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Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | ||
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-05-13Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] SARRIS PRESIDENTPresident Papadopoulos is well after he fainted during a funeral yesterday afternoon. This morning he returned to his normal duties at the presidential palace. The head of his office Polakis Sarris, in statements to our station, said that the President of the Republic will follow his normal schedule, and in the evening will be opening the international state fair in Nicosia. He also said that yesterday's incident was due to heat inside the church. The President gained his consiousness immediately after the incident and remained at the Nicosia General Hospital for a few hours, where he underwent routine tests.[02] TASSOS WELLPresident Tassos Papadopoulos said that he feels well. Speaking to the reporters during his arrival in the morning at the Presidential Palace, the President said that he will try and reduce his working hours and follow the doctors' orders. Asked to comment on the intentions of Britain and other European countries to have direct dealings with the occupied part of Cyprus, the President said that he does not have such information and Cyprus' delegation in Brussells is handling the matters that might arise.[03] WESTON CHRYSOThe Special coordinator at the State Department for the Cyprus issue, Thomas Weston said that the aim of reaching a just and viable solution for the Cyprus problem has become more difficult considering the latest developments. Nevertheless, he added, the general direction must not be lost. Mr Weston said that he does not share the worries of the Greek Cypriots as far as security matters are concerned which led to the negative result of the referendum. However, he expressed the hope that the accession in the European Union will give the Greek Cypriots the feeling of security which was given to many other people in the past and so the Greek Cypriots can find the strength to move forward. The American dignitary was speaking at a reception hosted by the ambassador of Cyprus in Washington, Evripidis Evriviades on the occassion of the fifteenth conference of Greek organization Pseka.[04] Iraq RumsfeldU.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld made a surprise visit to Iraq as the United States struggled to quell criticism over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American military guards.The embattled secretary, travelling under tight security to a country where more than 700 U.S. troops have died since last year's invasion, landed at Baghdad airport and later began meetings with senior U.S. military officers. Rumsfeld denied on a 15-hour flight from Washington that the Pentagon was trying to cover up the scandal at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. Other U.S. defense officials said the sudden trip by Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers, chairman of the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff, was triggered by the recent publication of photographs of U.S. military guards humiliating naked Iraqi prisoners. Rumsfeld and Myers have appeared numerous times in recent days before congressional panels to answer tough questions about whether humiliation, sexual assault and violence were part of methods used to "soften up" prisoners ahead of interrogation. The abuse scandal has ignited international outrage and shaken U.S. global prestige as the United States seeks to stabilize Iraq. [05] India PakistanPakistan expects its peace process with arch-foe and neighbour India to press forward even with a change of government.Sonia Gandhi's Congress party swept back to power in India on a stunning wave of anger among millions of rural poor, who felt left behind by India's urban economic boom and voted out the Hindu nationalist government led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajapyee. It was Vajpayee who last year launched fresh moves towards a rapprochement between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, which have fought three wars since independence in 1947 and teetered on the brink of a fourth in 2002. While Congress is committed to continuing the peace process, Gandhi does not yet have the personal rapport that Vajpayee established with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at a meeting in Islamabad in January. Analysts say that as an Italian by birth, Gandhi would face more difficulties in making concessions to Pakistan and have a tougher time bringing Indian hardliners on board. [06] Turkey BillTurkey's parliament approved a controversial higher education bill, raising the stakes in a row between the ruling party and the secularist military establishment that has shaken financial markets.Education is a key battleground between Turkey's secularists and the religious conservatives dominating the ruling Justice and Development Party, which has Islamist roots. The powerful military General Staff, backed by university rectors and opposition parties, says the reform bill easing university entrance for students from religious vocational schools will boost the influence of Islam in education. After an all-night session, lawmakers voted by 254 in favour and four against the bill, which also increases central government control over the universities. Deputies from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) boycotted the vote after using filibustering tactics to prolong the debate until morning. Turkey's staunchly secularist President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is now widely expected to veto the draft law. But if the government returns the bill to him unamended he must either approve it or appeal to the Constitutional Court. [07] WeatherClear skies are forecast for this afternoon. Winds will be moderate southwesterly, force four to five, over slight seas to moderate seas in windward areas. Temperatures will reach 28 degrees inland, 26 in coastal areas and 22 over the mountains. However, thin mist and low cloud are expected to form in some areas. Winds will be light northeasterly, force two to three over slight seas. Temperatures will fall to 13 degrees inland, 15 in coastal areas and ten over the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |