Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-12-26

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek deputy defence minister to visit Bosnia

[02] Power plant fire causes extensive blackout on Christmas Day

[03] Weather forecast: Rain, snow and storms on Thursday

[04] Weather Wednesday - A chance of rain

[01] Greek deputy defence minister to visit Bosnia

Deputy Defence Minister Loukas Apostolidis is to depart for a two-day visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday, during which he will visit Greek troops serving with international peacekeeping missions in that country and have a series of high-level meetings.

According to a defence ministry announcement on Wednesday, the minister is scheduled to meet SFOR commander Lieut. General John Sylvester on Thursday in Sarajevo, followed by a meeting with his federal Bosnian counterpart Ferid Buljubasic to sign a protocol of military cooperation and training for next year.

Apostolidis will then travel to the Bosnian Serb republic, where he will pay a visit to the Kasido hospital, which is being rebuilt and equipped with funds from the Greek defence ministry.

On Friday morning, Apostolidis is due in Banja Luka for a meeting with Bosnian Serb Defence Minister Slobodan Bilic, with whom he will sign a programme of military cooperation for next year.

This will be followed by a meeting with the Bosnian Serb republic's leadership, including President Mirko Sarovic, Vice-President Dragan Cavic, Prime Minister Mladen Ivanic and Parliament speaker Dragan Kalinic.

Apostolidis will be accompanied on his trip, which ends on Friday, by the head of the Greek army and representatives of the other branches of the armed forces.

[02] Power plant fire causes extensive blackout on Christmas Day

A fire that broke out on Tuesday night at a Public Power Corporation (PPC) electricity plant at Aghios Dimitrios in Kozani caused a blackout throughout most of northern Greece and Attica during the evening of Christmas Day.

The fire was caused by a malfunction in a central switch on the first floor of the installation, cutting off the power supply to several prefectures in Greece.

Power was restored to the areas affected shortly afterwards, with the power stations of Amyntaios and Kardia covering the shortfall.

[03] Weather forecast: Rain, snow and storms on Thursday

Cloudy weather with rain, storms and snow on high ground is forecast throughout the country on Thursday. Storms will be heavier over the islands of the Aegean and Crete and gradually spread to mainland Greece from the afternoon.Winds southerly, moderate to strong, rising to very strong over the sea. Temperatures will range from -5C to 6C in the north, from 0C to 14C in the rest of the mainland and Ionian islands and from 8C to 16C in the Aegean islands. Cloudy in Athens with showers and possibly storms and snow on Mt. Parnes. Winds southerly and moderate, temperatures from 5C to 14C. Same in Thessaloniki with a possibility of snow during the night, winds light and variable, temperatures from -1C to 5C.

[04] Weather Wednesday - A chance of rain

Mostly clear throughout Greece on Wednesday with only a chance of afternoon showers, mostly in the south. Snow is forecast for later in day in the north and mountainous regions. North to northwesterly winds, moderate to strong. Temperatures from -7C to 6C in the north; -1C to 12 in the rest of the mainland and 6C to 16 on the islands.

Rain in the afternoon is forecast for Athens, 5C to 11C. The same holds for Thessaloniki, 4C to 6C and a chance of morning fog.

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