The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-26

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Rhodes Blazes Burning for 5th Day Running

26 Ιουλ 2008 11:26:0 (Last updated: 26 Ιουλ 2008 17:36:1)

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: NET 105.8-NET

Rhodes wildfires, raging for a fifth consecutive day, have burned down thousands of acres of forest land, causing a huge ecological disaster and seriously affecting tourism on the island. Calmer winds today are helping air and land firefighting forces which have centred efforts to put out blazes in the areas between the villages of Laerma to Apolona and Istrios to Profilio. Hotels in the south part of the island were evacuated as a precaution, mainly because smoke from the fire had created an unpleasant atmosphere while inhabited areas are not threatened by fires.

On Friday, a precautionary evacuation of the hotels situated in the south part of the island prompted the General Secretary of the Greek National Tourism Organisation and the General Secretary of the Tourism Ministry to fly to the island.

In an interview with NET 105.8, Dodecanese Prefect, Ioannis Mahairidis stressed that fires are not threatening any of the inhabited areas but dropped hints at coordination firefighting efforts as well as forest protection.

In the meantime, the 61-year-old man, resident of Agios Isidoros village, charged with unintentional arson, was sentenced to four-month imprisonment and 15,000 euros fine.

The blaze that broke out shortly after Saturday noon in the area of Aspropyrgos was soon put under control before spreading.

In the NW Greek city of Ioannina a paper-producing plant was reduced to ashes by a fire that broke out on Saturday noon. The nearby plants suffered minor damage. None of the employees were hurt.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Fighting the Blaze

[02] The Responsible for Perama Accident

26 Ιουλ 2008 13:27:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

The captain and safety engineer of "Friendship Gas" tanker have been charged with unintentional homicide following the tragic accident in Perama dockyard where 8 workers were killed. A preliminary inquiry is being carried out to determine whether responsibility should be also attributed to the marine chemist, who was temporarily released. Police are seeking for the supervisor and foreman of the repair crew.

Merchant Marine Minister, George Boulgarakis said that interrogation is being carried out to attribute responsibilities. In the meantime, drainage of water from the ships compartment where the accident occurred will be completed today. PASOK party called for effective inspection mechanisms and preventive measures. The GCP blamed the government for covering up employers while SYRIZA party spoke of unacceptable work and safety standards in Perama dockyard.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] In Interview with "Eleftherotypia" Papandreou

26 Ιουλ 2008 12:19:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

PASOK leader, George Papandreou has launched a harsh attack against the government and personally the prime-minister, speaking of coverage of scandals and total deviation of the governments policy, placing emphasis on state budget. In an interview with newspaper "Eleftherotypia", Mr. Papandreou blames the Prime-minister for multiple attacks against institutions and the quality of democracy, describes the ND party as part of the crisis in the political system and stresses that for himself the combat of corruption and purging of political system is a matter of honour. Mr. Papandreou said that "the practices of the (ruling) New Democracy party takes us back to the practices of 1960," adding that "the graft" and "the protection of the cartels" is finally paid by the citizens. He says that PASOK always fights for the substantial and decisive vote of the citizens but all know that Euro-elections have different characteristics as citizens feel that the government is not judged. PASOK unity is based on a common program and willingness to change the country.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Sergianopoulos' Murderer Confessed

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ 108.5

Senior police officer Grigoris Balakos blamed the murder of popular Greek actor Nikos Sergianopoulos on a 30-year-old Georgian national.

The Georgian confessed to committing the murder in the early hours of Saturday, giving a detailed description. He was charged with premeditated murder.

The culprit first met the victim in a central Athens square the night of the murder. The actor invited him home to drink and do drugs. The two men drove all the way to the victims house in Pangrati, where they drank beers and did drugs.

The Georgian claimed that the actor pulled a knife at him because he refused to be engaged in sexual activities with the actor. The culprit then managed to grab the knife from the actors hands and delivered multiple blows to him. As soon as he realized that the actor was dead, he washed the blood off his hand and the knife and left it in the kitchen.

Leaving the house in an utter mess on purpose to make it seem like a robbery, the Georgian tried to leave through the front door which was locked up. He looked for the keys inside the house, found them and left.

On his way out, he dumped the keys of the actors house and car, took a cab and went home, having stolen two notebooks, which were found in his house, 100 euros and a self phone, which he sold.

Police managed to solve the case identifying the fingerprints found in the actors apartment with the fingerprints of a male, who had been declared as an Afghan on Samos Island and as a Georgian in Athens. It was found that the murderer is a Georgian who has been living in Greece illegally long before 2006, when he was arrested for attempted robbery and was deported. He returned on Samos through Turkey as an Afghan seeking for political asylum.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Ukraine

26 Ιουλ 2008 14:11:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΑNA

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Ukraine President, Victor Yushchenko today attended a grand ceremony in the center of Kiev to mark the 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Rus. Thousands of people crowded the streets to participate in celebrations and listen to the speeches delivered by The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Ukranian President while there was live coverage of the ceremony by all Ukranian television channels.

Attending the grand ceremony were also the Archbishops of Athens Ieronymos and Tiranna Anastasios, Kiev Metropolitan Bishop Bladimiros, Head of Ukraine Orthodox Church. The Ukranian President welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Greek language and underlined the importance to accept his invitation to head celebrations. President Yushchenko underlined that this anniversary is a landmark in the history of the Ukrainian nation, adding that the Church and the state are institutions that must cooperate for the stability of the nation. Addressing the crowd, the Patriarch said in Greek "We arrived here to pray for unification of all the Christians of Ukraine. We arrived here as angels of peace who desire unity".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] London

26 Ιουλ 2008 13:13:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΑNA

US Presidential candidate, Barack Obama had talks in London today with British Prime-minister, Gordon Brown and ME envoy, Tony Blair. London is the last stop of his tour aimed to boost his picture with regards foreign affairs.

Mr. Obama had talks with French President, Nikola Sarkozy in Paris yesterday. He also visited Iraq, Afghanistan, Berlin, Jordan and Israel. He will fly back to US later today. It is believed that during his talks with Gordon Brown, Mr. Obama placed emphasis on his view that European states should reinforce their military presence in Afghanistan.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article