POSSIBLE RED ALERT FOR EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER ON THURSDAY

 in-cyprus 1 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Another red alert – the second ever in Cyprus – for extremely high temperatures could be issued on Thursday, head of the Meteorology Office Kleanthis Nicolaides has warned.

On Sunday and Monday, a red alert was issued for the first time in the Mediterranean island’s history after temperatures rose to 44 C inland and 36 C in the mountains.

“I won’t hesitate to issue a new red alert but final decisions will be taken according to the latest forecast by the Office,” he told Philenews on Tuesday.

A red alert doesn’t only warn vulnerable members of society not to be outdoors unless necessary. It also means that, by law, construction and other workers are not exposed to the extreme heat which could be lethal for them.

The fire hazard is also on red alert when temperatures are as high as 44 C.

 

 

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WOMAN WHO VIOLATED QUARANTINE, INFECTED OTHERS, GETS CHARGED

 in-cyprus 1 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

A woman who violated self-isolation after returning to Cyprus from the USA, infecting 14 other people with COVID-19, has been charged, Philenews reported on Tuesday.

However, only one charge was substantiated against her – that of violating the mandatory 14-day quarantine – and she has already pleaded guilty before Larnaca district court.

The hearing is set for September 9, and the charge she faces provides for a fine but not jail sentence.

Philenews also said that a probe carried out through testimonies and the contact tracing process showed that the woman actually got infected here in Cyprus.

And that she had tested negative twice before getting infected through a contact.

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SOUVLA LUNCH - Kamares Club - 3 September

 

SOUVLA LUNCH - Pork or chicken

Kamares Club

Thursday 3 September - 1230 to 1500

€10pp.  Booking and pre-ordering essential at Kamares Reception or 26 880576.  Menu choice required by Wednesday 2 September.

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DIPLOMAT ASKED TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT IN CRISIS-HIT LEBANON

 pa media 31 August 2020 -By Zeina Karam and Bassem Mroue, Associated Press

© Bilal Hussein Lebanese Prime Minister-Designate Mustapha Adib (AP/Bilal Hussein)

A Lebanese diplomat has been appointed to form a new government in the crisis-hit country after winning the backing of major political parties.

President Michel Aoun asked Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, Mustapha Adib, to form a new government after he secured 90 votes in the 128-member parliament.

The consultations were being held hours before French President Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive for a two-day visit, during which he is expected to press Lebanese officials to formulate a new political pact to lift the country out of its multiple crises.

At least 190 people died and 6,000 were injured in an explosion on August 4, which devastated the city’s port and caused widespread damage to residential and commercial areas in the capital.

The government resigned less than a week after the blast.

© Provided by PA Media Mustapha Adib said his number one priority will be to implement reforms to regain the trust of the Lebanese and international community (AP/Bilal Hussein)

Mr Adib told reporters his number one priority will be to quickly form a government able to implement crucial reforms to regain the trust of the Lebanese and international community.

He said he will form a Cabinet of experts and will work with parliament to “put the country on track of improvement and to end the dangerous financial, economic and social drainage”.

“The opportunity in front of our country is narrow, and the mission that I accepted is based on all political groups knowing that. The government should be formed very quickly,” he added.

Mr Macron and other world leaders as well as the International Monetary Fund have refused to give assistance to Lebanon before its leaders enact major reforms. The swift consensus around Mr Adib, a little known diplomat, signalled a sense of urgency by Lebanon’s traditional politicians to try and contain the rapidly worsening economic and financial crisis and show movement ahead of Mr Macron’s visit.

Former prime minister Saad Hariri emerged from his meeting with Mr Aoun telling reporters his 18-member bloc had given its backing to Mr Adib. He called for the formation of a government of experts “that implement reforms aimed at restoring the world’s confidence in our economy so we can start to emerge from this crisis”.

Mr Adib, who returned from Germany to Lebanon on Saturday, was the only name to emerge as a favourite for the post of prime minister, who according to Lebanon’s sectarian-based power sharing system has to be a Sunni Muslim. The candidate who gets the most support is asked to form the new cabinet, but Lebanon’s divided political class has often been bogged down over who holds senior posts and key ministries.

Mr Adib was named by four former prime ministers, including Mr Hariri, on the eve of Monday’s consultations.

Earlier on Sunday, the head of the powerful Hezbollah militant group, Hassan Nasrallah, said his supporters will co-operate and facilitate the formation of a government that would be able to improve economic conditions and undertake major reforms.

The Iran-backed militant group, which has a dominant role in Lebanon’s politics, has come under intense criticism and public scrutiny as the country faces multiple devastating crises. Hezbollah and its allies were also expected to name Mr Adib.

Even before the explosion, an unprecedented economic crisis had already sapped the Lebanese currency of more than 80% of its value, driving unemployment, poverty and inflation through the roof.

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ONE NEW CASE TODAY - 'IMPORTED'

 Filenews 31 August 2020

The Ministry of Health informs that, according to an update received today by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit from contracting laboratories, a total of 1,916 laboratory diagnoses have identified 1 new case of COVID-19 disease.

The virus-positive atom resulted from 1,190 samples taken as part of a passenger and repatriated check, a Polish man who arrived in Paphos through Germany on Saturday..

In addition, the following laboratory tests were carried out, without the detection of a case:

• From samples taken as part of the programme of referrals by Personal Physicians and control of special teams through the Public Health Clinics, 164 laboratory tests were completed,
• From samples taken through a private initiative, 307 laboratory diagnoses were completed,
• From samples taken from the Microbiological Laboratories of the General Hospitals, 112 laboratory diagnoses were carried out,
• From samples taken at the barricades, 43 laboratory tests were completed,
• From the student control program, a laboratory examination was carried out.
• From a programme carried out by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order to check the staff working on the premises of the Courts, we have had a result for 11 samples, and
• From samples taken through the process of tracing contacts of already confirmed cases, 88 laboratory diagnoses were carried out.

Therefore, and on the basis of the data so far, the total number of cases is 1,488.

In addition, seven COVID-19 patients are being treated at Famagusta General Hospital, including one in the Increased Care Unit. In the Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia General Hospital, a patient is still being treated intubated.

Source: Eyenews

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FOREIGN OFFICE REITERATES UK POSITIONS ON CYPRUS SETTLEMENT AND EEZ ISSUES

 in-cyprus 31 August 2020 - by Maria Bitar

The Foreign Office has responded to two letters sent by UK Cypriots to Prime Minister Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, respectively, by reiterating the British government’s positions on the Cyprus issue and Turkey’s drilling activities affecting the Cypriot EEZ.

Responding to the first letter by 25 UK Cypriots to Johnson on the occasion of the tragic anniversaries of Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus, the Foreign Office officials provide assurances of the UK’s ongoing support for a just and lasting settlement to reunite Cyprus.

“The events of 1974 continue to cast a long shadow over Cyprus. The best way to address these issues is through a just and lasting settlement on the island. The UK’s commitment to a deal on Cyprus remains unwavering”, reads the letter.

Such a settlement, reuniting Cyprus “would unlock significant economic benefits through increased opportunities for trade, investment, and tourism, and open up the possibility of new energy and economic partnerships in the region”, adds the Foreign Office response, also pointing to benefits in terms of regional security and stability.

The second letter, a response to 16 UK Cypriots that had highlighted to Raab Turkey’s provocations in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus, states that the UK “has been clear from the start, in both public and private, that we deplore Turkish drilling in the waters around Cyprus”.

It adds that the UK Government has made this view known to Turkey at a ministerial and official level.

“The UK has consistently stated our support for the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to exploit the oil and gas in its internationally agreed Exclusive Economic Zone. We continue to believe Cyprus’ oil and gas should be developed for the benefit for all Cypriots”, the response letter continues.

It also notes that the UK judges it as “critical for stability in the Mediterranean and for the integrity of the rules-based international system that disputes such as this are resolved, not through force, militarisation or coercion, but through dialogue and in accordance with international law”.

“Ultimately” the letter carries on to say, “the most enduring way of resolving difficult issues is to achieve a Cyprus settlement and we encourage all parties to redouble their efforts in pursuit of that”.

“As such, the UK is a strong supporter of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of this issue, based on the internationally accepted model of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation”.

On the issue of guarantees and the future security of Cyprus, the Foreign Office letter restates that the UK is “open to whatever arrangements the two sides and the other Guarantor Powers can agree on in order to meet the security needs of a reunited Cyprus”.

(CNA)

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NORTH CYPRUS - AKINJI 'LOSES' IN THE SECOND ROUND, MAJORITY WANT SEPARATE TURKISH CYPRIOT STATE

 Filenews 31 August 2020

First in the upcoming illegal "presidential elections" shows a poll by the Turkish company Geziji, Mustafa Akinji, followed by Ersin Tatar, Tufan Erhiurman, Kundrat Ozersai, Erhan Arikli, Derdar Denktas and Fuat Turkoz Chiner.

The poll was presented by the company's own president, Murat Geziji, in occupied Nicosia, saying it was conducted on 21.22 and 23 August with 4530 respondents in all 6 "provinces" in the occupied territories, using the method of personal interviews. As last time, Mr. Geziji also released photos of the team of researchers taking buses to the various towns and villages for interviews.

According to the result of the survey on illegal "presidential elections", 33.4% said they would vote for Mustafa Akinji , 32.1% Ersin Tatar 16.6% Tufa Erhiurman ,9.6% 2% Kundret Ozersai ,5.1% Erhan Arikli ,3.4% Serdar Denktas and 0.2% Chiner who is the candidate of the Nationalist Republic (Grey Wolves) party.

In the second round ,when asked if it was between Akinji and Tatar who they would vote for, respondents answered 50.8% of Ersin Tatar and 49.2% of Mustafa Akinji.

When asked about the performance of Mustafa Akinji's five-year term as occupying leader on the Cyprus issue, 45.2% considered his performance positive and 54.3% failed.

The survey also included a question about how they find Mr Akinji's role in the development of Turkey-pseudo-state relations, with 58.3% saying their role was not positive and 31% saying they were positive.

To the question what are their expectations of the person to be elected to the position of occupying leader and noted that each participant was given more than one answer, the results are as follows: 77.1% expect to establish good relations with Turkey, 62.9% to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, 58.6% to understand well from the economy, 53.6% to be able to handle foreign policy issues and to work together with the pseudo-government and 53.5% to pay attention to the protection of the T/C culture.

It wants two states 78.2% of Turkish Cypriots

The survey also included questions about the Cyprus issue, with 78.2% of respondents answering the question of "what solution do you prefer" between the two separate states, and 21.8% saying that "there must be a federation with the R/Cs".

When asked about Turkey's guarantees, 81.1% replied that they should continue, 4.1% should be cancelled and 4.9% that there should be an EU and UN guarantee system.

When asked how they assess Turkey's seismic surveys and drilling to protect the rights of the "TDBK" - as the pseudo-state refers to it - in the context of the "blue homeland", 76.8% replied that it supports them and 13.4% that it does not support them.

When asked how they assess Ersin Tatar's announcement of the construction of a new 100-bed hospital in occupied Nicosia after his visit to Turkey, 57.8% replied that he considers it positive and 29.9% negative.

Source: Eyenews / CYPE

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THE UPGRADED FIRST MUNICIPAL MARKET OF LIMASSOL REOPENS

 Filenews 31 August 2020 

Official first today for the reopening of the 1st Municipal Market of Limassol, with Mayor Nikos Nikolaidis looking forward to the revitalization of the city center, referring to the best market in southeastern Europe.

The Mayor of Limassol visited at noon the upgraded 1st Municipal Market which opens its doors in the afternoon and is a collaboration of the Municipality of Limassol with a private company.

In a statement, Mr. Nikolaidis said that "a place built in 1918 comes back to life after many years of inaction and inactivity".

"The upgraded Limassol Municipal Market, which connects tradition and the modern element, will certainly be a model and will not be an exaggeration if it is said to be the best in southeastern Europe" he said and expressed his confidence that, in combination with the other projects of the Municipality, it will revitalize and upgrade both the city center and the quality of life of all citizens.

For his part, Vasos Koilanis, director of "AGORA", as the place is now called, said it is a historic day, as it revives the old grocery store of Limassol after two years of "hard work with several difficulties".

He added that the new multi-room includes 14 restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, two bars, a café, an ice cream shop and 13 shops made from traditional and modern products. In addition, there is a traditional bakery, deli, fruit shop, liquor store and hairdresser, as well as a children's play area and event area.

Source: Eyenews / CYPE

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IN 'BATTLE READINESS' IN THE MEDITERRANEAN - THE 'CHARLES DE GAULLE'

 Filenews 31 August 2020 

The French fleet's flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle accompanied by an unknown number of French navy ships and submarines is expected to sail directly into the Eastern Mediterranean, according to French media reports citing information from the French Ministry of Defence.

The "jewel" in the crown of the French navy is sailing in the Mediterranean on an "unspecified mission", according to reports, such as the French lemarin.ouest-france.fr.

Being France's most important strategic weapon, no more details have been announced for security reasons, but as military analysts point out, the departure from the Naval Station of Toulon is made with the aircraft carrier in "battle readiness", i.e. with a full combat load which includes a number of Rafal fighter aircraft, flying radars and strategic armament of maximum range missiles, anti-submarine arsenal as well as the sophisticated electronic detection, targeting and electronic interference systems developed by the French war industry with the special characteristic that there are no countermeasures available to any other country.

The deployment of the French navy in the Eastern Mediterranean at the moment follows recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron that "Turkey understands only by deeds", while Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the same time directly threatened Greece and France that they would "pay a heavy price".

Source: Eyenews /ert.gr

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CYPRUS ECONOMY IN 2020 HIT HARDER THAN IN 2013

 Cyprus Mail 31 August 2020 - by Gina Agapiou

Cyprus euro

COVID-19 has hit the Cyprus economy in this year harder than the 2013 crisis.

The Cyprus economy shrank almost twice as much in the second quarter of this year, compared with the same period during the financial crisis of 2013, according to data published by the statistical service.

The island’s economy shrank by 11.9 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2020, after expanding by 0.9 per cent in the previous period, the statistical service said on Monday.

In 2013, GDP contracted 5.9 per cent compared with the same period in the previous year. Resilience in private consumption and the contribution from tourism helped the economy during the crisis, the finance ministry had said.

The vast effect on the Cyprus economy of the lack of tourism revenue is best visible in individual sectors.

Some of the main contributors to the decline in GDP were the hotels and restaurants, manufacturing, construction, transport, storage and communication, wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, arts, entertainment and recreation; and other service activities,” Cystat said.

The contribution to GDP from manufacturing in Cyprus decreased to €223.85 million in the second quarter of 2020 from €240.43 million in the first quarter of 2020. The contribution to  GDP from Manufacturing in Cyprus averaged 243.65 EUR Million from 1995 until 2020.

During the same period, the contribution to GDP from construction decreased to €288 million from €359.50 million in the first quarter of 2020. The average contribution to GDP from construction amounted to €306.06 million from 1995 until 2020.

Meanwhile, retail sales in Cyprus dropped 2.6 percent from a year earlier in June 2020, following a revised 4.7 percent fall in May and a record slump of 28.9 per cent seen in April.

To gauge how much tourism was affected, there was an 85.3 per cent decrease on arrivals for the period of January to July this year. The result? Tourism revenue plunged by 87.8 per cent to a mere €122 million in the first six months of the year, compared with around €1billion in the same period of 2019.

This, along with the lockdown measures that restricted citizens’ movements and decreed for the temporary closure of businesses led to the significant decrease in the second quarter, according to the service.

“The implementation of precautionary measures and relevant decrees to address the negative consequences of COVID-19 disease had a direct impact on the Cyprus economy which exhibited a slowdown during the first quarter of 2020 and a substantial decrease during the second quarter of 2020” said the service.

On a quarterly basis, the economy shrank by 11.6 per cent, the most in more than five years, after shrinking 1.3 per cent in the previous period.

In the first quarter of 2020, the economy grew 0.9 per cent year-on year, matching a preliminary estimate and slowing from a 3.2 per cent expansion in the previous period.

According to Trading Economics, it was the weakest growth rate since the last quarter of 2014 where the economy shrank 1.1 percent.

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