The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-25

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Throughout Greece Bitter Frost

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET-ANA

Power Supply Heavily Disrupted

A PPC advisor has briefed Civil Protection Authority Chief Mr Fourlas on the efforts made to fully restore power. Three generators were carried overnight by boat to meet the needs in the capital city of Argostoli, Kefalonia.

A PPC special crew that has been on the island since yesterday has already been working on re-erecting the seven pylons that had collapsed. So far, the island suffers from a massive power cut, while several villages have been left without water, as well.

As per initial estimations, it will take PPC crews at least two days to partially restore power supply on the island.

Furthermore, Ithaca, the mountainous villages on Zakynthos, Agioi Theodoroi, Andros, Tinos, as well as the mountainous villages of Evia and Evrytania, have also been left without power. Similar problems have been recorded on the islands of Limnos, Ikaria and in mainland cities of Livadia, Larissa and Xanthi.

In Varnava, Attica, 80% of the power supply has been restored. Traffic in Tempi also runs undisturbed.

Macedonia Froze Over

Bitter frost has been affecting the whole of Greece. As per the latest briefing released by the Ministry of Public Order, 346 villages are snowbound. 61 ones are reported snowbound in the Prefecture of Arcadia, 74 in Achaia, 49 in Evia, 32 in Trikala and 14 in Evrytania. Polar temperatures keep hindering the lives of the citizens throughout the country, while power supply has been seriously disrupted in several regions. On Kefalonia, PPC (Greek Public Power Corporation) crews have been working feverishly since early in the morning to fix the extensive damages on the islands power network. Traffic in Tempi has been restored, announced the Traffic Police. Furthermore, a blanket of snow has also covered the Attica basin, since snowfalls, mainly in the northeaster regions, is still heavy. In several spots of the road network in the northern suburbs the use of snow chains is imperative, the ships remain docked at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, while the electric railway and the metro will operate on a 24-hour basis. School will not operate. Neither will universities, technological institutes, courts and judicial services, apart from Magistrates courts.

Attica Basin Covered in Snow

Snow has been falling in Attica since Tuesday night. In the northern suburbs, citizens are seriously hampered due to the heavy snowfall, the sharp temperatures and frost. The Fire Service has received hundreds of calls for fallen trees, sings, television aerials and other objects carried away by the gusty winds.

Roads were closed even in the heart of the city. In particular, traffic on the roads from Penteli to Nea Makri and Agios Petrso, and Parnithos to the Thrakomakedonon junction and upwards, Anonymi Odos from Kesariani and Anastaseos road from Papagou to the Ymittos aerials, had been disrupted until 8am.

The roads from Pindos Square to Paleo Psyhiko and the Fylis-Dervenohoria, Varybobi-Katsimidou-Agios Meletios-Agia Triada-Ippokratio Politia, Bilion-Porto Germeno regional roads were also closed due to frost.

Snow chains are necessary for drivers heading for Limni Marathonas and Agios Stefanos, on the Athens-Thivon National Highway, on Thiseos Avenue, on Protopapadaki Street towards Paleo Psyhiko, on the old Athens-Halkida National Highway until the borders with the Prefecture of Viotia, on the byway of the new Athens-Corinth National Highway in Nea Peramos, on TITAN Avenue and on the Bogiati-Kapandriti, Malakasa-Markopoulo-Oropos, Kapandriti-Varnava-Grammatiko regional roads and from Megara to Alepohori.

Schools will remain closed and so will universities, technological institutes, courts and judicial services apart form Magistrates courts.

Gusty winds have also docked ships at the port of Piraeus and Rafina. The Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) announced that certain bus routes are to be cancelled due to the snowfall and urged commuters to contact 185 telephone line for more information on bus routes. The metro and the electric railway, on the other hand, run on a 24-hour basis.

Finally, the Ministry of Economy has set a new deadline expiring on Friday to citizens to settle pending tax issues.

Related News:

Fighting Freezing Cold

[02] Snowfalls Throughout the Country Fighting Freezing Cold

The whole of Greece is dressed in white, since heavy snow kept falling overnight, while drivers should be extra careful due to the frost. Traffic on the national and provincial road network, as well as northeast of Attica, requires snow chains. Traffic on the Patras-Athens National Highway has been restored, while the ban on trucks has been lifted. Due to the gusty winds, ships remain docked at the countys ports. Schools in the Attica basin, as well as in several prefectures of the country will not operate. Neither will universities, technological institutes, courts and judicial services, apart from Magistrates courts. A great many villages set on the mountainous regions of Greece remain snowbound. In the meantime, a PPC (Greek Public Power Corporation) crew moved to Kefalonia to fix the massive power cut caused by the collapse of five pylons. Power cuts were also reported in villages in the prefectures of Evrytania, Karditsa and Evia. The Ministry of Economy provided a new deadline until Friday for all tax obligations due on Tuesday.

Dos and Donts

The snowfalls and the sharp temperature fall that have been reported across Greece result in frost, which creates more problems.

Apart form falls and accidents affecting pedestrians and drivers alike, water shortage is the gravest danger, since frost severely affects the water supply system. Therefore, citizens should protect any pipes and faucets. Should pipes be open, they will not break.

When it comes to driving, apart from snow chains, which are absolutely necessary, drivers should be careful neither to start off abruptly, nor to speed up.

In case we are snowbound, we should move our car to the roadside, place the necessary signs in a considerable distance from our vehicle, so that the rest of the drivers can promptly see us, and immediately contact the traffic police and the fire service by citing our exact position.

Pedestrians need to be particularly careful and avoid walking on frosted areas. Children and the elderly run a much increased risk of falling.

To better deal with frost conditions we should: - always wear appropriate shoes, - keep our hands free to help ourselves in case we fall, - not carry heavy objects while walking on frosted areas.

It is noted that we fail to realize an injury after falling when we are still warm. In such a case, we should immediately call for help.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Measures for Cold Weather

Bad Weather in Regional Greece

Snow and Problems in Attica

[03] Polls Give Fatah a Slight Lead Palestinians to the Polls

By Vagelis Theodorou

Some 1.3 million Palestinians eligible to vote are called on to cast their ballot at nearly 1,000 polling stations in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and in occupied East Jerusalem. The polls opened at 7am (Greek local time) and the whole process is to last for 12 hours, while the official results will not be released until Thursday. Nearly 13,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain the order, while some 900 observers from all over the world, including prominent politicians such as former US President Jimmy Carter, are to monitor the first parliamentary elections held in Palestine in a decade. About 728 candidates claim a seat in the 132-member Palestinian Parliament. Half of the 132-member parliament will be elected in district races and half via national lists. Opinion polls conducted ahead of todays elections give the ruling Fatah party led by President Mahmoud Abbas a slight lead against Hamas, which takes part in the elections for the first time.

Shortly before the ballots opened, the President of the Palestinian Authority urged the Palestinians to turn out to vote, describing the elections as a turning point towards the path of freedom, independence and construction of our state.

Israel has been skeptical on the Palestinian elections. The Palestinians should decide whether they are to take their future in their own hands or leave the keys with the extremists who have led them to a life of misery in the past, acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated on Tuesday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Ha'aretz: Neck and neck, Hamas and Fatah woo voters on election day

Der Spiegel: Palastinenser wahlen neues Parlament

Le Monde: Les Palestiniens elisent leur Parlement

CNN: Hamas campaign threatens Palestinian leadership

[04] On an Official 5-Day Visit Greek President Visits Italy

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - ANA

The meeting between the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and his Italian counterpart, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, in the context of the Greek Presidents official five-day visit to Italy, took place in warm climate. The entire spectrum of the Greek-Italian relations on matters relating to Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations was discussed during the meeting. The two presidents pointed out the close and fruitful collaboration between the two countries in all sectors, while they noted the possibility of developing it further. Mr Papoulias stressed that Greece is especially focusing on the widest possible collaboration with Italy in matters of regional stability, while he also referred to the two countries common stances on dealing with the new international challenges, including agricultural matters. In addition, he noted that Athens and Rome look forward to a Europe that will combine the support of the European social model, growth and macroeconomic equilibrium.

Close and Friendly Bilateral Relations

The two presidents described as significant the relations between the two countries in the energy sector, i.e. the signing of the agreement in Lecce last November for the construction of a natural gas pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Europe via Turkey and Italy.

The discussion also focused on European matters, including the European Constitution and the European prospect of the West Balkan countries, as well as Greece and Italys common aim for the Mediterranean basin to become a peace, safety and prosperity zone.

The Greek President is also scheduled to meet with the Speakers of the Italian Senate and Parliament, while on Saturday, just before departing for Athens, he will meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

Mr Papoulias is accompanied by Education Minister Marietta Giannakou, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis, Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis and Deputy Foreign Minister Takis Skandalakis, all of whom are scheduled to meet with their Italian counterparts.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Of Mrs Bourboulia Awaiting Extradition

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The French Justice is to go over today the Greek authorities petition to France for the extradition of former Examiner Konstantina Bourboulia. It is reminded that Mrs Bourboulia was arrested in Paris on January 18. The Legal Council of the Greek state has assigned French lawyer Panagiota Marceau to represent Greece at the Paris Appellate Court, while, as per information, the former Examiner is after delaying her extradition, since her French lawyer is expected to argue that no fair trial awaits his client in Greece.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Awaiting Evidence from Switzerland

[06] Polar Temperatures and Tens of Deads Chilly Cold Across Europe

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA-BBC

Several eastern European countries have been experiencing severe weather conditions due to the bitter cold coming from Siberia. Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Romania have been most affected since the adverse weather conditions have taken a serious toll on the countries homeless people. The fact that the bitter cold has claimed the lives of 50 people over the last week in Russia is indicative of the dramatic situation in the country. In the Czech Republic, apart from the extremely low temperatures that have dived to nearly -30 degrees Celsius, problems in the natural gas distribution network were also reported resulting in some 7,000 citizens of the city of Jesenik being left without heating. As per figures released by the Republic, at least 10 people died of the freezing cold.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Emerson Ready and Willing

By Stathis Petropoulos

Emerson successfully passed the medical tests he underwent this morning, so his transfer has been typically concluded. The Brazilian will wear the No 25 jersey and will work with Demis Nikolaidis for the second time since the two of them were teammates in Atletico Madrid, which he also mentioned in his statements. "I am very happy with my transfer," stressed Emerson, while he added, "I appreciate AEK a lot; it is a big team and I think it moved quickly to get me. I want to help AEK and I will try to play as best as I can every time, as I did with Xanthi. Our team is second in the rankings and we have to do everything possible to secure a place in the Champions League."

"However, our very small point-difference from the top gives us the opportunity to fight game after game, unit the end, for the title. My feelings are a bit funny because a former teammate, Demis Nikolaiis, is now the manager and the boss of the team. I respect him a lot; he transferred me to AEK and I will have the chance to get to know him better here," concluded Emerson.

It is estimated that the Brazilian will receive 180,000 euros until the end of the season, when his new contract ends, while, if it is renewed, he will receive a further 300,000 euros. In the meantime, Emerson did not train with his new team today, as the session was postponed due to the extreme weather conditions in Thrakomakedones.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Self-Censored Service in Chinese Google Goes Self-Censored in China

By Vagelis Theodorou

The new search service offered by leading internet company Google built up on self-censorship is tailored to meet the needs of the Chinese. As Google Inc announced on Wednesday, the new search service for China would restrict access to websites whose content has been described as off-limits by the countrys rulers. But, lets have a closer look at the sensitive topics. These are the Tibetan and Taiwanese independence, the banned Falun Gong religious movement and 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Launching such a self-censored version will save Google from coming into conflict with Beijing, the worlds fast-growing internet market, and to outpace its China-based rival, Baidu. In fact, as per estimations, the number of internet search users in China stands at 187 millions and it is expected to increase by 100 millions in two years time. The Chinese-speaking version is also to prohibit access to its e-mail, chat room and blogging services for the company fears that the Chinese government could demand users personal information.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Financial Times: Google to launch censored China service

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