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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-08-10Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0930:CYPPRESS:01[01] Cyprus - Nuclear SafetyNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Republic will become a signatory to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the island's Council of Ministers has decided.Attorney General Alecos Markides is expected to table a relevant Bill in the House of Representatives, according to an official press release. The Convention is considered of great importance to Cyprus due to Turkey's plans to construct a nuclear power plant near the Akkuyu Bay, on the country's southern coast. Articles of the Convention call on countries that already have or are planning to operate nuclear plants to consult with their neighbours and provide them with all necessary information so that they can make their own assessments about their security. "This is especially important for Cyprus due to Turkey's intentions to construct a nuclear plant in the seismic area of Akkuyu," the press release says. The proposed site for the plant is only 125 kilometres from the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. The Cyprus government, the House of Representatives as well as environmental organisations have opposed the construction of the nuclear plant in Akkuyu. Greenpeace and other international environmental organisations, have also expressed concern on the consequences it may have not only within Turkey itself but also in neighbouring countries. They have called on the Turkish government to abandon its nuclear programme and invest in cleaner, safer and cheaper alternatives and are backing Turkish ecologists opposing the construction of the plant. CNA MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1020:CYPPRESS:02[02] Heatwave - DeathsNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- At least 45 people, mainly elderly, have died over the past few days because of the heatwave that has hit Cyprus while hundreds more sought medical care.The Health Ministry has been issuing warnings and recommendations to the public on how to handle the situation until Wednesday when temperatures are expected to fall back to normal. Temperatures have been soaring up to 43 degrees Celsius in the capital Nicosia, 38 in the southern shores and 33 in the west, an average four degrees higher than normal. According to the Health Ministry, 30 of the 45 people died yesterday, of causes relating to the heatwave. Minister Christos Solomis today renewed his appeal for special attention to the elderly and young children, who are more prone to be affected. He said the health services are on full alert to handle the increasing number of people admitted to hospitals. The ministry has called on people to avoid the sun, especially during high peak hours, eat light meals and fruit, drink plenty of water and refrain from alcohol and coffee. Meteorological Department head, Kleanthis Filaniotis, said temperatures are expected to drop between three to four degrees as from Wednesday. "It will not be a dramatic drop as we are in the peak of the summer season. Normal temperatures in the first ten days of August are usually around 37 degrees Celsius in central planes," he added. Filaniotis said a sea breeze is expected that will make temperatures fall but will increase humidity. Noting that one refers to a heatwave when temperatures surpass 38 degrees Celsius, he said temperatures were over 40 degrees in the past eight days making the heatwave "serious". The Meteorological Department head pointed out that there were heatwaves which carried on for many days in previous years, such as in 1977, 1978, 1987, 1988 and 1994, but people tend to forget. "What is different this year is the number of days when temperatures where over 40 degrees Celsius," he said. Filaniotis described the deaths as "an exceptional phenomenon" and attributed them to the age factor, the fact that people are not taking sufficient care and the increased use of air conditioners which makes coping with the heat difficult. He said people also felt discomfort because there was no breeze. CNA MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1225:CYPPRESS:03[03] World Youth Forum - CyprusNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- The World Youth Forum of the UN system has expressed full support to the basic human rights of the youth and the people of Cyprus and called for more cooperation between Greek and Turkish Cypriot youngsters.A resolution on Cyprus, approved at the Forum's third session, expresses "full support to the basic human rights of the youth and the people of Cyprus, including the rights for free movement, settlement, property and mobility all over the island, on a free, unified, demilitarised Cyprus". "We encourage all the young people of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, to develop communication channels to establish mutual understanding and cooperation," it adds. Around 500 delegates from all over the world, including a two-member delegation of the Cyprus Youth Council for International Cooperation, took part in the meeting held in Portugal, from August 2 to 7. There are hardly any contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots since last December, when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash decided not to allow Turkish Cypriots to participate, in reaction to a European Union decision to begin accession talks with the Cyprus Republic. CNA MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1350:CYPPRESS:04[04] Ecological CampNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- A week-long "ecological camp", which will include beach games and parties, concerts and educational events will be held August 17-23, in Polis, in the western tip of the island.The first camp of this kind is organised by the Cyprus Ecological Movement and the Young Ecologists, in the Polis camping, and events will be open to the public. Ioanna Yialourou, of the organising committee, told a press conference today the whole event aims at "coexistence with nature". She said an environmental school for children will also operate to encourage families to participate. During the week visiting experts will brief participants on issues such the unique flaura and fauna of the Akamas peninsula and the caretta-caretta turtles, that hatch their eggs in the region. Participants can also take part in events held to inform locals on recycling. Highlight of the camp will be a concert given by popular Cypriot singer, with a career in Greece, Alkinoos Ioannides, on Friday, August 21. Participants over the age of 12 will be charged with the nominal fee of five Cyprus pounds (about 10 US dollars) per day. CNA NG/MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1430:CYPPRESS:05[05] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Aug 10 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE General Index 84.64 ( 0.15) Traded Value CYP 823,938 Sectural Indices Banks CYP 578,759 100.11 ( 0.28) Approved Investment Companies CYP 7,565 57.98 (-0.02) Insurance Companies CYP 41,799 58.48 (-0.54) Manufacturing Companies CYP 18,093 75.97 (-0.11) Tourism Companies CYP 35,164 69.50 (-0.14) Trading Companies CYP 4,565 40.82 ( 0.44) Other Companies CYP 44,484 71.56 ( 0.42)The third column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting. CNA MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |