The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] "A Government for all Greeks"

Sources: NET - ANA

The new Defence Minister, Vangelis Meimarakis, arrived in Thessaloniki on Friday. In an event hosted by NDs unionist movement, Mr Meimarakis stressed that the Government will continue its task without introducing party politics in the State or the Armed Forces. During the annual cutting of the vasilopita (New Years cake) for the employees of DAKE (Democratic Independent Workers Movement) in the Public and Private sector, he voiced his support for the reforms promoted by the Government. He also spoke about the elections for the new ND secretary, scheduled for this coming Friday, noting that he will assist his replacement to fulfil the task undertaken.

No Party Politics

The new Defence Minister emphasised that he opposes the introduction of party politics in the State or the Armed Forces. Referring to the stance of the Government on the labour issue, he said that some people aim at targeting the peace in labour relations with their actions, in an effort to target the Government.

"The Government rightly does not intervene in the collective bargaining procedures and rightly asked SEV (Federation of Greek Industries) to improve its proposals in order to achieve peace in labour relations."

The Defence Minister also noted that New Democracy will once again support Panagiotis Psomiadis and Vasilis Papageorgopoulos in the prefectorial and municipal elections.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Ismail Haniya Nominated for PM New Palestinian Parliament

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: REUTERS - BBC

The new Palestinian Parliament was inaugurated in Ramallah before the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Officials of Hamas, the Islamic group that gathered the majority of seats, spoke of a historic day. A Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, has been nominated as Prime Minister. The groups Gaza-based members joined the ceremony by video link, as Israel has not allowed them to travel to the West Bank town of Ramallah.

Abbas Urges Respect for Negotiations

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mahmoud Abbas urged the Islamic group to continue talks with Israel and underlined that the new Government should respect the existing agreements.

These include the Oslo accords (1993) for Palestinian autonomy, which paved the way for the creation of an autonomous Palestinian state.

Hamas rejected this request anew, claiming negotiations could not take place under the present situation, since the occupation and the attacks are continuing.

Mahmoud Abbas also asked for an end to violence and urged the international community and Israel not to punish the Palestinian people for Hamas electoral victory.

In the January elections, Hamas gathered 74 out of the 132 seats in Parliament, as opposed to 45 for Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas party.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Greece's New Advertising Campaign "Starring You"

By Betty Savourdou

On the occasion of the 1st International Tourist Forum held in Athens, the Ministry of Tourism presented Greece's new advertising campaign on Saturday. The phrase "Live Your Myth in Greece, Starring You" has become the campaign's new moto. Through this campaign, the Ministry of Tourism and the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation) are trying to put Greece at the top of tourist destinations. Journalist Nikos Aliagas presented the new TV spot.

Aims and Vision

History, culture and Greek hospitality, as well as the vast blue sea, are the stars of the new advertising campaign, launched by the Greek Ministry of Tourism.

New Tourism Minister Fani Palli Petralia voiced her certainty that the new TV spot will be a success.

Former Tourism Minister and present Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos wished Mrs Petralia to liver her own myth.

At the same time, Mr Avramopoulos stressed the new campaign communicates a message of humanity and optimism in an environment of global uncertainty.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related Links:

Ministry of Tourism

[04] Safe and Sound Successful Rescue Operation

By Annita Paschalinou

The rescue operation to locate the two hang-glider operators, who fell in a gorge on Mr Parnitha on Saturday, ended successfully. A fire department helicopter had originally located the two young men and EMAK (Hellenic Rescue Team) managed to get to the area and recover them. A Super Puma helicopter carried the hang-glider operators to a clear spot neat the Parnitha casino, from where an ambulance transported them to hospital. The two men are now hospitalised in KAT hospital with light injuries. Four fire engines with 15 crewmembers also participated in the rescue operation.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Easy Win for Olympiacos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos enjoyed a pleasant afternoon, after easily prevailing over Iraklis with 84-60 on match day 17 for Basketball's Division A1. This was the 14th win for Olympiacos, who remain second in the standings, one point behind pioneer Panathinaikos and one point ahead of Maroussi. Iraklis, on the other hand, have endangered themselves regarding relegation, especially after Larissa defeated Kolossos. The score per period: 24-11, 40-23, 64-45, 84-60.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Apollo Patras Lost to Maroussi

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Maroussi is keeping up the good work, this time after prevailing over Apollo Patras with 61-66 on match day 17 of Basketball Division A1. This was the 13th win for Panagiotis Giannakis' team and Maroussi remain in third place of the standings, while this was Apollo's 11th loss, although they did end the first half in a draw. The score per period: 13-20, 31-31, 47-47, 61-66.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Larissa Defeated Kolossos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Great game on Rhodes on Saturday between the last teams of Division A1 in Basketball. Larissa and Kolossos played their hearts out, but Larissa managed to claim victory and defeated the home team with a score of 92-95. This was the sixth win for Larissa, while Kolossos has only claimed three games out of a total of 17. Chris Garner did the works for Larissa with 28 points, while Trevon Bryan scored 22 points for the home team. The score per period: 24-22, 53-50, 67-73, 92-95.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Larissa Prevailed over PAOK

By Stathis Petropoulos

Larissa claimed victory over PAOK in round 20 of the Football championship with 2-1 goals. The home team were better off all along and created some fine opportunities that paid off eventually. And although the first half seemed to end in a nil draw, Chloros in the 43' opened the score for Larissa after Digozis' centre kick. In the rerun, Larissa remained in control of the game and Kalantzis scored the second goal for the home team in the 51'. From then onwards, it was all downhill for PAOK, although they did score once in the 84', when Karypidis passed to Miecel and surprised Kotsolis. Still, it was not enough and Larissa bagged three precious points.

LINEUPS

LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios, Helder, Dabizas, Katsiaros, Wella Junior, Digozis, Serban (76' Kyparissis), Chloros (46' Gavrilopoulos), Kalantzis (82' Guga), Bachramis.

PAOK: Fernandez, Karypidis, Udeze (46' Christodoulopoulos), Iliadis (69' Vangelis), Zagorakis, Feutchine (46' Miecel), Arabatzis, Maladenis, Konstantinidis, Sikabala, Salpingidis

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Winning Start for Sifakis

By Stathis Petropoulos

OFI went after a quick goal to ease off the tension playing versus Egaleo but were not that fortunate in terms of time. However, they got what they were after, even if the unique goal of the match was scored in the 90'! This win constituted an ideal debut for Myronas Sifakis as OFI coach and automatically changed the atmosphere in Heraklion. The home team (OFI) got off to a good start and imposed their own pace during the first half. Egaleo tried to answer back but were not that fortunate, nor effective. And although everything indicated the match would end in a nil draw, Dejanov was awarded a penalty kick in the 90' and gave OFI victory, the first in five matches on home grounds.

LINEUPS

OFI: Sifakis, Belevonis (69' Davidson), Pitsos, Isa, Konstantinidis, Nwafor (81' Roubakis), Cipev, Sfakianakis, Dejanov (90+ Dentsas), Oforique, Machlas

EGALEO: Gennamo, Zapropoulos, Christou, Stefanidis (61' Saganas), Omo, Jancetic, Skopelitis, Maric, Manousakis (87' Papoutsis), Tsatsos, Cesarec.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Bird Flu Spreads

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, BBC, NET

One more Indonesian lost his life to the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, thus raising the death toll in Indonesia to 19. Meanwhile, India announced its first deadly bird flu case in chickens. What is more, a 32-year-old is hospitalised in Bulgaria with bird flu symptoms, after coming into contact with dead birds. However, the final results should be issued next week. The deadly strain of the virus was traced for the first time in a dead swan in the Austrian capital on Saturday. Egypt also announced cases of the deadly virus in three different areas of the country.

Thousands of Dead Birds in India

Furthermore, it has been confirmed after tests that dead ducks in eastern France were infected with the H5 virus, most probably with the deadly H5N1 strain.

France is the seventh EU Member-State to have been hit by the avian influenza. The other six countries are Austria, Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy and Germany.

In Iran, authorities announced that the deadly strain of the virus has been detected on 135 wild swans found dead in the Gilan province.

Lastly, thousands of dead birds found dead at the western Indian state of Maharastra, were infected with the H5N1 strain. Over 50,000 birds died and tests showed they were all infected by the deadly virus.

It should be noted that the H5N1 strain mostly infects birds, however 169 people have been infected since 2003, 91 of whom have died.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: India finds deadly bird flu virus

Chicago Sun Times: Tests: Bird flu likely in France, confirmed in Egypt

Related News:

New Suspect Cases

[11] Back to Victories for Panathinaikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

One more victory for Panathinaikos, after prevailing over Panellinios with 68-85 on match day 17 of the Basketball championship. Panathinaikos returned to victories after losing to PAOK last week and now enjoy the top of the standings. On the other hand, this was Panellinios' fourth loss in a row, although they got off to a good start (20-18 in the first period). Vasilis Spanoulis with 20 points was top scorer for the guests, while Bumce scored 19 points for Panellinios.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] The Victim Was a Priest Crime in Kypseli

By Annita Paschalinou

A 70-year-old priest was found dead in his apartment by his son on Friday night. According to the coroner, it was a felonious act that took place in the early hours of Friday morning. The priests hands were tied behind his back, while he had sustained injuries to the head and body. As per the neighbours, he was very sociable and had not caused any troubles in the neighbourhood. The Crime Squad is conducting investigations.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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