The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Robbery at a Rio de Janeiro Museum Paintings Gone to the Beat of Samba

By

Sources: Reuters

The masterminds of the much-talked-about robbery in Kent seem to have been outsmarted by perpetrators coming from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil in particular. With the most celebrated carnival worldwide having sent locals and visitors wild since yesterday and with the majority of Rio de Janeiros police officers being on high alert to avert any misconducts, some thought they had better "seize the day."

A gang of armed men brandishing a hand grenade stormed the Chacara do Ceu Museum, disarmed the guards, switched off the security cameras stripped the museum off its most invaluable exhibits and wriggled out to the beat of samba, since they disappeared into the parading crowd. Shortly before, they had made sure to rob several unfortunate visitors of their belongings.

As for their high-taste loot, it consists of Pablo Picassos "The Dance", Salvador Dalis "The Two Balconies", Henri Matisses "Luxembourg Gardens" and Claude Monets "Marine."

The museum officials estimated that it was specialists, probably members of an international ring, that orchestrated the robbery, while they have not yet been able to announce the exact value of the vanished paintings. Brazils federal police are on high alert lest the paintings should leave the country.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC - Monet stolen under carnival cover

[02] Claimed Responsibility of Explosion Al Qaeda Strikes Again

By Vivian Papastefanou

In an announcement posted on the Internet, the Saudi Arabian wing of al Qaeda claimed responsibility of the car bomb attack against an oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia. The organisation confirmed that its members, onboard two vehicles packed with explosives, attempted a hit against the two biggest oil facilities in the world. The guards opened fire against the two vehicles, causing the explosions, which killed two bombers and two guards. As per the al Qaeda message, which has not been yet authenticated, the attack took place in the context of persecuting the "infidels" in the Arabian Peninsula. In fact, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Oil refuted a story broadcast by Al Arabiya, which spoke of the flow of oil in Abqaiq to have decreased due to the damage caused by the attack.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] 0.4% Lead for PASON in Voting Intention New Opinion Poll

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ΝΕΤ

PASOK is 0.4% ahead of ND in voting intention, according to an opinion poll conducted by ALCO on behalf of Ethnos tis Kyriakis paper.

In particular, PASOK gathered 34.4%, compared to 34% for ND, 6.7% for KKE, 5.6% for LAOS and 2.8% for SYN. Those who opted for another party or identified themselves as undecided corresponded to 2% and 13.1% respectively.

On the question which party would win the elections were to be held today, ND still leads the race with 49%, as opposed to 34.3% for PASOK, while 16.7% of those asked refused to answer.

On the question who is more appropriate for the position of Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis gathered 43.4%, compared to 35.7% for George Papandreou. 20.9% of the participants in the poll did not answer.

ALCO nationwide opinion poll was conducted via personal interviews from 12 to 21 February.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] G. Aggelakos Submitted his Resignation

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, ANA

Today, Chief of Greek Police Giorgos Aggelakos submitted his written resignation to Minister of Public Order Byron Polidoras. In the letter, Mr Aggelakos stated that he is resigning in order to assist new officers, qualified to serve the service, ascend to the leadership. Moreover, he noted that he is resigning six months before his term ends, as he had a lengthy previous experience in the Drug Squad, the Attica Police Directorate, as Chief of the Olympic Games Security and after 34 years of service in the Greek Police. Moreover, he stated that he served with professionalism and dedication to the citizens, the country, the law and the order, and that structural changes were made, during his leadership, strengthening the feeling of security and specifying a better future for the Greek Police. In closing, he thanked the State for the high honour of his appointment as Chief of Greek Police. Former Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis praised Mr Aggelakos valuable work.

Unveiling of Fallen Policemen Monument

At noon, the fallen policemen monument was unveiled at the courtyard of the Ministry of Public Order by Mr Byron Polidoras and Mr Giorgos Aggelakos and attended by the Archbishop of Athens, the leadership of the Greek Police, retired officers and victims families. The Minister of Public Order underlined "none can live as a person and as a society if it does not honour its dead and not respect the heroes sacrifices." Mr Polidoras, referring to the symbolism, stated that the policemen are the ones who protect the city with peace and law as "the highest values of social cohesion." In his address, Mr Aggelakos noted that the monument pays tribute to the long list of policemen who lost their lives on duty leaving their families behind. He added that this act signals our respect to their memories and families. Mr Aggelakos did not answer journalists questions over his resignation. Both the Minister and the Chief of Police laid wreaths to the monument, while tribute was paid by the Greek Police Corps Officers and the polices band. Earlier, a memorial service was performed in honour of the fallen policemen on duty officiated by the Archbishop of Athens.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Greek Police Chief Resigned

[05] Priority to Greeks Immigrants L. Zagoritis Greek Immigrants Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, ANA

The newly elected Secretary of NDs Central Committee held his first meeting with the partys officials. Mr Lefteris Zagoritis attended a meeting by the Hellenes Abroad Council, in which NODE Presidents from abroad also participated. In statements, Mr Zagoritis noted that the meeting indicated the partys priority to the Greeks living abroad. Moreover, he noted that the partys Action Programme will be announced shortly, following his meetings with former Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis and other party officials. On Monday, Mr Zagoritis will meet with the Prime Minister at Maximos Mansion.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Zagoritis New ND Secretary

[06] He Sustained Head Injuries Young Person Battered in Thessaloniki

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET-ANA

A 22-year-old student of the Thessaloniki Polytechnic School has been admitted to AXEPA hospital in Thessaloniki. The young student was severely beaten up during a clash that was fuelled when a gang of strangers stormed the premises of the University, where a party was going on, creating havoc. The student was transferred to hospital sustaining serious head injuries and the doctors view the next two hours as crucial for his health. Two more people also suffered minor injuries, yet they did not have to be taken to hospital. Police authorities have launched an investigation.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] 30 Unknown Pre-Paid Mobiles New Names on the Wiretaps List

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET

Thirty unknown people, whose names have not been released so far, are included on the wiretaps list. As per an article that appeared on To Vima paper, the list of the 103 people bugged, police authorities are aware of, includes 30 pre-paid mobile phones, whose holders are unknown. The initial investigation has shown that some of the aforementioned pre-paid mobiles belong to individuals affiliated with anarchists. The unknown pre-paid mobile phones, whose owners are not included on the list of people bugged were activated from 2001 to February 28, 2005, namely four days before Ericsson first realized that there was something suspicious going on with Vodafones software. It is worth noticing that three of the bugged pre-paid mobile phones were activated in early 2005 and the conversations of their holders started being bugged shortly after the pre-paid mobiles were connected with the shadow mobiles, something that speaks for the rings constant action and alertness.

Furthermore, the Hellenic Authority fro the Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) have called on Vodafone to fill in a new questionnaire by March 10, since the first memo was vague. The five-page questionnaire consists 14 specific questions on technical and procedural issues. Upon its being completion, the ADAEs Plenary Session will decide on the amount of the fines. ADAEs articles of association provide for fines amounting from 10,000 to 1.5 million euros per confirmed offence committed by Vodafone.

In the meantime, according to Ethnos daily, the Tsalikidis family has asked for the assistance of renowned coroner Michael Baden to clarify Kostas Tsalikidis death. The world-class coroner, who has solved many crime riddles, has already received a file with the evidence on the case and he is to answer whether he will undertake Tsalikidis postmortem within the week.

Related News:

ADAE Convenes Over Wiretaps

[08] Inauguration of New Educational Centre Modernisation of ETHEL

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA, NET 105.8

This morning, Minister of Transport and Communications Michael Liapis inaugurated the new educational centre of Greek Thermal Buses (ETHEL), while following he awarded the employees children who passed in universities and attended a childrens celebration. Speaking to the employees, Mr Liapis underlined that the company not only will maintain its public character but also will reinforce its social character and improve its effectiveness. Moreover, he noted that the ETHEL network will be expanded and that a competition for the purchase of 520 modern and clean technology buses is in development. Mr Liapis announced that the competition for the application of telematic systems in the fleet will be announced in spring.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Another Step for Panionios

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panionios took an important step towards avoiding relegation, after achieving an away 2-1 win over Kallithea on match day 12. In the encounter, which was the match of the year for both teams, Kallithea took the lead in the 48 with Mijatovic, but Panionios did not give up. They equalized the score in the 75 with Giannopoulos and finally won the game with Breskas goal in the 81. Panionios have now gathered 19 points, while Kallithea remained on second place on the scoreboard from the end.

Referee: Efthimiadis (Drama)

Yellow Cards: Mijatovic, Passas - Giannopoulos, Smiljanic

KALLITHEA: Bartzokas, Koulakiotis, Georgiev, Venetis, Mijatovic (57΄ Passas), Karatzas, Tsiolis, Petkovic (72΄ Angelopoulos), Sylla, Koutsospiros (20΄ Behi), Randovanovic

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Giannopoulos, Maniatis, Magdy, Smiljanic, Exouzidis, Kabantais (88΄ Gaspar), Koutsopoulos, Goundoulakis (61΄ Fernantes), Spiropoulos (51΄ Breska), Luciano

[10] Great Win for Iraklis

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Two goals scored in the second half gave Iraklis an important 2-0 home victory against Xanthi, and brought Iraklis step closer towards claiming one of the privileged places that lead to the new seasons UEFA Cup. At the same time, Iraklis seems to be unbeatable when playing home, since todays victory was the ninth running. Paviot in the 67 with an own goal and Herrera in the 83 were the scorers of the encounter.

Lineups IRAKLIS: Abaris, Sznausner (+90` Stefanis), Drougas, Katsabis, Papazaharias, Poursanidis, Prittas, Lagos, Herrera (+90` Kapetanos), Epalle, Georgiadis (72` Lawal)

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Torosidis, Paviot, Chiquinho, Rikka (71` Maghradze), Zuela, Quintana (76` Delgado), Manso, Barkoglou (46` Baykara), Garpozis, Labriakos

Referee: Tsahilidis (Piraeus)

Yellow Cards: Chiquinho, Prittas, Katsabis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Free PCs to Students with Special Needs Free PCs by the Education Ministry

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET

Greek Education Minister Marietta Giannakou announced that children with disabilities and special needs will be provided with PCs free of charge, while addressing an one-day event organized by the Hellenic Society of Disabled Children. The Education Minister underlined the importance of broadening the horizons of young people and pointed out that the special computers supply programme is to suit the needs of each child separately, irrespective of the high cost such a programme entails. As per figures released by the Education Research Centre, students with special educational needs exceed 21,000.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Of the Thessaloniki Prefecture Farmers Take the Streets

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

The farmers of Thessaloniki Prefecture are taking the streets, in protest of a decreased distribution of rice funding. In a morning meeting, they decided to proceed to a two-hour blockade with tractors of the Thessaloniki-Katerini Naional road from 13:00 to 15:00. The farmers meeting was attended by Thessaloniki MPs, the spokesperson of KKE and the Vice Prefect, who were briefed on the farmers demands. In the meantime, two traffic lanes at the Thessaloniki-Moudiana National Road, at Triglia, remained closed on Saturday morning by farmers protesting over large fines imposed by the PPC for over-consumption of electricity. The farmers blasted the PPC for changing the regime of low prices in 2004, without having informed them first.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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