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Monday, 23 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-03-17Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] headlinesUN weapons inspectors have been advised to pull out of Iraq as war seems almost certain within hours,The UN security Council is set today for last-gasp diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful way out of the Iraqi crisis, Communications Minister Kikis Kazamias assured travellers that heavy military air traffic within Nicosia FIR doesn't pose a danger to civilian aircraft, Submission of the UN chief's report on the failed settlement talks at The Hague to the Security Council could be delayed, AND a 16 year-old student is in a serious condition after being stabbed in the back while writing on the class blackboard. [02] Iraq1With the countdown to war effectively on, chief U.N. nuclear weapons inspector Mohamed ElBaradei said the United States had advised him to pull his weapons inspectors out of Iraq.Germany has closed its embassy in Baghdad, Russia advised its citizens to leave Iraq and the U.S. State Department ordered non-essential diplomats out of Kuwait, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Damascus. Reportedly, about 135 inspectors remain in Iraq at the present time, but they do not need permission from the Security Council to vacate Iraq. This followed remarks by U.S. President George W. Bush after a summit with U.S. allies yesterday that the United Nations had only one more day to find a diplomatic end to the Iraq crisis before the United States moved to a war footing. A UN official said that at the moment, no flights were scheduled today from Baghdad to Larnaca. [03] GreeceMeanwhile, EU president Greece urged the world to work until the last moment to find a peaceful settlement of the Iraq crisis through the United Nations.Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the EU presidency is still in contact with key players in the crisis like chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix in order to avert a war and find a peaceful way out of the crisis. He said the EU remained convinced that decisions on the crisis should be taken only through the United Nations. [04] Iraq3Iraqi President Saddam Hussein told his military commanders that if Iraq were attacked, it would take the battle anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water".This, as Britain landed some of its seaborne marines on a Kuwaiti beach today after a forecast of violent sandstorms that could hamper an amphibious assault. Despite anti-war sentiment, US President George W. Bush said the 15-member UN Security Council had to agree in the next 24 hours on a resolution laying the groundwork for war. He left no doubt that the United States and its allies would otherwise move to invade Iraq without explicit U.N. backing. [05] IacovouHeavy military air traffic within Nicosia Flight Information Region was discussed in a meeting between Foreign Minister George Iacovou and US Ambassador in Nicosia Michael Klosson.At least half of the reportedly 1,000 flights conducted within Nicosia FIR every 24 hours are related to the impending strike on Iraq which cause problems with civil aviation. The Foreign Minister and Mr. Klosson agreed to be in close contact over the situation. Also discussed at the meeting were bilateral issues as well as developments in the Cyprus issue following the collapse of settlement talks at The Hague. [06] KazamiasMeanwhile, Communications Minister Kikis Kazamias said military air traffic within Nicosia FIR is not posing a danger to the safety of civilian flights.Mr. Kazamias said there is no military air traffic within Cyprus's national airspace and that all such flights are conducted inside Nicosia FIR. The Communications Minister assured travellers to and from Cyprus that the situation is well in hand as Civil Aviation authorities are monitoring air traffic very closely and have taken all precautionary measures. He added that the lines of communication between US and Cyprus authorities are open to prevent any problems in the future. [07] ChrysostomidesGovernment spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the situation in Iraq could delay submission of the the UN Secretary General's report on Cyprus to the body's Security Council.Speaking on CyBC radio this morning, Mr. Chrysostomides said the government is on heightened alert as the fallout from conflict in Iraq could have unforseen consequences. Asked if the Cyprus government is providing any conveniences to US forces deployed in the region, Mr. Chrysostomides said the island has always been used as centre for humanitarian assistance. [08] StabbingA 16-year-old high school student is in a serious condition after being stabbed in the back during a brawl with a classmate.According to CyBC's Paphos correspondent, the two had a massive row during class this morning with one pulling out knife and plunging it into the back of the other. The victim was rushed to Polis Chrysochous hospital, but had to be transfered to Paphos General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He was later airlifted to Nicosia General Hospital with the knife still lodged in his back due to the seriousness of his injury. Paphos Hospital surgical department chief Fylaktis Constantinides said the seven-inch knife with a jagged edge on one side almost penetrated the right side of the student's thorax. The student is reportedly conscious, but doctors have yet to determine if any vital organs were injured. [09] PakistaniA 35-year-old Pakistani man has been arrested in connection with the premeditated murder of a 48-year-old compatriot who was found stabbed to death in a Nicosia Hotel room last night.The suspect, who bore numerous stab wounds to his body, is being held under police guard in Nicosia General Hospital. The hotel owner found the victim, a political refugee, lying in a pool of blood in the room at around 11 last night. State Pathologist Sophocles Sophocleous carried out a preliminary autopsy of the victim at the scene of the crime, while police investigators combed the room for evidence that may lead to the culprit. [10] assetsTrade and Industry Minister Yiorgos Lillikas said he will ask the Cabinet in its next sitting to revisit the issue of declaring the assets of ministers' spouces.Mr. Lillikas declared his wife's assets on CyBC radio this morning. He said his wife holds a 70% stake in the Marketway Group of Companies which is estimated to have assets upwards of 4.8 million pounds. She also has eight and-a-half donums of property in Pyrga worth around 180,000 pounds, and a house in Yeri. Mr. Lillikas brushed off as gossip recent remarks about ministers' assets. He also accused some of making innuendos to undermine the integrity of members of government. The minister also praised President Papadopoulos' decision to get his ministers to declare their assets as a courageous political act. [11] weatherA low pressure system is moving in from the west and is expected to pass over the island by tomorrow night.This afternoon will be mainly cloudy with the chance of some scattered showers. Winds will be southeasterly to southerly moderate, force 4, with moderate seas. Temperatures will reach 19 degrees inland and the coasts and 9 in the highest mountains. More clouds tonight with some showers and isolated thundershowers expected in the early hours. Winds will be easterly to southeasterly fresh, force 5 to 6, with rough seas. Temperatures will drop to 8 degrees inland, 11 on the coasts and 5 in the highest mountains. Snow accumulation on Mount Olympus is 20 centimetres and 10 in Troodos Square. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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