EXPLAINER - HOW COMMON COLD VIRUSES ARE BEING USED IN VACCINES FROM RUSSIA, CHINA

 Reuters 31 August 2020 - by Allison Martell and Julie Steenhuysen

© Reuters/Dado Ruvic A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration

By Allison Martell and Julie Steenhuysen

(Reuters) - The modified common cold viruses behind high-profile COVID-19 vaccine candidates from China's CanSino Biologics and Russia's Gamaleya Institute have been studied for decades, but are still not widely used.

© Reuters/Thomas Peter FILE PHOTO: China's vaccine specialist CanSino Biologics Inc in Tianjin

The following are some details of their development, how they work and past and potential future uses:

WHEN WERE THESE VIRUSES FIRST USED IN MEDICAL RESEARCH?

The modified adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) viruses used in these vaccines were first created by Canadian researcher Dr. Frank Graham at a Dutch lab in the 1970s.

Graham planned to use them to study mechanisms underlying cancer, and distributed the human kidney cell line that makes them, called HEK293, to researchers all over the world.

"The cells became tremendously widespread and popular" among researchers, said Graham, now retired in Italy.

WHAT ARE VECTORS USED IN VACCINES AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Vectors are materials used as mechanisms to carry genetic information into human cells. Modified viruses that cannot replicate on their own and so will not cause infection can be used as vectors to carry genes from the target virus into human cells to induce an immune response against that virus.

Ad5 vectors were tested in early gene therapy, which aims to install a missing gene or replace a mutated or damaged one. They were largely abandoned after an 18-year-old died in 1999 from an immune system overreaction after receiving a large dose during a gene therapy trial.

Some researchers believe the strong immune response that caused problems with gene therapy makes these vectors well suited to vaccines, where much lower doses are used and a protective immune response is the objective.

HAVE AD5 VECTORS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST?

At McMaster University in Canada, Graham and collaborators developed a variety of Ad5 vectors, including for a rabies vaccine used on wild raccoons in the province of Ontario.

He and other researchers began developing an Ad5-based vaccine against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and published preclinical data. It was set aside when that pandemic ended.

In 2011, CanSino licensed an experimental tuberculosis vaccine based on Ad5 from McMaster researchers.

The Chinese company's focus later shifted to an Ad5-based Ebola vaccine at the request of the Chinese military, according to Dr. Thomas Evans, current chief scientific officer at Vaccitech, who was involved with the tuberculosis project. The Ebola vaccine was approved for military use in 2017.

Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute, which developed Russia's coronavirus vaccine, also used the Ad5 platform to develop an Ebola vaccine, which they said has been administered to about 2,100 people.

WHAT ELSE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT USING AD5 VECTORS?

In addition to the Ad5-based COVID-19 vaccines, an inhaled version of the experimental tuberculosis vaccine is still under development at McMaster, Dr. Zhou Xing told Reuters. His team is also in the early stages of developing an inhaled COVID-19 vaccine, testing Ad5 and another vector based on a chimpanzee adenovirus.

(Reporting by Allison Martell in Toronto, Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago, Christine Soares in New York and Polina Ivanova in Moscow; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

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BRITISH AIRWAYS - 18 FLIGHTS A WEEK TO CYPRUS

 Filenews 31 August 2020

According to today's announcement by Hermes Airports on social media, British Airways will operate 14 flights per week for Larnaca-Heathrow and another 4 flights per week for the Paphos-Heathrow route.

For more information visit www.britishairways.com

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TWO WANTED FOR BUILDING BREAK-IN AND THEFT IN NICOSIA

31/08/20

Police are asking for information that can help identify the persons pictured, who are being sought to facilitate investigations into a case of building break-in and theft, committed on 30 August 2020, in Nicosia.

 

Anyone who knows anything that can help locate them is kindly requested to contact the Nicosia POLICE at 22-802222 or the Citizen's Contact Line at 1460 or the nearest Police Station.

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EU OFFERS 400 MILLION EUROS TO WHO-LED COVID-19 VACCINE INITIATIVE

 Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Reuters News Service

The European Commission said on Monday it would contribute 400 million euros ($476 million) to an initiative led by the World Health Organization to buy COVID-19 vaccines.

The initiative, dubbed COVAX, aims to purchase 2 billion doses by the end of 2021 of potential COVID-19 shots from several vaccine makers.

The EU Commission is negotiating advance purchases of COVID-19 vaccines with several drugmakers on behalf of the 27 EU states and has said in past weeks EU governments cannot buy vaccines through parallel procurement schemes.

“Today, the Commission is announcing a 400 million euro contribution to COVAX for working together in purchasing future vaccines to the benefit of low and middle income countries,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The Commission added in a statement that it was ready, together with EU states, “to put expertise and resources at work within COVAX to accelerate and scale-up development and manufacturing of a global supply of vaccines for citizens across the world, in poor and rich countries.”

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FUEL TERMINAL REMOVAL TIMEFRAME ON SCHEDULE, ASPHALT PLANT DISPUTE RUMBLES ON

Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Peter Michael

The storage facilities at Larnaca

Energy Minister Natasa Pilides said on Monday the government is intent on committing to the timeframe of summer 2021 for transferring the fuel terminals in Larnaca decided between the president and the companies on Friday.

In statements after a meeting with Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras, the municipal council and President Nicos Anastasiades, Pilides said the timeframe for moving the storage facilities and a controversial asphalt plant will be kept.

Last Friday, the government and the companies agreed to a timeframe of one year to transfer the fuel storage facilities in Larnaca to Vasilikos.

“For liquid fuel, companies have already stopped work in Larnaca, and all that is left is the process of demolishing [the facilities], which is already in the works,” she said.

Pilides added that for the off-loading of fuel at Vasilikos harbour the issue left is for a study to be completed within two months, regarding the feasibility of importing fuel at the harbour.

“All the other ongoing processes will continue, so there is as little delay as possible,” she said.

On the asphalt plant, she said there will be meetings at the energy ministry this week to set timeframes based on preparations being made by the port authority and the companies.

The plant is controversial and plans to relocate it from Dhali to the Vasilikos area has angered nearby residents who said they will protest on Tuesday.

The nine communities of the Vasilikos area said they would shut down the entrance to the under-construction energy centre on Tuesday morning, following the decision to move the plant.

The asphalt plant was originally located in the Dali and Tseri area before protests by residents there led to a government pledge in July to be move the plant to the Vasilikos area.

Since then the nine villages there have warned they too were ready to protest.

The head of the villages’ coordinating committee and the mayor of Kalavasos, Lefteris Fokas said on Monday the villages’ (Kalavasos, Tochni, Zygi, Mari, Maroni, Psematismennos, Asgata, Pentakomo,, and Choirokitia) residents would block the four entrances to the energy centre from 8am to 10am.

Residents will be protesting at the entrance to Mari, the junction of the old Nicosia-Limassol road, the waste management plant in Pentakomo, and the entrance to the centre from Vasilikos.

Fokas said back in 2014, the communities agreed with then Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis the energy centre would be constructed in the area, but also no factories causing pollution, including ammonia, methanol, or asphalt would be moved to the area.

He warned the communities would take the case to European Union court, if the decision is not overturned. Fokas added they could present all the communication on the matter they had with energy ministry.

Previously, Fokas said four of the objecting communities would be between 1,500 to 500 metres from the proposed site of the plant

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CORONAVIRUS - AUTHORITIES TO DRAW UP GUIDELINES ALLOWING PROTESTS

 Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Jean Christou

Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis at police headquarters on Monday (PIO)

Police will not act against hundreds of demonstrators who staged a protest against Covid restrictions outside the presidential palace on Saturday night, it was announced on Monday.

Instead the health ministry will draw up a list of guidelines for protests that will include people needing to stay 1.5 metres from each other, and wear masks during protests.

The decision was taken at a meeting between police and Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis and officials from the health ministry to discuss the protest, attended by hundreds of people on Saturday. The attorney-general had also been consulted.

Yiolitis said the restrictive measures “which we have responsibly endured for months now are not intended to harm democracy nor are they politically motivated or expedient. They are universally applied in almost all countries that have been affected and are hopefully temporary”.

“They have one and only purpose, to save lives and to treat patients,” she added.

Part of the rules will be making protest organisers responsible for ensuring the social distancing and mask wearing.

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An Imperial and Royal Wedding Next Month: Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma to Marry Archduchess Gabriella of Austria in September

Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma, Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, and their daughter Victoria.
Photograph (c) Swiss Press.

According to reports, HRH Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and HI&RH Archduchess Gabriella of Austria will marry next month. The couple became engaged on 22 October 2017 in Switzerland when Henri popped the question to Gabriella. It is not yet known where their September 2020 nuptials will take place. The pair are second cousins: both are great-grandchildren of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Félix (1893-1970; né Bourbon-Parma). Henri and Gabriella have a daughter, Victoria Antonia Marie-Astrid Lydia, who was born on 30 October 2017.

Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma, Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, and their daughter Victoria.
Photograph (c) Swiss Press.

Prince Henri Luitpold Antoine Victor Marie Joseph of Bourbon-Parma was born at Roskilde, Denmark, on 14 October 1991. Henri is the youngest child and second son of Prince Erik of Bourbon-Parma (b.1953) and Countess Lydia Holstein-Ledreborg (b.1955), who married in 1980 and divorced in 1999. Henri's paternal grandparents are Prince Michel of Bourbon-Parma (1924-2018) and Princess Yolande of Broglie-Revel (1928-2014). Henri's maternal grandparents are Count Knud Holstein-Ledreborg (1919-2001) and Princess Marie Gabrielle of Luxembourg (b.1925).

Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma, and their daughter in the stroller.
Photograph (c) Swiss Press.

Archduchess Gabriella Maria Pilar Yolande Joséphine-Charlotte of Austria was born at Geneva on 26 March 1994. Gabriella is the youngest child and second daughter of Archduke Carl Christian of Austria (b.1954) and Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg (b.1954), who married in 1982. Gabriella's paternal grandparents are Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria (1918-2007) and Princess Yolande de Ligne (b.1923). Gabriella's maternal grandparents are Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg (1921-2019) and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium (1927-2005).

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HEALTH & LABOUR GUIDELINES ISSUED AS TEMPERATURES SOAR

 Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Peter Michael

The health and labour ministries on Monday issued warnings to vulnerable groups, and workers as temperatures were set to hit 44C inland.

The met office on Sunday issued a red weather warning that will be in effect from 1pm until 5pm Monday.

The health ministry said the public should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and non-essential movement and exercise.

According to the ministry, people should wear relaxed and light colour clothes and use hats and sunglasses if it is necessary to be outside.

People should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, coffees and eating heavy or fatty foods, including chocolates and spicy foods. The ministry suggested people eat light foods, vegetables, juices, and significant amounts of water.

According to the ministry, the public should also use their air-conditioning, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

Another suggestion was for people to take cooler showers, during the day, and to avoid using ovens.

Vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, and pregnant women) need to take extra care.  The ministry suggested parents should dress their infants in light clothing and consult their paediatrician for recommendations on the correct amount of liquid to give to their children.

Individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, such as respiratory or heart issues, should consult their doctor on any potential special measures they may need to take.

The ministry also called on people to make sure children, the elderly, and pets are not left in vehicles with closed windows.

Workers and employers were also cautioned to take the necessary measures to protect from the high temperatures.

The ministry said they should consider modifying their work methods or consider cancelling the job for the day if necessary.

According to the ministry, a programme should be drawn up so that the most difficult jobs are done during the cooler hours.

Workers should also get short breaks often to rest in a shady, cool area or air-conditioned area.

The ministry also suggested workers be rotated at their jobs, accordingly.

Workers should also avoid, when possible, difficult tasks outside during the hottest hours.

Employers need to supply cool drinking water to their employees.

Workers should also wear protective head coverings, if outside.  They should also wear light coloured and relaxed clothing.

The ministry suggested they avoid eating large meals or sugary foods and drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Workers should also be trained to be able to deal with the weather conditions.

 

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A&Es AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS WILL BE INCLUDED IN GESY FROM SEPTEMBER 1

 Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Jean Christou

Nicosia hospital (Photo: CNA)

The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) announced on Monday that as of September 1 the services of accident and emergency (A&E) departments at public hospitals are included in the health scheme Gesy.

At a later stage and within 2020, there will be information on the integration of A&E services from private hospitals as well as information on specific services that will be offered by each, it said

Therefore, at this stage the visits to A&Es of private hospitals will not be covered by Gesy, the HIO said.

It reminded the public that there was still a €10 fee for visits to A&Es at public hospitals.

“The integration of the services of A&E is a decisive step towards the completion of the full implementation of Gesy,” the HIO said.

It also asks the public to use A&Es for emergencies and accidents and not routine visits.

Those who do visit will enter triage. Accidents and emergencies will be dealt with first. “Non-emergencies do not fall under the health care services provided by the A&E and therefore will not be covered [by Gesy],” the HIO said.

For more information, interested parties can contact the Gesy Service Centre at 17000 (free) or by e-mail at info@gesy.org.cy

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LEBANON HANGING BY A THREAD!

 Cyprus Mail 30 August 2020

Saad Hariri heads the largest Sunnite party in Lebanon and is expected to name his candidate His input is crucial to guarantee that the new PM will have the necessary “cover” to rule

In Beirut, the clock is ticking fast towards the deadline set by Emmanuel Macron

By George Eid, CM Middle East Correspondent

Anyone who follows Lebanese politics will have noticed that the name of the game for the main key players is: “Promise everything but deliver almost nothing”. Based on this very rule the country’s economy has hit rock-bottom along with a historic hyperinflation that sets a new regional record according to world renowned economist, James Hankey.

After years of failed plans and empty promises to implement serious reforms, the ruling political parties have succeeded in devaluing the Lebanese Pound and dragging the country to the negotiation table of the IMF. But even there, they failed to produce solid numbers and a unified stance to consolidate the negotiations, leading to an abrupt halt in the process.

A source at Macron’s Elysee office on Friday, labelled it as “obstructed for political reasons”. The French president even went the extra mile, according to the same source, by saying “the time has come for the Lebanese political parties to move aside temporarily to ensure the formation of a new government that will implement the needed changes”. According to a diplomatic source the French president, who had visited Beirut after the Port Blast, made it clear that a new government is expected within three weeks, before his return to the Lebanese capital on the afternoon of Monday August 31st.

Aside from the government formation, the visit will have four main objectives:

– Pushing for the Implementation of the necessary economic reforms that will get the country back on the negotiation table with the IMF
– Preparing for early parliamentary elections in Beirut
– The reconstruction of the Beirut port
– Containing the coronavirus situation in Lebanon

Meanwhile in Beirut, the clock is ticking fast towards the deadline set by Macron.
The Lebanese President Michel Aoun seems to be concerned with being “on time” with the process of forming a new government and scheduled a date for Lebanon’s binding parliamentary consultations to designate a new PM on Monday, almost three weeks after the government resigned over a deadly Beirut blast.

The consultations that traditionally consume 2-3 days have been placed on the “express lane” this time. The president will meet all the 128 parliament members in one day on a very tight schedule. The process itself being a first of its kind in the last decade!

Macron who keeps a close eye on the situation called his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun on Sunday to reiterate his support for the ongoing efforts to form a new government.

Although the chances of forming a new government soon are slim, the names of four potential candidates for the position of PM are circulating backstage:

– Ex-Minister Rashid Derbas
– Ex-Minister Raya El Hassan
– MP Faissal Karami
– Lebanese Ambassador to Berlin Mostapha Adib

The first two candidates belong the “future movement” political party headed by ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated by Salim Ayyach a member of Iran-backed militia and political party Hezbollah, according to the verdict of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) – an international court based near the Hague, in the Netherlands. Saad Hariri heads the largest Sunnite party in Lebanon and is expected to name his candidate His input is crucial to guarantee that the new PM will have the necessary “cover” to rule.

Faissal Karami on the other hand is the candidate of Hezbollah for the position of PM. However, his chances of being designated are very dim. Due to the fact that he does not have the full support of the Sunnite leadership of the country.

As for Ambassador Adib, he is affiliated with Ex-prime minister Najib Mikati. A technocrat on the grey side of Lebanese politics. Seen the current circumstances and Hariri’s insistence on picking a PM away from his own backyard. Adib’s chances are high according to sources from opposing Lebanese political parties involved in the designation process.

As pressure grows from the international community on Hezbollah, the plot thickens and the political situation in Lebanon gets more complicated.

But the Lebanese politicians are not entirely “out of tricks”. One of the old golden ones can really fit this situation. It has been a common practice in the last decade for the president to designate a prime minister who will hold consultations with MPs for government formation. The designated PM will hang fire and wait for the “right time” according to Lebanese political climate. And if things do not fall in line he will dismiss himself.

This scenario that is likely to occur hours before the arrival of Macron would have produced a PM who would meet the French president to prove to him that the political parties in Lebanon have answered his call. And that they are all working hard to form a new government!

However, would the French president really bite the bait?

It is unlikely that he will, but even if he does this will not get Lebanon any step closer to sealing a deal with the IMF.

The international community’s call is loud and clear for any future Lebanese government: the only road a deal with IMF is through economic reforms.

The very reforms that almost every Lebanese politicians has vowed to support but has always failed to do so for years. Simply because the same people who are now required to “fix it” are those who have spent the last 30 years “breaking it”.

This is why Macron and the international community are now tackling the root of the problem by asking the “traditional” political parties to move aside allowing fresh blood into the system. To jump-start it again because “Lebanon could disappear” as a source at Macron’s Elysee stated over the weekend!
Until then, Lebanon will keep on hanging by a thread!

 

• George Eid, is a Beirut-based multilingual (Arabic, English, French, German, Greek) correspondent, anchor and documentary producer, who has worked for several outlets including, Voice of Lebanon and Sky News Arabia (Abu Dhabi). He has reported on several humanitarian and sociopolitical issues and was known to tackle taboo and delicate subjects. He was also among the first teams to enter Aleppo as a reporter with Sky news Arabia in 2012 to cover the Syrian war from a humanitarian perspective. George has a Master’s degree in marketing media and management from Sorbonne IV. Currently he is the head of News Operations/senior correspondent at MTV news Lebanon and a university lecturer at Notre Dame university, USJ, ALAC

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