Author: cnadmin

Dr Constantinos Iliopoulos, Professor of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Liverpool, met on Monday with Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou, in Nicosia, to discuss about his team’s findings regarding the exhumations taking place, in an effort to complete the exhumation and identification programme of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner’s office, Dr Iliopoulos stated that his team will be in Cyprus for another week, in order to complete the exhumations and the anthropological examinations planned, in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner of the Presidency.

On his part, the Presidential Commissioner thanked Dr Iliopoulos for his long-lasting involvement in the humanitarian efforts of Cyprus in the free areas of the Republic, in order to provide answers to the families of Greek Cypriots, Greeks and Turkish Cypriots, whose cases are not included in the list of the Committee on Missing Persons.

Dr Iliopoulos is heading a team of anthropologist professors and students, who, in collaboration with Cypriot scientists, take part in the exhumations, in order to complete the Cyprus Republic’s programme for exhumations and identifications.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.

A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974.

According to statistical data published on the CMP website by December 31, 2021 out of 2002 missing persons 1,183 were exhumed and 1,023 were identified. Out of 1510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 732 were identified and 778 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 291 were identified and 201 are still missing.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The first round of the 2023 presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus will be held on Sunday, February 5, while, if necessary, a second round will be held on February 12, CNA learns.

This was decided on Monday, during a meeting of the Interior Ministry’s Central Electoral Service and representatives of political parties enrolled in the political party registry.

Candidacies for the presidential elections will be submitted on January 5, 2023, between 9am and 12.00 o’clock.

The electoral role will close on December 27, 2022.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Whoever is appointed as an envoy for the Cyprus issue on behalf of the UN Secretary General should act in the framework of the UNSG’s mandate, on the basis of UN resolutions, President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, said on Monday.

In statements on the sidelines of an event, to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Democratic Rally (DISY), in Nicosia, the President replied to a relevant question by saying that he is not aware who is going to be appointed as envoy.

“What I do know, is that this persons will definitely be an official serving in the UN”, he said, adding that “what matters is that whoever assumes the role must operate in the framework of the mandate the Secretary-General has, on the basis of UN resolutions.”

Answering whether he has received the Turkish Cypriot leader’s proposals, handed over to the UN on Friday, the President said that he has not received anything yet.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

(Story refiled on the basis of a corrected statement by the Ministry concerning the amounts of the Agreement. The correction is in the second paragraph).

The Ministry of Transport and Limassol bus company EMEL signed on Monday an agreement for public transport services, which provides that 177 new buses will circulate in town, 35 of which will be electric. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Transport, in Nicosia.

According to a Ministry statement, the ten-year contract with EMEL has a budget of €129,220,332, including VAT, while the contracting Authority reserves the right to extend the services for up to 50% for the amount of €45,627,750. ?he contract also provides for busses to drive 7.2 million km, compared to 6.4 million km that was foreseen in the previous Concession Agreement. The 35 electric buses will drive the two million km.

“With this new Agreement, another step is taken in the implementation of the Government’s plan to upgrade Public Transport. The main goal is to make the choice of using Public Transport and the bus as a substantial alternative to the mobility needs of the modern citizen”, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Apostolos Parellis, a 36-year-old discus thrower, who won a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games, in Oran, said his performance motivates him to move forward in achieving his goals.

“It has been my goal since the beginning of the year to come here and be at my best, so that I could compete for a medal”, Parellis said and added that his mind had always been set to winning the gold.

“I made a good throw, I came first, I strived for a better throw afterwards which did not happen, but I am happy that I was still first”, he said.

A tear rolled down his face when the Cypriot champion was asked to dedicate the medal, saying that it goes to his wife and children, as his training kept him away from them for a long time.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Ambassadors of France, Germany and the Netherlands visited the Pournara Reception Centre on Monday and agreed that the responsibility of the migration flows need to be shared within the European Union member states.

According to a press release by the German Embassy, the Ambassador of France, Salina Grenet-Catalano, the Ambassador of Germany, Anke Schlimm, and the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Elke Merks-Schaapveld visited the Pournara Reception Centre where they were received by officials of the Ministry of Interior as well as the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.

The officials gave them a thorough insight into the current situation in Pournara. Special attention was given to the difficult situation for unaccompanied minors, special safe zones for women who have become victims of trafficking and other vulnerable persons. The ambassadors toured a new safe zone area that will soon be put into operation and stressed the importance of providing migrants with decent living conditions and proper social care:

“We acknowledge the difficult situation that Cyprus faces with regards to the management of irregular migration numbers in relation to the country´s size and population. Germany is actively supporting Cyprus in its efforts to return those migrants whose asylum applications have been denied. At the same time, Germany wants to offer its support to those migrants who are the most vulnerable, especially unaccompanied minors and women who have become victims of human trafficking. The visit at Pournara Camp today helps us understand and identify the needs of those who require humanitarian assistance” the German Ambassador said.

According to the press release, the Ambassador of the Netherlands similarly referred to the difficult situation that Cyprus faces, and acknowledged the work done on the reception processes, that remain challenging. The Netherlands has been supporting Cyprus within the framework of Frontex through secondments of return counselors.

The Ambassador of France also highlighted the difficult situation the Republic of Cyprus currently faces in handling migration flows, which have put a disproportional pressure on the country’s capabilities. She said that the need for solidarity coming from other EU member states is evident, adding that an important agreement has been found under the French Presidency of the EU Council in order to make that solidarity a reality and Cyprus should be one of the first beneficiary of this mechanism, through relocations, assistance regarding returns and also so as to improve the living conditions of migrants in facilities such as Pournara.

The three Ambassadors agreed that the responsibility of these migration flows need to be shared within the European Union member states and will examine with their respective Foreign Ministries possible further support, the press release ends.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

A Eurostat rate used to measure income inequality was close to the European Union average in 2020, according to data released by the statistical service of the EU.

As noted in a Eurostat press release, the way income and wealth are distributed across society determines the extent to which individuals have equal access to the goods and services produced within a national economy.

Income distribution can be measured through the median equivalised disposable income (further disposable income) expressed in purchasing power standard (PPS) per inhabitant.

In 2020, the median disposable income averaged 17,871 PPS per inhabitant in the EU. It varied considerably across the EU Member States and ranged from 28,675 PPS in Luxembourg, to 7,724 PPS in Romania.

The median disposable income in Cyprus was at 18,305 PPS, slightly above the EU average in 2020. The median has gradually increased since 2005 when data were first reported for Cyprus at 14,776 PPS.

The median fluctuated around 18,000 PPS between 2007 and 2010, and reached its highest point in 2011 (19,162 PPS), before dropping significantly in 2013 (17,165 PPS) and 2014 (15,762 PPS). The median has been increasing steadily since.

The highest levels of median disposable income were recorded in Western and Nordic EU member states, such as Luxembourg (28,675 PPS), Germany (24,212 PPS), Austria (23,334 PPS) and Belgium (22,294 PPS).

On the other hand, the median disposable income was lower in most southern and eastern member states, such as Romania (7,724 PPS), Bulgaria (8,647 PPS), Hungary (9,699 PPS) and Slovakia (10,076 PPS).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The proposals for cooperation to the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, unveiled by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, during a meeting, last week, with Miroslav Jenca, the Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, have not yet been received by the Greek Cypriot side.

As CNA learns, the Turkish Cypriot side has reportedly requested that Tatar’s letter, addressed to the UN Secretary General, that includes the proposals to the Greek Cypriot side, be delivered to Antonio Guterres first and then handed over to the Greek Cypriot side.

According to press reports in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, Ersin Tatar delivered a letter with his proposals for cooperation in four sectors on Friday to Jenca, with whom he had a meeting in the occupied territories. In statements to the media, later the same day, Tatar explained the content of these proposals, saying that two more proposals will follow regarding migration and the demining of Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

SINOVAC joins hands with HKU-CTC research team and Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong to kick off a clinical trial of an Omicron-specific inactivated vaccine for booster use in Hong Kong, China

[From right to left] Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, Ru Chien and Helen Lieh Professor in Health Sciences Pedagogy, Clinical Professor and Chief of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Assistant Dean (Admissions), LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong; Dr Kenneth Tsang, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong; Ms. Cheryl Law, International Business Development Director, Asia Pacific of SINOVAC; Mr. Henry Yau, Managing Director of The University of Hong Kong Clinical Trials Centre. (Photo: Business Wire)

July 04, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HONG KONG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A kick off ceremony was held at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (Gleneagles or GHK) for initiating a clinical trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the SINOVAC’s Omicron-specific COVID-19 inactivated vaccine used as a booster shot in healthy adults, in anticipation of providing scientific evidence for future immunization strategy. This study is led by a medical research team of the University of Hong Kong Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) in collaboration with Gleneagles.

“As we know, vaccination is one of the most effective ways to cope with infectious diseases. Currently, Omicron continuously sweeps the world. I hope the clinical trial could strengthen and effectively promote vaccine research and vaccination administration”

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In this study, a total of 300 healthy adult volunteers aged 18 and above who have been vaccinated with two or three doses of inactivated or mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be recruited.

“As we know, vaccination is one of the most effective ways to cope with infectious diseases. Currently, Omicron continuously sweeps the world. I hope the clinical trial could strengthen and effectively promote vaccine research and vaccination administration,” Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai, Ru Chien and Helen Lieh Professor in Health Sciences Pedagogy, Clinical Professor and Chief of Infectious Diseases, and Assistant Dean of Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Assistant Dean (Admissions), LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), stated in the ceremony.

“As one of the research sites of HKU, we are pleased to be part of this clinical trial project and contribute to the continuous research and development of vaccines and immunization strategies to help enhance health protection for people,” said Dr Kenneth Tsang.

“It is of great significance to cooperate with Professor Hung, HKU-CTC and Gleneagles to carry out the clinical trial of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine as a booster shot against the Omicron strain. We hope to find a solution for Hong Kong and the globe to fight against the new viruses with the results of this trial,” said Ms. Cheryl Law, International Business Development Director of SINOVAC.

SINOVAC obtained the sample of the Omicron variant in early December 2021 and then actively promoted research and development of its inactivated COVID-19 vaccine (Omicron specific strain). Preclinical research demonstrated that the vaccine is safe and effective in animals. The Omicron strain booster immunization clinical trial was then approved by the HKU GHK Institutional Review Board (IRB) on 12th April 22 and by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong on 14th April 22, allowing the carrying out of the clinical study on boosting the immunity of people against the new coronavirus strain in Hong Kong.

About Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

SINOVAC Biotech Ltd. (SINOVAC) is a China-based leading biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the research, innovation, manufacture, and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases. SINOVAC’s product portfolio includes vaccines against emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, H5N1 pandemic influenza (avian flu), H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and enterovirus 71 (EV71), and other common infectious diseases such as viral hepatitis, seasonal influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, poliomyelitis, varicella and mumps. SINOVAC is also exploring opportunities in the international market and is exporting it vaccines to tens of countries and international organizations. More information about SINOVAC can be found at www.sinovac.com.

About HKU Clinical Trials Centre

The University of Hong Kong Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) is a one-stop clinical research management platform dedicated to facilitating the professional conduct of clinical research projects under HKUMed. Since its establishment, HKU-CTC has already facilitated over a thousand of sponsored clinical studies and investigator-initiated clinical studies in collaboration with sponsors and investigators around the world.

About Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong

Located at Wong Chuk Hang on Hong Kong Island South, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong (Gleneagles) is a multi-specialty private hospital, providing 500 beds, cutting-edge medical technologies and a comprehensive range of clinical services spanning more than 35 specialties and subspecialties. As Hong Kong’s top-notch private teaching hospital, Gleneagles also contributes to the training and development of healthcare professionals and advancement of clinical research. Gleneagles is a joint venture between IHH Healthcare and NWS Holdings Limited, with The University of Hong Kong as its exclusive clinical partner. More information on Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong can be found at https://www.gleneagles.hk/.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Employment in the broad industrial sector decreased in 2020 by 1.5% to 39,100 compared to 39,700 in 2019, according to the results of the Survey on Industrial Production 2020, published by the Cyprus Statistical Service on Monday. Production value at current prices also recorded a decrease of 5.2% to €4,719.2 million in 2020 compared to €4,976.8 million in 2019.

The survey shows that in manufacturing, employment reached 34,500, in mining and quarrying 500, in electricity supply 2,200 thousand and in water supply, sewerage and waste management 1,900 persons.

Additionally, in the whole of the industrial sector, production value at current prices recorded a decrease of 5.2% to €4,719.2 million in 2020 compared to €4,976.8 million in 2019. In manufacturing, production value decreased by 2.2% to €3,586.1 million, in mining and quarrying by 3.4% to €66 million, in electricity supply by 17.4% to €740.4 million and in water supply, sewerage and waste management by 5.3% to €326.7 million.

Moreover, value added at current prices decreased by 4.3% in the total of industry and reached €1,751.1 million in 2020 compared to €1,830.2 million in 2019. In manufacturing, value added decreased by 1.9% to €1,318.7 million, in mining and quarrying by 5% to €26 million and in electricity supply by 19% to €245 million. On the contrary, in water supply, sewerage and waste management value added increased by 3.2% to €161.3 million.

Source: Cyprus News Agency