The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PA Is Becoming a "Terrorist Authority" Sanctions Against the Palestinian Authority

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, Reuters, BBC

"It is clear that in light of the Hamas majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council and the instructions to form a new government that were given to the head of Hamas, the PA is in practice becoming a terrorist authority," said Israeli acting PM Ehud Olmert on Sunday, while Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to ask Ismail Haniya of Hamas to form a government. What is more, the Israeli government approved financial sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, except for humanitarian aid. Olmert further underlined "Israel will not hold contacts with the administration in which Hamas plays any part; small, large or permanent."

Sanctions and Movement Restrictions

Among the measures to be implemented is the immediate suspension of monthly payments of around $50m of customs and tax receipts Israel collects at the borders and from products bound for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

This sum corresponds to some 30% of the PA's budget, allowing for the payment of 140,000 employees, 60,000 of which are policemen and security officers.

As well as withholding tax payments, the cabinet also ordered increased security checks at crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, a ban on the transfer of equipment to Palestinian security forces and a tightening of restrictions on the movement of Hamas officials.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

Israel to impose Hamas sanctions

Financial Times: Israel freezes transfer of Palestinian funds

[02] Tragedy in Athens

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

The public opinion in Greece is shocked over the news that a young couple shook their 45-day infant to death because she was crying. The parents then went back to sleep and called EKAV (National Centre for Emergency Medical Care) on Saturday afternoon, saying that the infant died in her sleep. The prosecutor has already brought criminal proceedings for murder with intent and accomplice to murder against the 21-year-old mother, and her 26-year-old boyfriend and father of the baby. The exact cause of the death will be determined in the post mortem that will take place tomorrow, since as per the coroner who examined the infant, it had sustained no fractures or other external injuries. The couple is in custody and will appear before the examiner on Tuesday.

To the Prosecutor on Tuesday

As announced by Police, the couple called EKAV on at 15:00 Saturday to collect the infant, which was already dead.

EKAV then notified the police. The Juvenile Protection and Safety Dept immediately commenced an investigation. It was later established that at around 4:30am on Saturday, the young woman had a fight with her boyfriend because the babys crying was disturbing them. She then took the baby and started shaking it until it died.

The parents then went back to sleep and woke up at around noon. They then called EKAV to collect the baby, saying that it had died in its sleep suddenly. However, they later confessed and were arrested.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Reactions over Cartoons Continue Putting a Stop to Protests

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: REUTERS

The Pakistani authorities are putting a stop to protests for Prophet Mohammads cartoons, fearing new bloody incidents. The federal government imposed a ban on Islamic group Jamaat-al-Islamis scheduled rally on Sunday, while it confined its leader, Qazi Hussein. The police in Islamabad fired teargas and warning shots against a group of people who defied the orders and gathered to protest. In the meantime, Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard spoke for the first time since the crisis erupted to Scottish newspaper Glasgow Herald and mentioned he had not expected such controversy, but did not regret the drawings. Danish paper Jylliands-Posten, which first published Prophet Mohammad's drawings, sent a letter of apology, which was published on Sunday in the Arabic paper Asharq al-Awsat.

"Double Standards"

The Danish cartoonist defended his work as "a protest against the fact that we perhaps are going to have double standards [in Denmark and Western Europe] for freedom of expression and freedom of the press".

He further added that his inspiration was "terrorism - which gets its spiritual ammunition from Islam."

Serious Incidents in Nigeria

The issue with the controversial cartoons has also taken on immense dimensions in Nigeria, where 16 people lost their lives during protest marches. In addition, 18 Christian churches and 17 houses were torched.

The authorities have arrested 140 people so far, while the army has been deployed in many areas to avoid more bloody incidents.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: 16 die in cartoon protests in Nigeria

BBC: Pakistan blocks cartoon protests

Observer: Nigeria cartoon riots kill 16

Related News:

Muslim Protests Continue

[04] State Minister in Phanar

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET - ANA

State Minister Thodoros Roussopoulos conveyed the interest and support of the Greek Government towards Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the expatriate Greeks during his short visit in Istanbul. The Patriarch thanked Mr Roussopoulos for the Greek Governments support and reassured him that the local Greek community is determined to preserve its ancestral roots.

Mr Roussopoulos attended Mass at the church of Agios Charalambos, in Bebek, Bosphorus. After Mass, he participated in a meeting organised by the Bebek community at the front of the church, while he later attended a luncheon in Phanar hosted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his honour.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] For the Party's Central Committee New ND Secretary on Friday

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

New Democracy members have until Monday to put a nomination for the position of the partys Central Committee Secretary. The elections will take place on Friday and will be attended by party President and Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. MPs Lefteris Zagoritis and Katerina Papakosta have expressed interest to run for the position.

Zagoritis' Nomination on Monday

Lefteris Zagoritis is expected to submit his nomination to the returning committee on Monday, while he has already announced his intention to replace Vangelis Meimarakis at an event hosted by the partys youth group.

Others who have expressed interest include MPs Giannis Manolis and Michalis Papadopoulos.

Speaking from Thessaloniki, Vangelis Meimarakis has already voiced his support for the new secretary, while he noted that he will attend as many ND events as his new position as Defence Minister will allow him.

The elections for the new secretary will take place in Athens on Friday.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] 4.1 on the Richter Scale Weak Tremor in Evia

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ANA

A weak earthquake was recorded at 7:36am on Sunday morning in Evia. The magnitude was 4.1 on the Richter scale, while the epicentre was located in the sea, west of Northern Evia.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Two Guidelines Facing Hamas Planning the Day After

By Annita Paschalinou

The Israelis are looking into their stance against the formation of a potential Hamas government. Planning the day after will monopolize the Cabinet's meeting on Sunday and according to the Israeli Media, there are two different approaches to the matter in question. The Israeli Defence Ministry has proposed a hard line, which would even include sanctions, while the Foreign Ministry is more flexible, proposing a gradual approach until the formation of a new Government controlled by Hamas. Meanwhile, two Palestinians lost their lives on Sunday morning during an Israeli air attack, near the borders with the Gaza Strip. According to the Israelis, the Palestinians were placing bombs at the passage of Kisoufim.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Olympia Easily Defeated Makedonikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympia Larissa easily prevailed over Makedonikos on home grounds with 71-56 points and took an important step remain in Basketball Division A1. Makedonikos, on the other hand, are in a tight spot, because this defeat has made them rank second to last in the standings and could be relegated. Back to the game, Makedonikos got off to a good start, but by the end of the first half Olympia had taken control of the game and claimed victory. The score per period: 17-18, 38-26, 52-44, 71-56.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Precious Draw for Levadiakos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Taking into consideration that History repeats itself, Panionios took the lead in the match against Levadiakos but once more failed to win. The two teams tied 1-1 and got one point each; a point which is more valuable for Levadiakos. The two fouls of the first half were its only good moments! One for Levadiakos in the 29' with Rusev and one with Luciano in the extra time. However, the goalkeeper saved the ball in both cases. In the rerun, the home team played more aggressively, but could not bend Levadiakos defensive line. Finally, Breska was awarded a penalty kick in the 82' and opened the score for Panionios. However, celebrations did not last long, as three minutes later Bushi tied the score, granting the guests one precious point.

Referee: Kakos

Yellow Cards: Zografakis, Vitali, Rusev

LINEUPS

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Giannopoulos, Smiljanic, Kontodimos (56' Breska), Maniatis (72' Fernandez), Spyropoulos, Zografakis, Koutsopoulos, Krassas, Luciano, Kabadais (56' Exouzidis)

LEVADIAKOS: Karakostas, Kallimanis, Theodosiadis, Dimitropoulos, Bushi (90' Gurma), Anderson, Vitali, Bassala, Machairas, Rusev (90+ Dimos), Sicic (83' Manikas)

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Easy Win for Ionikos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Ionikos claimed their sixth win on home grounds, this time over Akratitos with 3-2 goals and have reached 26 points. Within two minutes, Ionikos took the lead by two goals, with Dieng (own-goal) in the 18' and Ukar in the 20', and pretty much showed they could and did threaten Akratitos. The first half ended 2-0 for the home team and in the rerun, Makor was awarded a penalty kick, which ensured Ionikos victory. As for Akratitos, referee Efthimiadis sent off two of their players, Sfakianakis and Dieng, but still the guests managed to score twice. Gustavo scored the first in the 78' and De Francesco, who was awarded a penalty kick in the extra time, managed to score the second.

Referee: Efthimiadis

Yellow Cards: Poulopoulos Red Cards: Sfakianakis, Dieng

LINEUPS

IONIKOS: Beqaj, Tsiblidis, King, Poulopoulos, Belabianakis, Ukar, Gutman, Vourexakis (55' Lettieri), Makor, Perrone

AKRATITOS: Lymperopoulos, Apostolakis, Dieng, Sfakianakis, Pipinis (46' Macquet), Pagonis, Tzimopoulos (46' Skoufalis), Marinescu, Sunsing (57' Gustavo), De Francesco, Ledesma

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] European Win for Xanthi

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Xanthi prevailed over Atromitos 1-0 in round 20 of Division A and earned the right to dream of a bright future in Europe. Delgado scored the golden goal for the home team in the 67', thus giving Xanthi three more points, which make the team rank fourth on the scoreboard with a total of 32 points. Regarding the match itself, Atromitos tried to cover its back in the first half, thus giving Xanthi little room to react or even score, and the match was slow. In the rerun, the guests speeded up their pace and created some classic opportunities to score, but proved unlucky. Xanthi took advantage of their misfortune and claimed victory, scoring the single goal of the match.

Referee: Kalopoulos

Yellow Cards: Doe, Karadimos, Dagas

LINEUPS

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Maghradze, Antzas, Torosidis, Papadimitriou, Zuela, Rikka, Quintana, Barkoglou (17' Delgado, 87' Baykara), Manso, Labriakos

ATROMITOS: Michailidis, Pappas (81' Iliopoulos), Dagas, Georgiou, Korakakis (59' Raguel), Dimos, Karadimos, Katemis, Merino, Doe (66' Zacharopoulos), Djebbour

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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