The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gusty Winds Caused Problems Gusty Winds in Attica

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA-ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8

The gusty winds that seriously affected the Attica basin between 3.30 and 5.30am at dawn have given rise to several problems. The winds blew away a 15x10m shelter from a terrace of a six-storey building on 1 Koumanoudi St, resulting in two vehicles being damaged. No human injuries were reported. In the meantime, the Fire Department received 25 call to cut down trees fallen by the winds and remove objects, such as ad signs.

Adverse Weather Conditions Across Greece

Heavy downpours and gale-force winds have also given rise to several problems in other areas of Greece, as well.

Houses were flooded in Katerini, the farmers of Litohoro in the Prefecture of Pieria said that the showers destroyed thousands hectares of crops and the winds blew away the roof of a building in Serres.

Landslides in residential areas were reported in the village of Alona in the Prefecture of Florina. The ground subsided and four buildings were found hanging upon the cliffs edge. Crews from the Municipality and the Prefecture rushed to the site, while the families residing the houses were transferred to a hotel.

In Thessaloniki, the Fire Department received 15 calls to remove fallen trees.

In the Prefecture of Ioannina, snow has been falling since yesterday night, thus making the use of snow chains in the road network outside the Ioannina basin an imperative. The prefectures authorities have stepped up all necessary measures to deal with the problems.

Weather Forecast

According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, unsettled weather conditions are forecast for Greece, with scattered clouds and probably showers mostly in the west and north, while snowfalls are expected on the mountainous regions of Macedonia. Winds will be southwesterly. Temperatures will range from 2 to 13 degrees Celsius in the north, 5 to 16 degrees of Celsius in the Ionian Sea and the rest of the mainland, and 9 to 18 degrees of Celsius in the Aegean. Scattered clouds and showers, southwesterly winds and temperatures ranging from 8 to 16 degrees Celsius are forecast for Attica. As for Thessaloniki, clouds, showers, weak winds and temperatures ranging from 4 to 12 degrees Celsius are forecast.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Inmates Took Control of a Wing Uprising in Afghan Jail

By Tina Valaoura

Inmates have taken control of a womens wing of Afghanistans high-security prison, situated on the outskirts of Kabul. BBC broadcast that at least four inmates have been killed, some 30 have been injured and two female prison guards have been taken hostages. The Afghan authorities, on the other hand, have denied any reports of deaths.

The rioting began in building B of the vast prison complex, where thousands of people are held, when the prisons authorities announced changes in the dress code of the detainees. The rioting soon spread to the part of the jail where Al Qaeda and Taleban militants are kept along with ordinary criminals, and following an escape attempt, the situation took a turn for the worse. Eyewitnesses said they were gunshots, while the rioters stormed the womens wing and were barricaded there. Security forces have sealed off the wing, while Afghan officials argued that no one has broken loose.

It is noted that last month, seven Taleban militants had managed to get away, assisted by some prison guards. The jail was erected in the 70, it is run-down and rather notorious, since several inmates have never seen the sun light.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC - Afghan prisoners seize jail wing

[03] Meetings with Gul and Rice Also Scheduled Greek FM's Tour in the Balkans

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

In the context of her tour in the Balkans within the week, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Dora Bakoyannis is to have a circle of contacts with her Balkan counterparts. In her interview with newspaper Vima tis Kyriakis, Mrs Bakoyannis unveiled her first moves. She plans to welcome Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Gul in Athens, meet with her US counterpart Condoleezza Rice and then visit Nicosia and Skopje. Mrs Bakoyannis underlined that Greeces foreign policy remains unchanged. With regard to the Greek-Turkish relations, she noted that Greeces interests are better served by a European Turkey. She also mentioned that she never requested her appointment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while regarding the phone-tapping scandal, she reminded that the Government itself also fell prey to this scandal.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Four Vehicles Torched Car Dealership on Fire

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

Unknown perpetrators torched overnight four vehicles that were parked outside a Renault dealership on 329 Vouliagmeni Avenue, in Dafni. The arson occurred at 12.45 past midnight. The arsonists burnt down the cars with a flammable liquid. Police are investigating the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] No Reports of Casualties or Damage Fiji Islands Shaken

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA-MNA-AFP

A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit off the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The US Geological Survey reported that the tremor occurred at 05:08am (Greek local time), some 350km SW off the islands, and since it was an underwater one, it is unlikely to trigger off tidal waves.

A 5.5-magnitude tremor also rocked today Tibet, but there are no reports of any kind of losses. The earthquakes epicentre was located in an uninhabited area, 660km NW of Lhasa. The tremor occurred at 04:19 (Greek local time).

Translated by Areti Christou

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