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Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-07-21Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident of the republic Tassos Papadopoulos said that not just any solution will be accepted, without close attention to its workability and viability,.Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said that Turkey's possible entry into the European Union troubles many European citizens but they should not be guided by fear of Islam, Greece today insisted it would not let foreign guards carry weapons to protect athletes at next month's Olympics after the New York Times reported Athens would turn a blind eye to their presence and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark is under fire after her motorcade broke speed limits so she could attend a rugby test match between New Zealand and arch rival Australia last week. [02] Tassos CyprusPresident of the republic Tassos Papadopoulos said that not just any solution will be accepted, without close attention to its workability and viability. He also assured that the Greek cypriot is working towards the goal of reuniting Cyprus and its people, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal and workable federation, offered by an improved version of the Anan plan. He made clear that the UN proposal will not be put to a referendum once again, as it stands. He added that the government will move ahead with wisdom, unity and a sense of responsibility, with the support of Greece, in order to bring freedom and justice to Cyprus. Meanwhile, the Greek cypriot communities around the world, organized protests last night. Greek Americans in New York condemned the Turkish invasion and reiterated their determination to fight for the freedom of Cyprus. In London, with the slogan "Turkish troops out of Cyprus", thousands of Greek cypriots organized protests and marched outside the Turkish embassy.[03] EU TurkeyDutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said that Turkey's possible entry into the European Union troubles many European citizens but they should not be guided by fear of Islam.Speaking before the European parliament, outlining the the Dutch EU presidency's programme for its six months in office, Mr Balkenende said that decision concerning Turkey does nonetheless greatly concern and trouble many people. EU leaders will decide in December whether Turkey meets the political and economic criteria for starting accession talks with the 25-nation bloc. Balkenende said Ankara's readiness for negotiations should be judged honestly on a "strict application" of the criteria, but without inventing new conditions. Meanwhile, according to a report in the French daily "Le Figaro", the European committee will propose opening accession negotiations with Turkey, in a report to be made public on the 5th of October. [04] Israel BarrierIsrael vowed to press on with construction of a barrier it is building in the West Bank despite a U.N. General Assembly resolution demanding that it be torn down.A senior adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told Reuters that the building of the fence will go on, hours after the U.N. body voted overwhelmingly to call on Israel to obey a World Court ruling against the barrier. Israel calls the project a bulwark against Palestinian suicide bombers. Palestinians condemn it as a land grab aimed at dashing their hopes for an independent state. The result was 150 to 6 with 10 abstentions on the resolution aimed at dismantling the barrier, which has drawn international anger for cutting into West Bank land Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. Apart from Israel, among those who voted no, were the United States and Australia. All 25 European Union countries voted in support of the Palestinian-drafted measure. [05] Iraq wrapJapan today vowed to keep its troops in Iraq despite apparent threats from a group linked to al Qaeda, after Philippine forces bowed to kidnappers' demands that they pull out to save the life of a hostage.Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz was freed after being held for two weeks by militants who threatened to behead him. The United States has offered $25 million for the capture of Al Qaeda operative Mussad Al Zarqawi, its top militant target in Iraq. He is blamed for masterminding a spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks. Washington insists that its coalition remains strong despite the Philippines' decision to follow Spain, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras in pulling out of the country. Meanwhile, a group claiming to be the European wing of al Qaeda today threatened Bulgaria and Poland with attacks if they do not pull troops out of Iraq. [06] OlympicsGreece today insisted it would not let foreign guards carry weapons to protect athletes at next month's Olympics after the New York Times reported Athens would turn a blind eye to their presence.Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said guards accompanying national leaders to the Games would be allowed to carry guns, but this was not Olympic-related and was already covered by existing international protocols. The New York Times reported that American, Israeli and possibly British security officers would be allowed to carry weapons at the Olympics. Greece has refused to allow national Olympic squads to use their own armed security forces to protect athletes, saying its constitution prohibited foreigners bearing arms on Greek soil. Israel, Australia and the United States have hinted in the past they would use their own guards for protection. [07] TailerWe go down under for our final story today, and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark is under fire after her motorcade broke speed limits so she could attend a rugby test match between New Zealand and arch rival Australia last week.When New Zealand's All Blacks took on the Australian Wallabies for the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington on Saturday, Clark was stuck on the South Island and her flight was cancelled. Clark's police escort decided to drive the prime minister 200 km from the town of Waimate to Christchurch, in two hours, to catch a flight to Wellington. The open road limit in New Zealand is 100 km per hour and 50 kph in towns. Clark caught her flight to Wellington and watched New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup with a convincing 16-7 victory. [08] WeatherFine weather is forecast for this afternoon, with some patchy clouds. Winds will be moderate seabreezes, force four, turning strong force five in some areas, over slight seas to moderate seas in windward areas. Temperatures will reach 38 degrees inland, 34 on the southern and eastern coastal areas and 29 on the western coastal areas and on higher ground. Tonight fine weather will continue, but thin mist and low clouds are expected to form in some coastal areas. Winds will be light westerly to northwesterly, force three over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 22 degrees inland, 21 on the southern coastal areas, 19 on the western coastal areas and 17 on higher ground. The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |