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Monday, 30 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-08-02Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINESCyprus Airways engineers threaten to take industrial action which could affect up to ten thousand passengers;Foreign Minister Kasoulides returns from an official visit to Syria; Simmering Israeli-Palestinian violence nears boiling-point; and... If you're planning to visit Antarctica for the southernmost continent's summer season, go prepared! [02] aero strikeCyprus Airways' engineers have announced the possibility of industrial action at any time over the next few days, citing as reason for their move a 10-year disagreement with the management over promotions.The engineers' union further charges the management of intransigence and of leading the matter of its members' promotions to an impasse. Responding, Cyprus Airways condemned the engineers' union of making hostages out of the state carrier's passengers, and of exploiting the peak tourist season of August in order to impose what were described as "its irrational demands". The management went on to say that the announcement of industrial action is "totally unacceptable", given that an intermediary proposal from the Ministry of Labour is imminent. A 2-hour work stoppage held by the engineers on the 20th of last month succeeded in grounding all Cyprus Airways flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. [03] aero labourMeanwhile, Labour Minister Andreas Moushouttas is reported to be sparing no effort in an attempt to avert the announced industrial action, through consultations with both Cyprus Airways' board members and union representatives.In statements to our Third Radio Channel this morning, Andreas Moushouttas appealed to the engineers' union to show restraint and not proceed with any measures until consultations are proven ineffective. In his plea, Labour Minister Moushouttas also issued the warning that any industrial action would be detrimental or even catastrophic, not only to all those involved, but first and foremost to Cyprus' economy as a whole. [04] aeroAt the same time, Cyprus Airways Press Spokesman Tassos Angeli castigated the engineers' union for irresponsibility and for not giving the company notification of their announced action so that measures could be taken to minimise any inconvenience caused to the travelling public.As regards the number of passengers which will be affected should a work-stoppage go ahead, Tassos Angeli said that this could well reach some ten thousand. [05] kas returnForeign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides this morning returned from an official visit to Damascus, describing his contacts with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara as "absolutely successful".Speaking on his arrival at Larnaka airport, Mr Kasoulides mentioned that his talks focused on both regional and international issues, with emphasis given to the desired implementation of UN resolutions and the protection of the sovereign integrity of countries in which the principles of international law have been violated. Called upon to comment on an Omani-announced initiative for the recognition of the Turkish-Cypriot pseudostate by the Islamic Conference, Ioannis Kasoulides said that this eventuality is being dealt with in the appropriate and correct manner. [06] kas mastsOn the subject of the controversial telecommunications mast to be installed by the British Bases at the Akrotiri Salt Lake, Mr Kasoulides said that the Government's contacts with Britain have yet to reach a critical stage, adding that he plans to discuss the issue with High Commissioner Edward Clay within the scope of their regular meetings.Ioannis Kasoulides added that today should see the completion of the current electromagnetic emission measurements in the area, leading to the results being compared and contrasted, and final conclusions being drawn sometime next week. [07] kas landAs regards the matter of Turkish-Cypriot land situated in the government-controlled areas of the Republic being sold to Greek-Cypriots, Mr Kasoulides said that the noise created is inordinate to the negative impressions being created, adding that what is important is that any transactions be held within the framework provided by Cyprus laws.Ioannis Kasoulides further noted that from 1974 to date, a total of 400 or so donums of such land has changed hands in the free areas of the Republic, amounting to a mere 0.05% of the total area registered as Turkish-Cypriot property. In closing, he also emphasised that refugee rights should be safeguarded, whether these are a result of displaced persons having built homes on Turkish-Cypriot land, or whether these derive from the cultivation of such plots of land. [08] mideastIsrael today fended off international criticism of its missile attack on Islamic militants that killed eight people, as Palestinian President Yasser Arafat repeated his demand that monitors be sent to the Middle East.The Nablus killings brought simmering violence to boiling point as gun battles erupted across the West Bank, including the town of Hebron, where a Palestinian was killed during a prolonged exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen. In a separate development, Israeli tanks stationed in the Gush Katif Jewish settlements in Gaza fired on the Palestinian village of Khan Younis overnight, wounding a family of five, while gun-battles also erupted near the West Bank towns of Tulkarm, Nablus and Ramallah, with the Israeli army reporting that its troops came under Palestinian fire in around a dozen incidents. [09] gr illimsGreek coastguard officials shot dead a Turkish smuggler today, after he offloaded nine illegal immigrants on the eastern Aegean island of Kos.According to Greece's Merchant Marine ministry, the 23-year-old smuggler was seen speeding away in a boat and was told to stop. Coastguards fired several warning shots, some of which ricocheted and fatally wounded him. All nine illegal immigrants, comprising six Iranians and three Iraqis, have been detained. [10] smyrna weatherTurkey's western port of Smyrni was hit by a strong hail storm and subsequent floods yesterday, leading to four deaths.Officials said that three people were electrocuted and another person died after falling from a balcony due to strong winds. The storm felled trees in the city and floods swept through the ground floors of houses and apartment blocks. Meteorologists today described the weather conditions as relatively calm. [11] typhus?Cyprus' Medical Services Director Consantinos Mallis clarified today that an incident involving a 6-year-old girl from the Nicosia-district village of Paliometocho concerns an isolated case of endemic typhus and not typhoid fever, as reported in today's press.Mr Mallis went on to say that the girl was admitted to Nicosia's Makareion Hospital, where she received the proper ministrations and was subsequently discharged. The Medical Services Director also emphasised that endemic typhus is 100% curable provided it's diagnosed in time, adding that it's a parasitic disease carried by rat-fleas, while the highly-contageous typhoid fever is passed on through food and water. [12] cseThe downward slide at the Cyprus Stock Exchange continued today, with most shares taking a serious beating.The All-Share Index closed ay 153.86, down 1.57% from yesterday, while the overall volume of trading reached just 7.2 million pounds. [13] tailerToday's tailer comes to us from the barren -- in some respects -- southern continent of Antarctica, where two condom machines are being sent to New Zealand's Scott Base just in time for the influx of spring and summer visitors who, as the base's spokeswoman said, number some 400, while another 1,200 or so visit the nearby US McMurdo Base.The reason behind the innovation, according to the supplier, is that "It's pretty much a little village down there where everyone knows everyone, so if they can walk into a loo and buy a condom, it's a lot easier than going to the local shop and buying them, where everyone knows what's going on." More "frigid" conditions set in during the winter however, with less than 50 people habituating both bases, temperatures dropping to minus 60C, and the sun not being seen between April and August. Still, life goes on... [14] weatherGenerally fair conditions are forecast for this afternoon, with skies being marked by light patchy cloud. Winds will be moderate southwesterlies, 3-4BF, on slight to moderate seas, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 36C inland, 32C in the south, 30C in the west, and 28C at higher altitudes.Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, even though mist and low cloud will form in areas in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Winds will abate to light northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on slight seas, while temperatures will drop to 23C inthe south, 21C inland and in the west, and 18C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains. The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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