Compact version |
|
Friday, 22 November 2024 | ||
|
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-01-17Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last night welcomed an agreement by rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus to launch peace talks,Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said that he is willing to work out a compromise in the Cyprus issue, A huge oilspill has caused major environmental destruction at the coastal area of the British Bases in Akrotiri, President Bush promised to consult with the Turkish government in his drive to force Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to let U.N. weapons inspectors back into his country, AND Frequent sex won't increase the chances of a heart attack in middle-aged men. [02] Bush ecevitPresident Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last night welcomed an agreement by rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus to launch peace talks. President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash scheduled a series of talks starting next Monday. As he met Ecevit at the White House Oval office, Bush told reporters that the United States were very encouraged by the start of the dialogue and thanked Turkish leaders for encouraging it. Ecevit said "it's good news" that the two communities are now having a face-to-face dialogue but was cautious on the eventual outcome. They may not attain concrete results immediately, he added, but the very fact that they are in a process of dialogue may lead to satisfactory agreements between the two communities.[03] Denktash CasouTurkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said that he is willing to work out a compromise in the Cyprus issue. In an interview to the BBC, Denktash said that if he wasn't willing to compromise, he wouldn't attend talks. He added that negotiations between himself and President Clerides should be conducted on a give and take basis. Called to say what is his main aim, Denktash said it is to establish security for the turkish-cypriot community. Also speaking to the BBC, foreign minister Ioannis Casoulides stressed that any possible settlement, must be devoid of any elements that can lead to the division of Cyprus.[04] Prigin CyprusRussian special representative on the Cyprus issue Vladimir Prygin, today met President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides and House President Dimitris Christofias, as part of a seven-day visit. Prygin's arrival on the island, according to a Russian embassy official in Nicosia, is part of Moscow's continued interest in developments, especially in light of the start of settlement talks, between President Clerides and turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.[05] Oil spillA huge oilspill has caused major environmental destruction at the coastal area of the British Bases in Akrotiri. According to our correspondent in Limassol, a large number of rare Caretta Caretta turtles, hatched on the beach, were found dead, along with thousands of fish that were washed ashore. It is reported that the spill might have been caused by a fuel leak from the Moni electricity plant last Saturday, although the possibility that it was caused by a passing ship, has not been excluded. The British Bases have yet to establish the cause of the oil slick, but they have rejected the possibility of originating from their installations in the area.Eac scandal The Electricity Authority Executive Board is holding an extraordinary meeting this afternoon, chaired by Commerce Minister Nikos Rolandis, to discuss the meter tampering scam. Yesterday, the EAC had submitted the names of more companies and individuals implicated in the scandal. According to reports, 18 more meters have been tampered, 12 of which are been used by a major firm. [06] Afghan PowellU.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell pledged today that Washington would stand by Afghanistan for the long haul after hearing interim leader Hamid Karzai say Afghans were unsure about the strength of America's commitment. Powell, the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Kabul in 25 years, said Washington would make a significant contribution to a reconstruction fund to be launched at a donors' conference in Tokyo early next week. The U.S. official met Karzai in the former royal palace in central Kabul after Powell's Asian tour brought him to the war-shattered capital for a few hours squeezed in on his way from Pakistan to India. He plans to attend the Tokyo conference next Monday and Tuesday. Karzai diplomatically reminded Powell that many Afghans wondered whether Washington would abandon them after full victory over the former Taliban leadership, as it did after U.S.-backed rebels drove Soviet troops out in 1989. Powell said Washington had paid its promised 1 million dollars into a United Nations "start-up fund" to provide Kabul with money it desperately needs to pay salaries and equip government offices with such basic items as desks and chairs. As for the larger amounts, he said the United States will make a significant contribution. He declined to cite a figure.[07] Bush IraqPresident Bush promised to consult with the Turkish government in his drive to force Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to let U.N. weapons inspectors back into his country. Bush made the pledge as he answered questions from reporters during a picture-taking session with Bulent Ecevit. Ecevit came to Washington hoping to dissuade Bush from making Turkey's neighbor Iraq the next target in his war on terrorism. Turkey, a NATO member, fears military action on Iraq could spill over into its own territory, dealing another blow to the fragile economy. Bush made no promises, insisting that Iraq must allow inspections to determine if it is developing weapons of mass destruction. Some members of Bush's administration would like to make Iraq the next target in the war after Afghanistan. Bush also said he welcomed Turkey's decision to consider leading the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. Turkey has been considering taking over after Britain, which is now leading the force. He said any decision on whether to help Turkey pay for a military commitment in Afghanistan would come after a commitment is made. At the State Department, officials praised Turkey for improving ties with its neighbor Armenia that have long been soured by painful memories of what the former Soviet republic calls a genocide in World War One.[08] Bread priceNo more fixed prices for regular bread. As from tomorrow, they become free-floating, after a special decree from the Ministry of Commerce. According to an official government announcement, the prices of pasteurised milk and cement, the only ones that remain fixed, will also follow suit in the next months, as part of the harmonisation with the acqui communitaire process.[09] Car fireArsonists set fire to a car at dawn in Larnaca. The luxury car, used by Christos Philippou, 35, otherwise known as Falkonetti, is owned by Ksenia Loizidou from Nicosia. The fire broke out, while the car was parked outside Philippou's home. The fumes caused damages to at least two paintings at a next door gallery. It is the second time that arsonists target Philippous' car.[10] Tailer SexFrequent sex won't increase the chances of a heart attack in middle-aged men. Nearly a thousand men aged 45-59 were recruited in and around the Welsh town of Caerphilly and tracked for 20 years. A quarter said they did the deed at least twice a week, whilst one in five performed less than once a month. The rest came somewhere in between. The research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, concluded that there was no clear evidence of more frequent sex increasing the chances of a stroke. Those who had sex less than once a month were more likely to suffer sudden death from heart disease, although the likelihood decreased as the men got older. With the evidence in mind, the researchers concluded that, based on a lifetime of sex once a week on average for 50 years, only one in 580 men might die as a result of sexual exertions.[11] WeatherIt will be mainly fine this afternoon. Winds will be light northeasterly three to four beaufort, over slight seas. Tonight it will remain mainly clear. Winds will be light northwesterly two to three beaufort, over slight seas. Temperatures will fall to three degrees inland, six on the coast and one below zero on the mountains, where frost is expected to form. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 90 centimetres, with 60 on Troodos square. All roads to Troodos are open to traffic, except the Prodromos-Troodos road open only to non-slip chains or four wheel drive.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |