The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ukrainian Suspect Referred to Prosecutor

A Ukrainian national, 30, arrested on suspicion of the murder of a police officer in central Athens in April 2009, was referred Saturday morning to the prosecutor. The second shooter, the arrestee's brother, who opened fire at the policemen is still on the loose.

The two policemen had gone to the murder scene to investigate a burglar call. They located the 30-year-old Ukrainian and stopped him to check him. However, their work was hampered by a female passer-by who thought their actions against the Ukrainian were not fair. It was then when the suspect's brother took them by surprise and opened fire.

Later on, one of the two policemen succumbed to his wounds.

Attica police chief Giannis Dikopoulos said the two brothers fled to Ukraine. They returned in Greece a month ago and rented a house under a female name. Police tracked them down, raided the house and arrested the 30-year-old suspect along with two women who were later on set free as they knew nothing of his activities.

As soon as his brother, who was absent during the raid, saw police outside the house, he stole a car and escaped. He abandoned the car near the port.

The Ukrainian on loose has also been charged by the Ukrainian authorities, while an international arrest warrant is pending against him.

Source: ANA/MPA, NET, NET 105.8 News item: 33276

[02] Greek Gov't Commits to Its Stability Plan

The Greek government is determined to commit itself to the stability plan without fail, after the backing it got from the 27 nation bloc. Addressing an Inner cabinet meeting, Prime Minister George Papandreou slammed both the European Commission and the strong euro-zone nations for turning Greece into a guinea pig with their stance against the attack from international markets. Papandreou then lashed out at the Conservative party of ND (New Democracy), holding it accountable for the crisis.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his conviction that Greece will overcome its deficit problems and move forwards.

Papandreou criticized the European Commission and the strong euro-zone nations for the stance towards market pressures, arguing that they turn Greece into a guinea pig in the battle against international markets. He also accused the of allowing the former Greek government to deliberately twist financial figures.

He then went on to add that ND has historical responsibilities for the crisis, claiming that some looted the state even in the last minute.

Later on, addressing his party's Political Council, he did not rule out the setting up of the inquiry committee on economy. However, Papandreou appeared certain that Greece will manage to overcome the crisis, declaring that the government is not intimidated by union interests and the political cost.

Greece's public debt got out of proportion between 1981 and 1989 and Greece never managed to recover ever since, said a ND spokesman, who urged the Prime Minister to stop looking for an alibi in the past to cover his slow response.

"Mr Papandreou, when abroad, appears willing to buy French frigates, determined to freeze wages and smash the pension system, begging for any kind of aid and satisfied for the EU's vague support. In the meantime, when in Greece, he underlines the need to regain national sovereignty which is under threat by the EU. He had better give up on hypocrisy and change his policy as soon as possible," commented SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left). News item: 33275

[03] Three Killed in Alabama Shooting

Three people were killed and one wounded in shootings at the University of Alabama at Huntsville on Friday, and a suspected shooter was in custody, a university spokesman and police said.

"We have three confirmed people who are dead, one injured. The police have secured the building. The shooter is in custody," UA-Huntsville spokesman Ray Gardner told local television. Gardner said the suspect in custody was a female and that authorities had placed the campus in lockdown. She was near the exit of the Shelby Center when the shootings happened and she said the sound of the shots appeared to come from the third floor, where a biology faculty meeting was taking place.

Source: Reuters

News item: 33273

[04] One Killed in Central Athens Brawl

A brawl in central Athens resulted in one man, 34, dropping dead. A few hours later, yet another person was injured after been shot. Both incidents took place in the early hours of Saturday.

Two bloody incidents took place in the early hours of Saturday in central Athens. Shortly after midnight, in a brawl with foreigners, a drug addict of Greek descent dropped dead. The perpetrators battered him and stabbed in the ribs and in his leg.

A few hours later, also in the same area, three gunshots were heard. The policemen who rushed to the scene found a Georgian national wounded. He was rushed to the hospital.

Police is probing both cases. News item: 33272

[05] Rainy Carnival Weekend

Weather during the Carnival weekend will be rather unsettled, as showers and storms have been forecast to hit several parts of Greece. Traffic on the country's two main highways is has been smooth so far. In the meantime, markets are getting busier and busier as consumers have rushed the markets to buy delights for their Lenten table.

Rainy Weekend Ahead

Those who will choose to celebrate the Carnival weekend in the countryside will be met with rainy weather, since weather is going to deteriorate further. Drivers in several parts of northern Greece's road network should use snow chains, due to the frosty conditions. News item: 33269

[06] Opening Ceremony Overshadowed by Tragedy

A flawless ceremony opened Friday the 2011 Winter Olympic Games of Vancouver, Canada. Consisting of seven athletes, the Greek delegation marched first inside the stadium. However, the death of Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, who was killed in an accident while training, overshadowed the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Games.

The Winter Olympic Games returned to Canada after 12 years.

''Dear athletes, these Games belong to you ... so give them the magic that we all desire through your performances and your conduct,'' Jacques Rogge

2,500 athletes from 82 countries paraded at the BC stadium declaring the opening of the 21st Winter Olympic Games.

The first delegation to enter the stadium was the Greek one, with Thanassis Tsakiris being the flag bearer in his fifth participation in the Winter Games.

''Dear athletes, these Games belong to you ... so give them the magic that we all desire through your performances and your conduct,'' stressed IOC head Jacques Rogge, while about 60,000 spectators were watching the history of Canada unfolding before their eyes, with the natives and the brown bears being the stars of the night.

The Tragedy

However, the Winter Games were overshadowed by the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili in a high-speed training crash on the Whistler track just hours before last night's opening ceremony.

At the ceremony, both athletes and spectators observed a minute of silence in the memory of the Georgian athlete, while the Canadian and Olympic flags were at half mast.

The 60,000 spectators who had packed the stadium extended a warm welcome to the Georgian delegation, whose members were wearing a black badge to mark their mourning.

Demonstrators tried to mar the opening ceremony, protesting against poverty, since Vancouver is believed to have more than 3,000 homeless.

The organizing nation has yet another obstacle to overcome. The lack of snow due to the high temperatures may force authorities to cause artificial snowfall.

News item: 33268

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