The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Three Killed, 22 Injured Rail Tragedy in Greece

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA - NET

A new rail tragedy occurred on Sunday night just outside the Northern Greek city of Drama, resulting in the death of three people and the injury of another 22. OSE (Hellenic Railways Organisation) attributed the accident to an error by the truck driver, who ran though a red signal. The Intercity Alexandroupolis-Thessaloniki train with 65 passengers onboard collided with the truck just outside Drama station, close to the Softex factory, when the truck driver attempted to drive through a crossing. The driver and co-driver were killed instantly. Forty people were transferred to the General Hospital of Drama and 22 remain hospitalised, including two in critical condition. The impact occurred 2km away from the station and while many of the passengers were standing. In the meantime, part of the Thessaloniki-Alexndroupolis line opened up again, as OSE engineers and Fire Department forces were working all night in order to free the tracks.

Safety Bars not Operating

The truck driver, Giannis Papadopoulos, 40, from Perithori, Drama, a police trainee and a kindergarten teacher were killed, however the police has not revealed the identity of the last two.

According to an announcement issued by OSE, the truck that was loaded with potatoes ran though a crossing equipped with traffic signals and safety bars and collided with the train. Eyewitnesses testified that the safety bars were not operating.

A total of 70 men and 15 fire engines from the 2nd EMAK (Hellenic Rescue Team) Thessaloniki arrived at the scene, while the Prefectures of Drama, Kavala and Serres were mobilised.

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Kalantzis, also visited the accident scene and declared, "The State acted immediately and all the relevant bodies carried out their duties to the fullest. In addition, the hospitals of Kavala and Serres were placed on alert."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Train Collided With Truck

[02] Good Weather for Easter To the Beat of Easter

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΝΕΤ

Market inspections are continuing in view of Easter, with the price of lamb proving a sore point. In most stalls in Varvakios Market, local lambs are on sale for 11 euros per kg. The traders are promising lower prices as of Holy Wednesday. In addition, Easter bonus came into effect as of Monday for taxis, at one euro. So, the minimum fare is set at 3.50 euros. In the meantime, the demand for shipping, train and bus tickets has skyrocketed, in view of the Easter getaway. At the same time, the Traffic Police is on alert on all major highways to facilitate the excursionists, since their number is expected to be quite high due to the good weather forecast.

Market Inspections

The Development Ministry and EFET (Central Food Control Agency) inspectors, who are continuing their inspections in Varvakios Market, are determined to keep the price of lamb at 10.49 euros per kg.

The inspections have extended to the fish market, where the traders have been tricking the consumers. Apart from recommendations, the inspectors have also imposed fines, reaching 350 euros, for misleading labeling. Specifically, a fishmonger in Varvakios was selling sea bream for 11.99 euros per kg, without specifying that the fish originated from Oman.

Up until Maundy Thursday, shops will be open from 9am to 9pm. On Good Friday, shops will open from 1pm to 7pm, while on Easter Saturday they will be open from 9am to 4pm.

Emergency Measures

Travel agents have estimated that organised tours have increased by 20% compared to last year. The excursionists should also book their return tickets, as most of the tickets until Easter Monday have been sold out.

The Ministry of Mercantile Marine announced emergency measures for passengers and vehicles throughout Holy Week. Those include briefing the passengers in case of schedule changes, as well as inspections for adherence to departure and arrival times.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Greek Development Ministry

[03] "Advanced Technology" Call for Direct Talks with Iran

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP - BBC - ANA

Members of the Senate urged the US administration to hold direct talks with Tehran, stressing that a military operation could prove more disastrous than the war in Iraq. At the same time, Richard Lugar, the Republican chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, declared that it was too early for Washington to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme. Moreover, the Iranian Presidents announcement that Tehran was working on advanced P2 centrifuges highly efficient devices that can enrich far more effectively has raised concerns among nuclear inspectors. According to an article in the New York Times, IAEA (Intentional Atomic Energy Agency) officials are expected to approach the Iran question this week, as an Iranian delegation is expected in Vienna Tuesday.

Developing Advanced Technology

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that Iran would not be stopping its uranium enrichment programme. As he noted, they already possess P1 centrifuges and the next stage was to develop P2 centrifuges, which are four times more powerful.

For some time now, western experts have believed that, in addition to their nuclear activities in Natanz, Iran was developing a secret programme based on the P2 system, after receiving the technical know-how from the father of the Pakistani bomb, Abdul Kadir Khan, without, however, having any proof.

In an interview on Saturday, Robert Joseph, Undersecretary of State for Arms and International Security, mentioned that the Iranian Presidents statements constituted Tehrans first confession that it is developing advanced technology.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: US nuclear talks with Iran urged

The NY Times: New Worry Rises After Iran Claims Nuclear Steps

Related News:

US Toughens its Stance

Related Links:

ΙΑΕΑ

[04] "Year of Olive Oil"

By Anna Kourti

More than 5 million euros will be given this year to promote olive products in international markets. In a joint Press Conference, the Ministers of Economy, Development, Rural Development and Tourism presented action plans to standardise, promote and improve the quality of olive products. "High quality olive oil will become the means to introduce other Greek products abroad and promote Greek tourism. Greece needs to be internationally linked to quality and credibility," stressed Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Seven Killed and Eight Injured Mine Attacks in Sri Lanka

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC - ANA

Seven people were killed and eight were injured in mine explosions in various parts north of the country. The first mine exploded in Vavuniya, when a military vehicle was driving by, killing four soldiers and injuring eight, as per an army spokesperson. According to the same source, a second mine prematurely exploded in Jaffna, killing the person who was carrying it and another two. These attacks were recorded just one day after the Tamil Tiger rebels announced they would not be participating in the talks scheduled for the end of April in Geneva, aiming at reinforcing the ceasefire. In a letter to the Norwegian mediator, the Tigers for the Liberation of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) explained that they would not be attending the talks because the Government has not lifted the travel restrictions against the members of the group. The ceasefire had been agreed in February 2002; however, the hostilities between the rebels and government forces resurged recently.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Tamil Tigers harden talks stance

[06] With 27 Boy Scouts Onboard Bus Overturns in Spain

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters - ANA

Four people, including two children, were killed and another 23 were injured when a bus overturned near the northern Spanish city of Oviedo. As per the police, the bus was carrying 27 boy scouts. The scouts and their chaperons were returning from a holiday camp in Leon, southern Spain when the accident occurred, however, the causes have not been established yet. As per a rescue crew source, four of the wounded are in critical condition.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] In the SW Part of the Country Lethal Mudslides in Colombia

Sources: AFP

Flooding and mudslides in SW Colombia have killed at least 29, with at least eight more people unaccounted for. "Up to this moment we have recovered 29 bodies, and eight people remain on our list of missing, four military and four civilians," stressed the director of the Disaster Warning and Prevention Office. The mudslides started on Wednesday, triggered when the rain-swollen Dagua River overflowed its banks. The rescue crews are working around the clock in tonnes of mud, while there are fears that the death toll could reach 50. In addition, they believe that it will take six months to recover all the bodies.

[08] No End to Violence in Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA - BBC

The week started will two bloody attacks in Iraq, following a weekend when dozens of people were killed. Specifically, on Monday morning, two people were killed and eight were injured in two separate attacks in Baghdad, one against a police station and a second in a square. At the same time, the trial of Saddam Hussein and another seven codefendants is resuming on Monday, with the experts testifying as to whether the orders for the execution of Shiites were authentic and had been signed by Hussein. It should be noted that the former Iraqi leader is accused of the death of 148 Shiites in 1982.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Trial of Saddam Hussein resumes

[09] For the First Time New Knesset Convenes

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

Israels new Parliament is convening on Monday afternoon for the first time since the 28 March elections, in the presence of President Moshe Katsav. Former PM for the Labour Party, Shimon Peres, 82, the eldest member of the Knesset and acting Speaker, will deliver the opening speech. The Prime Ministers seat will be left empty as a tribute to Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since 5 January, while he was officially declared unable to act as PM last Friday, following 100 days in hospital. The 17th Knesset is made up of 120 MPs from 12 Parties, with the Ehud Olmerts Kadima party holding the majority (29 MPs). In addition, Olmert was also given the order by Katsav to from a government.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Olympiacos Loses, but Wins Championship

By Stathis Petropoulos

Although Larissa had lost three times to Olympiacos in the Greek Cup and Championship, today it ruined the Champions fiesta since it claimed victory in the forth in between them match by 2-1 goals. In the 7 Aloneftis was awarded a free kick, which Digozis executed and opened the score for the home team. Olympiacos failed to react, as the team could not come up with defensive solutions. The guests continued to apply pressure in the rerun and Djordjevic tied the score in the 54. However, celebrations did not last over three minutes, since Larissa scored again with Aloneftis and bagged three points.

Referee: Mazarakos

LARISSA: Christopoulos, Galitsios, Firster, Simos, Katsiaros, Ziagas, Digozis (16 Wella Junior), Bachramis, Serban (58 Papakostas), Kalatzis (67 Kyparissis), Aloneftis

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Anatolakis, Schurrer, Bulut (64 Georgatos), Kafes (64 Castillo), Maric, Stoltidis, Danny (86 Babangida), Djordjevic, Okkas.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Three-pointer of Salvation for Panionios

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panionios defeated Atromitos by 1-3 and took a deep breath in its effort to stay in Division 1. Combined to OFIs defeat, Panionios is now worry-free of being relegated. After a poor first half, Atromitos opened the score with a free kick in the 52, performed by Zacharopoulos. Panionios, which was after victory, answered back right away and tied in the 54 with Kabadais. The guests kept pushing and doubled their goals in the 62 with Breskas kick. Luciano scored the final goal of the match in the extra time.

Referee: Tsikinis

ATROMITOS: Andriolas, Katemis, Karadimos, Georgiou, Dagas, Korakakis, Dimos, Geladaris, Raguel, Zacharopoulos, Djibour (30 Sotirchos)

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Goundoulakis, Giannopoulos, Gaspar, Spyropoulos, Zografakis, Exouzidis, Makos (53 Fernandez), Luciano, Breska, Kabadais.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] PAOK Qualified to UEFA Cup

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Two goals from the Championships top scorer and one from Yasemi were enough for PAOK to defeat Levadiakos and book a ticket to the UEFA Cup. Salpingidis was the star of the day and paved the way to victory in the 19, when he scored his first goal. However, Levadiakos reacted and tied the score in the 39 with a header from Pastos. In the rerun, PAOK was better but took the team some time before scoring again. In the 85 Salpingidis scored his second goal with a header, while Yasemi formed the final score of 3-1 in the 89 with an easy kick.

Referee: Detsis

PAOK: Fernandez, Karypidis, Vangelis, Udeze, Chasiotis, Maladenis, Balafas (69 Christodoulopoulos), Sikabala, Konstantinidis (86 Iliadis), Salpingidis, Yasemi

LEVADIAKOS: Zafeiropoulos, Theodosiadis, Machairas, Pastos, Andralas, Alex, Vitalli, Bassala, Rusev (73 Kallimanis), Bussi (74 Dimou), Sicic (83 Karakatsanis).

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] Alavanos Visits N. Smirni KAPI

Sources: NET

While visiting the Nea Smirni KAPI (Open Care Centre for the Elderly) on Monday morning, SYN President Alekos Alavanos asked the state to support senior citizens. Mr Alavanos stressed there should be proper pensions for senior citizens to live a dignified life.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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