Deutsche Welle English Service News April 25 2004, 16:00 UTC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's highlight on DW-WORLD:
Cyprus Misses "An Historic Opportunity" World leaders reacted with disappointment and anger to Greek Cypriots' rejection of a U.N. peace plan to reunite their island. Europe has vowed to help the long-isolated Turkish north, which failed to get EU entry. To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the internet address below: http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1433_A_1181125_1_A,00.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 dead, UN office torched in Indonesia's Ambon In Indonesia, as many as 12 people were killed, 50 were wounded and a United Nations office was set on fire on Sunday, as violence erupted between Muslims and Christians in the eastern city of Ambon. Violence broke out after a Christian pro-independence group defied a longstanding ban and staged a convoy to mark the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of the self-styled South Maluku Republic. 20 marchers were detained and 200 police reinforcements are expected to arrive early on Monday. Sunday's outbreak was one of the worst since a peace deal in February 2002 ended three years of fighting between Christians and Muslims, in which some 5,000 people died. Oil terminals in Iraq to remain closed at least until Monday. Iraq hopes to resume its crude oil exports from two offshore oil terminals at Basra on Monday, after production was disrupted following Saturday's suicide bomb attacks. US marines intercepted three small boats which then exploded near the oil terminals, killing two US sailors. There were several attacks on coalition forces and civilians on Sunday. In the northern city of Mosul, four people were killed in separate attacks against a hospital and a hotel. Australia's Prime Minister John Howard made a surprise visit to Iraq to attend an ANZAC Day ceremony to remember Australian and New Zealand troops killed in World War One. China SARS research lab possible source of new outbreak China is attempting to contain a new outbreak of SARS, with at least four new cases reported. Officials say the new cases are linked to a patient who worked at a Sars research laboratory which has been shut down and its workers quarantined. The World Health Organisation says China has asked it to help track down the cause of this latest outbreak and is sending at team of experts to check safety standards at the Beijing-based Institute of Virology. EU ministers to take "immediate" economic steps for northern Cyprus. Following Saturday's "no" vote to end the 30-year division of the island of Cyprus, the European Union's Irish Presidency said that EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday are likely to take immediate steps to ensure that the northern, Turkish half will not economically fall even further behind its southern, Greek counterpart. Following the results of Saturday's referendum, the United Nations peace envoy Alvaro de Soto announced he would shut his Cyprus office. More than 75 percent of Greek Cypriots rejected the UN plan to unify the island. That means only their half will join the EU next week. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 after a Greek coup, resulting in a dividing line patrolled by UN troops. Relief efforts underway for North Korea train blast The Red Cross says it urgently needs more information to help the victims of a railway explosion in North Korea which killed 161 people, according to the latest figures. 76 of those killed were children in a school that had been destroyed. A team of aid workers and diplomats was shown the huge destruction in Ryongchon near the Chinese border, but they were not shown hospitals where many of the 1,300 injured were being treated. North Korea has blamed Thursday's disaster on human error, saying a train carrying oil and chemicals ignited when workers knocked it against power lines. The statement was unusually frank for North Korea, which is believed to have covered up past disasters. Austrians pick new president in tight race Voters in Austria have gone to the polls to elect a new president. The vote is expected to be a close race between Austria's conservative Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Heinz Fischer of the Social Democrats. Ferrero-Waldner is supported by the conservative People's Party and key members of their government partners, the center-right Freedom Party of Joerg Haider. Fischer, a deputy speaker of parliament, is the candidate of the leading opposition party. Although the post of president is largely ceremonial, the result will indirectly show how the government coalition is faring in voter popularity midway through its term and in the aftermath of pension reforms and other unpopular legislation. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher wins San Marino GP Michael Schumacher of Germany, driving a Ferrari has won the San Marino Formula One Grand Prix. Briton Jenson Button finished second- after starting from pole position in a BAR Honda. Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia came third in a Williams. IMF heads see recovery in sight Finance chiefs of the world's rich nations attending an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington have vowed to prevent illicit funds reaching international terrorists. They said such monies, for example, flows of funds via dubious charitable organisations, should be frozen. On economic prospects, the IMF policymakers said a three-year slump could be ending, but it was now up to governments to make essential reforms. Group of Seven finance ministers said the rising price of oil remained a risk factor. Outside the IMF headquarters, 3,000 demonstrators highlighted the plight of indebted poor nations and demanded "globalized justice". Klitschko wins WBC crown The Germany-based Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko has won the World Boxing Council's heavyweight title. Klitschko beat the South African Corrie Sanders with a technical knock-out in an eight-round bout in Los Angeles. The title had been left vacant by Lexnox Lewis. In German Bundesliga soccer, Stuttgart has moved into second slot on the points table, above Bayern Munich, by defeating Hanover, 1-nil. Bundesliga leader Bremen plays on Sunday against Bochum. 12 dead, UN office torched in Indonesia's Ambon In Indonesia 12 people were killed, 50 were wounded and a United Nations office was set on fire on Sunday, in violence between Muslims and Christians in the eastern city of Ambon. Fighting began after a Christian pro-independence group defied a longstanding ban and marched to mark the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of the self-styled South Maluku Republic. 20 marchers were detained and 200 police reinforcements are expected to arrive early on Monday. Sunday's outbreak was one of the worst since a peace deal in February 2002, intended to end a decade of fighting between Christians and Muslims which led the deaths of thousands of people. Oil terminals in Iraq to remain closed at least until Monday. Iraq hopes to resume its crude oil exports from two offshore oil terminals at Basra on Monday, after production was disrupted following Saturday's suicide bomb attacks. US marines intercepted three small boats which then exploded near the oil terminals, killing two US sailors. There were several attacks on coalition forces and civilians on Sunday. In the northern city of Mosul, four people were killed in separate attacks against a hospital and a hotel. Australia's Prime Minister John Howard made a surprise visit to Iraq to attend an ANZAC Day ceremony to remember Australian and New Zealand troops killed in World War One. China SARS research lab possible source of new outbreak China has quarantined hundreds of people suspected of having had contact with the SARS virus. China is attempting to contain a new outbreak of the deadly lung disease, with at least four new cases reported. Officials say the new cases are linked to a patient who worked at a Sars research laboratory which has been shut down and its workers quarantined. The World Health Organisation says China has asked it to help track down the cause of this latest outbreak and is sending at team of experts to check safety standards at the Beijing-based Institute of Virology. Pakistan releases 50 suspected Al-Qaeda supporters Pakistan has released 50 suspected Al-Qaeda supporters. Pakistan captured 163 people in an operation against Al-Qaeda suspects in South Waziristan last month. Authorities say the 50 were innocent, and pardoned five tribal members. They say other prisoners found to be innocent will also be released. The operation left 124 people dead including 46 troops. The government denies the amnesty marked a shift in its policy, saying it will not let up in the on terror. EU ministers to take "immediate" economic steps for northern Cyprus. Following Saturday's "no" vote to end the 30-year division of the island of Cyprus, the European Union's Irish Presidency said that EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday are likely to take immediate steps to ensure that the northern, Turkish half will not economically fall even further behind its southern, Greek counterpart. Following the results of Saturday's referendum, the United Nations peace envoy Alvaro de Soto announced he would shut his Cyprus office. More than 75 percent of Greek Cypriots rejected the UN plan to unify the island. That means only their half will join the EU next week. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 after a Greek coup, resulting in a dividing line patrolled by UN troops. Austrians pick new president in tight race Voters in Austria have gone to the polls to elect a new president. The vote is expected to be a close race between Austria's conservative Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Heinz Fischer of the Social Democrats. Ferrero-Waldner is supported by the conservative People's Party and key members of their government partners, the center-right Freedom Party of Joerg Haider. Fischer, a deputy speaker of parliament, is the candidate of the leading opposition party. Although the post of president is largely ceremonial, the result will indirectly show how the government coalition is faring in voter popularity midway through its term and in the aftermath of pension reforms and other unpopular legislation. In possible tit-for-tat, Iran shuts down German cultural centre Iran has closed a German government-funded language institute in Tehran. The German embassy said it believes the move was in retaliation for a plaque put up in Berlin, which marks the killing of four Iranian Kurds in an attack officially blamed on Iran's clerical regime. Iran said the school was closed because it did not have the right permits to operate. About 3000 students attend the institute each year. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher wins San Marino GP Michael Schumacher of Germany, driving a Ferrari has won the San Marino Formula One Grand Prix. Briton Jenson Button finished second- after starting from pole position in a BAR Honda. Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia came third in a Williams. Klitschko wins WBC crown The Germany-based Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko has won the World Boxing Council's heavyweight title. Klitschko beat the South African Corrie Sanders with a technical knock-out in an eight-round bout in Los Angeles. The title had been left vacant by Lexnox Lewis. In German Bundesliga soccer, Stuttgart has moved into second slot on the points table, above Bayern Munich, by defeating Hanover, 1-nil. Bundesliga leader Bremen plays on Sunday against Bochum. IMF heads see recovery in sight Finance chiefs of the world's rich nations attending an International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington have vowed to prevent illicit funds reaching international terrorists. They said such monies, for example, flows of funds via dubious charitable organisations, should be frozen. On economic prospects, the IMF policymakers said a three-year slump could be ending, but it was now up to governments to make essential reforms. Group of Seven finance ministers said the rising price of oil remained a risk factor. Outside the IMF headquarters, 3,000 demonstrators highlighted the plight of indebted poor nations and demanded "globalized justice". Relief efforts underway for North Korea train blast The Red Cross says it urgently needs more information to help the victims of a railway explosion in North Korea which killed 161 people, according to the latest figures. 76 of those killed were children in a school that had been destroyed. A team of aid workers and diplomats was shown the huge destruction in Ryongchon near the Chinese border, but they were not shown hospitals where many of the 1,300 injured were being treated. North Korea has blamed Thursday's disaster on human error, saying a train carrying oil and chemicals ignited when workers knocked it against power lines. The statement was unusually frank for North Korea, which is believed to have covered up past disasters. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. News and background reports from the fields of current affairs, culture, business and science. And of course the DW website also has information about DW-RADIO and DW-TV programmes: topics, broadcast times and frequencies. You can even listen to all programmes as audio-on-demand. Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
