The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Firework Easter Tradition Kills 4 People

Greek tradition of throwing fireworks and firing rockets-technically illegal- during the celebration of the Orthodox Christian service at midnight before Easter Sunday ended in the killing of 4 people and seriously injuring 6 others who were transferred to hospital. This year is reported as the most bloodiest Easter celebration.

Two explosions were reported on the island of Santorini while young people were constructing rockets. In one explosion, a21yo man was killed and his same age friend was seriously injured in the eye. In the second explosion a 28yo was seriously injured on his right hand.

In Messinia, 25yo was charred in his car that caught fire as he was transporting balloons filled with oxygen to explode during Easter service.

On the island of Hios, 16yo was seriously injured by a self-made rocket while trying to fire it. He was transferred to an Athens hospital.

Incidents continue on Easter day, with a 17yo killed while insisting to fire a self-made rocked, after first attempt failed. Easter celebration in Yiannitsa ended in tragedy when a 48yo fatally injured his 43yo cousin when his riffle went off while trying to unblock it.

In the last 10 years 9 people have lost their lives and 110 injured from explosions of crackers and fireworks.

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΝΕΤ - ΑNA-ΜPA

Σχετική είδηση: Χριστός Ανέστη-Καλό Πάσχα News item: 35085

[02] Mexico: Strong Quake Struck Baja California

A powerful 7.2 magnitude quake struck Baja California at 01:40 (Greek local time) on Sunday killing two people in the border city of Mexicali. One was killed when his house collapsed. Many people have been injured whiel an untold number of houses have been damaged. The earthquake was felt in large part of California, US such as Los Angeles and San Diego while many post tremors have been reported.

The 7.2 magnitude quake struck shortly before 16:00 and was centered in Baja California at a 10km depth.

It is the strongest quake in the Baja region since the 1992 7.3 tremor

The strong quake and aftershocks that followed were felt in the US state of California and particularly in Los Angeles and San Diego. Nor victims neither significant material damage was reported in the US.

Alost his life in Baja California, in Mexicali when his house collapsed and many people were trapped in elevators. The quake brought down power lines in certain regions and disruptions in telecommunications. In its website, "Chronica" newspaper refers at least one more person killed but the news has not been officially confirmed. Only injuries were reported in the broader region, in northern Mexico but report of cracked roads have aroused concern among residents from the cities of Tijuana to Los Angeles.

Source: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA-ΜPA

Also read : BBC: Earthquake rocks western Mexico

Also: REUTERS: Strong quake shakes cities around U.S.-Mexico border News item: 35080

[03] Increased Traffic in Specific Sections of National Roads

There is increased traffic due to return of Easter holiday makers while the first congestion problems are emerging. A 6km queue has been formed at the Patra-Korinthos highway at the Kalabryta intersection due to works in progress in the region, while there is a 3km queue at Afidnes and Kalamaki toll stations. Traffic is moving at slow pace in Amfilohia, Tembi, Rio Bridge and Maliakos Petalo. Return of Easter holidaymakers started last night and is continuing today in fine weather nationwide apart from some showers in the northern parts of the country. Traffic police are out in force along national roads as well as ports, coach terminals and airports to ensure smooth return of city dwellers.

Some 1.036.000, fewer compared to last year, left Athens during Easter mass exodus. Twenty-eight deadly road accidents with 31 peoplekilled have been reported so far while there were 38 deadly accidents with 40 people killed in last year's Easter exodus.

Thessaloniki: Holiday Makers Are not Facing Delays

Thessaloniki residents are not facing any heavy traffic problems or delays upon their return to the city as there are six booths at Malgara toll station for holiday makers returning to Thessaloniki and three booths for ones heading to Katerini. There is smooth flow of traffic along Halkidiki and Polygyros roads. On Tembi road, there is increased traffic heading to Larissa, however without any traffic jams. To ensure safe return of holiday makers, lorries above 1.5 tones are banned from most parts of highways from 15:00 to 22:00.

Source: NΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Σχετική είδηση: Χριστός Ανέστη-Καλό Πάσχα

Σχετική είδηση: Το Πάσχα των πολιτικών News item: 35079

[04] Focus on Structural Changes and Reforms

After a few days break to celebrate Easter, Prime-minister, George Papandreou and senior government officials return to Athens on Monday evening to resume big effort for the promotion of structural changes and reforms. The agenda includes changes in taxation, social security and administrative reforms mainly based on the "Kallikratis" plan as well as the voting of the new developmental bill. The government aims to complete reforms in the next two month period and before the EU Summit Meeting in June.

For the next period the government has placed priority on the opening of closed professions, privatizations and completion of merging or abolition procedures regarding certain public organizations.

An IMF delegation is arriving in Athens this week to assist in modernization of Tax Collection Mechanism and the drawing of three-year budgets.

IMF officials will have contacts with Finance Ministry executives and will discuss the course of structural changes. A EU Commission, ECB, IMF mixed delegation will visit Athens on May,16 in view of the report on the progress of the Growth and Stability Plan.

Finance undersecretary, Philipos Sahinidis in a circular calls on Ministries, Public Services and Public Utility Organizations to cut down on operation expenses.

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8

News item: 35078

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