The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Olympiacos Earned the Win Shameful Events in Toumba

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Yet again, the derby between PAOK and Olympiacos in Toumba was eventful. What happened out of the stadium and not inside will be remembered of the game. Rocks, broken seats, mobile phones thrown from the stands and a fire at the stadiums stands do not belong to a football games but a war zone. Once again, Toumba became the hideout of PAOK fans that wished to express their complaints over the so-called image of their team. On the game, as that took place as well, Olympiacos took another important step towards conquering the title with goals scored by Okkas (32) and Konstantinou (77), while PAOK scored with Shikabala at the 5. Shortly after the game, PAOK FC issued an announcement in which it voiced its dissatisfaction over the measures taken by the police at the derby in Toumba. The police arrested seven persons while more are expected to be made based on the photographic and visual evidence.

The Game Ended in the 77'

The climate in Toumba was electrified since the beginning of the game. The fans in the stadium were attacking Giannis Goumenos, asking for his removal. Following, some 10,000 PAOK fans electrified the climate even more, when in the 32 Olympiacos managed to tie with Okkas and later on when the "red and whites" took the lead by Konstantinous goal scored in the 77.

Whatever happened next cannot be described as a football game.

PAOKs fans lit a fire and the Fire Service was called to extinguish it, but the situation was so out of control that the polices Special Forces had to intervene. At the same time, objects were being thrown from the fans to the players, forcing referee Briakos to stop the game in the 84.

The fire was extinguished amid a stone-throwing battle.

The game, even if it begun three minutes later, was stopped anew, due to a mobile phone, which was thrown from Gate 4 at the linesman.

Finally, a few minutes later and while Briakos was initially ready to whistle the final end of the game, PAOKs players, specifically Thodoris Zagorakis, intervened and an informal agreement was made and thus after approximately two minutes added time, simply whistled the end of the game.

PAOK FC, in an announcement issued at the end of the game, voiced its dissatisfaction over the insufficient measures, as it stated, taken by the police at the derby in Toumba, regardless of the repeated recommendations it made over the dangerousness of the specific game. The announcement noted that the ticket stands were not protected before the game, allowing unknown men to enter Gates 4 and 4A without tickets. The above event was consecutively repeated by the FCs Administration.

It is noted that after the game seven arrests were made, while more are to follow based on photographic and visual material.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Nothing Stopped Olympiacos

[02] Nothing Stopped Olympiacos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos is going full steam towards the title. The "red and whites" defeated PAOK 2-1 in the great derby of the Division 1 21st round and took another important step towards conquering the Championship. Initially PAOK managed to take the lead with Shikabala in the 5, but Olympiacos with goals scored by Okkas (32) and Michalis Konstantinou (77) overturned the situation and earned an important win.

Referee: Briakos (Epirus)

Yellow cards: Djordjevic, Mieciel, Charalabous, Chasiotis

PAOK: Fernandez, Karypidis, Chasiotis, Udeze (66 Iliadis), Charalabous (82 Giasemis), Maladenis (66 Christodoulopoulos), Zagorakis, Shikabala, Feutchine, Salpigidis, Mieciel

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Schurrer, Pantos, Toure, Anatolakis, Georgatos (66 Babaginda), Okkas (77 Dani), Bulut, Konstantinou, Djordjevic

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Suspicious Case Being Examined H5N1 in Switzerland

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, Reuters

Switzerland will quite possibly be added to the list of countries, which detected outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain, if the lab exams on a dead bird are positive. The Swiss Federal Veterinary Office confirmed that this is an outbreak of the H5 type. As per local news agency ATS, citing Government sources, the suspicious cases are two, one of which is a wild duck and they were located in the broader area of Geneva and Stein-am-Rhein, at the southeast of the country.

Both Switzerland and France, where the cases were found in a turkey farm yesterday, implemented all preventive measures against the virus. French Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau confirmed that, following laboratory examinations, the H5N1 strain was found in 15 wild swans in central and eastern France. Mr Bussereau described the findings as "extremely related" with the virus being detected in a dead wild canary on 18 February also in the Ain department, which borders with Switzerland.

In the meantime, Honk Kong, where for the first time human cases of the virus appeared in 1997, has suspended poultry imports from France. Japan has also proceeded to a similar action, warning that it will stop imports from the Netherlands as well.

As it was made know, a young Romanian man was taken to a hospital in Bucharest with suspicious flu-like symptoms. As per the Romanian authorities, the 21-year-old lived in a village, approximately 500km west of the Danube Delta, where the avian flu was initially detected last October.

The EU urged its commerce partners to not overreact over the issue. It is noted that the European sector of poultry breeding recorded a turnover of 20 billion euros annually and approximately one-fourth of the profits come from imports to third countries. In total, in Europe, 11 tonnes of poultry meat are produced annually (70% chicken, 20% turkey) and 1 million is exported.

China Fearing Spring

At the same time, in China, where 8 persons have lost their lives to the avian flu, two persons are hospitalised with flu-like symptoms. One case is a 9-year-old girl, whose condition is considered critical.

Chinese Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin noted that the countrys Veterinary Authorities culled approximately 23 million poultry in 2005, in an effort of controlling the deadly virus. As per news agency Xinhua, 163,000 tested positive to the deadly H5N1 strain out of the millions of culled poultry. Based on the current situation, the Chinese Minister warned that he does not rule out a new outbreak of the virus in spring with the return of migratory birds.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC - China alert for spring bird flu

BBC - Switzerland awaits bird flu test

Related News:

H5N1 Strain in Domestic Birds

[04] Spiralling Violence Efforts to Settle Sectarian Row

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÁNA-Reuters-BBC

With the threat of civil war casting a shadow over Iraq, Shiite and Sunni political leaders made a plea for the sectarian violence to come to a halt and agreed to enter into negotiations to form a government, also a US-backed effort. Yesterday night, Shiite Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari with Sunni and Kurdish politicians by his side delivered a televised message to Iraqis and called on them to end the sectarian conflict between Shiites and Sunnis. The clashes triggered off by the blast at the holiest Shia shrine in the city of Samarra last Wednesday have claimed at least 165 lives.

However, atrocities seem never-ending. Yet another bomb went off at a Shia shrine in the city of Basra. The bomb had been planted in the buildings toilets and no serious damage was caused.

In Hilla, a Shia-dominated city some 100km south of Baghdad, five people were killed and further six were wounded in a blast in a bus station.

In Mandaean situated 30km south of the Iraqi capital, Iraqi insurgents unleashed a mortar attack, killing an Iraqi police officer and wounding further two.

In Sadr City, rockets killed three people injured one and brought down a building.

Iraqi National Defence Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi warned that unless the sectarian bloodshed is halted, an endless civil war between the two religious communities will break out.

New Security Plan

BBC broadcast that the Iraqi political leadership is working on a new security deal in an effort to settle the crisis. The deal includes removing the Interior Ministry forces, which are Shiite-dominated and implicated in executing Sunnis, from sensitive Sunni areas, and assigning the patrolling of these areas to the Iraqi army and multinational troops. Eyewitnesses reported that the plan has already come into force in several areas. In the meantime, although the curfew has been lifted, roads will remain sealed off for further 24 hours.

At the same time, the Moqtada al-Sadrs militants and the Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars issued a joint announcement condemning the blast of the shrine and the violence it left in its wake. They also agreed to seriously consider deploying the Mahdi militants to protect the shrines. However, such a plan is most likely to come up against difficulties, since the mosques have already been placed under the control of either the insurgents of the Iraqi army.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC - Iraq leaders see hope of progess

[05] Claims Are Fair, But Opinion Poll on Ship Impasse

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ

The opinion poll conducted by VPRC on behalf of SKAI radio station and Kathimerini tis Kyriakis newspaper showed that the citizens are against the continuation of the seafarers collective actions. However, the findings of the poll are viewed as rather controversial, since, unaware of the reasons of the strike, the majority of the participants in the poll voice its opposition to the government order for civil mobilisation.

In particular, although 57% never heard of the reasons that forced seamen to go on a strike, 62% of those questioned think they are probably right.

The poll also showed that 47% of those participated dismiss the government order for civil mobilisation, while some 55% are of the opinion that the strike should probably come to an end.

Being on Chios island, Deputy Employment Minister Gerasimos Giakoumatos referred to the seamens strike and underlined that the strike is a sacred right, safeguarded by the Constitution, however, it should no pose a threat to the public health.

In its statement on the seamens strike, KKE noted, "ND and PASOK give priority to the capitals interest. All claims voiced by ship owners are met at the expense of the seamen and the islanders."

SYN President Alekos Alavanos, who is in Hania, Crete, maintained that the Government could have weathered the crisis by withdrawing the draft law and launching a dialogue with the maritime employees. He then lambasted the Government for attacking all the achievements of modern society.

The nationwide VPRC poll was conducted over the phone in a sample of 604 citizens.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] "Alarming Developments" Greek Archbishop on Prophet's Cartoons

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ

Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos voiced his grave concern that the Islamic worlds reaction to Prophet Muhammads cartoons may result in a war of religions. Christoudoulos argued that such a potential would be devastating and warned that such a development would sink Europe into pitch darkness.

Christodoulos also expressed his worry because Christian temples and clerics have been attracted Islams rage. "Westerners harmed them and they take it out on the Church," he argued.

In the meantime, the meeting of the Holy Synod scheduled for Tuesday is to elect the new Piraeus Bishop. Christodoulos praised the 27-year contribution of his spiritual father and former Piraeus Bishop Kallinikos and asked the flock to rest assured that the Holy Synod will elect a worthy successor.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] S. Tsitouridis' Interview to Sunday's Ethnos Focus on Social Security Issue

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: Sunday's edition of Ethnos

In an interview to Sundays edition of Ethnos, the Minister of Employment stated that the dialogue over the social security issue will be made between all and on all levels. Mr Savvas Tsitouridis explained that the security issue will not close during this four-year term and that he cannot currently re-designate the dialogues agenda. Moreover, he announced the creation of an open dialogue between the Government with unionists bodies. In the context of whether the final decision will only concern new or older insured persons, Mr Tsitouridis said that the highest level of security and social solidarity has to be secured for all Greeks, however, he stated that a single adjustment is difficult to exist for all, since pensioners and employees, in the middle of their course or beginners, cannot be faced in the same way. The Minister of Employment questioned on the issue of collective work contracts and the banks refusal said, "the Government is not the final judge," however, "it will continue intervening saying to each side that such arrogance and intolerance should not exist. The Government and myself personally want that bankers to sit down at the same table with the unionists in order for a solution to be found." Referring to the civil mobilisation of seamen, he noted that it was a necessary choice in order for public interest to not be affected, which, however, did not solve the problem.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] PAO Cleaned Up Akratitos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Another win, the fifth consecutive one, was earned by Panathinaikos by defeating Akratitos 2-0 in Liossia, in a game that concluded the Championships 21st round. Thus, the "greens" remained at three points from AEK that it will face in the next round of matches in OAKA, which will also judge entrance to Champions League. Once again the "greens", led by Papadopoulos and Gekas scored the two goals. PAOs start was impressive, as it scored in the first minute with Papadopoulos. However, later on, Alberto Malezanis team relaxed and allowed Akratitos to lose some good goal opportunities. The second half was lucky for Panathinaikos, as it overcame the difficulties of the first half and started to clean up the game. The opportunity came in the 61 with Gekas finding the nets for the seventh consecutive game and reaching 11 goals in the Championship and giving the win to the "greens."

Referee: Kouklakis (Chania)

Yellow cards: Apostolakis, Pipinis, Badas Darlas

Lineups:

AKRATITOS: Lyberopoulos, Pipinis, Badas (86 Marinescu), Pena, Apostolakis, Macquet, Gustavo, Tzimopoulos (62 De Francesco), Skoufalis, Ledezma, Pagonis (73 Sunsin)

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Darlas, Vintra, Morris, Goumas, Gonzales, Biscan, Tziolis (68 Adric), Charalabidis (74 Theodoridis), Papadopoulos, Gekas (83 Torghelle)

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Katsouranis Freed AEK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

With a goal by Kostas Katsouranis in the 8 of added time, AEK defeated Ionikos 2-1 in OAKA, in a game for the Division 1 Championships 21st round. Thus, AEK maintained the three-point difference from Panathinaikos, with which it will play against in the next round. The "yellow and blacks" started off better and scored in the 21 with Vengliskyi. In the 39 Perrone tied, but AEK retaliated with Kostas Katsouranis in the 98 with a strong shot and after losing many important goal opportunities in the second half.

Referee: Kalopoulos (Thessaloniki)

Yellow cards: Ivic, Moras Gutman, Pajuelo, Perrone

Lineups:

AEK: Sorrentino, Georgeas, Dellas (73 Moras), Alexopoulos, Malbasa (83 Ivic), Katsouranis, Emerson, Lakis, Soares (73 Kapetanos), Liberopoulos, Vengliskyi

IONIKOS: Beqaj, Tsiblidis (70 Mendrinos), Pajuelo, King, Melabianakis, Gutman, Ukar, Vourexakis, Da Costa (57 Onwuachi), Konstantinidis (26 Makor, due to injury), Perrone

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] To Collect Data MRO to Land On Red Planet

By Vivian Papastefanou

NASAs new unmanned spacecraft Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is expected to arrive on Mars in mid-March, in order to collect more data on the planet. As NASA announced, MRO will decelerate in order to enter the red planets gravity zone, possibly on 10 March, while for the next six months the spacecrafts orbit will gradually slow down and collect data, approximately 300km above the planets surface.

NASA stated that the spacecraft is equipped with the largest-diameter telescopic camera ever sent to another world. The US Space Service is interested to see if there was ever water on the planet, in order to conclude if life forms could live on the Mars. It will perform a manoeuvre called aerobraking, a technique that uses the friction of the Martian atmosphere to slow the spacecraft down. The procedure is "like walking on a tightrope," said James Graf, the missions manager.

On the other hand, Doug McCuistion, chief of the NASA Mars Exploration Program, stated that this mission will pave the road for future robotic missions in the decade and for the service to prepare itself to send off humans to Mars. The US Service is planning to send a manned spacecraft with a six-member crew to Mars in two decades.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Breather Win for Levadiakos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Levadiakos earned an important three-pointer, which will help maintain the team in Division 1, defeating Atromitos in Livadia, in a game for the Championships 21st round. In a game poor in goal opportunities, the goal that ruled the game was scored in the 7 with an own-goal by Georgiou. Thus, Takis Lemonis team managed get away from the danger zone of relegation. On the other hand, Atromitos, apart from the 77 when Zacharopoulos caught a shot in motion and sending it to the goalpost, removed itself from qualifying in Europe.

Referee: Efthimiadis (Drama)

Yellow cards: Petkov

Lineups:

LEVADIAKOS: Karakostas, Anderson, Theodosiadis, Dimou, Kallimanis, Macheras, Andralas (46 Pastos), Bassala, Rusev, Sisic, Bushi (46 De Pauli)

ATROMITOS: Michailidis, Dagas, Georgiou, Dimos (77 Iliopoulos), Petkov, Korakakis, Pappas, Karadimos, Katemis (33 Sotirchos), Jibur, Zacharopoulos

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Fair Share in Egaleo

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Points and impressions were shared between Egaleo and Kalamaria with the final score of 0-0 in the Division 1 Championships 21st round. The goal opportunities were few throughout the game. Egaleo was good defence-wise and controlled Kalamarias counterattacks as did the latter.

Referee: Styliaras (Etoloakarnania)

Yellow cards: Kelpekis

Lineups:

EGALEO: Gennamo, Jancetic, Psomas, Omo, Popov, Tsatsos (56 Saganas), Stefanidis (30 Moustogiannis), Skopelitis, Maric, Manousakis, Agritis

APOLLON KALAMARIA: Kelpekis, Amponsah, Murawski, Galanopoulos, Parmaxidis, Papadopoulos, Karaliopoulos, Orfanos, Cleyton, Pappas (90 Ailton), Mouzaoui (63 Ioannou)

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Larissa Flirts with Europe

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Larissa scored a really important 1-0 victory over OFI on match day 21. Larissas players performed better throughout the encounter, however, OFIs defensive line did not allow Giorgos Donis squad to create many chance to score. The red card shown to Minas Pitsos of OFI in the 66 was the key to Larissas win. Spasic scored the only goal of the encounter in the 85 and brought Larissa a step closer to Europes pitches. OFI, on the other hand, remained under the relegation zone.

Referee: Flabouris (Athens) Yellow Cards: Helderr-Tchipev, Pitsos, Roubakis Red Cards: Pitsos

Lineups LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios (54 Gavrilopoulos), Dabizas, Helder, Katsiaros, Digozis, Vela Juinior, Bachramis, Serban (64 Guga), Chloros, Kalantzis (62 Spasic)

OFI: Sifakis, Davidson, Isa, Anastasiadis, Pitsos, Roubakis, Sfakianakis (7 Dentsas-90 Kazantzis), Tchipev, Khachatryan, Nwafor, Machlas (82 Ofori Quaye)

Translated by Areti Christou

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