the banking system and the devaluation of deposits. The Court's decision deviates from previous decisions in similar cases where similar claims were rejected by the courts.

European Social Survey: Cyprus among the 10 most xenophobic countries

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European Social Survey: Cyprus among the 10 most xenophobic countries

The European Social Survey (ESS) for 2022 reveals the existence of strong xenophobic attitudes in Cyprus. The survey is conducted every two years in over 30 European countries. Cyprus is among the top 10 most xenophobic countries out of the 31 that participated in the ESS. The results highlight the role of the state in establishing a National Integration Plan for migrants, which needs to address the issue of immigration comprehensively. In Cyprus, there is a mild agreement towards immigration of people of the same ethnic origin as the majority of the island's population, but a strong disagreement towards immigration of people of different ethnicities or from poorer non-European countries. This indicates the presence of strong xenophobic attitudes in Cyprus. The survey also shows that attitudes towards immigration have worsened between 2018 and 2020, mainly due to the existence of strong symbolic threats. However, there is a generational difference, with younger generations having more positive attitudes towards immigration compared to older generations. The findings emphasize the need for interventions to improve relations between the native and immigrant populations, including the establishment of a comprehensive National Integration Plan.

The Anti-Corruption Authority rushes to Parliament to receive €1 million for investigations – €1,100 a day for foreign investigators

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The Anti-Corruption Authority rushes to Parliament to receive €1 million for investigations - €1,100 a day for foreign investigators

In 2024, all the allegations against Nikos Anastasiadis are expected to be investigated. The head of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Transparency Commissioner Haris Pogiatzis, will request a budget of €1,040,000 for the investigation of corruption allegations. €40,000 will be used for translation expenses, while the remaining €1 million will be used for the payment of investigators conducting the investigations. These investigations concern both named and anonymous complaints.

Michalis Damianou: The new Minister of Health visited the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center

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Michalis Damianou: The new Minister of Health visited the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center

The new Minister of Health, Michalis Damianos, chose to make his first visit outside the Ministry to the Oncology Center of the Bank of Cyprus. He was welcomed by the President of the Board of Commissioners, Christos Triantafyllidis, and the General Director, Panos Ergatoudis, who accompanied him on a brief tour of the Oncology Center. Afterwards, Damianos had a meeting with the President and members of the Board of Commissioners, as well as the management team of the Oncology Center, where he was briefed on the Center's operations and services. Triantafyllidis highlighted the important role of the Center in the healthcare sector and expressed satisfaction with the Minister's support. Damianos emphasized the goal of providing high-quality medical care and giving hope to patients, and pledged support for the Oncology Center's services.

New Minister of Health (Damianos): The state aims to continuously improve services to patients

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New Minister of Health (Damianos): The state aims to continuously improve services to patients

The government's concern is to improve the quality of people's lives, according to the new Minister of Health. The State aims to continuously improve the services provided to patients, and the government's main concern is to improve the quality of life for people. The Minister of Health expressed this during the opening of a scientific conference on cardiology. The cooperation between medical communities across borders is important and can lead to progress in the treatment of various diseases. Valve diseases are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity, and their timely treatment is important to prevent irreversible damage to the heart's functionality. The introduction of the General Healthcare System has opened new horizons for the provision of quality healthcare to citizens. There is room for improvement, and the government is working towards that goal. The Minister of Health congratulated the organizers of the conference and expressed gratitude for their contribution to the collective effort to benefit Cypriot patients.

Pedagogical Institute: At 1480 the most incidents of electronic crime during the 4th quarter of 2023

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Pedagogical Institute: At 1480 the most incidents of electronic crime during the 4th quarter of 2023

The majority of requests made to the Helpline 1480 in Cyprus during the fourth quarter of 2023 were related to incidents of electronic crime such as hacking, economic fraud, or identity theft through social networks or email. Specifically, 71.8% of the requests were related to cases of electronic crime, while 10.8% were related to technical support issues. Other issues reported included sextortion, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. The Helpline aims to provide counseling and support for safe and responsible internet use.