The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Due to the Low Temperatures Frost Covers Greece

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The temperatures remain extremely low in most parts of Greece, as the heavy snowfalls of the last two days were replaced by frost. Many citizens are facing major problems, since the snow has frozen, thus becoming dangerous, mainly for the drivers. Snow chains are necessary on the greater part of the national and regional road network, while the ban on trucks ended at 8am. Some ships shave started sailing after midnight from the port of Piraeus to Crete and the western Cyclades, while only closed ships are performing the Argosaronikos Gulf routes. The power is gradually being restored in Cephalonia and Evia, but many mountainous and island areas remain without power. According to the general secretary of the Civil Protection Authority, Panagiotis Fourlas, the snowbound villages, estimated at over 100, are being gradually accessed. Speaking at an event hosted by NDs women, PM Kostas Karamanlis voiced his support towards the citizens who suffered, while he stressed that the State is on constant alert to deal with the extreme weather conditions. The meteorologists forecast gradual improvement of the weather.

Traffic Flow Reinstated

In the meantime, the traffic flow on the major roads of the capital is gradually being reinstated, after many of them were blocked by cars that did not have snow chains. Kifissias, Mesogeion and Katechaki Avenues, as well as the Ymittos ring road have opened, but the problems in Attica continue. In order to facilitate the drivers, no cars will be required to pay tolls in Attiki Odos until 10am, while the schools, universities and Technological Schools in Athens and Piraeus will remain closed today as well. Many roads in the northern parts of the capital remain blocked, while snow chains are needed for cars travelling on suburban roads in northern and northeastern Attica.

It should be noted that halls in the Municipality of Athens and the Prefecture of Piraeus, as well as the KAPI (centres for the elderly) in the northern suburbs are open for those who do not have heating at home. In addition, the Red Cross distributed heaters, clothes and food to the needy.

According to the Police, the traffic flow has been fully reinstated on the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzonoi National Highway (PATHE).

In Evia, the Chalkida-Aidipsos road is closed from the 35km to the 44km and the Chalkida-Thiva from the 9km to the 15km.

Subzero Temperatures in Northern Greece

The hitches with the traffic flow continue in the northern part of the country, while dozens of villages throughout Greece remain snowbound.

In Thessaloniki, where the temperature was -4 degrees Celsius in the early hours of the morning, the vehicles are moving without many problems, while the authorities threw salt on the regional roads surrounding the city.

However, the Chortiatis-Agios Vassilios intersection remains closed as a precaution. All schools in the area will operate as normal today.

In the Prefecture of Chalkidiki, the temperatures dropped to -8, while snow chains are needed for vehicles travelling on most of the prefectures road network. The schools will remain closed, apart from the ones in Moudania and Nea Kallikratia.

As for the rest of Northern Greece, the temperatures are below zero, while snow chains are necessary on most roads. The schools will remain closed in: Edessa, Veria, Western Macedonia, Florina, Kozani, Grevena and Kastoria. It should be noted that the temperatures was -34 on the mountainous regions of Florina.

Constant Efforts All Night

According to the general secretary of the Civil Protection Authority, Panagiotis Fourlas, who briefed the reporters a little after 9am, the efforts of the State, concerning the problems with the traffic flow, bore fruit, since the constant throwing of salt limited them significantly. At the same time, he stressed that the national highways are open, while he advised pedestrians and drivers to be cautious, as the frost can be more dangerous than the snow. He also said that the authorities will continue throwing salt, as the snow melting today will refreeze.

As for the snowbound villages, he said that there were 145 at 8:30am, but their number keeps decreasing as time goes by, while he added that most of the problems are located in the villages of eastern Central Greece, Evia and Achaia. Referring to the problems with the power, which mainly focus in Cephalonia, Ithaca and southern Evia, he said that the PPC is responsible for restoring the power failures. He also said that Fire Department crawler tractors will arrive in villages of Evia to provide assistance to the snowed-in residents.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Snowfall Creates Problems in Athens

Cold and Frost

Frost Prompts Alertness

Survival Tips for the Frost

[02] Escapee in Chalkida

By Dimitris Kalantzis

The men of Evias police have launched a manhunt to arrest a 30-year-old male who escaped from Chalkidas police station. The man got away in a military vehicle he stole outside the Marines military camp in Chalkida. The vehicle is a Hummer, which can easily travel through inaccessible snowy paths.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] After Indications of Hamas' Victory Palestinian President Resigns

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: Reuters, ΝΕΤ, ANA

The developments in the Middle East are eventful, triggered by the evident results of Wednesdays Palestinian elections. When it was announced that, according to the initial indications, the winner of the elections was Hamas, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas tendered his resignation, saying that the next Government will have to be formed by Hamas. Earlier top members of Fatah and close associates of Abbas had admitted defeat. If the first official results, expected at 19:00, confirm Hamas victory, this will signal many changes and a possible freeze of the peace process with Israel.

Although the exit polls had predicted a marginal victory by Fatah, the leader of Hamsa in the Gaza Strip had said that his organisation would win at least 70 of the 132 seats in Parliament.

It should be noted that the USA and Israel have declared that they would not be entering discussions with Hamas, which has said it aims at destroying Israel, unless the group changes its policies.

The Middle East Quartet (USA, Russia, UN, EU) will meet in London next Monday to assess the electoral results.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Increase in Tax Advances Karamanlis-Straw Meeting

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is scheduled to meet with British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, while at 11am he will meet with the Greek Minister of Economy and Finance, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, in Maximos Mansion. On Wednesday, Mr Alogoskoufis had announced that the tax advances for businesses and freelancers will gradually increase to 100% of the profits, as opposed to 50%, which is the case currently. The tax advances are paid at the time of the settlement of the revenue tax and are subtracted from the taxes of the coming year. In the meantime, the Cabinet reviewed the bill for developing public real estate. Government spokesperson Thodoris Roussopoulos mentioned that, as per the existing legal framework, the reconstruction or construction of public real estate is extremely difficult due to the lack of necessary funds. However, it is imperative for the contemporary needs of the public sector, because sometimes the properties are left idle. "These are the needs that the bill will cover," concluded the Government spokesperson.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] For Unknown Reasons. No Injuries Train Derails in Menidi

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

Three wagons of a commercial train derailed at 3am on Thursday in Menidi, for unknown reasons. The sole people aboard were the two drivers, who did not suffer any injuries, while they got off the train unassisted. The train had taken off from Renti and was heading towards Thessaloniki, but it derailed in Kokkinos Mylos, when the wagons got off the tracks and onto the ground. One of them approached a nearby house, without any unfortunate consequences, while another wagon fell in a river. The exact causes of the derailment are expected to become known in the next few days, however, human error has not been ruled out. OSE mechanics are hoping to remove the wagons by noon, so that the suburban railway routes can run again. Presently, the suburban railway only runs from the Airport to Metamorfosi, while no suburban railway routes are departing from Stathmos Larissis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] As per Trichet's Estimates New Interest Rate Increases?

By Dimitris Kalantzis

The third Euro-Mediterranean seminar between the central banks of the eurosystem and the administrations of the central banks of the Mediterranean countries took place on Wednesday in Nafplio. Greece was represented at the seminar by the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Nikos Garganas. During the seminar, the matter of a renewed rise in interest rates was left open, as per the views of the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet. Answering to a question concerning the progress of the international oil prices, which have reached $70 per barrel, Mr Trichet said that no discussions were made, but he admitted that the spiralling upward trend constitutes a major problem that concerns the weekly meeting of the ECBs Board of Directors. Mr Trichet also clarified that the ECB has a clear interest rate policy, while its principles were expressed at the last Board meeting.

Stability and Inflation

It should be noted that the announcement published after the last ECB meeting stressed that the monetary policy mainly depended on the restraint of inflation and the stability of the fiscal affairs in the Euro area, taking into account the economic cycle of the Member States. Commenting on the progress of the economy in the Euro area, ECBs President stressed that, based on the figures so far, the growth is close to the European Commissions official forecasts. Apart from the members of the ECB Board, the Nafplio seminar was also attended by high-level representatives of the central banks of Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian National Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] In Nea Smyrni. Minor Damages Only Gas Canisters against PASOK's Offices

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The offices of PASOKs local organisation in Nea Smyrni, housed on the ground floor of a 4-storey building, were attacked by unknown perpetrators on Wednesday night. The explosion of the homemade explosive device, which had been placed outside the offices, on the corner of Vrouollon and Dorylaiou Streets, resulted in minor damages only. Fire Department trucks and police patrol cars rushed on site and collected traces of the device and a gas canister that had not exploded. The Police are conducting an investigation to locate the perpetrators.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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