The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Attacks Leave Behind Hundreds Dead New Bloodshed

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters- BBC- ANA

New bloodshed in Iraq. Three car bombs detonated in the Shiite city of Sadr leaving behind 40 dead and 93 injured. That was the worst one of a string of attacks that rocked the country on Sunday. Since early in the morning, attacks that occurred in several areas claimed 15 lives and injured some 33. Specifically, six civilians were killed and further 14 were wounded when a bomb went off Sunday morning. The bomb targeted a US convoy near a railway, south of Baghdad, police sources told. Police officers were among the victims.

Several Attacks

Furthermore, a roadside bomb detonated in central Baghdad killing two Iraqi troops and wounding another four.

At the same time, a bomb killed two civilians and wounded six in central Baghdad, while another blast wounded a couple more in the eastern part of the Iraqi capital.

In another incidence, three civilians on a vehicle were killed when a group of unknown perpetrators opened fire at them in Bajaa, south of Baghdad.

An explosive device that went off in the heart of the Iraqi capital claimed the lives of five troops, while two police officers were injured in another part of the city.

Saddam Trial Resumed

Attacks keep rocking Iraq, as the opening session of the Iraqi Parliament is approaching. It has been scheduled for March 16. In the meantime, the trial of the ousted Iraqi leader resumed, after a two-week recess.

On Sundays session, which lasted for more than five hours, Saddam Husseins co-defendants gave a testimony about their alleged involvement in the massacre of 150 villagers in Dujail.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Detected in Dead Poultry Avian Flu Struck in Cameroon

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Avian flu is gradually spreading and reports on new cases are a daily occurrence. On Sunday, Cameroon announced that the avian flu was detected in dead poultry in the west of the country, however, the official announcement did not clarify if the poultry was also infected by deadly N1 strain. If it is finally confirmed that the dead poultry were carriers of H5N1, Cameroon will be the fourth African country that will have been stricken by the avian flu. Already, cases have been reported in Egypt, Niger and Nigeria, from which Cameroon has banned poultry imports. It is noted that there are no reports of human victims so far. However, as the disease spreads in Africa, scientists are concerned that the situation will be uncontrollable, given the fact that poverty, AIDS and malaria have already weakened the countrys poor medical infrastructures.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] A Male Arrested, Two More at Large Baby Trafficking Ring Cracked Down

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA-NET

Greek Police in Lamia, a city in central Greece, cracked down a baby trafficking ring that had spread its braids across Greece. After a surprise raid in a run-down flat located at the heart of the city, four pregnant women were found. Two brothers of Bulgarian descent and a friend of theirs planned to have them locked in until the delivery. During the raid, a 35-year-old male was arrested, while his brother and a female escaped. The ring located young women from Bulgaria that lacked the ability to make ends meet and provided them with credit cards and loans that the women could not pay out. So they forced them to get pregnant and then transferred them to Greece to sell the babies to childless Greek families. The four women, aged 20-28, were five to seven months pregnant and were legally transferred to Lamia last month.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Ruled by the Athens Appellate Court Prosecutions over Cadastre

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET

The Athens Appellate Court ruled in favour of bringing two former Cadastre SA officials to trial on charges of malpractice. After the preliminary investigation was over, managing director Nikos Galidakis and Board member Ioannis Rengas were charged with embezzling public money. The investigation involved a total of 23 people, however, the primary investigation had most offences prescribed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] The Celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy With Byzantine Grandeur

The Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated in the Athens Cathedral presided by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and officiated by Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos. Following the Holy Mass, which was attended by many representatives of the political leadership, Mr Papoulias hosted a dinner for the members of the Holy Synod at the Presidential Mansion. In his address, the President of the Republic, on the occasion of Muslim reactions to satirical cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad, called on the Greek Church to reinforce the interreligious dialogue, in order to avoid a clash between cultures. In his response, the Archbishop referred to the openings of the Greek Church to Christian dogmas and other religions. In Phanar, many were the pilgrims from Greece who attended the celebratory Holy Mass officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Patriarchal Church of Agios Georgios. The Government was represented by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Kalantzis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Four Persons Dead Suicide Attack in Afghanistan

By Vicky Keleri

As the countrys Foreign Ministry announced at least four persons lost their lives in a suicide attack at the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, and reportedly targeted at former President and Chairman of Parliament Sibghatullah Mojadidi. The announcement also stated that Sibghatullah Mojadidi survived with slight injuries as reported by one of his security officials. "It was a suicide attack. A car approached our vehicle, on which Sibghatullah Mojadidi was onboard, and following exploded," he added.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] At a Hospital in Germany Mother and Newborn Released

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: AFP

The mishap of a mother and her newborn baby held hostages for about seven hours by a 32-year-old armed make in a hospital room in the town of of Eschweiler, Germany, was brought to a happy end. The perpetrator, who proved to be the mothers boyfriend turned himself in, after having handed the baby over to the police officers through a window. It is still remains to be seen whether the 32-year-old man of Syrian descent is the childs father. Police forces and Fire Service vehicles had rushed the scene from the very beginning, while a cordon had been thrown around the streets surrounding the hospital.

[08] Kolossos Stay "Alive"

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Kolossos of Rhodes made yet another step towards avoiding relegation, after scoring a 76-73 home victory over PAOK on match day 19. Kolossos remained last on the scoreboard, yet Sundays victory brought them one point behind Iraklis and two behind Larissa. PAOK, on the other hand, with 28 points rank eight. The score per period: 16-16, 40-30, 52-51, 76-73.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Panathinaikos Earned 3rd Place

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panathinaikos earned third place in the final-four of the Top Teams Cup defeating Vojvodina Novolin 3-1 in sets. The "greens," even if disappointed by not qualifying to the final, started playing a very good game and earned the first set easily. In the second Vojvodina turned around and tied 1-1, but Panathinaikos managed to earn the following two sets and earn the third place in the event. The score of the sets: 25-16, 25-27, 26-24, 25-21.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Olympiakos Breaks Another Record

By Stathis Petropoulos

Sundays victory was a historic victory for Olympiakos, since it was their 16th consecutive one, setting a new record of winning streak in A1 Division. Olympiakos defeated Apollon Kalamarias 2-1. Kalamaria threatened Nikopolidis nets in the beginning, yet they could not escape their fate, as Olympiakos improved and took control of the encounter. Rivaldo was the leading star once again, and in the 16 he scored the opening goal for his team. However, it was Dani who got credits for the goal, since in his effort to secure the goal, it was the last person to touch the ball before resting in Kalamarias nets.

In the rerun, Kalamaria revived and were pretty threatening, with Cleyton targeting the cross bar of Nikopolidis goalpost. Yet, Olympiakos gave their reply a few minutes later. Djordjevic was awarded a penalty and scored the second goal for his team in the 58. From that moment on, Olympiakos players slowed down, giving the host the chance to score a goal, something that they achieved in the 79 with Cleyton. Two minutes later, Orfanos almost ruin Olympiakos party, but his kick targeted Nikopolidis goalpost.

Referee: Finokaliotis (Athens) Yellow Cards: Taralidis, Samouilidis OLYMPIAKOS: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Georgatos, Schurrer, Anatolakis (84 Taralidis), Stoltidis, Toure, Okkas (63 Castillo), Dani (72 Babaginda), Rivaldo, Djordjevic. APOLLON KALAMARIAS: Kovac, Fytanidis, Papadopoulos, Karaliopoulos, Parmaxidis, Orfanos, Koltsis, Galanopoulos (87 Goncalvez), Cleyton, Christoforidis (46 Samouilidis), Ailton (70 Popara).

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Victory of Essence for AEK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

AEK returned to victories, after defeating Panionios 2-0 on match day 23. AEK performed better throughout the encounter and managed to get three points in the bag reinstating them on second place along with Panathinaikos and giving a boost to their psychology crushed by the defeat from Panathinaikos. Panionios, on the other hand, has not yet ducked relegation. Katsouranis in the 20 and Ivic in the 71 scored for AEK. Referee: Kouklakis (Chania)

Yellow Cards: Ivic, Cirillo

Lineups:

AEK: Hiotis, Georgeas, Tziortziopoulos, Cirillo (85 Moras), Alexopoulos, Katsouranis, Emerson, Ivic (74 Chanko), Lakis, Venglinskyi, Julio Cezar (65 Soares).

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Koutsopoulos (49 Breska), Makos (74 Fernantes), Exouzidis, Gaspar, Spyropoulos, Maniatis (83 Goundoulakis), Zografakis, Magdy, Luciano, Kampantais.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] "Breather" for OFI

By Stathis Petropoulos

OFI claimed a great 3-0 home victory against Ionikos and revived their hopes to stay alive in the battle to avoid relegation. Both teams entered the pitch determined, irrespective of the many absences. The home side almost took the lead in the 13, but Machlas missed his target. In the 28, Machlas proved more effective and opened the score for the Cretans. Ionikos tried to answer back, yet it was OFI that managed to take a 2-0 lead. In the rerun, although both teams lacked in retaining a steady pace, OFI succeeding in targeting Beqajs nets for a third time.

Referee: Briakos

Yellow Cards: Poulopoulos, Tchipev, Gutman, Deyanof, Da Costa

OFI: Sifakis, Pitsos, Konstantinidis, Isa (73` Anastasiadis), Davidson, Deyanof, Tchipev (88` Denstsas), Khachatryan, Nwafor (82` Roubakis), Oforiquaye, Machlas. IONIKOS: Beqaj, Ukar, Pajuelo, Poulopoulos, Melabianakis, Lettieri (56` Sahinidis), Triantafyllou, (46` Kotitsas), Da Costa (73` Kakaras), Makor, Gutman, Onwuachi.

Translated by Areti Christou

[13] Iraklis on Their Way to Europe

By Stathis Petropoulos

Iraklis made yet another step to booking a ticket for the UEFA Cup, after scoring a 1-0 away victory over Levadiakos on match day 23. Levadiakos, on the other hand, have not escaped the danger of relegation, since they have gathered only 21 points. The winning goal that earned Iraklis the three points was scored by Epalle in the 80.

Referee: Karatzas (Evia)

Yellow Cards: Georgiadis, Katsiabis, Prittas, Kallimanis

Lineups: LEVADIAKOS: Karakostas, Kallimanis, Maheras, Pastos, Dimitropoulos, Andralas, Bassala, Vitalis, Alex (70` Gourma), Sisic (46` Rusev), Bushi.

IRAKLIS: Abaris, Papazaharias, Perperidis, Katsabis, Seghiri, Poursanidis, Prittas, Lagos (90` Kapetanos), Herrera (72` Papapostolou), Epalle, Georgiadis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[14] Win of Hope for Akratitos

By Stathis Petropoulos

The bad conditions of the pitch combined with the not so good performance of both teams made the derby between the two teams ranking last on the scoreboard more of a hassle for the player, with the home side scoring a victory in the 88. The first half time of the game was rather indifferent, with the 22 players trying to find their place in the mudded pitch. In the rerun, both teams played offensively, yet some good chances created went unexploited. In the first minutes of the second half, Randovanovic of Kallithea missed a header, while Bartzokas kicked the ball off target in the 57. It was Ledezma who scored the winning goal in the 88, earning Akratitos the victory.

AKRATITOS: Lyberopoulos, Pipinis, Penia, Sfakianakis, Apostolakis, Pagonis (61` Sunsingí), Macquet (80` Aravidis), Gustavo (80` Marinescu), Tzimopoulos, Ledezma, Defrancesco. Kallithea: Bartzokas, Karatzas, Venetis, Mijatovic, Tsiolis, Georgiev, Passas (62` Tsigas), Behi, Sylla, Clember (89` Diamantis), Randovanovic (60` Lazanas).

Translated by Areti Christou

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