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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-06-19Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] headlinesAkel, Disy, Diko and Kissos joined ranks in calling for a House debate over the controversy into alleged Church property mismanagement,Relatives of the Archbishop are calling for an investigation to prove whether Church money was squandered and its property mismanaged, US Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman said the next few months offer a significant opportunity for a Cyprus settlement, Hundreds of flights to European destinations were cancelled due an air traffic controllers' strike in five European countries, AND the Palestinian Authority said a pledge by Israel to respond to future attacks by recapturing and holding parts of Palestinian-ruled territory in the West Bank was an open invitation to more violence. [02] church1Akel, Disy, Diko and Kissos are united in their wish to debate the controversy over Church property in the House of RepresentativesThe move follows new evidence coming to light on the alleged mismanagement of Church owned land. Disy MP Lefteris Christoforou said the issue concerned his party's Parliamentary committee, while Diko MP Aristos Chrysostomou reiterated Diko leader Tassos Papadopoulos' suggestion to set up a foundation to manage Church property. Mr. Chrysostomou said Attorney General Alecos Markides should investigate allegations that high-ranking officials purchased Church land on very favourable terms. Kisos MP Doros Theodorou said he agrees with the move to debate the issue in the House and recommended the formation of a committtee to manage Church property. [03] church2Meanwhile relatives of the Archbishop are calling for an investigation to prove whether Church money was squandered or its property mismanaged.The Archbishop's cousine, Aris Hadjipanayiotou dismissed allegations of money wasting and called for an investigation. He added that he purchased to plots of Church land in Agrokipia after tenders were put out. He also bought a plot of land in the Parissinos area of Nicosia which belongs to Kykko monasterly. Mr. Hadjipanayiotou accused some Holy Synod members of having ulterior motives and questioned why the Holy Synod would decide to transfer the ailing Archbishop to an Athens health centre when his doctors suggested that he remain in an Athens hospital. Mr. Hadjipanayiotou hinted that some Bishops do not want the Church Primate to return to the island. The Archbishop's second cousin, Panayiotis Hadjipanayiotou said the controversy arose because some Holy Synod members are a little too concerned about the succession to the Church throne. [04] PaphouMorphou Bishop Neophytos revealed that Church property mismanagement dates back to 1982.He stressed the need for an immediate investigation into the allegations so that mismanagement is wiped out and Church land which was sold off returned. Speaking on CyBC radio this morning, the Morphou Bishop said he will ask for the Holy Synod to convene and discuss the situation. He will also request that an investigative committee be set up to look into the controversy as soon as possible. The Morphou Bishop added that there is a possibility for the return of Church land which has been sold. He noted that some individuals holding key positions and who could influence the outcome of the investigation should be marginalised. [05] bishopPaphos Bishop Chrysostomos said Holy Synod members were given mistaken evidence on Church property mismanagement right from the start.Speaking after a meeting with the Holy Synod's chief auditor, the Paphos Bishop said his church brethren are not in a hurry to carry out an investigation and that they will uncover all the evidence. He stressed that the Church is able clean up its own house and stressed if an independent body is set up to investigate the allegations, it will be composed of experts, professional accountants and auditors. Referring to the Archbishop's transfer from an Athen's hospital to a health centre in the Greek capital, the Paphos Bishop said this was the best choice that was taken following consultations with the ailing Archbishop's doctors and Suffragan Bishop of Trimithounta, Vassilios. [06] grossmanUS Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman said the next few months during which the European Union will decide on its enlargement is particularly favourable and offers a significant opportunity for a Cyprus settlement.He added that the next few months, foreign efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement will pick up in intensity. The veteran US diplomat made the remarks at the annual Pseka and Overseas Greeks Council conference which began in Washington yesterday. Mr. Grossman assured conference delegates of US administration's steadfast support for a Cyprus solution and for the entire island's accession to the European Union. [07] niotisThe Chairman of the Committee for Overseas Greeks Gregoris Niotis did not discount the possibility that Ankara may seek to raise tensions in Cyprus to prevent the island's European Union accession.Speaking at an overseas Greeks conference in Washington, Mr. Niotis said there is hope for a way out of the deadlock, adding that Turkey is now at a diplomatic disadvantage. [08] flightsHundreds of flights to European destinations were cancelled as a result of a strike by air traffic controllers in five European countries who are protesting a plan to unify European airspace.Some 64 flights have already been cancelled from Frankfurt airport to other European cities, while 94 percent of flights out of France have also been cancelled. Air traffic controllers are on strike in France, Italy, Portugal, Hungary and Greece. In Greece, air traffic controllers are staging a four-hour work stoppage from one o'clock in the afternoon till five in the early evening. Cyprus Airways announced that as a result of the strike action, there will be only three flights to Athens today. A flight to Paris has also been cancelled, while arrangements are being made for passengers to be taken to their destination tomorrow. [09] mideastThe Palestinian Authority said a pledge by Israel to respond to future attacks by recapturing and holding parts of Palestinian-ruled territory in the West Bank was an open invitation to more violence.Palestinian officials also said Israel's major policy change, announced after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 19 bus passengers in Jerusalem yesterday, showed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wanted to block any international peace moves. Ahmed Abdel-Rahman, a senior aide to President Yasser Arafat, said any resistance to Israeli occupation would be legitimate and accepted by all Palestinians. He added that security for the Israelis will not come while Israeli army occupation forces occupy Palestinian land. Israeli officials said the government's change of policy was part of measures intended to prevent more Palestinian attacks. [10] weatherThis afternoon will be mainly fine with some cloudy periods.Winds will be norhteasterly to easterly moderate to fresh, 4 to 5 beaufort, with moderate to rough seas. Winds in the southwestern part of the island will be northwesterly to southwesterly light, 3 beaufort, with slight seas. Temperatures will reach 33 degrees inland, 30 on the southern and eastern coasts and 27 on the western coast. More fine conditions are expected tonight with northwesterly to northeasterly winds, 3 to 4 beaufort, with moderate seas. Temperatures will drop to 23 degrees inland, 21 on the southern coast, 19 on the western coast and 15 in the highest mountains. A reminder that the fire hazard is great in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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