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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-09-12Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINESIn the aftermath of yesterday's three-pronged terrorist attack against the United States' financial and military nerve-centres, people and governments the world over remain aghast at the audacity of the perpetrators and the extent of the tragedy;At the same time, the US increases its military presence in the Gulf; Israeli forces enter the West Bank town of Jenin which they had surrounded yesterday, with hopes of implementing a truce in the area fading; The New York terrorist attack also affects Cyprus Issue deliberations, while the island's authorities step up security measures; and... A British magazine survey overturns popular opinion as regards the question of what men look for in a relationship. [02] us terrPeople and governments the world over remain aghast, while at the same time answers are being sought in the aftermath of yesterday's horrific terrorist attacks against American interests in the US itself.Three planes commandeered by unknown hijackers slammed into the Pentagon and New York's landmark World Trade Center yesterday, demolishing the twin 110-story towers that were once the tallest buildings in the world and possibly burying thousands of people alive. It was the worst attack on American soil since the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 and gave the country a new date that will live in infamy. The twin towers symbolizing American financial clout were toppled, while the Pentagon, the nerve-center of the nation's military might, was severely damaged, with the attack forcing the first-ever mandatory evacuation of the US Capitol and driving congressional leaders into safe but secret locations while drawing up bipartisan vows of retaliation. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicions are centering on exiled Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden, whose followers have been held responsible for previous murderous attacks on US embassies in Africa. Meanwhile, explosions lit up the night sky in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, the nation where bin Laden is believed to live, and reports said there were missiles flying across the city. A senior Pentagon official denied US involvement, while responsibility for the attack was later claimed by an Afghan opposition group. [03] ny sit'nNew York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said the death toll could ultimately be "horrific" and that the city's hospitals were swamped with casualties. Hundreds of firefighters and police are missing, feared dead after trying to rescue others.The entire US was brought to a halt by scenes of terrified people fleeing the mayhem flashing across TV screens. The mighty twin towers, anchoring the southern tip of Manhattan, collapsed one at a time, sending a massive plume of dust and smoke billowing over the city. Officials fear the death toll could climb into the thousands and perhaps even the tens of thousands, as 40,000 people alone worked in the steel and glass Trade Center towers and the nearby 47-story World Trade Center No. 7, which collapsed seven hours later following a raging fire. [04] us warshipsOn the military front and in a possible preparation of retribution for yesterday's attacks, the Pentagon late last night halted the movement of the aircraft carrier Enterprise through the Indian Ocean toward home, and ordered the large warship to await orders for a possible return to the Gulf to join its replacement, the Carl Vinson.The two aircraft carriers carry more than 60 warplanes each and could launch massive attacks of retribution if a country or terrorist group is proved to be behind the US attacks. Normally, the US Navy keeps only one carrier in the Gulf as a base for warplanes policing "no-fly" zones over southern Iraq. Cruisers, submarines and other warships that escort the carriers are also capable of firing long-range cruise missiles with pinpoint accuracy. [05] mideastIn the Middle East, Israeli tanks rumbled into the heart of the Palestinian-ruled city of Jenin in the early hours of this morning, demolishing a Palestinian police headquarters and sparking gunbattles.Palestinian hospital sources reported at least four people wounded in the ensuing exchanges of fire. The army had no immediate comment, while local residents said that the tanks entered the West Bank city from several different points with their lights turned off. The tanks had encircled Jenin yesterday, in an operation which the army said was intended to prevent suicide bombers from reaching Israel. In gunfights which ensued during the day two Palestinians were killed. The army has not said how long its operation in Jenin will last. On the political front, hopes of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres meeting faded, as the two sides failed to agree on a venue for talks on implementing a truce brokered by the US in June. Analysts meanwhile assess that given yesterday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the peace process may be pushed down on the American agenda. [06] cler annanYesterday's terrorist attacks have also affected Cyprus Issue deliberations, given that the Swissair flight on which President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides was travelling to the UN headquarters, situated on New York's Manhattan island, was diverted to Canada following Washington's decision to close all US airports to incoming flights and the grounding of all outgoing ones.The Cyprus News Agency reported late last night that the realisation of this afternoon's scheduled meeting between President Clerides and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan can be considered next to impossible. Citing UN sources, the Agency further mentioned that the holding of such a meeting in a city at the centre of terrible destruction would not be at all practical. The same sources were cited as saying that there is nothing more to be announced regarding a possible Clerides-Annan meeting. [07] kas nyThis morning meanwhile, Cyprus' Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, already in New York after flying directly there from Brussels where he had attended an EU foreign ministers meeting, told our Third Radio Channel that the realisation of today's scheduled meeting between the President of the Republic and the UN Secretary-General can be considered impossible.Mr Kasoulides noted however that should the overall situation return to some semblance of normalcy and if well-founded hopes of a meeting appear by tomorrow or the day after, the Cyprus' head-of-state will go to New York. Otherwise, the Foreign Minister added, President Clerides will return to the island without further delay. [08] cyprus measuresIn Cyprus, both the Police and the National Guard have been placed on a state of increased readiness following yesterday's terrorist attacks in Washington and New York.In statements to our station, Justice and Public Order Minister Nikos Koshis said that security measures have been stepped up at the island's airports and ports and at all foreign embassies, with particular emphasis given to premises housing US and Israeli interests. The British Bases on the island are also reported to have increased their normally tight security measures. [09] tailer britmen sexIn today's tailer, the results of a British magazine survey, which contrary to popular opinion, shows that men aren't just after sex, but that in fact what they really hanker for in a relationship is love and affection.In the survey of 3,000 men for FHM Bionic health magazine, 88% said love and affection was "the most important thing" in a relationship, while 70% said friendship with their partner was more important than sex. Some 87% of the men asked considered the fidelity of both people involved in a relationship extremely important, with more than three-quarters saying that they would leave their woman if she was unfaithful, while 85% believed that sex with the right partner could stay good forever. The magazine, which described some of the findings as "staggering", said the survey showed that families and fidelity were "cool again". If only more women would believe that... [10] weatherGenerally fair conditions are forecast for this afternoon, with skies however being marked by patchy cloud. Winds will be moderate west-to-southwesterlies, 4BF, gusting to 5 at times, on correspondingly moderate, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 32C inland, 30C along the coasts, and 24C at higher altitudes.Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, with winds abating to light west-to-northwesterlies, 3BF, on slight seas, and temperatures dropping to 18C inland, 20C in coastal regions, and 13C on the higher reaches of the Troodos 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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