The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eirinaios requests entry to Patriarchy Further Tensions in Jerusalem

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

The day started out with clashes in Jerusalem. This was caused by Patriarch Eirnaios wish to enter the Patriarchal throne room. This intention was announced from his residence, where he remains under guard. This brought stiff reactions from the rest of the clergy, who refuse to surrender the keys to him. As reported from Jerusalem by NET correspondent Panos Charitos, the Israeli police are at the scene by order of the political leaders, in order to accompany Patriarch Eirinaios and escort him into the room, on condition that he makes to move to convene the III Synod. Negotiations concluded with the intervention of the General Secretary of the Israeli Cabinet, who took on the role of mediator and asked the two sides not to take any action with regard to the III Synod until positions have been clarified. In the meantime, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchy convened today in Phanar. They unanimously decided to convene the Supreme Synod next Monday (23 May) to decide on Eirinaios.

Supreme Synod Convened

The Synod in Phanar discussed the report from the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchy who recently traveled to Jerusalem.

For the first time, Metropolitan Bishop Amvrosios of Karpathos of Kasos participated in the convention on behalf of the Church of the Dodecanese. He was called to replace Metropolitan Bishop Nektarios of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia, who has resigned.

Yesterday, the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Alexandria called for Eirinaios to resign as the only way out of the crisis.

According to information, today the Jordanian government appears ready to proceed with ratifying the Synod Act of Renunciation of Patriarch Eirinaios.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Phanar Asks for Resignation

Eirinaios Will Not Go to Phanar

[02] Oscar Winning National Team

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Competing against many and powerful opponents, the Greek men's football team managed to perform one more miracle. This time, they didn't have to run, sweat, or make an attempt to score in order to claim victory. They won without breaking a sweat. Victory against Portugal and the July 4 European Cup were more than enough to do the work for them. However, for some people that wasn't enough and they made sure to reward Otto Rehhagel and his boys with the top distinction of the world, a reward which could match the Oscars. The Laureus World Sports Award for World Team of the Year. Competing against teams such as Ferrari, Porto and the Argentinean Olympic Basketball team, Greece stood out once more. Well done boys! We can only hope that the Greek men's team claim the Confederation Cup title at the end of June in Germany.

Rehhagel: "Landmark in my Career"

The sixth annual Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony held at the Estoril casino in Portugal was attended by Head Coach Otto Rehhagel, his assistant Giannis Topalidis and footballers Angelos Charisteas and Takis Fyssas.

Speaking at Greek sports newspaper Sportday immediately after receiving the award, Otto Rehhagel said this nomination was a landmark in his career.

"I am deeply moved. What happened here is a landmark in my career. What we achieved in Portugal is very important and now the time has come to be rewarded for our efforts. Everyone kept asking us about how we felt and how we managed to win the European Cup playing versus such powerful opponents. We simply stressed that the power came from team work and inner faith which grew bigger match after match. Every moment here in Portugal, every breath we take, reminds us of the pervious summer's success. Everyone wished us to win the Award," stressed the German coach and added:

"It is very important to be viewed as role models and give young children in poor countries an incentive to get into sports. This award is a sports Oscar. I have made sure to stress to everyone that it wasn't just the five victories in Portugal that led us here, it was also the four years we worked hard to get here. People call it a small miracle, but it's not."

Awards in Detail:

World Sportsman of the Year: Roger Federer (Switzerland) - Tennis

World Sportswoman of the Year: Kelly Holmes (Great Britain) - Athletics

World Newcomer of the Year: Liu Xiang (China) - Athletics

World Comeback of the Year: Alessandro Zanardi (Italy) - Motor Racing

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Chantal Petitclerc (Canada) - Athletics

World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year: Ellen MacArthur (Great Britain) - Yachtswoman/Solo Sailor

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Wont Lose Faith Kylie Faces Serious Health Problem

By Despina Hristopoulou

Famous Australian singer Kylie Minogue has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and was forced to cancel her scheduled tour in Australia. As announced Frontier Touring, the company that has organized her tour, Kylie learned the results of the diagnosis whilst at home in Melbourne with her family this week. In the announcement, the company also said that the 36-year-old singer will undergo immediate treatment and hence her "Showgirl" tour will have to be cancelled. As for Kylie Minogue herself, she doesnt lose faith and told her fans: "Hopefully all will work out fine and Ill be back with you all again soon." Minogue said she was disappointed at having to postpone the tour due to have begun next Thursday. "I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australian audiences, and I am sorry to have to disappoint my fans," she said.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related Links:

Kylie's Official Website

[04] Mystery "Piano Man"

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Reuters - BBC - Telegraph.co.uk

British authorities are concerned with the mystery identity of a man who cannot communicate with his environment. The picture of the blonde, tall young man has made the round of the world through the Media, in an effort to find clues that could reveal something about his past.

The man, in his 20s or 30s, was found by the Police on April 7 in a state of confusion wandering the streets of Sheerness, Kent Great Britain, wearing a black suit and a tie and soaked to the bone.

He was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital without uttering a word and has still not spoken. He refuses to communicate with people around and he panics whenever someone tries to get closer to him.

The medical staff used many ways to find something that could be familiar, as he had no papers on him and all labels had been removed from his clothes. They even brought interpreters from Poland, Latvia and Lithuania in an attempt to see if the man was a refugee from eastern Europe, who had traveled to Great Britain in search of asylum. In vain. The "Piano Man" responded to nothing.

However, when a carer gave him a piece of paper and a pencil, probably to write down his name, the mystery man drew a detailed sketch of a grand piano. Hospital staff led him to their chapel, where he stunned them with a four-hour recital of classical music. One listener said: He played almost to exhaustion.

Searching for a Solution

The hospital has already launched a campaign to track down his family. The Media have addressed an appeal to anyone who may have information about the "Piano Man" to call the National Missing Persons Helpline on 0044(0)120 8392 4545. Carers said that, among more than 80 calls received by the National Missing Persons Helpline yesterday, there had been a "promising" lead linking the man to Sussex. But it is far from certain that the man, who expertly plays piano concertos, is even British. At the same time, orchestras around Europe are being contacted to see if they know him.

In the meantime, the "Piano Man" remains concealed in his turbulent silence. The case has drawn comparisons with the 1996 film Shine which depicts the story of acclaimed pianist David Helfgott who suffered a nervous breakdown.

Michael Camp, the mans social worker, said: "When I first saw him he was terrified and extremely anxious. I have never dealt with someone so traumatised. If anyone enters the room he curls up and cowers in the corner. Hes very scared. We cant get within yards of him. He has started crying in the past week. Its only when he is at the piano that he is relaxed. He is engulfed by the music. He comes alive at the piano. Then you can stand close to him and even touch him. He is oblivious. I am not knowledgeable about classical music but I could tell he was pretty good."

However, until the riddle is solved, the "Piano Man" will keep finding comfort touching the keys while the rest of the world will continue making up scenarios about his locked away mystery past.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] World Telecommunications Day Telecommunications Highlighted

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

During his visit to an event arranged this morning at Syntagma Metro Station, by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, to mark World Telecommunications Day, the Prime Minister described telecommunications as a crucial point for growth and competitiveness. Mr Kostas Karamanlis was given a tour by the Minister of Transport and Communications Michalis Liapis. He saw displays presenting the development of telecommunications from ancient times to today. The Prime Minister stressed that in the sector of telecommunications, Greece has a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the most advanced countries. He noted that his presence at the exhibition underlines the governments determination to respond to the pace set by the new era, "as investment in new technology is an investment that regards the future of the country."

Greece Fills Preconditions

Furthermore, Mr Karamanlis stressed that "our aim is to guarantee all young people equal access to modern tools of knowledge," underlining that the sector of telecommunications is a determinative and especially important one, both for economic growth and for improving competitiveness, and for increasing the rate of employment. He also stressed that Greece meets all the conditions to be able to play a central role in developments.

Transport Minister Michalis Liapis referred to Greek telecommunications company OTE, and the issue of voluntary retirement from the firm, which seems to be moving at a very slow pace. He announced that by the end of the month, decisions will have to have been made through a dialogue of consensus. He did not rule out the possibility of personal intervention.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Until the early hours of Thursday Brakes on Thessalonica Taxis

By Despina Hristopoulou

Thessalonica will remain free of taxis today and tomorrow, as owners and drivers have decided to proceed with further strike action, in protest at the decision of the Minister of Transport and Communications Michalis Liapis not to meet with their representatives. Thessalonicas taxi drivers are calling for permission to use bus lanes. The minister suggested that the drivers meet with the General Secretary of the Ministry, Giannis Golias, as he is unable to see them himself. This was deemed unsatisfactory by the drivers. The taxis are parked in ranks at the airport, the coach station and the train station, while there will be vehicles made available for emergencies via radio-taxi companies. The strike action started at 05:00 today and will end at 05:00 on Thursday.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] Boy Beaten to Death

By Tina Valaoura

In Popayan, Colombia, the parents of young Andres Alverto said their 10-year-old son was beaten to death by their neighbor for destroying his flowers. As per his family and other eye-witnesses, the unfortunate boy was murdered by his neighbor Wilmer Valencia, who dragged the kid and hit him with a bar after realizing he had picked some of his flowers. "Andres run, then turned and collapsed on the ground" said another boy who witnessed the scene. As per private television station Karakol, the perpetrator disappeared after his heinous act.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Chilean Airplane Crashed

By Tina Valaoura

Chilean authorities fear the worst for the fate of all nine passengers on board a small plane, owned by Don Carlos company, which crashed in the Andes, south Argentina, on Monday. The area where the plane was located is mountainous and inaccessible, while very strong winds are blowing nonstop. The mountains are covered with snow and temperature usually ranges from 18 to 22oC. The plane wreckage has been located, but rescuers who flew over the crash with a chopper saw no signs of life from the passengers.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Talks Over Cypriot Issue Continue

By Annita Paschalinou

The first meeting for the Cypriot issue between delegate of the Cypriot Republic Tassos Tzionis and UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast was completed late on Monday night at the UN headquarters in New York. After the meeting, Mr Tzionis said the conversation focused on the procedure and will continue on Tuesday. It is noted that UN Undersecretary General Sir Kieran Prendergast will travel to Nicosia on May 28 to hold talks with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, as well as with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Tallat.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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