THOUSANDS PROTEST AGAINST KREMLIN IN RUSSIAN FAR EAST FOR THIRD WEEKEND

in-cyprus 25 July 2020 - by Josephine Koumettou

Thousands of people marched in the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday for the third weekend in a row, protesting at President Vladimir Putin’s handling of a regional political crisis that has sparked demonstrations.

Residents of Khabarovsk, around 3,800 miles (6,110 km) and seven time zones east of Moscow, are unhappy about the July 9 detention of the wider region’s popular regional governor, Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on murder charges he denies.

His detention, which his supporters say was politically motivated, has triggered more than two weeks of street protests, creating a headache for the Kremlin which is trying to troubleshoot a sharp COVID-19-induced drop in real incomes and keep a lid on unrest as the economy stutters.

Footage of the protest showed people chanting “Disgrace!” and slogans demanding Putin resign because local people had lost trust in him.

City authorities estimated around 6,500 people had taken part. Local media put the number at up to 20,000 people.

The protests have highlighted anger among some in the far east over what they see as policies emanating from detached Moscow-based authorities on the other side of the country.

Supporters of Furgal, the arrested governor and a member of the nationalist LDPR party, feel he is being belatedly punished for defeating a candidate from the ruling pro-Putin United Russia party in 2018. The Kremlin says Furgal has serious charges to answer.

Such sustained demonstrations are unusual for Russia’s regions, as is the fact that the authorities have not yet moved to break them up.

In an apparent move to defuse tensions, Putin on Monday named a new acting governor to head the region. But protesters said they felt insulted by the choice of Mikhail Degtyaryov, who has no connection with the region, and have called on him to step down too.

(Reuters)

Pictured: People take part in a rally in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal who is accused of organising the murder of several entrepreneurs 15 years ago, in Khabarovsk, Russia July 18, 2020. REUTERS/Evgenii Pereverzev

Read More

SATURDAY JULY 25 - CORONAVIRUS GLOBAL UPDATE

in-cyprus 25 July 2020 - by Josephine Koumettou

Last updated: 25/07/2020 00:42

The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 284,196 in 24 hours, even as U.S. federal health and education officials stressed the need for children to get back into the classroom despite parents’ fears.

DEATHS AND INFECTIONS

* For an interactive graphic tracking the global spread, click here.

EUROPE

* With the summer vacation season in full swing, Germany, France and Norway are taking measures to try to stop people returning from holidays abroad from spreading the coronavirus.

* France advised its citizens on Friday not to travel to Catalonia in neighbouring Spain following a spike in cases of COVID-19 in the region.

* In Scotland, 54% of people now favour independence, according to a recent poll, driven by a perception that their semi-autonomous government has handled the outbreak better than the UK government.

AMERICAS

* Canadian officials urged youth who are going to social gatherings for the first time in months, and subsequently driving up the country’s average daily case count, to continue to take precautions.

* The mayor of Mexico City warned of a possible resurgence of cases in the sprawling capital in the coming months, noting that hospitalizations have been on the rise in recent days.

* Coronavirus lockdowns for parts of the Chilean capital Santiago will be gradually lifted from Tuesday.

* Formula One scrapped all four of this season’s races in the Americas due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday and added three European rounds.

ASIA-PACIFIC

* A 103-year-old man has recovered from COVID-19 in Pakistan to become one of the oldest survivors of the disease in the world.

* Singapore will complete testing for COVID-19 cases among migrant workers living in dormitories by Aug. 7, about four months after authorities started quarantining.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

* Senegal is strengthening its coronavirus testing capacity to enable travellers to get tested before leaving the country.

* Three members of the South African women’s cricket team were tested positive for the COVID-19 virus ahead of assembling for a training camp to prepare of a proposed tour of England.

* A senior Lebanese official said he discovered he had tested positive for COVID-19 during a lunch with visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

* As U.S. outbreaks surge, a new government study shows that nearly 40% of people who have died with COVID-19 had diabetes.

* Cipla Ltd has received Indian regulatory approval to sell anti-viral drug favipiravir to treat COVID-19 in the world’s third worst-hit nation.

* Human trials of Russia’s second potential coronavirus vaccine, developed by the Siberian Vector institute, will begin on July 27.

ECONOMIC FALLOUT

* Euro zone business activity grew in July for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit, as more parts of the economy that were locked down to curtail its spread reopened.

* China’s economy is expected to recover steadily in the rest of the year, boosted by stimulus measures to reverse the damage from the coronavirus crisis.

* Sales of new U.S. single-family homes raced to a near 13-year high in June amid record low interest rates and migration from urban centers to lower-density areas because of the pandemic.

(Reuters)

Pictured: A fan buys food at Artie’s Famous Sausage cart outside Fenway Park during the season opening MLB baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, played before an empty ballpark because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., July 24, 2020. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Read More

46-YEAR-OLD STABBED IN PAPHOS SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES, SUSPECT REMANDED

in-cyprus 25 July 2020 - by Josephine Koumettou

A 46-year-old man who was stabbed in Paphos on July 15 died in the Limassol Hospital ICU around 10 pm on Friday, the CNA reports.

The victim was named by police as Igor Kamanets from Ukraine.

According to police information, the man had been initially taken to Paphos Hospital on July 18 by his brother with injuries in many parts of his body caused by a sharp object. He was admitted to surgery to treat a serious injury in the abdomen and was then taken to the ICU for intubation.

The 46 year old remained in critical condition until yesterday and was transferred to the Limassol Hospital ICU in the afternoon as his condition deteriorated where he died at 21:58.

Conflicting statements have been given to police by the victim and his girlfriend regarding the incident, according to CNA, with the former stating it was hitchhiking gone wrong and the latter that it was an ambush.

According to the victim’s statement, the incident took place around 11 pm on July 15 while he was walking down Apostolos Pavlos Avenue in Kato Paphos.

The 46-year-old signalled a dark-coloured car with unknown number plates to stop. The car did so, the co-driver stepped out and the victim reportedly asked to be taken to the town centre.

The co-driver then asked for the amount of 40 euros for the ride which the 46 year old refused to pay. A conversation followed and the man then reportedly attacked the victim with a knife, entered the vehicle and fled the scene with the driver.

The victim told police that he then went back home on foot and did not initially visit a hospital because he did not think his injuries were serious. However, when his brother visited and saw his condition he took him to Paphos General Hospital.

Meanwhile, the victim’s girlfriend and housemate, who was arrested and remanded in custody on July 18 for remaining in the country without an immigration permit, told police that the victim told her: “You were right about that useless man; he ambushed me.”

The woman then reportedly realised who the victim was referring to and gave his details to the police.

She told authorities that the reason the victim kept the truth from the police is because he did not want them involved in the stabbing incident for personal reasons.

Police subsequently arrested a 38 year old man who was remanded in custody for seven days on Friday. The suspect denies any involvement in the case.

Read More

THE COVER UP - O'Neill's Irish Bar & Grill, Paphos - 29 August

THE COVER UP

O'Neill's Irish Bar & Grill, Paphos

Saturday 29 August - 9pm

Free Entrance

Reservations: Tel: 26343876

A multi award-winning band! These musicians have played with Sinead O'Connor, Stevie Winwood, ​Bruce Willis and Lenny Henry! ‘The Cover Up’ deliver a huge repertoire covering the very best from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and the 00s. Artistes covered include: James Brown, Guns n Roses, Pharrell Williams, Chuck Berry, Ce Lo Green, Mark Ronson, Walk The Moon, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, Queen, The Four Seasons, Ben E King, Clean Bandit, Naughty Boy, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga. Sigala, Duffy, Alannah Miles, Wilson Picket, Maroon 5, Daft Punk, Stealers Wheel, Katrina & the Waves, 4 Non-Blondes, The Trammps, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, Adele, Van Morrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Stevie Wonder and more.

Directions: Head out of town from the Kings Avenue Mall and the bar will be found on the right on Tombs of the Kings Road with a car park in front. O’NEILL’S IRISH BAR & GRILL, Tombs of the Kings Road, Paphos. Tel: 26935888. www.oneillspaphos.com.

Read More

MACUMBA - The Hogshead Pub, Emba - 29 August

MACUMBA

The Hogshead Pub, Emba

Saturday 29 August - 8pm

Tickets: €10

Reservations: Tel: 99994449

Macumba invite you to Hogshead Pub & Live Music Venue to enjoy a different approach to Latin Music by three Cypriots and one Chilean. An explosive cocktail of Brazilian funk, samba, rumba and guaguanco afro-cuban blended through a modern post-jazz aesthetic. The famous band is presenting an explosive repertoire which includes original songs and some versions of Latin - Jazz, which will not leave anyone indifferent! Macumba quartet is formed soon after the arrival of the Chilean bassist Rodrigo Caceres at Cyprus, in March 2017. There he meets Rodos Panagiotou (drums), George Morfitis (keyboards) and Elias Ioannou (trumpet), three virtuous musicians, well-known in the latin-jazz music scene of Cyprus. The four of them will work together, to create their own unique, dynamic and innovative sound.

Rodrigo Cáceres (bass and vocals) a Chilean bassist, well-known in the latin-jazz, flamenco and world music scene, internationally. He performs and organises seminars across Europe, Lat. America and Sri Lanka, able to appeal a multitude of audiences ranging latin, jazz, flamenco, pop, afro, funk and reggae. During his long-term stay in Spain, he collaborates with Rubem Dantas, percussionist of Paco de Lucia and Chick Corea and shows up in big festivals: Jazz Almuñecar, Espantapitas, Etnomusic, Sonderos etc. Significantly renowned in the Spanish music scene, he records up to 9 albums and plays alongside prestigious musicians such as Diego Guerrero, Chano Dominguez, Dan Ben Lior, Puchero del Hortelano, Maui etc. In Greece, he performs in Akropol Theatre and Yakinthia Festival with Oscar de los Reyes, Eleni Giannopoulou and Christo Tzifaki. In Cyprus he performed in Pattihio Theatre next to the Italian pianist Joe Diverio and records for Andrea’s Georgiou album. Currently, he is preparing seminars, projects as well as his own music album.

Giorgos Morfitis (keyboards) born in Limassol, started his classical music training from the early age of 6. He gets introduced to Jazz Music at Nakas Music School in Athens, Greece. Soon after he studies at I.S.A Conservatory of Havana in Cuba, focusing on classical music composition, arranging and Jazz / Latin Performance. In 2004 he studies and specializes in Latin Jazz Music at Codarts Conservatory of Rotterdam in Holland, obtaining a B.A and a M.A. In 2012, he moves to Madrid to teach modern music at Gredos College and Katarina Gurska Conservatory. George has participated in well-known European Festivals such as North Sea Jazz Festival Round Town, Madrid Jazz Festival, Paradise Place Jazz Festival, at the national T.V. of Madrid etc. He finally returns to Cyprus participating regularly in different music projects.

Elias Ioannou (trumpet) was born in Limassol. He has studied at Codarts University in Rotterdam specialising in Jazz Trumpet. He has shown up in concerts all across Europe, Holland and Cyprus highlighting the North Sea Jazz Rotterdam Festival in which he performs up to three times. In the meanwhile, he attends several master classes with world famous musicians such as Barry Harris, Joshua Redman, Snarky Puppy, Aaron Parks and gets introduced to Latin Improvisations alongside the great trumpeter Amik Querra. The last years he has been touring within Holland, recording with different jazz, latin, reggae and pop bands. Finally he ends up to his country of origin, to teach trumpet and work in different musical projects.

Rodos Panagiotou (drums and percussion) is a well- known Cypriot drummer, coming from a family of musicians. He shows up on stage at the early age of 10. After studying for several years at the Conservatory of Greece and Rotterdam, he specialises in Latin- Jazz and World Music and sets up the Brazilian Percussion Group Batukinio, performing for the first time at the opening of Cyprus Small Countries Games. During the last 10 years, Rodos has been teaching at the European University of Cyprus and University of Nicosia. He has performed with Blue Wire, New Dimensions and also recorded and toured with well- known composer Andreas Georgiou in Cyprus and Europe. Rodos has collaborated with significantly important musicians such as: Hernan Romero, Giorgos Dalaras, Marios Fragkoulis, Kostas Makedonas, Debora Meyers, Pantelis Thalassinos, Dimitris Mpassis, Glykeria, Stratos Kyrpios, Anagnostakis, Stefanos Korkollis etc.

Directions: Head up the Polis road out of Paphos and just past Lidl supermarket turn left at Abbeygate Travel and the venue will be found about 1Km along on the left. THE HOGSHEAD PUB, Petridion 47, Emba, Paphos. Tel: 99994449. Facebook: @TheHogsheadPub.

Read More

CHUNKY FUNKY - The Hogshead Pub, Emba - 28 August

CHUNKY FUNKY

The Hogshead Pub, Emba

Friday 28 August - 8pm

Tickets: €5

Reservations: Tel: 99994449

Recipe for a Chunky Funky. Ingredients: 5 Cups of groove, 10 Original pieces of Funk music, ¼ of on the spot live instrument sampling, a teaspoon of improvisation, a smidge of excitement, 1 carton of full fat sound. Preparation: Fill the bowl up with choKolas Antreas Stefanou groove on drums. Stir it together with the funky baselines of Rodrigo Caceres until it merges into one solid state. Add spicy Ermis Michael’s sizzling hot harmony on guitar to shake things up. Put the icing on the cake with Marios Charalambous Chunks of Funky Saxophone. Place the mixture in a Morfitis Giorgos Polymixer blender machine. Maestro Chef recommends: don’t chill, don’t let it cool down, consume while burning hot. Musical Director: Morfitis Giorgos, Tenor Sax: Marios Charalambous, Guitar: Ermis Michael, El. Bass: Rodrigo Caceres, Drums: Antreas “Kolas” Stefanou.

Directions: Head up the Polis road out of Paphos and just past Lidl supermarket turn left at Abbeygate Travel and the venue will be found about 1Km along on the left. THE HOGSHEAD PUB, Petridion 47, Emba, Paphos. Tel: 99994449. Facebook: @TheHogsheadPub.

 

Read More

THE REAL THING BAND - The Hogshead Pub, Emba - 22 August

THE REAL THING BAND

The Hogshead Pub, Emba

22 August - 8pm

Tickets: €5

Reservations: Tel: 99994449

The band plays the blues with the classic line-up: guitar, bass and drums playing blues and classic rock. Andrey Stareyshinski (guitar and vocals), Nikolay Gergov (bass) and Ruslan Dobrikov (drums and vocals). The band members are professional musicians able to play any style of music but the blues and the classic rock is their passion.

Directions: Head up the Polis road out of Paphos and just past Lidl supermarket turn left at Abbeygate Travel and the venue will be found about 1Km along on the left. THE HOGSHEAD PUB, Petridion 47, Emba, Paphos. Tel: 99994449. Facebook: @TheHogsheadPub.

 

Read More

FRONT LINE BAND - The Hogshead Pub, Emba - 21 August

FRONT LINE BAND

The Hogshead Pub, Emba

Friday 21 August - 8pm

Tickets: €5

Reservations: Tel: 9999449

The band plays jazz and blues and features guitar ace Kostas Chekmack.

Directions: Head up the Polis road out of Paphos and just past Lidl supermarket turn left at Abbeygate Travel and the venue will be found about 1Km along on the left. THE HOGSHEAD PUB, Petridion 47, Emba, Paphos. Tel: 99994449. Facebook: @TheHogsheadPub.

Read More

KIRSTY DEWAR - The Frog & Toad, Coral Bay - 9, 16 and 23 August

KIRSTY DEWAR

The Frog & Toad, Coral Bay

9, 16, 23 August - 2pm

Free Entrance

Reservations: Tel: 26343876

Information: www.paphosmusiclovers.com

Kirsty Dewar, the musician, songwriter, vocalist, entertainer, guitarist and musical enthusiast performs all over Cyprus at weddings, festivals, events and much more. She releases her own music which is now available on iTunes and Spotify and hopes to travel the world with her music.

Directions: Head down the Coral Bay strip and continue past Coral Bay Beach, ignoring the left turn to Coral Beach Hotel and the venue will be found on the left. THE FROG AND TOAD, Coral Bay, Paphos. Tel: 26343876. www.frogandtoadcoralbay.com. Facebook: @thefrogandtoadcoralbaycyprus.

Read More

JAZZ QUINTET - The Hogshead Pub, Emba - 8 August

JAZZ QUINTET

The Hogshead Pub, Emba

Saturday 8 August - 8pm

Tickets: €5

Reservations: Tel: 99994449

The quintetconsists of musicians from the island’s younger generation and focuses mainly on traditional jazz. Their repertoire includes songs that have become well-known from iconic singers like Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. The band features Kakia Fesa (vocals), Marios Charalambous (tenor sax), George Bizios (guitar), Kyriakos Kesta (double bass) and Nikolas Tsangaris (drums).

Directions: Head up the Polis road out of Paphos and just past Lidl supermarket turn left at Abbeygate Travel and the venue will be found about 1Km along on the left. THE HOGSHEAD PUB, Petridion 47, Emba, Paphos. Tel: 99994449. Facebook: @TheHogsheadPub.

 

Read More