The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] The First Close-Up Images of the Red Planet Mars on Closer Look

By Tina Valaoura

The tireless work of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter bore its first fruit, sending the NASA researchers mad with excitement. The first close-up images of the Red Planet captured by the state-of-the-art scientific instruments revealed a planet full of craters and gorges.

The images are in black and white, yet they do not lack clarity that will enable the NASA researchers to study the surface of the Red Planet and build up a detailed picture of how Mars has changed over the millennia: whether there were once rivers or oceans and what its climate was like during the geological past.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

[02] By the Russian Ambassador "Russia an Informant of Hussein"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, BBC

Russia provided intelligence to the government of Iraq on the military movements of the US during the first days of the invasion in 2003. The above is claimed in a report of the Pentagon published on Friday. As per the report, on 2 April 2003 a document of the Iraqi Foreign Minister to President Saddam Hussein reported that through the Russian Ambassador, Russian Secret Services provided information to the Iraqis, over the plan of US troops. Specifically, as per the report, the secret services stated that US forces were planning to close off Baghdad through the south, east and west, that the US bombings would target Baghdad and that the attack on the Iraqi capital would not begin before 15 April. "The regime received information which supplied suspicions that the attack in Kuwait was just a deception," read the report. On its part, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) described the Pentagon reports allegations as "a joke". "Time and again we hear these sorts of groundless accusations against Russian intelligence," said SVR spokesman Boris Labusov.

In Relation to the First Months of Invasion

As per the report, a document was sent to Saddam Hussein on 24 March 2003 that reported that "intelligence collected by the Russian from their sources within the US Central Command headquarters, in Doha, Qatar, stated that the US are convinced that the occupation of Iraqi towns is impossible and that their tactic has changed in order to avoid entrance in the towns."

The report stated that this type of information "was only a screen of smoke to cloud the mind of the Iraqi leadership."

The revelations are included in the report of the Joint Forces Command, in relation to the Iraqi viewpoint on the events during the first months of the invasion, from March until May 2003, and based on interviews with high-ranking officials and confiscated documents.

Actually, the report recorded Russias business interests over Iraqi oil.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Pentagon: Russians fed Hussein intelligence

BBC: Russia 'gave Iraq intelligence'

Related Links:

Pentagon

[03] FYROM Issue at the Focus Bakoyannis-Nimetz Meeting

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA-ΝΕΤ

The talks between Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis with US President George W. Bush at the White House were held Saturday in a cordial climate. Mrs Bakoyannis, who voiced her satisfaction over the US Presidents positive stance, departed for New York, where met with the UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. The FYROM issue being the key topic on their agenda, the Greek FM reiterated Greeces firm stance on settling the issue of the name in a mutually accepted fashion, underlining that Greeces stance has been constructive. "We are awaiting for the other sides response," told her interlocutor Mr Nimetz.

On his part, the UN special mediator said he will continue offering his services to help the two countries settle the issue at the "right moment." When asked if he intends to submit a new proposal, he argued that his previous experiences on that field have not been particularly good.

Shortly after, the Greek FM will attend the official mass dedicated to the Greek Independence Day at the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation in Manhattan.

On Sunday night, Mrs Bakoyannis will attend the reception thrown by the Greek Consul General in New York, where she will have the opportunity to contact several members of the Greek expatriate associations, as well as representatives of the citys authorities.

On Monday, Mrs Bakoyannis will take part in the meeting of the UN Security Council organized by Argentina, the country holding the presidency of the UN Security Council for March. The meeting will draw its attention to the situation in Haiti. After the meeting, Mrs Bakoyannis will give a Press Conference at the international bodys headquarters and then will have a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, with the Cyprus issue and the developments in the Balkans being the key topics of the agenda.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Bakoyannis-Bush Meeting

Bakoyannis-Rice Meeting

[04] Immigrant Trafficking Ring Broken Up

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

On Friday, police officers of the Security Department of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport broke up an immigrant trafficking ring from Greece to other EU countries. The policemen arrested a 49-year-old Greek man, while an Iraqi man is being sought after, who with forged travel documents distributed boarding passes for immigrants over a large amount of money. The preliminary investigation found that the 49-year-old, just before his arrest, used his own passport, as well as two forged Greek and a Cypriot passport, tried to supply boarding passes for Copenhagen, Denmark, for himself and another three immigrants who he had transported with his Iraqi accomplice to the airport. The arrestee was taken to the Prosecutor, while the investigation is continuing.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Man Out of Danger Sorting out Differences

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The police investigations are turning towards a sorting out of differences, concerning the attack against a 35-year-old, outside of his home in Nea Ionia, shortly after midnight, on Friday. A masked man shot at him seven times with a handgun and wounded the caf&#233; owner on the arms and legs at the entrance of the apartment building where the man resided. The 35-year-old was found by his wife, who is 6 months pregnant, as she rushed outside once she heard the shots fired. After the attack, the perpetrator disappeared, while the man was taken to the Athens Medical Centre, where he is being hospitalised out of danger.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] The Opposition Demands New Elections Rioting Rocks Minsk

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Reuters-ANA

The disputed sweeping election victory of Alexander Lukashenko, who secured his third seven-year term in office, sent once again thousands of protesters to the streets Saturday morning.

Riot police had cordoned off the area around the October Square, in the heart of the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, forcing the opposition protesters to stage their rally in a nearby park. Main Opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich declared the formation of a "Popular Movement for the Liberation of Belarus," and called on all the political powers to join him. He requested his supporters immediately unleash a new "storming" against Lukashenko, whom he called "dictator." "We have carried out the first storming against the stronghold of this regime. We will keep on working, but we will not put off the next storming for another five years," he argued and added, "we will fight above all else for fair and honest elections without this dictator."

Top-Ranking Opposition Leaders Detained

Shortly after the successful rally, another Opposition leader, Aleksander Kozulin prompted the hundreds of protesters to march on a jail, where some 300 demonstrators are held. The Belarusian security forces took action and incidents broke out, resulting in two citizens being admitted to hospital. Eyewitnesses said that the riot police drugged Aleksander Kozulin out of a car and took him away, while several international news agencies reported that Milinkevichs personal spokesman was also arrested, but he was soon released.

Commenting on the incidents, Milinkevich argued it was foolhardiness of Kozulin to lead the crowd to a march, while when asked if he fears blanket arrests against Opposition supporters, he answered he is waiting for the worst.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Belarus protests spark clashes

Related News:

Belarus Faces Penalties

Arrests in Belarus

[07] Aris Made it Pretty Easily

By Stathis Petropoulos

Aris claimed an easy, yet important home win, defeating Panionios 78-62, on match day 20 of the Greek basketball championship. This victory kept Aris dream of making in to the final four alive, allowing them, on the other hand, to draw their full attention to the coming second semi final against Hemofarm for the Uleb Cup. The score per period: 26-14, 46-30, 60-49, 78-62.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Away Victory for Panellinios

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Yet another step in their effort to make it to the final four by Panellinios, who defeated Iraklis 77-67 on match day 20 of the Greek basketball championship. This was the fifth away win for Panellinios, who keep up the good work so as to enter the final four. Iraklis, on the other hand, have a difficult time ahead, since their chances of remaining in A1 are rather slim. The score per period: 19-17, 39-34, 49-58, 67-77.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Easy Win Ahead of Derby for PAO

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Serious, efficient and impressive, Panathinaikos scored a pretty easy victory over Kolossos of Rhodes with 112-66 on match day 20 of the Greek basketball championship. The "greens" remained atop the scoreboard and at the same time, they had a quite hard training ahead of the "battle" against Benetton for the Euroleague. On the other hand, Kolossos players still are at the bottom of the standings and remaining in the A1 is a dwindling dream. The score per period: 36-21, 57-36, 85-56, 112-66

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Win for PAOK

By Stathis Petropoulos

The encounter between PAOK and Kallithea was held in an empty stadium, due to the penalty imposed on PAOK. The guest, Kallithea, took a 1-0 lead, yet PAOK was awarded two penalties and managed to claim the victory. The first half was rather bad for both teams. In the rerun, Koutsospyros of Kallithea gave the lead to his team in the 54. Later on, in the 73, Giasemi of PAOK was awarded a penalty and Salpigidis didnt miss to send the ball in. Some eight minutes later, Salpigidis was once again successful from the eleven metres, earning his team a 2-1 victory.

Referee: Argyropoulos (Kastoria) Yellow Cards: Georgiev, Koulakiotis

PAOK: Fernandez, Karypidis, Hasiotis, Udeze, Feutchine (61 Giasemi), Zagorakis, Christodoulos (46 Shikabala), Konstantinidis, Haralambus (64 Vangelis), Salpigidis, Mieciel. KALLITHEA: Bartzokas, Karatzas, Passas (84 Yanchev), Koulakiotis (84 Randovanovic), Georgiev, Sylla, Petkovic, Behi, Mijatovic, Clamber (68 Tsigas), Koutsospyros.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Satisfying Tie for Iraklis

By Stathis Petropoulos

Iraklis players entered the pitch more determined and ready to get what they wanted and managed to leave with one point in the bag. However, the goalless tie does the home side, Larissa, wrong, for they strived more to score a goal, and they could have, if Aloneftis kick didnt target Abaris cross bar in the 14. From that moment on, Iraklis goalie took over and saved his nets every time Larissa got too close, thus giving his teams strikers the chance to go for the goal. Yet they failed to do so.

Referee: Tsahilidis (Piraeus) Yellow Cards: Katsiaros, Galitsios - Drougas, Prittas

LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios, Dabizas, Simos, Katsiaros, Spasic (13 Bachramis), Vela Junior (55 Guga), Digozis, Serban, Aloneftis (62 Kalantzis), Kyparissis. IRAKLIS: Abaris, Drougas, Seghiri, Katsabis, Sznaucner, Pourssanidis (90 Papazaharias), Lawal, Prittas, Epalle, Herrera (76 Papapostolou), Laogs.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] H5N1 Found in Rooster

By

Sources: ANA

On Saturday, Serbia confirmed the first case of the deadly H5N1 strain in a rooster, in an area near the borders with Bosnia. The rooster was found 10 days ago in the area of Bajina Basta, southwest of Belgrade, while the results were confirmed by the EU Reference Laboratory in the United Kingdom. The specific area was described as a danger zone and in a 10km radius, while veterinarians are examining all wild poultry and domestic poultry within it. More than 30 persons of the area are under medical observance for precautionary reasons.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Easy Afternoon for Apollon Patras

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Yet another step in their effort to enter the play offs of the Greek basketball championship by Apollon Patras, who scored an away 94-79 victory against Larissa on match day 20. This was the third away victory for Apollon Patras, as opposed to Larissa, suffering their fourth home defeat. Apollon Patras took control of the game from the very beginning, even enjoying a 24-points lead. In the rerun, nothing changed, since Larissas players failed to react and lost 94-79. The score per period: 19-32, 32-56, 57-73, 79-94.

Translated by Areti Christou

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