The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Slight Drop of Oil Prices

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

US crude oil prices dropped slightly Friday, after the unprecedented surge to US$103.05 per barrel during the week. In the New York NYMEX market, US crude for April deliveries closed to US$101.84 per barrel, subsiding by 75 cents compared to Thursdays prices. In London, Brent crude subsided by 80 cents, closing at US$100.10 per barrel.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Oil Price Hikes Continue

[02] Quakes Hit Siteia & Samos

Sources: ÍÅÔ

Two seaquakes took place in northern Aegean and Cretan Sea on Friday evening and Saturday morning respectively.

The first one measured 4.6 on the Richter scale and was registered at 02:07 Saturday northwest off Siteia and 322 kilometres southeast of Athens.

The second one also measured 4.6 on the Richter scale and was registered north of Samos, 270 kilometres east of Athens.

Both seaquakes were surface quakes and as per seismologists no damages have been reported. Scientists are not concerned.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Bloody Operations in Gaza

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, ÁNA-ÌPA

At least 42 Palestinians have died in escalating violence between the Israeli army and Palestinian fighters on Friday evening and in the last hours Saturday. The fighting was concentrated in and around the crowded Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, where Israeli special forces crept in just after midnight followed by a wider incursion involving tanks and helicopters. More than 66 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last four days in Israeli raids that followed the death of an Israeli by a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Although most of the victims were fighters the rest were civilians among whom an infant and two teenagers. The violence is escalating amid renewed threats of an Israeli invasion of Gaza Strip.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: New Israeli raids on Gaza kill 18

[04] M. Giannakou in Critical Condition

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Following Fridays fresh angioplasty surgery the former Education minister is in the Intensive Care Unit of Errikos Dynan Hospital. Ms Giannakou had undergone surgery Friday noon as she suffered a fresh thrombosis in the coronary artery. Doctors have described her condition critical, while political party leaders wished her a fast recovery.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

New Surgery for Mrs. Giannakou

[05] Russia to the Polls

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ÁNA-ÌPA

With Dmitry Medvedev, 42, the runaway favourite as per polls in Russias presidential election tomorrow, over 108 million Russians will vote for the new president. Putin had selected Medvedev to succeed him, while over 108 million Russians will vote in 96,300 polling stations, while another 350 polling stations will be abroad. The winner will have to garner over 50% of votes in the first round, otherwise the two front runners shall go through a second round to be held in three weeks. The turnout in the presidential polls is expected to surpass65% percent. The minimum turnout rule, under which people can express discontent or indifference by not voting, was abolished. Outgoing President Vladimir Putin has appealed for a massive turnout, so that Russias future is safeguarded.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Reform on Universities Materialising

Sources: NET

The bill allowing Technological Institutes to found autonomous postgraduate programmes is ready. The bill was presented at a meeting of Technological Educational Institute Presidents in Serres Friday with the presidents expressing their satisfaction over the development. Today, the Rectors meeting continues in Kavala. Meanwhile, about 300 students, who tried to storm in the hall, where rectors were meeting, clashed with police forces in Komotini Friday afternoon. One student and some policemen were injured, while two arrests also took place. The students were later released under the Thessaloniki University Rectors orders. On Friday, the Education Minister, who attended the TEI meeting, announced the new arrangements that conclude the first phase of reform on TEI. Mr Evrpipidis Stylianidis also presented the General Internal Regulation on Universities and TEI that includes the students vote for the election of Rectors and a Secretary responsible for the foundations finances, as well as the status of students who do not progress with their studies.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Dozens Killed in Accident in Guatemala

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

At least 45 people have died and 15 injured after a passenger bus fell into a 100-metre deep ravine in northern Guatemala on Friday.

The bus had been travelling from the city of Huehuetenango towards the border with Mexico.

In the province in Guatemala, villagers cover long distances in old school buses to work in farmland for one or more days. However, road accidents are usual as roads are not well-maintained.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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