The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bad weather causes serious property damage nationwide

Serious problems have been caused throughout the country by the recent spate of bad weather. On Lemnos island, which remains in a state of emergency, a frigate of the Greek navy has arrived with equipment and crews from the Public Power Corporation to restore the electricity network, which was severely damaged in a violent storm. The wave of bad weather also hit Crete last night, isolating mountain villages and causing traffic chaos. Dozens of villages in northern Greece are also blocked by heavy snow.

[02] Castro attends orthodox church consecration in Cuba

Cuban President Fidel Castro today handed Ecumenical Patriarch Vatholomeos, head of the Greek Orthodox Church, the key to a Byzantine church built and donated by his communist government. In a 4-hour ceremony, the spiritual leader of 140 million Orthodox Christians, consecrated the cathedral of Saint Nicholas in the historic centre of Havana.

[03] Israelis recognise Greek patriarch after two years

Israel formally recognized the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land today, more than two years after he took office, amid Israeli misgivings that he might favour Palestinians. The government approved Metropolitan Irineos, in line with a Foreign Ministry recommendation, a cabinet spokesman said.

[04] Greek-Cypriots cautious about Turkish PM's offer on Cyprus

Turkeys offer for a swift reunification deal for the divided island of Cyprus was met with caution by Greek Cypriots today, as they tried to work out if there was a catch. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who made the offer, is expected to urge the United States to play a key role, during his trip to New York and Washington, which begins on Monday. In a related development, American Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday called for George Papandreous mediation with the Cypriot government, in order for it show flexibility in efforts to settle the long-standing Cyprus dispute.

[05] Opinion poll shows ND election lead, but Papandreou more suitable for PM

The latest opinion poll this time conducted by the V-PRC company, on behalf of the Sunday newspaper, Kathimerini tis Kyriakis shows a 3.2% lead for the New Democracy party over the Pasok party in voters intentions at the polls on March 13. However, Foreign Minister and future Pasok leader George Papandreou continues to lead ND president Costas Karamanlis in voters preferences as prime minister, with a significant difference of 13%.

[06] ND leader accuses government of corruption and hypocrisy

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis raised the tone of his rhetoric today in the pre-election campaign. Speaking in Ierapetra, Crete, Karamanlis accused the government of corruption and hypocrisy, charging that it had expropriated public property through underhand procedures. He also touched on the subject of the stock exchange and hinted at murky dealings in the Defence Ministrys arms programs.

[07] Papandreou undertakes commitment for transparency in politics

The ruling Pasok partys future leader, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, today made a personal commitment for transparency in the countrys political life, during a speech in Preveza, as part of his pre-election tour of the provinces. He made the comments in response to a controversial amendment in relation to construction on forest land in Halkidiki, which led to the resignation of Finance Undersecretary Christos Pachtas and the elimination of nine parliamentary deputies from Pasoks candidacy lists.

[08] Weather forecast

A cloudy and very cold day is forecast, with rain or sleet in some regions of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from -2 to 5 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from -4 to 2 degrees.

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