POLICE HAND OUT 22 FINES FOR BREACH OF CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

 in-cyprus 9 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Police reported 16 people and 6 premises all across Cyprus over the last 24 hours for violations of measures in place to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. They had carried out a total of 548 checks.

A police spokesperson told CNA that in Nicosia district out of 79 checks 7 people and 5 premises were reported, in Limassol district out of 160 checks 3 persons were reported and in Larnaca district out of 183 checks 2 people were reported.

In addition, in Pafos district out of 92 checks 1 shop and 1 person were reported, in Famagusta district out of 54 checks 3 people were reported while in the area of Morphou out of 80 checks no reports were made.

Furthermore, Port and Marine police carried out 91 checks with no reports made.

Measures in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus make it mandatory for employees of businesses who come in contact with the public or who prepare food and beverages to wear protective masks.

All citizens are required to wear protective masks when shopping indoors.

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CYPRUS, GREECE, ISRAEL SIGN TRILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION PROGRAM

 in-cyrus 9 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

Cyprus, Greece and Israel have signed a program of trilateral military cooperation for the year 2021.

A statement issued late on Tuesday by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff also said that the trilateral military cooperation program is expected to further upgrade the military cooperation of the Armed Forces of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, through joint military exercises and operational activities.

A meeting of delegations of the three states at the Greek Ministry of National Defence preceded the signing of the cooperation program, it added.

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CORONAVIRUS HAS AN EFFECT EVEN ON OCTOBER 1 INDEPENDENCE PARADE

in-cyprus 9 September 2020 - by Annie Charalambous

 

The coronavirus pandemic changes everything including the way the Mediterranean island’s October 1 independence day military parade should take place, Philenews reported on Wednesday.

The health protocols to be put in place despite the fact the popular parade takes place outdoors will come under review at a Defence Ministry meeting on Friday.

Health authorities do not exclude the possibility of the annual parade to be postponed but the Defence Ministry seems to be against this.

“The parade takes place outdoors but crowds gather and it is difficult to maintain social distancing rules but the Ministry really wants it to take place,” an insider said.

“The question is under what conditions this should be done, along with the exact number of attendees to be allowed. Plus, it could be shorter in duration than in previous years,” added the insider.

The parade is held on Iosif HadjiIosif Avenue in Strovolos, Nicosia.

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Crone 1 Sayı

 Kanlı Bliss. Bir Red Sonya mı? Belki? Ama onun tanrıçası yok ama ölüm tanrısı da onu istemiyor. En azından şimdilik. Üç Krallığı kaplayan kötülüğü def etmek için Aslan Vor, Haydut Gaspar ve Kanlı Bliss Adalet ve İntikam üzerine yemin ederek büyük bir mücadeleye girerler. Kanlı Bliss Nadiren güler ama hele savaşta gülümserse, o savaşın sonucu bellidir ve savaş alanında Bliss gülümser. İşte o zaman anlar Haydut Gaspar, savaşı kazanacaklardır. Kanlı Bliss kötülüğün kaynağı Dkayde'yi öldürür ve üç krallığın üstündeki kötülüğün gölgesini def eder. Acaba mücadele bitmiş midir?

Sayı 1

Sayı 1

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ONE NEW CASE TODAY

 in-cyprus 8 September 2020

The Ministry of Health announces that, according to an update received today by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit from contracting laboratories, a total of 2,797 laboratory diagnoses identified 1 new case of COVID-19 disease.

The virus-positive atom was detected from 888 samples taken through a private initiative.

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

• From samples taken from the Microbiological Laboratories of the General Hospitals, 145 laboratory tests were completed,
• From samples taken through the process of tracing contacts of already confirmed cases, 134 laboratory diagnoses were carried out,
• From samples taken as part of a passenger and repatriated check, 1,204 laboratory tests were carried out,
• From samples taken as part of the control programme for pupils, teachers and school staff, 133 laboratory diagnoses were completed,
• From samples taken at the barricades, 52 laboratory tests were completed,
• Of the samples taken by the residents of Kato Pyrgos Tylliria, 3 laboratory diagnoses were completed, and
• From samples taken as part of the programme of referrals by Personal Physicians and control of special teams through the Public Health Clinics, 238 laboratory diagnoses were completed.

Therefore , and on the basis of the data so far, the total number of cases amounts to 1,511.

In addition, three people tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus are being treated in a ward at Famagusta General Hospital. A COVID-19 patient remains intubated in the Intensive Care Unit of Nicosia General Hospital.

Source: eyenews

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RUSSIA AND CYPRUS SIGN AMENDED DOUBLE TAXATION TREATY

 Cyprus Mail 8 September 2020 - by George Psyllides

Russia and Cyprus on Tuesday signed a protocol amending the double taxation treaty following the conclusion of negotiations in August.

“Signing the protocol ensures continuation of the implementation of the double taxation avoidance treaty, which undoubtedly is beneficial for both sides since it encourages investment, trade across all sectors of the economy, but also the job market,” Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said.

The protocol was signed by Petrides on behalf of Cyprus and Russian Deputy Minister of Finance Alexey Sazanov.

The Cypriot side ensured, among other things, the exemption from a 15 per cent withholding tax on dividends for regulated entities, such as pension funds and insurance companies, as well as listed companies.

In addition, interest payments from corporate and government bonds as well as Eurobonds are excluded from the 15 per cent withholding tax in the new Cyprus Russia Double Tax Treaty.

Any other type of Cyprus-based entities will still be able to avoid double taxation, but at a higher rate of 15 per cent.

Petrides said the government has ensured that similar provisions would be included in Russia’s double tax treaties with other EU member states to maintain a level playing field.

Before coming up with the series of exceptions, Cyprus had demanded a fair approach to all jurisdictions, and Russia seems to have moved accordingly.

Malta and Luxembourg have just agreed to amend their respective DTTs with Russia and raise the tax rates on interest and dividends from Russia to 15 per cent.

And the Netherlands have not been spared either.

The Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands received a letter from the Russian Federation with a proposal to amend the current DTT with the exact same terms as Cyprus, Malta and Luxembourg.

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BELARUS ACTIVIST RESISTS AUTHORITIES' PUSH TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY

 Associated Press 8 September 2020 -By Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press

© Provided by Associated Press FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 file photo, Maria Kolesnikova, one of Belarus' opposition leaders, gestures on the way to the Belarusian Investigative Committee in Minsk, Belarus. Maria Kolesnikova, a leading opposition activist and several other members of an opposition council in Belarus went missing Monday and their colleagues feared they were detained as part of the authorities' efforts to squelch nearly a month of protests against the re-election of the country's authoritarian leader. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A leading opposition activist in Belarus was held on the border Tuesday after she resisted an attempt by authorities' to force her to leave the country, part of government efforts to end a month of protests against the reelection of the country's authoritarian leader.

Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the Coordination Council created by the opposition to facilitate talks with longtime leader President Alexander Lukashenko on a transition of power, was detained Monday in the capital, Minsk, along with two other council members.

© Provided by Associated Press FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 file photo, Maria Kolesnikova, one of Belarus' opposition leaders, gestures during a rally in Minsk, Belarus. Maria Kolesnikova, a leading opposition activist and several other members of an opposition council in Belarus went missing Monday Sept. 7, 2020, and their colleagues feared they were detained as part of the authorities' efforts to squelch nearly a month of protests against the re-election of the country's authoritarian leader. (Tut.By via AP, File)

Early Tuesday, they were driven to the Ukrainian border, where authorities told them to cross into Ukraine. Kolesnikova refused, and remained on the Belarusian side of the border in the custody of Belarusian authorities.

© Provided by Associated Press Protesters argue with police standing in front of a police barricade blocking opposition rally from moving toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo)

Two other council members, Ivan Kravtsov and Anton Rodnenkov, crossed into Ukraine.

Some reports said that Kolesnikova ripped up her passport to avoid being forced to move to Ukraine.

Anton Bychkovsky, spokesman for Belarus' Border Guard Committee, confirmed that Kolesnikova is in the custody of Belarusian authorities, but refused to give any details of what happened on the border.

Belarus has applied similar tactics with other opposition figures, seeking to end a month of demonstrations against the reelection of Lukashenko in a vote that protesters see as rigged. Lukashenko has ruled the country for 26 years, relentlessly stifling dissent and keeping most of the economy in state hands.

The 66-year-old former state farm director has rejected criticism from the United States and the European Union, which said the Aug. 9 election was neither free nor fair and shrugged off their demands to engage in a dialogue with the opposition.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger to Lukashenko, left for Lithuania a day after the election under pressure from authorities.

Addressing the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday, Tsikhanuskaya called for international sanctions against Lukashenko and other government officials.

“We need international pressure on this regime, on this one individual, desperately clinging onto power," she said.

Tsikhanouskaya stated that Lukashenko doesn't have any legitimacy after stealing the vote, warning other countries against making any deals with the Belarusian government.

© Provided by Associated Press People with their childs stand at a barbed wire fence in front of a police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko, during Belarusian opposition supporters rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo/TUT.by)

“He does not represent Belarus anymore,” she said.

After a brutal crackdown on protesters in the first few days after the vote that stoked international outrage and swelled the ranks of protesters, authorities in Belarus have switched to threats and selective arrests of opposition activists and demonstrators.

© Provided by Associated Press Protesters with old Belarusian national flags march during an opposition supporters rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo)

Last week, Pavel Latushko, a former minister of culture and ambassador to France who joined the opposition council, traveled to Poland after facing threats and being questioned. His departure came a day after Lukashenko warned that Latushko had crossed a “red line” and would face prosecution.

On Saturday, a top associate of Tsikhanouskaya, Olga Kovalkova, also moved to Poland after the authorities threatened to keep her in jail for a long time if she refused to leave the country.

Kovalkova said agents of the Belarusian State Security Committee put her into a car, where she was told lie on the floor, unaware where they were taking her. She was dropped off in no-man’s land between the Belarus and Poland border, and Polish border guards asked a bus driver driving into Poland to take her on board.

© Provided by Associated Press Riot police block a street to protect against Belarusian opposition supporters rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo/TUT.by)

The efforts to make opposition activists leave the country come amid a criminal probe against members of the Coordination Council. Belarusian prosecutors have accused them of undermining the country's security by calling for talks on a transition of power. Several council members were arrested and some others called for questioning.

© Provided by Associated Press A woman stands at a barbed wire fence in front of a police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko, during Belarusian opposition supporters rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo/TUT.by)

Last week, Kolesnikova announced the creation of a new party, Together. She said the move will help overcome the current crisis, but the party founders’ call for constitutional changes has stunned some other opposition council members, who argued that it could divert attention from the main goal of getting Lukashenko to step down.

© Provided by Associated Press Belarusian opposition supporters with old Belarusian national flags gather in front of police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander Lukashenko, in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Sunday's demonstration marked the beginning of the fifth week of daily protests calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation in the wake of allegedly manipulated elections. (AP Photo/TUT.by)

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Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, and Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

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TALA COUNCIL - TAXATION BILLS

 

Please note that invoices regarding rates and refuse are now in the post.  The amounts payable are on JCC Smart and can be paid by this method if preferred.  The office can also deal with payment over the telephone, if this is preferable to visiting the office and perhaps having to wait outside due to Covid-restrictions.

Please note that payment can be made until 14 December - after this date, the accounts will be removed from JCC Smart and replaced on that system at a later date [in January 2021] with the late penalty charge applied.  Pending re-loading onto JCC Smart, the office will be able to accept payment.

Thank you.

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ONE IN EIGHT DEATHS IN EUROPE LINKED TO POLLUTION, ENVIRONMENT, EU SAYS

 Cyprus Mail 8 September - by Reuters News Service

FILE PHOTO: The City of London financial district is seen from Primrose Hill as high air pollution obscures the skyline over London REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Environmental factors such as air pollution and heatwaves exacerbated by climate change contribute to around 13% of all deaths in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Tuesday.

A total of 630,000 deaths in the European Union’s 27 countries plus Britain were attributable to environmental factors in 2012, the latest year for which data are available, EEA said in a report.

“These deaths are preventable and can be significantly reduced through efforts to improve environmental quality,” it said.

Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe, contributing to more than 400,000 premature deaths each year. Prolonged exposure to pollutants can cause diabetes, lung disease and cancer, and early evidence suggests air pollution may be linked to higher death rates among COVID-19 patients.

Europe’s pollution levels plummeted amid lockdowns imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, but the dip is expected to be temporary and most EU countries are on course to miss their targets to cut air pollutants in the next decade.

EEA said the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the connection between the environment and human health, demonstrating the increased risk of passing diseases from animals to humans as a result of environmental degradation and meat production.

“COVID-19 has been yet another wake-up call, making us acutely aware of the relationship between our ecosystems and our health,” EU health chief Stella Kyriakides said in a statement.

The European Commission has proposed EU targets to make agriculture more sustainable, by ringfencing natural habitats and curbing pesticide use, although farming groups have warned the goals could curb crop yields.

EEA said drinking water quality is consistently high across the EU, but it raised the alarm over the release of antibiotics through waste water treatment plants, which can spread antimicrobial resistance. Infections from drug-resistant bacteria cause roughly 25,000 deaths in the EU each year.

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SIR PENROSE TO SPEAK TO CSEO AUDIENCE IN FIRST OUT OF A SERIES OF LIVE WEBINAIRS TO LAUNCH TODAY

 in-cyprus 8 September 2020 - by Maria Bitar

Cyprus’ Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), is launching today a bi-weekly series of live webinars titled “2030: SpaceWorks” with some of the leading scientists on space, astronomy, and cosmology.

Today’s premiere episode will present a legend of Cosmology – Sir Roger Penrose – the founding father of quantum gravity and a world leading expert on black holes.

Sir Penrose shared the Wolf Prize for physics with Stephen Hawking for his work on the Penrose-Hawking singularity theorems.

Penrose, will be speaking about: “Black Holes: Windows to a ‘time’ before the Big Bang?” and making an announcement of a brand-new discovery, regarding the creation of the Universe.

President of CSEO George Danos said that in the next decades, space exploration is set to grow in a profound way.

Danos added that already space activities are visibly gearing up to an impressive level with the private sector starting to take a much more prominent role.

SpaceWorks will continue the series of webinars with a journey to the Moon and Mars and will ask questions on Life in the Universe, protecting our planet, finding resources on asteroids and exploring our solar system and beyond, thus expanding our knowledge and learning how to apply this knowledge to improve life on Earth and protecting our Earth’s fragile ecosystem.

CSEO’s ‘2030: SpaceWorks’ website is: https://www.space.cy/spaceworks.

These webinars will be broadcast online for free and are expected to reach tens of thousands of viewers globally.

(CNA)

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