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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-04-11Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] KAS CYForeign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides today voiced the assessment that a co-ordinated United States, United Nations and European Union drive aimed at the resumption of Cyprus settlement talks will intensify in the near future, while at the same time steps will be undertaken to persuade the Turkish side that next year's completion of the island's EU-accession negotiations will constitute a landmark as regards efforts towards a resolution of the long-standing problem.Speaking on our Third Radio Channel this morning, Mr Kasoulides stressed however that he does not expect the United States to pressure Turkey to such an extent so as to endanger the military alliance between the two countries. Cyprus' Foreign Minister also noted that during his Washington contacts he ascertained that US Foreign Policy on the Cyprus Issue remains unchanged, in that a solution should be found through the current UN process, that Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should attend any talks with the required political will, and that the period between now and the end of next year, the projected time of Cyprus' accession to the European Union with or without a solution, should be fully utilised. [02] US CYThe US Government, in its budget for next year, has included a 15 million dollar financial aid package for Cyprus, to be used for the promotion and advancement of bicommunal contacts and measures aimed at reuniting the island and achieving peace.The provision was greeted by Greek-American associations, which in a written announcement note that the allotment is in line with a relevant statement made by US President George W. Bush, in which he expressed his and his administration's commitment to a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus Issue as well as his support of the UN Secretary-General's efforts towards a resumption of Cyprus settlement talks. The proposal, already forwarded to Congress for approval, constitutes a major change from the practice followed by US administrations, which had been requesting no more than 3 million dollars to be allotted towards rapprochement programmes in Cyprus. [03] Austrian contactsAustrian Foreign Minister Benita Waltner, on an official visit to the island, this morning met with President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides and sicussed the Cyprus Issue in general, as well as the island's EU-accession course.No statements were made after the meeting, following which Ms Waltner met with House President Spyros Kyprianou and then crossed over into the occupied part of Nicosia for talks with Rauf Denktash. The Austrian Foreign Minister has since returned to the government-controlled territories and was, at the latest report, still in a meeting with Foreign Minister Kasoulides. A joint press conference has been called for after the Kasoulides-Waltner meeting. [04] Pap eu briefGreek Foreign Minister Yiorgos Papandreou on Monday briefed his European Union colleagues on the situation prevailing in Turkey as a result of the month-old economic crisis in the which the EU candidate-state has found itself.Speaking on Greek Television last night and pointing out that Greece has every reason to support and strengthen Turkey's European perpsective, Mr Papandreou also noted that goven the situation, the EU currently has the opportunity to help Ankara proceed with the necessary reforms contained in the partnership agreement struck between the 15-nation bloc and the candidate-state. [05] Turkey assistIn a parallel development, the European Investment Bank last night decided to fund, ot the amount of six million Euro, Turkish and Egyptian advanced-technology, telecommunications and media organisations.The funding is in line with last November's EU Foreign Ministers' decision taken in Marseille within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean co-operation scheme. Last year, Turkey had received 575 million Euro as part of the co-operation programme. [06] MideastIsraeli troops and tanks withdrew from the Khan Younis Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip this morning, after a savage battle at locations from which gunmen had fired on nearby Jewish settlements.Reports indicate that two Palestinians were killed and 25 wounded after hundreds rushed from their homes to defend the camp. The Israeli army said it had suffered no casualties. The scale of the attack, following on from yesterday's first daytime missile strike for months against Palestinian police posts in the Gaza Strip, marked a sharp escalation by Israeli forces in their bid to stamp out firing on Jewish settlements. At least 374 Palestinians, 13 Israeli Arabs and 71 other Israelis have been killed in the now six-month-old violence that erupted after peace talks deadlocked. [07] EuthanasiaThe Netherlands yesterday became the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia, after its Senate defied thousands of protesters to vote in favour of mercy killing.The 75-seat chamber voted 46 to 28 in favour of the law, recognising a practice that has been tolerated in the Netherlands for over two decades. One member was not present. Health Minister Els Borst applauded what she described as "a very careful decision", saying it reflected the view of almost 90% of the Dutch population that doctors should not be prosecuted for following a patient's wishes. Doctors however will still face prosecution if they fail to follow strict rules. The new law insists that adult patients must have made a voluntary, well-considered and lasting request to die; that they must face a future of unbearable suffering and that there must be no reasonable alternative; and that a second doctor must be consulted and life must be ended in a medically appropriate way. [08] CSEThe Cyprus Stock Exchange posted a slight drop today, putting the brakes on the upward swinf observed over the last four days.Specifically, the All-Share Index closed at 176.03, down 1.55% from yesterday, with the overall volume of trading reaching 7.5 million pounds. [09] TAILERIn today's tailer.... How to make a name for yourself, in more ways than one!That's exactly what happened when 25-year-old Israeli computer programmer Tomer Krissi decided to change his own to something more in line with his profession, making it Tomer .com Speaking to Reuters over the telephone, he was quoted as saying "The Internet opened my mind. Now my site, which is my name, has become my calling card for the whole world. It's enough for someone to know my name to know that I have a site. I think the idea is simply more functional. I wanted to give my surname some significance for myself in the year 2001." .com also said the Interior Ministry had at first opposed his request, telling him it was forbidden to have punctuation marks in a name, but he and a friend studying law found there was nothing of the sort. Following that, Israeli authorities reluctantly issued him a passport and identification card last Tuesday. Needless to say that Mr .com's website is, quite simply, www.Tomer.com [10] WeatherPartly cloudy conditions are forecast for this afternoon, with rainy spells and isolated thunderstorms expected throughout the island. Winds will be moderate to strong southwesterlies, 4-5BF, on moderate seas, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 21C inland and along the coasts, and 10C at higher altitudes.Partly cloudy conditions are also forecast for this evening, once again leading to rainy spells and isolated thunderstorms, while winds will continue moderate southwesterlies, abating slightly to 3BF, on slight to moderate seas, and temperatures will drop to 9Cinland, 13C in coastal regions and 6C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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