The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-27

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] US troops kill 3-year-old boy in Iraq

US forces fired on a civilian car in Tikrit last night, killing a 3-year-old boy and wounding six women and children, as well as their male driver. Police said American soldiers, based in Saddam Hussein's hometown, shot at the family's car in the town.

[02] Strong winds cause ban on domestic sailings

A ban was imposed this morning on passenger ship sailings from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina to the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands, as well as to Crete, as strong winds of up to nine Beaufort were blowing in the Aegean. Schedules to the Saronic islands are taking place only on closed vessels.

[03] Minor quake in Halkidiki

A minor earthquake, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, was recorded early this afternoon in Halkidiki. Its epicenter, according to Thessaloniki Universitys Geophysics Institute, was 10 kms north of Arnaea. No casualties or property damages were reported.

[04] Education minister says more permanent teachers will be hired

Speaking to NET radio this morning, Education Minister Marietta Yannakou announced that a national dialogue would be held about education, adding that by the end of the governments four-year term, financial aid to the sector will reach five percent. Referring later to teachers who had successfully completed civil service entrance examinations in 2002, Yannakou gave assurances that they would be hired.

[05] Karamanlis and Erdogan to attend Cyprus talks in Switzerland

Tomorrow, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will go to Switzerland, followed by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Monday. According to Karamanlis, the EU representative in Lucerne, Gunter Ferhoigen, will ensure than any agreement complies with European standards.

Yesterday, in Brussels, at the EU Summit Meeting, special mention was made of the Cyprus issue and the need to find a viable solution to the long-standing dispute.

[06] Annan joins Cyprus peace talks

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Switzerland today to start a final push for an elusive Cyprus peace deal by negotiating directly with Greek and Turkish leaders. Weeks of talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have made little progress on a UN peace blueprint, leaving the the chances of a united island joining the European Union on May 1 hanging by a thread.

[07] Weather forecast

A partly cloudy day is forecast, with some local showers in the afternoon. Temperatures in Athens will range from 12 to 22 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 8 to 17 degrees.

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