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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-11-01Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER 1999 [01] HEADLINESGovernment Spokesman Papapetrou stated today that British newspaper allegations concerning the existence of Kurdish guerilla bases in Cyprus will be examined further;The importation of medicines is to be liberalised, if all goes according to a proposed Government plan; Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou is to discuss the Cyprus Issue with Canada's political leadership; Search and rescue operations for any survivors of yesterday's Boeing 767 crash off the coast of Massachussetts are continuing; Motorcycle and moped riders in Cyprus are, as of today, required by law to wear a protective crash helmet; Cyprus' intercity taxi offices merge into a single company; The Cyprus Stock Exchange is once again on the rise; and... The tenth Radiomarathon in aid of children with special needs began in earnest this morning. [02] MERCENARIES SPOKESMANGovernment Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou today stated categorically that the authorities of the Cyprus Republic are in possesion of no information alluding to the presence or intended arrival on the island of mercenaries.The statement was made in connection with a newspaper article carried in yesterday's "Sunday Times", according to which a British mercenary agency has submitted to Turkey a tender for the extermination of alleged Kurdish guerilla bases in Cyprus. In closing, the Government Spokesman said that the Cyprus Republic considers the allegations extremely serious, and plans to investigate and possibly take further action. [03] SPOKESMAN NATIONAL COUNCILCommenting on the Cyprus Issue, Government Spokesman Papapetrou said that during the most recent National Council meeting, President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides asked the island's political parties to submit, in writing, their respective positions on all possible scenaria which could evolve in view of next month's Helsinki EU-summit, given the delicate nature of the matter.Asked about the position to be adopted by EU-member Greece at the Helsinki summit, Mr Papapetrou reiterated that the 15-nation bloc has already undertaken certain commitments, adding however that both Athens and Nicosia should proceed with increased diplomatic activity in view of the expressed individual positions of a number of EU member-states over Cyprus' accession. The Government Spokesman further noted that recent statements by German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer are totally alien to previously-expressed positions and existing EU-decisions on Cyprus. [04] MEDICINESCyprus' Minister of Health, Frixos Savvides, announced today that the Government is drafting a bill to be submitted at the House of Representatives concerning the liberalisation of the import of medicines through the open market, thus hopefully achieving a reduction in consumer prices.Asked by reporters if the Cyprus Government intends to undertake the production of medicines itself, the Minister Savvides said that the Republic's Pharmaceutical Services already manufacture some 50 preparations used to satisfy the needs of state-run hospitals and other Ministry of Health establishments, but refrained from elaborating on the issue. [05] PAP-CANADAGreek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is realising a four-day official visit to Canada, where he is scheduled to hold talks with the country's Prime and Foreign Ministers, Jean Chretien and Lloyd Axworthy.As reported by the Athens News Agency, Foreign Minister Papandreou will brief the two Canadian cabinet members on the latest developments in both the Cyprus Issue and greco-turkish relations. Also on the agenda are the bilateral relations between Greece and Canada, well as prospective co-operation between the two countries as regards international peace missions. The Greek Foreign Minister's visit follows an official invitation extended by his Canadian counterpart. [06] BOEING CRASHUS Coastguard crews are today continuing their difficult search and rescue operation in the frigid Atlantic waters off Massachusetts for debris and survivors of EgyptAir Flight 990, which inexplicably plunged into the sea yesterday with 217 people on board.The operations have so far recovered one body and some debris, including a wheel, seat cushions and papers from the Boeing 767-300 wide-body jet which crashed less than an hour after its 0620 GMT takeoff from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, where it had stopped to take on fuel and passengers after an uneventful flight from Los Angeles. It disappeared from radar screens at about 0700 GMT. By this morning, there were still no clues about what caused the disaster, but officials from the FBI and the Egyptian embassy in Washington said they had no information suggesting foul play. [07] HELMETSThe law concerning the wearing of protective crash helmets by riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles came into full effect as of midnight last night.Under the law, which initially came into effect on July 1st of this year but was later suspended by a July 14th House of Representatives decision until November 1st, motorcycle and moped riders, whether driving or riding pillion, must wear a crash helmet at all times. According to official data released by the Cyprus Police Traffic Department, the three-and-a-half months which have elapsed since the suspension of the law have seen a total of ten fatalities involving motorcycle and moped riders. Of the ten deaths, seven were directly attributed to cranio-encephalic injuries exacerbated by the fact that the deceased were not wearing a crash helmet. [08] TAXISIntercity taxi services today enter a new chapter, with the merging of all existing companies into a single one, under the title "Travel and Express Ltd."The newly-established company's executive director, Andreas Papadopoulos, told our station last night that the merger, in which all previously independent intercity taxi agencies are now shareholders, aims at the conglomerate being registered at the Cyprus Stock Exchange. "Travel and Express Ltd" will be operating out of one or two offices in each of the island's cities as well as in Paralimni and Polis Krysokhou, and apart from passenger services will also run a parcel delivery department. The company's new telephone number, from anywhere in Cyprus, is 077-7474. That's 077-7474. [09] CYPRUS STOCK EXCHANGEThe General Price Index at the Cyprus Stock Exchange showed an increase today, closing at 631,3 units, as compared to 580 at the end of last week.With the number of today's transactions exceeding five thousand, the volume of trading reached 38 million pounds, while all sectors were marked by positive trends. Today was the first day that the Cyprus Stock Exchange operated without a moratorium of two-thousand transactions, following the temporary measures taken to ensure the due processing of documents. [10] RADIOMARATHONFund-raising activities within the framework of the tenth RadioMarathon in aid of children with special needs began in earnest early this morning, with the public giving openly, and direct donations and pledges by noon today, not counting individual contributions to the various kiosks set up all over the island and the mobile collection units, standing at 290 thousand pounds.The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, which is organising the Radiomarathon along with the Cyprus Popular Bank, has changed its programming accordingly, with special broadcasts on its Third Radio Channel, while at nine-thirty tonight, CyBC's Second Television Channel will also carry a special programme dedicated to this year's Radiomarathon. As a result, there'll be no English-language television news tonight, but CyBC's nightly Radio bulletin will still go on the air at eight and ten p.m. [11] TAILEROn now to today's tailer...Millennium apathy appears to have struck Britain, with hotels, pubs, pop promoters and restaurants all reporting lukewarm bookings and a backlash against sky-high prices for New Year's Eve 2000. A Times survey of top restaurants and hotels showed that many which have failed to attract customers or won't pay high wages to staff, plan to close over the millennium, with 80 of the top 100 restaurants and 50 of the 100 hotels polled in the Good Hotel guide saying that they would not be opening, while the pub chain JD Wetherspoon is closing all of its 330 pubs. Instead, the survey concludes, the British may opt for a night in, renting a video and celebrating with friends, something which is always a good idea, given the right company... [12] WEATHERGenerally fair conditions are forecast for this afternoon, with skies being marked by some light passing cloud. Winds will be northeasterly to southeasterly moderate, 3-4BF, on slight to moderate seas, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 24C inland, 26C along the coasts and 14C at higher altitudes.Generally fair conditions are also forecast for tonight, with light northeasterly winds, 2-3BF, on slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 11C inland, 13C in coastal regions and 7C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains. The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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