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Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-10-15Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] Headlines lunchA stunning revelation by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos has thrown the political world of the island into turmoil,The European Commission president designate Joje Manuel Barroso is in Cyprus for an official one day visit, French President Jacques Chirac is looking increasingly isolated over his long-standing support for Turkey's EU candidacy, as leading politicians from both sides of parliament rebel and opinion polls show French voters opposed and Israel today said it was easing a crushing offensive that has killed more than 100 Palestinians since tanks rumbled into northern Gaza 16 days ago to stop militants from launching cross-border rocket attacks. [02] Tassos revelationA stunning revelation by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos has thrown the political world of the island into turmoil. On his return to Cyprus, from an official visit to Estonia, he disclosed information regarding the dispute between daily newspaper "Politis" and AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias over allegations Mr Christofias made about reporters receiving money from the American embassy. President Papadopoulos said that the United Nations and other organizations gave money before the 24th of April referenda, to make sure of a yes result to the Anan plan. He referred to a letter he received from the former UN special advisor on the Cyprus issue, Alvaro De Soto, in which he writes that the UN has given money towards the approval of the plan, because they believe it is a bicommunal effort, that has to be financially supported. President Papadopoulos clarified that he received the letter after he had already told Mr De Soto that he had reports of the UN giving money. Commenting on the dispute between Politis and Mr Christofias, the President of the Republic said that the paper bases its allegations on hearsay and builds a fictional story out of them.[03] Barroso CyprusThe European Commission president designate Joje Manuel Barroso is in Cyprus for an official one day visit. Mr Barroso held talks with President Papadopoulos this morning, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. Following the meeting, Mr Barroso said that the discussion centered around the prospects for opening accession negotiations with Turkey, as well as developments in the Cyprus issue. He added that the role of the European Commission is to help find compomises regarding European Union issues. He also pointed out that Cyprus can gain a lot from the European Union, but can also give. President Papadopoulos said that the discussion was honest, adding that he asked Mr Barroso about the priorities of the European Commission presidency. Mr Barroso's visit is part of a working trip in all the capitals of the member states.[04] Chirac TurkeyFrench President Jacques Chirac is looking increasingly isolated over his long-standing support for Turkey's EU candidacy, as leading politicians from both sides of parliament rebel and opinion polls show French voters opposed.Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin defended Chirac's stand in the National Assembly but the decision to allow a previously unprogrammed parliamentary debate fanned demands for Chirac to get tough at an EU summit in December. The summit is due to decide whether entry talks with Turkey can begin. Some politicians urged Chirac to press for any offer to say that talks could lead to two outcomes -- EU membership or, short of that, a "privileged partnership". To illustrate the option, one Paris radio station said: "They want to offer Turkey a civil union instead of a marriage." Akin confession Turkish settler and former illegal minister of the occupation regime Kenan Akin, who murdered Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou in Dheryneia, during a protest, eight years ago, confessed that the order to fire was give by retired colonel Chalil Sandrazam, that today is a member of the Peace and Democracy movement. According to a report in the Turkish cypriot daily "Africa", Sandrazam has said that Akin's allegation is ridiculous. He admits that he was at Dheryneia during the incident, but denies that he gave the order to shoot Solomou in cold blood, when he tried to take down the Turkish flag. Sandrazam claimed that he was there as a commander and therefore could not give such an order, adding that there was firing from various directions and he was trying to stop it. [05] F16's GreeceThe bodies of the pilots of the Greek F-16s, who vanished from radar screens yesterday afternoon, were found early this morning. The bodies, charred beyond recognition, were found in a mountainous area. They crashed in thick fog and low clouds, while trying to land, following a routine training flight.[06] Mideast wrapOver to foreign news and Israel today said it was easing a crushing offensive that has killed more than 100 Palestinians since tanks rumbled into northern Gaza 16 days ago to stop militants from launching cross-border rocket attacks.The Israeli army said it would remove troops from part of the sprawling Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza. Jabalya residents said they had not seen any signs of a pullback. Palestinian medics in the camp said two militants from the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and one from Hamas were killed in a morning missile attack by an Israeli aircraft. Palestinian medics said at least 62 militants and 41 other Palestinians believed to be civilians have been killed by Israeli forces during the northern Gaza operation. [07] Iraq raidsU.S. warplanes today bombed targets in Iraq's rebel-held city of Falluja, marking a violent start to the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.U.S. marines, soldiers and Iraqi forces had stepped up security operations in and around Falluja last night to disrupt planned attacks by insurgents. Washington and Baghdad have vowed to retake insurgent-held towns and cities ahead of nationwide elections due in January. There was no immediate word on casualties in the overnight raids, which the military said were aimed at its deadliest foe in Iraq, Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Zarqawi's group said it was behind twin suicide bombings that killed five people, three of them Americans, in the heart of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone yesterday. [08] Quake TaiwanA strong earthquake in the Pacific Ocean off Taiwan rocked the island's northeast, damaging buildings and injuring several people.The tremor, the strongest since an earthquake in 1999 that killed thousands, lasted for nearly one minute, shaking skyscrapers in the capital, Taipei, during the lunch-hour rush. The tremor, which measured 7.0 on the opened-ended Richter scale, had its epicentre at about 110 km east of Ilan on the northeastern coast, at a depth of 59 km. The government's Disaster Recovery Centre said the quake damaged some houses and injured a few people, but there were no major damage or casualties. [09] WeatherGenerally fine conditions are forecast for this afternoon, however, it will turn cloudy over the mountains, bringing isolated showers. Winds will be light to moderate southwesterly to northwesterly, force three, over slight seas. Tonight, fine weather will continue, with thin mist or low clouds forming in some areas. Winds will be light northwesterly to northeasterly, force two to three, over calm to slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 18 degrees inland, 20 in coastal areas and 13 over the mountains. The fire hazard is very high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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