The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Another Bloody Attack in Baya No End to Bloodshed

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

At least 12 people were killed and more than 100 were injured on Monday morning, when a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle among a crowd of traffic police trainees in the town Arbil, Iraq. However, there are fears that the death toll could rise, since many of the wounded are in serious condition. Earlier, insurgents detonated a car bomb and then fired on Iraqi police and soldiers in Baya, southwest Baghdad, killing five Iraqi security force members and wounding nearly twenty.

They Had Gathered for Police Training

An Iraqi police witness said the bomber raced a red Toyota vehicle from a nearby building site onto a dry, sandy field behind the traffic police headquarters, where more than 200 recruits had gathered police training.

Security forces opened fire on the vehicle, but could not stop it as it headed towards the crowd.

"Some people were running away but others couldnt move and the car blew up among them," said one of the trainees.

Related News:

Massacre in Baghdad

[02] After the Last Round of Elections Landslide Victory for Hariri

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105,8 - BBC

The anti-Syrian coalition, led by the son of assassinated former PM Rafik al-Hariri, Saad Hariri, announced that it has achieved parliamentary majority in Lebanon. In the fourth and last round of elections that took place in the northern part of the country on Sunday, the citizens were called upon to vote for 28 MPs, choosing between Saad Hariri and former General Michel Aoun, who led the pro-Syrian political powers. In the last three rounds, Hariri had won 44 our of the 128 seats in Parliament.

Great Voter Turnout

A spokesperson of Saad Hariris anti-Syrian coalition declared that they are heading towards a landslide victory in northern Lebanon and that they would easily win the 21 seats needed for parliamentary majority.

Overseas correspondents believe that Hariri will win in the areas mainly inhabited by Sunni Muslims, while Aoun will win the Christian sections.

Voter turnout during the fourth and last round reached up to 48% in some areas of northern Lebanon, as opposed to 40% in the previous elections, five years ago.

Approximately 700,000 voters cast their ballots in the two electoral districts, to elect 13 Muslim and 15 Christian MPs.

It should be noted that riots broke out in the country following the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri last February, which led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Elections in Northern Lebanon

Aoun Scores Crushing Win

Hizbollah Wins Elections

[03] On Alert for the Return Trip

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

The Traffic Police will be implementing emergency measures on Monday afternoon along the two main highways, in order to facilitate the excursionists who will be returning to the cities. Trucks over 1.5 tonnes will not be allowed to travel on the inbound lanes of the national highways from 16:00 to 23:00, while emergency measures have also been implemented in Malakasa, due to roadworks in the area.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Rice in Egypt Reforms Are Necessary

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ÁNA - BBC

The US Secretary of State addressed a plea for free and fair elections in Egypt this coming September, monitored by international observers. Furthermore, she stressed the need for democratic reforms in the area. During a joint Press conference with her Egyptian counterpart on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Condoleezza Rice declared that she talked about the preparations for the elections with President Hosni Mubarak. Rice also noted that the Opposition should have access to the Media, while there should be collaboration throughout the elections. The US State secretary will now head for Saudi Arabia, the last stop of the Middle East tour.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Agreement on Gaza Strip Settlements

[05] New Objective Values for Property

By Betty Savourdou

Greek Deputy Minister of Economy Adam Regouzas announced changes in the objective values of immovable property, as well as changes in the distribution of fuel, in order to combat smuggling. In an interview to the newspaper Vima tis Kyriakis, Mr Regouzas stressed that a process for reforming the objective values is already underway, with careful planning and social awareness. "The so-called objective values of immovable property are far from the real values and it is about time they converged. Up until now they were being readjusted every two years, however, this is the fourth year without readjustment, which now constitutes a necessity," noted Mr Regouzas.

Aiming at Combating Smuggling

Referring to the efforts to combat fuel smuggling, the Deputy Minister stressed that a positive result will be achieved following the prompt completion of the implementation of all processes related to new technology.

"By cross-referencing data and results we are confident that in principle we will be able to curb the plague of phony and fake invoices, while on the other hand, we will stop the loss of VAT from imported goods and deal with the major problem of smuggling," noted the Deputy Minister.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Panathinaikos Wins Championship

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

No sooner had Panathinaikos players entered the football ground in Galatsi than everyone realized that it would be the last game of the play-offs. In AEKs home, Panathinaikos reached their third victory and gained the championship, being the 26th in their history, and the 7th over the last eight years. Zelico Obradovics teams coasted to 87-71 win.

Simply the Best

Panathinaikos was better at the beginning of the game, and he soon was in the lead throughout the first period. On the other hand, the 25 points AEK received in the first ten minutes (25-15) clearly demonstrated their defence problems.

In the second period, Panathinaikos raced into a 37-22 lead. At that point, AEKs players improved, and with Hatzis leading the counterattack, they managed to reach Panathinaikos, turning the 37-22 into 46-44, which was the score of the first half.

In the second half, Panathinaikos maintained his lead, but with AEK being really close. AEK succeeded in reducing Panathinaikos lead by one shot, but two shots in the row by Tsartsaris sealed Panathinaikos lead

At the end of third period of the second half, Panathinaikos was ahead in the score with 67-56. At the beginning of the fourth period, AEK managed to reduce the score to 6 points and to 5 (73-68) later on. But that was how far they could go. Panathinaikos sealed the victory with 87-71 and crowned champion.

Periods: 15-25, 44-46, 56-67, 71-87

ÁÅÊ (Fotis Katsikaris): Lolis 8, Nikolaidis,Zisis 13 (1), Pelekanos 9, Kus 12 (3), Hatzis 19 (5), Nicevic 10, Tsiaras, Antic, Boutousis.

PANATHINAIKOS (Zelico Obradovics): Alvertis 11 (3), Kalaitzis, Papanikolaou, Lakovic 17 (2), Batist 7 (1), Femerling, Hatzivretas 2, Baxter 6, Tsartsaris 15 (3), Diamantidis 9 (1), Skepanovics 11 (1), Kutluai 9 (2).

Translated by Areti Christou

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