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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-01-28Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINESThe fifth face-to-face meeting between the President of the Republic and the Turkish-Cypriot leader is expected to take place this afternoon;The Cyprus Government denies reports of US pressure to dismantle National Guard weapons systems; US and Afghan troops storm a Kandahar hospital where a number of al-Qaeda fighters had been holed up; Britain may send thousands of asylum seekers back to Afghanistan; Israeli policemen shoot and kill an Arab individual, while the President of the Palestinian Authority demotes a senior security official; Cross-border clashes between India and Pakistan erupt overnight; and.... "Big Things", as they're called, are an integral part of Australia's culture. [02] cler-denkPresident of the Republic Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will this afternoon hold their fifth meeting since January 16th, within the framework of the renewed UN-sponsored direct talks on the Cyprus Issue, now in their second week.According to information made available to our station, today's session will once again focus on the distribution of power and the authorities to be enjoyed by a future central government of the island, a matter considered a key-issue as to the establishment of each side's positioning and true intent. Given the publicly-stated divergent opinions however, it's generally assessed that the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor for Cyprus Alvaro deSoto, who is attending the talks along with his consultants, will face the difficult task of having to try to bridge the gap at some point, through appropriately-timed proposals. [03] cler-christofMeanwhile, President Clerides today assured AKEL General-Secretary and House President Demetris Christofias that there is no question of the US pressuring the government to withdraw, from the island, or disable any of the National Guards weapons systems.Leaving the Presidential Palace in Nicosia after the meeting, Mr Christofias noted the President's denial of the existence of any such pressure, but at the same time stressed that one should be extremely careful when dealing with matters which if made public, could possibly have a negative bearing on efforts towards a resolution of the island's long-standing problem. This morning the President of the Republic also met with Foreign Minister Kasoulides, Attorney-General Markides and Government Spokesman Papapetrou, all three of whom refrained from making any statements after their respective meetings. [04] afghanistan hospitalUS and Afghan forces today stormed a Kandahar hospital, killing six al-Qaeda fighters who had holed themselves up a few weeks ago and steadfastly refused to surrender, threatening to blow themselves up if an effort was made to apprehend them.The operation began with US snipers positioning themselves around the premises while an ultimatum was also delivered to the al-Qaeda fighters, who responded however by opening fire. According to the Reuters correspondent in the area, the storming was preceded by five powerful explosions from within the hospital, while a spokesman for the Kabul government later said that the operation had been concluded, adding that five Afghani soldiers had been injured, one seriously. [05] brit asylumBritain may send thousands of asylum seekers back to Afghanistan as the country rebuilds after the overthrow of the Taliban.The statement was made to the "Independent" newspaper by British Home Office Minister Jeff Rooker, who was quoted as saying that the Taliban's fall during the US-led war on terror had removed one of the main reasons for Afghans seeking asylum in Britain. The newspaper also noted that while Afghanistan provides the most asylum seekers arriving in Britain every year, none have been sent back to Afghanistan since 1978 because it was considered too dangerous. Last year, some 70,000 people claimed asylum in Britain, down about 10 percentage points on record levels the previous year. A total of 2,505 Afghanis sought asylum between July and September 2001, always according to the Independent. [06] mideast violenceA new armed attack took place on Israeli territory today, when a motorist, believed to be Palestinian, struck down a policeman and another person in Tel Aviv before stepping out of the car and opening fire indiscriminately, only to be shot and killed by other policemen who had rushed to the scene.According to the Israeli Army, the same individual had earlier burst through a checkpoint in the northern West Bank, injuring a female soldier in the process. As of yesterday, Israeli security forces are on high alert following a suicide attack carried out by a Palestinian woman in Jerusalem's commercial centre. In addition to the bomber, one Israeli was killed in the attack while dozens of others were wounded. [07] arafat demotesThe Palestinian News Agency today reported that a senior security officer was demoted by Yasser Arafat for his suspected involvement in the gun-smuggling incident earlier this month.Yasser Arafat is also reported to have ordered investigations against two other officers who, along with the one demoted, were named by Israel as responsible for the incident, in which 50 tonnes of weaponry and munitions from were discovered on a ship which had set sail from Iran. While both the Palestinian Authority and the Iranian government are categorically denying any involvement in the case, the US and France have said that they have reliable information as to the Israeli claims, and have asked Yasser Arafat to provide suitable explanations. Meanwhile, US vice-President Dick Cheney yesterday charged the Palestinian President with being actively involved in the case, and at the same time described him as "irrelevant and irresponsible". [08] pak-indAt least eight Pakistani civilians were wounded by Indian fire across the two countries' tense border this morning, as clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals were reported from several areas.A government official in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir said that Indian forces opened fire with mortars across a ceasefire line in the divided region into six villages, in what he described as "unprovoked attacks". Among seven civilian casualties in Kashmir were a father and his two sons, wounded when a mortar bomb hit their home. Pakistani forces returned fire, with the an uneasy calm descending upon the area after about five hours. In a separate clash, one man was wounded by cross-border fire into a village to the south of Kashmir, when sporadic fighting erupted in several places in the Sialkot area, including an intense exchange near Harpal village, where the two sides are reinforcing their front-line positions. Meanwhile, Pakistan's media reported yesterday that the country's air force practised take offs and landings on the main Islamabad to Lahore motorway. [09] tailerToday's tailer comes to us from down under, where aptly-named "Big Things" form a focus of attraction for many motorists driving along Australia's stretching motorways.Among the more than 100 oversized roadside oddities enjoying a revival of retro kitsch are a 15-metre tall concrete sheep and a massive 13-meter long fiberglass banana. Some, like the Big Prawn, Big Oyster, Big Peanut and Giant Koala, house restaurants and gift shops, while the Big Orange even has a look-out platform.... essentially looking out over nothing. The number continues to grow with the town of Tully in northern Queensland planning a seven-metre-tall fibreglass Giant Gumboot to cement its status as Australia's wettest town, and Bowen, also in Queensland, just completing the Big Mango. To quote Guy Hansen, curator of an exhibition of Australian symbols at the National Museum in Canberra, the artefacts are an integral part of the country's road culture. Those interested in having a look at what we're talking about can visit the <www.robert.partridge.com> website. That's www.robert.partridge.com [10] weatherPartly cloudy conditions are forecast for this afternoon, leading to rainy spells throughout the island. Winds will be moderate northerlies, 3-4BF, on moderate seas, with temperatures not expected to exceed 17C inland, 19C long the coasts, and 8C at higher altitudes.Skies will clear up by this evening however, even though patchy cloud may still lead to the possibility of scattered showers, mainly in the east. Winds will abate to light northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on slight seas, while temperatures will drop to 5C inland, 7C in coastal regions, and 2C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains. The depth of snow on Mt Olympus is 45cm, and 25cm in Troodos Square. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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