The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-25

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Attica, Laconia and Messinia Pouring down Problems

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA - NET

Major problems were recorded in Greece after the third day of adverse weather conditions. In Gythio, a 52-year-old woman lost her life, as she was swept away by the raging waters in an effort to cross a torrent with her car. The Prefectures of Laconia and Messinia are on alert, due to the rising levels of water of River Evrotas, which is threatening to flood many villages. According to the Fire Department, the river has risen close to Skala and Elos, where 7 fire engines and 21 firemen are posted on either side of the river, waiting to intervene if necessary. In addition, the Sparti-Gythio road is blocked due to mudslides. The Fire Department in Sparti has received dozens of calls to pump water from flooded basements. The rain continues to fall, while problems have also been recorded in Kalamata, Corinth, Argolida and Arcadia, and one person has been injured in Kiato. The residents have been told that they might need to evacuate their homes, while there are fears that the huge quantities of water pouring down from Laconia, because of the rain last night, might make the situation with River Evrotas very dangerous. Moreover, many problems have been reported on the national and regional highways of central and western Macedonia, where vehicles need snow chains.

The biggest part of the problems caused by yesterdays downpour is located in Eastern Attica, as well as the southern suburbs. Entire areas, including Marathon, have flooded, while many houses sustained damages and crops were destroyed. Problems with the traffic flow are being recorded on many central streets, while traffic was halted on many roads. In addition, it has been raining heavily on Lesvos since early this morning, with most of the problems reported in the central part of the island and especially in Kalloni.

The ships in the ports of Piraeus and Rafina have docked due to the strong gusts, but are expected to start sailing as of 4pm. The extreme weather conditions will start to subside as of this afternoon.

At the same time, the problems in Attica are continuing. Traffic has halted on Athinas Street, Vari, as well as the intersection of Pindou and Makedonomachon Streets in Nea Philadelphia, as the surface of the road has subsided. In addition, vehicles are moving with difficulty from Markopoulo to Vravrona and on the old Athens-Corinth national highway, due to the rising level of the waters.

Furthermore, the mudslides on the 8km of the Athens-Thivon national highway are causing problems with traffic.

N. Greece: Rain Melts the Snow

Vehicles travelling on the national and regional highways of central and western Macedonia have to proceed with caution, as the rain has melted the snow that fell the previous days.

There is cloud cover over the mountainous regions of central and western Macedonia, where the rain continues to fall, while there is also cloud cover over Thessaloniki and its surrounding areas.

On Thursday, the heavy rainfall did not create major problems in Northern Greece, apart from power cuts in Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki and Imathia, due to the snow, combined with the strike of the Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) employees.

Snow chains are necessary for vehicles travelling on the regional highways of Florina and Kastoria (through Vigla and Vitsi), as well as towards the ski resorts of Seli and Tria Pente Pigadia, in Imathia, and towards Veria and Naousa.

In addition, the rain melted the snow in the border town of Nevrokopi, Drama, where the lowest temperature was recorded this morning (-2 degrees Celsius). The temperature in Kozani and Florina is 1 degree, while in Thessaloniki it is 4 degrees.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

[02] The Governmental Committee Gave Green Light Changes in Real Estate Taxation

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The Governmental Committee convened on Friday morning at Maximos Mansion and approved the bill on the changes on real estate taxation. The bill is to be released later on Friday by Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, who, exiting Maximos Mansion, stated that the bill aims to combat tax evasion. The Bill, among other things, provides for the implementation of a 19% VAT on newly constructed buildings and a 11% VAT on old ones as of 1 January 2006, the quadruplicating of tax relief for parental grants, heritance and donations (drops to 20,000 euros compared to 80,000 euros) and the increase in tax relief for the acquisition of first home to 80,000 euros as opposed to 65,000 euros that has been the case so far.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] New Opinion Polls in Israel Polls Favour Sharon

By Vagelis Theodorou

New opinion polls recently released predict a ruling government between Ariel Sharons new party, Kadima, with the Labour Party led by Amir Peretz. In particular, according to the polls conducted by Israeli papers Yedioth Ahronoth and Maariv, Sharons Kadima is to win between 32 to 34 Knesset seats, the Labour Party 28 seats, while the Likud party, which will elect its new leader on December 19, trails far behind with only 12 or 13 seats. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is most likely to succeed Ariel Sharon, although it is quite possible that there is going to be a runoff between Netanyahu and his rival Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Yediot Aharonot: Polls: Victory in Sharon's pocket

Ha'aretz: Likud takes stopgap measures to halt walkout

Reuters: Polls see Sharon win, Likud in ruins

[04] Culture Ministry: "No Danger" Parthenon under Threat?

By Vagelis Theodorou

Some articles that appeared in the Press, whereby the foundations of the Parthenon are under threat of subsiding due to the rain, have caused a commotion in Greece. Quoting Professor Manolis Korres statements during a meeting of the Central Archaeological Council of Greece (KAS), they mention that the water from the rain constitutes a serious underground threat for the monuments of the Acropolis, while it has already created ground subsidence and some peripheral distortion to the foundations of the Parthenon and other monuments. In fact, according to the reports, the possibility of building a roof over the Parthenon is also being discussed. In an announcement, Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis noted, "At the moment, there is absolutely no danger", while he added that full panelling of the temples flooring with temporary panels has been fully sealing the foundations for the last 23 years. At the same time, he denied the possibility of a roof over the Parthenon.

Culture Ministry Puts Fears to Rest

According to the article, the issue surfaced during a discussion at the KAS for Arriforio, the well that is also the secret entrance to the Acropolis, located behind the Erechthion. Only the foundations of this latter monument exist today and they are subsiding since the water does not run off.

As per Mr Korres, the rain started seeping into the foundations of the Parthenon after its roof collapsed in 1867, when Admiral Morozini shelled the Acropolis from the port of Piraeus. The water, as he further noted, started seeping through the joints in the floor panels, disintegrating the soft parts of the stones and causing compression. Actually the main problems are located underneath and around the niche.

According to the Culture Ministrys announcement, the issue of the possible erosion of the Parthenons foundations was discussed by the Acropolis Monuments Conservation Commission during the period 1983-1985, in view of installing a new crane inside the temple, as part of restoration works.

At the same time, samples were taken from various depths and places in the flooring and laboratory tests were conducted, in order to inspect the sinter stones that make up the foundations of the monument. The surveys revealed that the infrastructure of the Parthenon is solid and the underlying limestone is quite resilient to disintegration.

"As soon as the restoration works at the Parthenon are concluded, the temporary panels will be removed and any gaps in the flooring will be filled with new marble slabs, while a new inspection will take place to implement added protective measures if needed," was also noted in the announcement.

Finally, the Ministry mentioned that during an international meeting for works at the Acropolis monuments, three years ago, Mr Korres proposal for the restoration of the Holy Rock to its original level, a fact that would in part protect the foundations of the temples, was also presented. However, because the Acropolis is an independent monument, such an intervention would alter its image. The proposal, though, will be re-examined when the works on the monuments proceed further and new evidence comes to light from the restoration.

It should be noted that the Parthenons foundations reach a depth of 11 metres and are made up of 26 layers of stones.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Greek Ministry of Culture

[05] No Damages Reported Quake on Crete

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was recorded at 11:31am (Greek local time) off the coast of Pelochora, Crete, 320km southwest of Athens. Despite the fact that the epicentre was located in the sea, at a great depth from the surface, the tremor was felt in Chania and Rethymno. However, no damages have been reported.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Attack in the Centre of Athens

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

On Friday morning, some 15 youths threw Molotov cocktails against a special police forces unit (MAT), outside the Economic University on Patission Street, Athens. According to the police, the perpetrators were probably planning on attacking a bank in the area, but the MAT unit happened to be passing through the area at the time. The youths then threw at least 7 Molotov cocktails against a bus. No serious damages were caused by the explosions and the subsequent fire, but a bus stop on Patission Street was completely burnt down. The youths then found shelter in the University and are still in there.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Meeting with Tony Blair on Thursday Merkel Keeps Equal Distances

By Vagelis Theodorou

German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted Germanys interest to establish closer ties both with Great Britain and France, after visiting London on Thursday, in the context of her European tour. It should be noted, though, that she avoided taking a stance when asked who she would be supporting in the row that has broken out between London and Paris over the EU Budget for the period 2007-2013. Just a few weeks before the December Summit for the new Budget, Merkel did not clarify whether she would be acting as a mediator between London and Paris, declaring that she hopes that the negotiations are successful. On his part, the British PM and rotating President of the EU for this six-month period, Tony Blair, stressed that the British presidency will make every possible effort, so that an agreement can be reached between the Member States. Apart from the EU Budget, the two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, which were somewhat tense when Gerhard Schroeder was in power, because of the war in Iraq.

A Tour Full of Messages

As per analysts, Merkels European tour which commenced on Wednesday with visits to Brussels and Paris, just one day after she was sworn in as Chancellor sent two clear messages.

On the one hand, she stressed that Europe has to proceed with economic reforms, else it would lose the bet with globalisation, and on the other hand she noted the need for European leaders to collaborate.

Before her visit to London, the German Chancellor wanted to demonstrate that she will nurture the close ties between Berlin and Paris, paying a visit to the President of France, Jacques Chirac. However, Merkel made absolutely clear that her views on economy as closer to Blairs for the free market.

No analysts, though, believe that radical changes will take place in Germanys foreign policy, or that there will be substantial changes in Berlins stance, in view of the EU Summit (15-16 December in Brussels).

During her visit to Paris and Brussels, Merkel reassured both countries that she will continue the excellent relations between Germany and France, while she announced that she had no intention of implicating her country in Iraq. In addition, while visiting NATOs headquarters, she stressed that she aims for better relations with the USA and added that the Alliance has to constitute a forum for cross-Atlantic collaborations on security matters and the mapping of a common policy.

According to a diplomat based in NATOs headquarters, Washington did not nurture illusions that Merkels Government would be changing its stance on the issue of Iraq; however, it is awaiting a more conciliatory approach than the one demonstrated by her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Merkel signals German EU rethink

Sueddeutsche Zeitung: Merkel dringt auf rasche Einigung uber EU-Haushalt

CNN: Merkel sidesteps EU budget row

Related News:

French-German Alliance

[08] For the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures Commission for the Marbles in Athens

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias used harsh tongue, on the issue of the Parthenon Marbles, after meeting with the 18 presidents and commissioned members from 12 countries vying for the return of the Sculptures. The Greek President mentioned that the British side is unable to see what the global community realises every day. The members of the international commissions announced to Mr Papoulias the formation of a World Organisation for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. Earlier, the members of the 12 commissions met with Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis, while they then visited the Acropolis and the new museum, which is under construction, along with the Greek Deputy Culture Minister, Petros Tatoulis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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