The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Improves as of Tonight Rainy Problems

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Civil Protection Authority has set competent authorities in Attica on alert, especially after the Hellenic National Meteorological Service issued a new warning on dangerous weather conditions, including downpour until noon. Rain falling since early morning has caused severe traffic problems, mainly on Kalliroi bridge, which had to remain closed for half an hour, on Poseidonos Avenue in Glyfada, in Aspropyrgos at the Skaramangas bridge, on Lavriou Avenue from Markopoulou Avenue to Intracoms headquarters and in Elefsina at Halyvourgiki Inc. What is more, Epirus and northern Greece are also facing problems because of the rain shower. Authorities in Evros are still in a state of alert, as the water level of the river has risen to a dangerous point.

Damages in Regional Greece

The night was tough on the inhabitants in Nea Peramos and Nea Iraklitsa in Eleftheroupoli, Kavala, where the water level reached 50cm and the Fire Service received 100 calls to pump out water from houses and stores.

The road network in Thesprotia and Ioannina has suffered extensive damage by landslides and subsidence, while in Preveza the Fire Service received 35 calls to pump out water.

In the meantime, Authorities in Evros are still on alert because the river lever has risen to a dangerous point. Rural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos visited the affected areas today and announced that ELGA (Hellenic Organisation of Agricultural Insurances) compensations would be given three months after harvest.

Following, Mr Basiakos and a government panel visited Kavala and Xanthi, where he was informed on local problems.

During a relevant meeting held in ARTA, it was decided to grant compensations through the emergency political plan. ELGA will begin recording damages and then set the level of compensations and those entitled to them. A similar meeting is also held in Preveza.

Lastly, traffic on the Florina-Kastoria national highway through Vigla is held with snow chains (from the 12th to the 22nd km), as well as through Vitsi (from the 15th to the 30th km) and on the Aetos-Nymphaio regional road.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Epiphany With Rainfalls

Related Links:

Civil Protection Authority

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

[02] Football Is the Most Exciting Sport Taken by Surprise

By Vagelis Theodorou

A research conducted at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico confirmed that fans around the world find football the No1 sport. Researchers held their own tournament faced with football (soccer), basketball, rugby (US football), ice hockey and baseball. More than 300,000 matches played over the past century in the USA and the UK were analysed and football topped preferences. According to researchers Eli Ben-Naim and Federico Vasquez, the element of surprise is what makes fans' hearts pound. Unpredictability, ie how often a team at the bottom of the standings overcomes a leading team, was elevated as the best measure of how exciting a league is. "If there are no upsets, then every game is predictable and hence boring," co-author Eli Ben-Naim told New Scientist magazine.

Baseball ranked second, followed by ice hockey and basketball, while rugby was labelled as the least exciting sport and hence came last.

In particular, outsiders in football won by 45%, while in rugby they won by 36%. The percentage in baseball was 44%, 41.5% in hockey and 37% in basketball.

However, the research had a surprising twist itself. When researchers analysed matches from the last 10 years, baseball and football swapped places, thus leading to the conclusion that football has become more predictable in recent years.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

Nature: Underdogs fare better in soccer

Forbes: Soccer More Exciting Than Football

[03] Ariel Sharon's Condition is Steady But Critical Sharon Fights for his Life

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, MNA, Reuters

Doctors tireless efforts at Hadassah hospital, Jerusalem, to save Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharons life, after suffering a major stroke last night, were crowned with success. According to the medical announcement, after two long neurosurgical operations, doctors were able to stop the bleeding in his brain and the condition of the 77-year-old Prime Minister is steady, but critical. He has now been transferred to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit, where he will remain hospitalised until further notice. The Israeli public opinion is anxiously following developments, while Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert assumed Sharons powers and called an emergency Cabinet meeting this morning.

"We Are Praying"

The Israeli Prime Minister was at his ranch in southern Israel when he complained late last night of not feeling well. This is the second stroke he suffered in just a few weeks. In December, he spent several days in hospital after a minor stroke, but quickly recovered and has been prescribed blood-thinning drugs since then.

Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister since 2001, left the Likud party last November and founded centrist Kadima party, to which the latest opinion polls attribute at least 40 seats in the 28 March elections. The former military official appeared ready for yet another political victory. However, his serious health problem changed facts on the Israeli political scene and in the wider area, as he might not be able to exercise his powers again.

"We are praying for his recovery," said US President George Bush in a statement, after receiving the news on Sharon's condition.

For the time being, Israeli Government officials avoid making statements, however they have admitted his condition is "much more serious" than his previous stroke. Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has officially assumed Sharon's powers, which he can exercise for a period of 100 days. Following, the Government would have to resign and Israeli President Mose Kachav would have to assign one of the 120 Parliamentarians to form a new Government within 14 days.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

ÁBC: Sharon Reportedly Alive After Surgery

ÂBC: Surgeons battling to save Sharon

Related News:

Sharon Hospitalised Again

[04] Suffering Cerebral Bleeding Sharon Hospitalised Again

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: Reuters, ANA

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was rushed to hospital on Wednesday night, after complaining he was not feeling well, political sources said. As per Reuters, Sharon suffered a serious stroke accompanied with cerebral bleeding and was taken to the surgery room. His condition is viewed as critical. It is noted that his previous minor stroke had urged his doctors to schedule a heart surgery for Thursday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Israeli prime minister hospitalized

Reuters: Israel's Sharon hospitalized, unwell: source

BBC: Ariel Sharon rushed to hospital

[05] Marco Ne to Olympiacos' Roster

By Stathis Petropoulos

Yet another Ivorian player was added to Olympiacos roster. Midfielder Marco Ne, 23, plays for Belgian Beveren, and he will continue to be so up until summer. He is to move to Olympiacos on July 1. Olympiacos coach Trond Sollied, who had watched the 1.83m tall midfielder in ten games he has played so far in the Belgian football championship, suggested his transfer to Olympiacos. An announcement issued by PAE Olympiacos read, "PAE Olympiacos has reached a deal with Beverens player Marco Ne. The player will be added to the teams roster as of July 1 and he will sign a three-year contract."

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Panathinaikos Defeats the "Bear"

By Stathis Petropoulos

Panathinaikos achieved a great victory on day nine of Group C. Panathinaikos defeated CSKA in Moscow with 84-89 and achieved their eighth victory that keeps them atop the scoreboard. Dimitris Diamantidis was the one who attracted the limelight. His last-moment three-pointer sent his teammates to cloud nine. The score per period: 19-19, 40-40, 68-63, 84-89.

Translated by Areti Christou

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