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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-05-28Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident Papadopoulos expressed satisfaction over talks in Athens with the Greek government,The interior minister warned that he will not tolerate the illegal occupation of abandonded Turkish cypriot properties, President Bush signed into law a 15 billion dollar plan to help fund the fight against AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, and challenged Europe to match America's "generous" commitment without delay and City fathers marking St Petersburg's 300th birthday made good on pledges to present a new flat to the day's firstborn baby in Russia's second city, still gripped by severe housing shortage. [02] Papad returnPresident of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos returned last night from Athens, and expressed satisfaction about his talks with the Greek government. He said that Athens and Nicosia agreed on the strategy to be followed in the Cyprus issue. President Papadopoulos stressed that there has been no change in Turkish policy on Cyprus and positions expressed by Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan are one and the same expressed by the Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Regarding the reactions on his speech at a central committee meeting of the ruling party PASOK, in Athens, the President said that he briefed delegates on the latest developments in the Cyprus and he thought it was a good opportunity to publicly express the gratitude of the people of Cyprus over the valuable assistance of the Greek government during Cyprus' EU accession course.[03] Pasok AnastaThe opposition Democratic Rally leader Nikos Anastasiades said it was a mistake for the President to address the meeting of PASOK delegates in Athens over the Cyprus issue. Mr Anastasiades claimed that the President of the republic, with his visit, identified with the crisis in the ruling party and relations between the government and the opposition in Greece. Regarding the issue of initiatives for the resumption of settlement talks, the leader of the Democratic Rally said that any moves have to be made with official letters to the UN Secretary General, or any other diplomatic route, in order to prove that the Greek cypriot side is ready for talks, but also to exert pressure on the Turkish side.[04] Christou LarnacaInterior Minister Andreas Christou made clear that the government will not tolerate the illegal occupation of abandonded Turkish cypriot property in the free areas, either by Greek or Turkish cypriots. Mr Christou chaired a meeting of officials in Larnaca, with cases of occupation of abandonded houses at the top of the agenda. Following such an incident yesterday in Larnaca, Andreas Christou said that housing is a need for everyone, but applications must be submitted to local authorities and officials will take into account the nature of its case, as well as availability of houses.[05] Occupation ArmyIn the occupied territories, the Turkish cypriot daily Africa reported that the Denktash regime, in its effort to stop Greek cypriot journalists from crossing over, has resorted to methods that were used before the partial lifting of restrictions. Journalists must receive permission from the illegal press and information office of the occupation regime in order to cross over. Yesterday, they stopped a press photographer from crossing over with his camera.[06] Bush AIDSPresident Bush signed into law a 15 billion dollar plan to help fund the fight against AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, and challenged Europe to match America's "generous" commitment without delay.While pop star Bono and other global AIDS activists welcomed Bush's pledge, critics said his actual budget falls far short of what is needed at a time when AIDS kills one person every 10 seconds. Bush said compared the AIDS effort to rebuilding Europe after World War Two. By agreeing to triple to 15 billion dollar U.S. spending in the fight against AIDS over the next five years, Bush sought to highlight a friendlier side of U.S. foreign policy after the war in Iraq. The war sparked a backlash from European powers France, Germany and Russia, straining relations with the United States. At next week's "Group of Eight" summit of major industrial nations in France, Bush said he would "challenge partners and friends to follow our lead and to make a similar commitment. Every day of delay, he said, means 8 thousand more AIDS deaths in Africa and 14 thousand more infections. Washington's demands could further strain trans-Atlantic relations. Earlier this month Bush accused Europe of impeding American efforts to combat famine and poverty in Africa by banning genetically modified crops. Some 20 million to 25 million people have died of AIDS and at least 40 million more are infected with HIV. [07] Algeria quakeA fresh tremor struck Algeria this morning, only 14 hours after a major aftershock from last week's devastating earthquake, was believed to have buried several people alive and injured 187.The main earthquake last week killed some 2,200 people. This time, there were no reports of injuries or damage. The tremor measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale comes after a major aftershock struck during rush-hour last night burying alive at least three people, authorities said. Some witnesses had told rescue workers up to nine people were missing from that tremor, which had flattened buildings and terrified Algerians still in shock from last week's quake. The new quake will further pressure already stretched hospital and other essential services. An official said there had been around 1,000 aftershocks. [08] Mideast SummitEgypt will host a U.S.-Arab summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on June 4th to promote the U.S.-backed "road map" for Middle East peace.The report was published in Egypt's semi official daily Al-Ahram. According to Jordanian officials, President Bush, will meet separately, possibly on June 5th, with the prime ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority at the country's Red Sea port of Aqaba. The newspaper, used by authorities for official announcements, said the kings of Morocco, Bahrain and Jordan and Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia would join Bush and Mubarak at the summit in Egypt. [09] TailerCity fathers marking St Petersburg's 300th birthday made good on pledges to present a new flat to the day's firstborn baby in Russia's second city, still gripped by severe housing shortage.But they had to come up with two flats, when two infants arrived in what amounted to a dead heat. Ten to 15 percent of St Petersburg's 4.5 million residents still live in "communal flats", with several families sharing a kitchen or bathroom. Founded on marshland by Tsar Peter the Great on May 27th, 1703, the city known as Leningrad in Soviet times was heavily damaged during a 900-day World War Two siege by the Nazis. Russian television said another newborn boy was awarded an apartment for being the 27th baby born on the anniversary. The 300th baby will be declared a similar winner when it arrives. [10] WeatherIt will be cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of light showers mainly on the mountains. Winds will be light to moderate westerly, force three to four, turning strong force five on the south coast, over slight to moderate seas on the south coast. Temperatures will reach 28 degrees inland, 26 on the coasts and 18 on the mountains. Tonight it will be cloudy, with thin mist and low clouds forming later in the evening. Winds will be light northwesterly to northeasterly, force two to thre, turning light to moderate northeasterly, force three to four later in the day, over light to moderate seas in windward areas. Temperatures will fall to 16 degrees inland and the west coast, 18 on the south coast and 12 on the mountains. The fire hazard is very high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |