The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Our best wishes! Sunny Start to Lent

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

With musical events all around Greece and the beautiful weather on their side, Greeks are today celebrating Clean Monday, the start of Lent. For the first year, musical events will be held on all three hills in Athens Filopappou, Strefi and Skouze, while once again this year, the Municipality of Athens will offer traditional Lenten dishes for free. Varvakios Market remained open until 13:00, while open air markets, bakeries and certain supermarkets are operating as normal. In Thessalonica, grocers, butchers and greengrocers will be open from 8am to 2pm. Traffic police are at the ready, as those who went away for the weekend are expected to start returning this afternoon.

Emergency Measures for Safe Return

The Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will spend Clean Monday at his home in Rafina.

Earlier, his wife Natasa took advantage of the sunny weather to go for a walk with her two small children, Alexandros and Aliki.

Traffic Police have taken emergency measures to ensure a safe return for people who left the city for the bank-holiday weekend, with checks and interventions, while from 3pm to 11pm, lorries over 1.5 tonnes are banned from traveling on the motorway network.

There are ambulances and mobile medical units stationed all along the motorways.

Health Centres and Hospitals are at the ready on the main routes favoured by holiday-makers returning to the cities.

Finally, before making your final purchases, read our advice in the Related News article.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Greece Celebrates

Advice for a Safe Lent

[02] Provision for violent intervention Law Against Taiwanese Secession

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

The law adopted on Monday by the Peoples Republic of China allows violent means to be used if Taiwan should declare its independence, just one day after President Hu Jintao told the army to prepare for war. The law provides great benefits to the "unruly" people if they accept reunion with China. If not, the new law provides for the use of violence. At the same time, the National Assembly approved the state budget, which contains an increase of 12.6% in military funding. The government of Taiwan condemned the law, while the PM of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, called on Beijing and Taipei to solve their differences peacefully as regards Taiwan.

"Taiwan is Chinese Territory"

The anti-secession law was voted in by 2896 representatives (with just two abstentions) during the plenary session of the highest legal body in the country, which finishes today (Monday) in the Peoples Palace.

The result of the vote was greeted with clapping, as it was the only piece of legislation that did not receive any negative votes from the approximately 3000 representatives participating in the National Assembly.

The text reads "the state is legally permitted to use non-peaceful means to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China."

Based on the new budget, military funding will rise to 244.65 billion yuan (29.5 billion dollars). Despite the increase, the budget for the Chinese army remains at medium levels worldwide, in relation to the size and population of the country, especially if compared with the 400 billion dollars of US military funding, or the 47 billion spent this year by Japan.

Despite this, political analysts stress that this years budget does not present the total sum of military funding. According to the CIA and the London Institute of Strategic Studies, Chinese military funds are double what is presented by the government.

"Law for War"

"The legislation equals a legalisation of war, as it essentially amounts to a use of "non-peaceful" means against the island if need be. The Taiwanese nation is opposed to the law, and we consider that the international community should also react," stressed the government spokesperson of Taiwan, Cho Jung Tai.

"Taiwan and China are two countries. The residents of Taiwan will never accept Chinese law," added the president of the parliamentary group Democratic Progressive Party.

The Chinese PM responded that the law in question is not a measure for war, and that it intends to strengthen relations between China and Taiwan.

Translated by Millie Williams

[03] Who Will Win the Championship?

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Only eight rounds have been left until the end of the championship and while everyone was waiting for things that start clearing concerning the title and Champions League, the plot seems to thicken, especially after the results of the 23rd round. The Olympiacos vs AEK match in Karaiskakis Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, while the Piraeus team missed some amazing chances to score. Moreover, the only thing Panathinaikos managed was to receive one point, as it tied against Iraklis on home turf. Savvas Kofidis team stole the Greens chance to shoot to the top of the rankings and so the three main rivals will have to settle any differences in the two upcoming crucial matches in Panathinaikos Leoforos Stadium. On the other hand, they should not lose any valuable points in any of the other matches against teams that seem weaker, but can prove lethal.

Battles in the Pitches

Following a very bad start, Iraklis seems to have found its path and despite the non-existent administration it looks to be heading for a place in UEFA Cup.

Moreover, PAOK also seems to be making progress, as far as UEFA Cup is concerned, as the team keeps earning valuable points, in spite of having Karageorgiou on the bench and many unpaid players.

Its victim this time round was Ergotelis, which did not even manage a draw, despite a very good performance, and so it remained near the bottom of the rankings.

In another crucial match, Chalkidona defeated Xanthi and keeps fighting for a place in Europe, just along as it doesnt go through yet another injury epidemic!

Egaleo also seems to be looking for a place in UEFA Cup, since it reached 28 points, following its victory over Kerkyra, while at the same time it crushed the latters hopes for staying in Division 1.

Things seem do not seem very clear at the bottom spots of the rankings either.

Aris took a breather following the victory over OFI, while, on the other hand, the Cretans seem to be in trouble and will have to go for the win next week against Olympiacos. However, the same game is also very important, as far as the championship title is concerned.

Apollo Kalamaria is not looking good either, and although it turned around the game against Panionis on Saturday, after the latter was in the lead by 0-3 and was tied 15 minutes before the end, it may still be facing relegation.

Finally, Kallithea and Ionikos tied at nil all, after a very bad game, and their future in Division 1 is undecided.

Results-Scorers-Next Round

Results

Apollo Kalamaria Panionios 3-3

(76 Spyropoulos, 79 Hatzi, 86 Parmaxidis / 14 Mesaros, 41, 44 penalty Nalitzis)

Panathinaikos Iraklis 0-0

Chalkidona Xanthi 2-1

(49 Iliopoulos, 69 Dimos / 50 Garpozis)

Egaleo Kerkyra 1-0

(52 Barkoglou)

Aris OFI 3-2

(2 A. Papadopoulos, 25 penalty Lazanas, 35 Murawski / 32 OG Gogolos, 77 penalty Dejanov)

Ergotelis PAOK 0-1

(52 Salpiggidis)

Kallithea Ionikos 0-0

Olympiacos AEK 1-1

(19 Okkas / 69 penalty Katsouranis)

Scorers

14 goals: Gekas (Panathinaikos/Kallithea) 12 goals: Luciano (Xanthi) 11 goals: Ogunsoto (Ergotelis) 10 goals: Machlas (OFI), Konstantinou (Panathinaikos) 9 goals: Katsouranis (AEK) 8 goals: Soares (มลส), Barkoglou (Egaleo), Rivaldo & Giovanni (Olympiacos), Salpiggidis (PAOK)

Next Round

Xanthi - Kerkyra PAOK - Chalkidona Panionios - Egaleo AEK - Ergotelis Iraklis Apollo Kalamaria OFI - Olympiacos Kallithea - Panathinaikos Ionikos Aris

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Poisoned Once Again

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

There seems to be no end to the poisoning in the long-suffering Dimitroulakis family in Iraklio. This time, five members of the family, including two young children, were taken to the Health Centre in the area with spasms resulting from food poisoning. Following this, the two children were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital, while their mother and a further four members of the same family are in a less serious condition. The police are conducting investigations into this strange case.

Investigations Underway

This is the fourth poisoning case to have struck the Dimitroulakis family since December. Then, Maria Dimitroulaki was arrested after cooking food that send members of the family to the hospital, but was subsequently released.

The coroner, Mr Steiakakis asked for samples to be taken from the remnants of the meal, as well as from an open packet of rice and a half-full packet in the house.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] At least five dead Bloody Uprising in Prison

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

The prisoners, members of the Islamic organisation Abu Sayyaf, agreed to surrender, after having participated in an uprising in a Manila prison. The surrender was achieved after negotiations with the government. Previously, they had grabbed the weapons of prison guards and in the ensuing exchange of fire, at least 5 people were killed on both sides. Special security forces surrounded the prison and were ready to intervene if negotiations had failed.

Surrender After Agreement

The insurgents agreed to surrender after the government had signed a document guaranteeing their safety and the respect of their rights, said the chief of police for the capital, Avelino Razon.

In the negotiations that followed, they agreed to lay down their weapons and give themselves up before the days end, as long as their trial was set for a date soon, and they secured a guarantee that they could be represented by lawyers of their choosing. The agreement will be implemented immediately after being signed by the Minister of the Interior.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] 5.9 Richter Earthquake Earthquake Strikes Again in Turkey

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

A new strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred in the early hours of Monday morning in eastern Turkey. According to Kadili seismological centre in Istanbul, the epicentre of the earthquake was located in the district of Carliova in Bingol Province. So far, only light injuries have been reported, along with material damage and interruption to telephone communications in isolated settlements. The residents of Caliova spent the night in the open air, lighting fires to keep warm, as temperatures are especially low in the region. Just two days ago, another earthquake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale occurred in the same area, injuring 16 people, while in May 2003, Bingol Province suffered an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, in which 176 people lost their lives.

Translated by Millie Williams

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