GOVT LEGAL DEPARTMENT HEAD QUITS AFTER CONCERNS AT PM's PLAN TO 'UNDERMINE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT' - Sources

 Sky News 8 September 2020 -Aubrey Allegretti, political reporter

Boris Johnson's reported bid to override parts of his Brexit deal has been dealt a blow, after the head of the government legal department quit.

© Other Sir Jonathan Jones was head of the government legal department

Jonathan Jones resigned following concerns that Downing Street may be trying to undermine parts of the EU withdrawal agreement, according to Whitehall sources.

The move means six top civil servants have now stood down this year, including the heads of several departments and the cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill.

Downing Street and the Cabinet office have not officially commented yet.

Lord Charlie Falconer, Labour's shadow attorney general, said Mr Jones was an "impressive lawyer and very decent person".

He added: "This resignation indicates that senior government lawyers think that the government are about to break the law.

"The government is trashing the best of the UK; we are a law abiding country and the government have some serious questions to answer."

The fresh row over Brexit centres on the as-yet unpublished Internal Market Bill, which the Financial Times quoted a source saying would be used to "clearly and consciously" undermine the divorce deal with Brussels.

George Eustice, the environment secretary, dismissed claims the government was doing anything wrong, saying there were just "a few legal ambiguities" that need to be "tied up".

But opposition politicians have reacted with fury, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon branding the Conservatives "charlatans" and warning the move would "significantly increase [the] likelihood of no-deal".

The UK left the EU on 31 January but is continuing to follow its rules until the end of 2020 during a "transition period" while negotiators try to hammer out a trade deal to replace existing arrangements on things like tariffs.

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STUDY TO PROBE CORONAVIRUS IMMUNITY IN CYRUS

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by Annette Chrysostomou

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING)

New research by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics aims to provide insight into the coronavirus outbreak and particularly the degree of immunity to the virus,  the institute announced on Tuesday.

The research programme  of the department of molecular virology, which was approved by the National Bioethics Committee of Cyprus, will investigate the presence of antibodies in individuals who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, in individuals who tested negative and in persons who have not been tested at all.

According to the director of the department of molecular virology Christina Christodoulou, it is conducted nationwide and is based on blood samples taken on a voluntary basis after the volunteers sign a consent form.

Christodoulou described the study as particularly important, explaining that it would greatly help the scientific community in Cyprus and other countries, by providing information on the immune system’s ability to produce antibodies against Covid-19.

“The research will provide data on the quality of the specific immune response against different antigens of the virus,” she said.

“Those of our fellow citizens who know they tested positive for the coronavirus, with or without clinical symptoms, as well as other fellow citizens who have never tested positive, are welcome to take part in the study.”

“Overall, the results that will emerge from this study can be used to determine decisions for the future,” researcher at the institute Giorgos Krasias added.

He further explained the findings of the study will be of practical use since individuals who test positive for antibodies to Covid-19 could become blood donors for plasma isolation, which can then be used for therapeutic purposes in patients with the coronavirus.

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BREXIT - GOV UK GUIDANCE - LIVING IN CYPRUS - re the Withdrawal Agreement, Residency, Passports and Travel

Please take a few minutes to read through the following:

Living in Cyprus

Official information for UK nationals moving to and living in Cyprus, including guidance on residency, passports and the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.

If you are resident in Cyprus at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Cyprus.

Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.

In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Cyprus. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.

You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Cyprus.

Residency

If you are resident in Cyprus before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to continue to live, work and access services as you do now.

You must register as a Cypriot resident if you plan to stay in Cyprus for more than 3 months. You will get a registration certificate from the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Registry and Migration Department. Contact details are available here.

After living in Cyprus for more than 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence (MEU3).

Read the Cypriot government guidance residency in Cyprus.

If there are changes to residency registration processes, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.

Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

UK Nationals Support Fund

The government has announced funding for organisations to provide practical support to UK nationals who may have difficulty completing their residency application or registration. 

This support is available only to those who need additional help. This may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties.

The services available for people who need this additional support include:

• answering questions about residency applications, such as the documents
• required and application procedure
• guiding individuals through the process, if necessary
• supporting people facing language barriers or difficulty accessing technology

In Cyprus, this support is being provided by two organisations: SSAFA (specifically for armed forces veterans) and Cyprus Residency Planning Group (CRPG). If you or someone you know may have difficulty completing the paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you.

SSAFA: The Armed Forces Charity

Visit the SSAFA website

Hotline: 800 77058 (freephone), available Mon - Fri 09.00 - 17.30

Email: ukvie.support@ssafa.org.uk

CRPG: 800 09009 (freephone)

Mon – Fri 09.00-13.00

contactus@cyprus-crpg.org

Passports and travel

The rules on travel will stay the same until the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.

Check your passport is valid before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Cyprus. However, if you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus, their administration advises that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the north.

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Cyprus.

Passports from 1 January 2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Cyprus, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these countries.

Entry requirements

From 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.

To stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of stay authorised under a visa or permit will not count against the 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

 

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TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 8 - CORONAVIRUS GLOBAL UPDATE

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - Reuters News Service

Madrid, Spain July 28, 2020. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho

EUROPE

Spain became the first country in Western Europe to register 500,000 coronavirus infections on Monday, after a second surge in cases that coincided with schools reopening.

Health Ministry data showed a total of 525,549 cases, up from 498,989 on Friday, and 2,440 infections registered in the last 24 hours. Spain updates its data retroactively, so the latest numbers could be revised.

Recent infections have been more common among younger people who often develop no symptoms thanks to their stronger immune systems, and the death rate remains far below the March-April peak when daily fatalities routinely exceeded 800.

A British government minister said on Tuesday that a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was concerning and he called on people to follow health guidance or risk tougher restrictions in the coming months.

“There’s a big burden on all of us now to follow the guidance as closely as we can or else we do risk greater restrictions later this year,” housing minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News television.

Other top government officials have also expressed concern about a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent days.

There were almost 3,000 reported cases on Monday in the UK.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in France rose again compared with the previous day, as did the death toll, as the country battles to contain a likely second wave of the virus.

The number of new, confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen by 4,203 compared with the previous day to reach a total of 328,980, the French health ministry said on Monday.

The number of deaths also rose by 25 over the last 24 hours to 30,726.

Ukraine registered a record 57 deaths related to the new coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the national security council said on Tuesday, up from a previous record of 54 deaths registered last week.

The council said a total of 140,479 cases were registered in Ukraine as of Sept. 8, with 2,934 deaths and 63,546 people recovered.

ASIA

India recorded its highest daily deaths from the coronavirus in more than a month on Tuesday, even as new infections slowed, data from the health ministry showed.

The health ministry said 1,133 people had died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the highest since July, taking total mortalities to 72,775. But new daily cases were at 75,809, the lowest in a week.

India surprassed Brazil on Monday to become the country with the most number of coronavirus cases outside of the United States and has a cumulative caseload of 4.28 million.

A spike in coronavirus infections in Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali and Thailand’s first locally transmitted case in 100 days have dealt further blows to Southeast Asian hopes of reviving vital tourism industries.

Plans to reopen Bali to foreign tourists from September have been postponed indefinitely, while Thailand’s proposal for the cautious reopening of Phuket island has come into doubt.

As well as trying to encourage domestic tourism industries, some Southeast Asian countries have been considering “travel bubbles” with others as a way to get businesses restarted.

Bali initially appeared to weather the health crisis better than other parts of Indonesia, which has suffered Southeast Asia’s biggest death toll by far. But coronavirus cases have spiked after it reopened its borders to domestic tourism at the end of July.

“Increasing domestic tourism is one important factor for increasing cases in Bali,” said Dr Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Mexico reported 3,486 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 223 additional fatalities on Monday, bringing its totals to 637,509 infections and 67,781 deaths, according to updated health ministry data.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely to be significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

SOUTH AMERICA

Brazil recorded 10,273 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, as well as 310 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

In all, Brazil has registered 4.15 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 126,960, according to ministry data.

Brazil has the third highest number of coronavirus cases. India, which has now registered 4.2 million cases, overtook Brazil in number of infections on Monday and is just behind the United States.

Argentina’s coronavirus death toll surpassed 10,000 on Monday, the government said, as the South American nation struggles to bring its infection rate under control.

There have been 10,129 deaths, with 488,007 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to government data. Almost half of coronavirus tests are yielding a positive result.

Argentina has been under lockdown since March 20, though cases have spiked in recent weeks. Some areas of the country, including capital Buenos Aires, remain under varying levels of quarantine, though some activities, like exercise and outdoor restaurant dining, recently resumed.

CORONAVIRUS AROUND THE WORLD

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FOREIGN MINISTRY UPDATES ADVICE FOR TRAVEL ABROAD

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by Annette Chrysostomou

People planning to travel abroad from Cyprus are advised to avoid non-essential travel to all countries except those in coronavirus categories A and B, according to the latest travel advice issued by the foreign ministry.

Countries currently in category A are:  Canada, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway and Thailand

Countries in category B are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Uruguay

“The classification of countries, based on the epidemiological risk assessment, is extremely dynamic and may change at any moment. You are therefore encouraged to check the travel advice regularly,” the ministry said in an announcement late on Monday afternoon.

Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus who are temporarily located or permanently reside in countries not in category A and B are advised to be cautious, to follow local and international media on the latest developments regarding Covid-19, to adhere to the relevant instructions of the country’s authorities including restrictions or guidance concerning Covid-19, to take measures to protect themselves, and to inform the accredited diplomatic mission of the Republic of their presence in the country.

Cypriots who are currently abroad, or intend to travel abroad for any reason, are encouraged to register on the website www.connect2cy@gov.cy.

Passengers intending to return to or arrive in Cyprus will be required to comply with the applicable process, register at https://cyprusflightpass.gov.cy and meet the requirements for entry to Cyprus.

Relevant decrees, announcements, press releases and information published by the ministry of health and other authorities and services of the government are available at https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/

In accordance with current regulations, only Cypriot citizens, permanent residents of Cyprus or holders of a special entry permit are entitled to board direct flights from countries not in category A and B to Cyprus.

Contact details in case of an emergency:

• Diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus abroad:

Contact details for our Diplomatic Missions are available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/mfa2016.nsf/mfa50_en/mfa50_en?OpenDocument

• Consular affairs department of the ministry of foreign affairs:

22-651113 8.30am to 3pm, Monday – Friday

• Duty officer of the ministry of foreign affairs:

99-660129 outside working hours*

• Crisis management department of the ministry:

+22-801000 8.30am to 3pm, Monday – Friday

* The Duty officer’s line is reachable outside office hours and is intended to provide assistance in emergency situations.

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ARREST OF TWO PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATIONS INTO BURGLARIES AND THEFTS

 7/9/2020

A total of six cases of burglaries and thefts are being investigated by the Police in Paphos province against two persons who were arrested and detained to facilitate interrogations.

 

These are cases of office break-ins, two supermarkets, a bakery, a kiosk and a restaurant, committed last night, in the areas of Kisonerga and Lebas, in Paphos.

 

A car was stolen from the office. The car was then spotted and picked up by members of the police.

 

A laptop computer, cash register and soft drinks were stolen from the restaurant, a number of cigarette and tobacco packets were stolen from the two supermarkets and the cash register drawer of one supermarket containing coins and two plastic coin boxes were stolen from the bakery. Nothing was stolen from the stand after the alleged assailants fled the scene when the alarm system sounded.

 

During the examinations by members of the Peyia Police Station, testimony was obtained against a 35-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman for committing the six burglaries and thefts. They were arrested and detained for examination purposes.

 

Peyia Police Station is investigating.

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EXCAVATION PROJECT AT FABRIKA HILL IN PAPHOS PRESENTED

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by Bejay Browne

A mosaic floor that was part of a building of the Hellenistic period is among the important finds from excavations carried out at Fabrika Hill in Kato Paphos.

The work was presented to Paphos Municipal Council on Monday evening by the head of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Avignon France, Professor of Archaeology and Ancient Greek History, Claire Balandier.

Balandier, who has headed the archaeological expedition that has been conducting excavations on site for the past12 years, said the Fabrika Hill area was the Acropolis of Paphos and with very important monuments for the history of the area.

“Mayor of Paphos, Phedonas Phedonos invited Professor Balandier to inform the members of the House about the important excavation work carried out in the last 12 years in this area by the French Archaeological Mission,” an announcement from Paphos municipality said.

“She even ranked the quarries that existed there as the third most important after the quarries of Petra in Jordan and Sicily,” it said.

The Professor also pointed out that excavation work is difficult at this time due to coronavirus since students could not come to the area or work. This year we are doing studies and cleaning, while at the same time the programme is being prepared for next year, she said.

One of the important findings of the area is a room with a mosaic floor that was part of a building of the Hellenistic period. It was found that the building was supplied with water from a clay pipe that is preserved in a very good condition, while the water came from the area of Tala.  This building appears to have been partially destroyed by later Roman-era water supply projects, which included the construction of a pipeline and reservoirs.

The mayor expressed his warm thanks to Professor Balandier, who has been visiting Paphos for 31 years and is fluent in Greek, and to all the foreign archaeological expeditions that have been conducting excavations in the city in recent years.

He referred in particular to the mission of the University of Krakow, led by Professor of Greek descent Evdoxia-Papoutsi-Wladyka, who is conducting an excavation in the ancient market of Paphos, as well as the mission of the University of Sydney, under the direction of Dr Craig Barker, and the discovery of the largest Hellenistic theatre with 8,000 seats.

 

 

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PAWS ONLINE QUIZ NIGHTS - 9 & 30 September

 

PAWS ONLINE QUIZ NIGHTS

Wednesday 9th and 30 September - 7.30pm CY - 5.30pm UK

€5ppp - www.pawsdogshelter.com

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PAWS RAFT RACE - Bonamare Beach, Timi - 12 September - Virtual or online

 

PAWS RAFT RACE - Virtual and online - note max 50 people if virtual

Bonamare Beach, Timi - or link via zoom

Saturday 12 September - 10am

www.pawsdogshelter.com

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ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN CYPRUS PRICED SLIGHTLY ABOVE EU28 AVERAGE

 in-cyprus 8 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

The price of alcoholic drinks in Cyprus last year stood slightly above the EU 28 average, according to figures released by Eurostat on Tuesday.

It said that in 2019, the price of alcoholic drinks across the European Union was more than twice as high in the most expensive Member State than in the cheapest one.

When price levels in countries are compared with the EU average price level index of 100, the results show that in 2019, the price of alcoholic drinks (spirits, wine and beer) was highest in Finland (with a price level index of 191), followed by Ireland (182) and Sweden (156).

In contrast, the price levels for alcoholic drinks in 2019 were lowest in Romania (with a price level index of 76), followed by Bulgaria (79) and Hungary (80).

Cyprus was slightly above the EU average and ranked the 12th most expensive in the bloc.

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