The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Corinth: Block of Flats on Fire

Sources: ÍÅÔ

A 60-year-old male is being treated in a critical condition in Corinths hospital, following a fire that broke out at the block of flats he lived. The firefighters, who were informed about the fire late, pulled the man to safety and hurried him to hospital. The fire broke out on the third floor of a block of flats on 6 Dervenakion Str, in Corinth. A firefighter was also transferred to hospital suffering from 2nd degree burns.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] World Telecommunication Day 2006 Celebrating New Technologies

Sources: NET, ANA

Citizens wishing to be informed on the internets capabilities and operation will be able get connected free for the next three days. On the occasion of World Telecommunication Day 2006, the Ministry of Transport and Communications installed PCs and cutting edge gadgets at Syndama Metro Station, where visitors can learn about different types of virtual reality technology. Mr Michael Liapis made the inauguration and tried out a racing bicycle connected to a PC, where the route was digitally projected. In addition, the Minister of Transport talked with middle-school students from mountainous Corinthia via teleconferencing and announced that they will be equipped with a free satellite network.

The Minister referred to the large acceptance of the Governments decision for distributing affordable and quick internet to students, as more than 5,000 students have been enrolled, while the rate of enrollment is steadily increasing and more than 150 persons daily state their interest.

Mr Liapis admitted that "Greece is not an internet and broadband services pioneer but we are making a great effort for developing infrastructures and gaining a lead."

Referring to the events, he noted that their aim is to promote the importance of telecommunications, mainly in the citizens everyday life, as applications are varied and cover a range of modern life, from information to entertainment, transactions, teleeducation, telemedicine, travel and others.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Prodi's Government

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, Reuters, BBC, ANA

Prodi was formally sworn in as prime minister by President Giorgio Napolitano ahead of his 25-member cabinet, ushering in a new era in Italian politics after his victory in last month's general elections, still being contested by the ousted centre-right. The new Government includes two deputy prime ministers. Leader of the Democrats of the Left Massimo D'Alema, who doubles as Foreign Minister, and Leader of Margherita Francesco Rutelli, who doubles as Culture Minister. The new Cabinet includes 17 Ministers, eight without portfolio. The Government Coalition will be asking for a vote of confidence within the next days.

The New Cabinet

Prime Minister: Romano Prodi Foreign: Massimo D'Alema Culture: Francesco Rutelli Economy: Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa Interior: Giuliano Amato Justice: Clemente Mastella Defence: Arturo Parisi Labour: Cesare Damiano Education: Giuseppe Fioroni Agriculture: Paolo De Castro Health: Livia Turco Environment: Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio Transport: Alessandro Bianchi Infrastructure: Antonio Di Pietro Economic Development (Industry): Pierluigi Bersani Communications: Paolo Gentiloni Universities and Research: Fabio Mussi Social Solidarity (Welfare): Paolo Ferrero

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

Corriere della sera: Prodi: «E' una squadra coesa»

BBC: Prodi names new Italy government

[04] Warm Welcome Greek President Addresses EU Parliament

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA, ÍÅÔ 105.8

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias pinpointed the EU model has been lacking at a democratic, social and growth level, while delivering a speech titled "For a People-Oriented Europe" at the EU Parliament in Strasburg on Wednesday. The Greek President called for measures that endorse the equal treatment of immigrants and boost the law income earners. Touching on Turkeys European prospects, Mr Papoulias underlined, "Ankara has to respect the EU universals and norms. With regard to the Cyprus issue, he noted that the "green line" that keeps dividing the island to date makes a huge European problem waiting to be settled. President of the EU Parliament Josep Borrell, in turn, warmly welcomed the Greek President to the EU Parliaments Plenary Session, underscoring, "The EU Parliament is welcoming a person dedicated to peace, a person dedicated to the European reorganisation."

"You Are a Man of Your Word"

The President of the EU Parliament also made a special reference to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas visit, noting that it was thanks to Papoulias intervention in his capacity as Greeces FM in 1983 that several Palestinians escaped a rather dramatic moment, when boarding Greek ships.

He further referred to the stance the Greek President took regarding the accession of the Balkan countries to the EU. Finally, Josep Borrell hailed Papoulias as a man of his word, a man that speaks his mind and does what he promises.

[05] After Four Years of Marriage Macca and Mills on Separate Ways?

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Daily Mirror, ANA

After four years of marriage, Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills are to go on separate ways. As per British paper Daily Mirror, the 63-year-old former singer for The Beatles is going to let his family and close friends know of his bombshell decision. A friend of the couple told the British paper, "They really cant go on like this. He and Heather were getting so badly it became impossible for them to sleep under the same roof." As for their two-year-old daughter, Beatrice, she was shuttled between the two homes.

Mills Has Nothing to Lose

Paul and Heather first met each other in 1991, a year after McCCartneys first wife Linda died of cancer. Despite the objections of his children, they got married in June, 2002, while some 300 guests attended the wedding ceremony and the reception that followed.

The couple has been living separate lives for several months now. In case they break up, Mills is entitled to an amount ranging from 50 to 200 million pounds from McCarntneys fortune, which edges 800 million pounds.

Interestingly, Heather, a former model who had one leg amputated after a car accident in 1999, is a member of the charity campaign "Adopt-A-Minefield" which engages individuals, community groups, and businesses in the United Nations effort to resolve the global landmine crisis.

[06] Universities and TEI on Strike

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

University professors are staging a 48-hour strike on Thursday and Friday and demanding institutional and financial demands be met. Technological Educational Institutes (TEI) will be closed on Thursday, as the federation of teaching personnel decided to stage two 24-hour strikes on Thursday and Friday 26 May.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] At Manitsa Outpost, Evros Sentenced over Soldiers' Death

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Following a marathon procedure, the Xanthi Court-Martial sentenced captain Georgios Bidiadakis to four years and six months over the death of five soldiers at the outpost of Manitsa, in March 2004. The Court-Martial acquitted the second defendant, Lieutenant-Colonel Konstantinos Konitopoulos, who was the commander of the soldiers battalion at the time.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Greek Abductor to Prosecutor

Kostas Arabatzis, the convict on furlough that held the principal of Thessalonikis German School hostage for several hours yesterday before releasing him unharmed and returning to jail, was taken to Prosecutor. As per police sources, the perpetrator turned himself in and was then transferred to the Thessaloniki police. While questioned, Arabatzis told the police officers that before returning to jail, he had left a bag full of explosives in an area off the northern Greek city of Katerini. Police have rushed to the site to collect the explosives.

The convict stormed Tuesday morning the Thessaloniki German School and abducted the principal, Joachim Voegeding and the Schools superintendent Xenophon Altidis, threatening them with explosives.

They drove off the school in a car. In the evening, Arabatzis released the two men and returned to jail.

The 52-year-old convict had been serving a 24-year jail sentence he received in Germany for abducting three German bankers.

According to information, Arabatzis abducted the school principal to protest about the unresolved issues he has had with the German state over the past 12 years. However, the fact that the 52-year-old convict had served the bulk of his time and was to be released soon is puzzling the police officers.

Related News:

Favourable Outcome

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