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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-10-30Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] Headlines lunchForeign minister today disclosed details regarding behind the scenes negotiations in the European Union, over the Titina Loizidou issue,Southern California's raging wildfires turned into "an all-consuming blaze" about 70 miles east of Los Angeles as walls of flames as high as 300 feet turned the popular mountain top resort of Lake Arrowhead into a tinderbox, Fresh from axing one leader, Britain's once dominant Conservative party rushed to promote another today, desperate to find a heavyweight capable of challenging Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, AND Israeli police today questioned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the first time over two political funding scandals that could dent his widespread public support among Israelis. [02] IACOVOUForeign minister today disclosed details regarding behind the scenes negotiations in the European Union, over the Titina Loizidou issue. Referring to the compromise proposal presented by the Italian presidency, Mr Iacovou said that it safeguarded all the interests of the republic. However, he added, the most serious problem is centered on the insistence of Turkey to defer the case until the end of 2005. The foreign minister said that various countries are not acting on principle but on national interest, claiming that Turkey has made an important step in the Loizidou case by putting aside the amount of compensation handed down by the European Court of Human Rights. He added that the government decided to accept the proposal of the Italian presidency as a last compromise, for the sake of European Unity. Mr Iacovou stressed thoug that the republic cannot go beyond a certain safety limit, that's why there was deadlock in the talks and the discussion of the issue was postponed for two weeks.[03] HANNAYThe former British special representative on the Cyprus issue Lord David Hannay expressed the position that if there is no solution of the Cyprus issue by May 1st 2004, the problem will always be an obstacle for Turkey's accession negotiations. In an interview to the Turkish daily "Radikal", Lord Hannay stressed that a settlement of the problem is imperative, mainly for the Turkish side, because otherwise it will be an obstacle to its EU course, because of a possible veto by Greek cypriots.[04] CALIFORNIASouthern California's raging wildfires turned into "an all-consuming blaze" about 70 miles east of Los Angeles as walls of flames as high as 300 feet turned the popular mountain top resort of Lake Arrowhead into a tinderbox.At risk in Lake Arrowhead and surrounding mountaintop communities was 7.2 billion dollars in residential property and almost 1 billion in commercial properties. California Forestry Department official Tom O'Keefe called the situation a nightmare and an "all consuming blaze" that veteran firefighters have seldom, if ever, encountered. The flames shot even higher than the area's majestic 150 foot high evergreen trees. Meanwhile, officials reported the death of the first firefighter battling nine major and eight smaller offshoots that have turned Southern California into a disaster area. Officials said that as of Wednesday night there were more than 20 confirmed deaths in Southern California, two in adjoining areas in Mexico and that a total of 2,427 homes were destroyed along with 634 thousand acres. Close to 13,000 firefighters, many of them bone weary from days without rest, were battling hot spots that deceptively smoldered quietly for hours only to roar back up, fueled by sudden wind changes. [05] TORIES LEADERFresh from axing one leader, Britain's once dominant Conservative party rushed to promote another today, desperate to find a heavyweight capable of challenging Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair.Within hours of leader Iain Duncan Smith losing a no-confidence vote, senior party figures united to urge a smooth handover to finance spokesman Michael Howard, a rightwinger known for his critical attitude to the European Union. Howard's aides said he would say nothing until later today but, with many potential rivals having ruled themselves out, others said he had a clear run at a job once held by towering figures like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Howard's supporters believe he will succeed where Duncan Smith failed -- holding Blair to account over anything from public services to the Iraq war, which most Britons opposed. But analysts say he would be unlikely to win back power for the party which has languished in opposition since 1997. [06] SHARON SCANDALIsraeli police today questioned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the first time over two political funding scandals that could dent his widespread public support among Israelis.Police are investigating the right-wing leader and his two sons over a 1.5 million dollar loan from a South Africa-based friend used as collateral to repay what judicial authorities found to have been illegal contributions to Sharon's campaign for election as Likud party chief in 1999. Another scandal revolves around what police say was a bid by a developer with Likud ties to buy a Greek resort island with the help of Sharon when he was foreign minister by employing his son Gilad and donating to his campaign chest. Sharon has denied any wrongdoing and promised to cooperate with the investigation. Sharon was questioned at his official residence in Jerusalem. [07] NKOREANorth Korea told China its nuclear standoff with the United States was approaching an "unpredictably difficult phase" as Japanese media reported the isolated communist state might be softening its stand on talks.Underlining tensions on the divided peninsula, South Korea said its navy had fired warning shots today after a North Korean patrol boat briefly crossed their disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea. Bush said this month that the United States and its partners were all willing to sign a document, not a treaty, declaring "We won't attack you" so long as North Korea agreed to abandon its nuclear ambitions. [08] TAILERAnd finally, Do you have dandruff? Bad breath? Are your socks smelly or your nose hairs in need of a trim?Worried that female support for their party is lagging that for telegenic Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his ruling camp ahead of an election, Japan's main opposition party has compiled a 21-page booklet on how to woo women at the polls. Besides the tips like those above, the guide also includes advice on smiling , important, but avoid forced grins; shaking hands -- not too strong, not too limp; and how to sound sincere. Much of the advice seems like common sense. The slender Koizumi, 61, with his mane of wavy, silver hair regularly beats the less flashy Naoto Kan, 57, in opinion polls, although voters and analysts say it's more a matter of charisma than looks. Female support for Kan lags even more. [09] WEATHER LUNCHIt will be mainly fine this afternoon, with patchy clouds. Winds will be light to moderate southeasterlu to southwesterly, force three to four, over slight seas. Temperatures will reach 21 degrees inland and the south coast, 23 on the west coast and 12 on the mountains. Tonight, there's the possibility of light showers. Winds will be light northerly to northeasterly, force two to three over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 12 degrees inland, 14 on the coasts and 6 on the mountains. The fire hazard is high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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