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Saturday, 20 April 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 05-03-30Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] Headlines-The European Commission Representation in Cyprus has confirmed that Turkey marked its agreement on the draft text of the protocol prepared by the Commission services, noting this is equivalent to initialing.-President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos said that the text of the protocol extending Turkey's customs union to the ten new EU members - states, including Cyprus does not contain anything adverse for the Republic of Cyprus. -Survivors combed the rubble of buildings for loved ones on Indonesia's earthquake-devastated Nias island as reports emerged of hundreds of additional deaths on a nearby island group. -Pope John Paul appeared at his window today to bless the faithful following widespread reports that he was struggling to recover from recent throat surgery. [02] EU protocolThe European Commission Representation in Cyprus has confirmed that Turkey marked its agreement on the draft text of the protocol prepared by the Commission services, noting this is equivalent to initialing.In a press release, the Representation said that this means the commission can "now proceed to adopting a formal proposal to be presented to the Council in view of signature". The European Commission Representation also noted that as regards Turkey's restrictions on access to Turkish ports for vessels flying a Cypriot flag or having landed in a Cypriot port, this is considered as a violation of the provisions of Decision 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council establishing the Customs Union. [03] Tassos protocolPresident of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos said that the text of the protocol extending Turkey's customs union to the ten new EU members - states, including Cyprus does not contain anything adverse for the Republic of Cyprus. President Papadopoulos said that the government has in its possession the document for some days, adding that Cyprus' permanent delegation in Brussels has been activley involved in the last two weeks in successful deliberations to achieve the protocol's initialing.[04] Kloson EUUS Ambassador in Nicosia Michael Klosson said his country looks forward to the day when Cyprus will be able to achieve its full potential in the EU and the day when the opportunities and responsibilities of the partnership can be shared by all Cypriots alike through a comprehensive solution. He made the statement addressing a gathering of the Cyprus Fulbright Association entitled "Freedom: The mission of American Democracy."[05] Quake IndonesiaSurvivors combed the rubble of buildings for loved ones on Indonesia's earthquake-devastated Nias island as reports emerged of hundreds of additional deaths on a nearby island group.On Nias, where about 1,000 people are thought to have died, injured survivors pleaded for help and some, driven by hunger, looted rice from a government store. An Indonesian disaster official said about 200-300 people also died on the isolated Banyak island group just north of Nias. Monday's magnitude 8.7 earthquake devastated a region that escaped major damage in the Dec. 26 quake and tsunami disaster which left nearly 300,000 dead or missing along Indian Ocean shores. The epicentre of Monday's quake was about 100 miles southeast of the bigger one three months ago. Large parts of Nias, famed as a surfing paradise, have been damaged and much of Gunungsitoli has been flattened. Rescue and body recovery efforts have been hampered by a shortage of fuel and poor weather. Survivors used tools and bare hands to dig for loved ones. Adding to the misery, thousands of people have spent two nights in the open, fearing aftershocks would bring down more buildings. [06] Kyrgystan LeaderKyrgyzstan's new leaders promised to protect ousted president Askar Akayev if he made good on his offer to return home from Russia and formally resign to help ease the election of a successor.Akayev, who ran the impoverished Central Asian country for 14 years until driven from office by street protests last week, broke days of silence yesterday to tell Russian television he would to resign if he received safety guarantees. Akayev has insisted he is still head of state in law but was realistic enough to realise he would not be issuing any decrees. Saying he was staying near Moscow, he said he would not stand in a June 26 presidential election called after the revolt but that he wanted to return to help parliament ensure the succession is legitimate. The coup, which surprised even the opposition by its lightning speed, has catapulted to power former Akayev associates who analysts say could set Kyrgyzstan towards the authoritarianism that is the hallmark of the region. But unlike Georgia and Ukraine, where Moscow and Washington backed opposing sides, Kyrgyzstan has little in terms of wealth or geopolitical value to tempt either power to get involved in the country's increasingly complex internal politics. [07] Mideast ShrineIsrael plans to bar thousands of right-wing Jewish activists from visiting a sensitive Jerusalem shrine because of concerns they could spark violence with Muslims.Israel has stepped up security at the site, which Muslims call al-Haram al-Sharif and Jews revere as the Temple Mount, amid fears Jewish ultra-nationalists could mount an attack there to obstruct a planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza this summer. A Jerusalem police chief said he had denied permission to a group of Jewish activists to visit the site of April 10, on the eve of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's next summit with President George W. Bush in the United States. Activists of Revava, a rightist group lobbying for Israel to permit Jews to pray at the site, said their visit was timed to mark one of three annual pilgrimages by Jews there during biblical times. Palestinians launched an uprising in 2000 after Sharon, then Israel's opposition leader, visited the compound under heavy security. It is Judaism's holiest site and one of Islam's most sacred shrines. [08] Pope windowPope John Paul appeared at his window today to bless the faithful following widespread reports that he was struggling to recover from recent throat surgery.It was the first time he has been seen in public since Sunday when he failed in his attempt to address crowds in St Peter's Square. [09] EirinaiosThe verdict of the foreign Ministry specialists is expected to be published today, concerning the management of Jerusalem Patriarchate real estate, and will conclude if sales occurred. The difficulty of recording data and the attempted obstruction by the accused parties, involved in accusations of the transfer of Patriarchate real estate to Israeli companies is stated in the verdict. The specialists consider that the issue needs further investigation, while responsibility for the leadership of the Jerusalem Patriarchate is not ruled out. In the meantime, in Jerusalem the Holy Synod will convene in an especially critical meeting, since around 10 hierarchs ask for Eirinaios' resignation, while the Palestinian Authority has planned demonstrations.[10] WeatherIt will be cloudy this afternoon. Winds will be light northeasterly to southeasterly, force three, over slight seas. Temperatures will rise to 24 degrees inland, 21 on the southern and eastern coastal areas and 20 degrees celsius on the western coastal areas and over the mountains. Tonight it will be cloudy, with thick fog in some areas. Winds will be light northwesterly to northeasterly, force two to three, over calm to slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 12 degrees inland the coastal areas, and over the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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