BRITISH NEWSPAPERS DISTRIBUTION HIT BY EXTINCTION REBELLION BLOCKADE

 in-cyprus 5 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

The distribution of several British newspapers was disrupted on Saturday after Extinction Rebellion climate change activists blockaded printing presses used by Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, the publisher of The Times and The Sun.

The group said late on Friday that nearly 80 people had blocked roads leading to two printworks, at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, north east of London, and at Knowsley, near Liverpool.

Hertfordshire police said they had made 42 arrests, while Merseyside police said they had made 21.

The Murdoch-owned Newsprinters works also print the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times.

Extinction Rebellion said it took the action to highlight what it regards as the newspapers’ failure to accurately report on climate change.

The protests, which continued through to Saturday, were condemned by interior minister Priti Patel.

“This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion,” she said on Twitter.

“This attack on our free press, society and democracy is completely unacceptable.”

A Newsprinters spokeswoman said the disruption meant printing had to be transferred to other sites.

“We apologise sincerely to any readers of The Sun, The Times, the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times who may be unable to buy their usual newspaper this morning due to late deliveries,” she said.

“This attack on all of the free press impacted many workers going about their jobs. Overnight print workers, delivery drivers, wholesale workers and retail newsagents have faced delays and financial penalty. This is a matter for the Police and the Home Office.”

The blockade is part of a week of protests by Extinction Rebellion, including on Wednesday in Parliament Square where demonstrators lay under white sheets to represent corpses.

The group says an emergency response and mass move away from polluting industries and behaviours is needed to avert a looming climate cataclysm.

It said it plans further protests in central London on Saturday. (Reuters)

Read More

EU's MICHEL SAYS RELOCATION NO SILVER BULLET TO MIGRATION FEUDS

 in-cyprus 5 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Europe must improve migration procedures on its external borders, seal more deals with foreign countries and synchronise asylum policies in the bloc before it tackles the thorny issue of hosting asylum seekers, a top EU official said on Friday.

European Council President Charles Michel, who chairs summits of EU leaders, spoke to Reuters and five other European news agencies as the bloc prepares to have a fresh go at reforming its troubled asylum laws.

The system all but collapsed amidst a surge in arrivals of those fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa with more than a million people reaching the EU in 2015. This fuelled support for eurosceptic and nationalist groups, as well as contributing to Brexit.

“It’s not easy, it’s a difficult question and a difficult topic,” Michel said. “Let’s start with some initiatives which will help us be more efficient and maybe decrease political sensitivity of some other topics.”

By the latter, he meant deep rifts among the 27 EU countries over how to care for refugees and migrants.

Under the EU’s now-defunct rules, the southern states of arrival like Italy, Malta or Greece are responsible but they were quickly overwhelmed at the height of the sea arrivals season.

Countries opposed to immigration, such as Poland and Hungary, as well as Austria, however, refuse to help by hosting some of those people.

Years of such disputes damaged the EU’s cohesion, as well as leading it to tighten its external borders and asylum policies.

That has cut the numbers crossing the Mediterranean on unsafe dinghies but also drawn fire from rights groups over drownings and “Fortress Europe” denying help to those in need.

The bloc’s executive now wants overhaul of EU asylum law.

Sources told Reuters the proposal would still include obligatory relocation of asylum seekers among all member states at times of major immigration spikes, the element previously vehemently rejected by several states.

While the Commission’s proposal is expected at the end of September at the earliest, Michel said member states should first work more on external borders and clinching deals with foreign capitals under which the EU offers money and assistance in exchange for them hosting migrants and refugees rather than letting them embark for Europe.

Michel also proposed convergence of asylum benefits across the EU, where rich countries like Germany and Sweden are the most desired destinations, which contributes to uneven distribution of people across the bloc.

“Mandatory relocation is not the alpha and omega of the migration discussion. These threee points are more important,” he said.

Germany, which now holds the EU’s rotating presidency, hopes to get before the end of the year a “political road map” for a future deal to end rows over migration at a time when the EU faces challenges in its ties with Russia, China, Turkey and the United States.

Stressing how tall an order that would be, a senior EU diplomat told Reuters: “We are very far away from any sort of consensus. For different political reasons, the matter is still completely poisonous.” (Reuters)

Read More

ORANGE WEATHER WARNING ISSUED FOR SATURDAY

 Cyprus Mail 5 September 2020 - by Evie Andreou

The met office on Saturday issued an orange warning for extreme high temperatures.

According to the announcement, the temperature is expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius inland and around 35C in the higher mountainous areas.

The warning concerns the period between 12 noon and 5pm.

Temperature is expected to gradually drop until Monday. On Tuesday, as slight rise in temperature is expected.

 

Read More

HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPEAL AFTER ONE PERSON HAD SYMPTOMS FOR DAYS

 Filenews 5 September 2020

A re-appeal, in response to a positive incident announced on Friday, which had symptoms for days prior to the laboratory examination, is addressed by the Ministry of Health, to all citizens to contact their Personal Physician as soon as they experience the symptomatology of the coronavirus, for further investigation.

As highlighted in the communication, the delay in seeking medical assistance carries a risk of transmission of the virus and contamination of other people from the family, social and professional environment of the individual and, by extension, spread of the virus in the community.

It is noted that any citizen who presents COVID-19 symptomatology must at the same time terminate all his social contacts and activities and remain in self-isolation, strictly following the instructions of the Doctor's Staff.

Source: eyenews

1

Read More

LARGE PERCENTAGE OF DOMESTIC TRANSMISSION OF CORONAVIRUS

 in-cyprus 5 September 2020

New data on the course of the virus in Cyprus was provided on Saturday by the Ministry of Health. The total number of cases is 1498, while 28 deaths were recorded, of which 21 had a final cause of death in COVID-19.

According to the data, 500 cases of coronavirus have been recorded since 1 July, most of them involving domestic infections.

In detail, 283 domestic transfer incidents, 188 cases with travel history and 29 cases of unknown origin have been recorded.

In terms of the median age of cases, it amounts to 30 years while 80% of cases are aged 18-59 years. Also, 53% are men and 47% are women.

Since 1 July, there have been 26 hospital admissions, of which 14 have been discharged.

At the same time, two imports into ICU were made.

Source: eyenews

Read More

BIG BROTHER FOR DIGITAL AND 5G

 Filenews 5 September 2020 - by Petros Theoharidis

State-of-the-art monitoring system for all radio broadcasts, their sources and technical parameters, automatically identifying which of them are legal and which are not, as well as interference analysis, including new digital and future types of radio broadcasts, such as 5G, is soon acquired by Cyprus.

The system will record all emissions in the range from 9 KH2 to 6 GH2, i.e. virtually the entire spectrum in which radio frequency transmission can be made. It will supervise compliance with the legislation in relation to spectrum in Cyprus, but will also identify sources and characteristics of interference at a distance of up to hundreds of kilometers outside Cyprus, since often the fact that Cyprus is an island and surrounded by sea creates various phenomena in radio broadcasts and radio communications.

As announced yesterday, by launching a tender, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, through the Electronic Communications Department of the Ministry of Digital Policy, wishes to replace the existing national radio frequency surveillance system of the national radio frequency spectrum management and surveillance system (ESDEF) in order to continue to effectively manage existing radio communications and to ensure the availability of a clean (free from interference) spectrum of radio frequencies to new radio frequency services and infrastructures in Cyprus.

The existing system installed in 2008 is now considered technically exhausted after 12 years of operation, but also outdated since it does not cover new technologies and emission standards mainly of new digital technologies.

The cost of the new advanced system, including ten years of maintenance, is estimated at €9m.

The new monitoring system for all radio broadcasts will consist of four existing fixed monitoring stations, which will be upgraded with new antennas, computer systems and software, while another one will be added, i.e. there will be a total of five ground stations that will have infrastructure when necessary and will also be staffed, i.e. staffed.

The system will also have two mobile surveillance stations, one in a 4X4 SUV and one in a 4X4 VAN vehicle.

Under the microscope radio transmitters 24 hours a day

All stations will be connected 24 hours a day to the Management and Supervision Center at the offices of the Department of Electronic Communications, which will be modernized with new sophisticated systems for recording data, detecting violations and illegalities or interference.

The system will be able to accurately detect a building or neighbourhood anywhere in Cyprus if there is a source of radio broadcasts.

In the four existing stations (Koroni, Endealos, Kakomallis, Dense), as well as in the new one to be built northwest of Cyprus, monitoring and radio angle measurement equipment will be installed, so that the operator can quickly identify and detect the emission from any source.

Mobile stations will also be able to detect emissions and their parameters even in motion, i.e. while the vehicle will be moving on and off roads, and will even be able to detect relatively low emission sources. They will perform all these functions and measurements, which cannot be performed by fixed stations either because of the morphology of the ground or because of low signal emission power.

The operator over the network will use these computers to perform the required measurements of user detection, frequency and spectrum, signal parameter measurement, real-time signal analysis, radio cornering, triangulation and position detection of the emission reflected in digital maps, analysis, recognition, signal deformation, signal evaluation, analog and digital audio recording.

Tv signals will also be de-coded, TV signal parameters analysed and the data obtained from the measurements will be automatically compared with the licensed broadcast data.

This means that, inter alia, a radio, television and other radio transmitter, e.g. mobile telephony, broadcasting with a power beyond the approved one, will be detected immediately.

The new system will also be able to analyse digital signals in real time to detect interference from analogue to digital broadcasts as well as signal processing of recent and new technologies.

The maps, on fixed and laptop screens, will depict at least 1,500 km around Cyprus in all directions, so that operators immediately know the emission source inside and outside Cyprus.

Emission technologies recognised and analysed by the new system include the identification of signal quality indicators in broadband broadcasts, including those via 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, TETRA, Wi-Fi, etc. networks with automatic decoding procedures for these signals.

On-board units

The self-propelled units will be two and one will be installed on a VAN vehicle with four-wheel drive while for reasons of greater safety and stability, the rear axle will have dual wheels.

The second will be suv type (or double-car), also with four-wheel drive. They will, among other things, make measurements of ten different parameters in 5G emissions.

Already, according to information from "F", interest has been shown by the largest international companies that manufacture such equipment, and it should be noted that the Department of Electronic Communications asks that the system be delivered by turnkey, with single equipment, in which case basic equipment and software from different companies (puzzle type) are discarded.

Special strict provisions are provided for both station security and the whole system, even in the event of cyber attacks.

With special provision, the Department of Electronic Communications makes it clear that it is "not interested in de-forming or decoding military applications or military communications or encrypted communications" and the contractor should take such measures that the algorithms it will introduce into the system, either initially or in the future, do not involve military applications.

 

Read More

S&P CREDIT RATING FOR CYPRUS CONFIRMS ECONOMY'S RATIONAL MANAGEMENT - FinMin

 in-cyprus 5 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Standard & Poor’s latest credit rating for Cyprus is a confirmation of the rational management of the economy and public finances by the Government despite the negative consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is what Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said in a written statement on Saturday, following Friday’s announcement by S&P’s Global Ratings affirming its `BBB-/A-3` long-and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating Cyprus, with a stable outlook.

The Minister underlined the importance of the affirmation of the Mediterranean island’s rating, despite the fact that the economy is in the midst of the negative effects of Covid-19.

“The rating is a confirmation of the rational management of the economy and public finances by the Government, which is the key to ensuring macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability,” he said.

“The key factors that have contributed to the strong confidence in the Cypriot economy are the Government`s permanent commitment to maintain budgetary surpluses, the trend of reducing public debt, the persistent efforts to consolidate the banking sector, as well as the management of the public debt and securing strong cash reserves by the State,” he added.

Petrides also noted that especially under the difficult conditions in the world economy and in the international markets due to the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic and the economic challenges, the Ministry of Finance remains committed to maintaining the credibility of the Cypriot economy.

Standard & Poor’s report expressed the view that Cyprus’ eurozone membership, strong cash position, solid growth prospects, and historically prudent fiscal policies will mitigate the Covid-19 impacts on its creditworthiness.

The report points out that authorities are implementing measures to curb the spread of the virus, while safeguarding incomes and shielding businesses from a temporary, albeit critical, liquidity shock.

It adds, however, that Covid-19 fallout has pushed Cyprus’ tourism-dependent economy into a severe recession and prompted a large deficit in 2020 and estimates that GDP will contract by 7.3% in 2020 before recovering by 5.5% in 2021.

According to S&P the stable outlook captures our view of Cyprus’ solid long-term growth prospects, improving public debt dynamics and track record of running budgetary surpluses against high stocks of public and private debt.

The agency considers, however, the inherent vulnerability of the country`s small open economy, given its large tourism sector and exposure to external shocks, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We could consider raising the ratings on Cyprus if the banking sector materially reduced its nonperforming exposures (NPEs) and financial conditions improved, alongside faster-than-expected deleveraging in the economy or stronger external performance”, says the report.

Alternatively, it adds, ratings downside could stem from markedly lower-than-projected economic growth in the coming years, impeding private debt servicing and financial sector improvements. A negative rating action could also occur if, contrary to our expectations, fiscal performance does not improve and the general government debt burden rises substantially.

The ratings S&P notes, are underpinned by Cyprus` wealthy economy and solid growth prospects, teamed with policymakers` commitment to operating budgetary surpluses and progress restoring the banking sector`s health.

“We believe that EU membership supports Cyprus` creditworthiness, particularly favourable decisions taken at both the level of the EU and the European Central Bank (ECB) in recent months”, it notes.

While public debt remains high, it points out, proactive debt management has considerably improved the country`s public debt profile, as have the highly supportive monetary policies introduced by the ECB since 2012. Furthermore, it is added, authorities hold significant cash buffers, at least equivalent to nine months of financing needs, reducing short-term refinancing risk.

Rating constraints–which S&P expects will be amplified by COVID-19 impacts–include Cyprus` elevated stocks of public and private debt and the still-high proportion of NPEs in the banking system.

Moreover, the report noted that Cyprus is more vulnerable to external shocks than larger, more diversified economies, because of the country`s small open economy with an important tourism sector, and despite having a fairly diversified services sector, including contributions from professional services, information, communication, finance, and insurance activities.

Read More

BREXIT - MICHAEL BARNIER TO BE SIDELINED BY EU LEADERS IN BID TO BREAK BREXIT DEADLOCK

 The Telegraph 5 September 2020 - by James Crisp, Christopher Hope

© BLOOMBERG Michel Barnier -  Cyril Marcilhacy/Bloomberg

European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is set to be sidelined by EU leaders in a bid to get a breakthrough in the negotiations about a trade treaty with the UK.

Representatives of the bloc’s 27 member states expect Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, to pave the way for heads of state and government to intervene in the deadlocked talks in a September 16 flagship speech.

EU leaders are hoping that by stepping in to get the talks moving, it will help bridge the deep divides between the two sides, allowing Mr Barnier and his UK opposite number Lord Frost to agree the details.

Two more rounds of trade negotiations are scheduled this month, with the first taking place in London next week, but the two sides remain divided.

Relations between the UK and EU have descended into mutual recriminations, with both sides blaming each other for the deadlock after no progress on the major issues of fishing and state aid.

Time is now running out, with Mr Barnier previously warning that a deal must be agreed by the end of October, to give the EU time to ratify the agreement before the end of the year.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted the UK will "prosper mightily one way or the other" after the end of the Brexit transition period in December, with or without a trade deal.

Mr Johnson said: "We must make sure that people understand that, at the end of the year, whatever happens, we are leaving the EU, leaving the transition period.

"We will get through this. It's absolutely vital that our partners understand that the UK is going to do what we need to do.

"If we have to have an Australia-style deal, an Australia-style solution, then that is what we will achieve and we will prosper mightily one way or the other.

"They could of course be sensible and give us a Canada-style solution, which after all they've given Canada, and I hope very much that they will, but we're ready for either eventuality."

That came after reports that officials in Number 10 now consider that the chances of the UK leaving without a deal is 70 per cent.

EU diplomats warned that the expectations for next week's round of talks in London were "extremely low", while the leaders will not discuss Brexit at their Sept 25 summit.

Mr Barnier had been lobbying for leaders to get involved but those overtures have been rebuffed by Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, who is unhappy with the lack of progress in talks.  

That would mean Brexit would only be discussed in the next European Council meeting in October, ahead of the end of the month deadline.

The European Commission refused to comment on any aspects of Mrs von der Leyen’s “State of the Union” speech.

However one EU diplomat said they expected Mrs von der Leyen to "set the scene to sideline Barnier and Frost to find a high level political solution".

Germany's Chancellor Angela MerkelMrs von der Leyen, German chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the presidency of the EU, and Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, are then expected to take over the talks for Brussels.

Despite the building pressure, failure to break the Brexit deadlock in trade negotiations in London next week will not be "fatal" to the chances of striking the agreement before the no deal deadline, EU diplomats said.

One said: "We always hope for progress but aren’t holding our breath. The next round would be good but absence of progress there won’t be fatal. This will be different if the second September round also fails."

Another diplomat added: "The window to clinch a deal will close quickly. Time would simply be running out."

Writing on Twitter on Friday night, Lord Frost said: "We have scheduled lots of time for discussions, as we should at this point in the talks.

"However, the EU still insists we change our positions on state aid and fisheries if there are to be substantive textual discussions on anything else.

"From the very beginning we have been clear about what we can accept in these areas, which are fundamental to our status as an independent country.

"We will negotiate constructively but the EU's stance may, realistically, limit the progress we can make next week."

Read More

ELEVEN HOPEFULS ANNOUNCE THEIR CANDIDACY FOR 'PRESIDENCY' IN NORTH

 Cyprus Mail 5 September 2020 - by Evie Andreou

Current Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci

Eleven hopefuls on Friday officially announced their candidacies for the elections in the north for the new Turkish Cypriot leader.

Among the candidates, four are backed by parties and the rest are running as independent.

The elections will take place on October 11.

Running as independent are current Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, ‘deputy prime minister’ and former head of the People’s Party  Kudret Ozersay, former head of Democratic Party Serdar Denktash, lawyer Alpan Uz who, at 37 is the youngest candidate,  Arif Salih Kirdag, teacher Mustafa Ulash, and doctor Ahmet Boran.

‘Prime minister’ and head of ruling National Unity Party (UBP)  Ersin Tatar, head of main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman, leader of Rebirth Party Erhan Arikli and head of the Nationalist Democracy Party (MDP) Fuat Turkoz Ciner, are also candidates. They are backed by their parties.

According to Turkish Cypriot media the candidates made brief statements about their goals if elected.

Akinci said he remains committed to a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution based on the political equality of the two constituent states and that, if he is elected, he will try to do more than his last five years in office based on a multidimensional policy.

He stressed the importance of staying true to the sought solution and referred to the statements by the UN Secretary-general after the meeting in Berlin with the two leaders last November on an informal meeting between the two communities on the island, the three guarantors – Greece, Turkey, UK – and the UN, when the time is right, in this case, after the elections.

Tatar said if he is the new leader he would strive for the north’s economic development, and its integration with the world and give it the place it deserves in the world. What’s important, he said, is the well-being of the Turkish Cypriots.

Ozersay stated that his goal was to advance the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for existence, to defend their rights in the best way and to be able to say ‘we are here’ in the region.

Denktash said this election was ‘a test of history for the Turkish Cypriot voter’ based on who they will chose as their next leader.

Read More

SCHOOLS TO STAY CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14

 Cyprus Mail 5 September 2020 - by Peter Michael

Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou

The opening of schools was delayed for a week to September 14 instead of September 7 due to a heatwave gripping the island  that is expected to last into next week, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou announced on Friday.

He said the decision was taken after meetings held with teachers’ unions, parents’ groups, and other education officials, where they discussed the extremely high temperatures expected for the week ahead, coupled with coronavirus protocols that includes mask-wearing in uncomfortable heat.

Masks are mandatory for all children over the age of 12.

“We are making this decision due to the high temperatures, the humidity, and dust levels in the atmosphere” he said.

Referring to the first day back, Prodromou said students would go to school at 9:30am, instead of 7:45am, and they will be given briefings from their teachers on the coronavirus protocols, and an informational packet on the measures will be given to the parents.

Secondary school students will also be assigned to their classes and be given their books.

Nursery school students will also be taken to schools at 9:30am, he added.

Asked about the possibility of students wearing face shields instead of masks, he said it was impossible for students to wear shields, but teachers would be able to under special circumstances.

Students in secondary school will be required to wear face masks in all indoor spaces of the school, as per prior decisions made on the matter.

Prodromou had a series of meetings earlier in the day, to discuss the original opening day of schools.  However, the teachers’ unions and parents’ groups came with an alternate proposal to delay school opening, leading Prodromou to hold meetings with former education ministers on the matter, as well as the labour and health ministers.

After the first meeting with the unions and parents, Prodromou said they also discussed the issue of providing air-conditioning.

“It is well-known that a discussion is being had about putting air-conditioning in schools, but a decision has not been made up until now, and there was no plan to do so, nor was there a practical capability of having them,” he said.

He added there was also a question of practicality to answer on the air-conditioning, since one of the main protocols says spaces should always be aerated, necessitating windows and doors being open.

Prodromou also said the education ministry would be running phone lines for teachers and parents to answer questions on the coronavirus protocols.

The help lines for queries from parents, guardians and the general public are; primary education 22800800; secondary schools and technical schools 22800755;

For teachers, the ministry’s help lines are; primary education 22800756, and secondary schools and technical schools 22800772.

“There will be immediate responses to questions, concerns, or in case it is necessary to report incidents to the ministry,” he said.

He added: “It is important we have the cooperation of everybody, the parents and of course the teachers, so we can give the children seamless education that is necessary.”

Earlier, the secondary school students’ parents’ group had sent a letter to the minister, saying the high temperatures forecast for the week would make conditions difficult.

Cyprus has been in the grip of a heat wave the past week. Temperatures are expected to start easing from Saturday but will remain above the seasonal average over the next few days.

In their letter, the parents said that children with respiratory problems as well as other pupils obliged to wear masks in classrooms with no air conditioning might have difficulties breathing.

The association urged the minister to review the situation and to delay the start of the new school year for two or three days if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Read More